Can I be honest? I hate this chapter. I've never had this problem with any of the chapters in this book until now which is why it's taken me so long to write this. I'm well aware that ninety percent of the reason is that there is NO WILL here and you have no idea how many times I've tried to rewrite this to fit him in but UGH! Anyway this chapter does introduce a number of new (important) characters along with a few important things for the over all plot as well quite a few hints as to whats to come so I hope you enjoy it.

UNEDITED

I'm in a ridiculously good mood on my way back to my room.

Despite Will's cryptic we were definitely not friends I feel unbelievably light.

"So that was fun." I say expecting Jason to give me his usual silence as a response.

"It wasn't."

I blink at his answer surprised that he actually said something for a change. He must have really not liked being the third wheel during my entire exchange with Will for him to actually speak up about it.

"I've never been faced with so much second hand embarrassment in my life." He adds curtly.

This time I'm so shocked that I stop in my tracks. I'm about to express my disbelief but then I realise what exactly Jason meant.

"What do you mean second hand embarrassment?" I shriek slightly,"I was a total boss there."

He gives me a look,"You threw a shoe at him."

"Tch, technicalities."

"And he laughed at it." Jason states.

I wave my hand,"That's perfectly normal. I mean anyone would laugh at something like that right?"

He makes a face,"Both of you are odd."

"No we're even." I state,"Because the two of us- two is even, get it?"

He gives me a look and even I have to admit that this was a pretty pathetic joke but since I'd already committed to it I'm not going to back down.

"Stop staring at me like that." I say,"My jokes are unquestionably funny I'll have you know."

"That's the first time I've seen him like that though." Jason mutters quietly almost to myself.

"Like what?" I ask.

He keeps quiet as if if he's contemplating how much he should tell me,"I've known Will for a while and... I've never ever seen him behave like that.... It was disturbing."

I nearly laugh at the choice of his words,"Disturbing?"

"I've never seen him act like that around anyone."

For some reason hearing that makes me ridiculously happy. I turn around so Jason can't see the smile plastered on my face.

"How long have you known him?" I ask keeping my voice as steady as possible.

"A while."

Jason's reply is annoyingly vague but his tone makes it clear that I wasn't getting anything more out of him. It's obvious that Jason and Will know each other for far longer and far better than I'd previously guessed.

His connection to Will is unclear but I can see that he's genuine in his motives even if Will isn't.

"So he must really like me then." I change the topic skipping ahead,"I always knew I was charming."

"Or he must really hate you." Jason says quietly.

I flinch despite myself and I find myself stopping abruptly as something tugs at the back of my mind.

"Why do you say that?"I ask softly.

Jason is quiet for a while,"It's never how it looks with him."

"How well do you know him?"

"Not well." Jason says and then adds darkly,"I doubt anyone does though."

"Do you not like him very much?" I ask.

He blinks at me surprised as if he didn't expect such a direct question,"I think it's best if you stay away from him."

"Why?" My voice comes out as strangely cold and far more hostile than I expected it to be.

Jason notices it too but he continues,"It's my job to keep you safe."

"Will is hardly a threat." I say,"He'd never actually hurt me."

I sound strangely confident in my statement even though I know how it directly contrasts with how little I know him.

No, I do know him. I'm sure of it. There is no way I didn't.

Maybe as friends or-
We were definitely not friends.

Then were we....

"Don't make the mistake of falling in love with him."

My eyes snap up at Jason. He looks at me with an expression that's clearly pity.

Falling in love?
Bahahahaha.

"Don't make the mistake of telling me what to do-" I say lightly even though my words are anything but,"-because I rarely listen to anyone but myself."

"You underestimate just how bitter the rivalry between the Kensington's and Windsors really is."

"That's because nobody tells me anything." I snap,"So please enlighten me."

"I'm not clear on the details but there are several ugly accusations and rumours flying around." Jason persists,"Besides he's got a target painted on his back."

I raise an eyebrow,"Because he's the presidents son?"

"That's one of the reasons."

"And what are the rest?"

He keeps his mouth shut and I sigh.

"I find Will Kensington interesting." I say slowly,"I've never met anyone quite like him and he intrigues me. I want to know what transpired between us the last time I was here and that's it. It's nothing more than simple curiosity."

