by J Rose
“Anyways. See you later Spencer don’t forget to meet at-”
“The parking lot I got it. Parker. You were the one that was late this morning not me,” Spencer spoke up.
“Whatever. I’m going,” Parker said before walking away.
I didn’t dare look up not until I knew he was gone and even then I still caught a glimpse of him. He was with one of the boys from before the one with a goofy smile. He was talking to his friend and then… His eyes drifted to me as if he’d known I was looking at him and I found myself looking down again. I didn’t like the way my heartfelt, the reaction I had when I was around him.
“No matter what. You can never talk to him.”
Emerging from the water gasping out for air I pushed my hair away from my face.
*Bump, Ba-Bump, Bump*
Why had I not remembered that? Why had I remembered this until now? There was a time way back before all the worse happened; before I felt so broken. Parker had been nice to me and I had been the rude one.
“Lyric. Like a song lyric? That’s unique.”
“He was nice to me,” I whispered to myself.
“I love you.”
“And now where do we stand? Where does my own jumbled heart stand?”
#
(Parker)
We’re standing here again. In front of the Nova council. The atmosphere is thick with tension you’d need a knife to slice through it.
“Your choice Lyric. Prince Maxwell or Prince Parker?” Councilmen Green asks. I can feel that pressure building in the room again; that quiet before the storm. Lyric is quiet for such a long time, the minutes feel more like hours. It feels like days.
“Lyric your-”
“Maxwell. I chose Prince Maxwell,” Lyric speaks up, her voice rising just a bit before she meets councilmen Green’s eyes.
“Maxwell? She’s chosen Maxwell.”
The feeling in the pit of my stomach makes me lose my balance and fall to my knees. There's a sensation of being punched and I have to catch my breath. She’s not looking at me. Her eyes are on the floor and Maxwell is already rushing toward her. His eyes are filled with malice as he approaches her.
“You’ve made the right choice girl” King Charles speaks to Lyric, but her eyes are downcast, afraid to meet King Charles or Max’s eyes. Looking at me Maxwell smirks in triumph letting me know silently that he had won.
“She’s slipping away! She’s going to leave you!” My mind screams out.
“Son.” My father calls out to me placing his hand on my shoulder. His eyes show a tremendous amount of grief and I realize I’m really going to lose her.
“Lyric please,” I speak up, my voice desperate, but she doesn’t turn to look at me. She only stiffens the way she always does when I speak to her.
“You can’t choose him. He’s going to hurt you. He’s going to throw you away. You can’t”
“She’s made her choice Archer. Live with it,” Maxwell snaps at me placing his hand on Lyric’s shoulder. Though she stiffens she doesn’t push him away.
“What did you think? What were you expecting? That she would willingly go with you after all the crap you did to her?” Maxwell snapped.
“Thank you really,” Maxwell says cockily.
“You’ve certainly made this easier for me. You practically dropped her on my lap,” Maxwell says smiling.
“Come Lyric we’re going home,” Maxwell says before dragging her along by the hand harshly.
“Lyric,” I call out but she doesn’t turn, she never turns when I call after her.
“Stop it!” Someone yells out.
There’s a beam that glows pink and overflows the room with its light and then... Darkness. For a while, I feel like I’m floating in nothing and then. I’m back at that river and Angel is sitting by that tree.
“You two really like letting your imaginations run wild don’t you?” Angel asks before I walk over to her, sitting on the grass.
“She’s with you Parker. She chose you,” Angel assures before settling her arms on top of her knees. She rests her cheek against her arms and turns to look at me with a smile.
“You’re on the right path. Both of you,” she says.
“Can I ask you something?” I tell her, and she only offers a smile and nods.
“Why are you still here? I mean… Are you still here? Or is this a figment of my imagination?” I question.
For a moment, she stills, and then she smiles and laughs lightly.
“I can be whatever you think I am. That’s not really important,” Angel tells me.
“You didn’t really answer my question,” I tell her, and for a moment she looks down unsure about what to answer.
“I. I’m waiting,” She whispers sadly.
“Waiting for what?” I question her. She doesn’t answer at first and her eyes flicker with so much pain and sadness that I feel like I’m looking at a part of Lyric here. Then, she smiles brightly and turns to me.
“I have a job you know. You and Lyric are my job,” Angel says evading the question. Her eyes meet mine and she looks away.
“Don’t look at me like that,” She whispers, and I feel like she’s small, reminding me of a child.
“Like what?” I question.
“Pity,” Angel says quietly.
“I don’t want it,” She whispers. Then for the longest of times, silence ensues between us.
“I wish you were my soulmate sometimes,” Angel says, at her words I stiffen, unsure of what to tell her.
Angel looks at me studying my face and she laughs wholeheartedly throwing her head back.
“I know you love Lyric. But a girl can dream,” Angel says before looking down.
“You’ve always loved her and you’re connected. I can see so much. I’ve been through your entire story so far. Both of you are… something else,” Angel says a smile on her lips.
“You’re lucky to have each other. Sometimes I really wish I could have met him,” She says looking down.
“Can’t you see him?” I question, and she looks down, a sad smile to her lips.
