41

{Warning: Very long chapter ahead. Sorry for my typos^}

Note: This is by far the hardest chapter I've written anyways enjoy ;)) wink!

Blake.

"Ahh!"

A shout filled the room when baseball hit the wall hard.

"C'mon Blake you could do better than that," Jordan laughed by my side.

I eyed the nerd in front of me, he had his back sticked to the wall, behind his glasses was his scared face.

I laughed and leaned my back on my chair. "I'm still taking it easy on him besides it's his last day of hell." I crossed my arms to see his reaction. "And tomorrow, new commoners will arrive, how exciting right?"

Jordan then handed me another baseball and I threw it up in the air and caught it.

"Right buddy?" I asked the nerd in front of me before throwing the baseball hitting his shoulder.

"Ahh!" He whimpered and held his shoulder, he was shaking as pain and fear displayed in his eyes.

"Oops sorry buddy," I laughed making the two other boys behind me laugh as well. I saw the nerd grip his fists.

I took another aim and purposely threw the ball on the wall beside his head.

The nerd didn't speak but his eyes shouted many curses at me, I laughed with amusement and threw another ball on his shoulder making him shout.

"Ahh!"

"Enough Blake, people might think you're bullying him," Jordan laughed.

I raised my brow at the nerd and laughed. "No I'm not, we're just having fun, right buddy?" I asked the Nerd who avoided my eyes. "It's our last day together, best I make the most out of it." I smiled and threw another ball that hit the wall with a hard thud.

"See, we're just having fun." I told the two boys behind me and aimed another ball at the nerds shoulder.

"Stop!" The nerd shouted and glared at me with his fists gripped as his eyes shouted curses at me.

"What did you say?" Jordan and the other boys went to him and gripped the nerd by the collar of his shirt readying to punch.

"Wait," I signaled them to stop with my hand, "Don't do that to my buddy," I stood up from my chair with a baseball on my hand, I played with it as I strode towards them.

The boys took the nerd out of their grip as I approached them.

"We're friends, and friends play fairly right?" I stopped in front of the nerd, he was shaking at my presence. A smile curled from the side of my lips. "Here," I tossed him the baseball, "I'll stand here, and you sit on my chair," I crossed my arms, "And you can hit me wherever you want."

The boys took hold of him and placed him on my seat while I positioned myself against the wall facing him with my arms crossed.

He held the ball between his hands and his whole body was shaking while looking at it.

"What are you waiting for nerd?" I raised my brow at him, "Hit me."

His hands shook as well as the ball.

I rolled my eyes and walked towards him, "You can't do it right?" I laughed.

"Because you and I both know that whether you hit me or not, you're still on the loosing side."

His fists gripped the ball as he tried to keep his anger.

"No matter what you do, you can never escape me because we," I laughed as the thought came to me,

"We are your bosses in school, and we will be your bosses in the future."

The boys laughed.

I turned back to the nerd and smiled. "That's why for commoners like you buddy." I patted his shoulder and whispered in his ear. "There's no escape."

And just like a flick off the candle, the nerd let out his rage. He threw the ball so hard on a shelf making Kile's books fall down. I laughed at him as Jordan and the boys gripped his collar readying their fists to beat him up.

"Blake."

We all turned to the door as Bellona stood there with her arms crossed. She eyed me and through her eyes I knew what to do. She then walked away.

Guess that's my que to leave.

"Alright boys," I stood up and slung my backpack over my shoulder.

"Finish up."

"Yes Boss," they replied.

I heard their punches and the nerd's shouts as I left the empty classroom. I left the school building and found Bellona waiting by my motorbike.

"What took you so long," She asked irritably.

I chuckled and held my helmet, "I just did a quick sendoff, you should've been there to watch."

"Immature," She rolled her eyes.

"Hey, every year, 2 new naïve commoners enter our campus, and each year I manage to scare one away,"

"So?" She arched a brow.

"Don't act like that, I know that among our friends, you're just as pleased as me whenever a commoner leaves. We both don't like them, and I do the dirty work while all you do is lift a brow."

"Whatever," She scoffed knowing that what I said was true.

Her car then pulled up the drive way and her driver got out and opened the door for her, "Ram's coming back later, be at the villa,"

Ram's been gone for weeks, it's a surprise that he still intends to come back. "And Kile?"

"Soccer practice, he'll meet us later," She answered while handing her bag to a maid before entering her car, the driver then closed her door and they drove off.

I wore my helmet and screech my AI greeted me,

[Hi Boss, where to?]

I didn't answer the AI and just drove out of campus.

"How are your grades Blake?" Dad asked me.

"Good," I said out of boredom,

"Keep them that way if you want to run a our business," He eyed me, "Now go do your job."

I nodded and stood up as I headed to our hotel's kitchen. The chef and the workers eyed me and nodded to me out of respect. I rolled my eyes and ignored them. I focused on washing dishes. On summer, this would be my everyday job. I hate this.

When I got to the villa, I parked my motorbike in our underground garage beside Kile and Ram's sports cars. My Mom and sisters didn't like the idea of me having a motorbike, they all insisted that I get a car but it just wasn't my thing.

"Blake!"

I stopped walking towards the villa when someone jumped me and encircled his arm over my neck. I removed his arm and gave Ram a light punch on jaw making him laugh.

"C'mon is that how you great your long lost friend?" He pouted.

"Idiot," I pushed his face away making him laugh again.

"Ok, I'll take that as an I missed you in Blake language."

I sighed and dragged him with me inside the villa because if I let him talk then maybe we'd never get inside.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm back!" Ram stormed through the front doors almost making one of our maids jump from surprise.

"Your highness," All the maids in the house bowed at him,

Ram nodded at them, "Good for the maids, it looks like they've missed me more than my friends," He whispered.

I chuckled.

"Change these into tulips," Bellona was ordering a maid when she spotted us.

"Hi Madame," Ram smiled at her, "I'm back,"

"Oh, you're here," Bellona said when she spotted Ram.

"I missed you too Bella," He laughed and threw himself to the couch feeling at home.

"Where've you been?" Ram turned to me. "Dishwashing?"

"You're lucky Nile beat you to the throne in 5 minutes, now all you do is have fun."

"I sure am." Ram laughed truthfully enjoying his fortune of escaping the responsibilities, title, and weight of the crown.

"You two have to grow up," Bellona rolled her eyes and sat on another seat across us.

"Why so serious Madame? Ain't Kile treating you right? Don't worry I'm still available," He winked at Bellona jokingly. I laughed at Bellona's expression, she was restraining herself from throwing a pillow at Ram's face.

She scoffed, "Don't bring me into your relationship, you two look good together," She pointed at us.

"I know right, I'm just so pretty Blakey can't resist me ehee," Ram batted his eyelashes at me and pretended to tuck some invisible hair behind his ear.

I smiled at him, "Do you have a death wish?"

"Ouch let's break up!" Ram acted dramatic,

"Oh you're so pretty, I can't even punch you,"

Ram and I laughed and how stupid we sounded.

"Alright alright enough!" Bellona scolded . "You two are gonna make me throw up," She rolled her eyes and walked away.

