Ryacell had dinner at Saphire’s mansion once again. He was still unsure about how deserving he was of Saphire’s kindness. His agitation was only fueled further from needles gradually striking the back of his head.

“Sweetie, are you okay?” asked Mrs. Creliz. “You look a little pale.”

Mr. Creliz ate silently.

Ryacell rubbed the inner corners of his eyes. “Y-yeah, it’s nothin’. I think I’m gonna go home now.”

“So soon? Stay here,” Mrs. Creliz persisted. “I can’t have you sleeping alone feeling like that.”

When Ryacell looked at Saphire, she smiled. “Please, Ryacell?”

Mrs. Creliz examined Ryacell’s forehead. “You’re burning up!”

Mr. Creliz finally said, “Young man, the ladies are concerned. Take the guest room tonight.”

“Y-yes sir,” Ryacell obeyed.

The servants took Ryacell to the bathroom and left him in private. The young boy submerged himself into the warm water. He wondered why his head kept hurting. Lack of sleep? But that was normal for him. Overworking? He just quit. Stress? Possibly, but why?

In the guest room, Ryacell tried to sleep, but his mind wandered onto meaningless questions. What were the chances of him seeing Chloe in the same class? What other moments has he missed out so far? He was especially focused on their reading since it still confused him. He hoped Rashelle could come up with a good presentation. Why couldn’t he fall asleep? He didn’t know.

Nautical twilight. Ryacell congratulated himself for another sleepless night. After changing into his uniform, he looked at himself in the mirror and decided to comb his ruffled hair back. He explored the general household and found the servants preparing breakfast.

“Is there anythin’ I can do to help?” Ryacell asked them.

One of the maids responded, “No, thank you. You should get some more rest.”

“I got enough sleep ma’am. I’d be happy to help.”

“The young mistress wouldn’t want you to work. But maybe,” the servants looked at each other, “...you can bring the food to her. She would be happy to see you first thing in the morning.” The maid winked at Ryacell. “Just sit tight while we finish this up.”

Ryacell patiently sat at the side of the kitchen, swinging his legs like a lost child.

After a while, a butler came up to him with a breakfast tray. “This includes both yours and Saphire’s meals. Just wait outside her door until she comes out.”

“Thank you, sir,” Ryacell nodded with a smile.

He walked up to Saphire’s door and sat down once again. He stared blankly, feeling the time pass slowly.

Is she awake? He wondered. We might be late for class.

He gave a small knock. No response. Hesitantly, he turned the doorknob. Surprisingly, it wasn’t locked.

Should I? He argued with himself. I’ll just see if she’s okay.

Ryacell carefully opened and closed the door behind him with the tray on his other hand. Sunlight was spilling through the window. The white bed drapes created a silhouette. Ryacell assumed it was Saphire, but what he saw was someone with drastically shorter hair. From their backside, Ryacell observed how focused they were on what appeared to be a small note.

“...S-Saphire?” Ryacell asked, stepping closer with the tray. The figure shot up, shoving the note aside.

That’s not Saphire.

“Get out of my room,” the figure commanded, still with their back turned towards Ryacell.

It sounds like her...but it’s not Saphire.

Ryacell set the tray down on a desk. “Not until I see her.”

It’s not her.

“Ryacell, it is me. I just haven’t changed clothes yet. Now would you kindly leave?” their fists clenched.

I remember.

“No,” Ryacell stepped forward. “You’re...a boy.”

The figure turned around. His face was clear of any makeup, and yet he still had a feminine quality that made it hard to look away. Handsome and beautiful, lean and toned, pure and bright, the epitome of an angel. Ryacell couldn’t say it, but he still thought the boy was attractive.

I’ve seen you before.

His voice deepened as his eyebrows furrowed. “Ryacell...do you know Joline?”

“No,” he answered.

Saphire took a step forward. “Are you sure about that?”

“Yes,” Ryacell gulped.

“Why?” Saphire muttered.

Ryacell was backed into a corner. “Why what?”

Saphire loomed over Ryacell and pressed his shoulder. With an alarmingly calm voice, he asked, “Why are you living in that apartment?”

Ryacell was petrified. “I-I’ve always lived there.”

Saphire did not respond. He silently looked down into Ryacell’s eyes. His stare seemed to cast daggers like lightning through an ocean.

“Is,” Ryacell shivered, “Saphire...your real name?”

Saphire clicked his tongue, “Yes.” The blonde teen looked away and stepped back. “Ryacell.”

“Y-yes?” Ryacell didn’t dare move from his spot.

Saphire sat on his bed, looking down. “Forget this morning. When you leave this room, if you tell anybody about this…” With a cold stare, he warned, “I won’t hesitate.”

Ryacell nodded. As he left the room, he could feel Saphire’s glare following him. He heard the door lock behind him.

“Ryacell!” he turned to see Mrs. Creliz smiling in the hallway. “What were you doing? How are you feeling?”

“I-I’m...fine. I-I just brought Saphire...her breakfast,” Ryacell answered.

Do they know?

“That’s lovely! She never allows anyone into her room,” she patted Ryacell’s head.

“Y-yeah, I was surprised,” Ryacell laughed. “I think she locked her door again.”

Mrs. Creliz knocked on the door, “Honey, your father and I will be leaving now. Have fun at school!”

Saphire’s feminine voice called out, “Thank you, Mother! I will!”

Mrs. Creliz smiled at Ryacell, “Have fun, as well, okay?”

“Yes ma’am,” Ryacell bowed.

After Saphire’s parents left, Ryacell went back into the kitchen where the servants were.

“How was it, young man?” the butler asked.

The maid cheered, “Was she happy?”

Ryacell breathed in. “Yes.”

“Did you enjoy your meal as well?” another servant asked.

“Yes,” he answered. He asked as he sat down, “I was wondering...what was Saphire like as a child?”

The servants looked at each other. One of them answered, “We...don’t know much about her childhood. We’ve only been serving the Creliz family for about a year.”

“We’re just glad that she finally has a friend especially since her parents are usually away,” a maid added. “She can seem closed off, but she is a kind girl, and we want her to be happy.”

“Of course,” Ryacell said and stepped out. “We’ll be headin’ to school now.”

Ryacell saw Saphire waiting by the entrance in his feminine disguise as if nothing happened. They silently entered the car and were taken to school. Ryacell had nothing to say.