✔️ | Leap of Love

James

James had tried on the new school uniform. He stared at his reflection in the mirror. The uniform fitted well enough. He smoothened the blue fabric and looked up, His eyes bore into the ones of his reflection. They were shield grey, resembling a storm, as though one was brewing inside him. His eyes wandered to his silvery blond, tousled hair, his pale skin, high cheekbones, then his pink, delicate lips. He lifted his hand, as did his reflection, and he pressed his hand against the cold glass, as though trying to reach his incorporeal self.

The door knob clicked. His hand fell back to his side just as a tall figure stepped in. James determinedly remained quiet, staring at his own reflection. He saw the eyes of the James in the mirror turn stone cold, hard and dark.

"Hello, James."

"Father."

George looked at James and put a hand on his shoulder. "School is starting. Be good and uphold the name of Skye, James."

James nodded slightly. His eyes traced each of his white-blond lashes that delicately framed his the grey eyes.

"And remember, choose your friends well."

Those words held many emotions and feelings to James. The times he spent isolated, his lonely childhood, only being able to be with the progeny of his father's friends. He finally turned to look at his father.

"Yes, father," James replied. For a brief moment, they made eye contact. There was a sense of pride and aristocratism in George's eyes. George lifted his hand from James' shoulder. James felt a weight – more mentally than physically - momentarily lifted. George brought his hand up and James resisted the urge to flinch away. In his mind, he saw George draw his hand back and bring it down in a painful slap. However, the corner of George's lips quirked and he stroked James' cheek with a gentleness unfamiliar to James. The caress sent a light shock through James.

"I will purchase your school books first. Stay here and choose your uniform," George instructed and left with a proud smile. James returned it with a nod, accompanied by a hesitant upturn of his lips.

James was, once again, alone by himself.