Chapter 6: CHAPTER 4
Song of the Chapter: Lies in the Dark ~ToveLo
Chapter: 4
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PERSPECTIVE: Aizea - The girl that hears after dark
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The weather is exceptionally good today, as we step out and head to the Gathering Field at the centre of the Town Square.
As Sheroa bolts the door, Melinda shoots me an apologetic glance that, I know, is for yesterday. I smile, letting her know that it's alright and we have moved ahead of that.
Though, I know that we most definitely have not. We never can. I don't know who I've got this trait from, but I am extremely unforgiving and I find it extraordinarily difficult to forget, either.
We walk together to the Town Square. Almost half-way, we meet Evelyne and her family.
Her little, chubby, bubbly sister - a miniature replica of Eve's - gets excited at the sight of me. However, unlike Evelyne, who would've run right into me, Lily stands at the same place and starts jumping and giggling aloud. It's a wonder how this kid manages to stay this hyped up all the time!
I give her the most gentle smile I could possibly manage and pat her cheek in an affectionate gesture. "How do you do, kiddo?"
Lily frowns and pouts at my words, confusing me.
"I am not a kid anymore! I am five!", Lily defends vehemently and holds up all the fingers in one cute little hand of hers. I can't help but laugh. "Oh sure, ki- err... Lily.", I reply and bite my lower lip lightly at the mistake, my lips urging to quirk up at the corners.
Lily shoots me a smile as bright as the Sun, no matter how cliché that sounds. Evelyne is soon hugging me tight enough to render me breathless. "Umm... I can't breathe, Evie, like usual.", I mumble and she quickly lets go with a grin.
It's our silent rule - never get boisterous in front of elders. In fact, we play it pretty cool in front of somewhat everyone other than Andre.
All of us walk the rest of the way to the Gathering Field in serene silence and that makes the tension emanating from me even more obvious to notice. Even I myself can almost feel the worry radiating off of me. Of course my best friend notices more than anyone else.
Eve nudges me lightly and catches up to me, accelerating from her previous turtle-like pace. "What's the matter?", she whispers the question almost accusingly, as if it was a crime for me to not keep her updated with every tiny, insignificant event of my life - worrying or not.
I take a deep breath. She doesn't know who I am, and yet she loves me. She loves the fake person that I pretend to be, all the time, and it would really hurt her if and when she ever comes to know of my true identity. But, in all honesty to myself, I don't quite intend to spill a single precious bean with regards to my 'identity' to anyone.
Not consciously and willingly, at least.
The thought is painful, guilt-striking, rage-invoking, disappointing as well as weirdly exciting - all at once. My head feels very mildly buzzy with all these thought, when Evelyne let's out an irritated hiss of my name again, louder than the previous times.
I decide to give her the truth. The least I can do for our friendship is give her as much truth as possible.
"Andre asked me out yesterday, during class, and I agreed.", I whisper back, trying to keep the tension that I am feeling, out of my voice. I side-glance at Evelyne, warily.
She has stopped walking, her forest-green eyes as huge as saucers, her lips slightly parted. I tug at her hand and she seemingly jerks awake from her state of frozen shock, and then, as we both restart moving, holding hands, her eyes snap towards me.
"Did you really say what I heard?", she asks me, the volume modulation non-existent.
"Mmhmm, I think so.", I reply, feeling oddly funny. Her widen a fraction, if that's even possible.
"Did you just give me a mildly sassy reply?", she asks in wonder and then her face lights up with the hugest grin I've ever had the fortune to witness in my whole life.
"Who are you and what have you done to my best friend?!", she exclaims like a shooting star has just struck her in the head. I laugh, before the sense of gloom settles at the pit of my stomach.
I've never actually seen a shooting star. We've only read about that in class. Speaking of that, I've never even seen the star-studded night sky, except for in my dreams. And, frankly speaking, what I haven't seen beckons me the most.
The night calls me, and I can't deny it as the fact that it is.
