CHAPTER FIVE
494 Words
The Library of Sullivan High was unusually quiet that afternoon, sunlight spilling through tall windows and dusting the long oak tables in gold.
Evelyn sat across from Becca, pretending to read while watching her friend from the corner of her eye. Becca's focus was unwavering, pen moving steadily across the page. it was the first time they had shared space since the mall, and the silence between them felt heavier than words.
Cyrus approached their table, a book tucked under his arm
"Mind if I join you?" he asked
Evelyn nodded automatically, Becca did not look up.
He sat beside Becca instead of Evelyn, though the seat across from Evelyn remained emptying. The choice felt unintentional-yet something about it unsettled him.
As he opened his book,his gaze flickered quickly to Beccas hand.she wore a simple ring on her finger,old and worn,bearing an unfamiliar crest.
His brow furrowed.
"That ring",he said quietly,before he could stop himself
Becca paused."yes?"
"it looks.... antique"
"it belonged to my grandfather",she replied,her tone neutral."He liked to give things History rather than explanations
Cyrus nodded slowly,unease stirring somewhere he couldn't name
A memory brushed the edges of his thoughts- marble halls,a child's laughter,the echo of footsteps too smalk to belong there
He shook it off.
Later, during Advanced politics,the professor assigned group presentations- randomized,of course.
Evelyn glanced at the screen
Her name appeared alongside Becca's
And prince Cyrus
Becca stiffened,just slightly
Cyrus noticed
"you don't seem excited",he said quietly as they gathered their materials
"it's fine", Becca replied, "I just prefer to walk alone".
Something about the way she said it struck him- not cold,but careful.
They met after class in a smaller study room. The walls were lined with framed photographs of Sullivan High's founders, benefactors and historical guests .
Cyrus's eyes caught on one photograph in particular .
A formal portrait.
An emperor stood at the center- his father, younger and stern. Beside him was an older man with a composed expression and familiar eyes.
And between them, barely visible, a young girl holding the older man's hand.
Cyrus stepped closer.
"Who is that?", he asked the librarian passing by.
she glanced at the frame. "Ah. that was taken during a diplomatic visit years ago. The former Emperor of country C and his granddaughter".
Becca's breath caught
she hadn't realized she'd been standing beside him.
"That's my grandfather", she said quietly.
Cyrus turned to her, something unsteady settling in his chest.
"I thought so", he said, although he didn't know why.
Becca looked at the photograph for a long time, then she looked away.
That night, alone in his room, Cyrus stared at the ceiling, fragments of memory stirring without shape.
A voice.
A garden.
A girl who never tried to impress him.
For the first time since arriving at Sullivan High, he wondered if his curiosity had roots deeper than he'd intended.
And whether his quiet observations had already begun to alter something he hadn't meant to touch
- Writer
