My first happy ending! (Unless the one in HvsL counts...) No epilogue (I never know what to write in those).

Dedicated to cutealisha599 thanks a lot for all your support! And a very happy birthday <3

Chapter 38: I Don't Date Younger Guys

While everyone was downstairs, leaving Nolan to rest, I was getting more and more pissed off.

How dare Nolan scare me like that?!

His parents handled the nerve wrecked guests and decided to continue with the event for now.

Due to impatience, I snuck upstairs. Not bothering to knock, I barged inside with a murderous expression. The moron stood by the window, looking at something in his hand. He turned just in time to receive a vehement slap.

"Ow!" He pressed a hand to his crimson cheek. "What was that for?"

"You think you can scare me like that and get away with it?!" I snapped back. "You know how much I like you! That was one sick joke, Nolan Milesblue, and I swear to God, if I had that gun in my hands right now, I'd use it to knock some sense into your empty brain that never works properly. How dare you?! I actually thought everything you said was sincere--"

"It was sincere!" he defended. "Every single word . . . Every single tear . . . Every single emotion . . . It was all true."

From the tightness of voice, I accepted his statement.

"Just not the public suicide," I said.

He sighed, running his free hand through his hair. The other one held that family photo. Taking my hand in his, he brought me over to his bed and asked me to sit by his side. I complied, even though my anger hadn't subsided yet.

"The eighth breakup was your parents's divorce, wasn't it?" I said.

He nodded.

"My mother, before she . . . left us, made me promise to her," he said softly, staring at the photo. "Promise that I won't ever feel weak or give up on life even when everything is screwed up." He chuckled bitterly. "And you know what? She fell weak. She overdozed on her sleeping pills a week after the divorce. Nevertheless, I kept that promise. And I will keep that promise." I exhaled deeply and put my hand on top of his. Thank god, he maintained a sane side and listened to his mom. "What I did today was just to get my parents . . . to be my parents. I might hate my stepmom, but not enough to let her drive me to my grave."

He gave me a loose grin.

I chuckled softly.

He was a little attention seeker.

"You're not entirely a psycho," I remarked. "And I mean that seriously."

"Is that why you're still lurking around, huh?" He bumped his shoulder against mine. Although his mood was much lighter, I needed his assurance on something.

"Actually, I have a favor to ask you," I said. His raised his eyebrows. "Nolan, don't take this the wrong way, but I . . . I insist you visit a psychologist." The irritation crossing his features evidently proved he wasn't thrilled by those words. "Please, just listen to me. Your S.C., breakups, and family issues have affected you a lot. It's obvious. The psychologist can help relieve you much of the stress. Give it a thought. No one's forcing you."

"After what happened an hour ago, I'm sure someone's gonna force me," he said with a mock smile.

"That's true." His dad did say he was going to observe his son's behavior today and conclude whether or not he needed help. Sadly, Nolan proved me right.

"Basically, I'm screwed."

"More or less."

"I'll see a psychologist if you promise to be my side," he said, his green eyes boring into mine. "Your sister helped me tremendously last school year, too, before Jason broke up with her. I lost her support, but found yours. What do you say? Can I trust you? You won't leave me like the rest of them, would you?"

I grinned, squeezing his hand. "I've stuck with you since you started your blackmail. You won't get rid of me that easily."

He relaxed back. "What about Princeton?"

I felt a weight down on my chest upon hearing the name of the love of my life.

"I don't know if that's going to work. Perhaps, you're unaware, but--"

My sentence was abruptly stopped by a door knock. Mr. Milesblue leaned in the doorway and said, "The Sheriff wants to see you, Nolan. He wants to talk about something important. Come downstairs quickly." My heart pounded, hearing the mention of the police. Nolan nodded and pushed the photo on his bed.

Both of us followed out of the room nervously.

"Helen, can I talk to you?" Mr. Milesblue asked. Nolan looked at me first and then his dad. I gestured him to continue while staying back to chat with his father. "I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for him," the tired father said.

"No worries," I assured. "I care about him as much as you do. If not, more."

"He returns the feelings too," said Mr. Milesblue. "You and Nico did a fantastic job at getting rid of that revolver and stopping the suicide."

"Yeah, but there weren't any bullets in there."

"That's not the point," he said and sighed. "You were right about him being mentally frustrated and exhausted by his life. Nevertheless, he hasn't given up. And I'm sorry for doubting all your pleads, thinking you were blowing his state out of proportion. I hope you can forgive me."

"Already done," I said.

The man smiled in relief. "Thank you. If you ever need my help with something, feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to."

I nodded.

We shuffled downstairs to the almost empty room. My parents were busy conversing with Nico and an elderly woman standing by his side. I assumed it was his grandmother.

