Chapter 64: The Silver Princess

Xander PoV- I yawned as I walked out of the gym. My entire body felt like goo and my body felt super sticky from all the sweat. Ugh, this was why I disliked coming to these training sessions.

Anton laughed and patted my back. "Hey, cut it with the glum face! If you didn't skip out so much, you wouldn't be feeling this exhausted."

I grumbled as I tried hard not to fall. The oaf couldn't control his strength, each pat felt like getting hit by a pan.

"Stop that," I grumbled, glaring at him.

He let go of me and waved. "Fine, see you tomorrow then!"

Tomorrow? Hmph, I would rather skip out.

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With a heavy sigh, I trudged back to my dorm, each step feeling like a chore. The warmth of the sun was an unwelcome reminder of the day ahead. Once inside, I collapsed onto my bed, letting the cool sheets absorb the heat radiating from my body. I had just enough energy to shuffle to the shower.

The water felt heavenly cascading over me, washing away the sweat and weariness. I took my time, letting the steam envelop me, savoring the moment of solitude. After drying off, I slid under the covers, too exhausted to even think about my homework. Sleep claimed me almost immediately.

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The next day, I groggily made my way to class, still feeling the effects of yesterday's grueling practice. I tried my best to focus, but my mind kept drifting. The lectures felt like they were dragging on forever, and all I could think about was the cozy bed waiting for me back at the dorm.

After classes, the last thing I wanted was to run into Anton and Elyan. I could already picture their teasing smiles as they reminded me of my earlier promise to show up for practice. 

I made my way to the school library, hoping to find a quiet corner to hide. The smell of old books and the soft rustle of pages offered a comforting escape. I found a secluded table at the back, where I could pretend to study while avoiding my teammates.

Settling into the worn chair, I pulled out a book, but my mind was still elsewhere. I kept an ear out for any familiar voices, hoping to avoid detection. 

As I flipped through the pages, I could almost hear Anton's booming laughter and Elyan's gentle nagging in my head. "You can't hide forever, Xander," I imagined Anton saying, and I cringed at the thought.

I tried to immerse myself in the story, but the words blurred together. My eyelids felt heavy, and I fought the urge to drift off again. Just a little peace and quiet, I thought, hoping that would be enough to recharge me before facing the chaos of practice tomorrow.

As I sat there, the soft rustle of pages and the faint scent of old books began to lull me into a drowsy state. My eyelids grew heavier, and I fought to keep them open, but it felt like I was sinking into the chair.

Suddenly, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. Startled, I jolted awake, blinking as I took in the sight before me. A girl with shimmering silver hair stood there, her wide, doe-like eyes looking at me with a mix of curiosity and concern. She wore a simple dress that somehow made her look like a princess from a fairytale.

"Um, excuse me?" she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm really sorry to bother you, but could I… uh, could I borrow the book you're sleeping on?"

For a moment, I just stared at her, my brain struggling to catch up. She looked so ethereal, like she had stepped out of a dream. I blinked again, half-expecting her to vanish if I looked away long enough.

"Oh, uh…" I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. "Sure." I didn't even know what book it was, but I pushed it toward her, feeling slightly dazed.

She smiled, and it was like a light had filled the dim corner of the library. "Thank you! I really appreciate it." She reached for the book, her fingers brushing against mine for a brief moment, and I felt a rush of warmth flood through me.

As she took the book, I couldn't help but think that she looked like a princess. The way her silver hair caught the light, the gentle curve of her smile—everything about her seemed to radiate a kind of magic. I wondered if I was still dreaming, caught somewhere between reality and the fantastical world my mind often wandered to.

"Are you okay?" she asked, tilting her head slightly as she noticed my lingering gaze. "You looked like you were asleep."

"Yeah, just… tired," I mumbled, feeling heat creep up my cheeks. "Long day and all…"

She nodded, understanding flickering in her eyes. "I get that. I have long days too. But this place is nice for a little escape, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is," I replied, still somewhat entranced by her presence. "I come here to, um, hide sometimes."

Her giggled. "S-same."

I sat up all the way. "Uh, the name is Xander! What's yours?"

"R-Rosen."

Rosen? Even her name sounded like a princess's.

"S-say, you're in the basketball team, right?"

I blinked. "Yeah, how did you know?"

She giggled. "My big brother is on the team too. His name is Anton."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "Eh?! That barbarian is your brother?" I blurted out, my voice a mix of surprise and disbelief. Suddenly, the enchanting image of the silver-haired girl felt like it was colliding with the loud, boisterous figure of Anton.

Rosen's cheeks flushed slightly, and she giggled nervously. "Um, yeah. He can be a bit much sometimes, but he's really nice when you get to know him."

"Nice?" I echoed, still stunned. "You mean the same Anton who practically body-slammed me with a friendly pat on the back? That Anton?"

She laughed, the sound light and airy. "Okay, maybe he can be a bit rough around the edges. But he means well!"

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to process this new revelation. "So, you're telling me that the big, loud oaf who thinks he's the king of the gym is actually your brother? How does that even work? You look like you belong in a fairy tale, and he looks like he just finished a wrestling match!"

Rosen giggled again, and I was struck by how much I enjoyed her laughter. "I guess we're just an odd pair. But he's always been protective of me. So, you know, it works out."

I felt myself shrink a little. If Anton was her brother, I needed to watch what I said. That meathead wasn't someone to mess with.

"Uh, well, I better get going. I promised to eat with him after practice ends."

"Practice is still on going," I said.

"Yeah, but I have homework to do."

Wow, she sure was dutiful, the opposite of me. As I watched her dart away, a strange mix of emotions flooded through me—admiration, confusion, and a hint of envy. She was so determined, so responsible, and here I was, hiding in the library just to escape my obligations. 

I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair and letting out a soft sigh. The encounter had left me feeling a bit dazed, but not in a bad way. It was refreshing to speak with someone who seemed so genuine and kind, especially in contrast to the boisterous presence of her brother.

After a moment, I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I glanced around the library, realizing I'd been lost in my own little world for far too long. I had homework to finish, and hiding away wouldn't help me avoid practice forever. 

With a resigned sigh, I gathered my things and stood up, stretching my sore muscles. The soft rustle of pages and the smell of aging books still filled the air, creating a comforting atmosphere, but I knew I couldn't linger any longer. 

As I made my way out of the library, I couldn't help but wonder if I would see Rosen again. There was something enchanting about her, something that made me want to learn more. Well, she was the sister of that oaf, so seeing her wasn't out of the question. Now, talking to her was a different matter.