"What's her problem?" I leaned over to Ram so that Bellona wouldn't hear us.

"I don't know, probably moon day," He shrugged. I swatted his head and he laughed. "Probably because her fiance ain't here, by the way, where is that knucklehead?!" Ram looked around.

Suddenly the door from behind us opened again.

"Kile!" Ram cheered and ran to him pulling him into a hug, Kile seemed taken aback but he patted Ram's back, "Welcome back,"

"Kile, you're the only one who missed me," Ram started his drama which we were all used to.

"What gate did you enter in?" Kile asked Ram while we were playing billiards in the man cave.

"I slipped through one of the cracks in the wall," Ram laughed, "So what happened while I was gone?"

"Nothing much," Kile got a ball into one of the holes.

"What about you Blake?" Ram asked,

"He gave his buddy a sendoff," Bellona answered for me, she was sitting on her couch while reading a book.

"Aww we lost another one," Ram sighed making me chuckle.

They all knew how consistent I was with driving commoners away from campus. Because for me, they didn't belong here.

Suddenly the door of the mancave burst open and Diana entered excitedly looking around the room. "Who's back?"

"I am!" Ram pointed to himself and smiled, "Nice to see you too Cousin."

"Wait it's you?" She sighed disappointedly and sat down on the floor where she was standing looking depressed.

Ram's mother was a former British Princess making her the sister of the British King, making these two cousins yet they didn't look anything alike. Aside from Ram's southern London accent that he uses only when he's comfortable no would know that they were related.

"What's wrong with you?" Ram raised his brow at her. "Aren't you glad to see me?"

"It's been two weeks and Aiden hasn't come back yet!" She whined.

I laughed while I aimed my cue stick at the ball.

"You mean Dawson?" I asked.

She nodded and sighed.

"Move on, I'm sure you don't stand a chance." I told her the truth since someone had to break it up to her.

She gasped with disbelief.

"Blake! That was harsh!" Ram exclaimed.

"I'm being honest," I stepped away from the billiard table since it was Kile's turn.

"Kile, do you agree with him?" Ram looked at Kile who seemed like he was calculating the distance of his cue stick to the ball. "Blake has a point."

I laughed and Kile and I high fived while Ram looked depressed,

Diana just sat there. "Do you guys know when the new pair of commoners will arrive?" She suddenly asked.

"Not sure," Kile eyed me and shrugged. I laughed and hit my ball on the hole.

"I do," Ram answered Diana's question.

Bellona turned to him and raised her brow. "You do?"

"Yeah," Ram nodded. "I ran into one a while ago," He said casually.

"Girl or boy?" Diana leaned closer to Ram for an answer.

Ram eyed me teasingly, "Girl."

Diana gasped. "Blake will she be the new target?"

"Probably, if you know Blakey boy, then you'd know he'd bully you no matter what gender you are." Ram laughed. "Right Blakey?"

I didn't answer him and just focused on the ball. Whoever my target would be, it wouldn't really matter, if I want that person gone, then I'm going to make that person leave.

"What?" I just got to the parking lot and I answered the call the minute I took off my helmet.

"Where are you? The bell's about to ring," Kile said through the other line.

"I'm at the parking,"

"Well then get over here before Bellona makes me drag you instead,"

I hoped off my bike and started to approach the school building.

Like always, I drew attention wherever I went. The second I entered the building, students stared at me as if it was the first time they've seen me.

I opened my phone and smiled when I saw Jordan's message.

From: Jordan

Your buddy's long gone.

As soon as I entered I spotted Kile leaning on a corridor wall waiting for me, He had his eyes glued to a book, studying this early. I laughed when I saw girls eyeing him from afar. None of them could approach him since he was so cold and serious and his aura made him untouchable or they're probably too afraid of Bellona. I mean who isn't.

"Hey," I called him.

"Hey," He looked up from his book and threw the book to me which I caught. "We got an exam, best you review,"

"Pfft," I rolled my eyes, "I don't need this, I never review," I eyed the book.

"Bro! sorry I'm late," Ram suddenly appeared beside me, he held onto my shoulder trying to catch his breath. "What are we waiting for? Lets go!" He wrapped his arm on my shoulder and the other on Kile's while sort of dragging us deeper into school.

Among the three of us Kile's always been literally prince charming, the school's cold sweetheart, I was the untouchable, people feared to be on my bad side yet girls still got attracted to me yet I don't have any interest in them. Ram on the other hand was the carefree one, He was living the carefree life, and acts like a playboy superman.

"Bro, check out the chiks," Ram whispered to us when we passed by some elite girls from a different year level.

Kile shook his head making Ram laugh. "Sorry don't tell Bella about this she'd throw a flower vase at me." He sounded scared but then asked me again.

I shook my head as well , "Not interested."

More girls lined up to stare at us. Ever since we were young our trio including Bellona radiated power and I was proud of that. We weren't normal people. We all held titles that emitted power itself.

I kept my eyes straight ignoring all the annoying girls. I wasn't interested in dating or whatsoever. Kile's engaged, Ram doesn't have a ring but he engages himself with a new girl every other day. I wasn't like them, I didn't want anything to do with those kinds of things. Their all but a waste of time.

"Omg! Ram's back!"

"Oh shit really?!"

"Gosh it's the three Kings."

Girls started murmuring around us as we passed by. We got even more attention because of Ram, the idiot's been gone for over a month no wonder everyone missed him.

"Girls missed you," I told Ram

While Kile wasn't looking I tossed the history book to Ram,

"W-what's this for?" He looked confused. "Just read it or pretend to read it," I answered.

Most of the girls started to run as we passed by to get a glimpse of us, since they do this almost every day, I've gotten used to it that's why I ignore them.

"B-blake..."

I stared down at Lucy who approached me.

She took out a sandwich and handed it to me, "I-I made you a sandwich."

"No thanks Luce," I patted her shoulder and continued walking.

I heard girls whisper about Lucy but I didn't care. None of them could look me in the eye out of fear or intimidation but still they hold utmost adoration for me.

As we headed deeper into school, more students stopped to watch us, I kept my eyes straight yet something caught my eye. An unfamiliar blonde girl eyed me with a judging look. She was short but I didn't pay attention to her other features since there wasn't anything special about it. She wasn't ugly, yet she wasn't pretty either. The only thing that made me glance at her was her judging hazel eyes. Unlike the other girls, she wasn't staring at my face but at my silver name plate. The symbolization of my elite status.

I frowned, I didn't like the way she looked at me, no one looks at me that way. No one. I wondered if she was another one of the invisible students here at campus or was she new? I had to ask Ram, he knows almost everyone since he's Mister Friendship.

We headed to first period, today's the only day where we three can be together, tomorrow Kile and I would move to our section, the 3rd section and Ram would be in the 2nd section.

I sat on my seat and rested my head on my desk trying to sleep. Ram started making paper airplanes and Kile was discussing something to the student council members in the room.

"Good morning students, elites, and royals," Our lecturer entered the room.

I tilted my head to see what was going on.

The lecturer smiled. "For this year's new student, let me introduce to you, Ned Hamilton, a bronze."

