Chapter song:
I'd rather die by Lost Stars.
••☆••
Neacky scoffed.
" Is that why you chose not to react. " Neacky asked.
" Because you know i like him," Neacky added.
" i didn't have to react , it doesn't concern me. In fact, reacting would be a lie to you , Nathan, and myself, " Babi said .
Neacky sighed .
" i know you don't like him the way he does , but i just always thought you would maybe give him a chance," Neacky said.
" That's not happening, unfortunately." Babi smiled.
" You give yourself a shoot with him. I am rooting for you, " Babi added.
Neacky sighed
" Nathan is so focused on you to look elsewhere," Neacky said .
" i also don't want him to settle with me just because he can't get you," Neacky said .
" How are you sure?" Babi smiled.
" he wasn't that drunk that night. It wasn't the alcohol kissing you. " Babi added.
Neacky gave Babi a side eyes , both chuckling.
" Are you just trying to make me hopeful?" Neacky asked.
" No , i just know Nathan is really intentional with all he does . Trust me, " Babi smiled.
" Tsk...girl, bye," Neacky widely smiled, getting up on her feet .
" No , if you think I am lying. I dare to try and kiss him again . Then tell me what happens. " Babi smiled, watching Neacky put on her black sweatpants over the shorts.
" Are you kidding?" Neacky smiled .
" No , it's worth trying, and you know it," Babi smiled, standing up .
" Alright," Neacky smiled, carrying her back .
" Is that a yes or no?" Babi smiled as they walked out of the ballet room.
Neacky widely smiled, her eyes definitely saying yes to the challenge. Babi widely smiled to that.
*
Neacky and Babi, with their trays, a plate of food and drink, took sits, joining the rest at their table in the school dining hall .
"Where is Amir?" Babi asked .
" Everyone else was at the table apart from Amir .
" he went home early today," Matt replied .
Babi and Marieh sighed .
Neacky thoughtfully gazed over at Darnel, whose head was down to the book he was reading .
Neacky moved her eyes back to Babi .
Neacky couldn't unhear what had just been disclosed. Somehow, unable to comprehend the truth to how indifferent and distant they seem with others.
" What?" Babi asked, noticing Neacky couldn't get her off her.
Neacky smiled, looking at her tree .
" Will just a salad be enough?" Kalvin asked, staring at Neacky.
" i have no choice. " Neacky sighed.
" Madam Abigail is on my neck about watching my weight," Neacky added.
Kim raised her eyes, staring at Neacky .
" Is she preparing so something?" Kim asked .
" i don't know," Neacky said .
" she was also rude to William," Neacky added.
" she is like that , don't mind her," Kalvin said .
" i am good. I found it rather nice . Being so protective of Neacky, " William smiled.
" Why didn't you join the session with Neacky, Kim. " Celine asked.
" i wasn't informed there was a session," Kim said, sounding a bit hurt by it .
" it wasn't an actual session. Just supervised practice . You know how Madam Abigail is, " Neacky quickly replied.
" Madam Abigail has a personal interest in you," Nathan said .
" she is always monitoring and paying extra attention to you than other students," Nathan added.
" isn't obvious," Vanessa smiled.
" she is such a talent. If i were Madam Abigail, i wouldn't play with it, " Matt smiled.
"She is among the people the academy is lucky to have," Kalvin proudly said .
Kim swallowed hard, bitting the inside of her cheeks .
"Are you done, Babe?" Matt asked on Kim, standing up .
" i just don't have the appetite," Kim replied, carrying her tray .
" Will see you later," Kim slightly smiled.
Her smile immediately disappeared the second she turned walking away . Kim looked hurt and sad with something, definitely bothering her .
" Aren't you eating?" Marieh asked her eyes on Darnel
Darnel was so consumed in his book that he didn't reply .
" Darnel," Marieh tapped his arm.
" Hmm..." Darnel raised his head, staring at her .
" Wow..." They all were shocked.
" Have you not heard anything we have talked about?" Matt asked .
" Sorry," Darnel exhaled.
" Are you eating?" Marieh asked .
" No," Darnel said .
" See you tomorrow, y'all," Darnel added.
" Are you heading home?" Kalvin asked .
" Yes ." Darnel smiled, standing up , his eyes on Babi .
" Don't glare at me with those criticising eyes, Babi." Darnel smiled.
" Must you prove me?"Babi asked, making them laugh.
Darnel chuckled, making steps back, then turned walking away as well with the book in hard.
" Are leaving too?" Nathan asked Matt, who was standing up as well .
" i am going to get some snacks for Kim," Matt smiled.
" So ..." Celine exhaled deeply and hesitantly
" William and Vanessa, is any of you going to tell us what happened after you left the club?" Celine asked .
