Golden Chains

014

CHAPTER 014
| Summer Camp, pt. 4

Cyrus sat amidst the dimly lit garden between the group of people he had never known before, their voices slurred into the night as they reclined in their seats.

He watched them for a while, their heads tilted back, eyes half-closed, and smiles wide. But something felt amiss, a gnawing discomfort that crept through his chest and gripped his lungs.

Without a word, Cyrus rose from his seat and slipped away from the joviality, returning to the empty hotel room. But as he entered the room, the air hung heavy around him, suffocating him in its stillness.

Desperate for relief, he wandered out onto the balcony, the cool night breeze washing over him. Cyrus leaned against the railing, staring into the starlit sky, sea of stars could be seen in the countryside unlike the cities.

It was then that Aiden appeared suddenly, their eyes met as he walked ahead taking out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He lit it up with a lighter bringing it close to his mouth, as he inhaled the smoke, "Want one?" He offered, Cyrus shook his head, "I don't smoke"

"Why?"

"It's a waste of money and time"

They stood in silence for a while, the only sound the distant hum of the sea.

Breaking the stillness, Aiden's voice cracked. "I like her" he began, his tone unsteady, "Serenity, I like her, I won't go as far as to call my feelings love yet, but she's the only woman I've ever laid my eyes on"

Cyrus arched his brow in confusion, "Why would you tell me that?"

Aiden took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the floor as he began, "Seems like you've not noticed, but I can tell, Serenity's interested in you. It might just be a fling, but whatever it is, I could've never imagined myself being envious of someone."

"But here I am," Aiden continued, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation, "she sees you as a man, while she would never consider me more than a friend."

Cyrus leaned back, his expression a mixture of contemplation and detachment. "It's useless. Whatever Serenity has for me, whether it's curiosity or interest, it's of no use to me. My life is a mess, and what I'm focused on right now is clearing up that mess. I can't be bothered with these petty mind games."

"If you were looking for someone you can relate to," Cyrus added, his tone unyielding, "my apologies, I'm not the best person for it. I can't relate to you at all. I fail to understand why you'd have feelings for someone who'd never look at you the same way. Isn't the best option here to let go of these trivial feelings and move on with life?"

Aiden sighed softly, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Hah, I wish it were as easy as you said it."

As the door of the room swung open, Jasper, Luca, Serenity, and Rosalie entered, breaking the tense atmosphere.

"Y'all were back already?" Luca inquired, breaking the tension in the room.

"Yeah, I'm going to bed," Aiden responded, extinguishing his cigarette and heading towards his chosen escape.

"Alright, Serenity and me are sleeping in the room inside, y'all can sleep here" Rosalie instructed,

Jasper's lips parted, "Hey! No fair, Serenity and Rosalie get the whole bedroom to themselves."

Serenity smacked Jasper lightly on his back, "Jasper, no need to be coy, you pervert. Just say it. You want to sleep in the girl's bedroom, right?"

"What!? When did I even say that?" Jasper protested, feigning innocence.