Violet

The Choice

"What do you think, Aid? About Arch." I heard a voice say those words. Jet's voice.

I immediately stopped walking and stared at the wooden door than separated me and Jet. What was this about? Curious, I tiptoed to the door and placed my ear against its cold surface. 

A frog croaked near me, and the crickets sang their song from afar. The moon was clouded that night, but our little town a bit busy for an incoming festival. I was ordered by my father to buy some tomatoes from the store and on the way, I accidentally overheard Jet and Aidan's conversation. 

"What do you mean? She's our friend," Aidan said, his voice surprised.

"I meant about Arche... and me." Jet almost whispered the last two words. 

Jet and me? What's that supposed to mean? I pressed my hear harder, eager not to leave out any words. When I did, all I heard was laughter. Aidan's laughter. 

"Stop laughing, Aid. You're making me feel uncomfortable," Jet said. 

"Are you serious, Jet? What, you like her?" Aidan asked, still containing his laughter. 

Did he like me? Did he? My cheeks suddenly felt really hot and my body shook not because of the cold, but because of... what? I didn't know. It just did. And my heart was beating so fast that sometimes I forgot to breath. What's taking him too long to answer? 

"No," Jet said curtly. 

It felt like my heart dropped from my chest to the ground. Silly me, why would I think Jet would like me too? We're just friends--good friends. No more, no less. Then why did he ask about the two of us? Oh, no! Did he know that I like him? That Seth was going to pay if he told Jet my secret! 

"I love her." 

I put my ear away from the door, and stared at it for what seems like hours. I closed my mouth after realizing they were open the whole time. He... He... loves me? 

"So, are you going to court her?" Even though I couldn't see Aidan I was pretty sure he was grinning when he said those words. 

That was the last thing I heard before I left.

I still can't believe that something built for more than ten years could be destroyed just by a single syringe. A single syringe with powerful content, Arche.

But still... Our friendship is built on love, on trust, on laughter, on time, and on respect. Does those things mean nothing? Can't they stand a chance on a purple liquid? 

Jet swings his sword in a skillful manner, making it go over and around his head before hitting the metal dummy across its neck. The metallic head leaves its body and flies across the room. Jet takes in heavy breathes, sweat trailing down from his forehead to the tip of his jaw. He then returns the sword he's using to a rack, and picks up another weapon--a long dagger. My long dagger.

I forget to breath for a moment. 

He examines the dagger first, taking in the intricate design carved into its blade. I have seen those carvings and it never fails to mesmerize me. After a few seconds, he starts to weild it in a way more better than I can. He swings it too fast there are times I can no longer see the blade. 

Such expertise. The Guild needs someone like Jet. That's why they did it. 

They want Jet wholly to themselves. Talk about selfishness. 

No, the Guild wants everyone for themselves, to be able to use us to follow whatever they command. They want to make puppets out of us. 

What choice do we have? Where else have we got?

"Arche? What are you doing there?" I hear Aidan's voice from behind my back.

I sit up and turn around. Aidan's standing before me, one eyebrow raised. I have been sitting at the top step of the stairs that leads down to the Center for the past hour... Well, hours maybe.

"I--I was... I was..." I clear my throat. "I was observing Jet. You know, to find some clues on how to reverse the medication given to you guys." 

"You're lying," Aidan bluntly says.

Oh Aidan! Why do you have to know me so dang well? 

"I always watch Jet when he practice. It just... calms me, makes me think." 

"How does it feel, Arche? I know you and Jet used to... date." He smiles at the last word.

How I feel is so complicated I don't know how to put it all into words. Jet has been the first boy I have ever loved, and I don't think I'd learn to love someone else. I know deep down, that the feeling is reciprocated, because Jet never is a good liar. His face will always show it all. Now he's mine no longer. Just like that. Without warning, in a time when the world is a painful place to live in. 

I just hate the Guild more now. 

"It just feels like someone did the breaking up for him," I say instead. 

"Just don't lose hope in Jet, Arche," Aidan says after a few seconds of silence. "He may be a pain in the ass right now but he loves you, he always will. There are times when he calls your name during his sleep, and I know that he really misses you. Ugh, that was really corny. But seriously, being... brainwashed is different. It's like being caged, and you don't even know it."

"How are you, by the way?" 

"I've never felt better in four years. I'm just happy I'm back." Aidan smiles a very gorgeous smile. Most girls will fall for that, with his dazzling good looks and strong sex appeal.That's what Aidan does best, make the ladies fall for him. I once did. I smile as I remember how I had this little crush on Aidan when I was ten. 

"I'm glad to see you're smiling but that's not what I came here for," Aidan takes me by the arm and drags me slowly away from the stairs into a corner. 

"As you know, the mission will be two days from now," he continues. "By that time, Jet and the rest of the Thirteen won't be around, and the Guild leaders would have their eyes on the expedition. It's the perfect time for you to investigate. You know, check the offices, files, et cetera."

But...

"Come on, Arche. This is important if you want to save Jet," Aidan says after hearing no reply. 

I look down at my feet. Left out. Again. I don't--

"Arche, look at me and say yes, please." There's a little hint of irritation his voice now. 

I lift my head up and said, "Yes." 

Aidan examines me for a while, his deep blue eyes seems to penetrate through mine. He's reading me. My brown eyes wander around the place, anywhere but in Aidan's face. 

"Are you promising me that, Arche?" he asks, surely with doubt. 

"Yes," I say again. This time with a little confidence.

He nods, probably contented with my answer. "I'll still continue to pretend that I'm still with them, so we shouldn't be seen talking to each other. I would have to go now. I'll see you around, Arche." 

After saying our goodbye, it is me by myself again. I return to the top step of the stairs that leads down to the Center and sit. Jet is not in the Center anymore. Still, I continue to sit there.

I'm still frustrated with me not part of the the recent mission, and with all my heart, I want to go. I have to go. But what can I do, anyway? The Guild have decided who could come and who stays. Being caught and punished are the last things that I want to experience.

Maybe I could just investigate to distract myself. But--

Ugh. What to do?