Georges Saphir burst out of the small jewelry shop, swinging a small paper bag joyfully, an innocent smile lighting up his angelic face.
"That was fun!" He cried, turning to grin at the boy walking a pace behind him. "Wasn't it, Robert?"
The tall, dark-haired boy smiled self-consciously, a slight blush spreading across his winter-paled cheeks. "Yeah."
Georges looked up at the sky and shaded his eyes as the sun peeked from a few, grey fleecy clouds that moved lethargically against the cold blue sky. Robert Jade admired the way the sun lit Georges's gold hair to such an ethereal quality that it looked like a halo.
"It'll be March next month." The younger boy said quietly. "Time for me to leave."
Robert came up and put his arm around Georges shoulders. "Not for a few weeks."
Georges didn't respond; just tucked his head onto Robert's shoulder and continued to gaze up at the sky.
"You got the cell phone right?" Robert grinned. "If you're not gossiping with Henri the whole time, maybe you could call me a few times."
Georges flushed. "O-of course I'd call you—"
Robert grinned. "I'm kidding."
"I'm going to be busy." Georges shrugged off Robert's arm and started walking again, the bag containing two matching rings clutched in his right hand. "Do you think I'll have time to talk on the phone?"
"Skip a lesson or two."
"Robert!"
The tall boy chuckled. "You've skipped class before."
Georges blushed. The few occasions he'd skipped class had always centered around Robert. And the older boy knew that.
"I don't know." Georges looked away, sadness pulling down his mouth. "Sometimes I think that…I'll be lonely."
Robert looked up him sharply. "Why?"
Georges blushed. "I'm—I'm going to miss you!"
Before he could inhale, Georges was engulfed in Robert's strong arms, warm breath stirring his hair. He curled his hands in Robert's black coat, turning his face into the taller boy's shoulder.
"Can I see the rings?" Robert murmured into Georges golden hair.
"Oh. Sure." Georges pulled back slightly and lifted up the paper bag. He reached in and pulled out two matching deep-blue boxes that opened to reveal identical, shining bronze-rings with interlocking lines and flourishes around the band.
"It really is like the chalice design." Georges said, smiling and brining the two rings close to his heart. "I'm glad to have that memory."
"Really?" Robert looked embarrassed. "It was just me harassing you and then breaking my dad's favorite cup."
Georges laughed. "I know, but it was still one of the first times you really paid attention to me. One of the first times you saw through me. So I want to treasure that memory. All of our memories."
Robert swallowed, reaching out to close his hand over Georges, covering the rings. "Can I have one?"
"Um, sure." Georges looked confused, but he let Robert take one of the rings.
Robert slid it onto Georges left ring finger gently. It fit his slim, piano-playing finger perfectly.
"Oh!" Georges blushed, looking down at it. The bronze surface reflected his emerald-green eyes as he looked up at Robert. "Then…" He slid the other ring onto Robert's right ring finger, smiling. "I get it. They're like promise rings."
"Yeah…" Robert smiled before leaning down to kiss Georges.
It's a promise.
