Haha, I don't actually think anyone will find this here but since I spent such a long time writing it all and no longer want the book it was in up I feel a need to put it here. I might come back and expand on it some day since I loved it so much. This was for a selection writing contest where I didn't win the prince, but I did get best writer XD

Oh well. Slightly disapointed but I kinda expected it since Aria is a little hard to love.

That's alright. I'll love her too pieces alone ^-^

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One Moment

Seventeen hours.

One thousand twenty minutes.

sixty one thousand two hundred seconds.

One never ending moment.

It flips through her head each and every time, it prickles painfully not willing to dull.

And oh how the storm swirls.

Aria Summers had once been a girl full of giggles, bright shining eyes that laughed, a voice that sang as her feet carried her skipping down the street. She braided daisy chains and spun with the falling leaves. She stuck her tongue out to catch snowflakes and jumped in the muddy puddles of spring.

But seventeen hours was all it took to change that.

They had come. Guns flaring, explosions lighting the sky like the lightning that joined its crescendoing performance.

In one thousand twenty minutes the tiny girl witnessed her home going up in flames.

She heard her mothers screams from within it as the building collapsed.

Watched her little sister clutch the stuffed rabbit as a single shot stole her breath.

Listened to her father begging them to spare the rabbit's guardian before a dagger stole his.

Sixty one thousand two hundred seconds was all it took to change the little girl completely.

Her older brother may have lifted her from the ashes of ruin but he could do nothing to save her from the people.

They all turned a blind eye as the girl struggled, reaching out. Soon she learned it was best to cry alone. Nothing came from others but pain.

When someone finally did offer a hand her brother watched in horror as she smacked it away with a sneer.

He watched as her eyes flashed with pain, her fingers curled tight, bloody crescents on her palms.

He watched as the little daisy crown giggling girl didn't just push people away.

She ensured they'd never come back.

When Kyler Summers discovered the letter flamboyantly written, beckoning any girls of age to fill out a form for the selection he tucked it in his pocket.

Perhaps, this could be it.

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Fates Twisted

"Aria!" The sharp call reaches me from across the field, it would be Kyler of course. Yes, it was his voice but he was also the only one who would ever call on me.

I drop down from my tree and begin to pick my way down the barely visible path.

"Aaaria!" That was strange. He never called twice. "Aria!"

Slightly concerned now I begin to run, I cut across the field path, waves of barley brushing against me as I take the short cut. Up head I see our little house nestled off to the edge. I speed up as the building slants into my view, my bare feet making soft thuds in the earth.

"Aria!"

"I'm here!" I call out, running faster, my tangled mane of hair flying out behind me, flashing in the dying sun's light. I come out of the field and sure enough it's Ky, he grins at me brightly as I skid to a halt in front of him. My breath just a bit uneven.

"About time! If you poked around any longer we'd be late." He said turning away. I blink at him confused, catching onto his sleeve to stop him.

"Late for what?" I ask, confusion clouding my voice.

"We're going over to Aaron's remember? They're announcing the selected." My face fell and he responded with a knowing sad smile.

"Aria...." He sighed slightly reaching for my hand. He squeezed it lightly, folding the tiny thing in his large grasp. I look back up at him. "It's not that bad."

It was. We both knew it. By the end of the night I'd instigate a fight with Liza, offend Aaron's ma, anger his pa, and make Aaron squirm. What made it worse was that they owned the farm we worked on.

Yet going there was really the only way we'd get the news.

"Why do we have to go?" I said, still hopeful he'll let us skip.

"Because both you and Liza are in the drawing, remember?" He began leading me down the path, probably thinking I'd dart back into the field if he released my hand. Scratch that. Knowing.

The argument over the selection had taken us both. He'd wanted me to go really badly for some unknown reason while it just looks like a night mare to me.

All new people. All new faces. The whole goal being to get to know each other and 'find love'.

It hurts enough now. I can't let anyone near. With so many.....I don't know if I could manage.

In the end however I filled out the form for him. Remembering his smile at that moment now steadies me. It will turn out just fine, nothing will change.

"It won't be me." My response is confident. Surely they'd pick someone else.

