Chapter 44: Eiden’s new unknown hurdle
Linda looked back and forth between Lyra and Eiden, her lips curled ever so slightly into a smile. Though she said nothing, her eyes spoke volumes. Lyra shifted on her feet, visibly anxious under her friend’s curious gaze.
Eiden, on the other hand, didn’t know Linda well enough to decipher the look she was giving him but it was making him uncomfortable. It felt like she was mentally stripping him down layer by layer. He gulped. After a few more moments of awkward silence and quiet examination, Linda finally spoke, her voice soft but loaded with implication.
"Lyra, do you still have something you want to talk to him about?" Lyra glanced at Eiden, her voice a bit shaky. "N-no, I’m done."
"Shall we go then?" Linda smiled again, and Lyra, visibly relieved, nodded quickly. "Yes."
"Bye," Lyra said, looking at Eiden for a brief second before walking off hurriedly alongside Linda. Eiden watched the two of them leave, silently chewing on the sweet bread in his hand. Only after they turned the corner did he blink and sigh, returning to his snack.
Time passed slowly. Eventually, he spotted Deuel and a few others from the group, but instead of joining them, he decided to head back to class.
Once his classes were over for the day, Eiden met up with Petter, who was waiting for him near the school gates. "Hey, Eiden!" Petter waved enthusiastically. "Wanna play the new game I got tonight?" Eiden tilted his head. "Which one?"
Petter’s eyes gleamed with smug pride as he pointed his nose toward the sky. "Grit of Redemption 3 the newly released one."
Eiden’s eyes widened. "Wait, it’s out already?"
"Hohohoho," Petter laughed dramatically. "Don’t underestimate my connections when it comes to new releases." Eiden rolled his eyes with a smirk. "Yeah, yeah, alright. You’ve got connections. Got it." As they walked a bit further, Eiden’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked at the screen.