Chapter 25 || The Things Left Unsaid

Chapter 25: 25 || The Things Left Unsaid

The sound of metal lockers slamming shut echoed through the brightly lit changing room.

Code, Caden, Torin, Ken, and Riven were already dressed in their uniforms, preparing to leave for their part-time jobs.

Caden let out a dramatic sigh as he pulled on his gloves.

"Fourth day of this part-time job," he groaned. "I never knew earning money could be this exhausting."

Riven chuckled. "Come on, Caden. We just have to keep working hard."

Torin snorted. "Don’t listen to him, Riven. He’s just lazy."

Ken nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Caden would rather slack off than do any actual work."

"Hey, I’m telling the truth!" Caden protested, throwing his hands up. "Serve my master for just one day, and you’ll understand what exhaustion really feels like!"

Code silently buttoned his cuffs.

He didn’t bother putting on his gloves, given that one of his hands was still bandaged.

Caden turned toward him, his expression suddenly hopeful.

"Hey, Code, how about we switch masters? You can take mine, and I’ll take yours. You and Riven are the only lucky ones here with cute girls as your masters. How is that fair?"

Torin folded his arms and nodded solemnly. "I have to admit, I’m a little jealous too."

Riven closed his locker with a click.

"That’s a ridiculous assumption, Caden. Just because we have female masters doesn’t mean our jobs are any easier."

"You’re so naive, Riven." Caden patted his shoulder with mock sympathy. "When a cute girl is bossing you around, you don’t even feel tired. You could be doing the hardest work imaginable, and you’d still have a smile on your face."

He paused, pressing a hand against his chest.

"And if she says something sweet to you? That’s it. Your motivation goes through the roof."

Torin pretended to wipe a tear from his eye.

"He’s right. We’re truly the unfortunate ones."

The two clasped each other in a dramatic embrace, mourning their supposed misfortune like brothers who had suffered a terrible tragedy.

Code glanced at his watch. "It’s getting late."

Riven nodded. "Right. Let’s go."

He headed for the door, and Code, Torin, and Caden followed him out.

"Guys..."

Ken’s voice stopped them.

They turned around.

He was still standing in front of his locker, his hands resting at his sides. Unlike moments earlier, he no longer looked particularly interested in leaving.

Torin tilted his head. "What is it, Ken?"

Code watched him silently.

Ken hesitated before speaking again, his gaze lowered.

"Do you think I’m... bossy?"

The others exchanged brief glances.

Ken finally looked up. "Do you think I order people around too much?"

"Whaaaaaat?!" Caden exclaimed, his eyes widening. "No! Of course not!"

Torin slowly turned toward him. "Yes, but why did you have to say it like that?"

Caden’s expression stiffened into an awkward smile.

"Whaaaat do you mean?"

"Why are you talking like that?"

"Could you stop focusing on the way I talk and answer Ken’s question?"

Ken sighed. "Torin?"

Torin scratched his cheek, considering the question.

"Well, I wouldn’t say you’re bossy or that you go around ordering people about..."

He paused.

"Except when it comes to Caden."

Ken’s expression tightened slightly. "So you’re saying I do order people around?"

"Only Caden, though."

"Why would you say that?" Ken asked, his voice rising. "Yes, I know I order Caden around, but that’s because he’s an idiot!"

"Ouch!" Caden clutched his chest as though he’d been stabbed. "That hurt, Ken."

Torin shrugged.

"And I’m saying it’s not that bad. You asked a question, and I answered it. I only pointed out that you behave that way with Caden. I never said there was anything wrong with it."

Ken took a step toward him.

"But the way you said it made it sound like I was doing something wrong."

Torin stared at him for a moment.

"How else was I supposed to say it? Should I have called you Mr. Ken to make it sound more polite?"

"Guys, I think we’re getting—"

"Shut up, Caden!" Ken snapped.

Caden’s mouth fell open.

Ken turned back to Torin, clearly irritated.

"This isn’t about you, Caden. I asked a simple question, and you answered it normally. But Torin had to make it sound as though I’m exactly what Huegene said I am."

"Guys..."

Torin’s expression grew more serious.

"So this is about what Huegene said in class?" He let out a short, incredulous laugh. "Wow. I didn’t know you’d started taking his words so seriously."

"I think we should all calm down..." Caden tried again.

"I wasn’t taking his words seriously!" Ken retorted. "I just wanted to confirm something with the two of you. That’s all. But apparently, even that was a mistake."

Torin’s patience began to wear thin.

"If you weren’t bothered by what he said, you wouldn’t have needed to ask in the first place. Maybe we wouldn’t be arguing right now if you hadn’t."

"Can you both please stop?"

Caden stepped between them, spreading his arms.

For a moment, neither boy said anything.

Torin glanced at him. "What is it, Caden?"

