Effulgence

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Gelus

Following the day of the picnic, Claudia spent most of her morning pondering what Elikai had said and the endless possibilities of what he actually meant. Mr. Climet had a headache and was resting when Claudia brought him a glass of water and a couple of pills.

"What a bloody nuisance," he croaked in his all-to-familiar British accent. "You can have today off for school if you go to the store and get me some Ginger Snaps for my throat."

"Not biscuits?" Claudia teased. Mr. Climet hated any stereotypes of his homeland. He rolled over on his side and let out a groan. Claudia took pity on him and backed out of the room.

And now she was on her way to the grocery store except Elikai was nowhere to be seen so Claudia had decided to take the long way around. They hadn't made any plans after the picnic, and she didn't really feel like waiting around for him to show up.

Claudia headed out feeling surprisingly calm and free. Here she was! All on her own; completely and totally independent! There was nothing that could stop her now! At least, that's how she envisioned herself, but the truth was that she couldn't stop thinking about how Elikai had looked at her when he had said she deserved to be a queen.

Her feelings for him were hard to decipher. He was an amazing friend and super thoughtful too. If they became... more than that, their friendship would either end or become stronger, and Claudia just wasn't ready to give up on that and risk everything. Yet she couldn't deny that her heart sped up every time Elikai grinned that stupid grin.

Claudia shook her head, trying to clear her mind and regain some of her usual self-confidence.

The day was slightly colder, but that didn't stop the rich nobles from milling about the town square. Without a homeless boy by her side, she was no more important than the stones on the ground, or the broken fountain.

Instead, Claudia indulged in their ignorance and enjoyed it. She continued on her way, glad for the long walk. She started down another, one she didn't take often. She, however, was no stranger to the various stores that lined up the sides. In her younger days, she frequently went shopping with Mr. Climet and he would allow her to pick which store to go to. This was a special way the two had bonded since Mr. Climet didn't have much experience with children. If Claudia was any younger, this would've undoubtedly spoiled her, but she was old enough to be conscientious about what was a need, and what was a want.

At that point in her life, Mr. Climet was a savior. He was very caring, especially towards Claudia. Everything in his power was made perfect, just for her, and she loved him for it. This was before he became more paranoid and hateful toward the "rug rats."

Claudia was still in the dark about what had turned Mr. Climet so judgemental. She only knew that he had gone out alone one day and came back bruised, and very angry. The next day he had the gates installed and went out with Claudia less and less until he stopped altogether. She missed the trips very much, and besides his schooling of her, they didn't spend a whole lot of time together. Somedays it felt like Claudia was just another servant instead of an adopted daughter, and other days it felt like she didn't even exist at all.

Of course, Claudia still loved Mr. Climet to death. He was a good man at heart, and he'd given her everything. Claudia was who she was because of him. It was a weird concept to think about, and that's what Claudia did as she walked down the (mostly) pristine road. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Gelus until he was right beside her.

"Hi Claudia," he said as he started walking beside her. Claudia gasped and looked at the boy intruding on her own private trip. "Didn't you hear me calling your name?"