Behold, The One {Book 1 Of The Behold Series}

~Chapter 16~ Avoiding To Protect

Recently On Behold, The One:
The five left the Sky Tribe for the Floral Tribe. On their way, they meet a 'friend' of Celestine's. It was revealed that he had a crush on Celestine for a very long time and she knew but wanted to avoid him. She also did not want Eric to know about her crush on Alexander. She thought that if Eric knew, he would try to kill Alexander. His skills in dueling were better than Alexander's and he would probably win against him.

Chapter 15's Ending:
Thank god for that! Oh wait, he might kill me later...
---------------------------------------------------------

   No, no, no, no, no... If he finds out, both Alexander and I will die. He will gt killed by Eric and I'll get killed by sadness... Wait, that won't happen on my watch! Maybe I could let him think I liked him... Hard but worth a shot? Celestine fretted and fumed, trying to find a way to keep her crush on Alexander a secret from Eric.

   There is only one way...

   "What's on your mind Celest? You look intense." Eric commented, looking concerned.

   Upon hearing her childhood nickname, she whipped her head around to face Eric.

   "Huh, wha? Oh, it's nothing really." Celestine replied in a daze.

   The six of them continued to make their way to the Floral Tribe.

   "Since we came from the Sky Tribe, it'll take a while. When I actually thought we were halfway, I was wrong. It was half of a halfway..." Celestine explained, making the others groan in annoyance.

   "Hey, at least you guys get to sit on horses! I have to fly my way there." Celestine contorted, slouching as she flapped her wings vigorously.

   Noticing her triedness, Eric made more space on his horse and offered that she sat behind him. Although she was reluctant, she agreed. If Alexander offered and she agreed but did not to Eric, he would eventually figure out with all the clues provided.
Thank goodness Alexander did not since Celestine already agreed to sit behind Eric.

   "Thank you." Celestine thanked politely as she flew onto his horse.

   It neighed it delight as it dashed forward, leaving the others behind. They galloped faster, trying to keep up with Eric's pace. She looked at Eric as if he was crazy and flew off the horse. Celestine waited for the others to apporach her before smiling brightly. She formed stardust wings on the horses backs so that they could keep up with Eric.

   They weren't horses anymore. They were pegaside! Upon the sight, the four's eyes widened. They were aimply astonished. Just then, Gaia growled.

   "Why didn't you do this earlier?" He spat, annoyed.

   "Sorry, I just learnt the spell today." Celestine apologised sweetly as she flew full speed ahead, leading the pegaside with her.

   When they passed Eric's horse, they stopped abruptly. Eric did the same, frowning again.

   "Why do you give complete strangers things that you can give but not me? Like the duel, you did it with him but not me. The horses, you turned those into pegaside and not mine. What's going to be next? It is not like you will agree if I ask you to be my date to the Floral Tribe dance tomorrow!" Eric contorted, fustrated.

   If I do agree, it will not only lesson his anger but it would also protect Alexander. Lord Jesus, please save me later because I know I'll regret this.

   Celestine inhaled deeply before sighing. She lifted her head to face Eric and looked him in the eye, giving him an awarding fake smile.

   "I'll be your date to the Floral Tribe dance." She finally replied, covering her mouth abruptly and flying off as fast as possible.

   Shocked and thrilled at the same time, Eric galloped the long distance at his maximum speed. Did she mean that? Did she finally agree? If she did, she just made me the happiest man in the entire world! He thought.

   The other four flew on their pegaside, outpacing Eric and joining Celestine. The others were happy for her but Alexander was just acting. Deep inside, he felt betrayal and rage. If she liked me, why did she agree to it? Does she even love me?! Or was she toying with my feelings? Ugh, is love always this confusing?

   With that, Alexander flew even faster till he was beside Celestine. Without turning her head to face him, she curved to the other direction which was her lower right. Is she avoiding me? Alexander thought with anger as he followed her.

   Celestine sensed Alexander behind him and picked up the pace. Why is he following me?! I'm trying to protect him by keeping my distance. If Eric finds out, Alexander might not be able to handle his challenge and lose!

   She flew up this time, dashing straight for a flower meadow. Celestine ran her fingers through the stems of the flowers, attempting to hide herself inside. She prayed hard that Alexander would just return to the others. To her dismay, she felt the flower above her behind pushed aside. Instantly, she shot back up into the bright blue sky.

   She dodged the clouds, not wanting her vision blurred. Once again, she sensed someone behind her. Except this time, it was four people. Guess the gang came back together. She fumed as she continued to fly at her fast pace. The others started to get annoyed and tried to reason with her.

   "Why in the world are you running from us?" Gaia asked impatiently as Celestine simply zommed past him.

   I cannot let them find out...

   "If you can't tell us that, tell us how we can help!" Oceana suggested, hoping her words would stop Celestine.

   "Yeah, and if you ever need company, we will be here for you." Alexander offered, reminding Celestine of her mission.

   Sure the offer appealed me, but Alexander can never know about this. At all costs. I will not let him get hurt because of me...

   "Celestine! I had enough!" Alexander shouted, putting her in a fire cage.

   He brought her down and the others followed behind him. That was the first time they saw him putting someone in a cage.

   "Why, why have you been avoiding me? I need to know." Alexander demanded, expecting Celestine to answer.

   "Because... Because I don't want you to get hurt." She muttered under her breath before breaking the cage and flying off by herself.

   What does she mean by, 'get hurt'? By doing this, she is already hurting me.