It was about 3 am when Brooke hopped out of the ambulance, waiting for Rich to stumble up behind her. "Thank you guys again, ahah."

Kurt nodded, waving his hand slightly. "Anytime. Just, uh, take care of yourselves, okay? We're expecting you back in exactly 30 days."

Rich nodded slowly, crossing his arms from the chilly breeze. He was only wearing a tank top. Brooke noticed and slipped her bloody sweater off, wrapping it around Rich.

"We will, thank you." Brooke nodded, smiling one last time before watching them drive off. She turned to Rich and sighed. "We should get inside. I already called that bodyguard I knew- Dustin, I think- and told him we'd be coming. I'm sure the whole castle saw the ambulance anyway."

"I can't believe that actually happened." Rich looked down as he walked, leaning into Brooke. Brooke slid an arm over his shoulder, bringing him closer. Their feet pitter-pattered against the stone walkway.

"Ah, well, me too." Brooke looked at the sky, the dark purple being spotted with stars. "Me too."

"I swear to God, if they're still awake.." Rich chuckled, rubbing his eyes. "They wouldn't be."

Brooke didn't respond, just focused her eyes on the door. A lot had changed since they came to this kingdom. Her new best friend was Rich Goranski- she practically couldn't talk to Chloe without being mad, or, well, without blushing. She hated to admit it; Chloe was the whole reason Rich could possibly die. Her own feelings didn't matter, and probably never would.

"Brooke? You okay? You zoned out." Rich tapped her softly. Brooke shook her head, sniffing.

"Yeah, sorry. Don't worry about me." Brooke didn't even need to try and fake a smile like she always did. It was too dark for Rich to see her expression.

They arrived at the gates of the castle, being greeted by the guards awaiting any visitors. She never understood how people could work through the night. "Dustin told us you'd be coming. Plus we saw the ambulance. Everything okay?" The guard on the left spoke, making Brooke scoff.

"It isn't your business. Let us in. I'm tired." She furrowed her eyebrows, and the guard groaned softly, moving aside.

"Whatever. Go on." He gestured to the entrance, and Brooke nodded, walking inside and gripping Rich tight.

When they walked in, they were greeted by a pacing Jake and a worried Chloe.

"Where the fuck are they? They weren't kidnapped, right?" Jake said, not noticing the pair.

"That's the tenth time you've asked me th- Brooke!" Chloe smiled, running over to the two. She was about to hug her, when she noticed their bloodstained clothes and the sweater resting on Rich's arms. "Did you fucking murder someone?"

Jake was stopped in his pacing position, one leg up and prepared to step forward. He didn't say anything, just lowered his eyebrows in some sort of upset way- mad, sad, worried, scared, Rich didn't know. He didn't say anything, just paused to listen intently.

"Oh yes." Rich frowned, taking off the sweater and handing it to Brooke. "We had so much fun." His tone was dry as he stared Chloe right in the eye, making her twitch.

"Don't be a bitch." Chloe sneered. "If you weren't killing someone, where were you?"

Jake finally opened his mouth. "Yeah, where were you?"

"Hospital. Didn't see the ambulance, huh?" Brooke turned to Jake. "Just as blind as always."

Rich looked down immediately, examining his shirt. Jake gasped, clenching his hands into fists. "What do you mean, blind? I can see perfectly fine."

Brooke rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"Why were you at the hospital? Fall while dancing or something?" Chloe raised an eyebrow, fiddling with some of her hair.

"That," Rich stood on his toes to attempt and reach Chloe's height. "Is none of your fucking business."

Jake stepped up, walking to Chloe's side. "She's trying to be nice, you dick."

Suddenly Rich's angry expression changed completely and to a mix of worry and anxiety. He covered his mouth quickly and lowered to his normal height, teetering on his feet.

"Oh. Right." Jake blinked. "Your like, coughing thing. You have the flu or something?"

Rich looked down, curling his free hand into a ball. Brooke grabbed him, hugging him close to her body. "Sure." She looked towards the hallway that lead to the bathroom.

"What's with you guys?" Chloe leaned forward slightly. "Are you dating?"

Brooke's eyes went up in shock, but Rich didn't change the slightest. "No! Are you dumb?"

"Then why are you guys ALWAYS touching? You go to the freakin bathroom together!" Jake was starting to get angry.

"It's not like that, you fucking asshat." Rich looked up, uncovering his mouth for a second.

"Then what is it like?!" Chloe tilted her head to the side. "What are you guys doing? You're both always going around like bloody mary."

Brooke looked at her clothes again, eyeing Rich's as well. "Shut the fuck up, Valentine. It's none of your business."

Chloe leaned back, offended. "Excuse me? You don't speak to me like that!"

"She can speak to you however she wants!" Rich growled, pushing out of Brooke's grip.

"Shut up!" Jake grabbed his head. "You fucking idiots!"

"You shut up!" Brooke kicked his knee.

Jake squeaked, gripping his knee. "I was worrying so much. I just want to know what happened. You went to the fucking hospital and I want to freaking know why!"

