DECEMBER 2009. A FEW WEEKS LATER ON A COLD WINDY NIGHT.

SHAWNA'S POV:

It was past 11:30 at night it was cold and windy when I was standing nearby the window and gazing at the stars above the sky, which was looking so beautiful and mesmerizing at the same time. But something was there about the night, which was making me feel heavy-hearted. I don't know was it because of the lie that I told my family, or the doubt and fear that I have on my mind.

Yes, I lied to them that I don't remember anything, whereas I clearly remember what happened that night, how I helped Mr. Ben to escape that place, and how I got attacked. Was it not for Dekker, that I wouldn't be alive by now?

He came at the right time to save me. I have thanked him personally. I am not scared now that he would speak the truth to my Grandma, if it was the case he would have told them by now. But he chose to help me and I am thankful for that. I knew grandma and dad would never have understood my situation. How bad I wanted to know the truth and whereas I wanted them to know the truth. But it made me doubt for a second 'coz all I was doing because of just a dream!!!

Yes, a dream... That I had a few weeks ago but was not sure of. I love my mother, and I know she would never lie, But I can't deny the fact that it was just a dream, and based on that I have helped to escape a prisoner. I was a little scared that if things turned out to be wrong, dad and grandma would never forgive me again. And I don't want to hurt them, I wish all this goes how mom told me in the dream. I was in doubt at first but to the fact that from the past year I have started believing in magic and witches, so, somewhere I knew this was not a lie. All I can do now is to wait for him, to return.

I felt happy to remember how my friends came here in my needs. I am a lucky person that I got friends like them. They came when I needed them the most. They have always stayed beside me from the start. And without my knowledge, a smile appeared on my face when I remembered about "him". "He" came to see me, I may be unconscious but I could hear their voices. My heart started beating like a crazy person. SHIT!!! I mentally cursed myself and said I have to control this. I don't know what feelings I am having for him now, but I am sure this is making me weak for him. I cannot divert from my mission right now but it was not in my hand. 

Also, I don't know whether he just thinks of me off as just a friend or more right now... Maybe he just pity me as I am not like them... NO matter what my main motive should be looking for the answers I am yet to find. I don't want to involve them in this as I cannot afford to put them in danger again. I must do this alone. But I was happy that soon I will be returning to school with everyone.

A tint of blush appeared when I remember the kiss we shared. Though he was hypnotized, I could feel his love through that kiss. Ahhhh... I mentally slapped myself to shrug off the thought as I went to sleep thinking about all this. The rest of the few days went quite peaceful and fun. I spent time with dad and granny. He taught me to ride horses while granny told me many stories of these WitchLands. But they never mentioned anything about mom or dad. I was a little offended thinking dies they forgot her? Maybe they just don't want to open up the wounds... Soon a month passed and It was time for me to go back to school.

The next morning sun hit my face causing me to squeeze my eyes a little to adjust the light before putting on the blanket once again.

Dad walked inside to call me as he saw how cutely I was snuggling in the bed. He smiled as he called me in a soft tone-" Wake up my little princess, It's time to go back to school."

I replied from under the blanket whiling whining a little-" No dad!! I don't wanna go, I wanna sleep a little more."

He chuckled at my cuteness as he removed my blanket a little and kissed my cheeks while saying-" Well, My princess, your friends are downstairs already"

I shot opened my eyes as I sat on the bed with a shocking face. I exclaimed-" WHAT??? "

He chuckled at my behavior and said-" Get ready and come down dear, Your bags are already sent to the chariot "

I sat on my bed thinking, Is he here? No way!!! I rolled in the bed with my face hidden in pillows. Is he?... ahhh why am I thinking about him right now? I mean I have to get ready... That day I wasn't able to talk to him properly, but today I must. at least I have to say thanks to come all the way here. I smiled a bit and got ready quickly. I was impatient a little honestly... I have no idea what these feelings were called but I was liking every bit of it. I was coming down from my stairs whereas my eyes are searching for him, Suddenly a hand grabbed my wrist. I looked at it that way and found Dekker. I frowned at his actions and asked-" Dekker? What happened?"

