2 Ism Coming (1/2)

Hearing his name, Ci-ci made a move to appear on the stage from the side curtain he was hiding behind. But, before he could, he felt two small hands wrap around his.

Ci-ci turned back to find the beautiful blond woman looking up at him as though she was trying to see through something. ”Frae? Is something wrong?”

Frae didn't respond. Her cool blue eyes looked down at Ci-ci's strong hand, rubbing his scarred knuckles gently, almost as though that action should have answered his question. ”No matter what happens today. No matter what you hear. Know that I'm on your side, okay?”

Stepping forward, Frae lovingly adjusted Ci-ci's tie and straightened his black suit. After she was finished, she traced her small hand over his well trimmed beard.

Frae smiled, Ci-ci's appearance was truly easy on the eyes. Standing at 1.9 meters tall, his skin had a healthy caramel color to it and his eyes were such a light and warm brown that Frae got lost for a moment.

Ci-ci paused, taking a deep look at Frae's teary eyes. He could only sigh in his heart. 'You know me too well. But, that's only going to hurt you.'

Without a word, Ci-ci turned and walked onto the stage, steeling his heart so that he wouldn't look back.

Frae could only switch her demeanor entirely. Her eyes suddenly became eerily reminiscent of her father's, completely cold and arrogant. Any trace of emotion was gone. And maybe… it was because of this that Ci-ci wasn't willing to look back…

The crowd suddenly erupted as Ci-ci appeared. Women cheered loudly, shrieking out their love confessions. The men shouted as well. Ci-ci was a hero – someone to look up to.

This was a man of only twenty-two years of age, and yet he had accomplished so much.

Ci-ci had been tenured with Grandbell University ever since he was sixteen. And before that, he had attended at the age of fourteen.

He was a beloved lecturer, an ideal lover, and a genius inventor. The number of lives Ci-ci had touched was innumerable. But, the invention that won him this Grandbell Award in the category of Technology was head and shoulders above the rest – one that would quite literally change everything.

On West Continent, especially during its rebuild, much of the issues focused on energy, its renewability and its viability. Often, energy sources stemming from fossil fuels were much too damaging and completely unrenewable, and even renewable and clean energy sources like solar, wind, water and the like, weren't as efficient as was necessary.

However, Ci-ci flipped all of this on its head, creating a new form of energy that relied solely on the air we breathe. Ci-ci's words when he introduced his invention painted the perfect picture of his personality: ”The air is 80% nitrogen. I just thought it was about time someone found a use for it.”

Ci-ci smiled in his usual carefree manner, shaking the headmaster's hand.

Sharp blue eyes invaded Ci-ci's vision as the Headmaster took note of his daughter's position behind the curtain. Although Frae was out of the sight of the crowd, she was very much within the Headmaster's.

But, Ci-ci didn't seem too perturbed by the headmaster's small interrogation. ”Headmaster Mortlock, is something wrong?” Ci-ci said, leaning forward with a playful whisper.

The headmaster shook his head, instead taking out a box covered in a lavender colored leather. It was about six inches wide and long, while also being quite thick. ”Congratulations, Ci-ci.”

Looking down at the box, the moment suddenly felt very heavy. 'This is step one.'

Smiling, Ci-ci took the box and finished his walk to the podium before waiting patiently for Headmaster Mortlock to return to his seat.

Taking his time, Ci-ci scanned the face of each and everyone of the VIPs who sat at the front. The collection of power would have been stifling for anyone else, but all Ci-ci felt was an endless disgust he kept buried deeply within himself.

So, much like he always did, he kept an amiable smile on his face. ”Wow. I'm popular.”

A light laughter spread through as everyone seemed intent on hanging onto Ci-ci's every word.

However, no one noticed the cold light in his eyes – a cold light that had focused on one man. But, Ci-ci quickly refocused himself. The light disappearing as quickly as it appeared.

”I can say without a doubt that many of you have no idea how much this award means to me. It's an amalgamation of my hard work, my determination, but most of all, it's a testament to those who have helped me, sometimes at the expense of their own fame and prestige.” Ci-ci's words held a deep and reverberating truth to them. No one could doubt that he meant every syllable he spoke.

But, suddenly, Ci-ci laughed, his entire demeanor changing on a dime. ”How laughable.” Ci-ci took the award and tossed it into the crowd.

The world watched in shock. What had just happened?

Frozen, cold lights flashed through the eyes of the VIPs. Was this a joke? They had put a hold on everything just to be here.

However, Ci-ci's next words seemed to snap everyone out of their dream-like states. This was real. And this was happening.

”Accepting an award like this is beneath me.”