I want to smell the fallen pine needles without seeing them. I want to touch the softness of the white snow. I want to feel the night breeze brushing past my skin. I want to feel even the chill. I want to see those misty mountains and venture into the depths of the dark forests.
I know I am being a sheer danger-magnet, but honestly, I don't mind till I can get to somewhere where I can be myself.
I don't need to shake my head to clear it, the sight of the entrance to the Gathering Field, decked prettily with tiny, yellow and orange flowers, brings all my senses out of the dreamy daze and into perfectly complete awareness.
They are going to announce Andre's coronation date today, and he'll be the Mayor of Zaayes thereon. I should probably be happy, provided he is my best friend, the most 'eligible' candidate for Mayorship that Zaayes can ever have, and not to mention that I am technically going out on a 'date' with him, later today, finally.
But, remember, I am anything but a normal girl in Zaayes. So, no, unfortunately I am not too elated about this coronation thing.
In fact, I dread it. I dread it's consequences.
The field is all set with chairs and a stage on the farther edge. It's not too big, yet, big enough to fit the town's whole populace. It is therefore the default location for the weekly Gatherings that are mandatory for every single resident of the town to attend.
We never usually have the front row seats, which are under the unspoken reservation of the town's elites. But today, as we begin settling into the seats of the third row or so, two guys - really good-looking guys, to be specific - rush to us, and immediately turn to a mildly alarmed Sheroa.
"Sir, would you and your family kindly shift to the front row seats? We have strict instructions to make certain of your utmost comfort.", he says politely, and yet with a strange command in his voice that makes Sheroa nod without any provision to any second thoughts or questions. Then the guy, who I suddenly recognize to have seen a few times in school, shoots me an evaluating, lingering glance - as if he is checking whether I am worth something - and then nod almost unnoticeably to himself, before a polite, almost satisfied, and friendly smile spreads over his lips. The second guys does almost the same, only he looks a little younger with a naughty glint in his eyes, before both of them turn around and jog to the farthest rear corner, right beside the stage.
And that's when I spot Andre. He is dressed really well in a shirt, gray tie and matching pants, which give off an almost royal vibe. I have to say, he does look attractive with his glinting blue eyes and boyish grin that's now directed towards me. I was just too scared to notice all this before. Even now, I don't feel that kind of an attraction towards him. Calling him attractive doesn't mean his stare can set my heart on fire... Like he does.
"Aizea.", Evelyne's call from the row snaps me out of yet another thinking spree and I go and sit right next to a very very happy Evelyne. "Thanks to you and your acceptance of the lover-boy's proposal. I don't quite like him, but I can manage till he makes sure we all get all these luxuries, for free! I love you for saying yes to him! Though, if not for all these, I probably would've asked you to never say yes to him again, but not anymore. I resign from Team Anti-Andre.", she hurriedly whispers to me as soon as I take my seat between her and my mother, and I giggle almost quietly.
There's so much that I want to say as a reply. How nervous I am, my dreams and how I feel like I am betraying him by even agreeing to 'hang out' with Andre. But I can't. And I know that too well to question that anymore.
I wonder, if that's the case with most things in my everyday life.
The Mayor walks up onto the stage after all the seats are full. We all stand in salutation and he holds up both his hands, before his words boom all over the crowd.
He is a tall man with a formidable expression permanently plastered on his face and his tanned complexion, muscular build and salty-peppery beard only make him look even more intimidating. His voice is always commanding and he is an absolute worshipper of the Shifters' Lord - whoever that is.
This is what I don't want Andre to become, ever. For, his mother, the Mayor's wife, has never been seen outside the Mayor's bungalow, post marriage.
"All ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you..."
The Mayor's authoritative voice drones on like an insignificant buzz outside my head and string of in-depth thoughts. I haven't closed my eyes and yet, all I can see are his gorgeous amber eyes, the way his sharp jaw clenches when he is mad, the indent at the base of his neck that only adds to his supremely masculine beauty, his romanesque nose and deep philtrum that end at his delicious-looking lips.
How have I been so immune to his charms, formerly? However, that's a moot point now, since he is all that I can think about as the speech goes on and on. He is just too handsome for me to not have noticed. Blind me!
