Hand to Hold

Chapter 5

With your head buried in my chest and your body shaking in my arms, I grieved more than you for not knowing how to take away all the pain.

.

.

Sighing internally I smiled at another one of my guests, thanking him I excused myself... Again.

I have been going around the whole main hall and other areas where my guests are present for a while. Though, to not exactly play the good host and converse with them, in fact, quite the opposite.

I was fatigued because of the eventful day. First up, I had to return that book from the school library, then Belle... Mom’s curt warnings, the birthday interview followed by being digitally present in the Senate to receive the title of Crown Prince.

Still, I was there to play the role of wingman for my two friends, even indirectly.

It wasn’t set in stone if the girls will come, someone from their group already refused. To clear things up I wanted those to appear but-

“What happened Ash you don-...”

Startling me, Will stopped speaking abruptly. His tense face morphed to show dazed expression.

Turning around, a group of four girls entering the main hall caught my attention. Just it wasn’t any other group being formed by people I was waiting for since the start, Ruby and Nat. Lara also graced the event though, what struck me was the presence of the fourth girl.

Standing near-wall, strands of hair fell on her face tempting one to move them aside. The eyes roaming around the room matched like the star-filled sky. Her coral lips remained neutral as her body was enveloped by the white dress falling over to her knees.

She glowed magnificently under the dim lights as the slow song in background welcomed her.

“Happy Birthday, Your Majesty.”

Snapping out from trance, I established that Will wasn’t by my side anymore. Averting my gaze to the direction of sound I smiled attentively. Turning to face the owner of the voice I met a pretty girl in crop top and jeans.

I saw her around in school once, not like security would have let her enter if it wasn’t the case, “Thank you...”

Her face brightened, “I am Candace. We don’t share any classes but well we are badge mates.”

I nodded, “Mhmm, I am thankful that you took out time to celebrate this day but I am forced to cut our interaction short I need to find someone.”

Nodding she returned to her friends. Turning over to where Belle previously was my eyes landed on Nim and Nat, even the Music and the sound of the song couldn’t hide their bickering. Lara stood a bit away from them with a worried expression.

Trying to find a girl with angelic vibes I glanced across the room once again.

This time I also spotted Will and Ruby, two were busy dancing in the dancing area.

Her sudden disappearance was as if she wasn’t here in the first place, does that mean I imagined her?

Honestly, I was still hoping for her to come although she declined my invitation in the morning. For a moment I contemplated walking downstairs to the main hall then decided against it because I neither wanted to disturb either of Belle’s friends nor go through so many teenagers.

After all, I was on the first floor because of the less accessible area for them.

If not for the tiredness I would have been enjoying my birthday party given it was one of the few things that make me feel closer to a normal teenager.

Guessing I should move away from the crowd I made my way over to the favourite corner of the mansion.

Walking through the path between beds of red and white roses I entered through the arch covered by unique species of rose. The rosy smell wasn’t as strong as it was in the day but its lingering scent remained.

Glancing around, the wheel-shaped rose beds were visible in the artificial lighting.

Sound of sobs filled the air and my attention turned to the less illuminated corner of the place. Quite to my surprise, my eyes fell over Belle, she wept unaware of the company.

Leaning back her head was supported by the edge of the bench, witnessing the scene my heart clenched. She probably wanted privacy but the angel shouldn’t have been there.

“Ro-Belle!”

I called out softly not wanting to alarm her but if wide eyes and uneven breathing signed something, it was clear that I failed. Slowly, calming herself down Belle wiped her tears and gestured me to take a seat.

“I am sorry, I didn’t realize when you came.”

I nodded, “It is fine. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

She sighed, her gaze firmly on the tiles of the garden, “I should be the one apologizing. From the silence around it is clear I am in the inaccessible area. It is just, running out I only wanted to get away from everything.”

Her sad sigh pierced through me, “I understand. I came here hoping to get away as well.”

She averted her gaze to me, “I will take it as you aren’t feeling well.”

Concern oozed out of her words and tenderness. Staring in her eyes they reflected melancholy and worry.

“But Belle, I think it is you who are more unwell.”

She smiled sadly glancing at the cloudy sky before looking at my direction, “It is just I am unable to find Mom and Dad in the sky.”

For a moment it sounded like any other normal response until a muffled sob reached me.

Turning towards the young lady my attention turned to her tightly clenched fists whose gaze was completely fixed on the tiled path. Her figure shook and she stayed like that for a while ere turning to me.

“They died... Leaving Blake with me. Aunt May is here and she also supports me... But it is still hard to believe my life isn’t the same as before. That counting today, they haven’t been around for a year now.”

Her breakdown evacuated my chest, “It is hard, really hard... For today isn’t only about them Ash, it isn-”

Hearing my name from her mouth I pulled her in my arms, I might have crossed some of the limits but it didn’t matter. She wrapped her arms around me after a while and clutched on to my t-shirt.

I couldn’t even imagine how much she was hurting to cry in a stranger’s embrace.

My attention returned to Belle when the sound of her muffled sobs vanished and an even breathing pattern took uneven breathing’s place.