"But everybody's changing and I don't feel the same." ~Keane
The two men sat in front of each other, Arturia sitting promptly next to her boyfriend. It felt more like she was introducing her boyfriend to her father rather than her boyfriend to her fake boyfriend. The whole ordeal felt awkward and intimidating.
It had been a week since Dinadan showed up and nothing much had happened, except for the fact that he would always show up in his fashionable sportscar and wait for her right in front of the school entrance and show his over zealous display of 'love' with a new bouquet of flowers every single day.
The school was buzzing with the news, girls complimented Arturia on finding herself such a romantic man and the boys taking notes of what worked and what didn't…of course Arturia was never fazed by the rumours.
Grainne seemed fishy, very strange. For some reason she was laying off the case; probably the fight she had with Gilgamesh had cooled her off for a bit.
"Soo…" Dany began, his voice almost turning into a whistle, "Nice to finally meet you."
Diarmuid gave a curt nod, "A pleasure."
The conversation died again and Arturia was beginning to feel that this was a horrible idea. They seemed like they would get along but Diarmuid was acting like a dog whose toy got taken away.
Dany shuffled in his seat, chair groaning to every movement. His fingers tapped on the table as he waited for his drink, "So, uhm, how long have you two been together?" He thought to ask.
"It's complicated. We've been on and off but you could say we've been dating for about a year," Arturia replied.
"Nice," the young man nodded slowly, "cool."
"What do you study?" Diarmuid finally made an effort to speak.
Dany smiled, "Commerce, I know it's boring but… parents call. I've also been taking a minor in Art History since it is my passion."
And suddenly the mood brightened, "Art History?" Diarmuid smiled, "That sounds like a lot of fun."
"Yes, it is," he chuckled, pulling back his brown hair into a low pony tail. "Is science your passion?"
The teacher nodded, "I loved Chemistry when I was growing up and since I still don't have to take over the business, I decided it would be nice to teach it."
"So, are you like those teachers that are so excited about the subject and want everyone to pursue it?"
"Well," Diarmuid blushed, "you could say that. Though, I mostly want my students to succeed."
Dany's smile widened, "That's good to hear."
"Thanks?"
It went silent again, but it was a much better type of silence, it wasn't awkward at all.
"So, have you guys thought about prom?"
"Prom?" Diarmuid looked bewildered, his brows were furrowed and raised and he had an evident frown on his lips, "What about prom?"
"Well," Dany took a deep breath, "have you thought about who's going? Who's going to ask Arturia? That sort of thing?"
"We…we haven't thought about it," Arturia admitted.
Diarmuid added, "It never really crossed my mind."
"That's okay. So, are you attending?"
"Yeah," Arturia nodded, "we had to buy the tickets back in February; so, we all got one."
"You obviously can't go with Diarmuid, so did anyone ask you yet?" He questioned, leaning onto the table just as their drinks were placed before them and the waiter hurried off to his next order.
Arturia shook her head in response.
Dinadan glanced at Diarmuid, eyes settling, "Should I take her?"
"Well," Diarmuid began, "I…"
"You see, I would think it would make it easier for the two of you to interact if I were to tag along, plus, I like dances." He smiled. "Though, if you wouldn't want me going, I completely understand."
Diarmuid frowned, he bit the inside of his cheek and let his gaze wander before he looked back at Dany. "I think it would be a good idea. It would help relieve Arturia of any stress too."
"Stress?" Arturia questioned, "What stress?"
"Stress…of school?"
She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest, "I am not stressed. And don't I get a say in this?"
Diarmuid leaned towards her, pushing a lock of her hair behind her ear, somewhat showing Dinadan that Arturia was his and his alone. "I am never going to force you into anything, you know that."
She blushed, even her ears were red. Never had he been so forward in front of other people. This was either dangerous or a huge improvement; she couldn't decide.
"I…Yes, I know. I just…I'm…"
Dinadan frowned, "Well, I hope you guys haven't forgotten about me." He sighed, "I just mean to say that it's very important that you go to the prom with someone. It makes sense that you would go with your boyfriend and, well, to everyone I am your boyfriend." He finally glanced over at Diarmuid, "I am in no way meaning to take your position, Diarmuid."
Diarmuid nodded, "I know." He smiled.
Arturia sighed, "I don't know," she rubbed her arm, "what if something goes wrong?"
"You just have to make it seem real, we won't get found out—none of us," Dany assured, giving them both a nod, "Trust me."
"Yeah." She nodded. "Okay."
"Really?" He placed a hand over his chest remembering how she used to be so stubborn in giving into anything.
Arturia crossed her arms over her chest. "Unless you would prefer for me to not agree."
Dany shook his head, "No, it's great! I'm glad, really." He took his coffee cup and brought it to his lips and took a sip. "I know we can fool them!"
"Je-hanne!" A voice sung before hands landed on her shoulders and she nearly jumped.
"Oh, my goodness! You scared the soul out of me, Gawain!" She shivered, after he had revealed himself.
Gawain winked, "As far as I know, you skipped heaven's curfew, what are you doing at this time walking around in the middle of the city?"
Jeanne had just come out of her part-time job and thus was dressed in a track suit and had her backpack hanging off one of her shoulders. "What are you doing here?" She asked, furrowing her brows and her lips in a straight line.
"I was entrusted to keep you safe." He haughtily puffed his chest.
She blinked up at him, fixing her bag and slipping into the other bag strap. "By who?"
Gawain laughed, "Your boyfriend, you know that."
Jeanne blushed, looking away.
Gawain wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her along. "So, why are you walking home?"
Jeanne sighed, "My brother took the car."
"Bro," Gawain groaned, "why? He should at least pick you up."
"Nah," she shook her head, "I lost the bet."
The young man laughed, ruffling her hair, "I didn't know you gambled."
She gave him an even look before staring straight ahead. "I think…" she breathed, "I think I'm going to France."
Gawain's arm slipped away from her shoulders and he stopped in his tracks. He watched carefully as she stopped a few feet away from him and turned. The street lamp lighting her face, but the otherwise lonely street shrouded her in mystery. "What?"
Her eyes fell to the floor. "Aren't we all moving away? Highschool is almost over," she looked up at the sky, "it's time we all move on, non?"
"But," Gawain ran his eyes over her, searching for something, not exactly sure what, "but I thought you were accepted at Oxford, I thought…I thought we would all go… we, haven't we all been friends since we were kids?"
"We're still kids Gawain. Crazy, stupid kids. We," she bit her lip, "we all need to grow up. We're all called to do something and for me…"
She finally looked back down at him, then closed her eyes.
"For you?"
She looked down again, "For me it's the Army. I was accepted into the Military Academy in France."
Gawain hesitated, analyzing his choice of words. "Does Cú know?" He asked, stepping towards her.
She stretched her lips, shaking her head, "I haven't told him yet."
"When are you leaving us?"
"Training starts a week after school ends."
"Were you…were you ever thinking of telling us?"
She looked away, turning around and starting back towards her house.
He ran after her, stopping her just upon catching up. "Jeanne," he chided, "after all we have gone through as friends—as family—you just wanted to up and leave without a word?"
Her violet eyes bore into him and her lips were placed in a frown. "I don't want to be held back."
"Held back?" He scoffed, "Do you even hear yourself? Jeanne we're your friends, we'll support you, no matter what. That's what it means to be friends. Why do you always think that we're out to get you or something? You constantly run away from your obligations, Jeanne, and I get it. Yes, you have a tough life and you don't want to deal with toxic bullshit you don't need but…but for once, Jeanne, you have to tell us the truth. Tell us what you want from your life, what you want from us. You…you," he breathed, "you have all this going for yourself and you're so smart and kind and pretty…" he quickly became breathless, "and, and you're our friend. My friend. So, so, why? I just…"
She rubbed her face in exasperation. "You just don't get it."
"I don't get it? Fine! But if you aren't planning to tell the others, at least tell Arturia and Cú, you owe them that." Frustrated, Gawain walked past her. "I know this is what you've always wanted…and we—I want you to be selfish and go for it because you've always done everything for others but…but leaving us in the dark isn't the way to do it."
Silence filled the air and only the buzzing on the lamp post filled the space between them.
"Let's get you home. I promised him I would walk you all the way there."
Jeanne began to follow him, a few steps back so as to avoid his gaze.
"Jeanne," he spoke again, "you're one of my best friends, and I'll always be there for you. Just like Arturia, Lance and Guin. We'll never abandon you."
Jeanne's violet eyes blurred, and she felt a warm tear slip down her cheek. "I… I'm sorry." She hiccupped.
He wrapped an arm around her again and pulled her along. "Come on, snake, let's get going."
She laughed at the teasing nickname, he would always call her that to cheer her or any of the others up. "Okay," she mumbled.
The night grew older, stars in the sky, clouds travelling miles above them and the distinct smell of drying rain in the air. The warm late spring night was nothing out of the ordinary and the two friends made their way back home through the silent streets of the small city.
The next day Dinadan was sitting on the hood of the red car that was decorated with sashes of wild flowers, a bouquet of roses in his hand and a few golden balloons reading the word PROM?
He had a smile on his lips as students crowded around him. From the crowd emerged Arturia, hair down and collar buttoned all the way to the top, and her cheeks set ablaze. He was slightly proud of eliciting such a reaction, but he had to give credit to Diarmuid who had given him the plan.
"This is…" Arturia bit her bottom lip, "a little too much…"
"Is that a yes?"
She rolled her eyes playfully, he would give her credit she was a great actress. "What else would it be?" A smile crept unto her lips and she covered her mouth.
He took her into his arms, hugging her tightly and the crowd fawned over them.
Upon pulling away, they heard a voice.
"Aren't you going to kiss him, Artie?" Grainne stood next to the car, smirk on her lips and devious glimmer in her chocolate eyes.
Arturia glared at her, "Is that any of your business?"
"Come to think of it," Grainne frowned, "I don't think we've ever seen you two kiss."
Dinadan set a kiss on Arturia's cheek, setting her face back into a pink mess. "I think this should be enough, my girlfriend gets flustered easily."
Grainne crossed her arms over her chest in disappointment, "One might even think that you two aren't actually dating."
"Cynical," he nearly hissed, "what can I do to prove she's my girlfriend?"
Grainne shrugged, "Kiss."
Arturia's face twisted into a frown and she opened her mouth to speak as Dany looked at her. Afraid she would blow their cover, he took advantage of something he had seen on her when they pulled from their hug.
Wrapping an arm around her, he pulled her close, balloons slipping from his hands and floating up into the air.
"W-what are you doing?" Arturia squeaked upon feeling his breath under her ear and her breath hitched. She yelped.
The entire crowd fell silent.
Pulling away, Dinadan smirked triumphantly. Got ya! He pulled Arturia's hair aside, revealing a red mark that nearly bordered purple on her neck. "Happy?"
Arturia smacked his hand away and her face turned a shade darker than his sportscar. She covered her face and immediately got into the car, not without calling him an idiot.
Dinadan gave a helpless smile at Grainne, "I told you she easily gets flustered…but I had to prove our love."
Grainne stood shocked, as did the rest of the school as the couple drove off with Arturia hiding her face behind her hands.
"Nice hickey," Dinadan whistled.
She growled, "Shut up."
"I think I was rather clever, don't you think so? Now you don't have to hide it."
Arturia glared at him. "That was the most embarrassing thing I have ever endured."
"Sorry about the kiss on the cheek and getting too close to you."
She sighed, "I guess you had no choice."
"You think she bought it?"
"I would have bought it."