Denisha

"So, what are you going to do? Help me get revenge on your girlfriend, or let them get away with it?" I asked Ramon with urgency, my gaze locked onto his.

Ramon let out a heavy sigh, his fingers running through his hair in frustration. "Nisha, I don't know what to do right now," he admitted, his voice hoarse. "I need to think things through."

My impatience was mounting. "I get it, but we don't have time. We must do this now."

He sighed again "I'm going to get some alcohol. Do you want one?"

I shook my head "No, I don't drink."

"Okay, I'll be back in 5."

I couldn't help but grin, swinging my legs as I sat there. I had finally managed to almost get Ramon on my side, and with his assistance and Maylee's, I felt like my revenge could finally move forward.

"Denisha?" I heard a voice call, and when I looked up, I saw Jasper approaching. His long, flowing pink hair cascaded down his back, giving him an almost ethereal appearance. His jaw was chiseled, accentuating his strong features, and there was a perpetual hint of intensity in his expression, often marked by a subtle frown. He was annoying, and I didn't fully trust him, but there was no denying he was handsome

"Oh, it's you," I replied dismissively.

"I love your enthusiasm," he said, taking a seat beside me.

"Oh you're sitting, who said you could sit?"

"Denisha we need to talk about what we saw"

I wasn't in the mood for small talk. "Not here."

"That's what you keep on saying. It's like you know more than you let on, and I need an explanation."

"I don't owe you an explanation," I retorted.

"You do," Jasper insisted. "You told me not to tell Celeste. You also talked about how trust is earned. You think you're the only one whose trust is important?"

"I said not here," I snapped, hoping to shut him up.

"How am I supposed to trust you if you don't tell me things?" Jasper pressed.

My patience was wearing thin. "Look, Jasper," I snapped, "you just joined this thing like what? One day ago, and you're already demanding answers. I'll tell you if I want to tell you, and if I don't, just sit down like a dog and wait."

Jasper seemed taken aback by my harsh response, and he looked genuinely hurt. "Oh, I was under the impression that you needed friends and allies."

I didn't feel guilty for my words. "I do," I said dismissively. "But you needed a reality check. You're only here because of Celeste. You're a 5th grade royal poking your nose into 1st grade royals' business. It's embarrassing."

He nodded and walked away.

I scolded myself internally. Stop it. You're being mean.

"Who was that?" Ramon's voice interrupted my thoughts as he returned with a bottle of alcohol. His jaw was clenched, and his fists were balled up. I realized that, in my quest for revenge, I had overlooked Ramon's feelings. I hadn't considered how painful it must be for him to process everything - the fact that his girlfriend had died because of his best friends. It was heartbreaking.

"I'm sorry," I said sincerely.

Ramon looked puzzled. "What?"

I hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way. Take all the time you need to think about what you'll do, and I won't judge you if you decide to do nothing."

His hands hung in the air, as if he were undecided about whether to hug me back. "I've already decided," he finally said. "I'll help you."

I let go of him and looked into his eyes. "You will?"

"It's the least I could do for not noticing the signs," Ramon replied.

"It's not your fault, Ramon," I reassured him. "I blamed myself all this time for not doing more to prevent it. But I came to realize that it wasn't my fault. It was the people who did this to her. There's no need to shift blame. It's their fault, and their fault only."

Ramon sighed and turned to look at me with a crooked smile. "You know, you're not half bad."

"I know," I said, returning the smile. "You know what? Can I have some of that alcohol?"

Ramon raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said you don't drink."

"Well, I want to."

"Okay," he said, handing me one bottle. "Swallow without tasting."

"Ramon, I'm 18," I reminded him. "I think I know how to drink alcohol."

"You're 18?" he asked, clearly surprised.

"Yeah, you?"

"20."

"Grandpa," I teased, taking a sip of the alcohol. But my reaction was less than pleasant. "This stuff tastes like hand sanitizer!" I choked, my throat and eyes burning. "How the hell are you drinking that so casually?"

Ramon chuckled. "Oh, I thought you were 18?"

"Water. I need water and a drink," I gasped, still recovering from the taste. "How do people even drink this? And they look so happy while doing it, like, are we drinking the same thing?"

He chuckled, the sound warm and inviting. "You're just like Perse. Lemme go get cranberry juice for you."

"I love cranberry juice," I replied, a hint of a smile playing on my lips.

I need to apologize to Jasper, He's just trying to figure things out. He's probably just as confused as I was when I first found out

"The Ruby Chain of Appointment," I muttered to myself, my memory triggered by the phrase.

"Here you go," Ramon said, handing me a glass of cranberry juice.

Ramon chuckled. "Want another sip of that alcohol?"

I shook my head. "Oh hell no."

"What are we going to do?" Ramon asked, bringing the conversation back

I took a sip of the juice before answering. "I don't know, Ramon. Celeste is supposed to find dirt on them, and then we'll proceed from there."

Ramon's expression turned serious. "But now you have me," he said, his jaw clenching with determination.

I looked at him, touched by his commitment. "I wouldn't ask that of you," I replied softly.

His gaze remained unwavering. "They don't deserve my loyalty. They hurt Perse."

I nodded, understanding the depth of his emotions.

"Renee is..." he began, hesitating for a moment.

"Renee is what?" I encouraged him to continue.

"Jamal," he murmured, his voice heavy with guilt.

"I understand," I said, my heart aching for both of them.

He shook his head, as if struggling with a decision. "I shouldn't tell you this, but he needs to know that she's not as innocent as he thinks."

I nodded again, not wanting to appear too eager for the information.

"Renee is dating a non-Royal ," Ramon revealed, his voice low.

My eyes widened in surprise. Dating a non-Royal was strictly prohibited among royals, as it could result in losing one's royal position and becoming a gerist.

Ramon confirmed my unspoken thoughts with a slow nod. "The stripping assembly will be performed for her. It's going to be incredibly embarrassing."

"Yes" this was perfect

"It is" his voice was laced with guilt

"Ramon" I began softly " I need you to do one last thing for me"

"What is it" he asked

"I need you to pretend you never knew any of this. Still be their friends. That's the only way we'd take them down successfully."

"Even Brooke?" He asked softly

"Yes"

"I'll try"

I placed my hands on his, squeezing them gently. He looked at me with a warm smile, a symbol of the beginning of our new friendship.