As Erik left the room, his mind swirled with all that had happened. He had always known that his father's two-year absence was tied to the military, but to hear it confirmed by the man himself was jarring. Besides, Becker made it very clear that he intended to use him somehow, greatly making him fear for his future.
As he walked back towards the ballroom, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The power and authority that General Becker exuded were intimidating and still lingered in his mind.
He knew that if the General wanted, he could even take him out of the Red Palace tomorrow and send him to some heavily controlled location with no way out to train and be brainwashed.
Erik never wanted to be involved with Frant's military, and that was exacerbated as he learned what would await him once he was told he was an awakener.
Walking through the ballroom, he quickly scanned the place for his friends, specifically for Emily. He spotted her sitting at a table with the others, laughing elegantly and chatting with Amber. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of her and made his way over to her.
"Hey," he said, boldly sliding into the seat next to her. Despite not being an expert in the romance field and not having great social skills, Erik decided it was worth going out of his comfort zone after all he went through in these past months.
"What are you guys talking about?" he asked.
"Oh, just reminiscing about old times," Emily said, smiling up at him. "I was just recalling how Amber and I got lost in the woods on a camping trip some years ago."
Erik couldn't help but laugh. "Hahaha, really? And then?" he asked. "Dad sent a whole squad of men to search for us; they found us in two hours," Emily interjected.
"Well, I'm glad you made it back in one piece," Erik said, looking Emily in the eyes.
Emily felt a warm flush spread through her cheeks at his gaze on her. Erik was in the same situation; he was way out of his comfort zone, and the only thing he could think about during the whole conversation to ease his embarrassment was dead thaids.
During this whole exchange, Amber had a concerned look on her face. She knew that Erik had gone away to talk to Becker but refrained from saying anything, not to spoil the mood. However, her worries increased, and many thoughts started spreading in her mind.
The group chatted for a while longer, catching up on each other's lives and reminiscing about old times. However, it was clear to all, especially Gwen, that Amber was unhappy. Erik and Emily spent much time talking, ignoring everyone else. As the night wore on, Emily stood to go to the restroom.
"Amber, do you mind coming with me?" she asked her friend.
However, Gwen replied before Amber could. "I will come with you if you don't mind…" she said, as she wanted to give her best friend, an opportunity to talk to Erik.
"Sure, no problem," a smile blossomed on Emily's face.
Lost in thought, the awakener barely noticed Amber looking at him. However, after a short while, Amber stared; the awakener turned to look at her and saw her doing so.
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
Amber hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. Her heart was beating strongly inside her chest.
"I have to talk to you…"
"Now?" Erik asked.
"Yes."
Erik and Amber stepped out of the ballroom into the cool night air. The garden was lit by soft, warm lights that created a magical atmosphere—the sound of crickets and the rustle of leaves added to the ambiance.
Amber led Erik to a quiet corner of the garden, surrounded by fragrant flowers and tall hedges that shielded them from view. She turned to face him, her eyes searching his face.
"Erik," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I have something to tell you." Erik looked at her curiously; his eyebrows raised in anticipation.
"What? Is it because of Becker?"
"No. It's something else." The truth was that Amber saw how Erik and Emily developed feelings for each other. Maybe it was love at first sight; she didn't know. However, the young girl didn't like it.
"I know we've been friends for some time now," Amber continued her voice barely above a whisper. "But I've realized that my feelings for you have grown into something more."
Erik's face turned red with surprise as he realized what Amber was saying. He was initially attracted to her, like everyone else at school, but after seeing Emily, everything changed, and he started seeing her as a friend only, someone he could rely on and confide in. She quickly became not only her best friend but also her first; it was weird for her to show these feelings now.
Amber took a deep breath and stepped closer to him. She looked up at him with shining eyes and reached up to cup his face in her hands.
"Erik, I like you," she said, her voice trembling as she surprisingly feared rejection. Erik was stunned and confused, unsure of what to do.
"I don't know what to say," he stammered, looking down at her with a mixture of surprise and confusion.
Amber's heart sank as she saw the confusion on Erik's face, but she expected it. She had hoped that by opening her heart, there was the chance he would say he reciprocated despite knowing he very much liked Emily and that she probably felt the same.
"Erik, I understand if you don't feel the same way. I saw how you look at Emily," she said, stepping back from him. "I just had to tell you how I feel."
Erik looked at her, his mind racing with thoughts and emotions. He realized that he had been blind to Amber's feelings all this time, probably due to the fact that he was inexperienced, now that she said that he wasn't sure how he felt about her. Amber showed great affection for him, going so far as to make him stay at her house when he was in need. She fought for him inside the forest and often worried about him.
"Amber, I need some time to think," he said finally, looking down at her with a serious expression. "I don't want to hurt you or lead you on, but I need to think about this."
Amber nodded, her eyes downcast. That was the first time someone had refused her, as many people would have died to have a date with her. She also knew confessing her feelings was a risk, but she had to try.
"Take all the time you need," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
She stepped forward firmly but at the same time gently grabbed Erik's head and placed a kiss on his lips.
As Amber pulled away from the kiss, Erik's mind raced with emotions. It was a lot to take in, and Erik wasn't sure how to react.
On the one hand, he felt guilty for not realizing Amber's feelings earlier. She had always been there for him, supporting and cheering him on. She was beautiful, kind, and funny; he admired her in many ways. However, his feelings for Emily were there, too; it was a truth he had to consider. But on the other hand, he couldn't help but feel a tingle of excitement from the kiss. It was unexpected, but he found himself enjoying it.
Erik's mind raced as he tried to sort out his feelings. He looked at Amber, taking in her beauty in a way he had never seen before, and his heart skipped a beat. Her long, red hair was tousled by the gentle breeze, framing her face in a fiery halo.
Her glasses perched on the bridge of her nose, adding an air of sophistication to her already captivating presence. She wore a long red dress that hugged her curves, accentuating her slender figure in all the right places.
Amber's beauty was breathtaking. Her icy blue eyes, so striking against the backdrop of her red hair, held a depth and intensity that seemed to draw Erik in. Her lips, painted a soft shade of pink, curled into a shy smile as she looked at him.
Erik couldn't help but be captivated by her every move. The way her hair swayed as she turned her head, the way her dress clung to her as she moved—it was all so mesmerizing. He felt a warmth spread through his chest, and he couldn't deny his attraction toward her.
Her eyes sparkled with emotion, and her lips remained slightly parted from the kiss. He could see the love in her gaze, making his heart skip a beat.
He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He was still processing what had just happened. Amber looked up at him with an embarrassed expression, her eyes unable to focus on him. Erik could see the blush rising on her cheeks as she realized what she had just done.
Then Amber smiled softly, taking his hand. The awakener looked at her, still speechless. Lost in his thoughts, Erik's gaze lingered on her, soaking in every detail of her beauty. Her long red hair, captivating eyes, and curves accentuated by the red dress—she was a vision that stole his breath away.
With that, the young woman left and returned to the ballroom, leaving Erik confused and with a thumping heart.
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