He gestured me to come with him. I sighed as I looked one more time downstairs hoping to see his glance before walking away with Dekker. We came to the empty corridor as he stood facing me. I asked-" What is it, Dekker?"

He looked down and replied-" I am sorry, princess to call you this way, But it's just a reminder that does not trust anyone this time, not even your friends."

I frowned and asked him-" Why?"

He said-" I have heard how the evil witch had manipulated your friends and lured them to death last time. Do you want them to be in danger again?"

I realized what he was saying is true, I cannot put them in danger again, I have to wait till Mr. Ben come back. I nodded and agreed to his words as we left from there. I came downstairs and my lips curved into a smile while looking at the table, where my father, grandma, and my friends were having breakfast and their laughter was echoing the whole palace. I looked at them with awe. I thought this was the thing I have missed and wanted my whole life... I cannot see any sadness on their face.

I looked at Priam who was already looking at me. My heart flutters seeing his deep dark orbs. That sweet smile... and his undeniable haunting gaze that makes me weak at my knees. I was busy in my thoughts when his husky voice came to my ears-" Hi Shawna, How are you feeling today?". I came back to myself as I saw he was looking at me with a soft gaze and smile. Others looked at me as soon as they heard his voice. I smiled at everyone as I looked at him once again.

I wanted to run to him and wanted to tell him everything, about my fear and doubts but I paused when I remember Dekkers' words. I controlled myself and smiled at him before replying-" I am feeling good, especially seeing you guys here. Thank you so much for coming." I went and sat at the table.

Junnie. Brad, Jenny, and John hugged me and we sat down to have breakfast. It was a fresh good morning as we laughed at the breakfast table with lots of gossips and teases. It was finally time to leave for school now. I said goodbye to dad and granny by hugging them one last time.

We reached school by the time and we went to our respective rooms. In the whole journey, I kept thinking about the incidents and what Dekker said to me. I looked up at them who were playing and gossiping as their giggles were sounded melody for me, this time I won't let them get hurt because of me. 

PRIAM'S POV:

I was happy to see her again, I want to comfort her, I know she had been through a lot lately and I wanted to give her the warmth. But she seemed off. Was something bothering her? Should I ask her? But I don't want to hover over her too. Let's wait till she is ready to share it with me. Then I will help her by all means and will protect her from what is bothering her. We reached school and we went to our respective rooms after saying bye to each other for now.

The next morning I went to the class as usual. It was our second year. We are now seniors and few new students were seen at the campus. I know I have to prove myself worthy to the school and juniors. So that she will feel proud and worthy to take me as hers. I smiled internally as the thought of 'her' came into my mind. I walked towards them where I saw Junnie, Jenny, Brad, and John were talking as usual but she was standing silent, lost in her thoughts. No, I can not wait any longer, I must ask her...

I walked up to her and called in a low whisper-" Shawna?'

She didn't look at me and just hummed. I grabbed her hands and pulled her to a corner.

I asked-" What is it that you are hiding?"

She looked at me with her beautiful wide eyes and replied -" Hide? What are you talking about?"

I said while with a worried look-" I can see something is bothering you, so what is it? You know you can tell us anything right? If not us then me?"

I was expecting her to open up but she yelled a little at me-" What are you even talking about Priam? Stop being so clingy!!! "

I stopped where I was. Did she just yell at me and tell me clingy? But before I could speak anything else she already left from there. What was that? Does she mean it? Or it's just her frustration? Did I behave that clingy towards her? I was hurt and angry with her words and lots of confusion started building up in my mind.

I sighed in anger... as I saw her leaving from there... I wanted to ask her what makes her think that I am being clingy? Does all my effort... my career means nothing to her? I am such a fool to think she might have feelings for me too... I was thinking all that in my head when I heard someone's voice calling my name-"Priam?" I turned back to look who was it and saw Jennifer was standing there smirking at me. I took a glance at her and turned away as I don't want her to be there at this moment, as she stopped me. 

