Hold My Hand Through The Pain

/11/ Enigmatic Absence

Breakfast the next morning had come relatively sooner than what you would have liked to admit. Finding yourself in the dining hall with Eloi. While the tension between you two was almost palpable as you took a seat beside him with your tray.

The dining hall appeared to buzz with activity around you. Yet you could hardly think of what to say to the other male beside you. Causing an awkward silence to form.

Suddenly clearing his throat, Eloi caught your attention as he spoke up. "Thank you for joining me for breakfast, (Y/n)."

You nodded politely, trying to take your words into consideration so you could at least slightly ease the awkwardness. "Of course. I'm glad you invited me," you finally replied.

As you two continued to converse, you couldn't help but catch onto the fact that Eloi seemed to be subtly showing off. Recounting tales of his achievements, interesting things he had experienced during his first and second year within the school. Seeming to have that familiar air of confidence that surrounded him. And you slowly started to question if there was more than what met the eye in regards to his intentions behind why he had invited you to breakfast.

Choosing not to mention your thoughts to Eloi as he merely kept going anyway. Which you had to say you were thankful for. That was until you were suddenly, you were pulled from your thoughts when Eloi mentioned the competition that was happening in a few days.

Coming to the Realization that you had almost completely forgotten it was even happening then since that same day there was quite a few test planned in regards to most of your classes. Tests that could simply make or break you for the rest of the year 5hat were definitely more important to you then some stupid competition.

"So, are you planning to attend and watch the competition on Friday?" He asked, before taking a bite of his food. Waiting in anticipation to hear your answer.

You sent him an unsure glance. "I haven't decided if I will yet. Though, it does sound intriguing to see. Are you going to be participating?"

Eloi's yellow eyes seemed to sparkle with more enthusiasm as they met your (e/c) ones. Leaning in closer to you as he nodded. "Yes, I'll be competing. Practically everyone in the school will either be attending or participating, which gives me a perfect opportunity to showcase my magical abilities again now that I've mastered so much more this year. You should really come and see, (Y/n)."

You nodded. "Yeah. I'll keep thinking about it, I suppose," You concluded. Which seemed to be a good enough answer for him as he hadn't said anything else in regards to it.

However, unbeknownst to both of you, was another pair of sharp eyes watching your interaction from across the dining hall. The person's gaze becoming cold and calculating before they quickly left without a trace.

And soon as breakfast had come to an end, Eloi paused. Looking over at you once more.

"Would you mind if we do this again?" He asked with a hopeful tone.

While you became rather uncertain by his question. Your mind trying to decide on wether or not you truly wanted to.

"that'd be nice," you ultimately agreed with a brief nod. Watching as his expression lit up with delight.

"Perfect, I look forward to it!" He added. "I'll come by your dorm tomorrow in the morning so we can walk here together." And with that he was off to his own classes.

You let out a tired sigh as you left the dining hall shortly after. Still not able to shake the feeling of uncertainty that lingered around you.

~Time Skip~

The day had then gone on to be fairly normal with the same things occurring over and over again in classes. Mainly to make sure you were well prepared to memorize everything for the test, which you couldn't blame them. It was fairly useful to do things like that. And as long as it helped you pass all your tests in the long run, you would do anything.

Yet the one thing that had proven to be entirely strange was that Lumin never showed up to lunch that day. Or the day after. Infact, you were almost certain you hadn't seen him anywhere at all. Like he had completely dissappeared out of thin air. Perhaps something was more wrong with him then he had led on when you first asked him...

You shook your head solemnly as you made your way to your last class for the day. Mulling over questions you knew you probably wouldn't get answers to for now. Yet the feeling still gnawed at you.

Quietly sitting down next to Orpheus, who almost immediately could see the troubled expression etched on your face. Causing him to send glances towards you from time to time. And as perceptive as ever, he couldn't seem to let it go unaddressed and reached over to tap you on the shoulder.

"(Y/n), is something wrong? You seem preoccupied with something.." He whispered.

You looked over at him, grateful for his concern. Though, at the same time you weren't quite certain how to answer. Would he even understand?

Sighing softly, you nodded. "It's just Lumin.. I've already started getting to know him more like how I told you I wanted to. But he's been gone for a few days now and I'm not sure why..."

Orpheus furrowed his brows at that, seeming deep in thought. "Lumin, huh? ...Well, he is a second year, isn't he? Perhaps he's planning to participate in the competition and decided to dissappear to prepare for that. I've heard most of the second and third years do that around this time."

You hummed in understanding. "Well, that would make sense. But I still don't understand why he wouldn't at least mention it." You commented. Uncertainty creeping back in as you tried to decipher the situation.

"It would make more sense to keep preparations a secret, you know?" Orpheus shrugged, offering you a reassuring smile. "And from what you told me, Lumin sounds more like someone who would do that anyhow. So, I'm sure he'll resurface soon enough, just in time for the competition tomorrow. It'll be okay."

Your worries seemed to ease a bit with his reply. Deciding to put trust into  it and simply hope it was right. Although, there was still an underlying curiosity and concern you had.

"Yeah, you're probably right, Orpheus. Thanks for listening." You said, hopefully. Finally turning to look away from the black haired boy and towards the front of the class to listen closely to the teacher.

Coming to a conclusion that it might be a good idea to find Lumin after the competition tomorrow. And then you could hopefully, finally understand everything...