Glory Be

Chapter Thirty-Two

Sydney met Isaiah at the door before he was set to leave. The day had passed by quickly after their confession in the hayloft. The two couldn't stop exchanging looks, and now, at the end of the day, which wasn't any different. Isaiah stared at Sydney with attraction. He was undeniably handsome. If he hadn't been rejecting courtship offers, he would've been hitched already. With his long blond hair and matching blue eyes, they were the perfect features to compliment his tall and lean frame. He had big arms, conditioned by years of using the printing press. Isaiah's eyes couldn't help but be drawn to them.

"What do you have planned for the rest of the evening?" Sydney asked, leaning up against the wall.

"My brother and sister-in-law are probably back, so I assume dinner," Isaiah said with knowing eyes.

"That'll be something," Sydney chuckled, "He'll be full of sunshine like always, I'm sure."

Isaiah spat out a laugh before pressing his lips together.

"I'm sure," Isaiah agreed, "He often makes it difficult to be a good person."

"I'd like to see you tell it to him how it is," Sydney smirked.

"I'd never hear the end of it," Isaiah shook his head.

"But I know it would feel great," Sydney tilted his head, "Sometimes I wonder how I'd be as an older sibling... Probably annoying." He laughed.

"You think you'd be annoying?" Isaiah replied.

"Definitely, and I would be annoying on purpose," Sydney crossed his arms, "I've thought about it for years. I'd convince them of fake monsters and get them to do my bidding."

Isaiah rolled his eyes before snickering.

"So, this is how my brother thinks," Isaiah teased.

"No way," Sydney shook his head, "I'm nothing like that dunce. I'd use my power for the greater good, I promise."

"Sure, sure," Isaiah said, "I was just joking, but hey, don't call my brother a dunce. He's still my older brother."

"I don't understand siblings..." Sydney sighed, "But my bad."

"No worries," Isaiah said, "I should get going now, um," He looked Sydney up and down before looking around himself. There was no sign of Peter, and no was one walking by, "One last time." He said before wrapping Sydney in a quick hug.

"Bye Isa," Sydney smiled, and let his fingers trail across Isaiah's retracting arms, "I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"Of course," Isaiah smiled, "7am, will you be up?"

"I'll try my best, no promises. Feel free to come wake me up if I'm not," Sydney shrugged.

"Sure," Isaiah blushed shyly, "Okay, I should get going now. I'll get a talking to if I'm even a minute later. Goodbye Syd."

"Bye," Sydney waved one last time.

Isaiah made his way out of the Printshop, grasping at the ends of his coat. A lightness soaked into his body. His steps seemed to float down the dirty path to the white Chapel. The wooden cross, marked against the blue sky, stunned into his irises as he approached. Isaiah lowered his head and tucked himself in between the double doors into the sanctuary. No one was present.

Isaiah breathed in and out. He patted down his clothes with an excited jitter and continued forward into his own home. His father and mother could be heard chatting behind an upcoming wall. Isaiah swept a curl out of his face and took the corner confidently.