Ky shot me a sideways glance, "You don't know that." I snorted lightly, closing my eyes. Preparing myself for this.

I felt his grip on my little scarred hand tightened. He knew exactly what I was doing. "Aria..." His voice was pleading. I opened my eyes looking up at him. His looked sadly into mine and I had to dart my icy gaze away, his always hurt the most.

He sighed softly tugging me up the steps knowing I wouldn't let it slip. Knowing that the 'it's not that bad' would surely be bad. But I had to- had to. I just.....couldn't.

Because the truth was that I needed them to stay away. I couldn't be unguarded, not like Ky wanted.

He opened the door leading us inside, Aaron jaunted down the hall at the cry of the hinges.

"You made it!" He grinned happily at us, his expression flickering as his eyes met mine. He shifted uneasily, "Well...you can just....go on inside. The others are already in the living room." He darted his gaze away. I felt sick.

Ky lead me to the living room, finally releasing my hand. I quickly darted to my corner hoping to go unnoticed. No such luck, I felt a hand catch my wrist, stopping me.

"C'mon! Sit down over here!" The high pitched voice of Liza Shuman, Aaron's little sister. Just a year my senior.

While Aaron was all dark brown hair and skin his sister somehow caught the opposite. All bright blonde paleness that refused most of the farm work in favor of her fingernails.

We never got along but she loved the drama I caused. She knew she'd get to whine later and try to get me fired if she sat beside me. It had almost worked once. However her parents knew how hard I worked and refused to budge.

I ripped my hand from her grip, "No." I said eyes flashing, "Why would I want to sit with you?" I tried for a sneer but I could still feel the ghost of her grip on my wrist and it was hard to focus. Touch was an uneasy thing.

I felt someone rest a hand on my shoulder and I quickly spun away, I saw flash of hurt in Aaron's eyes, "Aria, your welcome to sit with us."

I shook my head, letting my hair fall forward and hiding part of my face, not trusting myself to keep it blank. "I'd rather sit here." My voice was low and devoid of emotion. My fingers curled tight, the nails biting into the skin.

Aaron nodded, "Alright, Liza- why don't you get us drinks?" I didn't have to see her face to know her eyes had gone skyward, complete with an irritated huff.

I settled myself in my corner as they left me be. They turned on the TV and the flamboyant as ever royal news man excitedly started the report.. I quickly lost interest, finding a rather peculiar spot on the ceiling.

I'm not exactly sure how much time had passed but the sound of a glass shattering as it hit the floor snapped me out of my thoughts.

I turned just in time to see a face I recognized on the TV. Dark wild hair fell to her hips, full of sunlit streaks and framing a tanned face. Stormy gray eyes, a simple red tunic and dark pants. The barest of smiles turned her lips.

I continued to stare in shock at the TV even after my image had changed to the next girl. The voices of the TV continued but I couldn't make out a thing past the warning hum in my ears.

Details hit me fast. Liza yelling. Aaron trying to calm her down. Ky crouched cleaning up the glass at the girls feet. The already-turned-to-gossip whispers of my employers. Yet I was frozen by the newest truth facing me.

I had been selected.

I backed up a step only to connect with the wall. I needed to go. Now.

Without a second thought I darted away, away from the raised voices. Away from Liza's screaming and Aaron's gentle reasoning. Away from my brothers voice which would be able to talk me down. Convince me everything was fine. That this was it.

I charged out into the night my breath coming fast. No. Oh please no. It was wrong. It had to be wrong.

That wasn't me. I hadn't even heard my name. It was just some other girl who looked like me.

I tripped, my momentum sending me sprawling to my knees, the gravel cut into my palms. I didn't bother getting up.

"No." I choked on the word. I buried my face in my bloody hands, feeling the sticky traces of tears there.

"No."

---------------------------------

What have I done?

What have I done?

Those four little words looped around my head, again and again. What have I done?

This was not how it was suppose to go. I was not suppose to be here. I was not suppose to have any sort of connection of any kind at all to this place. I was most certainly not suppose to be one of the finalists.

And yet here I was.

