Where you stand (2)

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| Previously |

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"You haven't opened your letter, care to show us where you stand?" Ethelbert locked his gaze on Allen.

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"I-" Allen held onto his letter, hesitant to read it's content.

°What if I wasn't accepted? This is the reason why I haven't opened it since it's arrival, what if-° Allen's hands trembled on that possibility.

"Tch-" Kaden scoffed, folding his arms, making his muscles bulge. "He's just a scared little boy who relies so much on his poor sick father! Do you think you can pull this one out?" He taunted.

"Grrrrr-" Allen eyes shone with rage, "Y-"

"Kaden!" A voice called, dispersing any trace of Allen's building hatred. "That's no way to talk to Allen!" Hitting Kaden's head with his fist.

"Father!" Kaden yelled, holding onto his head in pain. "You're embarrassing me!" He spat.

"I should be the one to say that," turning towards Allen, bowing slightly, Kaden's father pulled down the head of his son, forcing him to do the same. "I'm so sorry for my stupid son's behavior."

"You're sorry?" Kaden pulled out of his father's grip, stunned; he took a step back, "You should be on my side and not his, what good can he do anyways?" He pointed an accusing finger at Allen.

*Ahem*

All attention was drawn back to Ethelbert who had watched the situation unfold to it's bearable peak. "Would you please open the letter?!" Ethelbert cajoled.

°Right! There's nothing to be afraid of° Allen's lips curved upwards, his teeth flashing into a grin.

Pulling on the thread which encircled the Royal seal, he pulled out a piece of paper.

His expression dropped drastically, his body trembled violently upon reading it's content. His hands dropping to his side, his grip on the letter faltering.

°That's impossible° He muttered to himself, staggering backwards.

"Mr Allen?!" Ethelbert raised a questioning brow, "Should I take your reaction as a no or a yes?" He held his pen, ready to hit his assessment.

Walking up to a zoned out Allen, Kaden pulled the note off his hand with ease, reading it's content. "Hahaha!!!" He burst out laughing, holding his mouth to stifle his laughter. "Hahahaha!!!" rereading the note once again, he couldn't hold it in again.

"How dare you!" Camille snatched the note from Kaden's fingers, ripping it in half before landing a punch to his perfect face.

"Why?! And on my face?!" He complained, pouting and pointing at the swell which formed soon after.

"hmph!" Camille looked the other way, unfolding the squeezed half of it's content.

°NOT ACCEPTED?° Camille couldn't believe the words written In bold capital letters. Allen had prepared his whole life for opportunities such as this, and now this slipped out of his grasp?

"Allen?" Camille turned slowly to her side where Allen had stood. "I-"

"Save it!" Allen interjected, as if reading her mind he regained his composure, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I'm alright!" He looked down for some seconds, raising his head, he flashed a thumbs up with a big grin before walking out, the crowd making his exit a little much easier as a clear path was made.

"Allen! Wait!" Camille whispered, watching him leave, tears brimming to the corner of her eyes. "Lin?" She looked down at the little boy.

"Yes?!" His little voice squeaked.

"Run home and wait for me there, okay?" She placed her arms on his little shoulder blade.

"Mmmm!" He nodded his head in agreement.

°You still have your father who loves you! You still have me° Camille had wanted to say, running after him after giving it a thought.

"Tch-" Kaden shook his head. Wiping his cheek, he spat.

°That was one hell of a punch for a girl! You will pay for what you've done!° He vowed.

"Mr Ethelbert, you said there were 4 others who might have gotten accepted right?" Kaden clasped his hands putting up a puppy dog eyes, "Might we carry on?"

°How did he get accepted?° Ethelbert looked down on Kaden, scrunching up his nose, he placed his notepad to his face, acting as a barrier between him and Kaden. "Let's carry on then!" He adjusted his collar, clearing his throat.

"I got accepted!" Someone yelled among the crowd, lifting the note in the air, maneuvering his way out from the crowd, towards Ethelbert.

"Now that's what I'm talking about! Congratulations Gabe!" Kaden beamed, placing his arm over his fellow partner.

"Please let go Kaden," Gabe nervously chuckled, "I need to show it to Ethelbert first."

"Oh right!" Kaden removed his arm, pushing him forward instead.

"I see!" Ethelbert penned down his name, "That would be 3 more slots!" He called, showing the note to the crowd once more.

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"I was accepted, I'm sure of that!" Allen placed his back on the wall, looking ahead he could clearly spot the bakery he called 'home'.

Dragging his feet, he forced himself off the wall, staggering towards the bakery door.

A sharp pain rocked his body, "Grrr-" He held his hand.

*Sigh*

°You shouldn't have done that Allen!° His inner thought scolded.

"Would you shut it?" He held onto his bleeding arm, pushing in the door, he staggered in, walking up to the nearest chair.

Breathing heavily, he looked at the ceiling, "This was my one chance!" A stray tear trickled down.

"Allen!" Camille barged in, searching the bakery until her searching eyes fell on the exact person she had been looked for.

°Please just get out!° Allen used his sleeve to wipe his tears, hopeful she didn't catch on what had transpired earlier.

Pulling down his bloody hand, he tried to hide it but was not fast enough.

"Your hand is bleeding!" She dashed towards his side, her eyes widening in shock, "You repeatedly punched a wall again?" She examined the damage his foolish habitual action had caused to his hand.

"..."

"This has to stop!" She stood up, pulling down a box from the shelf above them, "Don't you think it was a good idea to place this here?" She tried lightening the mood.

"Camille, you don't have to do this." His voice hoarse.

"Would you just let me help you this once? How can you be so foolish?" She screamed, sniffling, she turned her attention away from him.

°Had she been crying?° Allen tried having a better look at herm

"I'll go boil some water, wait here." She ordered, going into the kitchen to do the said action.

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