Eric adjusted his tie and slicked back his hair as he stepped through the iron gates of the crystal ballroom of Asterix University. He was nervous, sweating badly, and shivering like a pig being led to the abattoir.
He breathed in deeply as he stared at students in well-polished suits and elegant dresses, socialising, making jokes with one another. Loud pop music was being played, but the invisible boom box and the ballroom were decorated to perfection. It practically screamed luxury.
That was Asterix University for you. It was founded in the year 1868 by Mr. Damian Asterix after he was dared by his close, rich friends to build a university. He wasn't the type to shy away from one and he promptly did it with utmost perfection. Now ìt had become a breeding ground for America's ruling class. Three Supreme Court justices, thirteen presidents, and a lot of important Ceo's that were on the list. Their children are filling the attendance of the university like moths to a flame.
How did he know about the real reason why the university was founded? That was simple. It was because his name was Eric Asterix. His family owned the university. And yet he didn't feel proud about his ties to the university, why, because none of his mates knew he was an Asterix. His father had strictly forbidden him to tell anyone about it. He didn't know why. It was as if his family was embarrassed about him or something. He just wasn't sure. But Anna knew about it. He had confided in her when they started dating. But that wasn't the problem, now. The problem was how to survive here, get Anna, and try to escape without being seen and ridiculed.
The only students he could see were the rich ones. He couldn't see the..... average students anywhere. That meant they were keeping their distance and blending into the shadows to avoid being ridiculed and mocked.
'I'm beginning to think I shouldn't have come here.' He thought to himself, feeling out of place.
He took a deep breath before advancing into the crowd of students, making sure that he didn't bump into anyone. There were people he wanted to avoid at all costs, because he knew if he bumped into them, his day would not turn out to be simple and fun at all. In fact, it will be the opposite of fun.
He flinched as he caught sight of someone. Someone he wanted to avoid at all costs.
A young man of Eric's age stood down the hall, his blonde hair slicked back with ease, his well-muscled body on full display out of his spectacular suit. He was smiling and conversing with a group of college mates who seemed to be laughing at what he was saying with complete genuineness.
Mason Crest was his name. The only child of the Crest family and one of the powerful families in America. Mason's father was a powerful Ceo who was ruthless, cunning, and deeply prejudiced against the lower class. And it seemed that Mason had inherited those traits with Mastery to the highest form. He had made Eric's life a complete misery, and now he was here.
As if he knew he was being watched, Mason turned his eyes and saw Eric watching him. Eric flinched at being caught, expecting a disgusted frown or a snide remark about him to the group but what he saw made him sweat. Mason just observed him for a moment, then gave a smirk before turning back to the conversation. Eric knew that smirk. It was the smirk of somebody who had something planned. Something deliberate and brutal. He didn't want that to happen.
'I need to leave here or if not, I need to make sure he doesn't see me again and remembers.' He thought, quickly disappearing out of sight immediately. He was certain that Mason wouldn't come looking for him. It would be beneath him to even suggest or think about it, so he needed to make the most of it and find Anna.
Eric backed down slowly, looking for Anna when he bumped into someone. He was about to apologise when he saw the face. He cursed in his mind as he saw the person grunt, straightening his suit.
It was his brother and Eric knew that his night was just about to get worse.
He watched as Cliff Asterix dusted his suit and then looked at him. A smirk formed on his face. He chuckled in delight.
"Eric," He drawled out, chuckling. "Fancy seeing you here. I didn't expect you would come to this. It doesn't seem like you."
Eric didn't say a word. His face was stony as he glared at Cliff with hatred and anger.
"Whoa, easy, little brother." He spoke, noticing the look. "You'll look even more of a freak. You don't want that to happen, do you? You should be more careful."
Eric was made to walk past him, but Cliff stopped him with his hand.
"You can see I'm not done talking to you, don't you. " He spoke. "Calm yourself down."
"Get the fuck out of my sight, Cliff." Eric cursed, speaking for the first time. "I have no time for your bullshit."
"Oh, really." Cliff widened his eyes in mock surprise. "Looking for your little bitch, right?"
"It's none of your business. "
"I suppose you're right." Cliff shrugged. "Also I see Dad's handiwork hasn't left your face yet. Truly a masterpiece, I can tell you. I wish it were permanent. "
"I know it was you who stole the money." Eric spat in anger. "And yet our father blamed me instead. Again."
"Oh, is that why you left the house and took refuge in your girl's house. Real smooth of you."
"Fuck you." Eric cursed. "And my siblings. All of you. You guys are scum."
Cliff laughed like he had heard something funny, before patting his brother's shoulder and whispering in his ear. "You can only say this because we're here. I wonder if you can say it in front of Dad. I can't wait for us to go home."
Eric looked directly at him. "What makes you think I'm coming home?"
"Oh, come on. I know you very well. It's inevitable. You can't stay at Anna's house forever. We both know that."
Eric didn't say a word again. He simply shrugged off Cliff's hand and walked away into the crowd.
Cliff watched him walk away before adjusting his suit and picking up a glass of champagne from a waiter's tray and proceeding to move into the crowd. He walked for a minute before standing beside someone. The person was a man, a bit younger than Cliff, but they had the same distinct feature.
"Brother," He spoke, his voice deep. "I didn't expect to see you here too."
"Neither did I, Gerad," Cliff muttered, sopping from the glass. "And our two elder sisters, are they here?"
"No," Gerad replied. "They seem to have said that it is beneath their level to be here."
"It is beneath our level." Cliff spoke, finishing the glass and dropping it in the tray of a passing waitress. "But I came here for another reason."
Gerad smiled, already knowing why he came. "I guess you're here for the same reason as I am, right?"
"Yes, Gerad." Cliff chuckled. "Yes, you're right."