14

The February months suddenly seemed warm to me. His smile warmed these cold days. I wanted to make these days last forever even when I knew that this momentous happiness, this mercurial feeling will end one day. Marcellus was beautiful not because he was the protagonist of my story but because he was the saviour that made my day beautiful.

'Aziel what are you spacing out for?' Marcellus said. He was wearing the school clothes and a red scarf wrapped around his neck. His brown hair was long and unkempt.

'No, it's nothing I was just contemplating nature.' I said smiling at him.

We were in the garden which was at the back of the school. On insistence of Marcellus, I was staying till late here to spend time with him. It was a cold afternoon and weather news predicted there would be snowing at night.

In these two months it felt like various seasons passed, I have seen the grey rain and the bright sun. Some days were luke warm while others were frigid cold. The more I observed the days, the more joyful the days became.

'Hey Marcellus tell me about yourself' I said walking beside him. His strides were long but as soon as I ran to catch up to him, I could notice his small gesture of slowing down to match my pace.

'I am Marcellus Thomas. Eighteen years old and I study in Raven Wood High.' He said with a smug smile.

'Are you kidding me?' I was really not amused. My heterochrome eyes looked at him severely with suspicion.

'You did not tell me about yourself too Aziel.' He spoke. Marcellus who always felt like a child felt matured and understanding right now. It was uncomfortable when he completely switches over.

'I am Aziel, age eighteen and I am an orphan. I came to Raven Wood High due to Elijah our class teacher who is also my friend.' I hesitatingly said.

Marcellus crouched on the ground and plucked a purple Aster from the flower pot. 'Here look at these flowers aren't they amazing?'

'These are purple Asters. Are we allowed to pluck flowers from the garden?' I spoke. I was a little angry that despite telling him about myself that jerk did not even say a single word.

'These purple Aster have many petals. We will pluck a petal each and answer only one question other person ask us.' Marcellus said excitedly.

'What? What is this silly game?' I said in disbelief.

'It is to prevent each other from getting uncomfortable by the questions. Come on Aziel I am doing this for you not me.' Marcellus pouted as his cheeks and tip of his nose flushed in crimson hue.

Seriously how can a teenager look so cute!!

'Ahem! Fine you go first. 'I said as I saw him pluck a petal from the Aster.

'Ask a question.'

'Who are your parents?' I asked. It was a simple question for the starting the game.

'My father is the chairman of this school. Both my parents are alive but they don't usually come to Eiryls and stay in California.'

'Oh, I see. Suddenly I feel like a peasant in front of a young master of a rich pedigree.' I said nonchalantly. It suddenly made sense why we were hanging put in school rather than going to a good place.

'Pfft…you jest! Now pluck a petal yourself.' His azure eyes shone brightly with excitement.

I pluck the smooth purple petal in a little nervousness.

'What is your favourite food?' Marcellus asked.

'Huh? What question is that?' I was amused and unlike my expectation of answering questions about my mother or my previous school he chose to ask such a silly question!

'Well, I noticed that you don't usually eat cafeteria food. Since you look so scrawny, I thought that eating something you like will fill your stomach!' he laughed.

'Omelettes' I said shyly. I once held the same conversation with someone long ago. However, I forgot the exact details of it.

'I know how to make omelettes. I will love to feed you my dish one day.' He said happily.

'Pfft…. Sure, I am looking forward to that day!'

'Next is my chance.'

'Where do you live?'

'In the dorms on the sixth floor. It is quite good and usually the other guys don't come till late at night so it is quiet and view is amazing from my window.'

'I see. How about we go somewhere outside next time?' I asked.

'Only one question Aziel!'

'Hey! But it is not related to this game. Come on tell me!' I said puffing my cheeks.

'No no no I said one question at a time.'

I felt Marcellus was evading my question. It was quite strange that he was uncomfortable going anywhere outside the school so I thought of not pressing this issue anymore. 'Fine I will ask the question on my next turn!'

'Sure' Marcellus laughed.

The day was a little colder than usual. Brightly coloured flowers grew in the huge expanse on either side of the grey cobblestoned path. The verdant land and yellow hued Daffodils. Purple asters and pink primroses grew all around us. There were pink and red patches of exotic flowers that I did not know the name of. Cryptic smell of lavender came from somewhere. I was a little confused since there were no lavenders in the garden. The smell was strong and sweet that masked the smell of other flowers.

'Pluck the petal!' Marcellus said.

'Oh yes …. Here.' I plucked another petal. There were only four petals left now which meant each of us would get to answer and ask two question each.

'Tell me you're about your favourite hobby.'

Marcellus again asked a childish question but these questions were personal. When I was in elementary school, the kids used to ask questions like these to their friends. If a child did not know such a simple question about their friend, then they were not deemed as close. Best friends knew every question like these and their bond was inseparable.

'Studying. I like to surround myself and focus on books. However, I have a fear of novels.'

'What kind of fear?'

'Only one question!'

'Okay here, pluck!'

'Hey look! It's snowing!!' I said excitedly.

Soft cotton balls started falling as the sky turned grey. They were light and small just like dandelion's fur. I looked up to the sky as the snow fell on my warm skin and white hair.

'let's go inside Aziel!' Marcellus said, his hair was covered with the swift falling snow.

'No, I should head home.' I spoke.

'Tomorrow is a holiday, stay the night in the dorms!'

'But….'

'Please?' Marcellus pleaded, his hands clasped and a puppy look in his eyes.

'No..But…'

'Please ?... Please?'

'Hah…Ok' I seriously cannot reason with him.