After seeing Alexander falling asleep on the table, Khristian felt a mixture of compassion and frustration. Khristian's compassion was for the obvious state of stress and sadness that Alexander carried with him, while the frustration came from the fact that he couldn't delve into Alexander's thoughts deeply enough to help him in any way.
Eventually, Khristian decided to gently wake up Alexander and lead him to his room to rest.
"What do you want to do to me? I-I'll tell the rector about this... Let me go...", Alexander began to protest visibly groggy.
"Alexander, think about it, tomorrow will be as exhausting as today. If you don't rest, you won't be as active tomorrow, don't you think?" Khristian reasoned.
"You're right. I can make it upstairs on my own. I don't need someone like you to help me... All you want is to... to..." Alexander's words trailed off as he started feeling nauseous due to the alcohol consumed, eventually vomiting and staining Khristian's sky-blue shirt. To Khristian's surprise, he didn't react but instead took Alexander by the arm and led him to his room.
"I-I didn't mean to do that. If you're mad, you can leave me alone and-" Alexander stammered.
"Are you sure? The thing is, if people find you here, they'll be disappointed in you, and who knows, maybe you'll become a shame to the whole Institute, don't you think?" Khristian interrupted, trying to diffuse the situation.
"How dare you... I think you're right, but I'm too embarrassed to admit it. Th-Thank you..." Alexander responded, feeling ashamed.
"What do you say?"
"Don't try to make me repeat it. The only thing I don't like is being indebted to someone, but... I hope everything stays as it was." Alexander replied, embarrassed.
"Why don't you try to change? Try not to be just that star on the outside. Try to be yourself on the inside. Do you understand?" Khristian suggested.
"I hope. Anyway, I don't think I understand much at this hour..."
"I can tell, Alexander. Anyway, why are you so lonely among so many people who adore you?"
"It's complicated... It doesn't matter. Anyway, you'll never understand."
"Alright... We've reached your room. I'll leave you now; I need to get to my room and rest for tomorrow, okay? Good night!"
"Are you leaving already? I don't want to sleep... It's only 10:00..."
"It's enough. Tomorrow will be as full as today, and you need to rest. Rest is very important, right?"
"But-"
"I don't want to hear anything, Alexander..." Khristian replied, gently laying him in bed.
"Okay then, good night!"
After helping Alexander to his room, Khristian returned to his room, his thoughts still unsettled by the events of the evening. He felt that there was something deeper in his connection with Alexander and that he needed to try to understand him better.
As he lay in his bed, Khristian thought about the next day and the challenges and opportunities awaiting him at the mysterious Institute. He had a strong feeling that this experience would change his life in ways he couldn't yet anticipate.
With his mind full of questions and hopes, Khristian surrendered to sleep, preparing for another day of adventures and discoveries.
The next morning, Khristian woke up with a sense of anticipation and curiosity about what the day would bring at the mysterious Institute. Although still tired from the events of the previous evening, he was determined to approach the day with an open mind and be ready for whatever might come. Khristian, alongside Antonio and Raphael, were seated next to Alexander, the four of them staying together throughout the entire celebration.
After having breakfast in the dining hall with the other three students, Khristian met the new colleagues and joined the group to explore the campus and participate in the activities planned for the day.
On the second day of activities, the Institute organized a visit to the Cathedral of the city and the Municipal Museum. All newcomers were invited to go to learn about the history and culture of the city, and then to pray at the Cathedral, which had St. Michael the Archangel as its patron. Among the students chosen to guide the newcomers were Antonio and Alexander, the stars of the Institute.
Walking towards the Cathedral together with the group, Alexander became somewhat introverted. He seemed to be lost in thought, and this change of character caught the attention of those around him. The only thing he could think of was what happened the night before. Everything seemed so vivid in his mind, although he was dizzy from exhaustion and alcohol.
"Alexander, are you okay?" Antonio asked.
"Excuse me? Y-Yes, I'm okay..." Alexander replied, visibly tired and distant.
"What happened? You're not yourself right now. You can trust me." Antonio insisted.
"Um... I think everything is more difficult than I thought. You know, I mean, I want to reconcile with my inner voice, but I think I need someone's help..." Alexander confessed.
"I think I know the person who can help you... Khristian, come here for a moment..." Antonio called Khristian.
"What happened, Antonio?" Khristian asked, curious about what was going on.
"Khristian, Alexander needs your help. Try to help him, okay?" Antonio requested.
Khristian was very concerned about Alexander's state, but he couldn't help being curious about what had happened to him.
"Hey, Alexander, are you okay?" Khristian asked, surprised.
"Yes. I'm better than yesterday, and I was thinking about what you said yesterday. Anyway, thanks for helping me with all that advice last night. If you need anything when you come here-"
"Can you give me your phone number?"
"Why? What do you want to do with it?" Alexander asked, feeling embarrassed.
