Eternal Symphony

10. Crown of Thorns

It didn't take long before news spread of Alice Sinclair courting Elijah Tonnerre, built upon heavy gossip that developed since the two began spending excessive time together from the start of term. Yet Alice found she was happily oblivious as word traveled across campus and through social media over the next couple of weeks; it served as a better distraction because she had been too involved with her upcoming semester finals before the holiday recess.

"You would think people would have better things to do in their spare time," she said while relaxing under a tree and scrolling through Twitter, her head lying in Elijah's lap as they enjoyed their hazy late November afternoon. She looked at the chessboard beside them, the antique pieces carved from ivory and obsidian, and made her move; the two had been locked in a timeless battle of strategy, but Alice knew Elijah was close to winning.

He smirked when she moved her piece but didn't play right away; Elijah set his book down and rubbed her shoulder, humming and smiling. "I wouldn't worry about that. You've been busy studying and overworking yourself. Wouldn't you rather rest today?"

"I suppose," Alice reached for her bag and pulled a textbook out, "Soon, I need to choose my winter semester courses. This year is flying by—I still can't believe Thanksgiving is next week." When he laughed at her, she gave him a bewildered stare. "What's so funny?"

"I love it when you get serious—you're always so sincere and resolved about everything you do. That's part of what I like about you." Red patches blazed on her cheeks as he leaned down and gave her a peck on the forehead. "Please forgive me for coming off too strong, but I couldn't bare it any longer."

"Like when you admitted you wanted us to be a couple," Alice said, raising a brow, "I won't lie. I enjoyed it and hoped you would have asked me."

"Oh?" He gave her a warm grin. "My gambit was at the ready to earn and win your affections." Elijah looked back at the chessboard and made his final strike, taking out her king. "Checkmate, ma amour."

Her skin prickled with shivers upon learning that he carefully planned his moves as he did during their chess game, and Alice lightly smiled as she knocked down her king, yielding defeat. Was I worth the time and effort?

The two cleaned their mess and packed the game in the box Elijah had in his bag, for they were heirloom pieces passed down in his family from the sixteen hundreds. Before beginning their match, Alice admired the craftsmanship while treating them with the utmost care. "What are your plans for the holidays?" Elijah asked, changing the subject and pulling her out of her brewing storm of negativity.

"We don't do much," Alice admitted and sprang up, throwing her book back in her bag and leaning against the tree, "We never travel, but we watch old holiday movies on Christmas—even Thanksgiving will be just our usual turkey dinner." She laughed. "What about you?"

"We usually travel to Marseille and visit family, though we normally don't celebrate Thanksgiving. Emil and Sophie-Anne still plan on leaving the States, but I'm considering staying behind this year."

"If you stay, then why don't you spend the holidays with me and my family? I will warn you that my mom and sister may be overbearing."

Despite her warning, Elijah still smiled. "I don't mind your family, and I would love to spend the holidays with you."

Alice shared in his infectious enthusiasm. "Great. My family shouldn't object to your company."

"What time should I be there?"

"Around eleven," Alice decided.

He smiled. "That sounds lovely. I will see you then."