Forked Roads

Nero was conflicted. There was truth to what Ophelia was saying - it wasn't every day that you got admitted to one of the top schools in the region. However, going to school alongside people who would probably outperform him in every class… the thought didn't appeal to him in the least.

"Can I sit on the idea for a week before I reject you?" asked Nero.

"Don't be like that…" pouted Ophelia. "I really want to go to school with you."

She's really giving it everything she had, thought Nero, who was determinedly avoiding her doe-eyed gaze and little tugs on his sleeve. Pentheholm University definitely had its appeal - the campus was gorgeous, and the food there was all free.

Besides, when he graduated - if he graduated - his job prospects would be top-notch. Companies would be falling over themselves to snatch him up; it was undeniably better than selling ice-cream in the Obin summer.

But the trade-off was that he had to rent a unit in Pentheholm, or stay in the school campus. On top of the school fees and increased costs of living, he wasn't sure if he could afford it.

Ophelia read his mind. "Don't worry about money," she said. "Dad says he'll sponsor you for your school fees and lodging. He says he's even willing to give you an allowance if you promise not to spend any of it on me."

That got a laugh out of Nero. "When have I ever spent anything on you?"

"That's what I told him too."

If the Katoris were willing to sponsor him for school, the only things stopping him from going to Pentheholm were pride and laziness - and while he would rather eat sand than admit he was either of these, the very notion of this self-imposed rule was evidence enough that he wasn't particularly subservient.

So this was it. His reign as Obin's most popular ice-cream boy was about to come to an end.

"Let's say… Let's say I accept your proposal. When would school start?"

"The school year starts in a week," replied Ophelia, a merry twinkle dancing in her brown eyes. "I've planned everything out for us; Dad will be fetching you over to our place two days from now, so you have to finish packing up by tomorrow night. After that, we'll head over to Pentheholm to get our books, then -"

"Hang on, your mom's calling," said Nero, holding up her phone. The screen said 'Lifegiver'.

"Hand it over," said Ophelia. "Hey, Mom. What's up?"

Nero lay backwards on the hot ground, thinking of all the things he would have to pack. Aside from his laptop and a bunch of clothes, there wasn't really much else for him to bring.

"Uh huh," came Ophelia's voice. She was frowning slightly. "Why? But I've just told Nero - can't you tell me now? Who? No, but... Now?! What's the rush? I - oh damn it, Mom, this had better be worth it."

Ophelia ended the call, threw her head back, and groaned so loudly that it scared a bunch of nearby birds off their branches.

"What's wrong?" asked a concerned Nero. "Did our applications get rejected?"

"I'm sorry. I don't really know what's going on, but Mom told me that she might be cancelling our applications."

"Why? Is it because of money?"

"No - here's the weird thing; she says someone paid a visit to our house looking for both of us, and she got Dad to come pick us up."

"Now?!"

"Yeah. I know for a fact you're not doing anything later, so will you come over with me?"

"Sure. Tell Mr Katori to stop by at my place - we gotta wash all this sand off first."