Instead of the welcoming atmosphere, I felt all my classmates eyes on me, I tilted my head to take a look at the new student, short, glasses, naïve. I laughed and sat up straight.

"Blake," Kile gave me a warning sign.

"Nothing new here your highness." I chuckled and patted him on the shoulder, "Nothing new."

_________

"Please don't!" My new target shouted as he kneeled before me.

I hid my smile as I rubbed my designer shoes on his vest that didn't suit him. Eres' uniform never suits a bronze. Never.

I continued showing the bronze boy what Eres Academy was really like, I took a juice bottle that lay on the floor and poured it's juice on top of the bronze. I saw his expression. Just like my last target and all my other targets, he feared me, the other students watching feared me as well. No one had the power to stand up to me. I just had to send out the message to this newcomer. That in this school, no one can save him.

"Stop it!"

Or so I thought.

I frowned when I heard a voice. I looked straight and infront of me was the small blonde girl, she was the one from a while ago at the corridor. Only now did I get a closer look at her, I eyed her nameplate. She was a bronze. A commoner.

Did she just stood up to me? Wow she has some nerve. I raised my brow at her, "What did you say?"

She held her chin higher, amidst her small height she had the confidence to step closer to me.

"I said stop it," She repeated in a clearer tone. Everyone started murmuring, she might think that they were rooting for her, I hid my smile. She has no idea who she's standing up to.

"Who on earth do you think you are?" I let out a chuckle at how naïve these commoners can be, "To stand up to me."

To my surprise she had an answer to everything.

"A human being like everyone else, including him," She pointed to my bronze buddy who was on the floor shaking, "Unlike you, you're a monster."

I was taken aback. Wow this girl. I underestimated this little blondie. For the first time in so long. Someone was getting on my nerves.

"What if I don't want to stop?" Anger build up inside me. No one stands up to me. Not even this small blonde bronze student.

"Then you're immature."

That was the last straw. She didn't know who she was messing with. I walked closer to her and it bothered me that she didn't flinch at all.

"I can't stop, because I've already chosen him to be my target and there's nothing anyone else can do about it, including you."

I walked back to the bronze boy and poured the food he brought from the cafeteria on his head, I watched her reaction as she watched in horror. " This is what happens when someone interrupts my playtime with my puppy."

"Then choose another target!" She broke into a shout.

Wow this one's a fighter. I crossed my arms. "What are you proposing then?"

I watched as her brows furrowed, a trickle of sweat rolled down her forehead, and her confidence, the fighting spirit she had a while ago faded out bit by bit until horror was displayed on her face. This is more like it.

"I'm proposing for you to make me your target." She sounded so formal yet she had no idea with what she just asked for. It shocked me, she's the first to ever ask me to bully her. All my years doing this scheme she's the first to volunteer. I didn't know if I should be amused or worried. She was different, I can see it in her eyes. She was small but she was a fighter.

A smile curled on the side of my lips. But so am I, And she's digging her own grave.

"Paige Bennet, That's her name." Ram said while we were playing golf in one of campus' golf clubs. "She's the one who I met yesterday at the wall, she's actually kind of nice I think."

"So?" I gave him a serious look. "I don't care whoever she is or whatever her character is, all I know is that I've found a new puppy."

"You're so mean Blake," Ram shook his head.

"I always been Ram," I swung my golf club making my ball go soaring through the field.

And just as if fate was in my favor, the blonde girl was in section 3 as well as Kile and me.

"Come here puppy," I made a gesture for her to come sit in front of me, I saw the anxiousness on her face yet she covered it up quickly with pride.

She had the nerve to just stand there stopping herself from following my orders yet the teacher got the best of her and she was left with no choice. While the teacher discussed, I leaned closer a whispered. "How are we doing puppy?"

"Shut up," She glared at me.

She really wanted to live up to that attitude of hers. Well I'll show her who's the boss here. While she was listening to the discussion an idea popped into my mind when I spotted a pair of scissors lying on the floor. I don't think anyone owned it so I just picked it up and snipped away a length of her blonde hair.

She started boiling up like a tomato and she was back to her shouts. I was enjoying seeing her in rage until I felt her small yet strong fist hit my lips, and the next thing I knew, I tasted blood.

What the hell?! I wiped the blood off my lip. Anger boiled inside of me. Who the hell does she think she is?!

The others started murmuring and as my anger boiled, the color from her face drained as she realized what she has done.

"Shut it!" I yelled to stop the murmurs. Who is she?! To have the guts to actually touch me!? This thing that she's playing, I've never scene anything like it. It's the hating game.

As time went on, I've started to look for her in the crowd. My day wouldn't be complete without seeing the horror in her face. She needed a lesson, and I'm going to teach it to her.

"Ouch!" She squinted when I tripped her in the hallway.

"That's for my lips," I then stomped on her tiny foot making her fall back in place.

Seeing the pain in her eyes satisfied me. Seeing her miserable made my day.

"She's always with Dawson," I eyed her walking through the hallways with Aiden Dawson, a silver just as myself.

"I guess their close," Kile said looking at them as well.

I couldn't bully her with Dawson in the way, when he leaves, I'll get her. We continued walking out of the school for our designated sports teams. I headed to the football field.

"Captain!" One of my teammates called and tossed the ball to me. I ran through the field getting a touch down making our half of the team win.

It was a success but I felt bored, I took off my guardian cap revealing my sweaty face, and just like my eyes were a telescope, I immediately spotted my puppy. There she was near the bleachers with her friends, I felt alive instantly, our eyes locked. Those hazel eyes, which I hated, yet they were so innocent.

Without me thinking I aimed hard and tossed my ball into the air aiming at her. I had a smirk on my face as the ball zoomed towards her, but her hazel eyes stayed locked on mine as pain filled her eyes when the ball hit her, it got to her head making her collapse. For an unexplainable reason my heart collapsed as well.

I turned around and faced my teammates ready to walk away.

"Shit!" I cursed when I found myself running towards her. She sat on the ground while starring at the blood in her hands not knowing that blood was flowing from her head. I had my arms wrapped around her right before she blacked out.

She was light so I got to easily carry her and rush her to the clinic. Her friends were shouting about this and that but I couldn't hear them. I just focused on getting her to the clinic. While I carried her, I kept asking myself what was I doing?!

But that was the problem. I really don't know.

A feeling came to me as I saw her bleed. I was mad about what I did, and I was even more mad at myself for actually feeling sorry. But I couldn't help it.

I kept walking back and forth through the school hallway trying to put my mind to peace.

Her slap on my face was hard, "You can't get rid of me that easily."

I wanted to push her away, yet I stayed speechless.

She kept taking steps towards me till my back hit the cold wall.

I flinched when she stomped on my foot. But surprisingly, I didn't do anything to her even if I could, I wanted to feel the pain.

And I regretted it that same night. Who the hell is she?! Why couldn't I just fight back?! All those questions screamed in my head.

"Guilty eh?" Ram sipped on his juice box while feeding his dog. "I'm surprised you actually know how that feels,"

Guilt?! "No I'm not!" I defensively said. "I never feel guilty, especially for that ugly little blondie." I rolled my eyes. "I'm not guilty, that puppy just needs to know her place." I said firmly.

