The Unseen Trial [Ace Lucifer's Series Three] ON GOING

Sixteenth Trial

BRYSON 16

"Tumaba ka." Candace nonchalantly commented when Bryson stood up beside her in the middle of the crowd of their flag ceremony. Today is their first day of classes as Senior High School, STEM students, and like the usual, Bryson barely made it on time because of their family flight. They are from Spain this time, and they've been in the plane for almost a day, and here's Bryson, fresh from the flight from Spain.

"Wow, almost three months tayong hindi nagkita, ganyan ibubungad mo sa akin, Robot?" Bryson sounded horrified as he looked at her, but Candace can notice the tiredness in Bryson's eyes, and even his energy is different from what he's always been.

Candace just looked at Bryson. He's wearing his uniform like worn-out already even though it's just newly bought and like he wore it in a rush just to get here on their school on time. Bryson met her gaze like he was uncomfortable, as if he knows what's up with Candace's look. Napakamot ito sa ulo bago pasimpleng tumingin sa stage.

"Natulog ako sa biyahe." Anito matapos tumingin sa stage at tumingin sa kaniya pabalik.

Today is also their first flag ceremony. The wide quadrangle of their school was full of students. The gold rays of morning sun reflect against the top of their heads, and the atmosphere is already getting warmer than the usual, and that's also the reason why Macey is in the student lounge, near the stage while waiting for the ceremony to start. It's just 7:45 in the morning, and the start will be at 8AM.

"May pasalubong ako, robot!" Bryson grinned.

Nanatili lang siyang nakatingin kay Bryson. She's not saying anything, and from time to time, she's blinking her eyes. She's observing Bryson. They didn't meet for almost three months, and that short period of time, Bryson looked mature in an instant, he looks like he gained weight, and height.

It was like a magic, and it wonders her.

Well, growing up with Bryson, and seeing him differently every after-summer break is not new to her. Para bang sa loob ng mga araw ng bakasyon ay may ginagawa si Bryson para biglaang mag-iba ang itsura nito, or maybe she's just used to seeing Bryson for almost a year, 24/7, and noticing his physical changes was unnoticeable for her, that's why when they're not together for about months, para bang brand new Bryson ang nakikita niya pagbalik.

Bryson moved to open his back pack. He pulled out something on his bag, and when he showed it to her, it was a small black colored water jag, with gold linings in it. Inabot ni Bryson sa kaniya ang water jag. She accepted it, and she looked at it, as if examining the whole thing, and the first one she noticed it the carvings on the top of the water jag's cap.

It was golden line carvings, and there's an unnoticeable carving lines, and it was a cursive design, forming a word—at doon niya 'rin unti-unting napagtanto ang mga golden linings na nasa bote.

Robot.

Kumunot ang noo niya at tumingin kay Bryson pabalik. She didn't said anything to him. Humigpit ang hawak niya sa bigay nito. Bryson scratched the back of his head before brushing his messed hair upwards. Maya-maya ay tumingin itong muli sa kaniya bago ito lumapit lalo.

Bryson wrapped his arm around Candace's shoulder, as if he's hugging her. Almost. "Sabihin mo lang kung na-miss mo 'ko, robot! Alam naman nating hindi ako tatanggi sa ganyan!" Bryson whispered cheekily.

Mas lalong lumalim ang gitla sa noo niya. She's used to Bryson being this close to her. Sanay din naman siya kay Arrow dahil ganito 'rin si Arrow. Siya lang yata ang hindi clingy sa kanilang apat. She's not sure why but she just can't be this touchy to anyone even if they are close. She doesn't feel anything by default, maybe that's the reason aside from she's used to it... but now, with Bryson, she had the urge inside of her...