Chapter 32: Heart Racing Presence
I sat at the back along with Sol as I grinned to myself. Now that it was me and Sol sitting here, I didn't need to worry about him doing anything weird to Sol.
Sol and I were playing old maid with a deck of cards. It was an old fashioned game but still plenty of fun. There was a reason it lasted throughout the centuries.
"Ah! No way! How do you always win?" Sol pouted as he dropped the card he was holding and shifted his gaze to me as he narrowed his eyes.
"Did you cheat?"
"Hmm? No way. I'm just lucky." I grinned as I ruffled his hair.
"But 3 times in a row is too much!" Sol pouted as I grinned to myself.
It seems the God of luck is on my side today. All that I need to take note of is that man at the wheel.
"Sol? What are you guys up to at the back there?" Darryl asked as Sol perked up.
I didn't like the look in his eyes as I felt like he was about to suggest something crazy.
"We're playing old maid. Do you want to try it? Aries can swap over and drive."
"S-Sol! Don't be ridiculous. If anything happens to his car it would be his responsibility as the owner. Plus, why would he trust a random stranger to drive his car?" I tried to dissuade Sol from his idea as I didn't want them to spend anytime together.
It was a gut feeling but I felt as if Darryl was quite interested in Sol. No way would I let them stay together when I had the chance to stop it from happening.
"Oh... You're right." Sol sighed as he agreed with my statement.
"Why, I don't actually mind. This car has the auto driver option available." Darryl said as he said the location we were heading over to and climbed over.
"A-are you sure it's safe?!" I blurted out to get him seated back at the driver's seat even though I knew the thing he had mentioned was nothing new.
"Certainly." Darryl replied as he situated himself beside Sol like it was natural.
"Darryl, do you know how to play this?" Sol asked as he redirected his attention to Darryl.
I shut my eyes and calmed myself, repeating the same words in my mind as I smiled at Darryl.
It's only because Sol wants to win the game. It's only because Sol wants to win the game. It's only because Sol wants to win the game. It's only because Sol wants to win the game.
"Let the round begin!" Sol exclaimed with excitement as he distributed the cards between us.
***
"H-how..." Sol whined as he ended up losing for the Nth number of time.
I smiled a little as I reached out to comfort him. However, Sol noticed me smiling and thought I was making fun of me as he frowned and looked away from me.
"Ah, hey. I wasn't laughing." I said as Darryl smirked at me.
Wow. What a prick.
"Why don't we have another round? Let's target him this time." Darryl whispered loud enough for me to hear as my lips twitched from irritation.
It's like he was grating my patience on a cheese grater. I no longer felt any form of kindness or patience for him. He really got on my nerves.
"Really? I think I'll finally win this time with your help!" Sol laughed as they shook hands like accomplices commiting a crime.
It was fine but the way he held onto Sol's hand for an unreasonably long time made me upset.
"Forget it. I'm ending the game with a winning streak." I said and turned to face out the window.
Sol sighed but agreed and shuffled the deck of cards from what I heard. Now that the game had ended, will he head back to the driver seat?
"Why don't I show you a trick?" Darryl said as I found myself flabbergasted at the sentence.
I thought people of his kind were proud and would never learn such a thing. Their arrogance was one of the reason for their downfall a long time ago.
Feeling intrigued, I sneaked a glance from the window and looked at the cards in his hands.
Wow. He could actually pull it off.
"How was it?" Darryl asked as he smiled at Sol.
He caught my eyes and gave me a victory grin making me gnash my teeth in anger. Just as the past had stated. His people loved to flaunt their abilities and make light of others. Just like the nobility in the past.
***
I sighed with relief as we finally made our way to the lodge. That was the longest ride I ever had. I feel like I lost a few years from my life.
"Aries, what room do you think I should get? Single or double? You wanna share?" Sol asked me as I smiled and shook my head.
"No need. You're with me. Come with me." I said as I took his hand and headed to the receptionist, lifting my glasses before she gasped and fumbled for a key.
"Here. I'll let you open the door. Tell your 'friend' he can take the single room." I said with a smug grin as Darryl turned to face Sol when he called out to him.
Try beating that. Hmph.
Darryl smiled at Sol and bid him farewell as he headed for the receptionist. I then took Sol's luggage and headed for our room.
Sol complained that I didn't need to but I insisted and took it from him and led him down the silent corridor with a single teleportation device. It was understandable since it was one of the most luxurious cabins offered by the lodge.
***
"Wow! It looks amazing! We get to use this entire place?" Sol exclaimed as he rushed into the cabin excitedly.
I nodded my head and watched him explore the place with great enthusiasm. It reminded me of the time when we were still students and could not afford joining the class trips.
It was mostly me refusing to join because he couldn't go but he didn't need to know that.
As I was about to approach him, a knock resounded from the door. I knitted my brows as I had not expected anyone to be over so soon.
"I'll check it. You can unpack first." I called out to Sol as I heard him yell out an affirmative reply.
Feeling a slight bitterness to the fact that my reminiscing was cut short, I decided to greet the unwanted guest and send them on their way as I plastered on my usual nice guy look.
As soon as I opened the door, I swiftly proceeded to shut it in the face of the person behind it.
"Now, now. There's no need to be so rude. Why don't you invite me in so we can have a cup of hot chocolate on a chilly evening?" Darryl asked as he held the door open with his foot.
"Who in their right mind wou--"
"Oh, Darryl! Did you manage to get a room?" Sol scrambled to the door as he heard the commotion.
I frowned when I realised that everything was going downhill from here. It would be particularly over if Sol were to invite him in.
"Do you want to--" Sol was about to invite Darryl in but noticed my sour expression which I failed to mask entirely.
"... Maybe tomorrow. Aries and I need to unpack first. I think he is also feeling a little carsick." Sol said as he 'unfortunately' sends Darryl on his way.
"Sure. That's alright. I'll get you tomorrow then. Good night, Sol," Darryl glanced over at me after a long pause before acknowledging my presence, "... and friend."
Wow, he really loves picking a fight. Pretty immature for someone who claimed he had more experience.
"Good night, Darryl. Sleep well." Sol waved him goodbye as he shut the door and turned to look at me.
I acknowledged his look but didn't say anything before Sol broke into a wide grin. I raised an eyebrow at his expression before he glomped me in a hug.
"H-huh?!"
"You're jealous aren't you!" Sol suddenly said as I felt my cheeks heat up.
"What are you talking about?!" I exclaimed as I didn't know how to react in this situation. I didn't hate it at all, but, not knowing how he could guess what I was feeling made me worry.
"You think I'm going to make him my new best friend, aren't you? Man. I remember that time in school where you didn't want to talk to me for a week because you thought I preferred those other students over you." Sol said as he brought up some embarrassing memories.
"H-hey, what? No." I quickly tried to shift the topic of conversation before Sol stroked my tail and got my knees feeling weak.
Eh? Tail?
"It's out again! It's as I theorised. Your ears and tails return when you're flustered." Sol said as another hand gently caressed my ear.
"Sol!" I gasped as I grasped his wrists, slipping along with him as I lost my balance.
I quickly switched my posture to grab hold of him and to break our fall. Somehow managing to keep him safe from any injury as I broke our fall with my free hand and knees, I now realised how close we were.
Our eyes met and my face was mere inches from his. I could feel his breath as it tickled at my nose and I felt the heat beginning to warm my cheeks.
The echoing of loud heartbeat pulsated a rhythmic beat in my ears as I swallowed a hard lump at the back of my throat. I hope he can't hear my heart beat. It was obvious that I liked him so much.