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Sunbeams shown through the crystalline window, casting a light orange color along the walls of the attic. Uncapped markers and numerous sheets of stickers cluttered the mocha desk. Hushed music played from the mini speaker beside the overheating computer, creating a mollifying environment.
Caleb sat at the edge of his bed, decorating a CD cover with doodles. Fingers drummed rhythmically against the back of the plastic as he bit down on the cap of a marker. Adding the final touch, he wrote ‘Remember Summer Days’ in semi-bold letters.
The outdated laptop was overworking itself, considering how loud its internal fan was. Yet, he had faith that it could pull through without crashing. “You’re almost done, you got it.” A touch of encouragement was sure to keep the device running. Probably.
He threw himself backwards, landing against the soft mattress as he held the CD case above his head, wondering if the decor was good enough for her. Then, the notification rang and Caleb scrambled to his feet. He was so thrilled that he nearly hit his head on the slanted roof because he forgot to crouch.
A playlist compiled of carefully picked songs and a message from him at the end were burned onto a disc. It took him longer than it should have, honestly. Most of the time he would stalk the airbuds app to see what songs she’s been into lately.
Now all that was left was to invite her on a fun day out.
── - ˏˋ ☀️ˊˎ - ──
Despite it being summer, a slight chill ran through Caleb. This isn’t the perfect day he anticipated because if it was, then Zayne wouldn’t be standing in front of him right now.
“We haven’t hung out with him in a while so I thought it’d be nice for all of us to spend some time together!” The star brighter than the sun tried to explain herself but Caleb was not having it. A comforting smile was painted across his face regardless of the irritation bubbling up inside.
“I’m surprised he actually agreed to it.” Caleb’s eyes shifted toward Zayne. He couldn’t just ask him to leave when she went out of her way to drag him here. “Didn’t peg you to enjoy amusement parks.” Hopefully his voice came out unbothered because the truth was, he wanted nothing more than for Zayne’s mother to call his phone and say that he needed to come back home immediately.
A sigh pushed past Zayne's lips while he rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I do not.” Caleb already knew that. “She brought up a compelling argument saying that this is the last summer we might be able to spend together.” Caleb knew that as well and now it was his turn to sigh. It was true that their paths were going to separate. Different universities, different careers and different dreams. They had only just graduated high school and now their summer was going by in a blink of an eye.
The CD that was left in Caleb's bag was pushed deeper towards the bottom of it. So much for rehearsing his lines all night in front of the mirror. Her voice sounded in his head, ‘It’s just a minor setback.’
Yeah, of course.
There will be another day, another chance before they have to leave their home.
── - ˏˋ ☀️ˊˎ - ──
Nonetheless, the sun continued to orbit.
Allowances were splurged at souvenir shops and suddenly they were wearing matching Hogwarts gowns. Caleb didn’t really have a choice in his outfit due to the hyperenergetic Miss who insisted that his house would be Gryffindor. As for Zayne, he actually took the test online when the young woman sent the link to him and well enough, he was dressed in Ravenclaw’s robes.
“Uh-uh.” Disapprovement sounded from Caleb when Zayne plucked a Ravenclaw robe from the rack. “Given her bravery even when she knows she might not win in the end, she has to be a part of Gryffindor.”
Zayne raised an eyebrow. He didn’t think Caleb was wrong, but it wouldn’t hurt to give his own reasoning. “Her creativity stretches beyond my mind. There are times when I am at a loss and she manages to overcome circumstances that do not apply to her.”
Both continued to share their logic one after the other and it somehow turned into jeopardy. Other shoppers couldn’t help but eavesdrop, intrigued by the handsome men bickering in the aisle.
“Let’s go!” An unmistakable voice pierced their ears. Arms hooked around each of their own and they were being led out of the store by a gal wearing Hufflepuff’s attire. “I’m kind of hungry but there’s one more ride I wanna go on.”
The debate about which Hogwarts house was fit for a queen was dropped in an instant. It was one of those rare occurrences when the eldest friends agreed on something. Yellow was her color.
“Loser stands in line to save us time.” It was muscle memory for Zayne to hold out his hand the second the word ‘loser’ left Caleb’s mouth. Situations like these arose from time to time and they would indulge in a single round of rock, paper, scissors. In this case, it was to decide who would order food and snag a table for them while the other accompanied her to go on a ride.
It was always a sixty-six percent chance of Zayne winning because Caleb rarely threw paper out first. With that knowledge, he won the game by closing his hand. Caleb stared at his own two fingers as if it betrayed his entire being.
The young woman chortled at Caleb’s theatrical display and unhooked their arms. “Since you lost, you can choose what we eat.” Her hand raised to pat the unfortunate male on the shoulder in hopes of boosting his morale.
Just like that, Caleb found himself standing in a rather long line as he watched his best friends walk away from him. He was sulking like a puppy until they were out of his view.