Jason doesn't say anything so I continue.

"You ask me to trust you Jason." I say," And I suppose I kind of do but you need to give me something more to go on than just the words trust me."

"What do you want me to do?" He asks plainly,"My job is to protect you. Even if I know Will that doesn't mean I'm unaware of the threat he is."

WHAT THREAT?
He is a twenty year old boy for CRISSAKES and yet everybody here acts like he's gonna flip some switch and bring about the end of the world.

My patience is wearing thin. I've never really had too much of it to begin with and the fact that nobody is willing to give me a straight answer is starting to really piss me off.

"You call him a threat and yet you went along with his game and gave me the shoes." I state,"Why?"

He's silent.
Of course he is.

I still prefer Jason's silence to Will's effortless way of manipulating the conversation in a way that would make me run around in circles. Talking to Jason is like standing in front of a brick wall, you're well aware that there is no way to go ahead with the topic in hand and there is no use trying either.

Meanwhile with Will it's like stepping into a maze where you will be so thoroughly mislead that by time you realise you are lost you won't even be able to tell which way you'd come from.

"I need you to earn my loyalty." I say,"I'm sure I'll have to earn yours too in one way or another although I'm not too worried about that since I'm pretty damn awesome so you'll see it soon anyway but the point is that if you want me to trust you you're going to have to give me some basis. I've told you my reasons for meeting Will and now it's time for you to tell me something that will prove to me that you're on my side."

He stays silent and I continue.

"I understand you can't tell me too much about him because it would be hypocritical for you to tell me what you know about Will and expect you to keep shut about me."

Jason stares at me slightly surprised, the same expression he'd worn when I'd explained how I figured out that Will and Jason knew each other.

Like he doesn't expect me to be as smart as I am.

I've seen that look many times in my life, the kind where someone has already made an assumption to underestimate me before they've even talked to me. The kind where most people expect me to fail to meet their standards and are pleasantly shocked when they realise that I'm not what they'd thought I'd be.

I've always hated that look.

Because to get that look I've always had to fight to prove myself, to prove to them that I'm far better than the opinion they have of me just based on my looks.

In fact I've seen that particular look on everyone's face at some point in my life......

Except today morning when Will looked at me there was not a hint of surprise in his expression. He looked at me almost as if he expected nothing less from me. Almost as if I could do even better.

I smile faintly, I can do even better Goldilocks just wait and watch, I'll figure you out.

"-But you have to give me something so that I can trust you." I complete bringing myself back on the topic in hand.

"You want me to prove that I'm loyal to you." Jason states.

"Yes." I say,"You yourself said that Will isn't exactly the most sincere person in the world and your knowledge about me is one of the more explosive secrets of the Windsor family which is why I have to make sure that you're still on my side."

"If I wanted to I would have told him already."

I shrug,"Just because you haven't told him yet that doesn't mean that you won't in the future. It's a start I agree but I can't really make a judgement based only on that."

"And what exactly do you want me to do?" He asks,"Quit because you don't trust-"

I cut him off,"Jeez Jay-Jay why are you so over dramatic?"

"Please don't call me that."

"I can call you whatever you like." I huff,"I mean if you can call me Miss Windsor and make me feel like a seventy five year old spinster I think calling you Jay-Jay is quite-"

"What exactly do you want me to do?" Jason cuts me off clearly irritated and I have to hide my smirk as he continues," How do want me to prove that I'm loyal?"

That's exactly what I wanted you to ask.

"Well, I do have something in mind." I say innocently.

"What?" He looks at me apprehensively.

I don't hide my smirk this time,"I'm glad you asked."

He looks at me blankly,"I refuse to do any sexual favours."

I blink.
Then I blink again expecting him to tell me that he's simply joking.

He doesn't.

"What?" My voice comes out as high pitched and shrill,"Are you for real? Where did you get that idea from?"

He looks genuinely baffled,"Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Do you think I'm a pimp or something?" I hiss,"Of course I don't want that. And just FYI you're thoroughly mistaken if you think I'm so sad and pathetic so much so that I need anybody to do sexual favours for me. It's a sexual honour for anybody to come near the temple that is my beautiful body, you got that?"

