Descendant

Chapter 5: Painting

It was the first day of college. Guillen woke up early. She thought Chloe was awake already, but when she looked over at Chloe's room, she was in deep sleep and was lying there like a dead man on the road.

"Chloe!! Wake up!!" Guillen was trying to wake Chloe up.

"Mmmm...? Hmmmm.. mmm.." Chloe murmured.

"Where have you been last night? You look like you worked for a whole day. Look.. your drooling on your bed sheets." Guillen chuckled

Wake up!! We're going to be late! It's our first day!

"Hmmm.. just 5 more minutes.." Chloe whispered.

Guillen took a pillow and threw it at Chloe.

Chloe suddenly woke up in a karate stance like she had just come back from the dead.

"Wha- What?!! What's happening?! I'm awake.. I'm awake.."

"You're so weird.. and that's why we're best friends. Now, go get dressed. Were gonna be late!" Guillen was never late in her classes and Chloe was the opposite since she was just attending to protect Guillen at all times.

Chloe took a bath. They both ate breakfast together and readied themselves for school.

They were walking on the sidewalk and stopped at a small coffee shop. Guillen always liked a good cup of coffee every morning.

Their class starts at 7:30 in the morning. It was a beautiful day. The birds are chirping. People are on the sidewalk waiting for jeepneys to go to work. Other students from different schools are walking and some are also waiting for transportation. For the first time, Chloe felt normal. Just walking on the sidewalk, talking to her friend Guillen and laughing together.

They arrived at their school and they saw a lot of students going in too. Guillen suddenly felt anxious because of lots of new faces that she was seeing. She also felt anxious about the school because of what happened during their enrollment.

"Are you ok? You look anxious." Chloe asked Guillen

"You really know me. Well because it's another chapter of our lives, our college life, and we're in a new school with lots of new people. We don't know anyone here. It's like we're starting all over again. What if we don't fit in?" Guillen said.

"Just relax ok? I'm here. Your super gorgeous best friend and no matter what happens we'll be in it together. I'm always here for you. Now let's go rock this college life of ours!!" Chloe puts her hands up in a rock and roll sign.

"Yeah you're right. We should enjoy this. Thankyou for always helping me out whenever I'm overthinking. You've always been like my big sister and your right, I really don't know what I'm gonna do without you." Guillen said.

Before Guillen met Chloe, she was the awkward shy girl at school who was sometimes bullied. When Chloe arrived she gained confidence because she knew that Chloe was always there for her.

Chloe smiled. She remembered every other royal blood that she served. How they all treated her as part of their family. Guillen was the same. Treating her like her own sister.

The two had a hard time finding their classroom since they never really explored the school when they first went in.

Finally, after 30 minutes, they found it. They went inside and all their other classmates were there. Guillen looked at the corner of the room and saw the guy they came across when they were walking out of school on the day they enrolled.

Chloe looked at Zeal sitting in the corner of the room. Her jaw dropped as she saw Zeal wearing a luxurious watch, silver shoes, and in a complete suit very different from the school's uniform, which was a corporate blazer and long sleeves with a necktie for men. He even wore it on the first day of school, which was not required.

Zeal slightly looked at the two who were staring at him and came back to look in front.

Chloe sighs and taps her forehead in disappointment

"So much for blending in." Chloe sighed.

"Did you say something Chloe?" Guillen asked.

"Huh? Uhh.. No. I was just looking at our classmates. Come on let's find a seat." Chloe answered.

"Look Chloe, the guys we came across before really is in our class." Guillen was surprised that they were in the same class.

" Uh.. Y-yeah hehe glad he is. Isn't he cute and flashy?" Chloe said.

"I wonder if he knows that uniforms are not required during the first day." Guillen said.

"Yeah..." Chloe sighed

Chloe found a seat.

" Let's sit here. Looks like a comfy spot." Chloe said.

"Sure."

Guillen seated next to Chloe and Chloe seated right next to Zeal.

Chloe and Guillen talked about things while they were seated. The two laughed while they talked about the silly things they did in highschool. Zeal was seated there in silence, just listening to the two talking about silly stuff.

