“Remiel!”, a voice called out, interrupting his thoughts, “I’m headed off to work now, lock the door when you leave.”
”I will,” Remiel called back, “take care of yourself, Father.” The sound of the front door closing echoed up the stairs through the hallway and into his room. Complete silence reigned throughout the house. Other than the sound of his breathing, Remiel could hear nothing throughout the household. Not the sound of creaking boards, the sound of running water... or the sounds of laughter, or even the joy of a new morning. Not even the sound of wind chimes hanging off of the roof could be heard. Only the irreplaceable, immovable silence remained to be heard.
”I will,” Remiel called back, “take care of yourself, Father.” The sound of the front door closing echoed up the stairs through the hallway and into his room. Complete silence reigned throughout the house. Other than the sound of his breathing, Remiel could hear nothing throughout the household. Not the sound of creaking boards, the sound of running water... or the sounds of laughter, or even the joy of a new morning. Not even the sound of wind chimes hanging off of the roof could be heard. Only the irreplaceable, immovable silence remained to be heard.
Remiel climbed out of his bed, careful not to drag his blanket with him, and opened the dresser door. He reached into the dresser, rummaging around a bit before pulling out a pair of khaki pants, a long sleeved shirt with buttons upon the front length, and a stiff collar. A tie hung from the collar, colored in stripes in golden yellow, ranging from calm and pale, to bold and bright. He quickly changed into the rather elaborate outfit, and reached once more into the dresser, pulling out a maroon suit jacket. Upon the right breast was a crest; the border a dazzling gold. Inside the border lay several overlapping thorn covered vines; in the center of it all was emblazoned a large golden capital “L”. He quickly pulled on the jacket, on pausing to grab a comb and tease his shoulder length auburn hair into place while in front of the mirror. Once finished with his hair, he sat upon his bed, pulling on long black socks, and slipping into a pair of hard soled black shoes. He then smoothed out his bed covers and stooped down next to his alarm clock, pocketing a small cell phone. He hesitated when his fingers hovered over the amethyst pendant.
“Mother...” he whispered, as silent as the house he lived in. Quietly he slipped the pendant around his neck, hidden by the collar and tie of his shirt. Remiel took one last look around the room before he headed out the door. When everything was cleaned and put in its proper place, the room looked so...empty. It showed signs of that one lived there, but the room gave a feeling that something was missing...something essential.
Remiel sighed, and closed the door; the sound of the door clicking shut resounding in the lifeless room.
“Mother...” he whispered, as silent as the house he lived in. Quietly he slipped the pendant around his neck, hidden by the collar and tie of his shirt. Remiel took one last look around the room before he headed out the door. When everything was cleaned and put in its proper place, the room looked so...empty. It showed signs of that one lived there, but the room gave a feeling that something was missing...something essential.
Remiel sighed, and closed the door; the sound of the door clicking shut resounding in the lifeless room.
“Look, there he is!”
”He looks so dreamy in the morning light…”
“They say he’s the most handsome, not to mention popular, guy in the school.”
”Oh my god, he’s looking this way!”
“You might as well give up on him, he’s way out of your league.”
”They say he has turned down every girl that has asked him out.”
”Really? Why!?”
”He looks so dreamy in the morning light…”
“They say he’s the most handsome, not to mention popular, guy in the school.”
”Oh my god, he’s looking this way!”
“You might as well give up on him, he’s way out of your league.”
”They say he has turned down every girl that has asked him out.”
”Really? Why!?”
“Some say he’s in love with a girl from another school. Others think that he isn’t interested in girls…No one really knows for sure.”
”It’s such a shame, letting such good looks go to waste.”
”Yeah…”
“Oy, Remiel!” shouted a voice, sounding out of breath. “Wait for me!” A guy of the same age came running towards Remiel, who stopped walking and turned around to face him. He caught up to Remiel, bending halfway over; resting his hands on his knees, in an attempt to catch is breath. His outfit was identical to Remiel’s, and in his hands was a book bag similar to Remiel’s as well. “You’re…so cruel,” he panted between breaths. “Leaving me behind like that.” Remiel shrugged.
“You were taking too long, flirting with that girl back there” he said indifferently, as if it were a day to day affair, “so I left. If I had stayed behind, then we both would have been late to class.” With that, he continued on, the boy walking hurriedly to catch up to him again. “That’s what you said yesterday,” he shot back as they continued to walk. “Besides, when have we ever, I mean ever, have we been late to class?”
”It’s such a shame, letting such good looks go to waste.”
”Yeah…”
“Oy, Remiel!” shouted a voice, sounding out of breath. “Wait for me!” A guy of the same age came running towards Remiel, who stopped walking and turned around to face him. He caught up to Remiel, bending halfway over; resting his hands on his knees, in an attempt to catch is breath. His outfit was identical to Remiel’s, and in his hands was a book bag similar to Remiel’s as well. “You’re…so cruel,” he panted between breaths. “Leaving me behind like that.” Remiel shrugged.
“You were taking too long, flirting with that girl back there” he said indifferently, as if it were a day to day affair, “so I left. If I had stayed behind, then we both would have been late to class.” With that, he continued on, the boy walking hurriedly to catch up to him again. “That’s what you said yesterday,” he shot back as they continued to walk. “Besides, when have we ever, I mean ever, have we been late to class?”
“We have never been late,” Remiel responded without a second’s passing, “and I do not intend to be so today, either. It is the first day back at school after winter break. It would not bode well if we were late on the first day back, would it, Andrew?”
“Touché,” responded Andrew, grinning “but what better way to start the day than spending time with a girl?”
“Perhaps I would agree with that, if it were any other day and place, and if it were anyone BUT you. Every day spent with you is started flirting with a different girl.” Which, as it turned out, was entirely true. With his silky blonde hair, deep blue eyes, genuine smile and altogether likable personality, Andrew’s popularity with the girls rivaled even that of Remiel’s. Unlike Remiel; however, Andrew took full advantage of that fact. Andrew laughed, his eyes twinkling. A few girls and guys nearby turned to look at the two of them. It was a mystery, how two very different people like Remiel and Andrew could be the best of friends. Truly a mystery…that is, to everyone but themselves, of whom neither felt compelled to give the reasons behind it. Andrew’s laughter soon died down, and he responded lightly “Well, enough about me, what about you, Remiel?”
“Me? Why I never-“ Remiel started to retort indignantly,
“Exactly my point” Andrew cut in quickly. “You never spend time talking to girls-aside from Marie, that is-let alone flirt with one…and just how many girls have you reduced to tears? I believe that girl who confessed to you before the break, that was the…36th one, I believe? Keep this up, and girls will start to avoid you, no matter how attractive you my look.” Andrew’s tone was serious, his words sincere. A very rare sight indeed. Remiel remained silent, unable to respond. It was rare indeed when Andrew had a point, let alone several points. After waiting for Remiel to respond, and finding none, he said “at least let them down easy from now on, eh? After all, a maiden’s heart is fragile, isn’t it?” Andrew grinned as he spoke, and lightly patted Remiel upon the shoulder. As he did so, he spotted a girl in the distance behind his friend, who had dropped her things upon the ground. In less than an instant, Andrew was back to his normal flirtatious self. An odd gleam appeared in his eyes. “Hmm…well, well, well. What lovely little flower do we have here?” He turned to his friend for a moment. “I must excuse myself, Remiel, it appears that girl is in need of my assistance…I’ll catch up with you in English class, alright?” And without another word, Andrew was off, faster than what might seem within human abilities, leaving Remiel shaking his head in disbelief. Remiel soon reached the marble steps leading into the illustrious Lilium Academy, famous for its records in academic achievement. Very few people who do not belong to well off families or have influences in the school’s administrative staff could ever hope to walk within its walls. Remiel himself earned a scholarship due to his outstanding grades. As he walked up the marble stairs through the double doors as the morning bell had begun to ring. Remiel cursed to himself silently, and hurried towards the nearest flight of stairs. Once on the second floor, he headed immediately to his left, and into Room 503: English 11 AP. Once he opened the door, he maintained an air of indifference, quite aware of the stares of all the girls were now focused on him. Remiel moved to his desk at the back of the room, next to the window. Remiel ignored the giggles as the girls continued to look his way, starting intently out the window, and continued to do so as the late bell rang and the teacher walked in.
“Everyone, to your seats” the teacher said to the class as she walked elegantly to her desk. Her long, flowing black hair was tied back in a small bun behind her head, and her horn-rimmed glasses neatly perched upon her small nose. She was of medium height, five feet and nine inches in her heels. She wore black stockings with a matching mid-thigh length black skirt, with a maroon scarf and matching maroon blazer emblazoned with the Lilium crest upon the left breast of her blazer, with a white blouse barely visible beneath her blazer. Her long and shapely legs, luscious thighs and impressive rear, coupled with an hourglass waist and impressive bust size, many of the male students in her classes found themselves drooling and otherwise making fools of themselves, with the exception of Remiel, who viewed her no differently than the many other girls he saw in the academy each day. The teacher began to take attendance, while Remiel was still obliviously staring out the window.
“Arleen?”, she called out.
”Present, Ma’m”.
”Present, Ma’m”.
“Samuel?”
”Here.”
”Here.”
Down the list in alphabetical order the teacher continued, until a short while later…
“Remiel.”
“Remiel.”
…No response.
Silence, and then…
”Remiel.” she repeated. “Remiel Carsen.”
”Remiel.” she repeated. “Remiel Carsen.”
Remiel was still staring out the window, unaware of the teacher calling his name for roll. By this time, having realized by the murmurs that were beginning to roll throughout the class, that Remiel was indeed present; however, was simply not answering the teacher’s call. By the time that the murmurs had grown audible enough to be heard near the teacher’s desk, she had become quite annoyed. She walked towards Remiel’s desk, standing in front of it with a look of anger that marred her otherwise beautiful countenance.
“Remiel Carsen, when you are finished daydreaming, I would like you to answer me when I call your name during roll call, lest I mark you absent by mistake.” Her tone was even, and even sounded polite, but those that had the misfortune to see the instructor’s face say that it was like “glimpsing the face of hell staring you in the face.”
Unaware of the fact that the teacher was right next to him, he turned around only to flinch in surprise. The class laughed, and Remiel looked down at his desk, embarrassed.
“Yes, Miss Bremen.” he murmured.
Miss Bremen returned to her desk, continuing the roll from where she had left off. When she called off the last name on the roll sheet, she sat down in the revolving chair behind her desk. She continued to glance at the role sheet, her eyes narrowing as she focused on one name in particular. She glanced around the classroom, as if searching for someone.
“Where is And-“ she began, but before she could finish, the classroom door swung open, and a rather out of breath Andrew stepped into the classroom, grinning as always.
“Andrew Ralston, at your service ma’m.” He said cheerfully, and the class chuckled.
“Just take your seat, Mr. Ralston.” Miss Bremen muttered, exasperated. Andrew walked lightly and quickly towards the back of the room, taking his seat at the vacant desk to the right of Remiel.
“Alright class,” Miss Bremen’s voice echoed across the classroom, once Andrew had been seated “take out your textbooks and turn to page 357.” There was an unanimous sound throughout the classroom as books were taken out of bags and pages were turned. Amidst the noise, Andrew whispered to Remiel “same as always, no?” Miss Bremen stood up, carrying an open book in her arms as she walked around the classroom and began to lecture. “Throughout the Romantic Era, American literature has focused on….” Miss Bremen’s words seemed lost on Remiel as his thoughts focused on what Andrew had said. Yes, indeed… he thought, same as always, ever the same…
“Alright class,” Miss Bremen’s voice echoed across the classroom, once Andrew had been seated “take out your textbooks and turn to page 357.” There was an unanimous sound throughout the classroom as books were taken out of bags and pages were turned. Amidst the noise, Andrew whispered to Remiel “same as always, no?” Miss Bremen stood up, carrying an open book in her arms as she walked around the classroom and began to lecture. “Throughout the Romantic Era, American literature has focused on….” Miss Bremen’s words seemed lost on Remiel as his thoughts focused on what Andrew had said. Yes, indeed… he thought, same as always, ever the same…
As the bell rang and everyone gathered their belongings and headed out the door to their next class-
“Remiel, a moment please.” Miss Bremen asked Remiel to stay after class for a word.
”See ya later Rem, you dog you,” Andrew joked as he exited out the door. After everyone else had left, Remiel asked wearily, “You wanted to speak to me, ma’m?”
”See ya later Rem, you dog you,” Andrew joked as he exited out the door. After everyone else had left, Remiel asked wearily, “You wanted to speak to me, ma’m?”
Miss Bremen walked over to the door without a word, closing it gently. “Well, for one, please stop with this ‘ma’m’ business. This is an academy, not the military. Miss Bremen will do just fine.”
“Yes ma-, er…Miss Bremen.” he said, startled. “That’s better,” she said, and smiled at Remiel. “Now I’ve noticed that your attention span during my class” she continued, “has been lacking today. Although you answered all questions during class today correctly when I called upon you, the majority of class time you spent either staring out the window or at nowhere in particular.”
Her tone softened then, as did her eyes. Looking Remiel directly in the eyes, she began to speak again. “I may be your teacher, Remiel, but if there is anything that is bothering you, let me know. You are among my best students, and I want you to know that you can come to me for help, at any time.”
Remiel almost answered immediately, but his mouth would not let him. He thought about his strange dream, the one that had been haunting his sleep for nearly a week now. He thought about what Andrew said to him this morning, and later at the start of class when he walked in late. But the longer he thought about all of it, the more he resolved not to say anything at all…so he lied.
“It’s nothing, Miss Bremen. I am just tired, that is all.”
“Hmm…is that so?” she asked, not at all convinced. Just then the sounds of students gathering outside the closed door began to come through, waiting and wondering why the door that was normally opened happened to be closed. “Well, Remiel, please do remember what I said.” her tone returning to its familiar sharpness. Remiel began to gather his things, and was halfway out the door when she called him back. “I’ll write you a pass.” she said simply.
“So, what did she want?” Andrew asked Remiel as he took a large bite from an apple.
”Why are you asking me?” Remiel answered smartly, taking a drink of water from his glass.
It was lunchtime at Lilium Academy, and Remiel and Andrew were seated at one of the numerous tables that were situated throughout the cafeteria. On the opposite wall from the entrance doors lay the buffet table with food ranging from the most succulent roast bird to the most crisp and fresh salads one could ever ask for. The dining ware was nothing to sneeze at, either. Plates made of high quality china; forks, spoons, and knives of fine silver; to the crystal glass cups and flutes. The table themselves were clothed in the academy’s colors, maroon with a golden trim along the edges. Large chandeliers hung from the ceiling and spirited chatter could be heard over the clinking of utensils on plates, echoing off the arched ceiling. Remiel had boiled cod upon his plate with a side of baked potatoes and a tall glass of water to wash it down. Andrew had a salad topped with Italian dressing and an apple.
”Why are you asking me?” Remiel answered smartly, taking a drink of water from his glass.
It was lunchtime at Lilium Academy, and Remiel and Andrew were seated at one of the numerous tables that were situated throughout the cafeteria. On the opposite wall from the entrance doors lay the buffet table with food ranging from the most succulent roast bird to the most crisp and fresh salads one could ever ask for. The dining ware was nothing to sneeze at, either. Plates made of high quality china; forks, spoons, and knives of fine silver; to the crystal glass cups and flutes. The table themselves were clothed in the academy’s colors, maroon with a golden trim along the edges. Large chandeliers hung from the ceiling and spirited chatter could be heard over the clinking of utensils on plates, echoing off the arched ceiling. Remiel had boiled cod upon his plate with a side of baked potatoes and a tall glass of water to wash it down. Andrew had a salad topped with Italian dressing and an apple.
“You were present,” he continued, “It was not more than two minutes ago.” Remiel was referring to a girl who had walked up and asked Remiel a series of strange questions, more than likely another admirer of his.
“No, no, I don’t mean her.” Andrew responded, well aware his friend was giving him a hard time on purpose, “I meant Miss Bremen. Why did she keep you after class this morning?”
“No reason in particular,” Remiel responded in a dismissive manner. Andrew took the hint, and didn’t dig further into the matter, despite his burning curiosity.
“Hey, Remiel,” Andrew said, changing the subject almost immediately, “I almost forgot.” Andrew reached a hand into his blazer. “Here.” he said, pulling out a pink envelope from his inside pocket. He handed it to Remiel, who stared at it curiously. He turned the letter over to look at the back, searching for a name, or even an address. There was none. The only writing to be found was written neatly in precise and flowing cursive, and said “To Remiel”.
“Just what is th-“
”Just open it,” Andrew said, cutting him off. “Some girl ran up to me after Physics last period, asked me ‘Are you Andrew Ralston?’ So I responded courteously ‘Why, that would be me. Now under what pretense do I have the pleasure of meeting such a-‘ and before I can finish, she shoves this letter in front of my face, saying ‘please give this to Remiel!’, and she’s bowing her head and her cheeks were flushed red!” Andrew laughed for a moment before continuing on. “She was really cute, but before I could ask her name, she ran off! I wonder what that was all about?” Andrew said with a knowing smile.
”Just open it,” Andrew said, cutting him off. “Some girl ran up to me after Physics last period, asked me ‘Are you Andrew Ralston?’ So I responded courteously ‘Why, that would be me. Now under what pretense do I have the pleasure of meeting such a-‘ and before I can finish, she shoves this letter in front of my face, saying ‘please give this to Remiel!’, and she’s bowing her head and her cheeks were flushed red!” Andrew laughed for a moment before continuing on. “She was really cute, but before I could ask her name, she ran off! I wonder what that was all about?” Andrew said with a knowing smile.
While listening to his friend’s explanation, Remiel had begun to run his finger through the envelope where it was sealed, opening it deftly with one fluid movement. As Andrew finished his explanation, Remiel had already removed the contents of the envelope and had begun examining it. It was a short letter written on pink stationary in the same flowing cursive as on the back of the envelope. It simply read:
Dear Remiel,
Please come behind the old gymnasium at 3:30pm today.
It was short and to the point, and it took Andrew even less time to grab the letter from Remiel’s hands than it took Remiel to read it himself.
“Sounds like you have another admirer, Remiel.” he frowned then, and looked at it again. “Hold up, the old gymnasium!? That’s way over by the Old Campus…” He set the letter down, thinking quietly to himself.
“The old gymnasium?” Remiel asked as he started to look over the letter once more to check the letter to make sure. “And at 3:30pm too…class ends at 3:15pm today. I would have to run just to make it on time, and furthermore, archery practice begins at 4:00pm today. Remiel sounded weary by the time he finished talking.
“So what are you planning to do?” Andrew asked.
”Simple. I’ll head towards practice immediately after class ends, as I always do.” he answered nonchalantly.
“The old gymnasium?” Remiel asked as he started to look over the letter once more to check the letter to make sure. “And at 3:30pm too…class ends at 3:15pm today. I would have to run just to make it on time, and furthermore, archery practice begins at 4:00pm today. Remiel sounded weary by the time he finished talking.
“So what are you planning to do?” Andrew asked.
”Simple. I’ll head towards practice immediately after class ends, as I always do.” he answered nonchalantly.
“But-“ Andrew started to say, but it was a futile attempt.
“But what?” Remiel shot back, his voice growing harsh. “Why should I waste my time with some love struck young girl, when I have a more important and previous engagement to attend to? I do not have time to waste trekking halfway across campus for some girl I do not even know.” With that, Remiel stood up, his tray at hand. Before Andrew could utter another word, he quickly left the cafeteria, dumping his food into the trash on the way out. As he walked towards the door, people at nearby tables watched him leave, wonder apparent in their eyes. Andrew watched him go, and once Remiel passed through the door, he sighed.
“Remiel, Remiel, Remiel, when will you ever learn?” he muttered to himself. He looked won at the table, and noticed the letter that Remiel had left behind. He looked at the letter again and sighed once more, before folding it and carefully putting it into his pocket. After a while, Andrew slowly rose from his seat, and quietly exited out the door.
The final bell of the day rang, signifying freedom for the majority of the students. For others, it merely meant a 45 minute break until 4 o’clock, when most of the after school clubs’ activities began. Remiel’s final class of the day, U.S. History, seemed to drag on forever. the teacher had been giving yet another boring lecture, this time almost causing Remiel to fall asleep in class. As Remiel headed towards the Central Plaza, Remiel could not help but feel a small amount of guilt. In less than twenty minutes he was supposed to meet that girl who wrote the letter behind the old gymnasium.
It would serve her right if I did not show up; he thought angrily. Just as he thought those words, those that Andrew had spoken earlier drifted into his conscious. “You never spend time talking to girls.” The words echoed in his mind. “…how many girls have you reduced to tears?” As quickly as they had faded into his mind, no sooner had they faded back out again, like nothing more than a passing breeze. Remiel was about to start back towards the Central Plaza again when Andrew’s last words from earlier that morning crashed into his mind. “…at least let them down easy from now on, okay? A maiden’s heart is fragile, after all…” As the last of Andrew’s words faded from his mind, he heaved a great sigh, as if regretting what he was about to do. With a deep feeling of regret for his next actions, Remiel turned back, and at the previous intersection he passed on his way to the Central Plaza, he turned westward and broke into a fast sprint towards the Academy’s old campus. If he kept his current pace, he would just reach the old gymnasium in time to meet the girl who wrote to him with elegant cursive.
It would serve her right if I did not show up; he thought angrily. Just as he thought those words, those that Andrew had spoken earlier drifted into his conscious. “You never spend time talking to girls.” The words echoed in his mind. “…how many girls have you reduced to tears?” As quickly as they had faded into his mind, no sooner had they faded back out again, like nothing more than a passing breeze. Remiel was about to start back towards the Central Plaza again when Andrew’s last words from earlier that morning crashed into his mind. “…at least let them down easy from now on, okay? A maiden’s heart is fragile, after all…” As the last of Andrew’s words faded from his mind, he heaved a great sigh, as if regretting what he was about to do. With a deep feeling of regret for his next actions, Remiel turned back, and at the previous intersection he passed on his way to the Central Plaza, he turned westward and broke into a fast sprint towards the Academy’s old campus. If he kept his current pace, he would just reach the old gymnasium in time to meet the girl who wrote to him with elegant cursive.
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