The Prince

Part 43

After his final exam, Noah felt as if a bus had driven over him a few times. He was grateful that he had Skye and Tsukasa who tutored him, without them he would have been lost. The two of them would of course breeze through, he shook his head smiling at the thought.

Hey, Noah," Tsukasa surprised him as he was heading home.  "Mind if I walk with you?"

"Not at all," he grinned. It was a watery winter afternoon with the sun poking through the light clouds, providing light, but very little heat. He shivered slightly, knowing that he should have listened to Skye's weather warning. The fact that he always got it spot on was a bit unnerving, but it saved him ten seconds of looking at his phone.

"Have you decided who you're taking to the ball?" Tsukasa tested the waters, hoping to ask Noah, but afraid of the answer.

"No idea. I thought I would go alone, anyway, since I'll be busy keeping tabs on things. Have you any idea who you want to ask?" After a month of meticulous planning, calling in favours and making the impossible seem possible, they were finally ready for the big event or at least they were as ready as they were going to be.

He now appreciated having Skye as their leader, because if it were up to the others everything would change at the drop of a hat. It seemed as if nothing could phase him and the way he dealt with his fathers, was certainly impressive. Well, he was surprised that his dad didn't pull any strings to help Skye or give him any help beyond what he asked for. They were an odd family, to say the least.

"Maybe we eh, maybe we could go together," Tsukasa held his breath, not sure what was coming. He hadn't declared his feelings to Noah nor had he asked him on a date, like you would if you liked someone, but this was a start.

"That's a great idea," he stopped, facing Tsukasa. "The three of us can go together! Skye won't take anyone if his past is anything to go by. You're a genius," he grinned starting to walk again.

"Eh, yeah," Tsukasa gave a dry, flat laugh. "That's my great idea," he felt deflated walking next to Noah.

That wasn't what he'd meant. Why did Noah always drag Skye in when he wanted the two of them to do something together? He was being thrown back into the friend zone again. It should have been so much easier since they were living together, but even though Skye was adamant that Noah couldn't care less about him, he always seemed to be in the middle of everything.

"Come on," Noah hooked his arm around Tsukasa's. "I'll try to cook us something nice since exams are done," he happily sighed walking home with Tsukasa.

"Skye? What are you doing here?" Noah looked up at him surprised as they stepped through the front door. He was supposed to finish the last of the paperwork and make sure that everything was in place for the ball, not standing in the doorway smiling.

"I finished early so I thought that we could get our suits and eat out."

"Is this a prank? Noah looked around and turned to Tsukasa. "Is he pranking us?"

"I don't think he is, but he's offering to buy us food." Tsukasa reasoned.

"Great thinking, I'm starving as it is, anyway," he grinned at Tsukasa who was still holding on to his arm.

"It didn't take much to convince the two of you," Skye pushed past them as Hollard pulled up.

"We are simple folk with simple needs," Noah gave him a slight bow as he walked past. He looked up surprised when Tsukasa burst out laughing.

"Shut it, both of you," Skye ordered getting into the car.

Their first stop was to have their suits fitted. Noah wanted to go to the nearest mall to get his since his budget was on its last breath, but Skye stopped him in his tracks.

"Don't be difficult. I know what I'm doing, so you keep quiet and do as I say. Or am I wrong Tsukasa?" He briefly looked up.

"Nope, you're right on that count," Tsukasa chuckled at the scandalous look on Noah's face.

"You've become unbearable since you became our leader. Okay, have it your way, but if I look stupid then you better pretend that I'm the hottest thing alive!" He couldn't help but grin himself.