Well, I haven't exactly been blind. I was just always too focused on his touch and the way that has always made blood rush to my cheeks and a strange warmth pool at the base of my stomach, to concentrate on anything else.
I push the thoughts away, as the crowd stands up and I stand up along. We all sing the short ritual prayer, whose meaning I still can't quite figure out. Not that I've ever been too curious. I wouldn't be too surprised if it meant something outrageously atrocious.
I only focus on my surroundings properly, when I see Andre walking up onto the stage.
"And, this, as you all know, is my dear son and the legit heir of the noble responsibilities of the Mayor of Zaayes. He, not just by popular knowledge but my facts too, I can proudly state, is the strongest shifter of the young generation. Therefore, I , the current Mayor of Zaayes, keeping all of you, my dear people, as witnesses, hereby officially declare Andre O'Niewever as the future Mayor of Zaayes, to which post he shall be appointed through the Grand Coronation Ceremony that is to take place the day-after-tomorrow!"
I can see the slight traces of a flush creeping onto Andre's cheeks, as the complete focus of the crowd shifts to him and loud applauds erupt from the crowd in unison. I am not sure if anyone else notices the long and deep breath he takes in order to steady himself as the very obvious wave of tension washes over him.
With great power comes great responsibility. And great responsibilities are often synonymous to great sacrifices.
As the crowd dissipates, my and Evelyne's families also get up to leave. Sheroa gives my shoulder a light, reassuring squeeze. "I'll be there in the bakery.", he says softly and I can almost hear him add If you need me through the look in his eyes. But both of us know all too well that it's only fake reassurance. If Andre decides to do something, no power in all Zaayes can ever stop him.
Still, I give him a smile that he returns, before leaving.
Evelyne hugs me tight and whispers a cheeky, "All the best!", in my ears, to which I secretly roll my eyes. Lily waves a tiny hand at me with a bright smile and I simply return the gesture. Even the sight of this cute little ball of adorable joy, makes me so happy.
I stand alone in the now vacant Gathering Field. One of the two guys who Andre was talking with till now, is jogging towards me. I glance at Andre, who waves at me. And I don't wait for the guy to come over and escort me to where Andre and the Mayor are standing. If I have to face the Mayor, I might as well do that without making myself look like some dumb weakling.
Though, that's what he would rather prefer to see me as.
I walk over to Andre and notice the Mayor's features freezing up ever-so-slightly. He has noticed my brazen-ness, and he probably doesn't like what he is seeing. I'm not even talking about my looks.
I don't know from where, but I am all-of-a-sudden feeling this burst of rebellious courage within myself. I don't express it, though. Who knows, I may need that for safety and survival purposes some day.
Andre smiles at me as I near him and once he knows that I can very clearly see his minutest expressions, he glances between his father and me and makes an apologetic face and sports a consecutive smile that conveys a promise of trying to make the rest of the day as good for me as possible.
I slightly bow in front of the Mayor. He looks even more intimidating with his large frame, this up close. But I don't feel quite intimidated. "So, you're Aizea, right?", he asks, studying me head-to-toe with a scrutinizing and calculative glance. I nod, deliberately keeping him from estimating me for who I really am. The lack of words somehow seems to impress him, and he simply shoots me a look that is an intermediate between a glare, a warning, a threat, a judgemental look of evaluation and so many more that I have this sudden urge to avert his pitch black eyes.
But I don't.
As soon as he is gone, Andre takes my hands in his. My eyes meet his and I see the gratitude in them. We don't smile, neither do we talk.
His expression goes to a blank and then he gives my hand a tug, strong enough to pull me into the warmth of his body.
"Thank you.", he whispers into my ear and my lips part in a tiny involuntary gasp. I don't know exactly what message those two words conveyed. It was almost like thanking a prey for being stupid enough to walk right into the trap set for it.
It made my spine go all cold, and as if the things weren't already going downhill, my earlier burst of rebellious courage had taken a hiatus.
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Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone