Nicholas's POV:
Days has passed, so did weeks and a whole month too! Still I couldn't accept the fact that I've indeed become a bully in my classmates' eyes. Why? Cause my so called roommate has never used his right hand in the arena. Don't get me wrong, his bandages came off completely after three weeks and probably everyone saw how raw and bruised his skin looked but that also disappeared in one more week. Then the rumour started that he could use his hand to eat and write, and I absolutely have no idea who saw it with their own eyes, cause after that dinner, Felix has never appeared in the cafeteria to have any meal, not even any other places of the main academic building, only in the arena to attend the Defence Strategy practical classes?it's not like I was looking forward to meet him, but the rumours were just too loud to ignore, specially when I was at the end point of everyone's glaring daggers.
Our classes were fully scheduled too, giving me not much time to relax, even the first campfire of our second term, which was at the end of September gave me no interest to attend and it was helpful in many ways: I didn't have to attract unnecessary people, full-proved protection from hateful glares and comments. I heard that my roommate also didn't attend either, thanks to the rumours again. But that's not what important right now, just come to think of it, isn't he a bit exaggerating the whole thing? I mean, yes I agree that I was pissed off and wanted to lash out on him and that's it, I never ever had a tiny bit intention to harm someone physically! It was a pure accident!
Moreover I apologized for my deeds and he gladly accepted that! Then why is he still acting like his hand is no more useful?! Does he always act like that to gain people's sympathy? Playing some role of pitiable victim?! Just what does he think of himself?! The more I thought, the more enraged I became and it wasn't helping with the sharp glares and harsh comments coming from the students who were currently enjoying whatever they were doing in the vast ground of the campfire site. Yes, that's where I am currently, at our second campfire of the term, at the end of October!
And as usual there was no sign of The Knights's members, neither the trio of the Lawrence royals, even my only friend, Simon was also nowhere to be seen; I wondered where he might've gone. Then my eyes darted through the hurdles of students for the significant blonde haired boy, only to be disappointed when they didn't find any; whom I was deceiving? Maybe he was indeed planning on ruining me completely! Urgh! Why am I like this?! Since when did I care about my reputation? Then a strong pat on my shoulder startled me for a good reason and I exactly knew who it was.
"Ahhh! Chris! That hurts you know?!"
"Oh, really?! Sorry but no sorry!"
As a pout rose on my face, Christopher's amusement faltered.
Worried, he asked "it did hurt?"
Now it was my time to be amused as Chris's eyes searched for any discomfort on me.
Delightfully smirking, I replied "com'on Chris! I'm not a stuffed toy!"
Heaving a sigh, Chris joked "it would have been better, if you were one!"
"Hey!" As I nagged, he broke into heartful laughter, and it was so good to see him like that.
"Anyway, any plans to hangout with someone tonight? I saw you searching for someone..."
Almost panicked, I hurriedly explained "no. I don't have any plan or whatsoever. And whom I'll be searching for? I don't have many accuintances here."
"I don't know. Maybe some handsome blonde boy named Felix Chase."
Of course he was observing each and every action of mine but that does make me realise that, I was actually searching for that said medical student, maybe he was busy in attending some patients and I am just overthinking everything!
Denying the accusation completely, I said "what?! No! Why would I be searching for him?! I was just observing who came this time."
"Is that so?" With a raised eyebrow, Chris scrutinized for a real good minute.
"Of course! I was searching for Simon. He completely hates to miss the campfire. I wonder what was more important than this?!"
"Prince Simon? I didn't see him either. Maybe he is busy with his hospital duties."
"Maybe." As I nodded, Chris started dragging me towards a temporary snacks stall.
"Enough about the doctors! Let's give our stomach something to eat! They have so many varieties in desserts! And you'll love them."
As we reached the stall, Chris ordered two bowls of hot ginseng chicken soup, pastries and a square box of chocolate cupcakes. He knew that I loved them, but he also knew that I haven't touched any, since mom disappeared, cause no one can make it that tastier than my mom.
Noticing my eyes lingering on the displayed cupcakes, brother nudged me, softly speaking "let's find a table, while they prepare."
As I nodded, we made our way to the makeshift seating area, taking our seats, Chris again initiated talking, as if he was afraid about my mental wellness "you did apologize to Felix sincerely, right?"
"Chris... Why are you again..."
"Just tell me." So he was indeed noticing the rumours going around about me.
"Yes, I did. And he accepted it..."
"Did he genuinely accept it or..."
"No no Chris, he genuinely accept it. Even he said that no sorry was needed, it was just a pure accident."
I don't know what got into me, but I felt like I was being heavily defencive about him and my brother just watched me with a deep frown.
"Then why is he avoiding using his right hand till now? Does he have some other major injury on that hand?"
Our foods arrived at the same time and I couldn't keep myself from munching on a pastry.
However Chris decided on cooling down my soup and I answered him "I don't know. I haven't talked to him much, neither am I well informed about him. That guy is so mysterious though."
Looking at me seriously, he spoke carefully, "that should be the case. The rumours I heard from other medical students or from his other classmates were neat and clean, he is humble, honest, sometimes neutral but kind and helpful. And moreover, just look at how fluidly he uses his left hand, that definitely did not happen overnight, he must've had months of practice. I don't think, he is intentionally doing anything about it. It's just those bullies who are spreading unnecessary rumours to corner you. Don't mind them much and don't ever let those words ruin your perspective."
Now that I'm joining the points, I'm actually feeling silly, I was indeed overthinking, and thank goodness, Chris guided me to the right direction. Agreeing with him, I nodded my head vigorously, Chris handed my soup back, and we both started eating.
After we both were done, Chris paid and we were just strolling around, when an idea popped in my mind, as I enthusiastically said, "Chris, let's go to the night exhibition at the art gallery in the township, downhill. Some of my seniors got chance to showcase their work!"
"Really?! They let them showcase this early?!"
"Of course! They're some best students from the final year in our department and they were scouted through the province wide art agency."
"Wow! That's awesome!"
"And you know what's more awesome?! Professor Jones said that I might have my show on my third year!"
"Oh my! Really?! Oh I'm so happy for you, Nicky!"
Chris grinned so widely and then started the announcement "y'all hear that? My brother's gonna have his exhibition next year!"
I could feel my blood rushing to my cheeks and ears in embarrassment, as I tried to stop him from attracting more attention.
"Chris! Stop! What're you doing? People are staring at us!"
"So what?! I'm happy and I'm expressing that! You've worked hard for it. Make sure to give your every focus on it and you'll definitely make it to there. I'm so proud of you!"
Then he embraced me in a tight warm hug, caressing my back, he whisper-asked "are those brown dressed boys gone?"
After scanning the whole surrounding, of course not making it obvious, I answered with the same hushed tone "yes. They're gone."
Now I understand, why he was so overreacting, as if he was drunk, those were the spies, recruited to monitor us, by our own father! Yeah, I know. Great! Right? We both knew how to avoid them, or ditch them effortlessly, but we were too engrossed in the enjoyment of each other that we didn't notice their presence, I don't know how much they heard from us, and immediately a panick set through me.
As if sensing my anxiety, Chris assured me "don't worry, they weren't behind us for much long."
As I heaved a sigh of relief, suddenly someone bumped into us and I clearly saw him shoving a piece of paper in Chris's hand. We both were startled by that, our eyes darted to the immediately vanished man, then to the crumpled paper, then to each other. Chris hurriedly opened the paper and the insides totally dumbfounded me! It was a letter from The Knights! What did they want to do with us?
The letter said that they wanted to meet Chris at their current base which was literally the abandoned buildings of the hospital staffs. Wow! My brother actually got invited to their meeting!
"But, why? They don't usually involve royal people in their cases."
If only he knew.
"Chris, it must be something urgent and important."
"Maybe. But why now?"
"Just go ahead. Maybe you can get to know something about mom and Felix from them!"
Chris looked really concerned about this letter, he also wanted to know about mom's whereabouts, then why does he seem troubled by the thought of meeting them?
"Nick, will you be okay, returning to the dorms, alone?"
"Of course! I'll be okay! Just go and don't take your nerves seriously there. Be careful about everything."
Though he looked a bit puzzled, he shrugged it off and then jogged towards the hospital ground.
So there is indeed a possibility that I'm going to meet my mom soon. With a good mood, I made my way through the chilly night and my mind automatically drifted off to the happy memories of my mom, me and Chris, I can't wait to live my life like before. There were other few students heading to the dorms too, in my trance, I didn't notice someone approaching me from behind. And suddenly I felt a sticky, smelly substance was poured over me, it was dirt and mud. I was completely shocked and frozen there, feeling the wetness getting under my clothes and the chilly October night wasn't helping at all. The person still had the empty bucket in his hand, he looked at me with pure disgust and mockery, his face was known, but where I've seen him, I can't remember. The passerby students also stopped, creating a watching crowd, completely enjoying the drama.
Laughing for a good while, that person finally spat "that's for Felix! Jerk!"
Then he ran away, penetrating me completely with an unexplainable internal pain that surprisingly I felt in my heart. Then started the low murmuring of the watchers and my ears started ringing on its own, as if trying to tune off every unnecessary sound, so I obliged to its wish.
Letting everything outside, I only listened to my inner voice, "he isn't bad. He didn't do it. I'll talk to him tommorow about it."
Slowly but steadily I made it to my room with utter distress engulfing me, washing myself for at least one and half hour, when I felt fresh and clean enough, I went to my room. Lying on my bed, I finally let the tears fall free and they made a whole cascade for a while, untill tiredness took over and I drifted to sleep, knowing fully well that I'll catch a bad cold next morning.