Crisp white dress shirts, avoidance, and coming to terms.

Chapter song: leavemedown - sodististilled

I wonder why I always feel distant whenever I'm around Agares. My mom used to say that the reason why people often feel à distance from others is because they themselves create a distance, whether it be consciously or unconsciously. I wonder if that also applies to Agares. 

"I don't think that's the case though, " Silas said, breaking Julius out of his little soliloquy. 

"I think he's actively avoiding you." 

"Why would he be doing that?" Julius wondered. 

Silas shrugged. "Maybe he found out about your feelings for him and decided to run away because he didn't want to have to deal with them."

Julius looked at him in horror. That would be the absolute worst thing to happen to him. Just the mere thought of Agares knowing was excruciating. 

"D-Don't even say that as a joke." Julius stammered. 

Silas keeled back in laughter. "Lighten up man, I can't even tell jokes anymore?" 

Julius decided to ignore Silas as he left the room. Since the little sparring matches he had that day, Julius hadn't seen Agares since then. 

The two boys had been busy each taking care of things on their own ends. Julius, on top of having classes and studying for exams, was also participating in practices to prepare for the friendly match they would have four weeks from now. Agares on the other hand was also busy with volleyball practice since their match was going to take place exactly five days from now. 

Even though he knew how busy the house leader was, it was still disappointing that he couldn't see him despite living in the same house. 

All Julius could hope was that things wouldn't stay like this forever. 

Julius wandered outside, taking in the cool January breeze as the music resonated in his ears. He always felt like it was odd that despite it being smack dab in the middle of winter, it wasn't freezing cold at all, unlike where he used to live. 

Westwood would get the occasional snow here and there, and it was expecting to have below freezing temperatures around this time of year as well. Though he wasn't someone who liked the cold, he still liked the feeling of wrapping himself up in multiple layers. He likes how cozy it made him feel.

Julius found himself near the large field that was currently empty. He made his way over, and decided to sit near the edge, taken in the view before him. As he was in deep thought, he didn't notice Agares making his way back to the house. 

The dark haired beauty noticed Julius sitting there in deep thought, and couldn't help but wonder what he was doing sitting there when it was so cold out. 

"You should get back inside." Agares said behind Julius causing the boy to jump in start. 

"Oh Agares, it's you." He said, his heart thumping in his chest. It was strange seeing him standing there in front of him after not being around him for so long. 

Agares stood before him, still clad in his immaculate uniform, a vision of effortless elegance even after a long day filled with student council duties. His crisp white dress shirt remained flawlessly smooth, unmarked by a single crease or stain. The striking black, white, and red tie nestled perfectly at his collar, while the tailored black blazer enhanced his fair complexion, giving him an ethereal quality.

His long hair that had grown quite a bit since their first meeting was elegantly styled, half pulled back, drawing attention to his beautifully sculpted features. Those light gray eyes sparkled with a captivating brilliance, meeting Julius's own golden gaze with an intensity that seemed to illuminate the murky sky. As Agares's full lips curved slightly, Julius found himself momentarily entranced, his eyes lingering before he finally looked away, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the beauty before him.

"Is it even humanly possible for someone to look this good?" He thought to himself. 

"Julius?" Agares called out to him. The boy hadn't spoken a word and simply stared at him. 

"Oh, sorry. I just needed a little breather." He said, his cheeks getting a little warm. 

"I see." 

"Um…How are things going with you?" Julius asked in an attempt to make conversation. He wanted to be in Agares' company even if it was only for a couple seconds.

Agares raised an eyebrow as he watched Julius shift nervously from side to side. "We are pretty busy preparing for the upcoming match with Westwood." He said. 

Julius nodded his head, "Right, Westwood." 

"That was your previous school right?" Agares asked. 

"Yes it was, though I've only attended for a year." 

"...It must've been tough, having to move around a lot." Agares said as he sat down next to Julius, surprising him. 

As the wind breezed around them, Julius caught a whiff of a warm and creamy scent coming from Agares. The scent contrasted with his cold and detached temperament but it weirdly suited him. He felt safe and at ease in his presence, and without even realizing it, Julius had inched himself closer to the dark haired boy. 

"I did. I've had to move for as long as I can remember," He said, his voice sounding a little distant. 

"I've moved to five different places over the last two years so I've become used to it. Having to drop everything and leave, adjust to new environments…" 

Agares sat quietly, captivated as Julius shared his story, a feeling he had never experienced before. It was unusual for him to genuinely want to listen, yet he found it oddly satisfying.

Julius spoke of his travels, the friends he had tried to connect with but ultimately lost touch, his father's job, and his best friend Amélie, who had been his anchor through these changes. These were thoughts he had kept to himself, but for some reason, he felt compelled to share them with Agares.

"It's strange knowing you'll be playing against them this Friday," Julius remarked.

"Yeah, it will be a first," Agares replied, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

"Do you feel nervous about the game?" Julius asked, instantly regretting the question.

Agares let out a soft chuckle, his eyes drifting to the eerie scenery around them. As he absentmindedly played with a blade of grass, the sound of his laughter, though faint, was like music to Julius's ears. It was rare to witness any emotion from Agares, and he felt a sense of triumph for bringing it out, glad he had asked such a silly question.

"At the risk of sounding cocky, I don't have anything to be nervous about," Agares said candidly.

Normally, Julius would roll his eyes at such confidence, but coming from Agares, it struck a chord deep within him. He found it utterly intoxicating.

"It should be an interesting game then," he managed to say.

"We should head back now; it's starting to get late," Agares suggested, glancing at the sky.

As he looked up, Julius noticed the sun had begun its descent. His eyes widened in realization—he hadn't noticed how time had slipped away.

"Time seems to slip by whenever I'm around you," he murmured, almost to himself.

Agares froze, the words hanging in the air. When Julius turned back to him, he saw Agares lost in thought, his expression shifting back to its usual impassiveness.

"Agares?" Julius prompted gently.

"It's nothing. Let's go," Agares replied, his voice steady but his mind racing, the beauty of the moment lingering between them.

*

A few days passed, and the anticipation for the big volleyball game—East Laurence vs. Westwood—reached a fever pitch. The school buzzed with excitement as students speculated about the match.

"It's the first time they're playing against Westwood, right?" a blond boy asked.

"Yeah, it is," another replied eagerly.

In their history class, chatter filled the room as they awaited Mr. Hendrickson's arrival.

"How good are they?" one student wondered.

"They must be good if they made it to regionals and are facing us," came the confident response.

Silas watched the group of boys discussing the upcoming game with a hint of amusement. He turned to Julius. "Is your friend still coming to watch?"

"Who, Amélie?" Julius replied absently.

"Do you have any other friends?" Silas shot back flatly.

"It's quite rude to assume I don't have others," Julius grumbled.

"So you do?"

"…No."

Silas scoffed. "That's what I thought. So, is she coming?"

"Yeah, she is. Why?" Julius narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Can't I ask?"

"No, but it's odd how interested you are in her," Julius remarked.

His observation wasn't unfounded; Silas generally kept a distance from those he deemed unworthy of his time. Despite being a social butterfly, he rarely asked about personal matters unless he saw a benefit.

"She seems like a cool person," Silas said nonchalantly. "It'd be nice to get to know her."

"Uh-huh."

"Oh, by the way, a new Marvel movie just dropped on Netflix. Let's watch it together," Silas said, redirecting his focus to the front of the class.

Julius couldn't help but laugh at his friend's obvious attempt to change the subject.

"Sounds good."