For all the snobby comments, all the sneering, the smirks, the rude snips and eye rolls it all added up to my, on some strike of insanity, still being here.

My fingers curled slightly tracing over the rough texture of the countless scars along the palms of my hands. I wondered how many of them were from this, and yet it wasn't enough. For everything I'd done I was still here.

I'd slipped up. Bad. On that last date I'd completely failed, the hours of staring off in space and preparing myself to be cold as the ice we'd skate on had done nothing. He'd still managed to some how shift the layer I'd had, and by that point I'd once again lost all my will to shove him away.

The closer he gets, they get, everyone gets. The closer they come the harder it is.

But yet I have too, need to. It'll just hurt that much more in the end otherwise.

And yet, he seems not to mind. As if he understands. Is giving me a chance I don't deserve.

No I can't. I have to do this.

But....what if I.... I don't want to-

"Aria- Aria are you listening?"

I glance up sharply, the voice of Elizabeth dragging me away from what had claimed the spot of my biggest fear. "A uh, yes?"

She clicked her tongue shaking her head and seeing right through my lie, in the same instance somehow managing to turn the corners of my lips up slightly.

Her own lovely smile slipped into place, "Beautiful. Do just that and you'll be the only thing they see."

I shook my head, a small laugh escaping me. This lovely old woman had managed far more than anyone else had in years. She'd somehow wove her way past everything, with all her reprimanding and scolding she'd danced about and set to straightening me out. She saw through me and for that I might even be thankful. Although I'm sure it will hurt I'm careful. For all though she knows of my act and my bloody scarred hands she doesn't ask me to tell her everything, just that I don't try to push her away anymore.

She promised she wasn't going anywhere, even if I was a total brat.

And so we've made our compromise.

"-Aria," The old woman laughed, giving me a gentle shove towards the standing mirror. "If you bothered to listen for a moment you could've gotten yourself some prime advice."

"Oh really? And that is?"

"Just look, I want you to see."
She steered me in front of the looking glass. With a soft sigh I followed her instructions, turning I froze, a bit startled.

Familiar stormy gray eyes were widened in surprise, no make up adorned her cheeks, the girl in front of me had her brown wavy locks pulled back in a braided crown that met in the back, the rest of her hair cascading to her shoulders. There, the brown locks met a deep emerald green, the strap of the carefully made dress smoothing into a sweet heart neckline, The dark fabric hugged her figure smoothing into her waist and back out to run across her hips. The fabric gathered at one side in a lovely little crystal clasp, dropping down and leaving an opening in the front where one leg showed.

I shook my head clearing my thoughts after determining that she was indeed me. I smiled slightly. "Thanks Liza it's lovely- but," I turned to my maid, raising an eyebrow as I gestured to the slit in the dress. "This is because I tripped on the last one isn't it?"

Elizabeth smirked slightly, adjusting the strap that was above a splatter of star like sparkles on half the bodice. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

For the second time in a very short amount of time I was rolling my eyes, and yet again it wasn't to be rude. "Ah, yes. And kettles fly."

"Do they now?" She asked in mock surprise and I shot her a look, earning one of her easy smiles.

That was, until it fell serious. "Aria...."
Her tone was tense and I glanced over, meeting her eyes in the reflection. "What is it Liza?"

"Could you- I-I know you asked me not to. But really Aria- could you maybe..." She took a step back, her hands twisting as she cast her eyes down. I turned to face her.

"Liza- whats wrong?"

She turned away, "nothing Aria. Just, maybe not try to turn the country against you? No one deserves that. Both sides. Try....try showing them why your still here."

"As if I know that reason." I said dryly as she walked away to the door, having done all she could to prepare me. It was the other maids turns now.

She turned, her hand on the knob and simply answered me with a smile, her words gentle yet strong. "But I know. You would too if you stopped trying to be a bad person and took a moment to find for yourself who you truly are."

And with that she left, abandoning me to my whirling thoughts once more.

And when I look down I discover that my shaking hands are bunching the fabric of her lovely dress, creasing harsh ugly wrinkles like scars.

And I wonder if it is possible for someone to love something ruined.

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Darkness

The dark.