He sighs,"So what do you want then?"

"Right now? To kill you." I say angrily,"But since I'm incredibly generous and kind hearted I'll take a heart felt apology and-"

I stop and smile,"-A phone number."
__________________

Dinner in the Windsor household is a formal affair.

Formal in the way that Tyler had appeared in a black blazer, his hair gelled to prefection and my step mother sat stiffly in a outfit that would give the queen of England a run for her money, complete with a set of pearls.

I obviously arrive fashionably late with a bad case of bed hair and sweatpants. My hair looks like straw, even more than usual because I'd coloured it yesterday and it's colour is so disturbingly close to Amelia's hair that I can't help but flinch every time I see it.

That being said even my depression over my new platinum blonde locks couldn't quell the joy which arose when I saw the look of pure horror on both mother and son's face.

In my defense, dinner in my household, A.K.A the Reynolds crib, had been a free for all couch fest with all of us fighting over the tv remote. Which is why it could be argued that I hadn't purposely dressed up or more like not dressed up just to piss off Amelia and Tyler.

But since my ignorance reaped such a great reaction I decided to just roll with it, I mean if I can't pull off the cave dwelling troll look, nobody can.

I take the seat opposite to my step mother and Tyler who sits beside her. Even I have the basic courtesy to leave the seat at the head of the table for my father who'd not yet arrived.

My step mother judges me critically, taking in every bit of my appearance, from my smudged mascara to my oversized hoodie which I'd brought from my closet at home. It was a zillion years old with about a billion holes which naturally made it the comfiest thing I owned.

"If you're auditioning for a hobo in some play Juliana you're certain to get the part." My stepmother comments as she delicately cuts into the croutons of her salad.

"Atually, I'm trying out for the part of rebellious illegitimate kid." I reply,"I've been told that I am a shoo in for the part because let's face it, I was born for the role."

I swear to god sometimes even I'm shocked by just how sassy I can be.

"Go change into something decent." She stares daggers at me,"You should know your place here. The last time you were here, you at least possessed the basic manners that set you apart from some random stray we picked up from the street."

When I'd faced my step mother previously, I'd stepped down like a coward accepting what she said blindly without a word of argument. I'm not going to make the same mistake this time though.

"Guess I forgot my manners with everything else." I state drily but I don't move from my seat. Instead I start piling up food on my plate making sure to take generous helpings of everything.

My step mother eyes the amount of food on my plate and gives me one last disapproving look before she changes the topic.

"Have you been informed about the masquerade that we will be hosting this weekend?"

"It's been mentioned." I reply.

"It's a long held Windsor tradition." My step mother informs me,"It's an extremely important event and it will be attended by important colleagues of your father."

"Okay."

"It's not just okay Juliana." She says,"You need to realise that this is far more important than the petty high school parties you've had in that unknown hovel you called a town. It's a formal event where very important people will be present. You'll be expected to meet quite a few of them because your father intends to introduce you to them."

I know this is one thing I'm not going to be able to get out of. My father had made it clear to me that bringing me to DC would raise a lot of eyebrows considering I'd been in absentia for a long time. He'd told me how the last time I was here I'd been brought during the elections and it was mainly because people had started probing into his past which is why to satiate any rumours that might have arised my father had brought me to DC where I'd been expected to play the sick daughter who'd been sent away from the busy and polluted life in the city.

I'd not been publicised much as he'd thought that overdoing my arrival would raise a lot of eyebrows and make people suspicious.

This time around his intentions are different. He doesn't want me to hide and stay under the radar. Now he wants to formally introduce me as his daughter and let the world know that Juliana Windsor exists.

He wants to hide me in plain sight.

"I'll be on my best behaviour." I say firmly to my step mother. While I'm here to find out about what happened in those months I'm also here to help my father. Once upon a time I'd held a grudge against him but after seeing my mother happily married to my step father and kicking butt as a nurse as compared to Amelia who has been reduced to little more than a plastic doll I have no doubt that my mother is happier where she is.

