Cosmina's POV

I'm not sure how much longer I can keep denying this. It's hurting both of us. If I give in now, people will think I am cheating on Zak or that Ryan is a rebound, I don't want to sneak around to be able to be with him either.

While I am thinking I notice that our proximity is becoming closer and closer. I try to convince myself I don't want to, but I fail. I close my eyes and slowly lean in as well, meeting him the rest of the way.

I didn't realize how much spark you could feel in a simple peck until that moment. 

I move away, instantly regretting doing that. I shouldn't have; I need to wait to make sure this isn't just a rebound or me trying to get over Zak. I feel awful.

I quickly got up and ran into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me.

"Mina, come out and talk to me please..." Ryan says in a low, desperate voice.

"There's nothing to talk about. That shouldn't have happened. I don't want you to get hurt." I reply, my voice breaking halfway through. 

On the other side of the door, I hear something hitting it and sliding down. Small cries come from the other side of it. I reach for the knob and turn it slowly, opening the door slow enough so that it wouldn't hurt him. 

He is sitting there with his head in his hands still, most likely not realizing that I had opened the door. I sit down next to him and lean on him, waiting for him to calm down. 

Eventually, he becomes completely silent and moves around so that he is sitting normally. We make eye contact and instantly I feel my face get all warm. 

"Can we talk about this please Mina?" He asks desperately. 

I drew in a breath, preparing myself, "Ryan, I'm sorry about how I acted but I said what I meant. This, meaning us, will hurt both you and me and I don't want to put you through anything more. Even if we were to happen it would have to wait because I want to make sure I'm not trying to get over him." I whisper to him. He just stares at his hands sadly. "Ryan, come on. Don't be sad. I know that this is hard, but maybe when the timing is right it will happen." I continue not wanting him to be upset. 

"What if it's never the right time? I have waited so long for you to actually like me back and now that I know you do, you don't want me like that right now. Do you know how hard it's been these past few years without you? There has never been a day where I didn't think about you." He cries out. 

I pull him in for a hug. He still sobs into my shoulder, my hand going up and down his back in an attempt to calm him. 

"Ryan, please stop crying. It will be okay. I'm sorry all of this has happened, I didn't mean to hurt you. Even if we would date right now, it would need to be in secret and I have a feeling you don't want that and neither do I." I finish, him nodding in response. "Look, if it makes any difference, I really do like you." I continued, hoping it would at least make him slightly happy. I manage to get a shy smile out of him that quickly changes back to a saddened face.

I look over at the clock to see it's already 6, I need to get down for dinner. It really didn't feel like it'd been that long...

I quickly race down the stairs with Ryan trailing behind me. We barge into the dining room and all eyes turn to us. 

"Glad to see you two decided to join us." My mom announces, clearly annoyed. 

"Sorry mother, we lost track of time..." I respond, in embarrassment. We both sit down and quickly eat. Neither of my parents try to make small talk, which is pleasant surprise. 

We soon finish and head to my chamber in silence. 

Once I closed the door behind me, Ryan wraps his arms around me from behind, resting his head on my shoulder. I had to admit it was quite cute, but I know that it isn't right to be doing any of this. I step forward, just enough to pull his arms off.

"Ryan, I'm sorry. I know it's hard for us both, but we need to keep away from all of this for now." I say in response to my actions. He looks so sad. I feel so bad, but I know that if we are together now it will only end up as a disaster. 

I head into the bathroom to change into something a little more comfortable. 

We both head to the East Wing in an awkward silence. As we approach the door, my feet slow, not wanting to have to leave him. This is torture for me, I hate having to do this. 

I slow as I am standing in front of the looming wooden door before me, Ryan behind me. I turn around and quickly wrap my arms around his neck, giving him a quick hug before entering for two hours of more torture.

Throughout my lessons, my teacher keeps getting upset with me due to my lack of focus and willingness to do as she asked.

Ryan's POV

I can't believe how much this hurts. I hate having to stay away from doing anything. All I want is to have her and now, even with knowing she has feelings for me, I can't be with her.

Waiting here is making me tired again. I didn't want to fall asleep again though. I know I needed to be strong in everything if I want to win her over.

This is going to be the longest two hours of my life.

I sit there twiddling my thumbs and pacing back and forth for the time that she was busy. I start to doze off while waiting but I know I have to fight it.

Finally she exits and approaches me, looking tired as ever. I can't help but feel bad for her. She looks so exhausted. I didn't quite understand it though. Dancing doesn't normally tire her out. I wonder what was really tiring her out.

We start toward her chamber me leading this time. I can't help but notice that this was the second night in a row she had skipped her second training class. I don't question it too much tonight due to her current state.

I open the door to her chamber and enter with her following suit. She heads to sit on her bed and I sit on the chair in the corner yet again.

I take this time to sit there and admire her beauty as she watches the television completely zoning out everything else.

Once the commercials start she looks over at me and catches me staring. I feel a warmth go across my face as her dazzling blue eyes meet mine, but I quickly look away, embarrassed. She gently pats the spot next to her on her bed to invite me over, I accept this as a chance to be close to her again. I try and keep a little distance but stay close at the same time.

After what seems like only a little bit of time, the movie she was watching ends. I glance at the clock and notice it is almost eleven.

"Mina, it's late, I think I'm going to head home." I say reluctantly, not wanting to leave for the night. She nods in response.

As I leave I can feel her eyes burning into my back. I trail down the hall and stairs and then out the gates.

I walk down the dark and seemingly dreary street, still wishing to be back with her. I trudge all the way to my house and finally to bed.

I collapse onto the comfort of my mattress and close my eyes, not caring about changing or getting ready for bee in general.

I was not looking forward to the coming days.

Cosmina's POV

As I get ready to sleep, I question why I keep doing this to myself. I really do like Ryan and it is killing me that I keep pushing him away every time he tries to get close. I know that I do want to be with him for the right reasons now, I'm just not sure of how to express that to him. I don't want it to be awkward like today.

I soon find myself back on my bed, laying down and falling into a deep slumber.

*The Next Morning at School*

Ryan's POV

As I approach the gates of the school I spot Jordan looking for me. I duck my head down in the hopes that he won't notice me.

Unfortunately, I'm not so lucky. I am pulled to the side and into the back door of the school building. My back hits the wall of the abandoned hallway, my head snapping back.

"How's life been with the princess? You have been ignoring us because of it." Jordan sneers. I knew this wasn't going to be good. Jordan took a hard and quick punch to my stomach with his free hand, knocking the wind out of me.

I fall back down to the ground, landing with my hand breaking my fall and hearing a large crack. I struggle to get up, barely able to stand without using my hand. I manage to get up and am able to block a few hits from Jordan, I wasn't going to sink to his level and hurt him as well. He gets a few in and manages to knock me down again, being able to kick me in the ribs. Knocking all of the air I had left out of me, I struggle to catch my breath.

"Why would she even want to be around a loser like you anyway?" he questions harshly. I wonder the same thing as well, I'm nothing important anymore. I'm nothing like her, we are too different to work out. As I ponder why she does have me around, the kicks get harder and I start to cough and a crimson red liquid hits the ground. The hall starts to spin and becomes dark.

Soon the darkness surrounds me and engulfs me fully, Jordan not slowing his foot at all. 

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Okay so cutting it off here, sorry about it being a shorter chapter this time.

Thanks all for reading and if you enjoyed please be sure to vote <3