Pursued by Apollo

Prelude

Pursued by Apollo

Book #2

i. epigraph

❝...her eyes mirrored

complete joy,

and i couldn’t help

but wonder as to

when i will be

responsible for that.❞

ii. Introduction

It was the start of yet another year.

The usually dead and empty halls of Ambrose High were now swarming with students, all with equally tired expressions on their faces. Some were ecstatic, even joining a few conversations with friends while others seemed unbothered. It was a typical way to start the year, enough that seemed like a part of the day. Then again, most students of Ambrose High had lived in the town for most of their lives. Almost nothing seemed exciting about the familiar faces they see every school year. The only excited bunch was the ones who had moved away from their town to enter their school.

A harmonic chime from each of the halls in the school. Nothing but a dread engulfs everybody on the pavement towards the school entrance, making them look like they are starting a march towards death rather than the white halls of the school.

Then all too suddenly, their expression grew brighter.

A familiar roar from an engine seems like a cast of a spell, rolling the dread out of their bodies as it was then replaced with another flush of different emotions from every one of them—admiration, excitement, lust, envy, and anger.

So many emotions, yet not one person cared for what others felt.

Intimidating men flawlessly exits the car, with the engine dying down as they did; automatically halting the beautiful sound that it produces. Not once did they give a single damn to the burning gaze of every student; they found themselves used to it.

Not that they have a choice.

Ever since they got to school, different labels and positions were marked on these boys— without even their consent.

The focus, as of now, is Chasen Aclen—dubbed as the Apollo of the school, with his gifted voice and charming looks.

The girls crave nothing more than to be appreciated and loved by him. He is the so-called flower boy of the school. He is the image of perfection—may it be inside or out, he’s perfect throughout. He is breathtaking, gentle, kind, thoughtful, and has the best sense of humor. The man is what you call the whole deal.

Chasen Aclen is the kind of man that any mother wants to see their daughter end up with. Not only does he seem stable on his career and path... the man is filthy rich. He is already successful before he could even make a name for himself.

“Cupcakes for sale!”A chirpy voice called through the sea of students walking past them. Some would stop and get lured into buying a pair or two since the set of women selling the items was beautiful to look at.

A grin appeared on Chasen’s lips, adamant about grabbing yet another opportunity that is blessed before him. His friend, on the other hand, simply watched the whole thing unfold. Braden was used to seeing Chasen in a pit of agony and frankly, he does enjoy it. The man had always been proud of himself, so most of their friend group liked to tease him when things does not go his way.

“Braden, what are you—oh. That is some early start. He could not even wait a day to deflate his ego?” Seth, who had only managed to catch up to the two, had stopped from his words as he spotted where Chasen was. He released a soft chuckle, whipping out his phone as he records the whole thing. A small glimpse of a grin escaped his lips. “Ayne mentioned that she always wanted to see him having a hard time.”

Kye, who just arrived at the scene seemed to agree. His eyes moved to Chasen, squinting to get a better view of what is to happen. “It is amusing to see him so forlorn. Send me the clip if you can.”

“Yes sir,” Seth replied.

Chasen had finally approached a stand that caught his attention. It was a stand for a cause, with a group of seniors selling cupcakes. As much as Chasen is kind, it was safe to assume that he didn’t approach the stand for cupcakes alone.

No, he didn’t.

He rushed to the scene because of one of the standees in the booth. Everyone in the school is already well aware of it now. So it is not a surprise for the three women in the booth to steal a glance from the one who was seated behind them.

“Good morning,” Chasen greeted them with a smile. His dimple pressed with the action, causing the females to blush at the sight. Well—most of them. As the three attendees entertain him, one continued to stay seated behind, focused on writing something. Her eyes did not even leave the white paper laid upon her.

Most would see this as a clear indication that she was not interested and then move on from the experience. Yet for Chasen, he blindly dismisses all of the signs of how she reacted. As much as he was gifted, the man is equally as stupid when it comes to attraction. Whenever something—or in this case, someone—had grabbed his interest, Chasen would chase it. Instead of admitting defeat, he even walked to the front of the booth—where the woman was prompted. A smile spread on his lips, letting out a greeting for her. “Good morning, Vien!”

Vien didn’t even reply. Her hands didn’t falter from what she was writing, and she didn’t spend a single second to even glance at the person. It was like Chasen wasn’t even there—which is something that the man had been used to for a number of times.

This isn’t the first time that she had openly dismissed him.