Besides my father had never ignored us. Regular phone calls along with all the money we could need was always provided to us. It was another thing entirely that my mother's pride didn't let her accept any of it. We'd been in pretty tight situations and I remember how my father had visited us multiple times in an effort to convince my mother to accept his help. She never did though and while I respected her greatly for it I couldn't help resent her just the slightest bit wondering about all the what if's that could have been fulfilled if we'd had the money.

None the less, even though my relationship with my father isn't particularly strong I still want to help him. There were times when I hated no one more than him because I'd been forced into a life of a shadow because of his mistake, but now looking back at it I wouldn't have traded it for anything.

The Juliana Windsor before her accident may have but the Rebecca Reynolds now was perfectly happy being who she was.

I mean I was after all the definition of perfection.

Maybe that definition wasn't in everyone's dictionary but in my dictionary I was the definition of perfection and that's all that really mattered to me.

"I've prepared a dress for you." My step mother states and then glances at my plate not so subtly,"I suppose we'll have to get it refitted. The chances of you fitting in it are slim, unlike you. "

I'm not offended by the fact that she implies that I'm fat, I'm content with how I look even if I've had to struggle with it at times. I know I'm not fat but even if I was slightly chubbier than the conventional sense of thin I didn't really care because I'd reached a place where I loved myself too much to let these things bother me.

There is nothing wrong with how you look as long as you're happy and healthy. Besides my step mother's opinion means nothing to me. It's because of people like her with their unrealistically high expectations that most girl can't accept themselves no matter how skinny or curvy they were.

So I simply give her a bright smile and grab the bowl of mashed potatoes which is nearest to me and scoop out three big spoonfuls and plump it down on my plate.

"That's okay." I say through a mouthful of mashed potatoes,"There'll just be more of me for you to love, then."

"Is this all a joke to you?" She asks putting her cutlery down with a small clink.

"It's certainly not a funny one, I assure you." I reply. Her eyes narrow dramatically but I simply continue to eat with an innocent smile plastered on my face,"Besides I don't make jokes when I know my audience doesn't have the intelligence to understand them."

Surprisingly Tyler doesn't say a word in his mothers defence. He's looking down at his plate almost as if he's trying not to laugh at the entire situation. If it had been me in his place and someone had insulted my mother in front of me, even if it was my mother who'd bern wrong I would have supported her and rained down hell on whichever idiotic cretin had dared to open their mouth against her.

Maybe Amelia and Tyler's relationship isn't as good as I'd first thought it to be. No, I'd never assumed it was good but now seeing them together now it felt like Amelia's relationship with her son was strained at best.

My stepmother raises an eyebrow,"You must have really lost your memory along with your common sense if you think that picking a fight with me is smart Juliana. Since you've forgotten let me inform you that you've tried and you've failed many times."

I'm not outwardly fazed, my face the perfect picture of calm as I continue to gaze at my stepmother confidently even though I'm shaken inside. My lack of knowledge and obvious desire to know what happened in those three months is a clear weakness of mine.

"Things are different this time, mother." The word sounds like poison in my mouth and it's delivered with enough venom to make Tyler's small smile disappear,"I don't pick fights. I start wars which I win. I'm no longer the sixteen year old you knew so I suggest you don't make the mistake of underestimating what I can do now."

There is silence at the table as my step mother regards me with narrowed eyes. She's seizing me up this time not just dismissing me like she usually does.

She would have probably said something at that moment had my father not decided to enter at that point of time.

The change in the atmosphere is instantaneous.

Tyler sits up straighter, my step mother becomes stiffer, her glare my way quickly stiffled to her usual I smell something nasty expression. I actually find myself rethinking my decision of staying in my tracksuit when I see my dad in his crisp white shirt and tie.

He doesn't even do a double take my way and is completely unbothered by my attire as he greets us. I throw a triumphant look my step mother's way.

I won.

My father takes the seat next to me and opposite Tyler instead of the one that's been left for him at the head of the table and smiles.

"Good evening everybody." He says.

I'm instantly a little more conscious because his opinion matters unlike Tyler and his mothers, but five minutes in my father manages to put me at tease by maintaining small talk with all of us while simultaneously managing to forge a forced truce amongst us all of us.

He off handedly comments how good the mashed potatoes taste and I don't miss the irritated flash that crosses Amelia's eyes.

