Like Theo, I've also known Gwen since childhood. Her mother is 'the' Allesandra Evellon, a world renowned Fashion Designer and my mother is one of her clients and biggest fans.
We were in the same daycare, and for a while our family thought about merging our clans. That fizzled out around the time we got to grade school and she's now engaged, though not formally announced yet, with the heir of SLSF Insurance Company Inc. We didn't like each other very much back then so I didn't really care. And she was perfectly happy that it didn't work out for us because she's already completely smitten with Royce. We never exchanged much words apart from polite greetings and nods on family and company events. So her, pulling me back on a private corner was definitely something that doesn't happen often.
"What do you think you're doing Hughes?"
I knew immediately what she came for.
Her friendship with August was a peculiarity within the Academy. If Gwen was the wave, August was the shore. August is order and she pandemonium. She's adorned and flashy and every bit flamboyant, while her friend is always just modest and unpretentious. She talks a lot and all the time, August never talks more than what's necessary. But if there's anything they have in common, it is that they always speak their minds and never mince the truth.
"You keep your filthiness off of her, you hear?" Gwen really decided to come for my throat with her sharp, unforgiving words.
"Whoa, a bit judgmental aren't we?"
She rolled her eyes in revulsion. I could've sworn I saw her brain.
"I know what kind of person you are. You'll fuck anyone with a skirt on."
This should be offending but Gwen lacks that daunting stare August always has. She was more amusing than scary in fact. "Excuse me Evellon, I actually am very picky."
"So what is this? Is August another one of your conquests? Something you need to win to make you feel better about yourself?"
That one, well that burned. Partly because it was true. It's a bragging right to be the one who made the Ice Bitch fall, even if it wasn't real. The other part was how she implied that my self worth lies on the people I date– which was also true.
"I don't answer to you and I don't care how you see it. I like August and if it goes anything beyond that, then that's going to be between us."
Gwen is seething. I can feel the anger oozing out her small frame. She pushed me back against the wall, with force that surprised me given her build.
"Nothing is going beyond anything. You are going to stay away from her."
"I'll let August decide on that."
I pushed past her but before I could round the corner I heard her call. I didn't turn but she said it anyway, "You'll ruin her Hughes. End it before you ruin her."
I should have listened.
August was pushing a book cart along the Reference Section when I found her. She's got her headphones on, fully absorbed. She was restocking the books on their shelves. Such a dire task but she looks more calm and less pressed. With how the afternoon glow from the windows frames her, she looks almost serene. None of the ire and weariness, I almost didn't want to bother her.
"Hey." She didn't hear me. She was completely in the zone that she missed my arrival. I tap her shoulder.
She gasped a tiny, soft breath of a sound and straightened up a little. Removing her headphones she said, "What?" clearly annoyed that I have ruined her tranquility. Like a sudden droplet on a perfectly still pond.
"I came for your final rejection."
That earned me a side eye, "You didn't have to come here. You could've just told your friends."
"I could do that but that's no fun. Also, I wanted to see you."
"Why?"
"Nothing important. I just wanted to."
She stopped and looked at me as if she's reading a case study. "We're pretending. Don't get ahead of yourself."
"Wow. I think you're the one who's getting ahead of yourself."
August sighs deep, "Well, I'm rejecting you now. Done. Go away."
"I want to stay." I said.
Without turning she replied, "If you're staying then make yourself useful."
So I picked up books and started stacking them following her suit.
"What's up with Guinevere?" I asked when the stretching silence became too much to bear.
August picked up a thick English-French dictionary and I tried to help her but she waved off my hand and stacked it herself on a level much too high for her. She was met with difficulty but she wouldn't accept assistance. Cleary, it's not only on dates where she'll reject me.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, she just shoved me on a wall and told me to stay away from you."
She laughed, but it was empty. Kind of like she's doing it out of habit. Her focus was still on the book stacking. "So she spoke with you huh."
"How are you two even friends?"
"Why not?"
I was pushing the cart this time and she was letting me. I handed her a book and in a second she found what section it belonged to. I wondered if she had had the entire library memorized.
"I mean, Gwen's so loud and really fancy and you're–"
"–boring? Dull? Stale?" she said, cutting me off.
"A minimalist. What a way to low-blow yourself." I scoffed. "I think you know what I mean."