She asked while wrapping her hands on my arms-" Why are you wasting your time on her Prince?" I looked at her raising an eyebrow as she said again-" Everyone on the campus knows that she is weird and also a Mudblood. You should choose your company wisely." She gave me a fake smile.

Looking at her face and hearing her words my blood started boiling but I somehow controlled myself and replied-" I am sure Jennifer that this is not the words you have been taught here or at home". I managed to escape from her grip.

She scoffed in disbelief and replied-" I can understand what are you feeling but before you break your heart let me tell you she doesn't like you... She just wanted attention. If she does she wouldn't have been told what she just said. Rest you know better than me.". She looked at me while rolling her eyes and the meanest smirk at her face.

But somehow her words were right... which let me think about what she said, when Jennifer spoke again-" Let me tell you something more too, I heard she likes someone's name, Dekker. They were pretty close and he is the one who saved her that night... As much as I heard of they are a couple. You will be just wasting your time if..."

I felt the heat inside of me, my blood boiled in anger...that I just wanna punch her face right there...But I controlled somehow. Shawna is mine!!! How can she just tell that? I know... she doesn't love Dekker. She would have told me if she... But somewhere my heart quivered thinking what she just said...I looked at her with an annoying face as I just left from there without further any single word.

END OF PRIAM'S POV

Seeing me leaving from there she smirked as she poked her cheeks with her tongue and left.

JUNNIE'S POV:

I was walking in the school corridor after my class, going towards the library when I suddenly saw Shawna running from there. What is she doing here? why is she running? From whom? Is everything good? I tried to call her-" Shawna!!!... Shaw..."  but she didn't hear me and left. I thought she might be in a hurry as I shrugged off the negative thoughts and walked away again. But after some time I saw Priam walking out from the library too. He seemed upset and he passed right in front of me, without noticing me. I took a glance at him too. Something is off... Were they together in the library? Did something happen? Should I ask?

I was thinking to myself and walking towards Priam to ask him when I suddenly bumped into someone. I stumbled at my feet but managed to stand straight. I looked up and it was Cresseda. She seemed pissed off looking at me. 

I said immediately while bowing down a little-" I am sorry Cresseda, I wasn't...".

But before I could finish my word she said-" You should be Bitch!!!. Watch where you going. I don't want you to ruin my expensive dresses."

Other students gathered around us as they started laughing at me. Tears rolled down my eyes, from the insult. Not that I couldn't afford that kind of dress, But I like to stay simple. I can afford much more than hers. But I was sensitive to those kinds of words...

I was listening to her hanging my head low in embarrassment when I felt something wet in my head. I looked up and saw she poured water on me!!!

I blinked a few times understanding what was happening, I looked at the crowd who were laughing at me as Cresseda smirked standing there. I was standing there embarrassed when my eyes fell on Brad. He was there!!! I looked at him hoping he would notice me and help me, But he just stood there, watching all the other students laughing at me. I felt a sharp pain in my heart to see he choose to avoid me in this situation... I was wrong... He is selfish... Tears were rolling out non-stop from my eyes

Cresseda asked while yelling at me-" what? are you just gonna stand there? not going to apologize? "

She raised her hands and was about to hit me when suddenly a hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me out from there. The person dragged me out from there as I frowned a little but was forced to follow. I couldn't see his face, all I could understand was that he saved me.

We stopped at the garden and he turned towards me. I saw he was a good-looking man. With a tall and dark combination. His eyes were looking at me as if finding something. He noticed me staring at him as he asked with a smirk-" Done staring?"

I came to by sense and I looked down and replied-" ugh... sorry... and Thank you"

He said-" Miss, you should stand up for yourself, I might be not around always to save you".

I blushed hard at his words. I looked down while wiping my tears when he said forwarding his hand-" Hi, I am Lucifer, I am new here. Would you like to be my friend?"

I smiled at him and gladly took his hands for the shake, as I replied-" Sure"

He smiled and walked away for his class as I watched him go away. I was feeling a little happy and sad. Happy because at least someone helped me and he seemed nice, sad because the friend I knew whom I fell in love with was just standing there watching me get embarrassed. 

I chuckled sadly as I walked away too.