I woke early the next morning, birds chirping and the sun just beginning to peek out between the trees. I packed up everything I'd brought along, except for the food, then made myself a quick breakfast: fruit, bread, and cheese. I wanted to start walking to Fennley early today, and if I kept up the pace I'd made yesterday, I could make it by late afternoon. When I finished eating, I put the rest of the food in my pack, pulled it over my shoulder and set out. The sun was already beginning to rise, its rays shining brightly in my face and making black spots dance across my vision. After a few moments' rest, in which my sight cleared, I set out again, using the Sun for a meager sense of direction (not that I knew exactly which direction to head). I made it to the outskirts of the forest around mid-afternoon, which meant I was nearing Fennley. I could feel myself being pulled in two directions. My head leaned towards Fennley, where I'd get my education; my future. My heart leaned towards Angeles, where the girl I loved was; my past. My head began to spin with the weight of the decision, my knees gave out, and I collapsed onto a nearby tree stump. My vision began to blur, I blinked a few times, then a scene flashed in front of me.

---

"Eadlyn!" I yelled, running around a corner. "I'm gonna find you!"

I slid down a banister, since I didn't want to walk, and jumped off once I reached the floor below, heading towards the closet that Eadlyn and I had decided was 'the perfect hiding spot.' I threw open the door, and raced inside. It was a gigantic closet, and had shelves going up all the way to the ceiling; Eadlyn was on the highest one.

"Found you." I said, grinning up at her. "Come back down so we can play again!"

"What if I don't wanna?" she shot back sassily.

"Just come down."

"Nope.

"I'll climb up there and kiss you if you don't come down!"

"I'd like to see you try."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise, then scrambled quickly up the shelves, joining Eadlyn on the topmost shelf. She looked surprised for only a moment, but before I could follow through on what I'd said, Eadlyn pressed her lips to mine. This was a new sensation, and I didn't know what it was, but it felt like the way a hot drink in the winter makes you all warm and fuzzy inside. Eadlyn pulled away, her cheeks bright red, but grinning nonetheless.

"I knew you couldn't do it."

"But I did!"

"Nuh-uh. I kissed you, not the other way around, like you said would happen."

"That's not- oh."

Eadlyn smirked at me.

"D'you want me to kiss you?" I asked hesitantly.

The smirk was off her face in a second, and her face reassumed the tomato-ish colour it'd been before.

"Erm...."

I kissed her anyway.

-

The sound of our laughter echoed off the walls as Eadlyn pulled me along; we were running through the halls, trying to get away from the guard whose shoes we'd just tied together. She pulled me into our closet, then dropped my hand, pressing both of her own over her mouth to stifle the giggles.

"I can't believe we just did that!" she exclaimed, once we saw the guard run by.

"I think you mean 'you just did that'. Sure, I was there, but you're the one who actually did the tying!"

"Alright, fine, I tied his shoes together- but it was your idea!" Eadlyn said with a grin.

She was trying to be stern, and failing miserably; one look at me, and we both broke out into another fit of laughter, not bothering to try and hide our laughter from the guard anymore.

"So, any other plans for evil today?" I asked once I could breathe again.

"Nope, I'm done with evil. The rest of my day will be spent pretending to be a beautiful young maiden, and I'm going to get at least one boy to fall in love with me."

"Will you now?"

"Yup. And you're coming with me."

"Fine."

Eadlyn smiled and grabbed my hand, leading me out of the closet. We took the long way back to her room, and she flirted with every guard we saw. Each time she'd wink or blow a kiss, I'd feel a little pang of jealousy, before reminding myself that she's my best friend, I have nothing to be jealous of. This is all just pretend, anyway, and besides, it's not like I'm in love with her. When we finally got to her room, she pulled me inside, shut the door, and immediately burst into a fit of giggles.

"Did you see their faces?" she laughed, "That was absolutely hilarious!"

I smiled, watching Eadlyn take deep breaths to stop laughing and wipe tears from her eyes. She still hadn't released my hand when she stood up, and dragged me out onto her balcony, which overlooked the gardens.

The sun was beginning to set (it was setting earlier and earlier as winter drew nearer), giving everything a golden glow, and Eadlyn was observing that glow, admiring the flowers below us. I, however, was admiring her. Had she always looked this beautiful? Her cheeks were rosy from laughing, and her lips looked soft and full. I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed before, because it was so overwhelmingly obvious. The way she was was perfect, and I realised a thought I'd had earlier was wrong. I was completely and utterly in love with Eadlyn Schreave.

-

She only wants me to kiss her for publicity? I thought, my heart shattering into about a million pieces. It doesn't matter, you'll be kissing Eadlyn freaking Schreave.

And so I kissed her, ducking my head to make our lips meet, creating a feeling like sparks flying in my chest. Her arms linked around my neck, and she was kissing back, and it was absolute magic. I was kissing Eadlyn Schreave, and it seemed she liked it. I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her as close to be as possible. I could've stayed like that, holding Eadlyn in my arms and kissing her like the world was about to end, forever, but the moment had to end eventually. When Eadlyn finally pulled away, she grinned up at me, taking her time before releasing me completely.

"Thank you." I whispered, then turned, and left.

I didn't realise there weren't any cameras until I was around the corner.

---

I gasped for air, my eyes snapping open.

I have to go back, but I have to keep going.

"Fennley is the only place I'm wanted now." I muttered to myself. "Eadlyn is happy with Henri."

I stood up, legs shaking, and resumed my walk to Fennley. It only took ten minutes to reach the School For Architecture, and when I did, I sat on the front steps with a sigh.

This is home now.

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A/N- Hello, readers, fans, friends, and more! Thanks for reading!

{ xx // britain_is_better }