It surrounds me now, echoing the same words, and yet- now? Now I know.

I use to fear it. Then I thought it was a part of me- was me. That if I let someone near enough the dark would hurt them.

And so I was a fool.

It wasn't the dark that hurt them.

No.

That was me.

I'm sick of it. The pain I see in others. I thought I'd make it better if I reflected it on myself, earned my own share of scars.

I can trace the lines of scorn I shared with the baker, run my finger along the sneers I saved for my boss's daughter all that time ago. I can feel the hint of glares that I tossed like candy along the streets.

And perhaps most apparent- at least to me. The special little lines from the hurtful words I'd offered to Alec.

Then the new ones. I hadn't done some in quite a bit of time. I suppose it was him. He had managed to get through my carefully layered walls and somewhere along the way I'd forgotten all about curl my hands and sharpening my tongue.

But it hadn't been hard to convince them. They hadn't seen the curl of my hands, the way my head had dipped ever so slightly.

I swear, echoed the darkness.

No. It wasn't hard at all to convince them I hated them.

The rebels had read the news. All they'd known of me up till recently was my sneers, my hateful comments, an iron pride, a scorning gaze.

They'd accepted my response to 'behaving myself' on the latest interview as a last ditch effort to change peoples views and snag the crown.

Yes. There decision to trust me had been as easy as my decision to give in.

After all hadn't I already made it all those years ago?

How could I not give in?

How couldn't I when they'd threatened Ky? My maids?

An-and him?

Swear to? Echoes the dark.

I won't let them. I won't let them touch them. Never again will these Rebels steal anyone from me. I will die before I see it done. I will be here. I'll stand here in the darkness I'd feared for so long. I'll sneer at my brother on their video camera. I'll tell all of Illea that they are stupid. I'll spit in Troy's face if it means he stays safe.

And while before the selection I wouldn't have cared. What had Illea ever done for me? What had its royals?

I hadn't on anyone's side. The Rebels had done nothing. The Royals hadn't cared.

And I had been stupid.

I deserved the darkness now.

I'd been blind. They do so much more. Alec cares so much more. And while he may not know my story, while I'd carefully danced about and avoided the questions, he never needed to know in order to care.

And now his opinion of me might change very soon.

While Kyler's pain will hurt I think it will be Troy's disappointment in me that will hurt the most.

The darkness here has taught me that. That though I've tried to ignore it, tried to push it away, stuff it into a dark corner to shrivel up and die. It has forced me to face one last painful truth so that irony could laugh one last time.

I am in love with Alec Smith.

And I will never be a part of his smile ever again.

For when they'd asked my lips to curve their words I did so immediately without a second thought and I will not regret it.

My tongue swore to be on their side, while my lips sneered at the thought of pairing off with the royals.

My mind whispered to protect him, my will hardening even as I was breaking all over again in the action it took to do so.

And so this laughing darkness echoes the words I'd used to seal my fate.

I swear, it says.

I draw my knees up to my chest. My hands do not shake. I have no fear. No fear for me.

I may not be alive tomorrow if they change their mind but I do not care. I think I died a while ago.
I haven't deserved to live since a while ago at least.

"I swear." I murmur back, closing my eyes, the world unchanging. Blackness in blackness out. Perhaps I was right about that. Maybe I am darkness. "I swear I won't let them touch you."

It could've been immediately. It could've been hours later. But the darkness broke, sharp white light washed in followed by a charge of silhouettes.

I raise my head, eyes flickering open not bothering to try and focus on them, not knowing who they were. That wouldn't have changed my opinion.

"Your safe." Said one, approaching me with an offered hand. Flashes of the past come to me. Hands offered, smiles, brightness and light.

And so I do what I must. What I'd thought I'd always had to do. What I'd always done.

What I knew for sure that I had to do now.

I gathered my own darkness, a sneer curving my lips. "Go away. I have no wish to return to your wretched castle. Why should I? Why would anyone want to leave their home?"

I am thankful I had drawn my knees up.

There was no way for them to see the curl of my hands. No wince crossing my face as I dug the nails deep and hard.

I swear.

-------------------

Lost Secrets

"Aria?"

