Adrian smirks, amused to see Lucas. Ah well, this is unavoidable since literally this is their school.
Lucas' face turns into gloom. Dark thunderous clouds hanging above his head. Brewing unspeakable thoughts.
Because of this, the students around them shiver. Hairs on their arms rising. Still, confused about this event happening to them. There was no danger at all. Is there?
Owen feels something is not right. He turns to see Lucas in his gloomy form. To the right, the rival schoolmate smirking.
Recognition flashes to him right away. Indeed, he knew who he was. He had investigated his background after all.
The way he carried himself speaks volumes to Owen. Adrian Ventura. A descendent of the Ventura Household. Another prominent clan of the country. Rival of Allard clan.
Anxiousness befalling to Owen. Thoughts swarming inside as he darts his eyes back and forth towards the two.
Stance ready to fight if ever a nasty argument broke between the duo not knowing, they had already met a while ago with just the them. If only he knew, Owen would be cursing.
''Say Lucas.'' He calls out, as normal as possible. Lest, Lucas pinpoints something wrong in him.
Lucas shifts his attention from the boy unto his friend. He leans forward waiting for his next words.
''Do you want to change positions?''
Owen receives a negative response. He pouts. Cannot help but ask Lucas.
''Why?''
''Nothing. I don't just want to.'' The next word 'for now' remains unsaid.
However, Lucas has plans to share what had happened to his friend. Not now though. Various eyes are on them. Gossips might go around which he hates the most.
He does not have any plans to look at the boy anymore. But, like there was gravity pulling, he could not resist giving attention at the boy once more. Good thing, he was not caught looking.
Adrian himself was too occupied at talking to another boy, his uniform the same as him.
Maybe a friend. Lucas concluded. He then waits patiently for the ceremony to begin.
Removing his gaze from the opposite side, he looks in front. His homeroom teacher walked. He stops by a student and then he moves. This time, he looks locking their gazes.
Lucas, he knows what his teacher wants. He lowers his head down. Trying to avoid the prickly gaze on him. Was today a Friday or Monday?
Monday. Today is a Monday. And Mondays are for their class. It is their turn to lead the ceremony.
As much as he avoids the inevitable. He does not have the opportunity to escape the responsibility he desires so much to weasel his way out.
A slight touch on his shoulder, he looks up to see the grin plastered on Mr. Robert- his homeroom teacher-, he came too soon.
''Lucas, isn't your turn now?'' Mr. Robert asks.
''No sir.'' He denies in haste.
Lucas could not help himself but gave a leg kick to Owen gently at the same time roughly. In cue, Owen speaks up.
''Me sir. I volunteer.''
They hear another word from the class.
''Myself as tribute.'' Small chuckles rang around. Finding the situation hilarious, Lucas cracks out a smile.
I volunteer myself as tribute memes going around cannot be stopped. Especially when it has been going around for weeks.
Mr. Robert discovers it funny also but it did not halt his next words.
''Owen, child, you did not remember that you had already volunteered last week?''
His face flushes. Cheeks tinge with a slight hue of pink.
Lucas internally groans. It had escaped from his mind. Owen had already accomplished his part last week. It was him who was assigned.
Owen, apologetic that he could not lend a help to Lucas, gives an embarrassed expression.
Lucas sighs defeatedly. Being caught with no escape route is not a pleasurable experience.
Mr. Robert grins.
-
''Adrian, where did you go? I could not find you.'' Kristoff complains.
He ruffles his hair in frustration and then blows the strands of hair blocking his sight simultaneously. The breeze is not cooperating.
''You do not have to know.'' Adrian retorts back.
He had wanted to say more yet halts himself when he hears chuckle going around in the line beside them.
Curious, his attention drifted and sees something going on.
''Seems like something is happening to them.'' Kristoff says.
''Retard, it is obvious.''
''Hey!" Kristoff bellows in protest.
Adrian ignores him. He perks his ears up, hoping to hear a few words but he could not. Their voices were too soft to his liking. Not loud enough to catch some words. He gave up in the middle and ought to see where it will be going.
''Eh? Isn't that Lucas?'' This catches the attention of Adrian.
''You know him?''
''Of course, I do, duh. Being compared to him does that to you.'' Kristoff bitterly comments.
''Besides, to you too.''
Adrian's brows furrowed.
''They are still doing that? Indeed, they are.'' Adrian answers his own question.
Instead of pity, he burns with fury. His temples throbbing. He let out a smile.
Kristoff nervously laughs. Such a mistake to utter those words. Now, Adrian is angered. He should not say something like that.
He brings up his hand, squeezing Adrian's shoulder.
''Dude, it is okay. I am okay. I just let it to my ear and then to the other ear.''
Kristoff cuts off Adrain's next words before he could utter them.
''My dude. I know my strengths and weaknesses. I really just don't have the chance to shine yet. And so relax, I am immune to their words. Besides, I got you yeah?''
Adrian forces his rising temper down. He breathes in to calm down. It works.
''Yeah, you got me.'' Adrian did not offer any more words of consolation.
He knows Kristoff knows what he wanted to say. Their brotherhood is like that.
Furthermore, he needs to grab an opportunity so that his friend could be in the sun. To slap his family members that he is capable like them.
''We're straying from our topic though. Lucas is in front.'' Kristoff states trailing of after.