Silence

{37} Vague

{Aspen's POV}
I promised revelations and you're getting them. Get ready for a long ass chapter.
(It's worth it though lol)

My nerves are off the charts.

Caspian is sitting next to me in the large SUV, driving up to some fancy school they decided to hold the competition in. Not too long ago, he grabbed my hand and has been holding it ever since. He knows I'm nervous, it doesn't take a genius to tell, and him holding my hand has brought that sense of comfort I'm getting more used to now.

The rest of my brothers, Ash, Hudson, and Yarrow are driving in a separate vehicle, per Caspian's command. He figured it would be better without them around for a while, and I couldn't agree more. 

My hand is clammy.

I don't know how Caspian can hold it like this.

My anxiously tapping foot starts tapping faster when I notice a castle-like building coming into our view. Caspian glances over to me then ahead to what I'm looking at. He then lets out a sigh.

"You'll do fine Aspen." He says in a monotone voice.

"Okay" I respond, not really knowing what to say.

It's not long before we are puling up to the front doors of this almost gothic castle school and Caspian lets go of my hand. He exits the car and comes around to my side to open my door. I hesitantly leave the vehicle and watch as the driver leaves. 

I wish he took me with.

Caspian puts his hand on my back, guiding me up the few steps to what I now see are very big, intimidating rich people doors. The doors are opened by some dude outside in a uniform, letting Caspian and I in. 

Bustling people, Marble floors, wack statues, intimidating grand staircase, a few hallways leading who knows where. 

Potted plants, floral bouquets, a grand chandelier hanging from an incredibly high roof. 

Then I see a sign.

Contestants this way --->

And another.

<--- Spectators this way

Caspian and I have to split up, making the ever lingering nausea grow worse. 

We weave through the people towards the contestants area. We walk through a few hallways and eventually make it to a table where an older teenage girl is sitting with a few clip boards. She is wearing a navy blue uniform with her hair held back neatly in a ponytail. We make eye contact and she gives me a warm smile.

"Hello! Welcome to the Boulanger D'Or baking competition, can I get your name?" (golden baker)

"Aspen Karieo" Caspian says before I can.

"Right, Aspen." She marks a few things down before looking back up to me. "Okay so you will be competing against four other people from different schools. If you want to go down this hallway here and make a right, you'll be in the kitchen and you can get familiar with it before the competition starts in 45 minutes."

"Okay, thank you." I tell her.

"Good luck."

I look back to Caspian and he gives me a small nod which I return. I turn to the hallway and start to walk down it. The hallway has large photo frames of past winners of various sports and competitions. A few people walk past me and smile welcomingly.