"Maybe we'll talk more until then. You know, maybe you'll be here when I come for admission..."
"I think you're right... Write it down."
After exchanging numbers, everything started to feel easier. They arrived at the Cathedral in a few minutes and were welcomed by the Bishop, who offered them some food, sweets, and the opportunity to play in the recreation room of the Episcopal Headquarters. After nearly two hours of fun, spiritual conversations, and more, it was time to leave. As a memento, the Bishop gave each of them an icon of St. Michael, the protector of the Cathedral and the Universal Church, along with his blessing.
After visiting the Cathedral and the Bishop's Headquarters, they went to the Municipal Museum, which was very close to the Cathedral. There, they went to the History section, where they saw different objects and images recalling events from the history of the United States. Objects belonging to George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, objects belonging to American Freemasonry, who played a special role in the history of the United States. With Alexander as their guide, everything was going according to plan. Antonio, a lover of history and culture, joined Alexander, starting to talk zealously about the history of his own country.
After almost an hour, the group of young people returned to the Institute to participate in other activities planned for the second part of the day. On their way back to the Institute, the young people decided to go out together and eat in the city to get to know each other better. They shared funny stories and exchanged different opinions and dreams they had.
Upon reaching the Institute, the group of young people parted ways and went to different places. However, Alexander didn't want to go to his room, so they decided to walk around the campus with other students and professors.
While walking around the campus and interacting with other students and professors, Alexander noticed that Khristian seemed to be more open and communicative than the previous day. Although he still maintained a certain distance from others, it was noticeable that he was more receptive to conversations and tried to integrate better into the group.
Khristian, however, felt a sense of satisfaction that he had managed to have a positive impact on Alexander and that he had been able to help him overcome some of his emotional barriers. At the same time, he realized that he felt more confident and comfortable around his new colleagues, which made him feel more welcome and accepted in this community.
As the day continued, Khristian participated in various academic and religious activities, getting to know his colleagues better and discovering more about life and culture at the mysterious Institute.
Immediately after sunset, the entire Institute participated in a Eucharistic adoration to unite in prayer to God. All students, along with professors and other members of the Institute, placed themselves under God's direct providence and asked for help for the days to come and for the exams they would face.
During dinner, something happened in the group of the four young people. Two of them weren't talking and seemed quite upset, which surprised the others around them. The two were not Khristian and Alexander, but Antonio and Raphael, who were upset and not speaking to each other.
"Hey, Antonio, are you okay?" Alexander asked his friend.
"To be honest, I don't feel too good. I think I'll go to my room. See you tomorrow." Antonio replied.
"Antonio, wait!" Raphael stopped Antonio, who was trying to get up.
"What's wrong? Do you need something?"
"Um... I think I need to talk to you a little... If you don't mind..."
After the end of dinner, Antonio and Raphael walked through the courtyard while the moon shone above their heads. People who met them greeted them and engaged in conversations with them, which slightly annoyed them.
"Hey, Raphael... Would you like to come to my secret place with me?"
"Really? Do you want us to go to that place together?"
"If you agree, I wouldn't mind having one more person know about that place. Even Alexander doesn't know anything about it, so... What do you say?"
"Sure... I mean, if you say so..."
With a timid smile on his face, the two young men went to Antonio's known place. Suddenly, after some time walking in the dark, they saw a light.
"Come in, please..."
Antonio invited Raphael to enter that construction, which was quite destroyed but beautiful at the same time.
"This is the former chapel that collapsed during the earthquake a few years ago, and this place has remained forgotten by people until I discovered it by accident..."
"How wonderful. How many prayers have been raised to the heavens from this place, and how many dreams have been fulfilled in the same place a few generations ago..."
"The only one who still prays to heaven here is me, and now... You."
"I'm extremely moved and grateful, but I have a question. Why were you sad at dinner?"
"I was sad because tomorrow afternoon you will leave, and I will be left alone again with Alexander and the others... Please, promise me in this sacred place that you will come to study here."
"I promise... No matter what, I will come."
"Then, I guess I have to wait a little longer to act, right?"
"In what sense? Do you mean...Like that?"
To his surprise, Raphael kissed Antonio on the cheek, leaving him speechless and trying to maintain his breathing rhythm.
"W-Why did you do that?" Antonio asked Raphael.
"Antonio, I've known you since you played in that TV series last year. Although you were just a secondary character, you still made me hope that I would be able to meet you someday."
"Well-"
"I think we should go to bed now, right?"
"O-Okay. Good night, Raphael..."
"Good night!"
Khristian and Alexander also didn't sit idle but discussed their dreams and deepest desires, hoping to meet again in the next academic year.
As they returned to their rooms to rest, Khristian and the other students felt a sense of gratitude and contentment for the past few days spent together.
With their minds full of new experiences and adventures, Khristian lay down in his bed and surrendered to sleep, preparing for the journey home and the reunion with his loved ones.