Chapter Text
The sky today was a deep blue; a refreshing blue that would soothe one’s heart. Though this was the case, the birds still scurried across the sky and the clouds all congregated in the far distance. It seemed a storm was approaching but that was not of his concern.
Nothing could spoil this particular day for him because today, he plans to do it.
Chazz has been waiting for this moment ever since his first ‘hello’ to her, ever since she looked at him with those round eyes that were full of hope and kindness. Her eyes were always smiling but for Chazz he believed it was a different thing for him. Whenever Alexis looked upon him it felt the most special, it was enough to make him feel like he was floating in the air with her sweet voice calling him back.
Truly nothing could ruin this day, for he has made all the preparations to make this moment perfect.
Until that boy made his presence known.
“Chazz!” A voice yelled out.
It was not as sweet and gentle as Alexis’ but rather cheerful and airy. Chazz could have recognised this voice anywhere, for it was none other than Jaden’s.
“Is that you in a suit Chazz?” Said Jaden. His eyes danced around to take in the scenery. They were standing by a cliff side and had a perfect view of the sea. Below the cliff lay pearly sand that shimmered under the present sun. The sand was untouched and only felt the soft caress of the peaceful breeze.
The natural scenery was simply breathtaking, but something stuck out like a sore thumb.
“Is that a candlelit dinner?!” Exclaimed Jaden with his eyes wide and in awe. He couldn’t fathom why Chazz would set up a candlelit dinner in broad daylight but he knew it was something only Chazz would do.
Chazz’s face grew red; it was hard to tell if he was embarrassed that Jaden had to see such a thing or if he was angry at Jaden for ruining his moment.
“Go away!” Chazz said, attempting to push Jaden away from the sight. However, Jaden’s feet resisted to move and his eyes were still fixed onto Chazz’s setup— and his unnaturally blue suit.
“Wow, is this meant to be for me? Did I ruin the surprise? I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything!” Jaden said with a teasing, smug smile.
“Absolutely not! Why would I ever take you out to dinner? You don’t know a thing about fine dining.” Chazz scoffed.
In the distance, footsteps were heard and another voice played in the air. It was the same melodious, sweet and gentle voice he has come to love.
It was her.
Still in her Obelisk blue uniform, Alexis moved towards Chazz and Jaden while looking down at a hand drawn map. The map was drawn by Chazz himself of course; it was a completely incomprehensible map filled with love hearts and unreadable squiggly letters. Nevertheless, Alexis was able to read it without struggle—well, almost without any struggle. She brought the map right up to her face in order to decipher the last few words written by him.
“Go hide behind that bush.” Chazz said to Jaden in a stern whisper.
“But what about din—”
“Now.” With a final push, Chazz removed Jaden off the elevated rock where the candlelit dinner rested and into the spirally bush.
Chazz readjusted his tie and dusted off any particles that interfered with his pristine suit. As Alexis came closer, he felt himself stiffen. Now, with an unnatural grin and a sweaty forehead he gestured towards Alexis.
“Oh Chazz, you wanted to see…” Alexis paused in her tracks, and just like Jaden, her attention was drawn onto the unusual candlelit dinner (in broad daylight) and Chazz’s unusual appearance.
“Of course Alexis, I always want to see you.” Chazz said smoothly, even though his hands were evidently shaking. “Come and take a seat.” He pulled out the chair for her.
As he made an attempt to be gentlemanly, he saw Jaden behind the bush with his mouth agape, soon erupting into a silent laughter. Jaden was doing a terrible job holding back his laugh which made Chazz grow red again, this time it was clear he was embarrassed.
This moment was just meant to be him and Alexis! Why does Jaden have to be here too?
“Wow Chazz… did you make all this?” Alexis said with a slight chuckle. She looked down to see the unorthodox table, on it, rested two plates that were covered with lids.
Chazz hurriedly walked around to his seat and coolly lit the candle that stood proudly at the centre of the round table. He struggled a little because the gentle breeze did not want to cooperate with him, but he believed that with his burning passion he was able to ignite the candles with love.
“Yes Alexis, I made this all for you!” Now it was time for the unveiling, dramatically he lifted both the lids that were covering their grand meal. Once lifted, the sight in front of them was…
“Wow! A grilled cheese sandwich!” Alexis said, trying to hold back a laugh. She did a much better job than Jaden because the look of pride glimmered in Chazz’s eyes.
