Night out
POV Sebastian
As he promised Ominis sent my letter to Anne along with his own. We had yet to wait for her answer. Ominis and I were both anxious and impatient to get her letter. Hopefully she would finally agree to see me.
Ominis and I were looking forward to today’s lesson as we were to practise duelling. It was the opportunity to see our fellow classmates in action and see how good they were.
We had breakfast together. I could see Ominis searching for something.
- « What are you looking for Ominis? » I asked.
- « I think the correct question would be who is he looking for ? » said Cassandra giggling.
I raised one eyebrow, wondering what Cassandra was talking about.
I could see Ominis’ face turn bright red.
- « No one of course ! » he replied embarrassed.
- « Sure. She’s over there, eating with … » started Cassandra.
But Ominis didn’t let her finish her sentence.
- « I think it’s time we went to class. Let’s go. I don’t want to be late ! » he interrupted quickly.
I could see Cassandra smiling. Who were they talking about ?
We followed Ominis to the duelling field. The professor was waiting for us there.
- « My dear students today we shall evaluate your actual skills which will enable us to see your progress throughout the year. I have teamed each one of you with a partner as you will be fighting in pairs against another team. So listen carefully. Samuel you will be with Sebastian, Benjamin and Edmund you will be together, Cassandra you will be with Becca and Valerian you will be with Ominis » she declared.
- « Excuse me professor, but is it fair to put two blind people together ? I mean we’ll defeat them in a single blow » bragged Benjamin.
Ominis just laughed and so did I. He had no idea what was coming, that fool.
- « Are you questioning my leadership Benjamin ? » she said with a grave face.
I knew professor Radagor better than the others as she personaly tutored me. She was a very kind person but you should not mess with her.
- « Of course not professor, I was just … » he said trying to justify himself.
- « You were just being a total … » I started.
Ominis knew me well and knew the next word that was about to come out of my mouth would be unpleasant. So he changed the subject quickly before I got in trouble.
- « Shall we begin professor ? » asked Ominis.
- « Absolutely, please find your partners. As you can see there is a circle drawn on the floor. If you step out of it, the duel is over » she explained. « And you can choose your opponents » she added.
I quickly found Samuel. I convinced him to fight against Ominis and Valerian, though he would have preferred to fight against Benjamin and Becca.
- « So, looks like we will finally have that duel after all » I told Valerian, teasing her.
- « Better watch out » she replied with a smile.
I could see Ominis whispering something to Valerian’s ear. And then they both smiled. I see. They were coming up with a plan to defeat us. Ominis knew me pretty well, so I had better watch out. But I didn’t know how Samuel fought.
We took our positions, Samuel and I on one side, Valerian and Ominis on the other.
- « I know he’s your best friend Sebastian, but there is no room for friendship in a duel, so don’t hold back out of friendship nor compassion » Samuel demanded.
- « You’d better be careful, mate, you trust what you see, like we all do, but you shouldn’t. That’s one thing I learnt with Ominis. Now, be on your guard » I said.
Samuel hit the first blow. It was countered by Ominis and Valerian swiftly sent an exploding spell on us. So fast !
- « Well, I see you have a soft spot for exploding spells Valerian. Something we have in common » I told her trying to impress her.
- « Thank you for that » she replied.
I didn’t quite get what she ment by it. Why would she thank me ?
Ominis cast diffindo on Samuel, but he countered the spell with protego. I seased the opportunity to cast incendio on Valerian. But she countered my spell with a huge wave of water, which created fog. We couldn’t see a thing. And suddenly, we were hit endlessly by spells. We had no choice but to use protego over and over again. I couldn't see a thing ! Samuel and I were taking steps back. That wasn’t good ! And suddenly I saw a shadow running towards me. I was about to cast stupefix, but the shadow was to quick, it dodged my spell, but not with protego, by sliding between my legs. And the shadow was now behind me. I barely had the time to turn around that I was sent flying through the air. Unfortunately I landed flat out of the circle. As I raised my head, I could see Valerian looking in my direction, with a huge smirk of satisfaction. Ominis used the simple spell of tie the knot on Samuel’s feet which caused him to fall on his back. Then he used flippendo to push him out of the circle.
What just happened ? I couldn’t believe we were beaten so easily !
I could hear Samuel shouting in fustration of having lost.
I stood up and approached Ominis and Valerian.
- « Well, I hadn’t been defeated in quite a while ! Well done ! » I said sincerely.
« How is that possible ? » asked Samuel yelling at them.
Valerian quickly responded.
- « It’s quite simple really. It was easy to identify your weaknesses. For Sebastian, he spilt the beans by saying he loved exploding spells. You’re the type of person who likes to show off so using fire spells is how you get attention. And Samuel, you underestimated us, and you are too … sure of yourself. The best way to defeat you was to even the duel by taking away all visibility. Of course, Ominis and I can rely on our other sences, but you are not familiar with this way of fighting. And then we had the advantage » she explained.
- « And so you camouflaged yourselves into the steam, leaving us blind to your attacks » I added.