August left without a word. I thought she just didn't want to answer. I was torn between leaving and waiting. Before I could make a decision though, she returned pushing a library ladder from the succeeding aisle. She climbed the first step and pointed at the books on the lowest level of the cart. It took me a second to realize she was ordering me to hand it to her. These past few days, I realized I've just been doing what she told me too. I handed her the encyclopedias anyway.
It was only when she got down did she answer me, "We've been friends since grade school. My mom was the school's doctor and as part of her compensation, they let me attend there as well,"
–it was Holy Grail Élémentaire, a branch of The Academy of Chevaliers de la Roine. I didn't go there since that was the time I was sent to boarding school. If I did, I could have met August then.
"–I tutored her for a while and she said we were friends and then she never left me alone ever again. We're quite alike in a lot of things. It's just hard to recognize it from the outside I guess." She stopped for a minute. Her face lit up as she said this. Like a kid narrating a fond memory. I can see she's just as attached to Gwen as Gwen is with her.
This was the first true emotion I saw in August. I wondered if their friendship is the same as what I have with Theo. Maybe theirs is even deeper. I am protective of Theo too. But not like how Gwen is with her.
"So," I started, ready to change the subject. I'm here to get to know her, not Gwen. "Why are you working in the library? Do you just like books?"
This time, August laughed for real, whilst mockingly. "I do like books. But have you forgotten the part where I am poor?"
"You said your mom's a doctor?"
"She is. But she does it more for charity. We live in the Lower West and people there don't often have money to pay for her service. They pay her with goods or food or whatever they can grow in their backyards instead."
I knew she wasn't rich, not even well-off. I just didn't know to what extent.
"You are already a Highbrow though."
She laughs again, lighter this time. "Yeah. But that's only for the tuition fee. Not for everything else. Not my food, not my bicycle maintenance, not for any other school activities, and this Academy has a lot. Everything else, I have to work for that."
"Including the reason why you've entered this treacherous deal with me?"
August turned to me, a half smile on her lips, "Yes. Including that one."
It occurred to me that I haven't even asked her what she'll be using the price money for. This could be a good time to find out.
"What do you need that money for anyway?"
"If I tell you, then that means we're friends. And we're not friends Hughes."
"Not yet." I replied.
But August was back with her walls and indifference, a not so subtle sign that the conversation is over.
Over the weekend, Dove wouldn't stop referencing Paris. She only spoke with me in French through the entire run of our equestrian training. She even brought quiche and Crémant for our "goûter". She laid out museums and boutiques she plans to visit and has already pre-picked her wardrobe. She was urging me to match some of hers, "It'll look good on photos" she said."Are you already assuming I'm going to lose the bet?" I sipped the sparkling wine she bought. It was too sweet for my liking.Her lips curved into a charming smirk, "Mon beau, tu as déjà perdu. Just accept the fact that there are girls, however rare, who are immune to your charms. Jeter l'éponge."In any other circumstance, I'd agree with Dove. I might have already raised a white flag a few weeks back if it weren't for this scheme I had with August. Is it a loss if I rigged our bet to change court and ally with the enemy? Maybe. But that's something they never have to know. I should feel guilty lying to my friends, but it's
The planning of the Dates happened on the day August approached me about the bet. Right after we agreed on how the chase would play out, I opened the ideas for the dates that would follow. What she wanted was just to fake it and tell our friends that we did even if we didn't."In order to be convincing, we actually have to have stories to tell and photos to show."I know Theo will not be silenced until he sees a photo of August and I together. Up until now, he still couldn't believe August agreed on a date with me. And he saw that with his own eyes and heard it with his own ears. They were watching the whole affair from our round table directly in view of the Dames. Yet, it was still unfathomable."Alright," August agreed. "But I'll choose where we are going and when. Everything should fit my schedule.""That's a bit selfish. You need my help more than I need yours. I'm only here because I'm bored. You're in it for the money." I remember telling her.It was the hardest deal I had to c
On a typical Sunday night our hangout place will be The Mockingbird, the club owned by Altair– Dove and Raven's older brother. We always get a free pass and a VIP Lounge in an area that overlooks the entire place. We get dibs on the finest drinks and freshest weeds. Legally speaking, we're not really allowed any of those yet. But what is even illegal to us?In our defense, we don't take anything more than what's provided. Nothing hard and dangerous. And Altair always makes sure of that. Even freedom has their restrictions.When I got there, Theo was already raving at the dance floor trying to pick up girls. But his aggression and massive ego could only chase them away. It was painful to watch him. I guess that's why he accepted the deal. He's in desperate need of guidance– my guidance specifically. And he knows I'll never help him in any other circumstance.Arlo and Raven were already on their own corner and whatever they were doing should be done in private. I still wonder when they
