Skye looked at the text from Jace again, as she made her way to the Leonardo Hall. He had texted her about 20 minutes ago, asking her to meet up in the practice room. 

Skye shivered against the chilly winter air as it hit her skin. Her blonde hair was blowing in her face. She sighed as she pushed open the heavy wooden doors to Leonardo. She walked inside and looked around.

It was strange to be in the building when classes weren't in session. It was like a whole new building. Cold, empty. 

Skye followed the address on her phone and walked downstairs to the basement. She looked around, trying to find Jace. When she heard the sound of a cello playing in the last room on the left. She smiled and skipped down there. She gently pushed the door open and found Jace. He was playing his cello, his blonde hair bent down focusing on his fingers as he played. 

"Hey," she said, clearing her throat to get his attention. Jace stopped and turned around in his seat to look at her. He smirked

"I was beginning to worry you wouldn't come," he chuckled. Skye shook her head

"I was caught up with Gwen. She was screaming about hot Trent asked her to the Mid Winter Ball," she said, shrugging. Skye walked over and slowly took the seat next to him.

"What's going on though? Why'd you want to meet here?" she asked, looking at him. Jace slowly smiled

"I wanted you to listen to something I've been working on," he said. Skye nodded and got comfortable as she watched him place the cello between his legs. He began to play a slow, beautiful song. Hearing him play gave her goosebumps all over. She closed her eyes and listened to the unique sound of the instrument she grew up playing. She was used to hearing herself play, because no one else really played the cello. Jace was the first person she came across that played the same instrument as her. And she loved it.

The beautiful melody ended, and she slowly opened her eyes. "Wow," she breathed. He slowly chuckled and gently laid the instrument down next to him. He looked at her slowly

"That was really good-"

"Go to the Ball with me," Jace said, interrupting her compliment.

Skye's eyes widened, and she looked at him. Her heart did flips in her chest, as her stomach got butterflies

"You.. Wanna go to the ball with me?" she asked. She just couldn't believe it.

Jace laughed "Yes. I've never met another cello player. And I wanna get to know you better. I think you're pretty awesome," he said. "So.. Will you go with me?"

Skye swallowed hard, but slowly smiled "Of course I will," she giggled. Jace made a goofy smile and hugged her tight. His tattooed arms wrapping around her. She could smell his after shave.

Skye smiled bigger

Bridgette sighed as she looked out at the gorgeous lake on campus. It was the only source of fresh water she had seen so far. It was an unusually warm day for January. 60 degrees, and most of the snow that had fallen had already melted away. The ice on the lake beginning to soften and break, revealing the gorgeous clear water underneath.

She was really missing home lately. Missed the always warm weather of California. All the sand covered beaches. Missed the ocean. She just missed it all.

She loved being at the academy. Loved the friends she had made. They were all incredible. But.. She just felt like something was missing.

A cool breeze of air pushed her blonde hair back from her face, and she breathed it in. That was one thing about Pinewood Academy. Because it was so far into the mountains, the air and water was always the most fresh.

"Bridge?" came a voice from behind her. Bridgette stiffened a little, but smiled when she turned around

"Hey Geoff," she said. Geoff smiled as he came over to her. He wore a black button up coat, with white washed jeans. His shaggy blonde hair was hidden under a baseball cap.

"Any reason why you called me out here?" he asked, as the two began to walk together on the stone path next to the lake. Bridgette swallowed hard, and looked at him

"Yes.. Actually... There is," she said. He looked down at her confused, his blue eyes looking into her olive ones. He noticed how flustered she was getting.

"Well I have something to tell you, as well," he laughed. She raised a brow

"Okay, you go first," she said

"No, I'd like you to go first," he chuckled. She sighed

"Okay, how about we both say it together?" she suggested. Geoff pondered it for a second, then nodded. They both took big breaths 

"Will you go to the ball with me?" they both said, in exact unison. 

Both of their eyes widened. As light blushes spread across their cheeks. They laughed together

"Thank god I don't have to worry if you'll say no or not," Geoff said. Bridgette squealed and threw her arms around his shoulders

"I'd love to go!" she giggled. He laughed and held her closer. 

Geoff kissed Bridgette gently, and she melted into his lips. 