He then proceeds to ask me if I've taken my medicine and I lie and say that I have making a mental note to have it straight after dinner.

I know my father isn't under the false impression that we are all one big happy family but he does a brilliant job of ignoring the obvious tension in the room. That is until my step mother decides to tackle the topic head on.

"I don't think it's a good idea for Juliana to attend the masquerade this weekend."

My step mother effectively cuts off whatever little conversation that was going on with her remark.

"I thought we discussed this Amelia." My father responds.

"I don't think she's ready." My step mother reasons,"Everything-"

"Juliana has grown up now." My father says lightly,"She's almost eighteen years old, I'm sure she can handle a party."

My step mother's eyes widen and she sends me a look that's odd on her, almost desperate and frustrated but the composure returns on her elegant features and she tilts her head slightly,"Very well then but I still think it's not a wise decision. It's not smart to hurry this."

"Tyler what do you think?"My father asks."Do you agree with your mother that Juliana can't handle this?"

It's a goddamn party, why do I need the entire friggin jury's approval to attend a party.

"I'm sure Juliana is capable enough. She's after all your daughter and my sister."

I nearly choke on my water at the level of sucking up that Tyler displays. He doesn't look at me as I roll my eyes. The conviction with which he speaks with has even me almost convinced that he truly believes in what he's saying.

He'd make a great politician someday.

"There you go." My father says,"But in the end it's Juliana's decision. It's up to her to judge what's best."

It's. A. Goddamn. Party.
Not the end of the world.
It wasn't even as important as comic con.

But none the less I nod,"I'd like to go. I've come here so I can officially be introduced as Juliana Windsor. Keeping me hidden any longer will be pointless to be perfectly honest."

"Are you prepared for it?" My step mother counters,"To answer the questions they ask you?"

"Yes." I nod confidently.

"Fine." She says,"How old were you when we first sent you away and why?"

"Three. My immune system is weaker than most because I was premature and I couldn't handle the polluted air of the city at that age." I reply back.

"Where did you study from?" She asks.

"I was home schooled in our country house in Vermont. I had a variety of tutors in different subjects but my favourites were always-"

"Don't overshoot Juliana." She says cutting me off,"Answer what you're asked."

"I think she'll do fine mother." Tyler speaks up,"And I'll make sure to go over all of this with her tomorrow so that she's well prepared."

I narrow my eyes. What was Tyler playing at? Was he really trying to help me?

"That's great Tyler." My father says,"I'm glad to see you take initiative again. I'll leave her in your hands then, what do you think Juliana?"

I stare at Tyler my eyebrows arched, trying to figure out his motive. Tyler meets my gaze and there is something almost fleetingly nostalgic in it but he quickly looks away and I force a smile on my face as I turn towards my father.

I nod,"I'll try my best, I hope Tyler will too."

Meaning he won't ditch me at some sort of fancy party with no previous warning and expect me to fend for myself.

"I will." Tyler says his eyes trained on me,"I don't make the same mistake twice."

Hm, so he did take my threat the other day seriously. Maybe Tyler isn't as dumb as I thought he is.

"Very well then." My father says,"It's settled then."

I have a feeling that I'm going to regret this.

_______________________

"Why should I let my daughter step foot in that goddamn house?" My mother's voice was angry.

"Because you very well know you have no choice Teresa." My father responds. I can't see either of them, they are in another room while I'm outside with my ear pressed up against the door desperately trying to hear what they are saying.

My father continues,"Juliana is fifteen how long do you expect to keep me to keep her hidden from-"

"She is my daughter."

"She is mine too." My father responds,"And they already suspect her-"

"I don't care." My mother says,"I'm not letting her get dragged into that toxic world."

"She's already a part of it." The third voice is calmer as compared to the other two, which is what I expect from my step mother. The few times I've seen her has been enough to tell me that her emotional range isn't all that wide and the detached cold voice she speaks with is simply a testimony to that. "It's either her coming with us now or her being dragged by her hair and thrown into the mud when somebody else finds out."

"She's been well hidden." My mother insists,"Nobody will find out."

