This chapter is dedicated to Nessasary_ for the cute cover right up there.

Thank you xx

♡♥Ellie's P.O.V

It's officially the start of a new year, new beginnings, new obstacles, and new memories.

2017, I'm praying you'll be a blast.

I was currently walking on my way to school. Yesterday was the last day of spring break and today, monday, is officially back to school.

My thoughts are jumbled up as I think of what possible things may happen this year.

I'm kinda glum because it's only four months left before we graduate and I'm scared of what possibilities may happen.

I was greeted by the school's gate. I looked at my watch and let a sigh of relief when I realized I was ten minutes early.

I made my way inside and headed straight to my locker. I fumbled with a few trash to find my chemistry book.

An arm wrapped around my waist making me flinch in fear. I look up to see the electrifying blue eyes of none other than Alec.

"Sorry cookie, I didn't mean to startle you." He said, a frown etched on his face.

"It's okay, don't frown. You'll look like yoda." I said, giving him a smile.

He chuckled,"You look beautiful." He complimented, brushing a strand of hair away from my face.

I looked down at my pair of nike sweatpants and simple tee insert my fleek brows with chapstick and a messy bun before laughing.

"You're full of jokes today, aren't you?" I snorted, rolling my eyes.

He rolled his eyes,"You're beautiful and perfect in your own way." He muttered before kissing me softly.

In seconds, the kiss had me wrapping my arms around him. I could feel himself grin as he tightened his hold on me and swiped his tongue on my lower lip roughly.

"Hey! Stop harrasing my smurf and let me greet her!" Todd suddenly popped out of nowhere.

I gasped in embarrassment before pushing Alec away. He stumbled a bit before wrapping his arms around me again and glared at Todd.

"Why are you looking at me like that? If it wasn't for me you didn't have that awesome kiss!" Todd whined, referring to the mistletoe kiss.

A few students were gaping at what they heard but mostly some girls, cheerleaders, were glaring at me.

"Will you shut up? It's early in the morning." Chase muttered popping behind Todd with an overly excited twins.

"You seem happy," I thought out loud, looking at the grinning faces of the twins.

"Of course we are! It's monday and your mom made us come eat dinner later so that means we'll get to see her but also eat her awesome food again and that makes us extremely happy!" Hayden rambled, his hands doing gestures.

"That explains wh- wait what? Since When did she invite you for dinner?" I asked, completely dumbfounded.

The last time I saw the boys was at the christmas party and since then we were too busy with our families.

"Oh! We saw her at the hospital last week when Al-" Jayden answered but was cut off Hayden elbowing him.

"Hospital? Why were you in the hospital?" I asked, my eyes staring at them intenly.

Chase coughed slowly before turning to Hayden.

"I think, I'm having an asthma attack. Can you fetch me to the clinic Hayden?" Chase asked while doing a fake wheeze.

I raised a brow at Chase and then Hayden let out a fake gasp and laughed nervously before pulling Chase's arm and walking away.

Todd looked dumbfounded,"Is it just me? Or Chase was lying about him having an asthma attack?" Todd asked, staring at us.

Jayden laughed nervously,"It's just you Todd, wait, I think I forgot something on my car. Let's go and get it back." Jayden said, pulling Todd's arm.

"Huh? Your car? We rode on the bu-" Todd didn't finish sentence because Jayden was already dragging him away.

I could feel myself frowning slightly, is it just me? or I feel like they're hiding something from me?

If it's the latter then what could it be? What could they be hiding? Who could be in the hospital?

"Hey, hey, you're overthinking cookie." Alec said, his thumb gently stroking on my cheek.

"Are you hiding something from me?" I asked, looking at him suspiciously.

"Why would I hide something from you?" He fire backed, his eyes looking at me humorously.

"I don't know, personal reasons? Are you sick? Why were you in the hospital?" I suddenly asked, my hand grasping his forearm.

I don't where that thought came from but I just felt like asking that. A sense of fear lingering unto me at the thought of losing him because of an illness.

"Now, why would you assume I was with them?" Alec asked, his lips set in a teasing smile.

"I don't know," I said defeated, my lips pursed and eyes casting downwards.

