The hallway buzzed with life as students moved about, deep in conversation about the upcoming festival. The air was thick with excitement, their voices rising and falling as they discussed what they had bought, what they planned to wear, and who they intended to go with.
The energy was infectious, filling the space with a warmth that contrasted the gray sky outside, where the sun remained hidden behind thick clouds. The air was heavy with the promise of rain, the atmosphere carrying a faint dampness, as if the world was holding its breath before the looming deluge.
But amidst this lively scene, Noah remained hidden.
In a desperate attempt to vanish into the shadows, he pressed himself against the cool, textured surface of a nearby pillar, his heart hammering against his ribs. He risked a furtive glance around the corner, his eyes tracing the retreating figure of Theodore, whose broad shoulders and confident stride seemed to fill the space.
Noah held his breath, his fingers gripping the rough edge of the pillar. The moment Theodore disappeared down the opposite hall, he exhaled quietly, his shoulders sagging in relief.
"Just in time," he murmured, his knees suddenly weak and unsteady. He slid down the pillar, the cool stone a welcome comfort against his flushed skin.
He didn't know if he had the courage to face him right now. Maybe later. Maybe tomorrow. But today was an utter impossibility. The thought alone sent an anxious shiver down his spine.
"Uh….what are you doing?"
A voice laced with a mixture of concern and subtle mirth cut through the soft murmur of distant conversation.
Noah nearly jumped.
Jude stood a few feet away, a stack of books casually tucked under his arm. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his inquisitive gaze was fixed on Noah, who resembled a startled rabbit caught in a trap.
"I'm… sitting?" Noah's voice wavered uncertainly, but he quickly covered it up with a small, awkward laugh.
Jude gave him a flat look. "Don't be weird."
"….." Noah could only avert his eyes.
"Aren't you heading back soon? You should start packing," Jude reminded him, adjusting the books in his arms.
"I will. But I thought I'd stop by the library first, maybe borrow a few books to help with my assignments." Noah dusted off his pants as he stood up.
"Good idea. I've got a few myself." Jude lifted the three books he held, displaying their titles with a casual flick of his wrist. "Alright, I'd better get going. I should get everything into my luggage before I forget something important."
"See you back in the room." Noah replied, waving as they parted ways.
- - -
The library, once teeming with students, had now fallen into an unsettling silence. Rows of empty tables stretched across the room, their polished surfaces reflecting the soft glow of overhead lamps, creating a sense of order seldom seen during busier hours. The familiar scent of aged paper hung in the air, mingling with the faint chill seeping in from the open windows.
Noah stepped inside, his footsteps barely making a sound against the smooth wooden floor. A handful of students remained, scattered in distant corners, their heads bowed over their books. Aside from the occasional shuffle of pages and the soft scratch of pens against paper, silence hung heavy.
He wandered through the aisles, fingers trailing lightly along the spines of the books as he searched for the ones he needed. The overhead lights flickered briefly, casting elongated shadows between the towering shelves. Rising onto his toes, he peered up at the higher sections, his eyes scanning for anything that might be useful.
After gathering two or three books, he turned to leave—only to realize just how deep he had ventured into the library.
The windows on this side allowed only a faint trickle of light, the heavy clouds outside casting a dull, muted glow over the room.
A sigh escaped him. "Why is the weather always like this?"
Dark, gloomy, and endlessly overcast. He missed the sun.
He had scarcely taken a step when a swift blur moved through the shadows.
The figure darted past him—so fast that he barely had time to react. Before he could utter a word, the person lifted a finger to its lips in a silent gesture, urging him to stay quiet. Then, just as quickly, it slipped behind the last row of shelves, vanishing from sight.
Noah stood frozen, his heart hammering against his ribs, breath caught in his throat.
Then came another set of footsteps, measured and deliberate, drawing closer from the distance ahead. The person remained hidden behind the towering shelves, their presence growing more tangible with each step.
Moments later, a girl emerged into view, her long brown hair swaying with her every stride.
