The faint buzz of the air conditioning combined with the gentle rustling of notebook papers and the infrequent crunch from a bag of chips left ignored between them. The dim space was only illuminated by the tiny desk lamp precariously resting on the floor, projecting shadows on the walls and faint glows on constellation maps strewn about like stars in a galaxy.
As Zac emphasized a sentence from their given book, one knee was bouncing in anxious rhythm while he was sitting cross-legged on the floor. Faint pencil markings covered his hoodie sleeves, which were rolled up to his elbows. Next to him was a half-eaten, abandoned packet of chips, much like the page he had stopped reading ten minutes ago.
Januz was sitting right opposite him.
Same posture as always: straight, still, silent. He stood apart from the disordered anarchy Zac abandoned in his wake. Januz peered at their project outline with an intensity that made Zac inexplicably angry and absurdly flustered all at once, his long legs neatly folded and back straight.
You are too quiet, Zac ultimately said, shattering the protracted quiet. Is that how royals behave when they are working on school assignments?
He didnt intend it to sound accusing; the words had a mocking edge.
Januz raised his head leisurely, his face inscrutable. Then just slightly his lips curved. I'm not a royal.
Zac cocked an eyebrow. You were not very good at denial.
Januz reached for the printed rules set between them instead of responding. Zac froze for a heartbeat as his fingertips lightly grazed Zacs handbrief.
He withdrew instantly, acting as if it didn't occur, concentrating intently on the project's title as though it had abruptly become intriguing: The Influence of Greek Mythology on Early Astrological Beliefs.
Traditional.
Were you always fond of the stars? Januz asked out of nowhere, his voice soft but clear.
Zac opened his eyes in astonishment. Indeed, from childhood.
He stopped, leaning back on his hands as memories resurged.
Every night from my bedroom window I would watch them. Once upon a time, I would create tales of secrets waiting to be revealed, just floating in the sky, for every star in the constellation. It lessened the sense of loneliness in everything.
Januzs's eyes became gentle. He had undergone some kind of transformation now. Less restrained. He tipped his head almost timidly and gave me one.
Zac paused, startled.
People typically didnt inquire about that. If they heard at all, most simply nodded respectfully. Janusz's tone, though, was genuine and tinged with mild curiosity. It took away his power.
Zac therefore straightened and pulled his knees to his chest.
Have you ever come across Orpheus and Eurydice?
Januz nodded off.
Zac gave a faint smile, his eyes going towards the ceiling. It's a heartbreaking one. Orpheus was this amazing musician. Everyone told him his music could melt even the most frozen of hearts. He developed a crush on a girl called Eurydice. She died, however, on their wedding day from a snake bite.
Januzs eyes fixed on him. He never blinked.
Orpheus was brokenhearted. So he descended to the Underworld to reclaim her, something no one ever dared. Even Hades and Persephone were touched by the sheer beauty of his work. They resolved to permit Eurydice return to the living.
Zac drew a breath. There was, nevertheless, a circumstance. Walking in front of her the whole way, Orpheus had to lead her out. Not until they were both above ground could he reflect back.
Januz bent down, elbows resting now on his knees.
Almost there, Zac said, his voice softer. But he freaked out right before they reached the surface. He glanced back. She vanished right then, lost for good.
The chamber went quiet.
Zac looked down and played with a frayed thread on his sleeve. I used to believe it was just a tragic love story. But the older I get, the more I find it about trust. Perhaps fear. Alternatively, how occasionally you might lose something before you even get the opportunity to handle it correctly.
Januz was not immediately speaking properly.
It was hardly more than a whisper when he did; do you think such love is real?
Zacs stopped breathing. Startled, he glanced upward. I'm not really sure.
Their eyes locked and neither of them blinked.
The distance between them changed. Weightier right now. Electric.
Januz glanced at his hands, then carefully, as if every word counted, inquired, If someone you loved were in danger would you let them go to protect them?
Zac stared. He believed he had entered a new discussion unrelated to Orpheus or Eurydice.
Januz added fast, his eyes darting to the floor, hypothetically. Like, in the story.
Zac licked his lips gently and murmured, "It seems to depend. " Letting them go could mean losing them forever. If you dont, though, they can get hurt.
He averted his gaze. Either way, then, you lose.
Januz gave no response.
He just stayed still there. His silence, though, spoke volumes. It was louder than words.
Zac observed him; then for a moment something made sense.
The peaceful existence. the quiet strength. That calm like the ocean under moonlight. It was not only interesting.
It had a familiar feel.
Way too familiar.
Zacs eyes turned down to Januzs lips, then flicked back up, heat flooding his face.
Not in any case. Definitely not, not at all.
Still, but
That evening.
The shore. The kiss. The sweatshirt. The shadowed face.
And the sound.
His chest squeezed.
Could it be?
Januz leapt up, sweeping invisible dust off his black slacks. I need to leave. Its almost midnight.
Zac also stood, somewhat slower, yet still caught in the burden of the unanswered question hovering between them.
Yeah, he said. Definitely.
Januz headed to the door, quiet as ever. But only seconds before he stretched for the knob
Hey, Zac called.
Januz swung somewhat.
Zac stopped, heart pounding against his ribs. Have we crossed paths before?
An interruption.
Januszs fingers rested on the doorknob. His eyes flickered, then he hesitated just long enough for Zac to see.
After that, just a little smile.
I'm not sure you could forget if we had.
And just like that he slipped out the door, Zac left standing in the echo of his words.
Silence came back.
It didn't feel tranquil only this time. It seemed like the aftershock of something too big to call.
Standing there, rooted in place, Zac gently reached up and touched his fingers to his lips as the low hum of the air conditioning buzzed in his ears.
His pulse sped in revolt; his heart throbbed.
That evening.
That kiss.
The voice.
It was same.
That, however, seemed unreasonable.
Correct?