"I'm gonna go to the rest room." Guillen said

"Ok. Be sure to comeback quickly, the class is about to start." Chloe said.

"Ok. I will." Guillen responded

When Guillen left. Chloe stared at Zeal, who was not talking or moving as he sat in his chair.

"Well hello there flashy guy. Nice outfit. How's you first day?" Chloe was trying to mock Zeal.

"What is it witch? If your just gonna mock me, just stay quiet." He answered.

"Oh no no, I was just curious.. WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU WEARING?!"

"It's the school uniform." Zeal said with a straight face

"Ok, First of all that's not even the uniform of the school. That's the idea of the uniform yes, but what your wearing is something that I'm sure you got from your wardrobe back at the mansion. Second, silver shoes? And a luxurious watch? Seriously? You really need to work on your fashion sense man." Choe said.

"Who's Elvis Presley?" Zeal asked.

"Ok nevermind. Just.. you can't dress like that ok? I'm going to send you clothes that you should wear on a daily basis so you won't catch much attention." She said.

"Don't tell me what to wear witch. I know how to dress properly."

" Yeah sure you do. Just shut up and do as I say so you can blend in."

Guillen came back from the comfort room and took her sit.

"Did I miss something?"

"No, you're good."

Their class started. History was their first class. Zeal had impressed the Professor on how much he knew about the land's history. After all, he was there when all of it happened.

Lunch break came. Chloe and Guillen went to their lockers first to get their things for their second class.

"I'm gonna go to the restroom for a sec. Wait for me ok?" Chloe said.

"Sure." Guillen answered

As Guillen was getting her things and organizing her locker, a few upper classmen boys came up to her.

"Hey there gorgeous, do you wanna go out with us?"

"I'm sorry but I'm waiting for my friend. We also have class after lunch break." Guillen said.

"Don't worry about your next class. Your friend can come too if she wants. The more the merrier." One of the guys winked at her as they checked out her body.

"I'm gonna have to decline on your offfer, Thankyou thought."

"Oh come on, Don't play hard to get."

"I'm not playing hard to get ok? Can you just please leave?" Guillen was becoming uncomfortable

"We know you're just playing hard to get, everyone does. Then they still come with us anyway and have a good time after." The guys were being pushy.

"leave." Guillen said

The boys continued to push her to come with them.

"You heard the lady, she doesn't wanna come"

Someone spoke.

Guillen looked behind her, to see where the voice came from, and she saw Zeal.

"Boy who the f**k are you? What are you even wearing? You look like a parent of a student here" They laughed at his outfit.

"Walk away." Zeal began to look angry.

"And if we don't?"

Zeal had always been short-tempered and always had a fierce look on his face whenever his temper was running thin.

The boys looked at Zeal and suddenly felt intimidated, his eyes that looked like it had no emotions. They felt like if they'd made a move, the guy standing in front of them would've done something worse. So they backed out.

Chloe came back and saw the boys backing out.

"Who are those guys? you made friends?"

"No, they were pushing me to cone with them. This guy helped me shoo them off." Guillen said.

"Oh."

"Are you ok my Que-" Zeal almost said "My Queen" to Guillen

Chloe stares at him in a fierce look. Zeal almost called Guillen "my Queen" and it would've weirded Guillen out for sure. Before he could say it, he stopped and rephrased his question.

"Are you ok? Guillen right?" Zeal said.

"Uh.. Yeah thanks for you help. Zeal, am I right?" She answered.

"Yes."

It was an awkward atmosphere. Guillen was a shy girl and it was the first time that a guy saved her from a situation like that.

"uhm.." Guillen is trying to come up with something to say to Zeal.

" ..." Zeal was just standing there.

"Well, this is awkward." Chloe said.

"Hey Zeal, the name's Chloe. " Chloe tries to mock zeal

"Would you maybe want to eat at the cafeteria with us? I'll treat you as my thanks for what you did." Guillen offered.

"It's fine, I'm good. Thankyou for you kind offer but I'm gonna have to pass. I still have to go to my next class." Zeal answered.

"Oh.. Ok then, you should get going, you'll be late. Maybe I can thank you another time?"

"Sure."

Zeal walked to his class and left Chloe and Guillen as they walked to the cafeteria.