Caden let out a weary sigh. "Code is gone."

Ken blinked.

Torin looked around the room.

Caden gestured toward the open doorway. "He left while you two were arguing."

The space beside them was empty.

Code was nowhere to be seen.

Caden stared at the doorway for another second before shaking his head.

"We’re already running late. Can we just drop this and go to work?"

Ken turned away and walked back toward his locker.

Torin said nothing more. He and Caden eventually left the room.

....

They spotted Ivy farther down the hallway.

Caden immediately hurried toward her.

"Hey, Ivy! Can we talk for a second?"

She stopped and turned to face him.

"Of course." A sweet smile appeared on her face. "What is it you want to talk about?"

Caden’s cheerful expression faded.

"Why did you lie to us, Ivy?"

Her smile faltered.

Caden continued, his voice carrying a trace of the frustration he’d been holding back.

"You told us our money had gone missing. I was seriously worried that we’d have to start from scratch."

Torin caught up with them just as Caden finished speaking.

Ivy lowered her lashes, and her voice softened.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make fun of you." She clasped her hands together. "I heard Huegene talking about it, and I believed him. I should have checked whether it was true before telling you both."

She bowed her head slightly. "Please forgive me."

Caden fell silent.

He scratched the back of his neck, looking increasingly uncomfortable.

"W-Well... since you’re apologizing, I guess it wasn’t entirely your fault. Huegene was probably just messing with you, like he does with everyone else."

Ivy slowly raised her head.

Torin, however, didn’t seem entirely convinced.

"You must have figured out it was a prank eventually. Why didn’t you come and tell us? It could’ve saved us a lot of trouble."

Ivy rubbed her elbow, looking apologetic.

"Actually, I wanted to apologize to all of you. But when I came to the changing room, I noticed you were arguing."

Torin looked away.

"I thought it wasn’t the right time," she continued quietly.

Then she lifted her gaze toward them.

"I was planning to apologize tomorrow morning, when everything had calmed down."

Torin’s shoulders relaxed slightly.

"Alright, then. Sorry for doubting you." He paused before adding, "Ken and I have just had a rough time lately."

Ivy’s expression turned concerned.

She stepped closer and gently took his hand.

"Is everything alright now?"

Torin went rigid.

His heart seemed to leap into his throat, and warmth spread across his cheeks. His gaze dropped to her hand before briefly darting toward her chest.

’She’s close. So... close.’

Ivy tilted her head, her expression innocently curious.

"Is something wrong?"

Torin snapped out of his thoughts.

"N-No! Everything’s fine."

Caden smiled at her.

"Just give them some time, Ivy. He and Ken will start talking to each other again."

Ivy glanced at Caden before returning her attention to Torin.

She released his hand and took a small step back.

"In that case, you three shouldn’t fight anymore. You’re friends, remember? Friends are supposed to stick together."

Torin nodded. "Yeah."

Ivy smiled warmly.

Then she glanced behind them.

"By the way, where’s Ken? Isn’t he supposed to be heading to work too?"

Caden sighed. "I’m pretty sure he’s still in the changing room."

"I’ll go get him," Torin said.

He turned around and headed back the way they’d come.

Ivy watched him leave for a moment before facing Caden again.

Caden’s expression grew more serious. "I’m really sorry, Ivy. For doubting you."

She shook her head gently. "It’s fine, Caden. I’m just glad you were willing to forgive me."

"Of course I would." He waved a hand dismissively. "It wasn’t your fault, after all. That asshole is the one responsible for all this. He’s also the reason Ken and Torin ended up arguing."

Caden turned and began walking toward the changing room.

After a few steps, he stopped.

"Ivy..."

His voice had lost its usual playful lilt. When he looked back at her, his expression was calm.

"You shouldn’t believe everything Huegene tells you."

Ivy remained silent for a moment.

Then she nodded.

"Okay," she replied softly.

Caden studied her briefly before his usual cheerful smile returned.

He turned and hurried toward the changing room.

Ivy watched him go, the smile on her face lingering.

Then she resumed walking, humming softly to herself.

....

Code knocked lightly on the door.

After a moment, it opened, revealing the warmly lit room beyond.

Lyra stepped aside to let him in.

Code entered and closed the door behind him before turning toward her.

Something seemed off.

Lyra looked exhausted. Her shoulders drooped, and she struggled to stand upright.

"Are you alright?" Code asked.

Lyra forced a small smile. "Yes. I’m just a little tired."

Code approached her and placed his left hand against her forehead.

Lyra froze. "You seem to have a fever," he observed.

She tried to smile again.

"You don’t have to trouble yourself, Code. All I need is a good night’s rest, and I’ll be fine."

Code didn’t respond.

Instead, he bent down and lifted her into his arms.

Lyra’s eyes widened. "W-What are you doing, Code?"