Beneath The Crimson Gaze

The following morning, the school hallways buzzed with the usual hum of chatter, lockers slamming, and hurried footsteps. Alishia moved through the crowd, her thoughts drifting back to the previous evening. Arthur Virelith. The name felt different now, weighted with the image of the confident boy she'd walked home with. It was almost surreal, the stark contrast between the quiet, bookish figure in class and the striking young man she'd encountered under the streetlights.

She entered her classroom, scanning the rows instinctively. Arthur sat in his usual spot at the back, head bowed over a notebook. He looked just as he always did in school—shoulders slightly hunched, his long white hair partially obscuring his face, and glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. To anyone else, he was still the same quiet boy who blended into the background.

But Alishia knew better now. Beneath the surface, there was so much more.

Taking her seat near the middle of the room, she found her thoughts slipping back to their conversation. His crimson eyes, glowing faintly under the streetlights, the warmth of his smile, and the unexpected depth in his voice—it was all so vivid.

"Earth to Alishia."

The voice startled her. She turned to see Luke, Arthur's only known friend, leaning against her desk with a teasing grin. His tousled brown hair and casual demeanor gave him an air of easy confidence, but his sharp green eyes carried a mischievous glint that hinted at his fondness for stirring up trouble.

"Lost in thought? Or maybe... someone?" Luke teased, wagging his eyebrows.

Alishia rolled her eyes, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, nothing," he said, feigning innocence. "Just noticed you've been sneaking glances at the back of the room. Something catch your eye, perhaps?"

Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself. "You're imagining things, Luke."

"Am I?" he asked, smirking. "Well, if you ever want to talk about your mysterious crush, you know where to find me." With that, he sauntered off, throwing her a playful wink.

Alishia sighed, willing herself to focus on the teacher who had just entered. Still, her mind wandered. Luke's words had struck a nerve. Was she staring? And if so, why?

The lesson dragged on, and her thoughts kept drifting. Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. As students filed out, Alishia noticed Arthur gathering his things slowly, seemingly in no rush to leave. She hesitated, debating whether to approach him.

Before she could decide, Luke appeared at Arthur's desk, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, man, you alive back here? You've been quiet today—even for you."

Arthur glanced up, pushing his glasses higher on his nose. "I'm always quiet," he replied, his tone even.

"True," Luke admitted. "But you've got this weird energy today. Something happen?"

Arthur shook his head, his expression unreadable. "Nothing important."

Luke grinned, clearly unconvinced. "Uh-huh. Well, let me know if you're planning to do something reckless. I wouldn't want to miss the spectacle."

As Luke walked away, Arthur's gaze briefly flickered toward Alishia. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and her heart jolted. There it was again—the intensity she'd seen the night before. Even behind his glasses, his crimson eyes seemed to pierce through her.

"Alishia," he said quietly, his voice carrying across the room.

Startled, she approached, her pulse quickening. "Yes?"

"I didn't thank you properly yesterday," he said, his tone soft but sincere.

"Thank me?" she echoed, confused.

"For letting me walk with you," he clarified. "It was... nice."

Alishia blinked, taken aback by the admission. "Oh, um, you don't have to thank me. I should be the one thanking you—for finding Max."

Arthur gave a faint smile, a rare sight in the classroom. "He's a good dog. And you..." He hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "You seem like a good person."

Her cheeks warmed at the unexpected compliment. "Well, thank you," she managed, feeling uncharacteristically shy.

Arthur nodded, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "See you around, Alishia."

As he walked away, she couldn't help but watch him, her thoughts swirling.

Later that afternoon, Alishia found herself in the park again, this time with Max on a sturdier leash. She tossed a tennis ball, watching him bound after it with unbridled enthusiasm. The crisp air carried the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass, a welcome distraction from her lingering thoughts.

"Looks like someone's having fun," came a familiar voice.

Alishia turned to see Arthur standing a few feet away, his white hair catching the golden light of the setting sun. He wasn't wearing his glasses now, and his school uniform jacket was slung over one shoulder.

"You're here again," she said, surprised but not displeased.

Arthur shrugged. "I like the quiet. It's a good place to think."

She smiled, finding his honesty refreshing. "Max seems to like you," she said as the dog dropped the ball at Arthur's feet, wagging his tail eagerly.

Arthur crouched, picking up the ball and tossing it effortlessly. "He's a loyal one," he said, watching Max dart after the ball.

Alishia hesitated, then asked, "Do you come here often?"

"Sometimes," Arthur replied. "Usually when I need a break from everything."

She nodded, understanding the sentiment. The park had always been her refuge, too—a place where she could escape the pressures of school and home.

For a moment, they stood in companionable silence, watching Max play.

"Alishia," Arthur said suddenly, breaking the quiet.

"Yes?"

He looked at her, his crimson eyes softening. "Thanks for... noticing me."

Her breath caught at the unexpected vulnerability in his voice. "Of course," she replied, her heart swelling with an emotion she couldn't quite name.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose, Alishia found herself wondering about the boy standing beside her. He was a puzzle, a mystery she wanted to unravel. And for the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of excitement for what tomorrow might bring.