Unfortunately, there were no signs of Nolan or the sheriff.

I knew full well what the cop was here for.

To ask whether or not Nolan knew about the photographs. If he brought up my name, I could say goodbye to Princeton forever. If he didn't, I could say goodbye to Nolan himself.

It was a lose-lose situation for me.

And Nolan was the one deciding my future.

"Helen, join us." Mom called me over. I politely declined, saying I needed to get a drink of water, first. As I helped myself to a glass, my eyes met that elderly woman's. The one who had helped Nico and I earlier. She gave me a thumbs up and I grinned, mirroring her action. Another thumb came next to mine.

Nico's presence didn't even surprise me.

"Good teamwork today, partner," he praised. "My prince charms worked like magic on him."

I laughed. "Definitely."

"And you still chose him over me," he said with a pout. "Not fair. I hate the friend zone."

"Who said you were even in the friend zone?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Friends know things about each and you refuse to tell me anything."

He leaned against the table and asked, "Well, Helen dear, what would you like to know?"

"Anything, Nicolas."

His eyes widened as I sipped on water. "You believe me? That I am a prince?"

"You aren't?"

It was time I accepted how everyone was referring to him. Him being a prince of chocolate was a lot to take in, but nothing outrageous like a discovery of a life sustaining planet.

"Yes, I am," he said quickly. "Okay, here I go." He took a few deep breaths. "I'm Prince Nicolas Diehl the tenth. My parents passed away in a car crash and ever since then, my grandmother has been taking care of things. I've attended over fifteen school in the last ten years and now, we're moving to a new one next week for my senior year--"

"You're leaving?" He couldn't be serious.

"Everyone knows I'm a prince. We can't risk me staying here any longer," he said with a downcast smile. "Though I knew you'd realize your love for me when I said I'm leaving."

"You're a junior in high school," I said aloud. "I don't date younger guys."

"But you date maniacs?"

"Nolan's an exception."

"Oh whatever," he said, disappointment hovering over his face.

"But I confess, if you had met me before Nolan, I might've ended up loving you more than a friend," I told him truthfully. "Regardless of your royal blood." His face beamed. Deep down, I knew that if I pushed aside those cheap pick up lines of his, I'd find a heart of gold. Maybe he'll find someone who deserves him.

"That's why I like you," he said. "You've always been honest with me, since the day we met. All my life, I've been stuck with bodyguards or fake friends. Not someone normal--not exactly, but you know what I mean--who's obsessed with a freak. We both went on a fun adventure together. It's fine if you don't return my feelings. I can live with that. But hey, you're officially my first real friend."

My smile was wider than Jim Carrey's.

He admitted I was his real friend, even if I didn't deserve the honor.

"You're my first non-psycho friend," I told him.

"Cheers to that." He picked up a glass of water and raised it in the air. I bumped my glass against his. We gulped it all down in one chug and stared at each other. "You look like a cool glass of refreshing water, and--"

"And boy, you're thirsty," I finished.

Nico and I burst out laughing like wild hyenas.

"Helen?" He whispered, once our laughter died down. I waited for him to continue. "So, have you come to a conclusion about that kiss under consideration?"

I groaned. "Get lost."

"Oh come on."

"I deserve a kiss on the cheek at least since today's the last day we're gonna see each other." He insisted. "In Europe, people kiss cheeks as a way of greeting. It's not a big deal."

"You never give up, do you?" I said, shaking my head. He smiled in triumph and opened his arms as I set down my glass. I grabbed his collar and pulled his face down in front of me. Seeing no eyes on us, I planted a kiss on his cheek. "Don't tell anyone."

"Don't worry, I don't kiss and tell," he whispered.

Instead of getting mad, I chuckled. When I retreated, my eyes landed past on a figure that stood in the doorway.

It was Nolan.

And he sure appeared unhappy.

Oh no. He probably misunderstood the entire situation!

I hit my palm against my forehead before excusing myself and running after my jerk outside. I saw a police car heading out of the driveway. Nolan leaned against the side of his house hidden under the shadows of overgrown trees and shrubbery, playing with a box of cigarettes. Did he tell the police anything?

"What did the cop ask?" I queried.

"About who took those photos of the girl vandalizing Kay Pal's property," he answered stiffly.

"And what did you tell him?"

"You kissed Nico," he said.

"That's what you told the sheriff?" What nonsense!

"Of course not," he said exasperated. "I walked inside the house a minute ago and saw you kissing Nico."

"And now your heart's burning?" He shot me an unamused look. "It's not what you think it is. Nico's leaving the state and a kiss on the cheek is the European way of saying goodbye." Yes, I was shooting an arrow in the dark. Hopefully, it doesn't miss it's target. "It was a platonic kiss, for god's sake."