The sandwich in front of her, made with Chazz’s love and passion, brought a smile to her face. She saw that on the surface, the toast was burnt; it looked as if someone desperately tried to scrape it off. The grilled cheese sandwich was garnished with parsley and a small, wonky heart made out of ketchup.
Chazz must have tried really hard.
“Yes, I hope you like it, Alexis. It wasn’t easy cooking with so many distractions…” images of Jaden flashed across his mind which made him shudder with slight annoyance, “but I made a pretty good meal!”
“Then let’s eat!” She smiled at Chazz’s enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, Jaden looked on with envy. He wanted to eat a sandwich prepared with Chazz’s love and affection too!
But, Chazz was simply too nervous to eat. In his pockets glistened something particularly shiny, telling his heart to reveal it right now!
When the time is right, he thought.
“Hey Chazz, are you okay? You look awfully sweaty…” Alexis said with a look of concern.
“What? Oh! I’m perfectly fine!”
“Is that tie on too tight? You’re red too.”
Hearing Alexis point out how red he was made him even more red.
He then cleared his throat, “actually Alexis, there’s something I want to tell you.” In a dramatic fashion, Chazz rose from his seat and stuck his hand deep into his blazer pockets. He felt a velvety box laying rest there and could hear the overflowing passion of the sparkling ring calling out to him.
Now is the time, he thought.
Alexis still sat there, munching on the tough crust of the grilled sandwich. Her eyes followed Chazz, who was now kneeling with one foot on the floor.
“My Alexis Rhodes, will you marry me?” Chazz opened the small box to reveal a beautiful ring, something that shone so bright that it was more blinding than the sun.
“What!” Jaden shot up from the bush he was hiding behind, and Alexis couldn’t get the sandwich to go down her throat.
“Water!” Alexis forced out, she grabbed the nearby water bottle. Produced by Kaibacorp, it read.
“Jaden! I told you to hide behind that bush!” Said Chazz standing up with fumes bursting out of his ears.
“Marry?! You’re going to marry her?” Jaden said in disbelief.
“Why not! I love her!” Chazz replied in defense.
Alexis, now recovered from that shock, also stood up, “Wow Chazz, I’m flattered.” She replied. She took a deep breath, “and I love you too!”
“Really!—” his face grew into a smile.
“Of course Chazz, you’re a great friend!”
The corner’s of his mouth dropped again. He heard the shattering of his heart right in his ears, and felt his stomach drop.
“And we’re only 16.” Alexis chuckled. Despite breaking Chazz’s heart her smile was still radiant and her eyes were still kind, “ask me a question like that in 5 years time and let’s see.” She lay a hand on Chazz’s shoulder.
“Whatever!” Chazz said, brushing off his disappointment and ignoring his fallen heart. He walked away from the scene, leaving only Alexis, Jaden and one untouched sandwich.
The candles’ flames were finally extinguished, despite no breeze being present.
“That was harsh Alexis.” Said Jaden while he moved out of the bush.
“Oh, don’t worry, this is his 5th proposal he’s made to me this month. He’ll bounce back tomorrow.” She replied with a sigh, Jaden’s face grew with worry. “Though if you’re that worried you can always go after him.”
Jaden paused for a moment: he looked at the candlelit dinner that Chazz worked so hard for. He looked at Chazz’s untouched sandwich and reminisced about seeing him the other day, cooking up a storm in their Slifer dorm. He remembered Chazz telling him he’s going to cook in Jaden’s dorm because he refused to make a mess in his own room.
Chazz’s love and passion… Jaden was not going to let it go to waste!
“I’ll catch up with you later Lex, I’m afraid I can’t leave him alone.” And with that Jaden ran.
***
The sky was losing it’s vibrant blue colour and became stained with grey clouds that moved in unison. The air was still warm and sultry, and the smell of the sea was stronger than ever. Chazz loosened his tie and undid his blazer buttons then sat on a rock that overlooked the sea.
Today was meant to be perfect…
“There you are Chazz!” A boy with unkempt hair and disheveled clothes ran towards him, panting ever so slightly.
Chazz didn’t reply but rather carried on looking outwards; his eyes were lost of the fiery passion Jaden saw this morning.
“Wow! The view looks great. You always knew the best places to sightsee on this island.” Jaden said, taking a seat near Chazz.