“I’ve seen too much.” She says sadly.
“I regret this so much and-” Angel begins, but before she can finish she shuts her eyes tightly, fixing her composure and shaking her head.
“You’re on the right path.” She says nodding to herself.
“Protect her Parker. With all you have. People won’t make it easy for you to be together.” Angel whispers.
“For now. Don’t lose hope and just be patient…”
#
The sunlight hits my eyes and I feel a sting of bright light blind me. My neck feels stiff and I try to shake the soreness of my back from leaning against the door all night. I can feel someone kicking my boot and I look up to see Oliver shaking his head at me.
“You shouldn’t keep sleeping outside her bedroom,” He tells me.
“I should. She’s my mate,” I tell him, standing up from the floor and stretching. The soreness of my body makes me groan from the stiffness.
“Your father won’t like this. You’re sleeping outside the room. Why aren’t you sleeping there with her? She is your mate,” Oliver states.
“I respect her,” I tell him and he laughs wholeheartedly and I scowl at him but he simply raises his hands up.
“We’ve known each other for how long Parker?” Oliver questions and I know I’m talking to my friend right now not my father’s warrior.
Oliver was raised a few towns away from Archer Capital. But his father was the Main Nova officer of Archer when we were children. Oliver always had a goofy smile on his face. I remember spending time with both my brother Spencer and Oliver playing around the castle. Sneaking away from our studies or simply enjoying summers together without worries were always the best. War was always something we loved playing while shifting into our Nova forms. War came with death and though we played this game many times we didn't realize how true and real it was. Not until Archer was attacked by King Ch
arles. At the very top of the casualties our General and Oliver's father. In one moment things change with a snap of a finger. The goofy kid I'd known died along with his father. In turn Oliver became the serious man he was today. From then on there were rare occasions which I could count single handedly where he smiled. This was one of those rare occasions.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I question, and he laughs again.
“I get it, she’s your mate, you want to protect her. But don’t you think you could protect her a lot better if you were inside the room with her?” Oliver questions.
“Yeah right? Even if I wanted to, which I do. Lyric would never in a million years want to share a bedroom with me.” I think to myself.
“Like I said. I respect her,” I tell him and Oliver laughs again throwing his head back.
“Bullshit,” He says before clearing his throat.
“Like I said. I know you Parker. How many ‘Friends’ have you had since you realized women existed?,” Oliver asked.
“Too many to count.” I think to myself, but that was beside the point. Not only had I not had “Friends” Since Lyric left. But I had not even looked at anyone else.
“I talked to her you know,” Oliver spoke.
“She seems nice,” He adds quietly.
“Why haven’t you contacted your mate?” I ask and for a second he stiffens and I feel like I’ve overstepped because he goes into professional mode again.
“I don’t have time for that. My life consists of giving it away to protect my King.” He says his tone calm and his eyes tight.
“Bullshit,” I want to say, calling out his bluff but I can’t, simply because I know the reason for him feeling that way.
Oliver was five years old when King Charles started a war with my father. He’d used fire and attacked a boat that was exporting goods around Archer lands. He killed hundreds of Nova men and my father retaliated with anger ready for war and sending Oliver’s father to fight. The price for that was his life. Oliver’s mother practically went insane with grief and not even Oliver could keep her steady. Less than a year later she passed away and my father sent Oliver to live away in boarding school. He’d come back during summers but it was never the same. He no longer played, no longer smiled. For a really long time, he looked pitiful. I understood now too. When you love someone so much you don’t want them to hurt. Clearing my throat awkwardly I decide to change the subject realizing it had gotten all too heavy to discuss at this point. Then again… Lately, everything has been too heavy to discuss.
“The guards,” I speak up and Oliver once again shifts into work mode and nods.
“Yes Sire. I’ve taken care of it myself and have done full rounds around the castle.” He says before a glint in his eyes appears and he smirks.
“Though I think I’d be better protecting your beloved here don’t you think? At least I don’t fall asleep halfway,” He says. It wasn’t really true. I spent most of my night taking care of Lyric, making sure she was safe. But since she arrived, I’ve been staying out here feeling the need to protect her. Exhaustion is heavy on me and I haven’t had a good night sleep in a while. Still, I’d rather cut off an arm than let something happen to her.
“I’m going,” I tell him before heading into one of the guest bedrooms to get ready for my day.
#
My father had called me into his study again, and I wondered what he wanted to discuss. He’s been so busy himself, trying to protect Lyric and I. I feel like a child again. He has that look in his eyes that I’d only seen when mom left. Still, I say nothing when I enter his study. His back is to me while he sits in his large chair behind his desk.
“How are things son?” He asks turning his chair around to look at me.
“Okay,” I tell him and though he doesn’t say much, I know he’ll prod until he gets the answer he wants.
“Lyric. Have you talked to her?” He asks getting to the point this time.
“Not yet,” I tell him.
“We’re having breakfast in a few minutes. Call her downstairs,” He says and I simply nod.
