Felix rubbed the sides of his head in circles, burying his head in between his palms. His weekend was spent completing his major tasks, including accompanying Gale throughout their dance practices. He had never been so happy in his life when he met Kristal, the one and only dancer he had supported since the man debuted as a solo artist. Felix admired him throughout. Gale's constant intentions in dragging him for practices resulted in both of them obtaining personal lessons and advice. Even though it had only been for half an hour, their hearts were contented.

Ever since the emergence of the extra few lines in the scroll, Felix saw no movements on it any longer. It stayed silent and still at the corner of his room. The ring he wore seemed to have dimed but it mattered not. Picking up all the papers on the table, Felix decided it would be enough for the day. He craved a cold bowl of bubur cha-cha with a generous amount of sweet potatoes and yam cooked with a sweet coconut milk base. Nothing else could satisfy his thirst in such hot weather. He craved for the sweetness to coat his dry throat. Felix hummed on his own at the thought, arranging his way to the cafeteria.

The sun shone magnificently across the blue skies, reminding him of Gale's words that there is always a new start on each day and everything will be better eventually. He stood in line with the rest of the students, taking out his purse while his eyes fixated on the new menu that had just been updated. His stomach had been growling since the last lesson, thus food seemed like a good idea. Felix decided to bring his meal to the lake behind his university to avoid the crowd for some peace. He pulled out his phone, texting Gale about his idea and smiled when the elder agreed. Knowing Gale loved dodol, he decided to get some for him while they both spend their evening discussing their plans for the week.

Turning his head to look at the bougainvillaea plant outside, Felix caught sight of something familiar between the trees. His heart skipped a beat at the sight, yet he lowered his hopes to prevent himself from hurting even more. True enough, it was not who he had expected. He sighed, ordering his meal before taking off to the lake. Till now, he could not understand Adriel's intentions. Felix swore he did not complain about long-distance relationship or about Adriel's different nationality. He frowned thinking about the conversation they had the other day at the doorstep. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Felix decided to toss that memory away to prevent himself from drowning in those unwanted waves.

"Felix?" Rebecca's voice echoed in the air, startling Felix from his thoughts. "Where are you going? I thought classes are over. Are you heading to the library to seek Adriel? I came from the library so I can give you lots of assurance that your loverboy isn't there. I don't understand. What did you saw in that boy? He is as stiff as a stick. He does not even party."

Felix chuckled. Talking with Rebecca now made him cringed at his own choice. He did not understand in fact what he had seen in her filthy dark heart. All he could see in her now is the demon that resides within her beautiful exterior. Shame how someone so pretty as her could be so evil.

"He might be stiff, Rebecca, but he has a very good heart. He does not feel ashamed being together with me instead he cherishes me more than you ever did. He might not party, but he brings me to places where we can spend time together alone while you decided to spend one night with a guy you just met just because he offered drinks. You might think fluttering your eyelashes could warm my heart, but you are wrong. It disgusts me. Yes, I fell in love with you once, that was my mistake and I learn from it. I want to live my life with someone who cherishes me for who I am, not because I can finish up your homework," Felix said, staring right into Rebecca's eyes. "Excuse me, I have places to be."

"He's not even here with you, Felix. Stop pretending. You are hurt on the inside. Have you forgotten?" Rebecca questioned evilly and leaned forward. "Your eyes speak words your heart doesn't."

Felix cast her a smile, nodding at her words in agreement. She stood upright, satisfied with herself.

"People change, Rebecca," Felix said, staring up into a sky with a soft contented sigh. "There is nothing permanent in this world. So what if I am hurt? It does not concern you and it never will. Yes, I am hurt on the inside, but that hurt it's not for you. You are no longer a part of my life, Rebecca. I wish you luck in your life."

Without a word, Felix left. He felt a heavy feeling lifted from his chest. Smiling, he headed to the lake and waved at Gale who seemed to be too busy playing with the fish in the lake without realizing that his hair is dipping into the lake water. Felix headed over, handing his best friend the delicacies before they both arranged their steps to the comfortable bench under a large chair. Felix understood that there is no right or wrong way of living a life. Life is full of choices, but he is certain that Adriel would be his permanent choice. He will wait for the boy to return. Somehow a part of his soul trusted Adriel more than himself.

"Are you sure this has to be a part of the plan?" Adriel questioned worriedly, standing low behind the bushes as he turned to face the new angel of the Dead. "This is so unfair for him. I am not talking about Lithius. I am talking about Felix. Once Lithius finishes his trial, Felix will be back and his feelings will remain throughout his mortal life. Is there really no other way to make your brother learn?"

Angelo's dark eyes showed no feelings. They were as dark as the black hole in the universe, absorbing energies from around it. His pale features mirrored the still lake in front of Gale and Felix. Even their laughter could not warm the heart of an angel who is in charge of the souls deep in Hell. Angelo turned to Adriel, studying the guardian's reactions.

"Felix is your lover, but you cannot change his destiny in life. It so happened that his life events are aligned with Lithius. My brother's soul might be a powerhouse to mend his one while they merge, but they both feel the same thing. Lithius will carry the grief too for the rest of his life. Calista chose Felix because he is a reliable host. I cannot change what they will both feel, but all I can assure you, Adriel is that I can prevent Felix from losing her completely. This is my promise," said Angelo, tucking his palms into his dark robe and added.

"I appreciate that, Uriel. Thank you for coming to meet me here despite your tight schedule in guiding the souls. I hope to see you again soon," Adriel bowed, placing his palms on his chest as a sign of respect.

Angelo's dark hair fluttered against his forehead. He lowered his head without a smile. He was once a cheerful and playful kid who runs around the Golden Halls with Lithius and the rest of the guardians, but after claiming his place in Hell, he turned three hundred and sixty degrees. He never smiled. His skin is as pale as fresh snow from the skies. His eyes are always empty and unreadable. Angelo drifted far away from the choices any guardian would want. He became a legend among the guardians within days for a guardian who chose to be the angel of the Dead is forbidden to love and feel to remain their fair judgements.

"My name now is Angelo. I appreciate you for remembering who I was and is willing to consult in me, old friend, but everyone changes according to time. There is nothing ever so permanent," Angelo uttered, spreading his now fully jet black wings that block the sunlight from burning Adriel's caramelized skin. "Until we meet, Adriel."

Adriel watched the elder disappeared within seconds, leaving no trail from where he last stood. He looked out at Felix who laughed heartily at Gale's silly jokes and sighed. He could not prevent his lover from this trial. He wanted to be there for the boy yet Lithius's soul emitted stronger energy that reminded him of Cyril and being together with Felix now felt as if he was cheating on his deceased sister. Lifting his dark blue robe, Adriel teleported himself back to his home, sinking himself on the couch opposite the fireplace.

"Right. I will make sure I do not laugh that much in the next practice," Felix assured. "But, if you keep making faces I am not stopping."

Felix has forgotten how much time had passed each time he is with Gale. Gale's presence made him calm and gave him much assurance that everything would be alright. They had spent a long time together, sharing a deep understanding of each other matters. Sometimes they could go a long week or month without talking, just like the time Gale had travelled to another country for his mobility program, but their friendship still stayed strong. Felix would not have it any other way. He knew he would never pick anyone else as his best friend except for Gale. 

Track 09: 1,695 words 

Cumulative Words: 21,228 words