The red haired boy beckoned from the ledge above the window. "Come on Angeal. It's not like the roof is going to give way."
"All right. One, two, three..." The black haired boy hoisted himself out of the window and on to the roof.
They sat side by side, using the intricate scrollwork along the edge as a foot brace.
"Your parents are going to kill us if they find us here, Gen," Angeal said. He was tall for his thirteen years. He had heavyset shoulders and strong arms from working in the fields.
"Just me. They will spare you." The red haired boy was shorter, but catching up quickly. He was thin and agile from the numerous sports his parents required him to take. "What should be engraved on my gravestone, Angeal?"
"It'll say, 'Genesis Rhapsodos, scared to his death by his parents."
"Nah, that's my mother's line. She always says I'll be the death of her," Genesis said. "Just put me in an unmarked grave."
He leaned back until he was lying on the roof, hands clasped behind his head. "They are planning on sending me to military school next year."
"That's sooner than you had thought."
"They said they have someone interested in sponsoring my tuition. Like they cannot afford it."
"Perhaps I could get someone to sponsor me," Angeal said, "so I could join with you."
"Yes. You already have a sword," Genesis said.
"I can't use that sword! It's been in the family for generations."
Genesis grinned. "Or you know you could not lift it the last time you tried."
Angeal snorted at the memory of them trying to remove the large sword from the wall a few years ago. It had resulted in a couch with a slice down the middle, and his mother forbidding him from seeing Genesis for a week.
They were silent for some time, watching the clouds roll past.
"You have company coming down the road," Angeal said.
"Oh well-"
"Genesis Rhapsodos! What in the Goddess' name are you doing on the roof?"
On the ground was Mrs. Rhapsodos, waving her arms frantically. "Get off this instant! People are coming to visit your father!"
Genesis, who had sat up at the sound of her outburst, laid back down. "Make me."
Angeal cringed. He understood the lack of relationship Genesis had with his parents, but Angeal didn't see why he did things just to irk them. His own mother was strict, but fair. He hated to do anything that would seriously disappoint her.
They were still there when the people arrived at the front gate. Genesis rolled over to get a better view of the front door.
Angeal leaned over him to see. "It's the new family. Come to pay their respects to the mayor-"
Angeal realized that Genesis was not listening to him. There was a girl in the group that was about their age. Her hair was a mass of chocolate colored curls. She looked up, and did a double take when she saw the boys. At first she frowned, but then smiled.
They could hear Mrs. Rhapsodo's voice drift from the open doorway, inviting them in.
"She's out of your league," Angeal said.
"I'm the Mayor's son; she can't be out of my league."
Angeal rolled his eyes. Genesis disowned his father except when it was convenient for him.
"She probably loves poetry and theater, like most of the town girls," Angeal insisted.
"I would memorize the script of Loveless for her."
The Rhapsodos' should have let Genesis go to theater school, Angeal thought, like he had wanted to originally. He still had a flair for the dramatic. But they had told him that he was destined to be part of Soldier, and there was no point in arguing. Maybe Angeal could see why Genesis chose to exasperate them at every opportunity.
*.*
"Hello?" A stage whisper came from the window. The girl was leaning out from it.
"Which one of you is Genesis, the mayor's son who is too ill to receive visitors?"
"I am," Genesis said. "Careful, I'm highly contagious."
She giggled. "I'm Lacey. I have to go before they realize I've gone. If you are feeling better tomorrow, will you walk me home from the schoolhouse?"
"I will," Genesis said.
She smiled politely at Angeal, and disappeared back into the house.
"Hmm," Genesis said, looking more content than earlier. "My best friend in the army with me, and a girl waiting at home. This should turn out all right."
Angeal thought he was a little young to be sure, but he nodded anyway. "Glad you have it all planned out."
Word Count: 774