Heartthrob of Aclea

Chapter 8 - A Surprise for Me

'I'm so fired if anyone catches us like this' Uttered Elliot in a worried manner; his right hand was on his forehead, processing the solution to whatever we were doing while his left hand held an ignited pot. 'You're such a bad influence. Standing near you is never a good idea.' He added.

'Dude, that never-a-good idea unites us together. Spiritually. Give me a break.' I breathed in marijuana and leaned back on my bed, fading into the pitch-black abyss of nothingness, and the high, and pretending not to be the person I would always be.

The drug took over my mind and all I could feel was numb. Sinking down to a bottomless dimension, an ink drop of light seemed to force me to pay heed. The closer I got to it, the brighter it shone, and the bigger it became until I blinked my eyes a few times before disappearing to the throne room like a housemaid who had forgotten to turn off the oven after she smelled burnt cupcakes.

The throne room was at downstairs. It was lavishly decorated with red, yellow and gold to show the richness of The Royals. There were two special seats with curving legs and rosette adornments; only Mum and Dad could use them for ceremonial occasions. Behind a heavy, velvet curtain at the other side of the room, stood a wall-sized mirror, timelessly waiting to copy every movement of its user. I laughed at the reflection of myself. I was wearing black shorts and a red t-shirt that was screen-printed with a slice of pizza and 'I am a snack' beneath it. With Dad's crown on my head, I crossed my hands and put on the I-am-fabulous face.

'I am The King of Aclea. The honourable one. The one who is upon everything. I have one son who I poured all my love and blessing on him and the other son who I disgusted from when he was brought to the world.' I mocked Dad. If he could hate me, I could hate him too. I danced disgracefully. I stuck the tongue out at him – high me could not recognise myself in the mirror. 'I disdain you, Aaron.' I continued mocking him.

'And I disdain myself too!' I in the mirror shout back. I was admiring myself when I turned to Elliot who was constantly taking deep breaths, probably busy deciphering abnormal codes in my head. Pursing his lips, he prayed hard so that I was back to being myself.

'I'm going to have it on my head and mock my father like there's no more tomorrow.'

'I dare you to do so.' At last, Elliot raised the white flag and started to follow my flow.

I walked like a superstar on a long red carpet whilst blowing kisses to the air. Not sure if I had taken off my sanity or I was just in my own euphoria. The marijuana was kicking it and I had nothing to complain about. Anyway, it felt good. Illegal things were fun. Breaking rules were fun.

'I'm kidding. We're going to get our heads chopped off. Put it back, Aaron.'

SLAM! 

My eyes bulged with fear. Elliot stood motionlessly with both hands cupping his cheeks. Thank goodness it was not the door behind us that got slammed.

'I don't want to be decapitated. Spare my life. I'm begging you!' The intense terror struck Elliot and I swore I wanted to video it because his face was so hilarious. Must keep this memory!

'Shh... I've got this, Elliot, the cowardly bodyguard.'

Elliot balled his fist and threw it in the air, threatening me with a sign of punching. I peeked through the keyhole and see Brian tapping determinedly on his phone. I gave Elliot a strict instruction to make no sound at all and left using the secret tunnel – only people who lived here knew this – before pacing up to Brian and scaring the bollocks out of him. Worth the shot, though. A soft punch landed on my shoulder, making me grunt a little. He was looking extra confident in his brand new tuxedo with a neat pompadour perch upon his head. Smiling sheepishly like an idiot, he scratched at the back of his neck that was obviously not itchy.

Wait a minute.

Did I just say he was in a tux? Was he running his fifth date without asking my advice, tips and hacks? And the smile he wore-

Is that a sign of a triumph?

'You went for your fifth date without me on your earpiece.' I make small talk.

'You were smoking a pot. I didn't want to disturb you.' He glanced at his watch. 'It's midnight. My bed is calling me.'

'Tell me who the lucky girl is. Considering that you've nailed it all by yourself this time. Great improvement, brother!'

'I bet you don't know her. She's sweet, soft-spoken and ambitious.'

'It's the same description you had on your previous girls.'

'Shut up.'

'I'd slept most of women in Aclea. Might be the one of them.'

'Gross.' We laughed.

'Tell me, brother.'

'I asked Mum to make her as my last candidate. I will date no more if things become problematic. The deal was sealed. I think you didn't know her. She was from Goldcrest but had spent her early life in the UK. Went back here to take care of her folks and pursue her degree.'

Before he could answer me, his phone beeped and he stared in joy. It must be a text from her.

'She is known as Lady Catherine Windsor of Goldcrest, the only daughter of Duke Robert.'

By the hammer of Thor! Well, well. The element of surprise was not always a pretty sight.