Selucas said his dad goodbye and stepped out of the workspace just as the sun dipped low, turning the sawdust in his hair to gold. It was a small job - just a set of shelves for a neighbour - but it had taken him and his father the full stretch of the afternoon. From three to seven, the hours had passed in the steady rhythm of measuring, sawing, and sanding, the scent of pine thick in the air.
He rolled his shoulders as he walked, feeling the quiet ache settle in— the kind that wasn't painful, just.... Present. The good kind, maybe. A reminder that he'd done something real with his hands.
Selucas respected his dad in the way you respect something solid— quietly, without needing to say much. Watching him work, steady and exact, taught Selucas more than words ever could.
He was thankful for the hours they shared together, side by side, learning not just carpentry but patience, care, and how to take pride in doing a thing well.
The work was hard, and the pay was small— Selucas knew that all too well. His father, working for himself, took what jobs he could, even with his bad back and stiff hands. Some days felt heavier than they should, and Selucas wrestled with that weight. He didn't complain, but the thought lingered: all this effort, and still just enough to get by....
Even so, he showed up, out of respect, and because deep down, he knew his father was doing the best he could for him, his mother and sisters; Selucas didn't want to let him down. He wanted to help and support his father as much as possible, of course, but helping him took its toll; it consumed a lot of time, energy and social contacts....
As Selucas walked home, the weight on his shoulders felt heavier than just the day's work. It was the kind of weight that didn't go away with rest— a quiet, constant pressure. He knew his father needed him with work, and his mother leaned on him more and more with the three little girls, his younger sisters who increasingly behave like little, uncontrollable dragons as they approach puberty and experience the insecurities and difficulties that come with it. With all these factors demanding his attention from all sides, there wasn't much time left for anything else.
Sometimes, when he caught sight of young people his age heading out for the evening, laughing, unburdened, something clenched inside him. He wasn't angry - not really - but he felt the trade. The time, the energy, the chances slipping by. One by one, year after year.
Selucas was still young. He loved his family. That was never in question. But in quiet moments, Selucas couldn't help but feel like his youth was being spent before he had a say in it.
It was 19:15 when Selucas stepped inside his home, his arms and shoulders still carrying the quiet fatigue of four hours spent under sawdust and soft daylight. The smell of cut pine clung faintly to his sleeves. His boots left dry prints on the floor tiles as he walked in, shoulders slightly sagged from the weight of honest labour.
Carpentry with his father always brought a certain satisfaction, however, as of lately, and especially after he moved to Ardenburg a few months ago, he feels less satisfied and joyous and more drained after a job. Tired, not from exhaustion, but from the slow, steady pull of repetition and responsibility. A negative energy slowly digesting his mind, relentlessly gnawing on Selucas' sanity and conscience. The always so diligent and zealous golden boy began to resent all these nagging responsibilities, each of them feeling like a heavy resistance band that hindered his mobility, his freedom.
Still wearing his work pants and dust-specked hoodie, Selucas paused in the hallway mirror. His reflection looked the part of a worker— strong, steady, but dulled at the edges. Then, his eyes drifted to the bag in the corner of his room, whose door stood wide open. Inside: Jake's gifts. He didn't have the opportunity to put them in his closet, because after his visit to Jake's home - not scheduled - the time to do other things than prepare for work was over. So, he had quickly put the gifted clothes in a bag....
Jake had called them "swagger essentials." And maybe they were. The black cargo pants, the white textured long-sleeve shirt, the camel-toned utility jacket. And more, such as the three notoriously overpriced pairs of underwear.
Strangely enough after staring at that bag for a while, Selucas felt a flame of activity burning inside him; an impulse of excitement that restored his energy levels; he wanted to dress himself with them Show of his swagger. His potential. Now felt right.
Electricity flowed through his body; his subconscious was craving for a swagger show-off.... It was impatient, nagging and pushy.
Selucas peeled off his old clothes and slipped into the new ones, one layer at a time. The cargo pants fit snug, hugging the lines of his legs and tapering cleanly at the ankles. The shirt clung just enough to show his upper body's strength— no longer hidden in folds of fabric. And when he threw the utility jacket on, something clicked.
He didn't look like a carpenter's son anymore. He looked.... Cool. Clean. Confident.
He took a few steps back and turned sideways in the mirror. His reflection returned the glance, head slightly tilted, lips curled in a subtle, self-assured smirk. He gave a nod to himself and headed downstairs.
Just as his super hip and all-white Nikes tapped onto the bottom step, his little sister of fourteen years old, Lorelei appeared from the kitchen with a half-eaten apple in her hand. She stopped in her tracks, eyes widening.
"Woah," she said, biting into the fruit. "You look.... Different."
"Different how?" Selucas asked, feigning ignorance but already grinning.
"Cool. Like, not just 'you combed your hair' cool. Like.... Movie scene cool. Where are you going?"
Selucas shrugged, his tone casual. "Just heading to the convenience store. Thought It would be nice taking a stroll."
Lorelei gave a short laugh and shook her head. "Someone's got a glow-up mission. You look really good, brother. Like, don't even try to act like you don't know it."
He smirked as he passed by, ruffling her hair with one hand. "Thanks, Lor."
The door of the apartment clicked shut behind Selucas. He stood for a moment on the quiet street, taking in the cool air and the feel of his new clothes. The white slim-fit shirt hugged his frame perfectly showing the beautiful contours of his Apollian body. The black cargo pants sat neatly on his hips, the matte fabric catching the light subtly, and the Nike Air Force 1s gave him an airy bounce with every step. Layered over it all, the camel-toned utility jacket whispered confidence.
Swagger.
Selucas let out a low chuckle. Jake had said that word so many times that it had become a chant. Now he was wearing it. Living it.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and strolled down the sidewalk, headed to the convenience store just a block away. It wasn't far, but the journey felt different now. Like the pavement had become a runway.
Selucas wasn't used to being looked at— but now, heads turned subtly as he passed. A pair of college girls glanced up from their phones, eyes flicking over him with that quick, curious shimmer.
It felt good.
For the first time in his life, Selucas didn't feel like a background character.
The streets of Ardenburg felt unfamiliar still— he had only moved in a few months ago. Each walk was a way of drawing the map in his head.
He walked into the convenience store, the bell above the door giving a soft chime. Inside was the smell of stale coffee, warm pastry, and refrigerated air. It wasn't crowded; just a middle-aged man browsing snacks and a girl at the magazine rack.
He headed toward the fridges, grabbed a bottle of water and a protein bar, then made his way toward the register. Suddenly, as he turned into another path, he noticed a remarkable girl....
She stood by the drink's cooler, crouched slightly as she examined a row of iced coffees. Her red hair fell in soft waves, glowing copper in the fluorescent light. When she stood upright and turned, her eyes caught his; sharp, curious, bright and blue.
Her lips parted just a little, not in surprise, but in something softer; interest.
Selucas looked away first. He suddenly became aware of the sound of his footsteps, the way his jacket shifted around his frame, how his breath felt slightly caught in his throat.
"Hey," she said spontaneously. Her voice was smooth, with just a hint of playfulness.
Selucas replied with a short: "Oh. Hey." He was dazzled by her beautiful appearance; she really looked like a merry and cheerful girl. A delight to be around with!
"I like your style," she said, eyes scanning him briefly. "It's clean. Relaxed. But sharp." Her gaze lingered on the jacket, then flicked back to his face.
Selucas rubbed the back of his neck, smiling. "Thanks. I, uh…. Just trying something new."
"Well," she said with a tilt of her head, "it's working."
What an amazing girl, she looks so nice.... and cute. Selucas thought by himself in a split second. She gave off some really good and benign vibes. She's so bright!
Three seconds later Selucas finally regained his now-in-the-present awareness, and he replied to her compliment by awkwardly saying (inclusive a chuckle): "Appreciate it."
"I haven't seen you around," she said casually. "New to Ardenburg?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "Just moved in five months ago. Everything still feels a bit.... Strange, I guess."
She smiled. "Then it's fate we ran into each other."
Eéééééh?! Selucas screeched in himself. Fa-fa-fa-... Faith?!
Selucas blinked, unsure how to answer. He laughed softly. "Maybe it is." I hope that answer sounded a bit cool. Can't lose my composure now.... This is the first time a girl spontaneously begins a small talk with me since I came here! I must not screw it up— this is a chance to build a good relationship with a local! Maybe.... Friendship is possible, who knows? That would be so nice....
"I'm Darcy, by the way," the red-haired girl said with an august smile.
"Selucas," the blond-haired boy replied blunt.
"Selucas," she repeated, as if tasting the sound of it. "Well, Selucas.... What are you doing tomorrow night?"
Eééééééh?! Selucas screeched once again in himself. He collected his scattered mind quickly together and said (trying his utmost best to not show his bewilderment): "Uh.... Nothing, really. Why?"
"There's a party," she said. ''Would you like to go there with me? You are new, so it would be a nice chance for you to get acquainted with people your age.''
Selucas nodded slowly (still being under the shock-effect of Darcy's spontaneous kindness), then he said as calm and composed as he could: "Actually, yeah. That sounds.... Good.''
Darcy gave him a satisfied smile. "Then it's settled. I'll send you the address."
She handed him her phone. Their fingers brushed as he took it, and the contact screen was already open. He typed in his number, and when she took it back, their eyes met again.
"Thanks for the invite," he said. "Seriously."
"Of course," she said, pocketing her phone. "You've got good energy. Ardenburg needs more of that."
The silence stretched again. This time it felt like standing at the edge of something, waiting for the first wave to break.
"I'll see you tomorrow then?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said, voice low but sure. "Looking forward to it."
Darcy gave him one last glance - long and soft - and walked off in the opposite direction of the store, her iced coffee swinging gently at her side. Selucas followed her pathing and could see that she walked towards a long guy with a tanned-brown face, who was looking at her— did he watch us on talking to each other? Is he, her boyfriend? Oh, no.... He looks kinda rough, almost scary.... Come on Selucas, don't be intimidated— Jake sure would not be.... Someone with swagger would not be intimidated. Someone with swagger pushes the boundaries, like accepting the invitation Darcy just gave. I can't waver and hesitate because of some rough-looking boy. I must come closer to her. She's amazing....
Selucas noticed that he was standing too long on the same place, he quickly got himself to the cash register as he had planned earlier.
The cashier scanned his items, and he paid. Then he exited the store. He was still a little dazzled by Darcy's spontaneity and kindness. Hopefully we can be friends, that would be so amazing!