Beau and the Beetle

Felix paced, restless and anxious to dispose of the incriminating evidence still in his possession. He had been mapping the surrounding area, and learning the schedules of those around him for days, looking for the ideal opportunity to finally be rid of Adrien’s things. So far, no such time had presented itself.

To complicate matters, the police were still sniffing around, and their magical enforcement unit was closing in on him. He only had a short amount of time left before they found him out.

Seized by a sudden uprise of panic, Felix took Adrien’s keys, wallet, and phone from their hiding place, and bundled them up in a brown, knit cardigan. This he shoved into a bag he then slung over his shoulder.

Drawing an air of calm assurance around himself, he strode from his room.

He was opening the front door when Gabriel emerged from his office.

‘Felix, where are you going?’

Felix’s spine snapped straight. He suppressed the urge to run, and forced himself to face Gabriel with a neutral expression. It wasn’t a habit of his to go for walks, nor was he inclined to do his own shopping. His mind scrabbled for a feasible lie, before Gabriel spoke again.

‘Be careful, and take your bodyguard. After what happened to Adrien, I don’t want you taking unnecessary risks.’

Felix nodded as Gabriel re-entered his office, then darted outside alone. He hurried down the steps, then jogged to the gate. He breathed a sigh of relief once he was beyond the grounds, then stood up straight.

Deciding one direction was as good as any, he turned right and strode onward. At the end of the block, he saw Adrien’s school on the opposite corner. Overcome by curiosity, he walked by as students streamed inside, in pairs or small groups, chattering among themselves.

By chance, he caught the eye of a girl with long, dark hair in pigtails. She smiled and waved, her eyes twinkling, with a light blush tinting her pale skin.

Felix gulped, tipping his head in polite acknowledgement, before moving on. His face felt hot, and his breath was short, his heart thumping uncomfortably. He shook his head, clearing it of the pretty girl’s smile.

He crossed another road, and rounded another building. The block beyond housed a park, occupied by too many people. If he were seen in such an unlikely place, and Adrien’s possessions located within a reasonable walking distance, it wouldn’t take long for the investigators to turn to him.

Gripped by uncertainly and mounting panic, Felix turned to a nearby dustbin, and upended his bag. Everything inside tumbled into the can, including the hideous knit cardigan still balled round Adrien’s things.

Felix then swung the bag back over his shoulder, and continued walking as he glanced surreptitiously about for witnesses. He didn’t see anyone, so he picked up the pace, and almost jogged to the next corner.

He spent the next hour wandering aimlessly around, before realising he needed something inside his obviously empty bag before he went home. Patting himself down, he made sure he had his wallet in his back pocket before entering a store at random.

He was on his way home when he passed Adrien’s school again. The bell was ringing, and students poured from the massive double doors, still gossiping loudly.

Felix paused, deciding at the last minute to wait for Adrien.

It’ll make me look good, to be seen escorting my brother home, he reasoned.

Adrien exited with a group of three others, including the pretty girl he’d encountered earlier. They laughed at something, then parted ways with a wave, and a cheery goodbye at the base of the steps. Unbidden, Felix’s eyes followed the pretty girl as she crossed the road.

A throat cleared noisily in front of him, pulling him back to his surroundings. Adrien was grinning at him, delighted and devilish in equal measure.

‘Her name is Bridgette.’

Felix coughed delicately into his fist. ‘Good for her.’

He turned resolutely around to resume walking. Adrien fell into step beside him.

‘I could introduce you,’ he offered, still grinning.

‘No thank you, I’m much too busy.’

Adrien looked dubious. ‘No one’s too busy to meet a hot girl.’

Choking on air, Felix rounded on his brother. ‘Do not speak so disrespectfully of a lady, Adrien.’

Adrien reared back, blinking at the outburst, before his knowing grin returned. ‘It just so happens that my friends and I have an economics assignment coming up. I could invite them over to study, seeing as we have such a comprehensive library. I’m sure Bridgette would love some help. She says it’s not her strongest subject, even though her family’s in business.’

‘You and your friends can study where you like. It’s no concern of mine, as long as you’re quiet.’

‘We might do that, then,’ Adrien smirked. ‘I bet Bridgette would be very grateful for your help, too.’

Felix kept walking, ignoring Adrien’s jibes. His mood was tempered by the knowledge that he’d just disposed of the evidence of his crime, as well as the guilt of nearly getting his brother killed.

However, Adrien still hadn’t put the pieces together, or he was still wilfully ignoring it. He didn’t speak of his time underground, nor did he ponder on who had left him there. Felix was left to believe he just wanted to put the experience behind him.

They met Gabriel in the foyer, who frowned at Felix for only a moment before enveloping them both in a stiff embrace. It was awkward and uncomfortable, but Adrien returned the hug with enthusiasm. Felix thought it would be churlish to not participate, so he hugged them both back with a resigned sigh

His heart absolutely did not clench.