The Lantern Festival (Part 4)

With my continuous urging, Chase finally musters up the courage to finally approach Amelia head on. I asked Henry if there was a way to get across the tight security of Amelia put there by Henry's father.

"You'll have an opportunity every afternoon as they guard the outside of the studio but that's it any time before or after would be difficult since they stick to her like glue. I don't know why she needs guards when your the one who needs to be protected here." Henry spouts.

"But is Amelia going to the studio today? She gave up her spot as the lead already, I'm afraid she might not come to the studio after all." I pointed out.

"I'll make sure she comes, that girl will believe anything I tell her. She's just another pawn in my father's hand." Henry stated matter-of-factly.

"Hush now, she's still our friend so don't talk about her that way. Thanks for the info, I'll tell Chase." I smile at him.

"That's all I get for spilling valuable information?" Henry pouts

"Oh, alright. . . . " I come closer and I am on my tippy toes to kiss his cheek when he suddenly turns around so that his lips would receive the kiss instead.

"My. . . My. . . I didn't know you wanted me this bad . . ." Henry teased and playfully winked at me

I blush but then we both laughed. I love these moments here in the Archer Manor where we get to be ourselves and not pretend to be who we're not. I wish these moments would all that there would be but as I know how reality can be so harsh these are just sweet moments that can turn sour in a minute. I was this happy then but they took my happiness away, now that I am happy again is someone going to take my happiness away again?

We walked through the aisle in the garden hand-in-hand like the giddy teenagers we were or at least I know I was giddy and excited to be holding his hand. I am in love and we are inseparable. But as we got out of the Archer Manor's secret entry way, Henry lets go of my hand. I don't want to make a big deal out of it but it does hurt a little when he does that I know he's cautious of the outside world knowing our little secret and in fear of his father. What about the Archer Manor's staff? Won't they tell on you? You might ask. I was afraid of that too but Henry assured me that in this Manor, he was absolute law he says that he has all of those working for him under a gag order. He says it's to prevent them from spilling the beans on him to anyone especially to some nosy reporter or the paparazzi. Still, I don't just go about the manor and explicitly show my affection for him. I am still cautious of the staff around but for our morning walk there are barely any staff to see us walking hand-in-hand because Mr. Reniel has them on a tight leach when it comes to their chores.

Henry and I walk to our respective destinations on our own, silently keeping pace with each other as he is just right behind me. He said once to me that doing it like this every morning feels like we are going to our classes together even if there is some distance between us. But the fact that he gets stopped by some girls along the way to make small talk with him and of course being the courteous Prince of Graceland that he is he stops and engages with each girl that goes to talk to him, I kind of feel like we walk to class with everyone and not just us.

Maybe today was not my day because right when I was about to call to him and say something, I see Amelia walking towards Henry with all her security surrounding her. I mean seriously even Henry the son of one of the richest person in Astoria is not walking about the Academy with some security tailing him so why does she have to have this much security. I had to remind myself that we are cousins and friends and that I should not bad mouth her but lately she's just getting on my nerves.

"Henry. . . Oh mon amour (my love in french). . " Amelia sweetly call out to Henry.

"Amelia. . . " Henry just casually says her name.

Did she just call henry mon amour? Oh my! She's really pushing it.

"Can we walk to the building together?" Amelia's voice became even sweeter than before.

Henry looked at me and I nodded to let him know that I don't mind. Yeah right, I don't mind. . . But what can I do? I am secret girlfriend and not able to just walk up to them and claim Henry as mine. Sigh! Just as I was to leave, Amelia shouts my name.

"Oh Christie dear, hello. . ." She said rather sarcastically while she blatantly links her arm with Henry.

I try to keep my calm and remember that I can't exactly make a scene here. "Oh bonjour (means good morning and hello) Amelia. . . I see you're up and early today. You must've had a pretty good night's sleep last night?"