Thinking about talking to Lyric again after my confession of love, however, makes my palms sweat and the tips of my fingers tingle. I’ve been avoiding her the past few days going out of my way to not see her. It’s a mixture of embarrassment and fear. I know she doesn’t love me, much less feel anything else toward me. Our conversation a few days prior gave me an insight to her that I had not expected. I realized even if by some miracle she did accept me, I was going to have to prove her wrong of everything she thinks she knows about me now.
“Have you talked?” He questions. By the glimmer in his eyes I know he’s teasing me, and I have to fight the urge to roll my eyes at the old man.
“Yes father,” I tell him, and he simply smiles.
“You have a lot of time on your hands right now Parker. We’ve secured things around the castle and if you want to take her out you can. Nova guards are going to escort you wherever you like. Just keep a close eye on her and take care of yourself,” He says his mood shifting quickly to anger and stress.
Cray’s not going to go away quietly. That threat a few days ago was clear to me. He wasn’t going to let Lyric have a choice. But I also knew one thing myself, I was going to fight with my life in order for her to keep her choice. Even if that choice was to walk away from me too.
“I know,” I tell my father before he nods, and I know the conversation is over. Standing up from my place, I simply walk back out. Thinking back to everything that’s happened so far I can’t help but blame myself and her past. Had things been easier we would be like Spencer and Crystal. We’d have met at school and from there, things would have gone smoothly. But much like everything else in my life, it wasn’t perfect.
#
“Look at me. Please look at me,” I begged in my head. I could hear her approach her locker, much like she did every single day. Much like today and every other day she would stand beside me and ignore me.
“Hi Lyric,” I spoke to her when she stood next to me. Her eyes were always downcast and I could never see them. She never spoke when I was around nor did she look up. There was such a need inside me that told me I had to see her eyes. I wanted to see her smile so bad. I wanted her to look at me, acknowledge me, but she never once did so.
The clinking sound of her locker was soft and then she walked away, the back of her head was in my direction. It was all I ever saw of her. Why was she ignoring me? Why would she always remain quiet when I was around?
“Is that girl still not talking to you?” Brad questioned smirking.
“How does that taste in your mouth Archer? Every girl here practically falls at your feet. Except her that is” Brad pointed out to me.
“Like I care,” I said to him, only to hear his booming laughter while his shoulders shook and he threw his head back. Patting me on the back he smirked shaking his head.
“Right? And I don’t really care that we have to claim celibacy until we get our soulmates” Brad said.
“Don’t sweat it man, she’s just a girl. A poor girl,” He stated. Somehow that statement of his bothered me and I had the urge to slam him against the lockers and demand he not talk about her. Still, I played it off. Parker Archer does not overthink things. Especially not girls. Especially not that… Little girl Lyric.
“What are you guys talking about? Who’s poor?” Spencer asked walking over to us.
“That girl Crystal talks to,” I speak up.
In front of them, I don’t use her name. I try to pretend like I don’t see her and that the way she blows me off every single time I’m around doesn’t bother me.
“Lyric?” Spencer questions before frowning.
“Right. Her,” I say casually.
“Crystal better not hear you say things about her you know how overprotective she is,” Spencer says.
“Why?” Brad questioned.
“Everyone else is already antagonizing her she doesn’t need crap f
rom you guys too,” Spencer snapped. That was true. Everyone here thought they were too good. She was scholarship and the way she dressed only added to the teasing.
“Don’t look at me. Parker’s the one bothering her every morning,” Brad says smirking.
“Pick on someone? I’ve never done that before and I wasn’t picking on her.” I think to myself. All I wanted was to talk to her. There was just something about her… a pull that told me to do so.
“Leave her alone Parker she’s just shy,” Spencer says glaring before walking away. Laughing Brad simply pats me on the back again and shakes his head.
“Come on man let’s just got to class,” He says.
For a few more days it’s like that whether I’m in the halls walking behind her, next to her. Even if I’m right in front of her, she never looks at me.
*Bump, Ba-Bump, Bump*
My heart gives the signal and I know she’s walking toward me. Before long I can hear the soft clicking of the dial of her lock. She’s standing next to me again. I turn to look at her but I can’t see her face again. It’s hidden behind her hair.
“Talk to me. Look at me!” My mind screams out but she doesn’t even look up. Closing her locker, she steps away, her back facing me.
“She’s walking away! Stop her!” My mind screams.
“Well if it isn’t the schools’ charity case,” I speak and for a moment she pauses and my heart races. But just like that she walks away almost as if she’s heard nothing. If only for a second she reacted, and I felt something inside me pump the blood faster to my veins making adrenaline course through me like a drug.
#
Shaking my head at the memory I couldn’t help but want to slam my head against the wall. I am an idiot. Why the hell couldn’t I see what my heart was trying to tell me? Why the hell did I have to pick an easy way to get a reaction? I knew the answer all already because I was gutless. I didn’t have the courage to come up to her and have a conversation. I did not have the courage to speak what I felt for her. Nor did I have the patience to make her want to talk to me. As soon as I started to insult her everything else went to shit. Now I had to work harder and not let my stupidity win over this time. No matter what I was going to have to work hard and make her open up to me.