🌈The Scarlet Cube vol. 1💙💙

Chapter 16

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The winter holidays were over.

The fireworks had faded. The Christmas carols had ceased. Santa, having emptied his sack, had returned to Lapland, leaving behind unfinished milk, cookie crumbs, and reindeer droppings on the rooftops. And New York, shaking off the magical dust of holiday wonders, donned a business suit and returned to work, sinking back into its usual routine.

For Amis, sitting in an empty house and mindlessly switching TV channels made no sense. So, he decided to return to academy a few days before the start of classes.

The corridors of the educational institution were deserted and so quiet that his own breathing seemed deafeningly loud. Those whom their parents had taken home for the holidays were in no hurry to return. And those who were "lucky" enough to stay at the academy probably didn't want to part with their warm blankets and pillows at such an early hour.

Amis, however, wanted to have some fun and at the same time entertain his dear friend, who must have grown bored without his attention over the past few days.

After throwing his bag into his room and noting that his roommate had not yet arrived, Amis set out in search of "adventures." And, to his surprise, he found them faster than he expected.

He immediately recognized the voices echoing in the corridor. So, to avoid attracting the attention of the first-year mentor, Amis quickly hid around the corner, listening to the conversation. What he heard brought a sly smile to his lips.

Now all that remained was to wait for the teacher to leave and clear the way. As soon as Mr. Eigert, accompanied by the redheaded nuisance, walked into the hall, Amis slipped into the corridor and headed towards the geography classroom.

Each step closer to the door echoed in his temples with a resounding throb. His heart seemed to go wild with anticipation, creating a real storm in his chest. His fingers trembled as they gripped the cold handle, and before pulling the door open, Amis held his breath.

There was no one else in the room except Irman. The freshman sat at one of the desks, resting his cheek on his palm, looking out the window at the snowy yard and the trees bending under the strong gusts of wind.

There was something about his appearance that sent a thrilling shiver down Amis's spine, filling his heart with joy and sheer happiness.

Surprisingly, Irman didn't react to another person entering the room. This was more than strange.

Always tense, as if expecting a blow or an attack, at this moment the guy seemed unusually relaxed and calm. A bit disheveled, as if he had just woken up, and endearingly distracted.

Amis gazed at Irman's handsome profile, his mind swirling with a thousand questions.

"What is he thinking about? What dark recesses has his soul wandered into? Will it find its way out? Or will it get lost among fears and despair?"

Amis silently watched the guy, his heart aching with sorrow.

He wanted to ask, he wanted to know, but...

Irman would never open up to him. He would never say what he was thinking, never share his feelings. After all, nobody shares their secrets with the executioner. And Amis had caused Irman too much pain.

The guy understood this but couldn't stop. His heart dictated its own rules, and Amis recklessly followed its call, forgetting about everything else.

"Irman? What a surprise!"

He closed the door behind him with a loud bang and spread a wide grin as the sound of his voice made the guy flinch.

"You again?" Irman slowly turned his head and fixed his gaze on the hated face of the sophomore.