"We can't take that risk." My father states,"Especially since she's the sole-"

"Spying on the grown ups are we?" I jerk away from the door nearly falling down in the process. I look up to see my step brother standing in front of me, looking at me curiously.

It's the first time I've ever seen him in person and he looks a whole lot more intimidating than in the pictures I've seen of him on the internet or on TV when he's proudly standing next to our father.

Unlike me he doesn't have to hide.

Four years older than me, Tyler Windsor is the "legitimate" Windsor heir. He isn't particularly exceptional from what I've seen on the internet and vaguely heard about him which leads me to wonder if he's anything but a cliched rich spoiled brat.

Good looking with absolutely no substance or brains and yet he's the one who gets to live by his own terms.

Unlike me he doesn't have to hide.

While he's not really done anything to me personally, seeing him standing there carefree while my fate is being discussed behind closed doors in a conversation in which I can't even participate in I can't help but resent him.

I raise an eyebrow but keep quiet. He smirks as I pick myself up from my awkward position and walk away from the door even though I'm dying to eavesdrop further. He carefully observes me and I have the sudden urge to throw back an entire list of choice words regarding how stupid that smug smile looks but I keep my mouth shut. I've never been the confrontational type, even if there were times I wished I was. I'm the type to mull over my thoughts while weighing the pros and cons before chickening out of doing anything even remotely risky.

I suppose it's something that I've aquired because of the way I've had to live always having to make sure that I stayed in the shadows and never drew any attention to myself. I was the girl who was pushed down in hallways because people didn't see her, the girl who was never present during a class photo and the girl who blended effortlessly in the background.

And Tyler Windsor is none of those things.

I've always been very good in sprinting, I love running more than anything else in the world. Even though I don't look it, there very few people who could actually run as fast as I could. When I got selected for the school track team everyone was sure I would win the upcoming meets.

Until my mother said no.

It will call too much attention to you, My mother had reasoned, we can't have anyone connecting the dots and finding out who you really are, she'd said.

I bet Tyler never had to drop out of doing something he was good at because he called too much attention to himself.

"I don't think we've formally met." He says smiling,"I'm Tyler Windsor, your brother."

Half-brother, I want to correct but instead I choose to silently observe him until his hand drops and that smile fades from his face.

"You don't say a whole lot." He says,"Don't worry I don't bite."

I do and it hurts like a bitch.

"Shouldn't you hate me?" I ask curtly. I have no interest in maintaining small talk with him.

"No." He says looking genuinely surprised,"Why should I? You're my little sister."

I blink. Could someone really be that hopelessly naive? But none the less I'm taken back by how genuine he sounds. I can't afford to be soft around him though, genuine or not.

So I simply chose to ignore him not bothering to reply to his comments. I gain nothing by playing nice with him or his mother.

"Juliana?" I glance at him despite myself and he gives me a smile that I've seen my father wear many times on television whenever he has to reassure his voters,"I really hope you do come to live with us. You won't regret it."

"How do you know that?" I narrow my eyes at him challenging him. I'm sure this is all a facade no matter how genuine he looks.

I expect him to scoff and but instead he gives me that same reassuring smile and there is something so warm about it that even I can't write it off as fake.

"Because I promise I'll protect you."

_____

I wake up groggily.

I slept pathetically last night and I'm sure I dreamt about something but I can't quite remember what.

The first few months following my accident I used to have night terrors where I used to wake up in the middle of the night screaming and crying and when I finally calmed down I couldn't for the life of me remember what I'd been dreaming about in the first place.

It got so bad that the doctor had to prescribe me a different set of pills for it all together. I'd only realised yesterday night that I'd forgotten to refill the prescription which is why I hadn't taken it.

It's pure luck that I didn't have a nightmare but I know that I shouldn't push it and refill it as soon as possible.

I take a shower and head down for breakfast. I expect Tyler to come but he doesn't. I wait till it's eleven before I finally lose my patience and make the decision to march up to his room and drag his sorry ass down.

I knock on his door but there is no answer. I knock once more before I decide screw it, and open the door.

His room is laid out in a similar manner as mine consisting of something that resembles a living room and a door that leads to what must be his bedroom. That door is locked and I impatiently knock on it.

