The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 15: The Prince Pries

He noticed. What am I thinking? He's bound to noticed! But I didn't think so soon...... I really need to stop underestimating Cassiel. That's not the point right now. I have to make sure Cassiel stays far away from me if I want to keep him undetected from my father. But how?

"Antonio?" Cassiel's voice lures me out of my thoughts and returns my attention back to the boy before me. How am I going to tell him that for his sake, I must stay away?

"I wasn't avoiding you, Cassiel." I fib, hoping he'll believe me. Though, I highly doubt it.

"Yes, you did. I've been trying to get you to talk to me these past few days. You don't even say hi to me anymore in the mornings or eat lunch with me or keep me company after school." Cassiel clarifies.

"I've been busy with school." I lie. This excuse won't last long.

"A head's up would have been nice to know. But I know that's not the case because the classes we have aren't that time consuming." Cassiel reminds me. "Antonio, what's going on? Why did you suddenly stopped hanging out with me?"

How am I going to answer his question without revealing myself as the prince of a country who cannot have any relations with an homosexual person such as he? The only logical conclusion I could think of right now is simply ask him whether or not what I learned about his past is true. In any case, his answer will lead to more problems for me to face.

"Alright, you saw through my lie." I commence my statement. "I'm sorry for distancing myself but the reason I did that is because I heard some rumor that has me feeling concern."

"What rumor?" Cassiel questions as he tilts his head a little to the right. Why does this action of his makes me think of a young pup?

"Do you remember that party I invited you to accompany me?" I point out.

"Yeah, I've been meaning to apologize for that. I had something really important to go to and I wouldn't have been able to make it. Sorry." Cassiel answers, his expression filled with remorse.

I wonder if he acknowledges the fact that his bottom lip protrudes a bit out right now, I notice. For some strange reason, I felt the need to take Cassiel into my arms and embrace him. Maybe even hold him close to me. What is going on with me?! Why do I suddenly feel these urgents whenever he's around me?! Am I falling for him? No, I can't! I can't have any other feelings for him except as a friend!

"It's fine, don't worry about it. But that rumor I heard..... Are you..... Gay?" I tentatively ask. He didn't answer as swiftly as I hoped. Instead, Cassiel's eyes widen in fear from what I could see and his entire body stiffens. My guess is that the rumor Thomas' cousin said at the party is true.

"Who told you that?" Cassiel whispers, absolute terror in his tone of voice.

"Thomas' cousin. He's in our class. Hunter Lyall." I respond, still waiting for his answer.

"I should have known....." Cassiel mumbles. What did he mean by that?

"Do you know him?" I question.

How does he know Hunter? Were they friends? No, that can't be because not once have I seen Cassiel interacting with him. Then again, I only have Cassiel for two class periods. On the other hand, I noticed how often he tried to get Cassiel's attention and how he's always running away from him.

"Not personally..... B-but we went to the same school together a-and we had a....... Mutual friend...." Cassiel explains vaguely. Mutual friend?

"Then what he said about you was true." I confirm.

Cassiel ignores my earlier confirmation with another question. "What exactly did he say about me?"