- « Steam, fog, darkness won’t change a thing for us » explained Ominis.
- « And we fell into your trap. I will admit, it was quite clever » Samuel exclaimed.
That girl was seriously smart.
- « You’re so swift Valerian. Where did you learn how to do that? » I asked.
- « I can’t tell you all my secrets can I ? » she said with her tender voice.
What a woman ! Wait, was she flirting with me ?
- « We make quite the team ! » Valerian said to Ominis.
- « Oh … yes … we do » he replied timid as always.
His cheeks were bright red.
Ominis was always so shy with girls. So I didn’t come as a surprise to see him react that way.
When classes were over, Samuel invited all the boys to a night out down in the village. And of course we all went. Samuel ordered drinks for all of us. And as soon as a glass was empty, he would order another one. And it was no pumpkin juice.
- « I would like to propose a toast, to Ominis, no one had defeated me in quite some time » I said.
- « Yes, I guess it is well deserved » Samuel admitted.
The others raised their glasses.
- « To Ominis » everyone said.
I could tell he was not comfortable with the extra attention.
- « Valerian was pretty impressive too » I added.
- « You two make quite the team ! » said Edmund.
Ominis smiled and lifted his right arm behind his neck, rubbing it gently, embarrassed.
I suddenly felt something I had never felt before. I envied Ominis for some reason. But why ? Perhaps because I wished I had been paired up with my friend. That must be it.
- « Beginers luck. Next time, they won’t be so lucky. » said Samuel confident.
- « How humble of you » said Edmund.
Everyone laughed.
- « Next time, let’s do something with the girls too » said spontaneously Edmund.
- « Why are you missing your girlfriend ? » said Benjamin sarcastically.
- « Screw you » he replied.
- « Look who’s jealous now! » said Samuel teasing Benjamin.
He just turned his head and looked unbothered rolling his eyes up.
- « Why ? Who’s your girlfriend ? » I demanded. I was hoping deep down it wouldn’t be Valerian.
- « … Cassandra is my girlfriend » he said after a short silence « She’s off limits guys » he added with an insistant tone.
Everyone smirked.
- « But someone here has eyes on another beautiful girl, with long blonde hair » Edmund confessed.
I could feel my heart pounding. Could he be talking about … me ? I mean, I liked Valerian, but I didn’t think anyone had noticed.
Edmund was looking at Ominis, though he couldn’t see it. So there was a moment of silence.
But Ominis’ face turned red nonetheless. He had his embarassed look.
- « What makes you say that ? » I asked probably sounding desperate.
- « We’ll’ they were awfully close to one another the other day in the living room, maybe about to kiss ? » he teased him.
Ominis’ face was now pale.
- « Ahh that would explain the noises » said Benjamin.
- « What noises? » I asked.
- « The noises of someone spending some pleasurable time with himself in his bedroom, probably thinking about the lovely Valerian no doubt » he teased.
Everyone burst out laughing.
But Ominis was not laughing. He seemed mortified.
Of course, Ominis’ bedroom was between mine and Benjamin’s. So why didn’t I hear anything ?
Did Ominis really have a crush on Valerian ? If he did, then that would be the first time he would have a crush on anyone. He was always so unlucky with girls. They thought he was very handsome, girls loved looking at him even though he couldn’t see it. But too shy, and very blind unfortunately. And girls didn’t want to put up with that.
He deserved to find someone that loved him, with whom he could have a relationship. And we had just mended up our friendship, for real. What was I supposed to do ? After everything he had done for me, I couldn’t interfer with his potential happiness. Nor did I want to. I wished for him to be happy. He was my friend, my brother.
And at that moment I knew I had to say something, something only a brother would say.
- « And the boy became a man » I teased.
He was now so pale that I thought he would faint.
Everyone bust out laughig once more.
We spent the rest of the night drinking endlessly. Everyone was drunk by that point. Even Ominis. We all walked back toschool together, though I’m not quite sure how we managed. We had lost Edmund at some point and found him in a bush.
We had to pull him out of it. And Samuel was dancing here and there. Ominis was definitely not walking straight so I put his arm around my shoulders helping him walk. I didn’t feel as drunk as the others. I pretended to sip my drink do that Samuel wouldn’t order another one every 5 minutes.
Since when did I become so responsible ? I think I knew deep down it was to keep an eye on Ominis as I knew he would be drunk as a skunk . And boy was I glad I did.
Once we arrived, I put Ominis to bed. He took his shoes off, and lied down on his bed.
- « Thanks for keeping an eye on me Sebastian » he said woozy and half mumbling.
- « I said I would » I replied.
We both remained quiet.
- « Ominis, do you really like Valerian? » I asked shamefully taking advantage of the fact that he was drunk.
- « Valerian ? I can’t stop thinking about her. Every time I’m with her, I feel like I’m losing my mind. And my body is acting weird when I’m around her » he said with his eyes closed, half asleep.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
He probably won’t even remember what he said tomorrow, but now I knew he actually liked her. And I know what I had to do. I had to back off, and give him his chance.