A Glimpse Beyond the Perfect Illusion

[Enid's POV]

This night unfolded as a restless affair for me. I stayed awake throughout, tirelessly seeking Olivia's assistance. The task at hand was crucial - choosing the perfect outfit and dressing flawlessly for Perseus. Today marked the eagerly anticipated date with Percy, and my nerves were in edge.

Olivia, an unwilling witness to my midnight frenzy, seemed on the verge of strangling me for disturbing her every ten minutes. Yet, my own excitement trumped any concern for her annoyance. I even went so far as to force her to be my watchful observer during the date. If she spotted me making a fool of myself, she was under strict instructions to take immediate action and rescue me from potential embarrassment.

The time had come to meet Percy at the school gate for our journey to Jericho. With every step, a wave of weakness washed over me, fueled by anxious thoughts racing through my mind. Olivia assured me that Percy liked me, but the fear of embarrassing myself and facing potential disdain gnawed at my confidence. Despite these worries, I pressed on toward the gate, my mind in a chaotic whirl.

There, at the gate, Perseus awaited me. His white hair danced with the wind, and the sun's rays bestowed a golden glow upon his flawless face. He seemed almost immortal, a perfect being. "Stop staring at him like a pervert, your spit is pouring out of your mouth," Olivia's voice nagged me, snapping me out of my trance. Frantically, I tried to wipe away any imagined drool, only to find none… I shot a resentful glance at Olivia.

Percy greeted me with a warm smile, oblivious to the inner turmoil I battled. "Ready for our day in Jericho?" he asked, his voice like a soothing melody. Despite my inner chaos, I managed a nod and we set off for Jericho, leaving behind the school gates and my fears.

Arriving in Jericho, I immediately led him to the coffee bar, noticing his curious gaze. We sat at a table together and a barista came to take our order.

"What do you like to drink?" she asked.

I ordered a café latte and Percy opted for a hot chocolate. Now that we had ordered, I found myself at a loss on how to start the conversation. Usually, I always know how to begin, but today my brain seemed to be in fog. He broke the silence by saying, "It's a nice place here." Absentmindedly, I replied, "With you, everywhere is nice." He looked at me amused and my face turned red as I processed what I had just said. 

I slapped my cheeks with both hands and thought, 'Enid, you got this,' and so we started the interview. It was interesting how he answered some questions, but there was something I didn't like. His answers seemed always neutral and his true self hidden. Maybe he is nervous for this interview?

As we delved into the interview, the atmosphere shifted subtly. Percy's answers remained impeccably crafted, yet there was an elusive quality about them. It felt as though he wore a mask, carefully concealing his genuine emotions and thoughts. The curious side of me couldn't help but wonder what he was hiding. I decided to steer the conversation towards more personal topics, hoping to unravel the layers Percy had wrapped around himself. Still, the vagueness of his response didn't satisfy my curiosity. It was as if he had a carefully rehearsed script and was unwilling to deviate from it. I probed further, asking about his passions, his dreams, anything that might crack the facade. Yet, each answer seemed like a well-crafted performance rather than an authentic revelation. A sense of frustration began to build within me. Why was Percy so guarded? Was there a hidden vulnerability he feared exposing? The more I dug, the more elusive he became, slipping through my attempts to connect on a deeper level.

Our conversation took a turn towards lighter topics and Percy's charm shone through once again. He was funny, charming, and undeniably attractive. But beneath the surface, I sensed a wall that he was determined to keep intact. As the evening unfolded, I found myself torn between the captivating exterior of Perseus and the unsettling feeling that I was missing a crucial piece of who he truly was. It became clear that the connection I sought, the genuine exchange of thoughts and emotions, was elusive in Percy's carefully constructed world.

After a while, we went out from the coffee bar and headed to take the bus back to Nevermore Academy. While walking, I kept looking at him, captivated by his beauty, but not by his character. What should I do to make him open up to me?

While I was thinking, I saw Percy looking at me curiosly and leaning himself... what is he doing? Is he going to kiss me? B-but we only know so little about each other; isn't it too fast? I instinctively put my hand between our lips, blocking the kiss. He watched me with a cute puppy look…how cute… no, Enid! "I-I… it's too fast, sorry…" He looks me understandingly and smiles back. "Don't worry, Enid, sorry hehehe." His smile is perfect... too perfect to be true. 

"Perseus, you are very beautiful, the most gorgeous person I ever met. It's just that I feel you're not being genuine with me. I want to be with someone who trusts me and is open. S-sorry if this sounds cringy, but this is who I am." 

As my words came out, I felt a mixture of regret and vulnerability. Tears rolled down my cheeks, and my shoulders slumped. So, I told him what I thought... well, he probably won`t like me anymore and I will be single for the rest of my life…I-I… feel sad. 

Why did I say it? I could have pretended and finally have a partner and my worst fear of being alone would be gone. I am such an idiot, maybe fate itself wants me to be alone. I will probably be alone forewer… even when the world gives me something perfect like him, I refuse… Maybe it's wiser this way — if shaping myself to this world means sacrificing who I am, then I choose to stand alone, embracing the loneliness that awaits my inevitable demise.

He watches me strangely and seems to think about something. Suddenly, he burst into genuine laughter, his smile a radiant light that pierced the darkness around me. His aura underwent a dramatic transformation, and it felt like invisible walls were crumbling with the sound of his laughter. He took my cheeks in his hands, playfully toying with them. "You're always so straightforward and sincere. I'm sorry I made you feel this way; it's something I do automatically with people I don't know." he said, wiping away my tears and leaning in again. What am I going to do? I don't think I have the energy and willpower to block his kiss again. I closed my eyes in resignation and felt a soft kiss on my forehead. 

I opened my eyes in shock and he smiled and said, "I will try to open up to you. If you still like me, then I'd be happy to be with a lovely girl like you." Suddenly, our surroundings blurred and a slight dizziness washed over me. When I opened my eyes, I found myself back in my room. Confused, I looked at him for an explanation.

"How…" I began, but he hushed me with a finger to my lips and said teasingly, "You`ll have to find out, hahahaha." Chuckling at his own behavior, he left the room. Before closing the door, he paused and uttered, "Thank you…Don't ever change." With those words, he left me alone with a whirlwind of questions, but one thing was certain – if what he showed me in that brief moment was his true self, then I was ready to fall completely, even if it made me look like a fool.

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Author Note:

I tried to change my writing style, adapting it to what I think Enid's character would be. I hope you like it.

I also want to thank everyone for their powerstones, especially Juanito_1_2_3 and DAO_of_UmU for literally sending me powerstones every day... thanks :)

See you on Monday! :)