"I'm not sick cookie, I'm sorry but that's all I can say," He said, eyes looking apologetic.

"It's okay Alec, sorry for kinda pushing. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what." I said softly, meeting his gaze.

He smiled,"Thank you for being there cookie," He said before leaning in and giving me a sweet kiss.

Alec's phone beeped which made us part from the kiss before I looked at my watch, the same time the warning bell rang.

I gasped realizing that I'm about to be late.

I can't be late again.

"I'd like to fetch you to class but something came up." Alec said, looking at his phone.

"It's okay," I said, giving him a shy smile.

He was about to walk away but was stopped by me.

"Be careful, yeah?" I said, my heart clenching in pain at the thought of him being hurt.

His eyes soften,"I will cookie, I'll see you later." He said before giving me a parting kiss.

My heart felt heavy as I watched him walk away. Knowing that something could happen to him makes me worry.

I sighed before making my way to class but was stopped short by my phone ringing. I felt confused, who could be calling me?

I looked at my phone to see it was an unknown number. Not thinking it into much, I proceeded to answer.

"Hello?" I asked, standing at the middle of the empty hallway.

A few seconds passed and no one answered. I looked at my phone to see the call was still ongoing and grew confused.

"Hello?" I asked again, this time hesitantly.

The bell rang indicating I was late for class but I couldn't move. It was like my body was casted by a spell that I couldn't move.

"Missed me, sweetchicks?" Valentino's voice rang through the phone.

I gripped the phone hard,"What do you want?" I spit out, looking behind me in fear.

I felt myself calm down for a bit seeing no one was there but I felt myself becoming cautious and alert.

"What I want? Alec dead." He answered, his tone deadly.

My blood ran cold, He spoke the words with such hate and promise. It was as if they were never friends to start off.

"Why are you doing this? Alec has never done anything to you." I said, my voice evident with anger.

"I'm doing this because I'm done with being the second. I'm done being always the second choice." He snapped.

"It doesn't change anything," I stated calmly despite my hammering chest.

"It does! It changes everything!" Valentino exclaimed, as if losing patience.

I ignored my shaking hands and took a deep breath.

"It changes nothing, you wanna know why? Even if you kill Alec, He will ALWAYS be number one. People would still look up to him. He might be dead but all the things he did will be remembered, cherished, inspired, and idolized. His legacy will still live and you're still going to be second." I said bravely.

Valentino let out maniacal laugh,"Your little brother looks like you," He said, ignoring what I said.

I felt my blood boil,"You son of b-tch, stay my brother out of this!" I hissed, gripping my phone harder.

"Hmm, I don't know. I think my gun needs a little testing." He said, chuckling darkly.

Fear slammed into me,"What do you want? I'll do anything! Just don't hurt him! Please!" I suddenly beg.

I couldn't imagine losing my little brother. He's too young and still has a lot ahead of him.

"Oohh! I like you begging," He paused,"Beg more and I'll probably change my mind." He said, his tone teasing.

I swallowed hard, my stomach churned dangerously and I felt sick doing it but what choice do I have?

"Please! Have mercy on him! I'll do anything you say! Just please don't!" I choked, the fear of losing my brother growing every second.

"Hmm, Okay," I felt myself relaxed,"but you said you'd do anything." He stated rather than question.

I gulped,"Yes, anything." I said, my hands trembling.

"I want you to meet me tonight at the beach around 11 p.m. Don't bring anyone and don't even bother telling this to the police or else your brother's life will pay." He said before ending the call.

I fell to the floor with my phone in my hand. I felt my shoulders shake as I cried silently. My heart clenching in pain.

I felt numb and scared about what could happen but what stood out the most was fear.

Fear of losing someone that has a special hold of my heart while feeling completely helpless at the same

♡♥ A/N NOTE♡♥

FIRST UPDATE FOR 2017!
How are you my little cookies?

How's the year taking so far?

Sorry it took a bit long for me to update. I had been struggling with some thing for a while now.

I kinda hate Valentino now, I mean, does he really have to bring little Theodore into this?

QOTD: Did you ever fear of losing someone in your life?

THANK YOU FOR READING! I LOVE YOU<3

-ELABEARXX♥