"Ok ok chill!" Ram placed his hands in the air, "But why are you concerned huh?"

"I'm not!" I glared at him, "I won't bother her till the bandage on her head disappears, after that I'll torture her again."

"Whatever you say Blake," He sighed.

I saw her walk into the cafeteria, for someone small she sure knew how to keep her chin up. "Wait here," I tapped Kile's back as I stood up to approach her.

"What are you up to?" Bellona eyed me when I passed by her table. "Relax," I said to her and continued to the puppy's table.

I practiced in my head how to get her attention. Must I smile? Should I offer my hand? I frowned when I saw her look away.

"Hey!" I snapped my fingers to get her attention. She continued to ignore me. I eyed her food tray. She hasn't yet touched it, her face was full of energy yet I could see that she was a bit pale probably from the loss of blood. She needed to eat.

I reached for her tray to tell her to eat but to my surprise she flipped it towards me.

The kindness and guilt in me faded away. So this is how she wants to play it.

"What happened, Mate??" Ram laughed. I glared at the other students making them shift their attention away. I didn't miss Bellona's eye roll.

Kile handed me a towel which has done more help than Ram's laughing. "She's just like you," He told me.

I scoffed as I watched puppy and her friends walk away. She doesn't know what's coming her way. I brewed a plan to get her back, this plan of mine would make her know her place and by doing this I can prove that I don't have a single hint of concern for a commoner like her.

"H-hi Blake," Khrysie gave me her weird flirtatious smile which annoyed me all the time, still I'll use this as an advantage.

"I have a plan Khrysie," I folded my arms to let her know that I was talking about serious business. She disliked puppy almost as much as I do, and she's been such a fly around me ever since we were young. She was the best companion in my scheme.

I flinched when the puppy stomped on my foot in the hallway. I fought hard not to fight her back. I'll let her feel like she was winning, so she wouldn't suspect what was coming.

After that, I bribed Pardeep the student council Treasurer to give me the personal information of puppy since Kile was goody two shoes and Bellona would never give it out. After I got her information, I read more about her. Paige was a nice name, but I think Puppy's so much better.

There wasn't much to her, other than the fact that she was from the east coast, she was just plain ordinary, no single wealth or fame in her blood yet where did her pride and bravery come from?

I memorized her number and and texted her that night. I didn't want her to think that it was me right away so I pretended to be formal.

To: Puppy

Hello Paige.

A smile formed on the side of my lips as she sat uncomfortably in front of me as her bottom felt the wet glue on her seat. Khrysie was chuckling as well but I didn't care. When our plan ends she'll finally know her place.

"Are you happy now?!" Aicko glared at me.

I've done this before, multiple times with different people and I was always smiling while I watched my targets shiver in front of me, yet this time, my hands were shaking as I saw her expression. She shivered in her friend's arms and her eyes were tired.

I found myself tugging the bottom of my hoodie, ready to take it of, good thing her friends brought her away before I could do something I'd regret.

I stayed up all night, I couldn't sleep. I didn't know why but she kept running in my mind and I hated it.

I was used to seeing her everyday, my eyes were experts in finding her in a crowd yet today she wasn't at school.

"You seem down today," Bellona eyed me.

"Just bored," I answered but deep down I knew it was different, it wasn't boredom, something was missing. I was bothered by the fact that I kept wondering if puppy was coughing or if she caught colds? Does she suffer from asthma like I did when I was a kid?

I shook my head to loose the thoughts yet they kept coming back. I needed to find a way to stop it.

"Mr. Carlisle what are you here for?" The Dean asked when I entered her office.

"You did what?!" Ram exclaimed when he saw me mopping the library floors.

"He reported himself and asked to be suspended," Kile answered for me, even he looked taken aback by what I did.

"Why would you want to suspend yourself?" Ram was really shocked, "And you're willing to mop the floor? I mean who are you?!"

"Shut up Ram." I shushed him and made him and Kile wait for me. While they waited I thought about Ram's question. Who am I? To be honest, I don't anymore know.

"B-blake, here are your medicines," Lucy stuttered while handing me a bag full of medicines that she got from my older sister Billy. I thanked her and walked inside school leaving her there still utterly confused of why I needed that much.

"Paige is back," Ram mentioned as he sat on one of the library chairs. It was morning and I had mopping duty.

"So?" I raised my brow at him and he kept silent. I continued mopping so that I could head to the cafeteria quickly. When I finished, we strode to the cafeteria passing by our classroom. I peeked through the door and saw that the bag of medicines that I placed on her seat was gone, she's probably taken it.

We found Kile on our original seat. I sat down and sipped on my drink, my eyes instantly found Puppy, she was on a table at the far end of the room, she was smiling and radiant again yet it was quite obvious that she's just been sick.

"Blake," Khrysie  sat across me blocking my view of Puppy. I frowned and pulled out my phone for video games. I wasn't in the mood to listen to Khrysie.

"Blake please listen," Khrysie whined. "Here, I got you this," She placed a water bottle in front of me.

I rolled my eyes and placed my phone down. "Our job's done, what do you want?" I asked fully annoyed by her now.

"It's because-"

I didn't listen anymore when I saw Puppy stand up from her seat and walk towards the vending machine. Soda? Is she kidding right now?

I stood up and picked up the bottle of water Khrysie gave me. As I walked past her friend's table, I swiftly placed the water bottle near her things, good thing none of her friends noticed.

"You can't have this," I snatched the soda can away from her and finished it making her frown. She was upset but this was for her own good.

I thought that we were at peace when until she splashed water onto my face. This brat! What kind of gratitude was that?!

"I'm making you two stick together for 2 whole weeks as punishment." My brows furrowed after hearing what the dean said.

They can't do this. I hate the fact that I'm doing things I never do for her for some unexplainable reason and still I have to stick with her?! What the hell?!

"Asshole!" She hissed and pulled away from me just after I defended her in the auditorium from Khrysie and the other royals. This ungrateful brat.

As time passed by, I got more and more annoyed that I had to spend time with her. Having the puppy spend time with me and the boys didn't sit in with me. But as time passed I somehow got used to it.

"I need a shirt," She said while peeking her head from the women's bathroom.

I massaged my nape. How on earth was I going to find a shirt, we were at the square.

I had to improvise, I took off my hoodie and gave it to her, she eyed it for a few seconds but took it anyway. When she came back I almost laughed. My hoodie was oversized yet it fitted me perfectly, since she was short it looked like a dress on her.

I felt her tight hold on me as we drove on my motorbike through the campus. She was also quite hesitant to ride it, maybe she didn't like it.

"Mom," I got down my motorbike and started walking to my dorm room.

"Yes honey?" She said through the other line.

I eyed my motorbike and sighed. "I want a car,"

As days went by, I've become more and more used to seeing her beside me in the car, eating meals with her and seeing her everyday. I started to notice her interests, her likes and dislikes. One of the obvious is, she really liked food.

I watched as she and Kile also became close. He started to laugh a bit and to be more open. Is it possible that? I shook the idea and focused on the punishment.