My head felt heavy and the lights were blinding me. I barely slept at all and when I burp it still smells like alcohol. I have missed my first class and was already contemplating on missing the next. Staying home is not an option because Nelly will never stop berating me if she knew I missed school. Especially if it's because I went out partying all night.I also have an apology to make.Oh God, I hope I didn't say anything embarrassing. All I can remember was dialing August and then hearing her voice. But what I said for the rest of our twenty-eight minute phone call was all rumbled and hazy.I found August in the library as always. I knew it was her free period and she'll be nowhere else but here. She was at the Front Desk this time and not stacking books like always. She looked up when I entered and smiled. I tried to read if her smile was inviting or mean but my throbbing head and the too bright lights made it impossible for me to open my eyes properly."Hello" she greeted. I slum
It’s the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Liberty Polo Federation and the excitement has kept me up all night. Not because of the Membership Meeting but because of the Emperor’s Cup which is also held on the same day. This is one of the few events that our family is required to attend that I actually enjoy. It’s when I can display Philip in all his glory. We will be participating in the two main events which are Show Jumping and then at Polo. This year is a bit more special though. This year, August will be watching and something within me stirred. After my brother left, no one else watched me compete. It’s fine. I’m used to it now. My father is always out of the country and my mother is often out of herself. So now, with someone watching and much more since it's August, I’m feeling more riled up. I got to Liberty Mead real early that I was there before my coach. I was already done schooling Philip when Coach Anthony came. He wasn’t shocked to see me there first. He knows h
The next and final event followed right after. And once again the guests are back to the viewing deck. August sat on her own this time since Royce will also be part of the game, though he's playing for the other team. I have changed my clothes to a more breathable polo shirt in the color of our team which was navy blue. Dove strutted in front of me with Lancelot. "You really have to put that bitch in her place. She's getting on my nerves." I scoffed, "You started it you know. She has every right to defend herself." "Are you taking her side now?" Dove asked, clearly taken aback. "No. What I meant was– you know what, it doesn't matter. Let's just focus on the match." With that, I left Dove and had Philip march into the waiting crowd. I looked for August once again before the game began. I found her quickly. Her dress is very hard to miss. She was talking with a woman who sat beside her and they were pointing in my direction. I squinted to try and see who that woman was and nearly
I took August back to the stables where Philp awaits us. He neighed when he saw us and throttled a little out of excitement. "Hi Philip" I greeted him and nozzled his hair. "This is August. August, meet Sir Philip." August in return curtsied, “Nice to meet you Sir Philip,” she said and I couldn’t help but laugh. She turned to me scowling, “What? I think a curtsy fits such a fine and respectable horse.”I took her hand this time and gently placed it on Philips's muzzle to get him acquainted with her scent. Philip smelled her for a bit and then he started licking her hand. "Oh my God that tickles," August said laughing. "Seems like Sir Philip likes you too." I asked August if she wanted to ride Philip. "Would he not throw me off?" She asked. She didn't seem scared, only curious. She got pretty excited when I started to help her up. "I'll be holding him so you don't have to worry." I told her. So August rode Philip, and I was their guide. We walked towards the lesser used area of
I got to school really early the following Monday. My body was still reeling from the exhaustion of yesterday’s activity but I just couldn’t stay home any longer. My father has returned from his business trip and the household is once again filled with this ominous aura he seemed to carry wherever he goes. Even the butlers and the maids are feeling strained and are more rigid than usual. My mother on the other hand is trying her best to pretend she’s been well the entire time he was gone and that she’s doing better now that he’s here. We all can see that it was a lie, but my father does not care enough to even pretend his concern. I knew that the moment he lays his eyes on me, it’ll be a none stop conversation of the things I should already know about the business and how if it was Bash, he probably wouldn’t be worrying so much about leaving the company’s future to such incompetent hands.So what’s a guy to do other than drive to school earlier than usual?The Academy looked so diff