── - ˏˋ ☀️ˊˎ - ──
The line for the rollercoaster wasn't as bad as Zayne thought it would be. Within ten minutes, they were already settling into their seats at the very back. A noise that sounded like a half chuckle and half scoff emitted from him. He wonders how Caleb is holding up, curious as to whether or not he had to fight other theme park goers in order to reserve a table for them. Knowing the younger lad, he probably would.
“We should buy Caleb an ice cream as thanks for getting us food.” Zayne says as he leans over to make sure that she's securely fastened in before tending to himself.
The blooming flower crosses her arms over her chest and nods her head as if she's trying to deduce the real reason as to why he would suggest that. “Are you sure it's not because you want to satisfy your sweet tooth?”
A beat passed and a small smile cracked at Zayne's lips. The young woman's laughter followed soon after because she knew she was right.
They knew each other too well. From being friends since childhood, up until now and hopefully much longer. They were like the foundation of a triangle—always stable and unable to break apart, unless from the inside.
The ride soon began and the coaster trudged its way up the tracks. Seriously? Zayne thought to himself. There’s a drop at the very beginning?
He was about to complain to her about it until he saw how her face lit up. She wasn’t looking at him, no. Her eyes were on the people who looked like ants from a height like this, on the clouds that were just a bit closer to them now and on the tracks ahead of them that were about to lead to his impending doom.
Zayne couldn’t stop the way his hand reached out to tuck a lock of hair out of her view. That’s when she finally looked over at him, the slightest hint of red hue present on her cheeks. It wasn’t the first time he’s seen that pretty color adorn her features, but maybe the heat was beginning to get to him. It was summer after all.
The back of his finger caressed her cheek before his hand shifted towards the back of her head, pulling her closer. “Tell me to stop.” His voice was low and it was as if he was stalling. As if he wanted her to tell him off.
She didn’t do anything of the sort. Her face turned a brighter color even while leaning in on her own accord. No other words were exchanged as their faces inched closer and eventually, their lips touched in the softest manner.
Neither knew how to kiss so they pulled apart rather quickly. Their hands shot up to cover their mouths, both simultaneously looking away, the tips of Zayne’s ears blazing scarlet. His words were stuck in his throat. He couldn’t get anything out until he realized that they were finally at the peak height of the tracks, seconds before the big drop. His hand moved swiftly to grasp hers. The beat of his heart accelerated though he wasn’t sure if it was due to his nerves or the fact that he just kissed the girl he thought would never reciprocate his feelings.
Then, she laughed. That adorable, most joyful sound that he cherishes. It was so contagious that Zayne smiled and a chuckle rattled out of him.
The young woman interlocked their fingers, much to Zayne’s surprise but he didn’t let go. He held her hand firmly and they got through the exhilaration of the roller coaster together.
── - ˏˋ ☀️ˊˎ - ──
The two were walking down the exit path of the attraction. Hand in hand, they were debating about who was more afraid during the ride. “Suree, you’re talking as if you didn’t reach out to hold my hand.” Zayne was baffled because honestly, she was right.
They were having a good time, engaged in conversation, too preoccupied to hear Caleb call out to them from a distance.
Caleb’s head tilted to the side, wondering if they didn’t hear him. He was about to try again until he noticed their hands. Wait. They’re holding hands?
The young man’s heart rate begins to pick up. His brain is working at a speed that would put Zayne’s problem solving skills to shame. He’s asking questions to himself and the only one that’s screaming at him is ‘did something happen on the roller coaster?’
It felt like the pieces of the puzzle clicked together except the one piece that fell and would accidentally be kicked under the rug. So in this case, where does Caleb fit into the puzzle? The simple answer is, he doesn’t.
His nails dig into the palm of his hands. He knows something happened and it happened when he wasn’t present. Has he been holding them back all this time? Was it because of his presence that they couldn’t be… happier?
“Shit.” He curses under his breath and lets out a scoff but he refuses to let it show on his face how truly bothered he is, so he smiles, though it pains him. The worst part of it all is he’s starting to believe that they look beautiful together. He’s never seen Zayne smile so widely before and Caleb is certain that it is by far the greatest look on him.
Caleb fishes out the CD from the depths of his bag and takes a quick glance at it. She’ll never get to hear what he has to say. His eyes gravitate back to his best friends who look like they were written for each other and he tosses the item into a nearby trash can. She doesn’t need to hear it. Not anymore.
“Guys!” Caleb calls out once more, standing from his seat and waving his hand in the air so they can see him. The pair jump apart instantly and act as if nothing happened. For the sake of their meal, Caleb will pretend that he didn’t know anything either.
── - ˏˋ ☀️ˊˎ - ──
That summer day is to be remembered by three people. One wishes that he could forget about it but it will never fail to make his heart ache whenever he hears his name fall from anyone’s lips.
“Earth to Xia Yizhou?” Caleb’s body tenses up and his head flicks to the owner of the voice. It was some guy he met earlier this morning when he moved into the dorms at the Aerospace Academy.
“Caleb.” He corrects the other man who he now recognizes as Gideon. “Just Caleb is fine.”