Growing love // Promptis (Noctis x Prompto) // FFXV

[24]

Last Chapter : Now there I was, sitting right next to the prince of Insomnia. What an interesting year this is going to be.

First thing I noticed about Noctis, he really doesn't seem to be interested in our classes. I kept noticing him staring out the window most of our classes or even playing with his pencils. He even tried to talk to me more than once during class. Of course, being the nervous wreck I was, I simply ignored him whenever he would whisper into my ear, searching for a distraction. Wasn't education very important for our soon-to-be king? I'm starting to get worried about Insomnia's future.

Not really interested in the class either, my eyes kept coming back to Noctis whose eyes were fixated on the window and reflecting the city in his blue pearls. I was amazed. He really looked pretty no matter what he was doing. After staring at the boy for a while, I then noticed how a very small corner of the prince's lips curled up and that's when I realised that he has been looking at my reflection all along. Embarrassed, I hid my face behind my hands as if that was going to change anything and stayed like that until I heard Noctis whispering to me again. "Want to play a multiplayer game? I'm bored... or not." The prince paused in the middle of the sentence and noticing how his eyes drifted behind my head, I could only imagine who was right behind me.

"Your majesty, I don't mind you not listening to the class but I won't accept whispering at the same time as I'm speaking. Take this as a warning." The teacher had a striking voice and it resonated around the room, almost making me jump out of my skin. We both apologized and glanced at each other as the ticks of her high heels fainted away. I let out a giggle.

After school
Quickly covering my face from the sun, I made my way towards the very fancy looking gate as I checked my watch almost constantly. This school was much further to my workplace compared to my old high school and doing the math, I was very likely to arrive a little late. Pretty much nervous, I checked the time one more time as my feet hurried me towards the bus stop and luckily for me, the bus came after two minutes of waiting. I really shouldn't have taken the Noctis's special guide tour around school even if it was worth it. I got to see lots of beautiful places that were totally out of the campus, but most importantly, I got to spend more time with Noctis. I still don't know why it made me so happy though.

Running out the bus, I finally arrived at the cafe's door, breathing heavily but at least I was right on time. The bus stop was very far from this place for some reason. "Prompto! There you are! You have to tell me everything!" I heard a loud squeal coming from my left. Ah, that was Iris. She started working in the same cafe as I did after she found out about this part-time job because apparently, it always was a dream of hers to work at a small and cute cafe like in mangas. I mean, I can't blame her because it was pretty enjoyable to be surrounded with the smell of coffee when its not busy in here, especially when I get my break. Its hilarious to see her making me a coffee while I simply sit and wait. You don't know how many pictures I took the first time I did that. Standing up correctly, my breathing finally toned down and I was able to speak normally. "You didn't tell me it was going to be all fancy. I'm even scared to touch the walls in case I scratch them or something." I brushed my hair on the side as I made my way behind the counter, having Iris follow me from behind. Arriving to the break room, I took out my apron and tied it around my waist as Iris leaned on the wall next to me. "Let's be honest. The prince wouldn't have attended a shitty school like ours. What exactly were you expecting?" She was right. I paused for a few seconds, not knowing what to answer back. I somehow believed that it would be a normal looking school, but boy was I an idiot to not think this through. "Exactly." Iris and I then walked out and started our tasks behind the counter all while keeping a conversation. "So, what's up with coming in almost late? Doesn't your school end earlier than ours?" After taking the order of an old lady, I turned around and started the machine. I sighed at the sentence.

"Stop beating around the bush. I know what you really want to ask me." I stared at her with a mocking grin until she finally broke. Totally ignoring the client she was supposed to serve, she turned around and stood by my side, faking to help me with the coffee. I ended up forcing her to actually help me and get that client's order before continuing the conversation. "Okay, you caught me. So, did you find Noctis?" She asked, a little more excited than earlier. I slightly nodded and when Iris realised that I wasn't going to say more, she's started whining a little, probably startling a few customers in the process. I could also feel the sudden interest of the other employees as they already knew which Noctis we were both talking about. Yeah, I've realized that they have the habit of eavesdropping our conversations. I didn't mind much. "Did he recognize you? Was he the reason you were late to work today? Eh, it would be hard to believe. He is usually so introverted at school." She continued.

"I don't think he did. I mean, it's been 6 years ever since we parted ways and to be honest, I'd prefer that he doesn't. I just... don't really like who I was when we were ki-" Finishing the coffee I was making, I came back to the counter and cut my sentence short to take the man's order. Then, I realized that I've made a mistake. Iris, being the dramatic person she is, gasped as if she had just learned about the end of the world and almost dropped the latte she was holding in her hands. Thanks god I was here to catch it mid fall. Being the good friend she is, the girl really hates it when I talk negatively about myself. "Don't you dare say that! You were the cutest thing back in the old days!" The thing was that Iris didn't know him before he met the prince which was basically the brightest days of my life. I used to be a creep, gloomy and kept to myself before he came into my life. I was nothing and sometimes, I'm scared that I haven't changed at all. Am I good enough for them?

Starting to get a lot of customers, we decided that it would be better to put this conversation to a pause and continue our jobs, especially now that the manager arrived and so, I told her everything that happened today after our shift. I even talked about the special tour that the prince gave to me. Listening through my day, I've noticed how she was still suspicious about what I was telling her. Im guessing that she wasn't familiar with Noctis being as friendly as I was telling her. She even had to ask if I was talking to the right Noctis and took out a picture of how he was supposed to look like. The fact that I confirmed that he was the right Noctis just blew her mind.

Walking towards the bus stop, she asked me again. "Are you sure that he doesn't remember you? You two seemed as friendly as you are now, unless you were lying. Even more, dare I say." It kinda surprised me as we didn't feel that close when we were kids. "I don't think so. Maybe he changed a lot from when you last saw him?" She wasn't in agreement with what I said. She knew that she hasn't seen him in a few years, but it wasn't likely that his personality was to change that much. "Nu-uh! I'm telling you! Noctis always has been too shy or cold to make friends! You can even ask Iggy! He would tell you the same thing!" Arriving at the bus stop, I waved her goodbye as she hesitated to walk away. She brought out her phone from her pocket once again. "Are you sure that you don't want a lift? Cor wouldn't mind you know?" She stated, but I shook my head. I don't think that I could handle being in a luxury car again. Imagine what would my neighbours would say. I have enough anxiety, no need to add some more. She knew that she couldn't change my mind and waved me goodbye before walking back to the cafe.

I know, this is kinda a filler chapter, but I thought it would be nice to update on Iris. She still attends Prompto's old high school btw.