"Oui, I slept like a baby." Amelia continues

"I see, well that's wonderful but you seem to have something in the corner of your eyes you might want to remove them before you go any further." I take a swing at her, just a gentle swing only of course with my witty remark. "Well then, I'll see you around Henry, Amelia. . . "

When I left the two of them I saw Amelia panicking and bringing out a small mirror to look if she really had some morning glory to remove and she did find some which made her more angry and Henry only chuckled at me but he was being a gentleman and waited for Amelia.

Back then I could honestly say that I wasn't affected by them being together so much of the time but now it is starting to affect me. Maybe it was because of the sudden change in Amelia's attitude and demeanor towards Chase and now how she's acting around Henry. I swear if she tries to pull off something funny, I will pull rank on her no matter how risky that may be.

While walking a little further I was met by Chase and Anthony, my two knights within the campus. Anthony rather looks dashing this morning like he rested well last night. His eyes were brimming with joy but Chase whose handsome face I was given a privilege to see last night clearly looked like he had aged over night. Poor, poor Chase, I hope that he gets closure or something when Henry gets Amelia to attend today's practice.

"Good morning Christie. . " Anthony smiles wide showcasing his dashing boyish charm.

"Good morning Anthony. . . Chase. . ." I greet both of them with a smile.

"Can I accompany you to class today as well, my little lady?" asks Anthony

"You very well may good sir." I playfully curtsey. "Hey, Chase I have something to say to you." I pull him away for just a bit and tell him. "Henry told me that he could get Amelia to come by the studio later that's your chance to talk to her since her guards are outside the studio they won't be able to interfere and they will have a hard time getting in since we have the Orchestra later in the private theater so they will never know with that many people present."

"Oh, okay. . . Hey, Christie what if she says she doesn't want to see me anymore? I. . .I . .just can't do it."

"C'mon, you haven't even tried yet and your already backing out. We're here all rooting for you okay. You won't know unless you try right?" I try to encourage him.

"I suppose so. . ." Still in a somber tone.

"Shall we go then, my little lady?" Anthony interrupts by taking my hand and linking it with his like a gentleman escorting a lady across a grand social function.

I take a quick glance at Henry and Amelia behind me and see that Henry has already put up his stoic mask and Amelia was sort of making a gawking face at the audacity of Anthony's display. She whispers something to Henry and she laughs rather heartily. Henry just looks at her and dismisses whatever she said.

Classes now are just during the first and second periods where the homeroom teachers gather everyone in their respective classes and talk about the progress of each class on their booths and to check if they still have any thing that the professors or the administration can help with. The second period is for the students to reconvene first before going ahead with the tasks that needed to be done and the discussions of the schedules of those who need to be excused. On my part, I have been given permission to skip the afternoon preparations on our booth because of the GABC's practice for Swan Lake but I need to help out with the booth's preparation in the morning.

"Okay, Anyone here who knows how to do Calligraphy?" Our class representative asks everyone.

My classmates have no idea how to do calligraphy since Astoria right now has been moving forward as a rather progressive country and more and more of its youth are skillful in other areas like programing, and what not. The traditional calligraphy writing of Astoria has been slowly dying. But since we need to put a calligraphy sign in front of our booth, I raise my hand and volunteer myself for the job. I guess I might as well do this for the entire class since they were so helpful and understanding of my status as a GABC dancer.

"Christie? Are you volunteering for this task?" Our class rep. herself was surprised.

"Yes?! I kind of know some calligraphy techniques." I sheepishly answer.

"Okay. What do you need?" Let us know and the procuring team will buy it for you.

"How big is the sign that we need?" I ask

"We will do it on a .50m by 1.60m white canvas." She replies to me.

"Okay. What will I write?"

"How about, we put, LETTERS FROM THE HEART?" What do you guys think?" Our class rep. inquires.

"Yeah that sounds good." One student answers and everyone else agrees with the idea so we gear up for the task.

If your wondering why I know calligraphy, well it's because my Nana forced me to study and take extra classes about calligraphy saying that I should be able to write like my grandfather and my father since most communication letters within and of the royal family are handwritten as per custom and tradition of the royal family. So that's the reason why I can still do proper calligraphy.