Iridescent

29| Popping the Bubble

I went to buy some sort of light source for Jaxton right after lunch. I settled with a hanging light. Jaxton could hang it near his balcony, let it absorb sunlight by day and it'll glow brightly during the night. I went to the cashier to pay, but then something irritated me. Is one enough for him to survive the pitch-black night? This is his entire dorm we're talking about...

"Sorry!" I said to the cashier. "Can you give me a sec? I need to grab one more."

The cashier was looking displeased as I dashed back and forth to try and keep my place in the line but also keep the cashier's patience bar from dropping to zero.

"Here!" I said, too enthusiastic for their liking. With a frown, they scanned the second light and handed them to me.

"Next!"

I dashed out of the store and made a beeline for Jaxton's troop. As I entered, I spotted Yoan immediately; with his blond hair and energetic gait. He seemed excited about something and I called to stop him.

"Yoan! Hey!"

"Cassandra? Hi!" He waited for me to catch up to him, staring at me curiously. He also held something in his hands but I couldn't tell what. "Are you looking for Jaxton?"

"Yeah," My eyes wandered to the two boxes he had in his hands. "Do you know where he is?"

"He's up in his dorm. I'm going to catch him before he rushed off to his class," his eyes landed on my two gifts. "You got him lights too?"

I gaped and realised to my surprise and excitement that Yoan had the same thought. "So you heard about the 'lights-out' thing?"

"Yeah!" Yoan was grinning, rubbing his head as he tucked his two box of lights under his arm. "I never thought Jaxton would tell anyone else about his fear of the dark."

"Oh..." I shrugged, trying to act casual. I changed the subject. "What a good friend you are, Yoan. Everybody needs a Yoan in their life."

"You flatter me," he laughed, and we jogged up the stairs. It was the first time I ever stood in front of Jaxton's door. Before we even knocked, Jaxton pulled his door open, dressed fully in sports gear and carrying his gym bag. He stopped short of his action and stared at us with rounded eyes, his glance dancing between the two of us.

"I know. A rare combo, us two," Yoan grinned and I did too. We both raised our box of lights to show him. "You scaredy cat, we got you some holy light to bless and protect you."

Jaxton's surprised look turned into a wide grin, "Thanks."

"Your welcome, bro," Yoan strode inside while I followed with smaller steps, giving Jaxton a cheeky grin. He replied with a raise of his brow and another slanted smirk back.

"Your Mrs. had the same idea."

"My what?"

"I am not his Mrs.," I said, unfazed. I began unpacking the boxes.

"You're not?" Yoan threw a questionable look at Jaxton and Jaxton shrugged, hands in his pocket with a lazy smile. I grabbed a chair and began putting on the lights, and I could hear the two boys muttering to each other.

"What? Is she not your Mrs.? What does that mean?"

"We're not dating. That's what it means."

"Wow, if you leave someone like that around someone's gonna snatch her up."

"I can hear you two, you know?" I spared a glance over my shoulder, silencing them. At the corner of my eyes, I saw Jaxton's fleeting smile and his playful jab at his best friend's rib.