Kye took the moment to jab a tease. “Someone touch him. I’m afraid he’ll cease to exist if this continues.”

The ladies let out a soft chuckle, with Braden and Seth adding to the damage. Instead of pinning attention to his, Chasen continued on trying. “I want to buy a dozen,” he announced, all directed to the woman sitting before him.

Vien continued writing to the paper, even mumbling out some words in the process. It took her some time to realize that people were looking at her. Adamant on putting the attention away from her, she moved her hands away from the paper. It moved in the direction of the three ladies, who all had the samples prompted on their hands. The ladies tried their best to hold on to their laughter but failed in the process. Soft chortle escaped from their lips, amused by what they were seeing.

“But, I wanted...” the words took a halt the second he realized something. Vien doesn’t have a single cupcake close to her. She wasn’t even wearing the same clothes that the three girls were wearing. Vien was simply in her school uniform, and probably in the place because her friends were running the stand.

With such a frail voice, he continued his words. “…you.”

One of the girls laughed. “Vien’s not for sale, Chasen!”

“Only the cupcakes, we’re sorry.” The other one teased back.

A blush crept on his cheeks, finally realizing the outcome of his words. His sight alone made the girls chuckle in delight as his friends roar in laughter from his embarrassment.

“I’m finally done.”

And then there’s Vein, who still doesn’t give a single cent of f**k. She stood from her seat, giving the paper to one of the girls. As soon as a smile appeared on her face, Chasen was rooted to his spot.

“I’ll see you later then, Mxen,” she added.

The girl squealed before hugging her. “Thanks a bunch, Vien! You are such a lifesaver!”

Vien offered a laugh before waving her farewell. Chasen knew well enough that her laughter and smiles weren’t transfixed on him, but he couldn’t help but admire how gorgeous she looked when happiness radiated off of her.

Damn.

He all could do nothing but wonder how it would make him feel finally on the other end of receiving such previous and beautiful smiles from her.

“Well, would you look at that,” Seth muttered as his hand dangled on Chasen’s shoulder. “Another day, another no f***s are given from the same girl... all over again. Are we living in a simulation?”

His friends laughed at his situation while watching the girl who was walking away from them. A book was neatly placed in her hand as she walked, careful enough not to bump into someone.

“This is not a laughing matter.” Chasen sighed, clearly troubled.

Not even paying attention to his words, their laughter doubles the intensity as Braden makes some lame comments about the situation, igniting the roar of laughter that was bubbling in with them.

“We are cheering for you, Chasen!” Mxen cheered him up. The woman just could not help but do so as the head cheerleader—and Vien’s best friend. She would have pushed the man for Vien to accept him, but it was obvious that she wasn’t the slightest interested. Whenever she does see that Chasen seemed serious about her, Mxen would often show her support.

A small smile spread on his lips. “Thanks, Mxen.”

“Even the” Braden uttered, snapping the man away from his fantasies, “You are still stuck from where you always were, my friend.”

“You always prove the impossible,” Kye muttered.

Seth only nodded his head. “That seen zone is possible in real life.”

Chasen had only sighed before letting his eyes follow the same girl. No matter how many people tell him that he’s perfect or how he’s sparkling in the eyes of others, he doesn’t see the perks of them all. He would always see those so-called ‘assets’ as a distraction, possibly the only reason as to why he’s invisible in her eyes.

He doesn’t care about all the fame and attention when the only girl he wants to impress is not even aware of a fraction of his existence.

Gosh-f*****g-darn-it. This seems to be the most annoying peak of his life. He’s at that point where no matter how hard he f*****g tries, nothing ever happens. It’s like he takes one single step, and she takes ten large strides away from him.

No matter how hard he tries and tries, the girl he never likes notices him.

But still, giving up will never be his answer. As the so-called Apollo of this school, he will do everything physically possible to have the girl of his dreams. No matter how hard it takes, he will get her attention.

For still, she still has not rejected him... right?

iii. synopsis

Chasen Aclen is Ambrose High's Apollo.

The man already managed to grab some attention from labels who wanted to hire him as their artist, yet he still continued to prioritize his education. Even then, the man would perform in numerous locations and would hoard a number of fans whenever he does. He is already a successful kid despite his age.

However, that doesn’t help him get noticed by the only girl who managed to catch his interest.

His futile attempts would always fall in the pits, not even earning just a glance from Vien Tzuyu herself. But this wouldn’t stop him from grabbing her attention or also getting the catch to have an honest conversation with her finally.

I mean, duh? There is nothing but his voice could not do.