Down the Castle Halls

Chapter Two

Gehar

September 2013.

When I told my parents that I was moving away and finishing somewhere else, I do no think they realized I meant somewhere where you could not find the place on a map.

Sonas, to be exact.

I wanted to get away from America and my family. Starting over was my best option at the time (and still is). So I researched for colleges in Europe/Eurasia (I already applied for Universities in England but we can all guess how that went) and came across Sonas.  

It is more like a kingdom than a country. Kingdom is actually another name for Sonas. The people of Sonas just thought that calling it the Kingdom would fit perfectly for it, I guess. It is ruled by a king and queen but who they are, I have no idea. It caught my interest right away even though I barely knew anything about it and I talked to the counselors at the school and before I knew it, I was packing my clothes and other belongings and getting on a plane to Sonas.

Getting off the plane, I remember expecting something similar to New York’s JFK airport and seeing everyone running around crazy and nearly killing each other with their luggage. There was barely anyone. It was so quiet that I actually felt like I was in a strict household where everyone got in trouble because someone talked during dinner.

I already has apartment waiting for me (and I have been living there for the past month). It was all paid for before I even came to Sonas. Which just means that I do not have pay for rent for the next year or so.

I still have to pay for food and University, so I got a job . . . working at a bakery. I even met my first friend there at the shop. His name is Harry (but I call him by his full name, Harold, when I talk to him) and he is one of the best bakers I have ever seen. I have not seen many, but still.

He also introduced me to his boyfriend, Louis, who became my second friend that I have met since I came to the Kingdom.

Have I met anyone else? Do the people who walk into the shop count? If not, then no. I have not even met anyone in my apartment complex yet. You would think that I have since I have lived there for a month now but nope.

Work, sleep, and school pretty much takes up all my time. Oh, and eating of course.

“Are you even paying attention to me?” Harry questions. He was adding frosting onto a cupcake and talking about something. That something; I have no idea because I was not paying attention.

“I am sorry. What?”

“What were you even thinking about that you did not even hear a word I said?” He asks. “A guy? You better not be because I will be so mad that you did not tell me.”

Taking a customers order, I get a bag ready for her cookies. Looking over my shoulder, I reply to Harry, “No. The only guys—people in fact—I have met here so far is you and Louis. And both of you are gay. Oh, and you are dating each other.”

“We need to get you a date.”

Handing the bag of cookies to the lady and her change, I smile at her and wish her a nice day. She smiles and leaves while I turn fully around to look at Harry. “There is no way I am allowing you and Louis to find me a date.”

Harry wipes his hands on a towel and comes out of the kitchen. “We will get back to that,” he says. “Now as I was saying before . . .”

He starts talking about Louis and his fascination with the prince. As soon as he even mentioned the word prince, I tuned out.

Both Louis and Harry have a deep obsession over the prince of Sonas (I never actually got his name). They deny it but I do not think they have actually heard themselves when they speak about him.

Louis and Harry met in England—where they were both born—and started dating when Harry was seventeen and Louis was nineteen. They moved here when Harry turned eighteen and graduated from high school—or at least that is what I call it. They have loved this place ever since though.

I think what really made them love this place was that the prince that they talk so highly about is apparently attracted. I do not mind that much when they talk about everything Sonas. They know so much but I barely pay attention.

What is more entertaining is watching their hand gestures and facial expressions as they talk about all that stuff. I guess you can say that is why I barely know anything. About this place, I mean. I actually do know a lot when it comes to other things.

Growing up with Syrian parents, you can bet that I know a lot about a lot of things (some things I wish I did not). I was already taking AP Calc. my sophomore year of high school. I graduated at the top of my class and was studying to be a doctor. Was being the key word. When I switched to Sonas University, I decided that I wanted something different.

Being a doctor is not really my cup of tea and I really do not want to study it just because it is expected of me. If I want to be a doctor, it would be because I want to be it. But I do not. I have no idea what I want to do. Which is why I am only taking one class at school because I am still undecided. If my parents knew though . . . well let me just say that there would be one less awkward person on this planet.

“Again Gehar?” A new voice echoes through the small shop. “You do this every time someone is talking to you. So rude, I swear.”

And that is Louis Tomlinson, Harry’s boyfriend and actor. He is not like an A-list actor but he is really good. Actually he does a lot of shows around the world and get’s paid. He can be sweet but most of the time, he is sassy. Which when you think about it, it does not help the whole stereotype bitchy-gay thing people always try putting out there. But we still love Louis anyways, right?

“It is always so lovely to see you,” I say smiling even though I am slightly being sarcastic.

He shakes his head before moving over to Harry. I turn my head so I do not look like some creeper, watching them embrace.

Grabbing my bag from the back room, I shout my goodbyes to the lovers, clock out, and walk onto the somewhat barren street.

Another day is gone and I am still how I was yesterday. Lonely. Confused. And wondering what the hell I can even do to fix my life. I guess nothing is different but that is okay.

"Tomorrow will be the day," I whisper. "It will be the day to change my life completely."