Courtney sighed as she sat at her desk in her dorm. She was catching up on some work from yesterday's History of The Arts class. Typing away at her computer. 

She ran a tan hand through her hair, and paused. She noticed the speck of gold spray paint under her nail from yesterday's paint session with Duncan. She smiled a little and bit her lip.

You'll ruin him

She jerked back at the sudden rush of words thrown at her in her head. Her Father's voice ringing in her ears. She slowly looked around her empty dorm room. She knew the words were only in her head, but they had sounded so real she just had to double check. 

She was alone, the only light in the room were from Bridgette's dolphin lights, and her small desk light she was using to see. 

Bridgette had left a few hours ago, saying she needed to go meet up with Geoff. Leaving Courtney alone with her thoughts. 

Courtney growled. Even when she was miles away, her Father still managed to slither his way into her every day life. It made her crazy.

"I can't stay in this room one second longer," she sighed to herself.

Just as she finished her sentence, her phone vibrated on her desk. She looked at it and smirked. It was Duncan

Yo Princess, you wanna do something tonight? Geoff left to go spend time with Malibu-D

Courtney laughed and texted back

Wow, you had really perfect timing with this-C

Haha yeah, I seem to have perfect timing with things lately-D

So are you in? Meet me at the old Art wing in like 20 minutes-D

Courtney rolled her eyes

Sure, whatever-C

Thanks Princess, see ya soon-D

Courtney locked her phone and dropped it back on her desk. She shook her head with a smile. 

Courtney got up and slid on her boots and a light jacket. Seems how it was rather warm out today. She pulled her brown hair up into a bun and grabbed her phone and dorm keys off of the desk. She walked out of her dorm and closed the door behind her. She locked it. She looked at the whiteboard on their dorm room door.

Courtney's heart dropped. 

'I know your secret. Looks like your sister isn't so perfect after all'

Courtney gasped and yanked the whiteboard right off the door. The Velcro ripping the paint a little on the door. Courtney stared at the writing, her hands had started to shake. She used the sleeve of her jacket to wipe off the writing.

Courtney looked down both sides of the hallway. No one was there. She swallowed hard and unlocked her door, she threw the whiteboard onto her bed and slammed it shut. She leaned her forehead against the door and blew out a long breath 

"You okay Court?" Skye asked from behind her. Courtney yelped and turned around, staring at the short girl with wide eyes. Skye gave her a worried look. 

"You look like you just saw a ghost," Skye said. 

Courtney cleared her throat and shook her head "No, sorry. I'm okay. Just.. Stressing about the test in Art History," she lied smoothly. 

"I know right? Me too. I hate studying the renaissance," Skye sighed.

"Uh hey.." Courtney moved closer to her "Have you seen anyone in the hallway within the last like... 5 minutes or so?" she asked. Skye slowly shook her head

"No. Mostly everyone is outside enjoying the heat wave. Why?" she asked. Courtney shook her head

"Doesn't matter. Thanks anyways," Courtney smiled at her. Skye nodded

"I'll keep an eye out," Skye offered, and waved at Courtney as she walked back down the hall and back into hers and Zoey's room.  

Courtney sighed, and ran a hand down her face. She shook her head and continued walking down the hall. She had someone to meet. 

Courtney grunted as she climbed over the second fence guarding the old art wing. She jumped down and dusted herself off. It was beginning to get dark out, the temperature dropping. Courtney pulled her jacket closer and hurried inside the old building by the hole in the wall her and Duncan had used the last time they came here. She looked around as she walked down the hallway. Her boots clicking on the old wooden floors that had warped over time. She smelled fresh paint, and smirked. She followed the smell down a new corridor she hadn't been down yet. The soft sunlight floating in through the broken glass windows. Creating  a warm glow in the building. Shadows danced across the walls.

"Hello?" she called out "Duncan?"

When she got no answer, and raised a brow and kept walking

"Don't think you're gonna scare me. Gwen already warned me about your tricks," she said. Courtney swallowed hard as she kept walking. 

"Duncan seriously come on-" she said as she turned the corner. Her words dried up in her throat as she gasped. Her eyes settling on what she was looking at. 