"Tyler!" I shout,"You're supposed to meet me today you know!"

There is no answer so I knock again and yell,"TYLER WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?"

This time I can hear him swear on the other side of the door loudly followed by the rustling of sheets and footsteps. Multiple footsteps.

Oh, Its who the hell are you doing.

But it's not a question that I have to ask out loud because I'm almost ninety percent sure I know who was with Tyler.

"Just go down." Tyler says gruffly from the other side,"I'll come soon."

"Fine." I then call out,"You kids have fun! Don't do anything I won't do!"

"Fuck off Juliana." Tyler growls from the other side.

I laugh,"That's your job. Make sure you do a satisfying one but quickly if possible my patience is wearing thin."

Tyler practically growls from the other side of the door and I can almost picture just how mad he is at the fact that I'm making fun of him.

I giggle turning around only to almost crash into the coffee table on my way out but I stop myself in time and my eyes fall onto the photo frame that's lying face down on it.

I know I shouldn't but I've always been a class A nosy bitch so I pick the frame up and turn it over in my hands.

Two figures stand next to each other in front of a large ferris wheel.

The girl is relatively shorter than the chocolate haired boy next to her and she is grinning widely holding both her hands out in front of her making a peace sign on each. A black and pink polka dotted cat ear headband rests on her platinum blonde hair that is tied into a messy ponytail. Even though she's grinning there is something odd about her expression as she looks ahead at the camera like she's sharing some sort of mischievous secret with it.

The boy next to her stands rigidly, clearly far more tense than she is and he has one hand on top of the girl's head like a protective older brother. He doesn't look too happy and he's more or less glaring at the camera as if he's telling it to back the hell off.

I stare at the photo for a few seconds longer unable to believe what I was seeing because even though the girl looks younger, far happier than I ever thought she could be standing next to Tyler, she is undoubtedly me.

I set the photo down abruptly unable to look at anymore. I quickly exit his room heading downstairs almost as if I'm running away from what I saw in that picture.

Because standing next to each other we actually looked- looked normal, like we were really siblings, an overprotective older brother with his younger sister in an amusement park.

We looked like family.

What did I do to ruin that relationship so thoroughly?
Do I even want to know?

"Miss Windsor." One of the housekeepers calls out breaking me out of my reverie,"Your friends ha-"

Before she can finish a streak of white rushes past her and I'm almost tackled to the ground by a flurry of strawberry blonde hair and white faux fur.

"Jules!" The unknown girl exclaims hugging me tightly.

I stand there frozen in the embrace of a girl who smells like a mixture extremely expensive perfume and strawberry shampoo.

"Uh.. I know I'm adorable and all." I mumble spitting out her hair which had gone into my mouth,"But there h-"

"Oh my god it's true, it's true isn't it?" She says cutting me off as she pulls back and grabs me by my shoulder and starts shaking me,"You really have forgotten everything."

I try to wiggle out of her grip rather unsuccessfuly,"Well err yes. Who are you?"

She gives me a blinding smile,"I'm Rosalie, your best friend! I can't believe you forgot who I am!"

My what?

Wait.... Rosalie... Rose.

Rose Marley, she's the girl my father had mentioned.

"Rose I think you should back off she's a little overwhelmed." I look gratefully at the boy who'd entered in after her.

He's pretty good looking, of course nowhere near as Will-

UGH I've got to stop comparing everyone to Will.

This boy though looks familiar with his hazel eyes and sandy hair.....

"Hey!" I say pointing at him,"I know you!"

I instantly regret saying that out loud because it's only then that I realise where I'd seen him.

I'd met him at the party that Tyler had tricked me into going when I'd just landed. He was the one who's asked me if I was alright after I'd crashed into the waiter and more or less taken a bath in champagne.

Rosalie pouts finally letting go of me,"What you remember him and not me?"

"No, sweetheart she recently saw me at the Vanderbilt party." The boy answers before I can,"I didn't realise it was her until afterwards."

I remember how I must have looked at that point of time, scruffy and drenched in champagne so I don't really hold it against him.

In fact I would have been happy if he hadn't recognised me at all.

Ugh why do such embarrassing things happen to ME?

