The Archer and Her Prince

Watching a Sunset

Edores' Pov

I stare into the horizon and take some deep breaths. Who knew that sunsets could feel so magical. Sitting on a rock, I start to feel more and more energized. My phone starts ringing suddenly. It's an unknown number. I pick it up and wait for the person to speak.

"Hello? Is this Edores Nicholson?" A very familiar male voice speaks.

"Mason? Is that you?" I ask in surprise.

"Yes! Yes! My god Edores, I have missed you so much!" He says excitedly. 

"How'd you get my number?" I keep my tone neutral. I did miss him though but refused to say it out loud.

"It took me a while, but I recalled Jules' so I called her and asked her. And this is my regular new phone. How's it going back home? How are you?"

"That's cool, I'm doing fine. Everyone's doing well, Jules is getting along how she usually does, so nothing really new."

"That's awesome. I have to go now, sorry, we'll catch up over the weekend ok? Make sure to save my number. I still love you."

I stay silent for a moment, "Oh ok, yes for sure. Bye." I was excited for us to catch up, to see how he's doing at his dream school. I'm surprised he still wants to talk to me though, I didn't say anything that showed that I missed him or still love him. I don't even know if I still love him anymore. This is just too confusing. But I'm glad we can still be friends.

"Bye!" He disconnects.

"Hey." I hear a voice and look behind me. I put my phone down from my ear.

"Hey Edwin." Why is he here? I made sure I was alone before coming here, nobody ever comes to this part of the forest.

"Hope I wasn't interrupting anything." Edwin gives a small smile.

"No, you didn't. What are you doing here? Do you need something?" I get up and put my phone in my jacket pocket.

"I was just walking around and heard your voice, so I came. Nothing really in particular." He smirks. Odd.

"Oh ok." I gaze at the orange sky around me, unsure of what to do.

"So, what do you like about the sky?" He chuckles and I look back at him and smile. Really random question but okay.

"It's always a big mystery, yet so clear at the same time. The way the color of the sun blends into the blue with the sunrise and sunset. The way that when it's dark, you can see millions of stars from this point. The way that it's all masked away with daylight, and then once it sets, it's free to show its beauty to the world. It's quite incredible." I look back at the sky.

"Hm. That's an interesting way to think about it. I just love all the colors throughout the day and night that show up, and it's really magical." He pauses. "This your first time watching a whole sunset?"

"Yeah, it truly is blissful. I'm usually at home during this time, this is a great spot to see it. No one usually comes here though, so I was quite surprised to see you here. I usually only see the sunrise, but never fully since I never have the time. This is really the first time I've had time to just enjoy myself and not think about other people, other things-"

"Other worries, and just having the time to be you?" Edwin interrupts. I look at him and our eyes lock.

"Yeah. Time for myself." I've never looked at his eyes before. Usually that's the first thing I notice about someone when I meet them for the first time. But, I always hated him, so I wouldn't even look him in the eye, whenever we talked. He has daring, green eyes. The kind of eyes you could easily find yourself getting lost in.

We stay locked in each other's eyes for a few moments, then I look away. What's the matter with me? I must be insane. I don't like him. I used to hate him up until a week ago! This isn't right. No, I am not going to let myself lose myself in his eyes. No matter how tempting they are. Get it together Edores!

"What happened? Are you ok?" He asks.

"Uh, yeah. Kind of. Not really." I sigh and look back at the sky, now turning into a deep purple.

"You want to talk about it?"

I bite my lip. Should I tell him? We've barely talked, I don't think I'm ready to express myself yet. "Not now, I'm not ready." I give a small smile and look back in his direction. I couldn't afford to look at his eyes again. I find my eyes wandering to his neck, where I see a familiar tattoo.

"Where'd you get that?"

"You know what this is?" He asks

"No, but my ex's friend had a similar tattoo, I never asked her."

"It's a skull from my home country."

"What country?"

"Dharadura." He smiles.

"Why does that not ring any bells?"

"It's a very small unknown country on the other side of the world. Most people residing there are-"

"Dark Wizards?" I finish for him in question.

"Wow you are fast." He grins.

I shrug, "I just connected the dots. You seem like the type, your powers I guess."

"Smart-ass." He chuckles.

"Shut up. I gotta get going, it's dark."

"Well, it was nice talking and getting to know you more."

"Why?" I ask.

"Why what?"

"Why are you being nice to me now suddenly?" I finish.

"I don't know. Something about you just makes me want to get to know you I suppose."

"Really?" I raise my brow.

"Yeah really. I'd like to think of you as a friend since I only have one here..." He trails off.

"Bursen."

"Ding ding ding." Edwin chuckles.

"This is going a bit too fast for me. I'm good with being acquaintances."

"Sure, that's what we'll be for now. Goodnight Edores."

"Night Edwin." I head out of the forest leaving him behind. Friends? No way it's too soon. This could be a trick. I mean he is a Dark Wizard after all. My parents taught me never to trust or associate myself with anyone who practices dark magic.