I watched her as she tasted the soup our maids made in the villa's kitchen. I bit my cheek to stop myself from laughing when I saw some soup stained on her lip. I thought it was cute.

"You got something there," Kile said making her notice it. I got shocked when she suddenly turned to me catching me starring at her.

"Disgusting," I muttered making her turn away. I almost made myself look like a complete idiot.

I realized how she loved reading and talking about romances. I heard her talking to the phone about a romance movie that she watched which I had no interest in.

I felt like an idiot when I found myself dragging Ram who had a disguise, with me to a mall outside of campus to get a VIP movie ticket for her. I thought I'd give it as a price for the sport's tournament. I could see how much she perseveres for her sport so whether she'd win or not I'd still give it to her.

"How many tickets sir?" The lady in the ticket booth asked.

"Two," I carelessly said. Now I had to prepare for Ram's nonstop teases and laughs.

I eyed my watch as the time ticked by. I waited outside her dorm building. I waited, I called her, I texted her, but she didn't show up.

"Blake I'm sorry," She said in a soft tone.

But my anger got the best of me. I left her there and walked away not knowing where I should go.

"Bro!" Ram laughed so hard. "You just got stood up!"

"Is laughing all you ever do?" Kile asked Ram, he was on my side this time.

I ignored them both and headed inside my room. The next day she attended my game but I still ignored her.

"Blakey , you were so good out there!" My older sisters were praising me after we won our first football match.

"Hi Blake,"

I closed my eyes when I heard a familiar voice, "What is it this time?" I faced Khrysie. What on earth does she have to say especially now in front of my siblings.

"I got us VIP tickets to a romance movie," She said excitedly, "Would you come with me?"

I rolled my eyes and sighed, "Ok," I plainly said before walking away towards Ram and Kile.

I wasn't going to mope around because some girl stood me up. I needed a distraction.

Khrysie was so giddy when she entered my car.  She sat on the shotgun seat, It suddenly felt weird seeing her sitting on that seat instead of Paige. I shook my head. I needed to stop thinking about puppy. But Khrysie wasn't helping when she brought it up.

"Why do you always hang out with the commoner girl?" She asked while I drove through the high way.

"Why'd you ask?" I raised my brow at her.

"C'mon Blake, you're Blake Carlisle, one of Eres' three kings, you don't hang out with your targets."

I frowned. "And who are you to tell me what to do?" I questioned her.

"Just one of your most supportive friends," She smiled, "I'll give you a piece of advice, stop hanging out with that loser she's ruining your image."

I stopped in the red light and faced her, "You know in my eyes you just ruined yours."

She was shocked with what I said, but I didn't have any plans of taking it back.

"Blake, she's a puppy! You hate her," She yelled as if to remind me.

"Yeah well what if now I don't." I glared at her. She seemed taken aback with what I said. I sighed, what am I doing?! I'm supposed to be mad at Puppy not Khrysie.

I parked my car at the side of the road. "Sorry Khrysie but you should sit in the back."

______________

"Excuse me mister! What are you doing?!" Puppy glared at me when I took her away from the dancefloor and from that squire from Excalibur. I eyed her, she was wasted.

I made her drink water, my sister said that it helps drain the alcohol out of one's system.

"Are you trying to drown me?!" She yelled when I handed her the third glass.

I tilted my head a bit to the side to hide my amused smile. She was actually cute when she was drunk. I immediately shook the thought away when I remembered that I was actually mad at her.

We got closer and closer the more time we spend with each other. I realized that she was really good at cooking and baking. In fact it was her passion.

"Stop smiling at your food puppy," I scolded her, "It won't smile back."

I compliment her cooking for the first time and now she's smiling like a lunatic. She started eating but her eyes were still smiling. She was happy.

I watched as  she ate. Her smile reached her eyes and it looked good on her.

"What?" She asked with her mouth full,

"You look-" I stopped myself and shook my head and chuckled. "So ugly," Now that sounded like me.

"Idiot," She muttered and continued eating. Sadly she stopped smiling. Now I wonder, If I told her the truth that I found her pretty, would she still be smiling or would she kick me out of her dorm room?

I started noticing things she was passionate about and what her weaknesses are. Only I figured them all out myself.

I found myself searching for her not because I wanted to bully her but because I wanted to see her, I wanted to be around her.

"Do you like her?" I waited for Kile's answer. I couldn't help but notice his actions and his hidden smiles when she's around. As much as I found my mind and feelings complicated, I didn't want our friendship to be. I needed to know so that no misunderstanding would occur. But her consistently said no. I knew he was hiding something but how could I make him say it if I was feeling something to?

"Blake don't go to the square, it's dangerous, I made you some dinner instead," Lucy appeared in front of me once again as I walked out to the school parking lot.

"I thought you might like th-"

"You can have it Luce," I patted her head and walked away without her finishing her statement. As I approached the other end of the school grounds I was greeted by Puppy's cheerful smile.

The smile she wore must've been because of her friends, yet I memorized it since it usually  lasts for only a millisecond after she sees me. I waited for it to turn into a frown when she faced me but to my surprise. For the first time, it didn't. She was looking at me, and her smile was still there.

"What's going to happen after this week?" She asked out of the blue, "When our punishment ends."

I thought of it while looking on the road as I drove. When our punishment ends, she'd probably be excited to not have to stay with me. As few weeks ago, I'd be excited too. All I know is that whatever connection and bond we had with each other, I didn't want it to end.

"Then we'll go back to our normal lives," I said casually as I leaned my arm on the car window.

I don't want to.

"Oh, Are you going to start bullying me again?" She looked away afraid of what I'd answer.

"No." I made it sound plain for her to think it wasn't a big deal but I was firmly saying it to myself.

I won't to hurt you anymore. Never again.

"The rebels, they captured a student," It was around 3 am and I woke up to the sound of Ram, Kile, and Bellona's voice from outside my room. I rubbed my eyes and stood up to check what it was about.

"Who did they capture?" Ram asked in a hushed tone,

"Lucy White." Kile answered.

I stopped in my tracks as I processed the news. Without sparing a minute I rummaged my closet for a jacket, a cap, and my phone. I pushed Ram arms away as he tried to stop me from leaving the villa.

"We have exams tomorrow!" Ram called hoping it would be enough of a reason for me to stay but I didn't turn back. "C'mon what do I say when people goes looking for you?"

"Say that I have an emergency to attend to," I entered my car and drove off.

I didn't care about the exams tomorrow morning, all that mattered to me then and there was to find Lucy. The pang of guilt filled me as I drove. If only I payed more attention to her, if only I checked on her yet I didn't do any of that and she's missing and I didn't get to do anything to prevent it.

Day after day I didn't get to sleep, I didn't even get to look at my phone. I left campus to tell Lucy's mother what's happened to her daughter. We grew up together, even if I never acknowledged her presence since I had Kile, Ram, and Bellona. I've still have always been aware of her presence. Now that she's missing, I felt responsible.

"Blake," Her mother held on my arm as she cried. "Please help the Knights find her," She sobbed. Mom patted her back consoling her.

