Chapter Three: Hugo
1315 Words
Hugo had no idea how someone could not like books. But more so, how his own best friend could not.
"Come on, Rady, how can you not have read the most famous book in the universe?!"
Rady laughed and said, his hazel eyes twinkling, "I said it before and I'll say it again, I don't like books."
"Traitor," Hugo accused but smiled. "I don't know how you're my best friend."
"I'm your only friend."
That sent a pang in his chest, but Hugo didn't let his smile falter. He rolled his eyes. "That's not strictly true— and my father's fault, not mine, sticking me in an elite school. I prefer normal school."
"Well, heir to the biggest company in the world, you can't have everything."
I have nothing, Hugo thought but said, "Eh. I bet I can somehow manage it."
Rady suddenly sat up straighter. "Hey, want to have an adventure?"
Hugo frowned. "Sure."
"Come with me."
Curious, Hugo followed Rady as he sprinted out of his room. "Where—?"
"Trust me, genius."
'But—"
"Just loosen up and have some fun for once, man. A little break never hurt anyone."
Hugo stopped, crossing his arms. "I have to study. School's opening in a week! I have to—"
"Uphold my reputation as the best student at Imfundo, I know. I bet you could do that without studying. Relax, Hugo. This is going to be fun."
After a second of hesitation, Hugo relented. "Fine. But I'm not breaking any rules or getting into trouble—"
"That's just part of the fun."
Hugo rolled his eyes but followed Rady. He took him to the streets, winding his way deeper into the city until they both were standing in front of a large building. Hugo raised his eyebrows.
"Even I don't call this an adventure, Radium."
Rady laughed. "Radium? That's new."
"Name of a chemical," Hugo said dismissively. "Anyway, what have you got for me?"
"Yeah. Guess what this place is."
"A...building,? Not a very challenging question."
Rady snorted. "It's not just a building, it's a school."
"You do realise that I do go to a school, right? And that it's the most prestigious in the world? Ring a bell?"
"I know, genius."
"Stop calling me a genius," Hugo said seriously. "I don't like it when you do that."
Rady frowned, then rolled his eyes. "Being modest doesn't suit you."
"Don't call me a genius," Hugo repeated stubbornly.
"Why not? You deserve it."
"I don't. I'm not a genius, not like my father." That was Hugo's biggest insecurity; being the son to a certified genius, he was expected to be the same. But he wasn't—it had been proven. People didn't see it, and whenever they called him a genius, it hit a vulnerable spot. Hugo could grin and bear when in public, but not with his own best friend.
For a moment, Rady stared at him, a bemused look in his eyes, then pushed him lightly and said, "Fine. Don't be a grump about it. Now come inside and let me show you what my school is like."
He tugged Hugo to the building, stopping in front of the front door. When he looked expectantly at Hugo, he sighed and pushed the door open with a bored expression.
"An empty school isn't going to exactly leave me dumbstruck, Radium. It's the kids I'm missing. I know what a school looks like—"
"Sure," said Rady, "but I want to show you something. You love pegasi, right?"
"Yes..." Hugo frowned, searching Rady's eyes as they stepped inside. Then realisation dawned, and his widened. "No way."
Rady grinned. "We found her—we being me and a couple of friends—on a school expedition in the mountains. It's just a baby, doesn't even fly yet; abandoned in a cave, all alone. We hid it in a spot barely anyone knows even exists in the school. Come on, let me show you."
Hugo followed him, barely noticing his surroundings. A pegasus! It didn't seem real. Pegasi were extremely rare and it was a near miracle to find one; even more so to find a young one. Hugo's favourite animals were pegasi because of their rarity, uniqueness and independence, how they rose above everyone else. He'd never seen one, though; few ever did. And Rady finding a pegasus and keeping it in school—that was just unreal. Hugo grinned and followed his best friend as they went through the halls and out into the grassy yard. Rady went over to the boundary wall and deftly climbed over. Sitting at the top, he grinned at Hugo. "Come on!"
Hugo crossed his arms. "I'm no good at sports."
"It's just a wall! Wedge your foot into the ridges in the stones and grab my hand—it's not hard. Think of it as a challenge." They both knew Hugo could never back down from a challenge, and this time, too, it worked. Hugo set his jaw and nodded. He reached up and gripped Rady's hand. "You better not let go, Mister," he said, and found a foothold, using the leverage to push himself up. Rady pulled him up and he hooked an elbow over the wall. Grunting, he pulled himself up, blowing out a breath. He caught Rady's eyes and grinned, looking over to the other side. For a second, he stared.
"Savage, right?" Rady said. Hugo chuckled.
"Savage," he agreed and jumped down.
On the other side of the wall was a garden—small, but well-tended. Rady explained that they'd discovered it nearly a year ago, and had been taking care of the plants since. And, partially hidden by a bush, lying down with its wings tucked behind herself, was the pegasus.
"Her name's Celerity," Rady said softly.
"She's beautiful," Hugo breathed. Celerity had grey feathers, streaked with sky blue at the wings. As she looked up at them, Hugo saw her eyes—black, but strangely stormy. It was true that she was extremely young; her body was small enough to be nestled into Hugo's arms. Hugo wanted to stroke her feathers, but when he stepped forward, she shuffled backwards, her head rising as she stared at Hugo intently.
"She's a little shy around strangers," Rady whispered. He put his hands up in a placating gesture and slowly approached. This time, Celerity didn't shy away. Rady dropped to his knees close to Celerity and reached out, his movements slow and careful. Celerity was still, gazing at him intelligently. Rady lightly rested his hand on her neck, burying his fingers into her feathers.
"Hey, baby," he whispered. "How are you today? I've brought a friend for you to meet." Rady jerked his head towards her, eyes on Hugo. Hugo smiled and kneeled beside Rady. Holding his breath, he raised a hand and lightly stroked Celerity's silky feathers and laughed breathlessly.
Chase would've given anything to be here, he thought, thinking about his friend at Imfundo.
The Academy of Imfundo was a school for the elite class—princes, royalty, heirs—and Hugo, being the heir to a multi-billion company, was enrolled there. He'd just spent two years there—he'd begun there at fifteen. Prince Chase of Akadia wasn't really a friend, but it was the closest thing to it that Hugo had at Imfundo. The rest were just phonies befriending him for their own personal gain.
Banks International, Hugo's father's company, was the largest weapons manufacturer—and the best. They supplied weapons to Akadia's royal army, so naturally, Chase and Hugo were slightly more than just acquaintances.
He missed him. He missed it all, the studies, the company, the freedom of being without his father's shadow all the time.
Hugo's life had a thousand problems. But right now, as he stroked Celerity's feathers, he smiled and was content.
- Writer