Vanessa rolled her eyes , immediately taking her leave as well .
" i guess not." Celine smacked her lips
They looked at William, hoping he would say a word, but William only glared back at them.
They sighed all, turning to their food , different conversations filling the table .
" Kalvin," William called as they all stood after eating .
Kalvin sat back down, staying at the table with William.
" You two are still here," Celine asked .
" we need a minute," William replied.
The rest continued out, leaving them .
" What?" Kalvin asked.
" If it is about Vanessa ,you should ask Celine. She knows her better," Kalvin quickly added.
" It's about Neacky," William said .
Kalvin frowned in surprise.
" What?" Kalvin snickered.
" i was talking to her earlier, and she couldn't talk about her late father . Is it a sensitive topic? " William said .
" i just thought you would know better," He added.
" mr Richard " Kalvin softly said.
" It's been four years coming to five in a month," Kalvin said .
" To many, it's long enough for Neacky and Babi to move on or shake it off. But to them , four years is nothing, " Kalvin said .
"He left such big shoes behind that no one can fill ." Kalvin added.
" it was a car accident, right?" William asked.
" Yes. It was take your child to work day . So he went with Morgan, their younger brother . " Kalvin said .
" On their way back home , they got into an accident that took his life and left Morgan physically impaired and traumatised," Kalvin added.
"That day also killed a part of Neacky and Babi . They have never been the same . " Kalvin narrated.
William sadly sighed .
"As much as Nancy is their mother , she was barely around . So Richard raised them almost alone . He was their best friend. He ....." Kalvin deeply exhaled, getting emotional by just talking about him.
" he was a father to all of us," Kalvin added after taking a minute.
" it must have been hell for Neacky and Babi," William wondered sadly .
" it was beyond hell," Kalvin said .
" Babi failed to leave her room for months. Thanks to Nathan , he managed to get her out, " Kalvin said .
" Neacky had failed to dance again, and when she did dance again, she got numb to any kinds of emotions . " Kalvin said .
"She closed that part never to open it again. She holds people and things at a distance. The only thing she treasures is ballet. What her father wanted for her, " Kalvin added.
"she is afraid of deeply loving and losing like she did with her father ." Kalvin narrated.
William sighed, leaning backwards. His heart is going out to Neacky.
" Why are you so concerned, though?" Kalvin asked .
" Just," William smiled .
" Thanks," William added.
" it's a month to his death anniversary. She might be hurting even more," William said quietly underneath his breath.
*
At the Grayson tower.
The evening was quite peaceful. The sun had set and cool wind blowing through Darnel's window to his study .
Darnel had been so dissolved in the book he was reading, not realising time had flown .
In the most comfortable spot of his library, which was the corner that was comfortably out together.
In an oval shaped stuffed chair, Darnel sat , the seat filled with cushions, the head rest, and leg extension for his feet .
And a farry carpet around the seat , with a small table aside that had the reading lamp and snacks .
Darnel would spend days and nights there just buried in books without even realising.
The library door was quietly opened , the first thing noticed is the empty seat behind the centre table . Where would you think he is not in
Nancy sighed, walking to the extreme corner of the library
" Hey ," She quietly said , tapping Darnel on the legs .
" Hey," Darnel replied ,his eyes still in the book .
" How are you feeling?" Nancy asked.
" Very good," Darnel replied .
" we didn't notice you leave this morning," Nancy said .
" Left every early," Darnel lied .
He didn't spend there , and as expected, when he used the secret passage. No one figured it out .
"Are you hungry?" she asked .
Darnel rested the open book on his chest, looking at Nancy .
" i am fine."Darnel smiled.
" Alright," Nancy smiled.
" Marieh is here," Nancy said .
Darnel sighed, very uninterested in that .
" For you, not your mother," Nancy added as he got back to his book.
" Why?" Darnel asked, surprised.
" You will have to find out. " Nancy said .
" Should i call her up here?" Nancy asked .
" No , i will meet her in the gardens," Darnel said .
" Alright," Nancy said , with that taking her leave .
Darnel rested the open book on the side table , and he stood up, walking out of library barefoot.
He got to his room, grabbed his phone and put on open shoes, then marched out to find Marieh .
" Are you trying to make Mother speed up our wedding?" Darnel immediately asked about approaching Marieh, who was seated on the garden bench, staring at the moonlight .
Marieh didn't reply, remaining in her thoughts.
Darnel sratched his head , and he sighed next to her . It was obvious she was bothered and not fine .
"I wanted someone to talk to," Marieh softly said .
" and you came here," Darnel said, surprised.
" Yes," Marieh replied.