"I will," I gave her assurance.

Ram greeted me when I got back from the Knight's office. I was exhausted from studying where the rebels have been to. The School's administration knew what I was doing and agreed to keep it a secret. They even agreed to let me take the exams once Lucy was found making me relax knowing that I wasn't going to fail.

"I-I'm okay," Lucy stuttered. I sighed with relief that she was alive.

We finally found her and the Knights got her back from the rebels, luckily they got to drive them away.

"I'll take you to your mother, she has to see you." I held her hand and led her to my car.

She was silent, I was just glad that she didn't die. I dropped her off at her parents house, they thanked me and I went back to campus.

I threw myself to my bed finally relaxing from a week's worth of stress. I sighed as I looked up the ceiling. I haven't seen her for so long.

"We have an outing tomorrow, you joining?" Ram asked.

I shook my head and went to sleep. I needed rest and an outing was not going to give me that.

"I saw Paige and her friend's at the mall buying beach stuff, I'm sure she'll be there,"

"Shut up Ram," I threw a pillow at him making him leave my room.

"Is that a yes?" He peeked through my door.

"Yes!" I rolled my eyes and shut the door in his face, I sure didn't miss his cheers outside my door.

I counted the hours till I'd see her again. But I wasn't prepared for her anger towards me.

"I'm sorry I didn't reply, I was handling something,"

"What something would be so important that you could sacrifice your exams for it?!" Anger was evident in her eyes, "And now here you are at a beach outing," She scoffed, "Flirting with women."

I bit my lip to stifle my smile. Was she jealous? She hasn't any idea that the only reason I came was to see her.

I watched her as she ranted, she looks so cute for a small person with a lot to say. As I watched her I kept asking myself, do I like her? I lost control and leaned over to kiss her. At that moment, I knew I did.

This time I was sure about my feelings. I've never felt this way before, but one thing's for certain is that my feelings were real.

Now that I knew, I had to know something else. I confronted Kile once again and asked him. I had to know if he had the same feelings for the same girl. He was always silent, but his eyes talked, eyes could tell but I had to hear it from him.

If he could just admit what he felt like, I might still have a chance to save our friendship. But he never did, and he drifted away from us like I predicted.

I chuckled as I saw her plate, I found her love for food just as cute as she is. If this was her reaction every time she'd see good food then I'd look for any possible way to bring her good food. Her smile... it was priceless. But still I wanted to make fun of her.

"Isn't that too much?" I eyed her plate, "No wonder you're chubby."

I joked, she wasn't really chubby. In fact she's perfect just the way she is. All the flaws and bad things I called her before didn't made any sense now. I'd be happy to call my past self an idiot to actually think that way, but of course there's no way she'll know that.

"Lets ride the bike," She smiled.

I raised my brow, "You sure?" Last time I checked she didn't like motorbikes that much, if she did then I wouldn't have bought a car.

She smiled again, "I'm sure."

Wow there sure is a lot more to her. Ever since that night, riding my bike through the Eresian Evening became a thing. Our thing.

"Miss her already?" Ram joined me in the balcony and handed me a cocktail drink. I took it and sipped from as we overlooked the Egyptian dessert.

I scoffed and didn't answer his question. "What about you?" I eyed him.

He laughed avoiding the question making us even.

"I don't know why Mum still had to send us all here for our party," He scratched his head.

"Just play along with it, it's not like you royals have a choice." I took a sip on my drink again.

"Boys,"

We turned to see Ram's mother, the Queen of Egypt. I bowed making her laugh.

"So glad to see you here dearest," She kissed me on the cheek, "Cairo, you must attend to your guests," She eyed Ram.

"But Mum," Ram complained but followed. When he left The Queen turned to me.

"Thankyou for coming my sweet, it's a shame your parents couldn't come,"

"They've been really busy yet I'm sure they're grateful for the invitation."

"I'm glad to hear that, say may I ask, is anything happening to Cairo?" She asked about Ram, "Nile tells me he's been narky since yesterday,"

"I'll check on him your majesty."

"Thankyou Blake," She then left to attend to other guests. A little later the guys pulled me in with them to enjoy the night.

Days went by and our stay in Egypt went on, yet my mind still constantly wondered what was happening back at campus. I ignored the thought, only to find myself on the plane ride back to the States once I learned that the Christmas ball date has been set.

"Back so soon sir," My driver greeted me as I arrived in the airport, I hurriedly entered the car ignoring the jetlag and told my driver to take me to Campus.

It's been 2 days since the Christmas ball's announcement. And I for one knew who I wanted to go with. She wasn't my cup of tea, actually I never thought that any girl would be good enough for me, I thought too highly of myself before she came. Yet now a day felt incomplete without arguing with her or teasing her. I knew I liked her, only now I felt like I was falling for her... falling hard.

That's why I felt a sting in my chest when I saw her kissing another man in front of her dorm room. I instantly dropped the quickly scribbled note in my hand and walked away.

I tended to be stupid when I was mad, like agreeing to go with Khrysie and ignoring Puppy for the whole week.

I changed my mind to go with Khrysie at the last minute and she wasn't pleased at all.

"I feel so sorry for you mate," Ram laughed while we sat through the Christmas ball. "The first girl you've ever liked obviously doesn't like you." He teased.

I rolled my eyes as I watched her dancing with that Carter Brooks from Excalibur. They were really close huh.

"So are  you planning to ask her to dance or not?" He asked impatiently. "C'mon you gotta move, I've already danced with almost half the girls in this room and you're moping over one who probably has no idea of what she truly means to you."

"Shut up," I took a sip on my champagne.

"You're really not going to do anything?" He eyed me. "Fine, I'll move for you, since I'm such a good friend."

I didn't understand what he meant, I suddenly jolted up my seat when he approached them. I rushed to stop him but it was too late. Ram, just like the lunatic he is snatched her in a second, I got shocked when he pushed her to me. I glared at him as he mouthed the word 'Your welcome'. Such an idiot.

I turned to Puppy, she looked great in her dress making it hard for me to stay mad at her.

"Sorry," She apologized and turned around, I immediately held her wrist stopping her from leaving,

"Stay here," I pulled her back into my arms, I placed her arms on my neck and encircled mine on her small waist. She looked confused and shy at the same time.

"What's with the face?" I tried to catch her eyes and I caught a glimpse of her footwear. I smiled, why am I not surprised by this. "Nice sneakers."

She frowned and hit my chest lightly. "I hate you,"

And with that word I knew that we've made amends.

"Were here sir," My driver parked the car in front of California's public school.

I stepped out as I saw a bunch of teenagers such as myself in a different school uniform walk outside the school.

I stopped walking when I saw a familiar face, it was the nerd only now he was smiling and happy.

When he saw me horror filled his face. He let his friends go without him before facing me.

"What do you want now?" He asked trying to portray bravery in his voice yet his stuttering gave it away.

"I think I owe you an apology," I said with all the sincerity I had within. It was time for me to make things right, and I repeated the process to all those I've bullied in the past including Ned and her.

__________

"Blake fix your tie," Bellona said nudged me.

