39th Dawn - Secret Thoughts and Diverging Paths

On the next day, I make my way to the city's train station early in the morning.

Lewis and I spent our last afternoon discussing about my apprenticeship offer before indulging ourselves in idle chitchats until evening eventually fell. He walked me to the inn for the first time, probably to savor my company as much as he could. I also shared the same feelings. It's going to be a long while before we see each other again, after all.

"Lily!"

A familiar voice calls for me as soon as I arrive. I swivel around to find Julius waving at me with Lewis standing behind him. I then stride towards them and greet them with a smile.

"Don't just draw all day, Lewis. Your friend here is worried for you, you know," I gently chided, arms crossed.

Lewis only glares at Julius who then returns a meaningful look. We engage in a longwinded conversation as I continue reminding Lewis about safety and manners. At that moment, though, I just spout out anything that pops in my mind since I don't want to waste any remaining second.

A while after that, the station bell finally blares, announcing the arrival of the train.

"Don't get yourself into trouble, Lily. Also, don't let your new workplace intimidate you. Just be who you are and let things fall into place for you. No need to fret."

"The same to you, Lewis. Keep your promise as well. I'll make sure to come flying to meet you."

At this, Lewis just chuckles. I raise my pinky to him, which he just mirrors before exchanging one last smile with me. Then, out of nowhere, he embraces me and latches something around my neck. We stay that way for some time as he continues nestling in my hair. My breath hitches as I take a whiff of his cool water scent.

Caught off guard, all I can do is blush at our closeness before he eventually pulls away.

"What do you think you're-" I suddenly trailed off as I laid eyes on a necklace dangling from my neck.

It has a sapphire pendant in the form of a teardrop. Realizing how expensive it looks, I immediately try to refuse the gift but Lewis doesn't let me. He then proceeds to tell me that the shape reminds him of the day he saw me crying. Though I feel embarassed about the fact he seemed so fixated on that particular memory, I just let it slide and express my gratitude.

"Take good care of it and see you around, Lily," Lewis said for the last time before finally boarding on the train and joining Julius who's already in the seat.

I wave goodbye at them from outside the window. Then, with that, the train leaves the station. I just continue standing there as I eye its slowly shrinking form. When it's no longer in sight, I finally swerve around and take my leave, still holding the pendant Lewis gave me.

"Let's do our best, Lewis."

---

Julius isn't amused.

He continues glaring at his friend whose mind's still back at the station. Lewis is caught up in some kind of a reverie, an ear-splitting smile splattered on his face. Julius then only heaves a defeated sigh at this before crossing his arms.

"I'm impressed you went all through this trouble..." he deadpanned, making Lewis snap out of his daze.

"Are you still going to keep wearing those specs?"

At this, Lewis just silently complies and takes off his eyeglasses, revealing his well-proportioned frame and striking features - ocean blue eyes fluttering delicately, symmetrical nose and jawline accentuating his masculine form, and a drop-dead gorgeous figure overall. Julius is now convinced that those lenses are magical.

Even then, however, his friend only resumes his daydreaming and ignores his presence once again. With that, Julius just recalls how yesterday's events played out.

He received a message from Lewis's father that almost took ten years of his lifespan. It just happened that this ever collected man was now so furious after being informed of his son's last minute decision. He then demanded to have him come home as soon as possible. At that time, all he could do was grimace that this wasn't supposed to be so arduous if it wasn't for Lewis's persistence.

Reading his father's letter is one thing, but the preparations he made for their departure is certainly another.

Julius had to pack up their things while Lewis was still with Lillian yesterday. That night, he was definitely not ready to see what awaited him inside his room. He also didn't meant to unveil the secret so soon, though he should've expected something like this especially now that he knew she was indeed modeling for him with her consent for a long while now.

Eyes bulging in flummox and mouth agape, he gawked at piles upon piles of sketches and paintings that were currently posted all over his wall - each containing the image of one particular white-haired friend. Though he's aware that drawing is his hobby, he has no idea that he's also fond of sketching only one subject. He just remained stunned for what seemed like an eternity as he weighed his decisions on how he'd face Lewis after this.

In the end, Julius chose to stay silent and pretend he never saw them. Because of that, Lewis stayed up all night to pack up his own stuff.

"The carriage is already waiting outside the next station, just like you ordered. Everyone's going to be surprised when they see you in that attire," Julius mused out loud as he scrutinized him from head to toe.

"There isn't time to change costumes now, is there?" Lewis retorted with a smirk, earning a chuckle from him.

"Costumes, huh?"

Julius almost spouts out something irresponsible that might irk him. He wanted to ask when he had ever wear them off since coming there and meeting Lillian, but decided to just zip his mouth. He then stays silent after that until they eventually reach the next stop.