Young Royals: the story continues

His voice

Phillipe gently picks up my bags and arranges them near the bathroom door.
-Thank you, it was not necessary for you to do so.
-I want you to feel comfortable in the room and with me, so it's my pleasure to help you," he turns to August. Well August, now it's my turn to be the host.
-You let me know, Simon.
I nod, Phillipe ushers me into the room and August leaves.
-That will be your bed, the side over here is mine," he points to his half, filled with books on one side of the bookshelf and underneath it several personal items, necklaces, watches, glasses, an Earth globe and nearby a photograph.
-I understand, thank you Phillipe, although I am not usually shy, he has intimidated me, probably because he is the same or smaller than August, and the great confidence he possesses.
-Don't call me Phillipe, for friends: Phill only.
I smile with a nod, he smiles back. I never expected to live in one of the rooms, for two it's not too bad, I arrange my composition notebooks on the shelf, the plant my mom left me as a souvenir, some statuettes, my video game headsets with the controllers and more books.
He says he'll get ready to go rowing and after lunch to give me the directions I need to know.
I agree to his plan, while I will be checking my compositions, and arranging my space better until lunchtime.

"Simon, what's up, who's your roommate?"

I get a message from Sara.

"His name is Phillipe, he's a bit intimidating to be honest with you, the rest all good, I've been well received How about you?"

Sara replies that there is nothing to worry about, that she heard good things about the new arrival, Phill, because he was known to Felice. She doesn't give me any more answers, and as far as she is concerned everything seems to be going well.

I make my way to the main dining room, and now I notice that Phillipe is setting out his food, he spots me with his eyes and sits in the empty booth on the right.
-How was the training Phillipe," I try to be as nice as he was to me.
-Very well, thank you Simon, for asking. Let's see, after lunch we'll all head to our respective dorms and devote that time to academics. Then you will have an hour of personal recreation.
-Thank you for the explanation, Phill," comes our superior, "thank you for the food. I watch Phill out of the corner of my eye, I hadn't noticed him before, I'm surprised I hadn't noticed him before, his features are peculiar and I have to admit, they are funny.
Back in the room we talk about the subjects that are difficult for us, in my case chemistry and physical education, in his case music and languages. I offer my help in music and he offers me his in sports because he is a professional.
For the following week the tension I felt no longer exists and on the contrary, we both have hit it off quite well, after lunch we usually play video games and from there to the primetime reviews.

It is Thursday and there is only one day left to go.
-Sorry for the inconvenience, professor," says the headmistress appearing at the door, she directs her gaze to my post, "you are wanted on the phone.
I stand up confused, my mom? No, it's not her, she has my number and knows she can write me, I think, walking towards the phones near the directional booth.
-Good morning, Simon speaking," I wait for an answer, but nothing, "Hello?
I immediately think it's a joke, so I decide to close the speaker, but I hear a sigh through.
-Simon," I hear his voice for the first time in three months, my skin crawls from head to toe, my heart starts beating frantically. I am speechless, the last time his lips pronounced an I love you very close to me that is my last memory of his voice - Simon, it's Wilhelm, how are you?
I can't believe it, I thought I wouldn't hear from him again until the end of the school year.
-Wilhelm... what a surprise. I had no idea you would call, no... - I'm on edge, it's unbelievable the impact it has on me, I take a breath and calm down - I'm sorry, you took me by surprise, I'm fine thanks for asking.
I hear him chuckle under his breath.
-Don't worry, excuse me for catching you off guard. I wanted to say hello and see how you were doing.
-Why didn't you call my number?
-I knew you wouldn't answer because you're in class... I've taken advantage of the time I was given.
-I still don't believe this, how's your life in Vienna.
-How do you know I live here? he asks.
- Wille, your life is not very secret," I say jokingly.
-Of course, of course. Pretty well answering your question, better than I expected.

That answer hurt me and made me happy at the same time, I didn't want him to forget about his life here but I was reassured that he is having a good time in another country. Do I feel resentment? Not at all, everyone processed everything differently, although I would not have liked to go through this alone, I also know that Wille was in his process of self-knowledge and that his mistake was part of that.
-I'm glad.
There is silence.
-Simon, I'd like to ask, did the press attention really diminish?
-Yes... it has since your request and that of the queen.
-You leave me alone, and one more thing - then a short pause - are you still disappointed in me?
I don't want to give you the wrong answer. It still hurts and I wouldn't want him to think that I hate him because that's not the case; but I don't want him to get false hopes and that by telling him the opposite he thinks that everything will go back to the way it was before.
-Don't you think it would be better if we talked about this over time and calmly, maybe even in person?
-I know Simon. Someday then, I'm looking forward to clearing all this up directly.

Back in the living room, I feel my body shivering, I doubt it's because of the weather.
He longed to see me, it was the only thing my head kept repeating, and I of course longed for the same. I only appreciate Wille as a friend, and yes, I wish with all my might to see him, to be able to talk about everything with him and to renew our friendship.
After all, he was an important part of my life and we needed each other.

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