I fumbled on my tie before, Ram, Kile, Bellona, and I entered the Royal ball.

Each year Kile's family held this ball for all the socialites and royals. It happens that each year the four of us are invited.

"What are your plans for the holidays?" Ram asked while we sat in our table.

"Were going to Canada tomorrow," Kile stated.

"As usual, I'll be on the piano, entertaining all my father's guests." Bellona said in a monotone.

The party went on and the four of us took our annual Christmas photo in front of the grand Christmas tree in the palace's main entrance.

Christmas eve came, all my sisters came home to celebrate bringing back the noise of the good old days. Mom loved seeing us all together, Dad even though he maintained his strict expression, was happy that my sisters came home.

"Blake do you have a girlfriend?" My eldest sister Becca asked while we were eating dinner.

I shook my head making my sisters look disappointed.

"Why not?" Becca asked.

"Mom is he gay?" My second oldest sister Bobby pipped in making me frown.

"Hey I'm not gay!" I defended myself making them all laugh. They never took me seriously, especially now that they were together against me.

"Bobby stop making fun of your brother." Mom warned her.

"I can prove that he's not gay," Billy smiled. "He brought a girl here once."

With that everyone started showering me with questions.

"Is she pretty??"

"Who is she?"

"Are you together?"

I avoided all their questions and didn't answer any. Besides, I wasn't sure if puppy felt the same way about me. If I told them that I had feelings for her and would later get rejected, they'd tease me for the rest of my life.

I lay in bed that night and decided to chat her. A day without talking to her felt weird.

[Merry Christmas mate!] Ram greeted me on Christmas morning.

"You idiot, it's 4 in the morning," I rubbed my eyes still sleepy.

[I just landed in Cali, and guess what, I got a new car for Christmas.]

I frowned and sat up. "Why are you in the States?"

[Long story, just get ready, I'll drive by your house in 20, Ima flex my new baby and we can drive up to the east what do you say?]

And just like that, Ram and I took his new car and we rode a bullet train finding ourselves in Massachusetts.

It was a good thing I kept puppy's personal information from those days when I bullied her, I had her address saved on my phone so finding her house was easy. I just didn't expect to be greeted by a weird looking guy in her house's front door.

I watched as this guy talked nonsense. I got even surprised when Puppy showed up, I expected her to be surprised but instead she was dressed as Santa Claus.

"Here is Paige," the weird looking guy smiled. "My girlfriend."

Girlfriend?! What the fuck?!

Puppy looked so surprised to see me. Did she really have a boyfriend?

"Darling do you know him?" The weird looking guy asked. I watched as his arm held her waist pulling her closer to him.

Ouch.

Before I knew it, I lost my temper once again.

"Are you mad at me?" I couldn't look her in the eye. I felt ashamed that my anger got the best of me.

I thought she was mad but surprisingly, she wasn't. Still I wasn't happy with how I acted at the same time I wasn't sure if I even stood a chance in her heart. What if she just looks at me as a friend? What if she could never return my feelings because of how I treated her before? What if she had someone else in her heart?

I started to overthink.

"If I were you, you should just leave and not waste your last hours of Christmas with me." I said in a serious tone. "Go back and spend it with the person you like."

It hurts that that person might not be me. But I said it anyway. She wasn't a slave, she was free to choose whoever she likes. Not just because I like her means she's supposed to like me back. She's a person of her own and I'll respect whatever her decision would be. Even if it was to reject me.

"Well then, I'm not going anywhere." She smiled. "Because the person I like is right here." I froze as all of my anxiousness and overthinking were washed away when she stood on her tippy toes and kissed my cheek. By that I knew I had the best Christmas gift.

As time past I started doing things I wouldn't normally do. I started to take interest in her interests. I wanted to know her problems and help fix it, I wanted to be there for her. I stayed up many nights just to learn how to bake, I wanted her to feel happy, and I was willing enough to do anything for her.

"I hate to break this up to you mate, but you suck at baking," Ram sighed after I had another fail in tonight's baking session.

We ended up burning the midnight oil by learning to bake properly and Ram was the teacher, a bad choice to be honest but we learned a thing or two.

In the end I got to present a cake to her for Valentine's day. It wasn't as good as her cakes but it was acceptable based on Bellona's criteria.

"I love it," She smiled full of appreciation in her eyes, "Thankyou."

My heart skipped a beat, by seeing her smile, I knew that those late nights were worth it.

"I love you," She smiled at me while we were on the New year count down.

I smiled, "I love you," I dipped my head to her and kissed her forehead as the fireworks boomed.

I loved her, I knew it in my heart and she kept proving to me that she loved me to. With that I felt contented, and for a split second I was so sure that life was only going to get better.

We did lots of things together. Night time drives on my motorbike were her favorite, hanging out any time of the day under the tree overlooking the whole school was another. I wouldn't imagine something better than this. With her I was open, she listened to me as I talked about my dreams, and I watched in awe as she discovered hers.

When she was there, I forgot all about the pressure my Dad was giving me about leaving the country for an internship I just hoped I could keep everything in place.

"Do the internship, It'll make you a step closer to your dreams."

It hurt when she said it, it was as if she was ok with me gone but I didn't let my emotions get the best of me. I used that as a motivation to reach my dreams. I feared what was waiting for me in England, Dad surely had a knack of ways on how to pressure me and give me a hard time, he'd always claim that I needed to be strong if I were to run our business someday, I took that as a motivation besides, after a month's time I'd be back at campus, with her.

"You made the right choice," Dad acknowledged me when we landed in England.

I just nodded and followed him.

"Carlisle! what's taking you so long?!" My Boss scolded me,

I apologized and scrubbed the plates hurriedly. Dad was training me, he said I need to know what it felt like to work in a hotel, I needed to see all sides before I could own it.

At the end of the day, I was exhausted, I've been a dishwasher, a garbage collector, a waiter, and a housekeeper all in one day.

"He's killing me Mom," I complained to Mom on the phone.

"Sweetie, he's just training you, soon you'll reap what you sow, keep it up son." Mom's voice empowered me.

I called Paige several times but I always forgot that she was asleep already so I didn't call again. When she was the one calling I was asleep, our times didn't meet but it didn't trouble me. As long as I knew that soon this will all be over... I'll just have to cope with this.

Dad enrolled me in a business school in London so that I could still keep up with my education, I ended up having to weigh my time in studying and working different jobs at our hotel branch.

"Can you still do it?" Ram asked, He flew to London and is staying at his Uncle's place, hence the Buckingham Palace, so I visited him.

"Piece of cake," I lied and I knew Ram could see right through me. "How is she?" I asked.

"She's okay, stressed with classes in fact everyone is, you surely got lucky to get out of all of it.

He had no idea of what stress I was going through but I kept silent.

Even if Paige and I were long distanced I tried and did everything for it to work, but it was too hard, I became so busy with my studies and jobs while she was busy with studies, little by little, I felt her drifting away.

"We're attending a gala tonight, full of famous people." Dad said, "Wear something nice."

I did as he said, I wore a formal attire that Dad approved of and we went to the gala. I was bored and mostly sleepy the whole time so I just sat down on our table while Dad talked to almost everyone.