" You are the one i felt like i wanted to talk to . Like you would understand, " She added.
" Alright , let me hear it," Darnel said . He placed on the leg on the bench floded turning to face Marieh.
" Is it about Amir?" Darnel asked .
Marieh quickly looked around anxiously if someone was hearing them
" It's safe , you can talk," Darnel said.
Marieh turned, looking up at the tower balcony.
She widely smiled, waving up to Lady Scarlet and Sir Philip, who were up at the balcony.
" Your mom and dad are up there," Marieh said .
" i guess they have been informed we are here," Darnel said, not bothering to look up to where they were .
" they can see us , but not hear us," Darnel said .
" Are you sure?" Marieh hesitantly said .
" You pussys," Darnel loudly said .
Marieh laughed, looking forward, leaning on the bench.
Marieh worriedly looked up , but there was no reaction from Darnel's parents.
The balcony they were on was so long up with a good ground distance from where they were seated.
" Did you talk to him?" Darnel asked.
" he doesn't want to talk to me," Marieh said .
" i don't know what to do," Marieh sadly said .
" Are you ready to date him?" Darnel asked .
Marieh turned, staring at Darnel .
" Are you ready to go after him as much as you say you like him?" Darnel asked.
" i am terrified," Marieh admitted.
" What if something bad is done to him after they find?" Marieh added.
" Then you don't want him," Darnel said .
" What?" Marieh asked.
" You can't get what you desire without taking the risk . There are always going to be consequences whether you go for it or not, " Darnel said .
" If you let Amir go , he might be heartbroken but will eventually get over it. Find some other nice chic to date, and his life will continue. " Darnel said .
" While you are left regretting, wondering in what ifs and wishing you had something about it for the rest your life," Darnel added.
"And if you go for him , you two will have a lovely time . For God knows how long. " Darnel said
" What if i go for him ? He ends up dying," Marieh said .
" that right but what if he doesn't. " Darnel smiled .
Marieh scoffed with a smile.
" You make it sound so easy." Marieh smiled.
" might not be the easiest, but it's not the hardest. " Darnel smiled.
" Think through what you are able to handle for the rest of your world," Darnel added.
" What would you have done . If you were me, " Marieh asked , she turned facing him.
Darnel scoffed with a wide smile .
" If i were you .. I think you already know the answer," Darnel said .
" Go for it." Marieh smiled.
" i always have," Darnel smiled.
Marieh widely smiled, staring at his face .
" with whom," Marieh asked.
Darnel chuckled, pushing his hair backwards.
"Be considered with the troubles on your plate , not mine." Darnel smiled.
Marieh chuckled lightly.
" Whoah..." Marieh deeply inhaled, floding her face to coldness brought from the blowing wind .
" A minute," Darnel said, standing up and walking back to the tower.
He came back gently, placing a soft blanket around her shoulders and then sitting again.
" Thanks." Marieh smiled , properly wrapping her in the blanket.
Marieh smiled softly, watching Darnel, whose eyes were over the flower gardens.
" Can i ask, " Marieh asked.
" Hmm." Darnel looked at her.
" Do you think our marriage will work?" Marieh asked.
" i can't help but wonder," Marieh said .
" What do you think?" Darnel asked
" At first , that possibility was far beyond my imagination. " Marieh said .
" but recently, i get to see different sides to you, and that thought isn't no longer that terrifying," She added.
Darnel slightly smiled .
" Let me escort you out. It's getting late," Darnel said .
Marieh smiled, standing up with him.
Darnel walked Marieh to the front of the house .
" Thanks." Marieh smiled.
" What are friends for?" Darnel smiled .
Marieh pulled the blanket off her shoulders, handing it to Darnel.
" Takes risks to get what you want," Darnel reminded her as soon as she sat in her car .
Marieh widely smiled , she rolled the window up and then drove off .
Darnel sighed, walking back inside the tower.
Marieh didn't drive heading home , he drove heading down in Valley town.
While on her way , it started drizzling Marieh stepping on it increasing speed.
She finally pulled over at an apartment, and I had to conplex with it, raining heavily .
Marieh opened the car door , getting out of the car despite the heavy rains staring up at an apartment door on the second floor .
In that rain, she walked ahead, climbing the stairs, reaching up to that apartment door .
She raised her hand, knocking on the door . She knocked even harder the second and third time .
The door was finally swang open .
"You....." Amir was speechless, gazing at Marieh who was drenched and coldly shivering .
" you can let me in or throw me out," Marieh softly said.
" but i also won't leave. I will wait outside till you're ready to talk to me if you choose the latter," Marieh added.
Amir speechless looked at her , he knew she met it , though he had also wanted distance from her as he thought through everything.