"Oh my, isn't this the little cousin?"
Her voice was light, almost playful, yet there was an unsettling glint in her golden eyes as they locked onto him.
"Sister… Rosie?" Noah asked cautiously, his voice a quiet thread in the still air. He recognized her familiar golden eyes, but they were keener now, carrying the intense focus of a hunting cat surveying its surroundings.
"You remember me? How adorable!" Rosie chirped, ruffling his hair before glancing around, impatience briefly flashing in her eyes.
"By the way, have you seen Lucien around here?"
Noah blinked innocently. "Brother? Did he say he was coming here?"
Rosie scrunched her nose and let out an exasperated sigh. "I thought I saw him enter the library, but I must have been mistaken. Never mind, carry on."
She gave a quick wave before disappearing down the aisle, leaving a lingering sense of unease in her wake.
When the sound of her footsteps faded, Lucien emerged from behind the shelf, his silver hair slightly tousled.
"Why does she never give up?" he muttered, adjusting his coat, his fingers smoothing the fine fabric. A rare flash of annoyance crossed his features, a ripple in his otherwise serene demeanor.
Noah rubbed his cheek, uncertain about how to handle the unexpected turn of events.
"Good, you're here," Lucien spoke first, his voice regaining its usual composure. "Be ready by seven tomorrow. Try not to be late."
Noah perked up. "I won't… Should I wait by the entrance?" he asked, placing his books on a nearby table, his arms aching from their weight.
"Yes, do that," Lucien replied as he brushed the strands of silver hair from his eyes.
"Um… Brother Lucien…" Noah fidgeted, pressing his hands together as his heart pounded in his chest. He took a slow breath, steadying himself before the words left him. "I'm sorry."
Lucien raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden apology. "For what?"
"I acted rather rudely yesterday. I shouldn't have… done that." Noah's voice trailed off as he looked up pleadingly, his crimson eyes tinged with regret. "Please forgive me. I won't do it again."
Lucien studied him for a moment before sighing—a quiet sound that seemed to carry the weight of unspoken words.
"Why would I be angry in the first place?"
The young boy could only stare in silence.
"I'm not mad," Lucien added, effectively putting an end to any further worry.
Relief washed over Noah, but the awkwardness remained.
A faint rumble echoed through the sky, followed by the soft patter of rain against the windows. The library grew even darker, the already weak sunlight wavering under the thickening clouds.
Noah turned his head toward the window, gazing at the blurred view outside. "It's raining again."
Something clicked in his mind. "Ah…can I return the clothes and shoes after the holidays?"
Lucien's attention was already on the shelves behind him, his eyes drifting over the rows of books as his fingers brushed lightly over their covers.
"It's just… the sun hasn't been out, so I couldn't dry them properly," Noah admitted, lowering his gaze.
"That's fine. Just keep them," Lucien said absently as he picked up a book and flipped through its pages.
"But they're a bit loose on me."
"You'll grow into them."
"…"
Noah couldn't argue with that, though a flicker of doubt remained. "The shoes too?" he asked cautiously.
"Hmm, you can keep them. I bought them for you for the festival," Lucien replied with indifference. "Think of it as an early gift."
His brows furrowed slightly as he skimmed the book in his hands, unimpressed. With a quiet sigh, he snapped it shut and reached for another.
Noah peered at him, caught off guard.
"…I see…Thank you, Brother."
Lucien didn't respond right away. He merely cast a brief glance back, catching sight of the small, tentative smile on the boy's lips.
"Alright , let's head out," he said, turning toward the exit. "It's getting dark quickly."
The library had grown colder, the faint scent of rain drifting in from the windows left ajar. The low tremor of distant thunder rolled through the silence, and the golden glow of the lamps did little to push back the deepening shadows stretching between the towering shelves.
Noah nodded and followed Lucien, the silence broken only by the tender cadence of rain outside the window, their footsteps echoing through the empty aisles.