A huge, gorgeous painting was done on the wall in front of her. Soft pastel colors swirled together to make an image of a girl. She looked like she was almost in a dream like state. In her hands, a beautiful violin. Her fingers frozen in place as she played.

"Oh my God.." she whispered. She slowly walked over to the painting that covered almost the entire wall. Her eyes scanning over the painting that seems to fit perfect with the warm sunlight in the room

"You like it?" Duncan asked, suddenly behind her. She kept staring at it

"It's so... Beautiful." she whispered. Duncan slowly smirked

"I think I know what I'm gonna title it," he said. Standing with his hands behind his back. He had paint on his shirt. She looked at him

"Princess," he said. That's when it clicked. Courtney's eyes shot wide, and she gasped. Covering her mouth

"You.. Wait.." she stuttered, looking at the painting again, then back at him "It's...me?" 

Duncan shrugged a little and ran a hand through his hair. Leaving streaks of paint in it. 

"I mean... Yeah.." he said, clearing his throat. Trying to play it cool. Courtney touched her heart, and looked back at the painting

"Duncan.." she whispered "I... Love it," 

He looked at her, a smirk coming to his lips "Really?" he asked with a chuckle. She nodded, still amazed. She slowly looked at him

"Why did.. I mean.. What inspired this?" she asked. He walked over to stand next to her, he wasn't looking at her. His teal eyes were looking at the painting. 

"Well..." he cleared his throat a few times. "I uh.. Was wondering if... You know.. You'd go to the ball with me?" he asked. Courtney looked at him. He was so cute when he was trying to hide his sweet side. Acting all tough

"No," she simply said. Duncan's eyes widened a little, and his whole face dropped. Courtney giggled "I'm kidding, ogre. I'd love to go to the ball with you," she answered.

Duncan blew out a long breath, and chuckled "You got me," he said. She gently punched his shoulder

"I take it you're not used to girls saying no to you," she teased.

"No, actually. I'm not," he said "Usually girls are all over the D-Man,"

Courtney blinked "I'm surprised they said yes, seems how you actually call yourself the 'D-Man'," she said. He smirked 

"I got you to say yes, didn't I?" he mused. Courtney blushed

"Shut up!" she said. Looking away, refusing to lose the argument. He rolled his eyes and threw his arm around her shoulders

"This Ball is going to be so fucking lit," he cheered.

Courtney just shook her head "Why did I say yes to you again?" she asked. 

Bridgette smiled up at Geoff as they watched the sunset across the lake. Her hand wrapped tightly in his. He laid a gentle kiss to her forehead. 

Gwen closed her eyes and laid her head against Trent's shoulder as he strung on his guitar, singing her the song he had written for her. Her pale hands resting on his thigh. 

Skye laughed as she watched Jace try to play her cello, she walked over and gently took his hands, placing them correctly on the bow. He wasn't used to her cello yet, but he was willing to learn. Skye smiled to herself as she watched him play her instrument for her. Feeling perfect.

Courtney smiled as Duncan wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. Warming her from the cold breeze, as they walked back to campus from the old art wing. Courtney kept smiling to herself, relaxing to the warmth of Duncan's body.

Everything was perfect.

Or so they thought..

Heather growled to herself as she tried to perfect the dance move she was working on. Her pink dance clothes moving with her body as she twirled in the dance room. The door opened slowly, and she gasped as she felt a pair of large arms wrap around her waist. She smelled his cologne and smiled. 

"I have something pretty interesting to tell you... About Courtney's sister," Alejandro whispered into her ear, his Spanish accent sending shivers down her spine. Heather leaned in and listened to what he had to tell her. 

Heather slowly smirked evilly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COMING UP LATER IN THE STORY

Jess stared at her, her eyes filling with tears "What do you mean you're kicking me out of the Academy?"

~~~~~

"Duncan and I kissed... Please don't tell Courtney," she cried

~~~~~

"How can I ever forgive you?" she sobbed "You kissed Heather!"

~~~~~

Bridgette gasped as she looked at what her friends had done for her "Guys.. It's beautiful,"

~~~~~

"I'm sick..." she whispered to him "And I'm not going to get better,"

~~~~~

"Either you break up with him, or I'm going to tell the whole world your secret," Heather hissed

~~~~~

"I said get off me!" Gwen screamed "Help!"