Guillen felt warm around him; she couldn't explain it. She felt safe when Zeal was near her.

"Do you know anything about that guy?" Guillen asked Chloe

"Nothing other than the fact that he looks grumpy." She answered.

Guillen chuckles at what Chloe said.

"No but seriously, I feel something weird about him." Guillen said.

"Like what?" Chloe asked.

"It felt warm when he was near me."

"Oh my God, could it be?!"

"What?"

"Could it be that my nerdy best friend felt love at first sight?!"

Guillen laughed.

"Oh my God stop. Let's just finish eating then head to our next class."

Their first day of school was finished. The two stopped at McDonald's in front of their school's campus. While they where eating, Guillen saw Zeal walking down from an overpass. Zeal looked at Guillen's direction for a second, then looked away. The wind once again blew his long black hair. Guillen saw another huge scar on Zeals right neck. She just ignored it and went back to eating with Chloe.

The two went home. When they arrived Guillen quickly laid on her bed without taking off her dress.

"Ahh.. it's nice to be home after a long tiring day." Guillen said

"Yeah. it sure does feel nice." Chloe answered

"I think I'm gonna take a nap."

"Sure. I'm gonna go out to buy food for dinner."

"Sure. Be careful outside. There might be Aswangs there. Ooohhh they are so scary."

"Don't worry if I come across one of those aswang, I'll tell it to go to our address and scare the heck out of you."

Guillen laughed

"Stop it. Go on do your thing."

"Be back in a few." Chloe said.

As usual, Chloe headed to the mansion. She opened the gates and walked along the beautifully designed path to the mansion. The night was beautiful. Fireflies scattered across the place. The ray of moonlight shining on the fountain.

She opened the door and walked inside Zeals room. She saw him standing there, staring outside the big window looking at the stars. He looked so alone and lonely.

Zeal heard Chloe's knock on the door.

"Maybe you should go out sometimes. Why do you isolate yourself in this big house?" Chloe asked.

"Why are you here." Zeal responded

"To deliver your clothes."

"You can put them on the bed."

Chloe put Zeals clothes on the bed and saw Zeal holding a small vintage painting of his mother and his father. She realized at that moment how alone and lonely Zeal must have been feeling all these years. He fought alone for so many years just to find out what had happened to his beloved father.

"She has taken an interest in you, you know."

"What do you mean?" Zeal asked.

"My Queen. She never stopped asking questions about you since the incident with the boys. She said she felt warm and safe around you."

"It is our duty to protect her. It's only normal."

Chloe stood against the wall.

"Well I guess it's really something. For a grumpy guy like you at least, for someone to have taken interest in you."

"Are you trying to make me feel good?" Zeal said.

"Maybe." Chloe responded.

"You need not do anything for me witch. We have our own duties. That's the only thing we need to do"

"Losen up sometimes will ya? There's still beautiful things that exist in this world like those stars that you're looking up on, or that family painting of yours. Don't think to much of what the future holds or you'll miss out on what the present has for you."

"Go.. be on your way. Watch the Queen. She might show signs of Datu Vaidas's powers anytime. We can't miss it." Zeal told Chloe

"I mean.. I'm just saying.. nevermind. I will go back now, just text me if you need anything."

Chloe headed out of the mansion. While she was walking towards the gates, she looked back and saw Zeal at the window looking at his family painting.

She somehow feels bad whenever she goes to visit Zeal, then leaves him all alone again in that big old mansion.

She went home and Guillen was awake.

"Oh you're back." Guillen has just woken up

"Guess what we're having for dinner?" Chloe said excitedly

" What?" Guillen asked

"Oh nothing just OUR FAVOURITE SMOKED MUSHROOM AND CHICKEN."

They had both always loved that dish. Chloe first introduced the dish to Guillen when they first met. It was a dish way back when Chloe was still with King Vaidas' Family. The Queen would cook the dish and they would eat at one big royal table together, laughing and telling stories.

The day ended with the two sleeping comfortably and Zeal in the mansion looking at the stars in the night sky holding his parents' painting. As he looked above the glittering skies, he thought..

"How long do I need to be here."