I stood frozen, unable to respond as the familiar face turned towards me. As Kyler looked at me, a letter slipping from his shaking hands, "Aria....why?"

Finally I snapped into motion stepping forward briskly to pick up the paper, stuffing it in the open drawer and slamming it closed without meeting his eyes.

I felt a hand rap around my wrist, yanking me to face him. I could see the tears in my brother's eyes, feel them prickling at the back of mine.

I iced my expression, years of practice not even requiring thought to do it. "Why?" He breathed.

"Why not?" I sneered breaking, my hands were curled behind my back. He couldn't see them or he'd know. "What has Illea ever done for us Kyler?" I hissed lowly. He couldn't know.

I couldn't risk it. I already risked so much. The only way to perhaps gain back his smile was telling him the truth. That I'd been twisting lies to feed to the rebels.

But he couldn't know. If the rebels found out he'd discovered my secret- and it was almost impossible they wouldn't- and was okay with it..... They'd suspect me then- then they might follow through on their promise.

It was dangerous. I was already risking everything. No one could know but me.

Because when it came down to it that old phrase I'd traced on the pages of a forgotten book in the library.

Two could keep a secret if one of them is dead.

And so I'd whispered my burden to my mother. My Father. The stars.

But I couldn't tell Alec.

And now I couldn't tell Kyler.

"But Aria...Aria- w-what they did? Why would you- how could you?" His voice was so low, sharp pain lacing through it.

I turned away from him, shifting items on my desk, moving the fancy pen I'd used to write the words he spoke of. "I don't have to explain myself to you."

"No." his voice had hardened, was cold lie I'd always made mine. "I never asked you to. Not once. All those years Aria and then this- this. I can't understand. And frankly, I'm not sure I care to."

I turned to look back at him keeping my head low, my hair hanging in my face. He had tear streaks down his face but he didn't reach to swipe them away. Just stared down at me, a cold line setting his lips.

"And as I said you don't need to." I bit out harshly, throwing the pen's cap down harshly, as if hurting the thing I'd used to seal my fate would make it better.

He took at step forward, reaching to catch my shoulder, turn me towards him. "But I don't understand Aria- why? The castle- they'd sent me a letter. You were captured by the rebels- w-what did they do to you Aria?"

"They did nothing. Just showed me the light. That's all." I said shaking off his grip, he didn't try to hold onto me. Just let his hand fall empty, returning to his side.

He took a step back, taking a breath to steady himself, his hands curling into fists, the motion sending a pang through me.

That's how I'd started. Always curling, always trying to draw myself up. And he'd always been there.

"Aria. I- I don't know what the heck your thinking. I'd always given you your space, always defended you. But Aria? I- I just can't. After everything- and now this." Disappointment and pain flashed in his eyes as his feet carried him another step back, the motion widening the divide I'd split between us between us.

"KY-" I'm not sure what I was going to say. My voice was to soft, falling right below his own words as he continued, his back now facing me as, for the first time, he turned away from me.

"I've stood by your side for so long Aria. But I think- no I need to think. But Aria," He paused at the door way, looking back at me, his hand on the knob. "If this is your choice- know that mine is no longer by your side." His gaze was unwavering, his voice tense with pain but he didn't look away. Not till he twisted the knob, then suddenly it was just me.

I fell to my knees. Crouching low as my hands began their shaking again. It seemed to happen quite often recently.

But I couldn't tell. Not anybody. If anyone found out they'd take them.

I knew that I couldn't betray Illea- couldn't betray Alec- by giving secrets.

But I wonder how much more I risk by breaking rules on both sides. I'd be aright if Ky told them. it be so much easier if I were sent to jail. Perhaps they'd lock me away then I wouldn't worry about either side. I'd just be all alone again. Tumble into the darkness again. At least they'd be safe. Kyler would be safe. My maids would be safe.

Alec would be safe.

Yet I know one thing for sure.

The rebels are fully capable of stealing them from me.

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And that's the end of the blurbs! I did change the name of the Prince simply because I also used Aria somewhere else in an rp and she did end up with Alec in the end after their own share of messes and walls.