"Hurry Column or we are going to be late". A soft female voice said a little annoyed."Huhhh- it's always like this.When are you going to take things a bit serious?" She continued to mumbling under her lips.
"I'm almost done! I will be there in no time Maya." A boy responded back.
"Now here the prince comes after waiting for a while.What took you so long?" The girl asked teasingly.
"I'm sure you don't want to find out,anyway let's get going like you said we might be late by the time we arrive". The beautiful white skinned girl Maya took the lead without any further questioning.
It was the last day of the school.The air betweent the two childhood friends was a bit tense,next to no talking like before. Column could see her mood down about it being the last day of them being together,he wanted to cheer her up somehow but couldn't find the appropriate word or how to make her glad until he couldn't bear it anymore.
"Don't be sad Sue even though you're going abroad for studying, it's not like you're going there forever.I promise it will not be the last time,we can meet again in the future. I will go visit you from time to time".Column tried to cheer her up,he was worried either but the decision was made.They could nothing but wait.In order to become someone in the future they had to graduate and since her father had some connections and wealth,he decided to send her abroad. A better Academy better chance to become someone. Since Column was not from a rich family he couldn't afford to study abroad.He chose to sign up inside the country, this way he could minimal hid expenses and help his family out.
"Yeah I know but I just can't get it out of my mind that what if we do not meet again,what if something happens?"she said not looking him directly and before she knew it a tear fell from her left eye.
"Hey don't say that I told you that I would visit you. It's not like we are parting ways forever." He said gripping his shoulders and looking into her eyes.She came forth and hugged him tightly.Column hugged her back hoping it would ease her mind.After a short time past it had hit him that they were amidst the road and attracted everyone's attention.
"You know I can hug you as long as you want but it's becoming hard seeing all these faces around us".Seeing this she let him go and stepped back a bit embarrassed.Column was embarrassed too but at that moment he didn't care,all he wanted was to feel her.The fact that he won't be able to see her again in a long time was paining him.
"Why are you still standing there.Hurry up or the ceremony will end before we even could arrive there." She said her cheeks a shade redder.She then proceeded to take the leading leaving him behind.
After walking for around 10 more minutes they eventually arrived at the school's main entrance where guards were standing there by the gate guiding students to where they should be."Ohh look the deadman is there as well."Maya whispered to Column but by that time they were standing only a few meters away from the guard and she was not sure but she felt like she got a glimpse of him staring at her."Did he hear what I said?"she thought.Noticing this words were not coming out of her mouth anymore so Column decided to step forward and ask on her behalf.
"Hi there,we are here for today's ceremony,could you please guide us to the schoolhall?" It was not that they didn't know the school they were in for most of their lives and the school was not a large one to begin with but in this type of situations it was always good to ask someone for guidance.Tbe guard looked at them up and down and noticed their uniform was the formal uniform of the school.
"Please follow me."The guard said showing next to no emotional reaction except looking back at Maya a second time with a cold expression.For this reason students gave him the nickname of the Deadman.He was well respected and his demeanor made everyone think twice before talking bad behind his back and even the teachers were not exception to this.His influence was not solely cause of his demeanor but it was cause of his brother's influence the brother of the famous the principal of the central Academy and the head of the Startup guild Maximus Taflon Edvard Taflon."Yeap,he definitely heard me but it shouldn't be possible,right? Someone with this level of sharp hearing, is he a vampire or something."she thought and before she knew it she was laughing at her thought.This got the attention of the guard for the third time and his expression became even colder than before.Gaining her composure she made sure to stay close with Column.
The guard vent them to follow him and went ahead of them.
They followed him and entered the main building.They could see more students here.Some chit chatting with their friends,some helping the other,carrying things,and readying themselves for the big ceremony ahead."I wonder if everyone has come for the same thing as we?" Column thought."Did you think the ceremony is being held only for you students?The ceremony is held especially for these big entities,the Echo family wants to announce something.So it was only right for them to come or may I say those who didn't want to upset the Echo family decided to come"the Echo family was one of the three most famous and powerful families in the country to the extent that even the Government didn't want to be on their bad side.There were not only students here present with them but large company chairmen with their parties,managers,the head of the powerful families and all sort of entities were here.They all wanted to know what the Echo family had to say.
It was quite rare for the big Families like them to hold ceremonies or call for them.So it picked their interest on what would happen.
"Look that is the representative of the Dark family."Column said pointing his finger at their direction."Yeah but I can't see anyone from the Blade family! Where are they?"Maya asked."They probably will come later and besides these issues are none of your business,we better go and look for some empty seat for you."the guard said unchanged.
"Is he like this with everyone or is he doing this to annoy me for what I said earlier."Maya was in a deep thought."Hey what are you doing standing there for? Common, let's go!"Column said waving his hand in front of her face snapping her into reality.
The two followed him soon after.They didn't want to fall behind."Just out of curiosity why your working as a guard,I mean you could have been in higher positions than this if you wanted to but you're doing this wasting your time." Column couldn't help himself but ask because everyone wished to be in Edvard's place someday and in his eyes he saw Edvard as an ungrateful person who didn't value the position he was in.He was the envy of thousands of people and he acted like it was nothing.
Column was raised in an ordinary family.He wasn't poor exactly but in the area he was living he wasn't considered wealthy as well.He still didn't know what his parents did exactly but he was sure if his parents wanted him to know they would tell him.If they hadn't told him yet it only meant that wasn't of any importance.The only thing he knew was that they were working for a company outside the city so most of the time he was all alone at home.From time to time when they would meet and spend time together they would tell him to focus on his education and that was what he would do.He wanted to make them proud and not worry them.
"Huh-what has happened to the kids these days."he sighed turning around looking at their faces."You kids always put the things you don't have your priority and are blind in front of what you currently have."Edward said his face expressing dissapintment. "Corrections adults i mean young adults!"Column added quickly,in a sheepish tone."HA!" Edward let out a single loud laughter."Adults? What are you talking about?You guys can't even handle yourself properly."Edvard said mockingly."And for your other question, even if I answer it I doubt you will understand it. My story is complex to say the least.Edvard replied honestly.
Looking at his eyes from the side Column could see a sad expression displayed on his face.He felt guilty about making him relive his bad moments or whatever was that he had gone through.
Column's expression changed from pity into amazement the moment his eyes landed on the large platform before him.