Destiny of Sapphire - Book One: The Baron and His Elf

Chapter 2 - Angry Dismissal

Angry Dismissal

A grunt escaped from the ten-year-old boy’s lips. He barely recovered from his opponent’s punch as he side-stepped away. Time was running out, the bell would ring and he needed to win this round. His parents were waiting for him at the side and he wanted to make them proud. His fighting skills had improved and his father was always praising him, “Blake, you are doing better. I’m proud of you, my son.”

Blake had always felt like a man whenever his father spoke to him. It was the way that they communicated that made Blake appreciate his father more. His classmates had fathers beating them up for not passing an exam with flying colours. His father was pleased with any passing grade, although, Blake prided himself in achieving full marks for each test and exam.

With his birthday was in just a few days and by winning this competition, Blake would get to visit Disneyland. Excited by the prospect, he found an opening and gave his opponent one flying kick. The crowd roared. His parents cheered the loudest, he turned around and found them waving madly at him. Grinning at them, he punched his fist up into the air and winced. His muscle ached at the movement, he had earned the injury during the fight.

“Blake, I’m proud of you,” Eugene held his son’s shoulders proudly. Both father and son beamed at each other and they broke apart when Lana stepped in to hug her son. The three of them walked towards the car after the announcer stated over the speakers that the competition was over.

Despite his sticky clothes, Blake found himself looking forward to the dinner that his mother had promised, they would go to his favourite restaurant that served delicious steak and fries, his special food whenever he won any competition or passed his exams.

The food was good and Blake happily finished his fries while his parents kept smiling at him. “Son, what,” Eugene’s face turned blue, so did Lana’s.

Scared, Blake froze and only sprang to life when they collapsed on the floor. “Mom? Dad!” crying for them until someone took him away. He didn’t remember anything, no one brought him to the funeral or even told him about it. Most people would whisper when he was in the room but Blake didn’t care. All he kept thinking about was that he lost his parents that night.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The canteen was noisy. Everyone was grabbing and reserving the tables to eat more comfortably. "I hate lunch time, why does everyone have to have the same lunch time? Why do they have to eat at the same time?" Blake muttered to himself. He preferred eating peacefully, meaning, buy and eat without the need to push in the food every few seconds. Lunch was to be enjoyed. Not that canteen food was restaurant standard, the university did have some stalls that sold food that didn’t make you want to gag. Rushing through meals was not his favourite idea of eating.

Clare was making her way to him, most of the first years stared at her openly as the crowd made way for her. She winked at a few of them who smirked. When she finally reached him, she slid into the space next to him, "Hello, handsome. Someone is grumpy today," she pecked him on the cheek and sat down with her tray of food. Blake grunted in reply. They had been together for quite some time and he was displeased with her recent behaviour. He didn't like being manipulated and it seemed that something was going on but he was not seeing it yet.

However, it wasn't his nature to grab attention and he wasn't about to do it any time soon. He simply ate his lunch and made some form reply whenever he felt appropriate. Clare was talking about herself and her usual activities after school; shopping, clothes, cheerleader and which couple should break up. Blake tried to mute his snort. She spoke about breakup as if it were routine. He wondered again why he dated her.