Eloquen smiled. “That’s my boy!” he exclaimed, his voice swelling with pride as if he were a father watching his son mature into a man. “This little gentleman will be going places!”
“What are you talking about? How is ignoring Adeline’s feelings being a gentleman?” retorted Maris, her tone a mix of empathy and irritation. The goddess, who, for generations, saw herself as the guardian of the O’Cean family, could not hide her exasperation.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about…” Eloquen began, but his words trailed off as Mirathrend’s Mirror shifted scenes from the high school gates to the interior of Eric’s vehicle. A close-up of Adeline, staring out the window, revealed the truth in Maris’s accusation. Her flawless profile was downcast, eyebrows creased together as she stared outside, deep in thought.
Maris’s heart ached. She knelt beside the pond, her compass pendant swaying above the water’s surface. Her hand reached out toward Adeline’s image, as if she could bridge the distance and wipe away her sorrow. “Oh, Addy…” she whispered, using the girl’s nickname with the tenderness of a close friend. “You have so many paths open to you… There’s no need to fret. Follow your heart, and everything will fall into place.”
Adeline’s image, as if hearing Maris’s words, flicked up towards the sky. Her face was all they could see as her emerald eyes flickered for a minute before dimming again. The crowd held their breath, mirroring Maris’s sentiment.
Eloquen’s smirk suggested he knew more than he let on, yet he remained silent, standing back from the rest. The scene shifted again, showing Eric’s clenched hands on the steering wheel. His confidence was dwindling. ‘All this planning, and for what?’ Eloquen mused, his disappointment palpable as he watched his favored Landin child falter. Mirathrend’s Mirror rippled and hummed – a sign that more was yet to be revealed. The whispers around the pond ceased, and all eyes returned to the mirror, the scene now showed Eric’s tense drive with the girls.
Eric Landin’s short journey to Adeline’s home was full of tension. He rolled down a window, seeking relief in the fresh air, but if offered none. Feeling exposed, he shuffled uncomfortably in his seat, sensing the weight of unseen spectators. Unbeknownst to him, his feeling was not far from the truth.
In the backseat, Kaylynn Deverell sat in silence, her usual bubbly personality was subdued as she watched the familiar scenery slip by. No one made eye contact, and upon reaching their destination, Eric was relieved the drive had been short.
His fingers lingered on the ignition before he finally turned off the engine. It had been the most suffocatingly brief yet endless drive of his life. Casting a glance over his shoulder, Eric forced a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’re here,” he announced, his voice resonating more with the SUV’s interior than with his passengers.
The sound of the doors unlocking snapped Kaylynn from her daydreams. She gathered their belongings, which had accompanied her in the backseat, and stole a glance at Adeline, who sat motionless beside Eric in the front.
Adeline was unaware of their glances, lost in a sea of her own thoughts, her hands clenched tightly on her lap. Kaylynn shook her head, opened the door, and paused, allowing the fresh spring air to rejuvenate her spirit. With newfound energy, she exited the tension-filled car and met Eric’s gaze, her cheerfulness returning. “Thanks Eric. And remember your promise about the roses!”
“Absolutely. I’ll be in touch,” Eric responded, his voice regaining some of its usual vigor. He flashed his signature grin, accompanied by a wink and a glance towards Adeline, silently signaling Kaylynn to leave him alone with her friend for a moment.
Kaylynn acknowledged his gesture with a smile and closed the door. The sound of the door slamming woke Adeline from her thoughts. Startled, she focused her gaze outside to see Kaylynn standing with their bags in front of her family home.
“Thanks again for the ride,” Adeline said, her voice on autopilot as she reached for her seatbelt. Eric leaned in, his fingers brushing hers with a gentle touch that drew her gaze – something she had avoided throughout the entire ride.
“Hey Addy, I’m sorry for putting you on the spot like that,” Eric’s eyes, a striking shade of blue, conveyed his plea for forgiveness.
Adeline’s expression softened towards the boy she’d known her entire life. She loosened her seatbelt to face him. “You’re right. You should’ve known that would make me uncomfortable…” Her voice trailed off; a shudder ran through her as the memory resurfaced.
“I know and I truly am sorry,” Eric pleaded earnestly. “I wanted you to take me more seriously and not run away. I expected an audience, but not one that large.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Adeline’s voice rose, tinged with frustration. “You’re the most popular guy in our school, maybe even the town. How could you not expect a crowd?” Eric winced; her words stung. Adeline, usually so composed, was clearly upset – a rarity for her unless deeply troubled. His eyes lingered on her clenched fists and tight jawline as she fought to maintain her composure.