Rich, suddenly reminded of the hospital, swayed on his feet and just stared at Jake, zoning out.

"I said it's none of your business, you dickhead." Brooke growled softly, making Jake shiver.

"I didn't do anything!" Jake whined, brushing a hand through his hair. "Why are you mad at me?"

Brooke laughed loudly, pulling her sweater off and throwing it at Jake. "Blind." She muttered.

Chloe, who had been silent for a while, was now fuming. "Stop saying that! We have no idea what you mean, you dimwit!" She shook her head, fanning her face. "You little bitches are hiding something, aren't you?"

"What?" Rich said, snapping back into reality. "What would we be hiding?"

"Oh, I don't know. Secret affairs?" Chloe smirked, raising her head evilly.

"Like yours with Jake? Sorry, it's just me and Rich aren't sluts like you." Brooke smiled, raising her eyebrows. Rich coughed softly, and her smug expression vanished.

Jake looked between Chloe and Brooke and gulped, then settled his eyes on Rich. He studied his clothes- covered in scarlet red. His hands were just as bloody as his shirt, which made him think. He turned to Brooke and examined her. She looked the same as Rich, but caught in her hair was a pink... petal?

"I am not having sex with Jake!" Chloe stomped her foot, making Jake snap out of his thoughts and blush. Rich swallowed something and grimaced visually.

Everyone turned to Jake, waiting for a response. He flushed and stammered, backin up a little. "I-I- She's right! We didn't! I swear! I would never have sex with her!"

Chloe looked away quickly, staring at Brooke in some sort of hurt way. "See? He would never."

Rich took in a deep breath and attempted to stand up straight again. "You guys are all over each other anyway."

"Whatever." Chloe stuck her tongue out. "You little fag."

Anyone nearby the group gasped or sprinted down the hall, not wanting to get involved. Brooke's mouth hung open, Jake raised his eyebrows in utter shock, and Rich growled.

"You fucking whore!" Rich screamed, stepping forward to attack Chloe, but was held back Brooke. "Let me freaking go! She's the reason I'm freaking awake right now!"

"Stop blaming me for your dumb flu thing!" Chloe shouted, kicking him in the stomach. This earned shouts from people all around. "There! Go cough now!"

Rich fell over, holding his stomach and coughing slightly. Nothing came out of his mouth, and he only felt blood floating inside. Jake slapped his hands over his mouth and backed away slowly, a million thoughts running through his head.

"I can't believe you!" Brooke grabbed Chloe by the collar of her shirt, raising her fist. "The actual fuck is wrong with you?!"

"Get off me, you freaking yogurt dyke!" Chloe pushed her away, and she stumbled backwards.

"What?!" Brooke hollered, making Jake shake. Rich looked up at the tension between Chloe and Brooke, and sighed. Jake leaned over and grabbed Chloe's hand.

"Stop it! Now!" Jake yelped, pulling Chloe away from Brooke and towards him. Rich coughed, blood trickling down his wrist and the side of his arm. He eyed his arm, quickly looking up at Jake and Chloe before looking back down.

"Shit.." Rich whispered, about to wipe his arm on his shirt when Jake grabbed him by the wrist, pulling him up so he could examine his hand. Rich thanked God there wasn't a petal lying there.

"Damn, dude." Jake reached with his other hand to wipe the blood. Chloe and Brooke watched closely, none of them (well, except Jake) knowing what was happening. He looked at the blood on his finger before wiping it on his shirt.

"I- uh-" Rich tried to retract his hand, but failed, because Jake tightened his grip.

Jake looked up, staring Rich in the eyes. "Are you okay?"

Rich blushed, moving his mouth in the form of a million words at once, but all that came out was tears. He used his other hand to cover his mouth as he screwed his eyes shut and let out a sob. Jake sighed, pulling Rich into a hug.

"H-hey, hey, it's okay.." Jake rubbed Rich's head. Rich cried into him for a second before pushing him away and gripping his throat. "Wait, Rich, it's okay. You can talk to me."

Rich shook his head, shaking slightly and letting out a louder cry. "You'll make it.. wo-rse." He croaked, trying to gulp back flowers.

Jake bit his lip sadly and looked down. "Oh. Sorry."

Rich started breathing heavy. The fact that he wasn't coughing up the flowers was leaving them all over his throat. "Bro-Brooke.."

Brooke grabbed Chloe, shaking her head. "You're still an ass, but you're strong. Help me carry him to the bathroom. Now."

Chloe nodded, becoming slightly scared. She picked Rich up bridal style, starting to whisper soothing things in his ear.

"You. Stay here." Brooke pointed at Jake. He opened his mouth to protest, but Brooke shook her head.

Brooke, taking one last breath, sprinted off with Chloe. She was going to have Chloe leave immediately after they got to the bathroom- Rich wanted this secret kept from everyone, and it would stay that way. Jake watched them go before slowly walking to his room, shaking his head.