“I didn’t say you could sit with me.” Chazz said, avoiding eye contact with Jaden.
Jaden’s eyes widened again, “woah… Chazz let me see your face for a second.”
“No.”
“I said for a second!”
The two boys bickered back and forth; Jaden reached out his hands towards Chazz’s face but Chazz squatted it away as if it were a fly.
“You’re too stubborn, Chazz.” Finally off guard, Jaden held Chazz’s face in the palm of his hands. Chazz’s cheeks were rather cool but his eyes were slightly puffy, “have you been crying?”
Chazz turned his head away from Jaden, “of course not. The Chazz doesn’t cry.” he said while holding back his tears, “and I would not cry over a girl.” A sniffle.
Chazz is totally crying… Jaden frowned.
“Come on Chazz, it’s not so bad. Didn’t you hear what she said? She said to ask her again in 5 years time.” Jaden replied, trying to peer at Chazz’s face while resting one hand behind the sunken boy’s back.
“What’s the point… if she doesn’t love me now, she won’t love me in 5 years…”
...
“Why are you so desperate for this anyway?” Jaden questioned.
“Because…” Chazz’s gaze met with Jaden. He felt himself growing red again and he knew why. “I don’t need to explain anything to you.” He said abruptly.
“Hm, well it’s not like Alexis hates you. So cheer up Chazz!”
“Leave me alone.”
Jaden frowned again. Usually he knew what to say, but this time it was hard. In all honesty, that proposal to Alexis surprised him, but how could he say he was relieved to hear her decline when his friend was so heartbroken by this rejection?
“Alexis isn’t the only one who likes you Chazz.” In that moment, Chazz’s gaze flitted to Jaden’s eyes, “what I want to say is… I like you as well!”
Chazz’s eyes widened.
Silence.
“Are you making fun of me?” He said with hostility.
“What? No! I meant…” Jaden already went this far, he might as well finish it. With resolve, he looked into Chazz’s eyes, “Alexis likes you in one way and I like you in another, that’s what I meant.”
Silence again.
Chazz felt like he was going to have a seizure.
“What are you talking about?” He stuttered. Chazz wondered if Jaden knew the implications of his words.
“So you don’t have Alexis… It’s alright though, ‘cus you got me!” Jaden took Chazz’s hand into his own, allowing his fingers to close over Chazz’s, he grinned so innocently.
Chazz, in shock, had no time to object to Jaden taking his hand. Instead, he felt his heart now ricocheting against his ribcage. It was a similar feeling to how Alexis made him feel, as if he was floating on air…
“You’re making me feel weird.” Chazz confesses. Though, this weirdness was not a bad thing, it was more of a light feeling. Chazz could never admit this.
“Really? Maybe you’re hungry. Hey, make me a grilled cheese sandwich too!” Jaden responded, pulling Chazz up onto his feet, still holding onto his hand.
“No.”
“But I want to try one of the cute sandwiches you made... I’ll let you use our dorm kitchen again.” Jaden’s stomach rumbled, he pulled Chazz’s hand to make him feel his own stomach too. He hoped it would make Chazz feel sorry for him, but instead it just made him blush.
Chazz shook off Jaden’s hand, “okay!” A pause, “...I’ll make one.” He said nonchalantly, trying to maintain his cool.
Jaden flung his arm around Chazz’s neck, once again giving him no time to be on guard. Chazz couldn’t protest if he wanted to, he felt his chest tighten up making it harder to breathe.
Still holding onto Chazz, Jaden looked up. “Maybe Syrus would want one— oh and probably Alexis! She wolfed that thing down, it made me jealous.” He pondered.
“W-what are you talking about? I’m not anybody’s cook, I’ll just make one.” Chazz said, flushed.
“For who?”
“You’re asking me dumb questions on purpose.”
Jaden laughed, “I just wanted to hear you say it!”
Jaden let go of Chazz and walked alongside him, heading towards the Slifer dorms. Jaden placed his hands behind his head and carried on talking to Chazz like there was no tomorrow. Meanwhile, Chazz was, once again, stiff but his face slightly warmed. His cheeks were no longer cold, that’s for sure.
The sky was now drenched in dark grey clouds, not allowing for a hint of blue to penetrate. Despite the gloom created by the sky, Chazz’s heart felt at ease. The ring that he planned to give to Alexis and was laying dormant started to glisten again...
A new passion, a new love.