“Please… I’m sorry. You’ve always dismissed it before, but now, you can’t just ignore me,” Eric begged, his voice a mix of defensiveness and resignation as he observed Adeline’s growing tension. “You know how I feel about you.”
A soft sigh escaped Adeline. She recognized that the blame wasn’t solely his; she had been unfair. Having known each other all their lives, she never imagined a day when he’d see her as more than a friend. She thought ignoring his subtle hints had been simple, brushed aside with all kinds of excuses because they had known each other forever.
Eric’s tone grew tender as he released her seatbelt. “Even so, I know I’ve put you in a difficult position, and there’ll be gossip,” he said. Adeline remained silent, meeting his gaze for him to continue. “All I ask is that you think about it. I know what it’s like to be born as one of the founding families’ children, the pressure you feel being an O’Cean. Let me support you.” He picked up the flowers from between them, nodding towards the door. “You’ll be late for work if we linger. Let’s talk more later.” He placed the flowers in her lap. “Enjoy these. Kay will explain their significance.”
Speechless, Adeline nodded and slid out of her seat, flowers in hand. She almost closed the door without a backward glance, but Eric’s quiet exhale made her hesitate. Filled with a mix of emotions, she attempted a small smile while avoiding his eyes. “Thanks Eric. I appreciate your apology. You’ve given me a lot to think about…” Her voice drifted off as she closed the door.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Eric exhaled again, watching as Adeline joined her friend, who had been waiting patiently. They walked away without looking back at him. He waited until the girls had disappeared into the grand entrance of Adeline’s home before starting his SUV and pulling away.
Kaylynn glanced back as Eric exited the long driveway. Unable to contain her curiosity, she turned to Adeline.
“So, are you going to say yes?” Kaylynn’s inquiry echoed through the silence of the O’Cean estate’s grand foyer.
Clutching the bouquet of Juliet roses, Adeline let her gaze drift to the ancient, ornate mirror that had decorated the entryway for generations, her reflection, an echo of her turmoil. “What do you think, Kay? Should I?”
“I don’t know…” Kaylynn paused, reflecting on the mirror, an enigmatic artifact amongst the many adorned on the O’Cean property. Artifacts passed down from the first Matriarch, symbols of the O’Cean legacy, and the mirrors, gifted to each founding family as a sign of unity in Golden Rivers. Kaylynn’s eyes met Adeline’s in the mirror’s surface, a silent conversation passing between them.
As they moved past the mirror into the great room donned with O’Cean portraits, the mirror’s surface rippled subtly, emitting a faint ethereal glow from its depths and revealing a celestial realm where divine beings watched intently. Unseen by the girls, their conversation continued, turning the attention of their observers into the hall.
“The Landin family is influential. Like ours, his is one of the five founding families. Our family names grant us a lot of respect here, but with that, we are placed with higher-than-normal expectations. His family, yours, and mine – we’re the closest,” Kaylynn mused as they ascended the grand staircase. “And Eric, he’s Golden Rivers’ elite personified. His family is practically royalty, making Eric Golden River High’s Prince.”
“Exactly,” Adeline’s voice was laced with hesitation. “And after that scene in front of our school, there’s bound to be gossip regardless of my decision.”
“You’re lucky that you’re an O’Cean. Can you imagine the hate from the girls otherwise?”
Adeline laughed; the sound, hollow, echoed in the halls as she entered her bedroom. “That doesn’t make it easier.”
Unbeknownst to the girls, their fates and choices were of great interest to these divine beings, who watched and whispered from their ethereal dome. Their focus unwavering from the pond, eyes fixed on the girls as they continued their conversation in Adeline’s bedroom. Adeline’s shoulder carried the weight of her family’s expectations, it was apparent to the spectators that she was on the precipice of a ground-shaking revelation. They watched as she placed her roses in a crystal vase.
“It’s not just about being seen going to Prom with Eric. It’s about dating him, it’s about…” Adeline paused, her voice barely audible. She fingered the petals of the roses, and turned to Kaylynn, “Who am I?” She questioned.
“Who do you want to be?” Kaylynn prodded gently, sitting on the edge of Adeline’s bed.
Adeline sank beside her, the weight of the O’Cean legacy pressing down. “I don’t know anymore. I’m the O’Cean heiress, but that’s just a title. That’s not me.”
“That’s right, you’re more than just your family name, A,” reassured Kaylynn. “You’re my best friend, the inscrutable girl who remains predictably on your path – always following the rules and staying within the lines. You dream big and always exceed expectations.”
