opulent whispers

chapter 4

Oliver

The Sunday before the Monday that school started was Oliver's favorite, it was the one day his anxieties were validated by the people around him. Prior to this day none of the boys seemed to realize that school was in fact an inevitable entity that would come faster than they wanted, but that sunday, they did– though not in the same way Oliver was aware of the fact all the time. So, when all four– well five this year– scrambled to gather their thoughts and sort out their year, Oliver, who was prepared, as expected, was akin to a helping hand. Of course he felt sympathy watching their panic set in, but he was glad to know that at least the panic could be short lived, and he was glad to know it was short lived because of him.

His morning went as expected, waking up and reassuring Ethan that he'll do fine, going to breakfast and reminding everyone that they'll do fine, and then going back to his dorm to finalize his study plan and schedule before everyone else did.

This was Oliver's reassurance to himself. Reread, reschedule, reassure. It was a ritual that solidified all the things he wished to change but all the things he valued most about himself. His life was his own personal hell of risk vs reward, and the risks never sat right with him, he could never find himself able to do something that removed his only safety-net.

This year was a very nice year to write out in his planners and notebooks. Neat and ambitious classes, the fondation to a neat and ambitious life. His education was what controlled every faucet to his world, and if he controlled what he learned he was his own God.

Their school didn't really offer electives; they were more like "Clubs", and Oliver was now the vice-president of a lot of them. He loved them all and most members had a lot of crossover, since there are only so many students with so many interests. His favorite club however, was photography, the teacher was rather uninvolved which at times was frustrating, but at others was nice to have so much freedom. Meetings were whenever Oliver and the president wanted them to be. They didn't do much besides sit and talk about recent issues with their cameras or creativity. Sometimes they would have opportunities to submit their works to magazines or art shows thanks to the never ending amount of connections the school had.

So, Oliver wrote down all the days he planned on having meetings and then, officially considered himself completely prepared and by that time lunch was still being served in the dining hall.

The air was cooling down in a way that made Oliver feel warmer. Humans were never meant to be in the cold, so it made him feel better about staying in. Even if it had nothing to do with primal instincts– but maybe it did in a weird way. After all, all his hiding was to keep himself safe.

The walk to the Dining hall reminded Oliver why Ethan was his Favorite to begin with. He spoke enough for the two of them in a way that didn't feel demanding like Oliver needed to add on. And Ethan understood that his silence was not a personal offense but a trait to be accepted– and he did. Some days Oliver would talk more and others he liked just listening to Ethan ramble, and Ethan liked rambling. They were the perfect pair.

They were the last to arrive since Ethan had waited till Oliver was ready to go down and eat. Everyone had found a seat already so they both squeezed in on the end. Oliver was next to John and across from Julian and Christopher. Ethan was on the other side of him but on the very edge. Ethan was considerate in small ways like that. He knew that if Oliver was left on the edge then he would also be left out of the conversation. Ethan wouldn't– he couldn't– he was too much of the conversation for it to ever escape him.

The conversation of the just released schedules was the center of their lunch. There was a blend of chatter from all around the table asking who had what classes and for which periods. Most of the boys were eager to ask Oliver what classes he had gotten into. It was always nice to have an Oliver in your class. He never hesitated to help or supply the answers you lacked.