"Explains why he didn't turn into a frog," he said icily.

"Nolan, why did the Sheriff want to see you?" I asked, changing the subject.

He played around with a few cigarettes. "He asked who had taken those photos and I came out clean it was me. I went to the principal's house to capture a few snaps of garden gnomes. Then, he inquired whether or not I had seen the girl's face."

My heart was beating furiously.

"And what was your answer?"

His gaze was anywhere but at me. I suppose that was an answer enough. "Helen, I'm sorry."

Everything came crashing down on me and I clutched my face in my hands.

Nolan sold me out.

Maybe I deserved it.

"It's okay." I swallowed. The truth always came out, no matter what. But the truth was going to ruin my life.

No Princeton.

No NASA.

No fancy manors.

No libraries with secret lairs.

An uncalled flood came out of nowhere and tears flowed down my cheeks.

"Hey," Nolan said. He dropped the cigarette pack and rested his hands on my cheeks, wiping away the tears. "I'm sorry I told him I've never seen that girl before in my life." Through tearful eyes, I met the cruel monster's face. "I was just getting back at you for the Nico thing."

"You douchebag!"

"Sorry, I didn't think you'd . . . You assumed I ratted everything out, didn't you?" I nodded with a guilty expression. "If I did that, how would I survive Princeton without you?"

"You got into Princeton too?!" I asked in disbelief.

"If you are number one in the class, I'm number two. Of course I got in. I'm not stupid," he said. Embarrassed, I wiped away the tears. "Even if I hadn't gotten in, I would've never crushed your dream for my selfish reasons. I'm not that bad, Hel-en."

"You're worse," I mumbled. "That was a cruel joke."

"Well, maybe if you hadn't kissed Nico, I would've gotten to the real story faster and we'd be happily making out by now."

"Make out?" I asked incredulously. "I'd rather kiss this ground than your Mundane mouth!"

To be honest, it sounded much better in my head.

I turned on my heels and prepared to leave. A kiss was the last thing he deserved today. Unluckily, he caught my wrist mid-action and tugged me closer to him, locking me in his arms with my back against his chest. He moved the hair resting on my bare shoulder to the other side and bent his head down, allowing his breath to tickle me.

His lips brushed down on my shoulder, sending a storm of butterflies in my stomachs. I could feel his heart thumping in his chest. Just the mere touch of his lips against my skin was setting my nerves on fire. He continued planting kisses after kissed in a line, starting from the edge of my shoulder to my neck. He sucked at the base of my neck, shattering the resistance I tried so hard to maintain. My eyes were sealed tighter than a jar full of strawberry jam.

"You're not leaving me without a proper kiss," he whispered.

Suddenly, I came to my senses. How could I allow him to mess with my mind like that? Sure, we liked each other, but I was supposed to be mad at him right now!

I stomped on his foot.

Wincing in pain, he released me immediately.

"Make me, you vampire!" I taunted and made a run for it.

"You're completely screwed once I catch you, Hel-en!" He yelled.

Not soon after, he was chasing me.

Messing with Nolan had never felt so fun before. Maybe it was the consequence of all the struggles we faced to end up at this point. When I first suffered from a sever case of idiotism, I never predicted myself to end up in the arms of a maniac, kissing him like never before. Sometimes people are just meant to be.

No one knows what my future holds, but I hope it holds the one person who had snuck through the windows of my heart.

Nolan Milesblue.

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A/N

The freaking end.

HOLY SHIT I FINISHED A BOOK! ITS A FREAKING AWESOME FEELING AS Y'ALL CAN IMAGINE!

HOW WAS THE CHAPTER?

EVERYTHING FIXED AND ALL? I'LL TRY TO FIX THE PLOT HOLES (CAN YOU HELP POINT THEM OUT THOUGH) XD

It is the end of Helen and Nolan's journey. But fear not, I'm releasing a spin off.

Nico's future journey at an expensive academy where he meets the girl of his dreams--Moses "Moe" Lester. She kind of lives in his room. And for a reason too. It's called "The Prince & The Badass." Do check it out if you have time. It shall be different from this story.

Last, thank you so much for supporting me throughout this entire book. I was honestly not expecting to reach any more than one or two thousand votes by the end. Tackling a not-so-mentally stable character isn't my forte. Your comments and votes gave me the courage to keep going and finish almost 40 effing chapters.

It was supposed to be a short story! XD

Thanks once again for all the support and love you guys have given to me as a writer. I'm serious when I say it means a lot.

This year has been the worst year of my entire life. Thank you for bearing with my neglectful updating schedule. I'll update more frequently this summer.

Please continue doing what you're doing <3