“Is that all I am? The poor, predictable O’Cean heiress, forever to live in the shadows of her family name,” Adeline said as she flopped backwards onto her bed.
“Isn’t that what you want?” Kaylynn asked, her tone laced with confusion. “I thought you were happy?”
“Happy?” whispered Adeline, her voice distant. She stared up at the intricately carved canopy of her bed, another antique passed down in her family. “I don’t know what I feel… But, sometimes, I find myself wishing I could live a life that’s mine, not one predestined by the O’Cean legacy, not one that’s expected as the heir.”
“As one of the founding families – we all have expectations. You – especially. I get that. But Eric, he’s a Landin – they have the most freedom among us,” Kaylynn responded, her voice trailing as she flopped down beside Adeline.
The girls lay in silence, enveloped by a sense of sanctuary, as celestial beings stirred above them.
“Don’t give up yet!” Quoriel exclaimed into the pond, her voice like silk, soothing the girls from their unseen realm. The scene continued with all eyes returning to Kaylynn when she finally spoke.
“A, you’ve shouldered so much,” Kaylynn said, turning to Adeline. “I’m sure it’s hard being an heir. Eric and I don’t have that pressure.”
“That’s just it. We’re graduating soon. I’ll be studying, while learning to take over my family’s businesses. When can I live for myself?” Adeline said, rolling over to meet her friend’s gaze.
“Are you interested in Eric? After his public declaration, if you go to Prom with him, everyone will know," Kaylynn continued, concern in her eyes. “Your parents, what will they say? Are you sure about this?”
Adeline sat up, facing Kaylynn. “How can I say no when Eric’s made his feelings so clear?” She glanced at the roses. “Juliet roses – Love, Compassion, Empathy... How did he even find these?”
“You know, another meaning is ‘New Beginnings’. Since it was developed in the 20th century, it symbolizes fresh starts and embarking on new chapters in life. He must have been planning this for a while,” Kaylynn said, impressed. Adeline remained pensive. “And now you’re considering saying yes.”
Adeline flopped onto her stomach, tracing the carvings in her bedframe. “What should I do, Kay? Would it be so bad to date Eric?”
“You shouldn’t feel pressured into it,” Kaylynn insisted, meeting Adeline’s conflicted gaze. “What do you really want? Are you just rebelling?”
“Kay…” Adeline shook her head. “Sometimes, I’m really tempted to run away and find my own path,” she confessed, moving to the vase to pull out a rose. “As you said, Eric’s different from us. He has more freedom. I envy him. I wish I could be normal, make my own choices.”
Kaylynn’s concern deepened. “You’re scaring me, A. You’ve never spoken like this before. Where is this coming from?”
Adeline sighed, returning the rose to the vase. “I’m sorry. I’ve never said it out loud.” She turned away to change into her work attire. Kaylynn watched silently as her friend’s words sank in. “I’m tired of having my life planned out for me. The O’Cean legacy, these heirlooms, my life…” she continued, waving at everything around her. “I want something different, something unpredictable.” Adeline exclaimed, her tone high and full of frustration.
Kaylynn embraced her friend. “Don’t be sad! Let’s forget everything tonight,” her voice was warm and comforting. “There’s a campfire party in the woods tonight. Come with me. We’ll relax, forget about our worries, and just be teenagers for once.”
Adeline’s laughter echoed through the room; Kaylynn’s presence was just the cure she needed for her troubled soul. Kaylynn, the sunbeam in Adeline’s life, radiated carefree energy and optimism. Despite this heavy conversation, Adeline could always depend on her friend to bring her out of the darkness. “We’ll see… I have work. I can’t get out of it. Dad would kill me!”
Kaylynn’s determination didn’t waver. “I know. But the party starts after dark. You’ll be off work by then.” She was ready to pull out all the stops to convince Adeline. “I’ll talk to your parents for you. I’ll tell them you’re sleeping over at my place. Let’s have some fun… Come on.” Her puppy-dog eyes pleaded, and Adeline’s hesitant smile hinted at a possible yes – good enough for Kaylynn.
“Okay, okay. If you convince them, then I’m in,” Adeline agreed with a smile. “We got to run, I’m late.”
“Perfect!” Kaylynn linked arms with her friend, leading the way out of the house. “Don’t worry, I got this.”
Tonight they would forget responsibilities and just be teenagers, hanging out with friends, and leaving their worries behind. As they rushed towards the mall, Kaylynn smiled, planning what she was going to say to Adeline’s strict parents.