"Son, this is Gia Merrit, a model from California I'm sure you know her," Dad introduced Gia to me. I've known her since before, what's with the formality?

I just nodded to Gia and turned back to my phone. Paige still wasn't answering my texts from 2 days ago. It's like she just vanished completely which bothered me.

"How are you liking the party Blake?" Gia asked.

"It's fine I guess, just a little cramped but Ok."

"You know there's a nice garden outside, would you like to walk with me for some fresh air?"

"That's a good idea Blake," Dad piped in, leaving me no choice but to agree.

I unwillingly stood up and followed Gia into the garden. I kept eyeing my phone for Paige's reply that I didn't realize that Gia was talking.

"Blake? Did you hear what I said?"

"I'm sorry what?" I apologized.

She sighed, "What are you so anxious about?" She wondered and tried to peek at my phone, "That must be someone special."

"Yes indeed."

"Wow," She chuckled yet I sensed sarcasm, "Are you in love with that Paige girl?"

I raised my brow at her, "If yes so what?" It wasn't like any of that was part of her business.

She just nodded. "So you do fall in love," I saw the slight anger in her tone.

"Blake," She called my attention making me look away from my phone.

"Why didn't you ever consider me?" There was pain in her voice. "Maybe I haven't known you long enough for you to treat me like your three closest friends but I'm sure I've known you way longer than that commoner."

I started to realize where she was coming from, not this again. I wanted to fight back and explain but no. She deserved no explanation. She was just some naive socialite like me before I met Puppy.

I turned away getting ready to leave when I felt two hands on my face. My eyes widened when I felt Gia's lips on mine, and at that moment I could've sworn I've seen a camera flash.

The next thing I knew, Gia was on the ground after I pushed her too hard.

"What the Hell?!" I was filled with anger. "Why did you do that?!"

"B-blake," She stuttered filled with fright, "I just wanted you to know that I'm here, waiting for you."

What the hell is she talking about?! She's even worse than Khyrsie.

"Are you that stupid?! I just told you that I love someone else!" The music in the party was loud making no one nearby get to hear my shouts.

"The commoner?!" She exclaimed. "You can't be serious."

"Don't call her that!" I thundered, "She should be proud to be a commoner that be some stupid supermodel like you."

tears welled in her eyes and I wasn't even a bit sorry. "I just thought that you'd look at me in a different way after you feel a spark in our kiss."

"There's only one thing I could describe you now and it's that your pathetic." I made the last work loud so that she could hear.

I got back to our house angry. But Dad still made me work non stop and study at the same time, everything was killing me. I had a lot of bosses that were all scolding me and now this? What on earth am I to do?!

"Mom," I whispered through the phone so that Dad couldn't hear. "I want to go home."

[Baby, is that what you want?] Mom's voice of worry was heard from the other line. [I can talk to your father.]

I shook my head, "No Mom, I want to go home but I won't, I'll finish what needs to be done here."

[That's my boy.]

I kept debating with myself whether I should tell Puppy about what happened but I decided not to. She seemed so stressed when we talked and I knew she was. I didn't want this to add up, I don't want to worry her.

I started to feel uneasy when it's been almost a week and she hasn't been replying to any of my messages or any of my calls. Wasn't it exam week?

"Lucy, how is she?"

[Uhm... she attends the exams.]

"What else,"

[She looks tired as well,]

"Lucy how is she."

[She's not good.] She said through the other line.

That was all I needed to get me packing. I left my dishes and ran to our house, I picked up my things and got on a plane back to California without Dad knowing.

Gia bombarded me with messages but I didn't answer any. Paige needed me.

The first thing I did when I back to California was take a rocket train to Massachusetts.

She gasped when she saw me. She looked exhausted, stressed, and in pain.

What happened to you?

Without letting a words escape her mouth I pulled her in a hug.

I ignored Gia's messages and my Dad's calls for days. I used my time to help Puppy as much as I could. While she was sleeping I cleaned her house, I bought groceries so she wouldn't be hungry and I secretly went to the hospital where her mother was confined.

I found out that Dawson's father was paying, I did my share and handled half of the expenses without her or Dawson's family knowing. The hospital agreed to say that it was the doctor who discounted it so that none will suspect.

"How could you do this to me?!" She cried, "I trusted you!"

Just like I feared everything backfired on me.

Each hurtful word she let go of pierced me. I wanted to talk, I wanted to explain. But she never gave me the chance.

I told her that we'd talk tomorrow so that she'd calm down.

I went back home to California only to be punched hard in the face.

"What on earth is going on in you head?!" Dad was angry. Very angry. The type of angry that made me hide under the bed when I was young. I've never seen him like this before, but I knew he had a reason to be.

"I'm sorry." I whispered.

"Are you this careless in making decisions?! What is so important that you had to come back without telling me?!"

Mom and my sisters watched in horror of everything.

"You listen to me young man," Dad took a step closer to me. "As long as you're not yet graduated, I am the one in control of your life and I will make sure that you succeed, you've been given the free reign and you've abused it."

"Dad I-"

"I've decided, you'll be studying in England from now on, you don't deserve the luxuries of Eres, it's spoiled you too much and look at where it's brought you."

I wanted to explain but even he wouldn't let me talk. Why is it so hard when all I wanted was to be heard.

I kept trying to talk to her but she wouldn't talk to me at all. Soon Dad would take me to England and I might never see her again. Something needed to be done.

"I understand Mr. Carlisle, thank you for telling me what Ms. Bennet is going through," The Dean said.

"It would be unfair if you kicked her off the program for it,"

"I agree, not to worry, we will do our best to keep her with us." The Dean assured me. With that I was glad.

"I want to break up," Her words felt like a knife stabbing my chest.

I didn't want to leave her, I didn't want to go to England, I didn't want her to think of me as a cheater, I didn't want to loose myself in the process.

"I don't need you anymore, and you are nothing to me now."

Her words were so harsh that it shattered me piece by piece. Everything was so unfair. I wanted to hate her for it but I couldn't. She meant so much to me that I couldn't get mad at her. She was going through a lot more than me. Still I tried to understand.

She didn't care that I was leaving she seemed happy if I'd be gone. Tears filled my eyes. Was I that unimportant to her?

"Let me go Blake."

I'll never.

"I don't love you anymore."

Those words were what stopped it all. It all hurts so bad. How could she say that without hearing me...even once. I tried to not believe it. I needed her now. The whole world seemed against me and she was what I was holding onto, but she cut me off as well.

Because of what she said, I had no choice. I let her go.

"Lets go Blake." Dad tapped my shoulder as we entered the airport.

I watched California turn into tiny multiple lights as our plane ascended, by watching this, my promise replayed in my head.

That I'd only leave her if she didn't need me anymore.

I left her in good hands with the school and the hospital. I made sure that she won't suffer  anymore and that was enough for me to be at peace. I kept my promise.

As our plane ascended even higher leaving California hidden behind the clouds, I left my old life behind with it.

The only thing I kept with me was the knowledge...that I love her so much, all I want is for her to be happy.

Even if that happiness no longer includes me.

______________________________