"She was there?" Rose asks,"Why didn't I see her?"

"I was there for a very short time." I answer,"I'd just landed and I'd come to see my mother."

Yeah it wasn't like my brother dragged me there with no previous warning.

"It's really weird." She says,"I can't believe you don't remember anything. After all you're the one who set us up. This is my boyfrie-"

She's abruptly cut off when her phone starts blaring out Sorry by Justin Beiber.

"Shit I have to take this." She says and then looks at the boy,"Keep her company I'm just coming."

She plants a quick kiss on his cheek and throws a strange look my way before hurrying out, shutting the door as her footsteps fade away.

That was weird. That quick cheek kiss was almost like she was showing off her relationship with him.

Not that I blame her. The boy is very good looking (If I knew this place was filled with such hotties I would have come way sooner) even though this boy is nowhere near Will in the looks department he's still definitely a catch.

I turn my attention back at him who is currently standing a few feet away from me regarding me with a curious expression.

He takes a step forward,"So you really don't remember anything?"

His voice sounds sceptical and I respond by shaking my head," No. I don't,I'm sorry I don't remember you or Rosalie-err Rose I mean."

He takes another step forward and I raise an eyebrow at our sudden proximity.

"Well then I should introduce myself." He says as he takes another step forward. I immediately step away only for my back to hit the wall.

I look up at him in confusion,"Wha-"

"I'm Parker Richards." He says as his hand grabs my chin and tilts it up towards him,"The love of your life."

And then he brings his lips down on mine.

I stand there frozen in shock trying to comprehend what was going on.

He's kissing me.
K-I-S-S-I-N-G me while his girlfriend is taking a call outside.

His girlfriend.

What an asshole.

He pulls away from me smirking triumphantly as if he expects me to fall down on my knees and weep at his feet while telling him that this was the best kiss I've ever had in my life.

Instead I proceed to kick him so hard in the balls that I'm pretty sure that the penguins in the Antartic heard him scream.

AUTHORS NOTE

Nylla: I've realised that I'm going to have to put Will in literally every chapter of this book because otherwise it's just no fun writing and I'll be faced with massive writers block.

Rebecca: *huffs* I'm plenty fun to write about. We don't need no Will.

Nylla:*rolls eyes* Please we both no you're just saying that because you have a huge ass crush on him but you're too stubborn to admit it.

Rebecca:*blushing* I DO NOT, besides I don't need Will instead we can-

Jason:*tries to silently sneak away*

Rebecca:*spots Jason* We can use just use Jason as the lead instead. *marches upto Jason and holds his hand* See? We look perfect together.

Jason:*highly uncomfortable and looks at Nylla* Can I leave now? Please?

Rebecca:*glares* What happened to loyalty?

*Jason look around desperately for help as Will walks in yawning. He stops for a moment looking at Jason and Rebecca holding hands. He then simply gives a bored shrug and turns around walking ahead.*

Jason:*whimpers softly* No... please don't leave, help!

Rebecca:*frees Jason from her clutches and marches upto Will to blocks his path* What kind of shitty male lead are you? First of all you simply skip coming for scenes and on top of that you don't even have the decency to be jealous.

Will: *leans forward and pinches her nose* You're cute when you're mad Butterscotch.

Rebecca:*blushing furiously and stammering as she steps away from Will* Ugh-Ugh g-get away from me y-you pervert.

Will:*smirks* You look like a tomato you know.

Nylla:*to readers while Will and Rebecca start to bicker* Honestly it's unhealthy for an author to ship two characters so much that I have to add something cute in the authors note just to get through writing an otherwise plot heavy chapter. I'm probably going to use that when WILL FINALLY APPEARS!! UGH.

Anyway thanks for all your patience I know it can't have been easy to wait so long. Don't worry updates are going to be hopefully much faster because I've finally gotten over this massive writers block.

I've also started this blog on tumblr called just-ask -juliet and I hope you can send me questions there regarding whatever really so I can feature some of them in the book when Rebecca's blog comes into play.

For any questions you guys can head over to my ask account (link is on my profile) because i tend to give a few spoilers here and there.

Don't forget to comment vote and tell me what you think. LOVE YOU GUYS, THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT :)