The days were beginning to grow longer. The weather was shifting towards the warmer era of the year. It rained far more often, and winter coats were able to be swapped out for spring jackets. 

It was one of those rare spring days. The birds chirped, and the sun shone brightly in a clear blue sky. There was no sign of rain, and the ground was surprisingly dry. 

Alex and Garroth took this to their full advantage. The two sat under the large tree beside Alex's window. She clung herself onto him like her life depended on it, but Garroth didn't have much of a fight against it. In fact, he liked that she was comfortable enough to cling onto him in the fashion she had. While they may not show the most PDA, it didn't prevent them from spending time together in private. 

“Only a few more days, Garroth,” Alex says, leaning further into him. She closes her eyes, breathing in the scent of pure spring. “And you'll be an adult. What's it like being in love with a minor?” 

Garroth rolls his eyes, nudging her with his elbow. “I'm not a pedophile. Besides, I don't want to think about my birthday.” 

His tone was bitter. Alex didn't like the sound of it. Birthdays should've been a joyous occasion. Laurance was thrilled when they had his birthday earlier in the year. He said it was like a newly found freedom. 

Though, she understood some of the reason behind his bitter tone. “Is it due to college?” Alex asks. “I know your major isn't what you want. . . but at least you're not undecided.” 

She had tried to make light of the situation, but she knew it wouldn't do any good. Garroth remained upset, and this only appeared to make it worse. 

“It isn't college. Though, thank you for reminding me of that fear too,” Garroth says. He reaches for her hand, twirling her ring around on her finger. “It's my stupid future in general. I'm an heir to something I absolutely don't want. I have no interest in the family business. I don't want to turn out like my father. My parents don't even care about my opinion, so there's no point in telling them. Besides, my father wouldn't listen regardless.”

Alex's heart drops. Hse squeezes his hand, rubbing circles into his knuckles to ease his nerves. “I'm sure Zianna would be more understanding.” 

“She wouldn't be able to persuade my father, and you know that.”

Alex inches away from him, pulling her knees up to her chest. She frowns, casting a pout against her lips. 

Garroth sighs, “Princess, I didn't mean to get snappy with you. It's just. . . this isn't the life I want. There's nothing I can do to change it either. My father brought my mother into this. She's fine with it all. She likes it. I know she doesn't like how my grandmother treats her, but she likes working alongside my father. I don't want that to be you.” 

Neither one touched on the topic of marriage. Alex's mouth drops slightly agape, words failing to trail behind. Secretly, when she did think of the future, she purposely ignored that aspect. She could think of herself happily married to Garroth, but she didn't enjoy the idea of the company. She didn't want it either, even if it was through association. 

“Are we giving honest truths?” Alex asks. 

“Always.” 

“Daddy is pushing the idea of college on me. Sometimes I come home and there are newly printed out college ideas on my desk. Every single one is so expensive and. . . hard to get into. It stresses me out more because he likes that idea. He says there are scholarships I can apply for. He was content with Cadenza going to Meteli. He was fine with Laurance choosing Phoenix Drop. Garroth, I'm drowning. And I don't want to make this all about me, but I'm afraid of my future too.”

Garroth stares at his girlfriend. She felt helpless, and Garroth was aware of this. He reaches out to her but retracts his arm away. He felt like he was failing. 

“It's a nice spring day, and we're raining on it,” he says, finally breaking his own silence. 

This causes Alex to turn her head towards him. She's confused, her eyebrows furrowed together. She mouths ‘what’ to him, but it isn't auditable. 

He stands from his spot and wipes the dirt and grass from his pants. Holding a hand out, he smiles towards Alex to grab onto it. She obliges, and he pulls her to his chest. 

“Princess, I really do love you,” he says. Garroth presses a kiss against the top of her head. Somehow, he felt better now that he discussed his concerns with her. “Thank you for being my confidante. I know that no matter what happens, especially between us, I can turn to you for help.”

Alex gives him a weak smile. She buries her face into his chest, feeling the smile grow larger as time passes. The smell of his cologne was familiar, and his heartbeat was soothing. 

“I love you too. I feel like you're the only one who has truly understood how I've felt. . . And I. . . I, um, want to thank you for that. It makes a person feel not alone.” 

She tilts her head up to smile at him. A tear glistens in her eye, and Garroth reaches up in order to wipe it away. The two share a soft kiss before he holds onto her hand. 

“Let's go out,” he says. 

“Where to?”

Garroth chuckles, beginning to walk towards the driveway. The car unlocks and he opens the passenger side door for her. 

“I'm not sure. We'll just go where the wind takes us.”