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Oh my God, I cannot believe they're all about to this.

"Iliana, what's happening?" Jordan asks, their voice dangerously low. "Tell me this isn't real."

"Goldie?" Andre calls gently.

"I can't." The words fall out hoarsely. I shut my eyes for a split second. "I can't."

"Looking forward to it." My strained voice reaches my ears and I look straight ahead, feeling everyone's eyes on me.

Oh how one can lose interest in being the center of attention so quickly.

I swallow the acidic copper taste harshly as Brink chuckles, squeezing the ass cheek he's cupping.

"I knew you would. I'm so proud of you." His words send a disgusting shutter down my spine.

Light his ass up. Light it. I could've saved Luke. I could've saved myself a year worth of hell.

I can see my body tense, the muscles in my back and shoulders rippling slightly.

"Oh, my God." Marie mutters at his action and I can only imagine she's frowning and has that puppy-dog look on her face of pity.

Brink leads us over to his couch, nodding for me to sit as he moves over to pour himself a drink.

"Thank you, sir." I respond tightly.

"And for that, you should be rewarded." Brink continues.

Fear flooded my body in that moment, though I didn't show it, of course. Because how the hell was I supposed to know in that moment what 'reward' he was talking about.

"That's not necessary." I dismiss. "Representing God U as number one is rewarding enough."

God I sound like some pr trained robot.

Brink smiles. "Ah, and that's exactly why you're going to be perfect for this. You and your brother have already exceeded far beyond what we dreamed possible for you two so far. This opportunity will push you both ever further to the top."

I perk up, sitting up even straighter as Brink makes his way over to me, taking a seat next to me.

"Anything for Luke." I nod.

Brink's hand lands above my knee and slowly moves upward and sickening deja vu washes over me, not only having already experienced this fucking memory once, but having lived through this same thing many days ago.

When does this fucking end?

"You know I've told you that you and Golden Boy are both on your way to The Seven in no time." Brink says and I only nod, teeth clenching as his hand moves further up my thigh until he's at the very top. "You will not only being visiting The Seven Tower, representing God U, you will be taking a year away to film a movie."

"What?" I look at him in disbelief.

His grin widens. "Dr. Shetty has approved and it won't set you behind in your classes at all."

"You want me to leave God U?" I repeat, stunned.

"Only for a year." Brink chuckles. "This will set you above any other student. You're going to be drafted immediately to The Seven, guaranteed. You'll be represented Godolkin, you're getting your own movie, collaborating with The Seven, you, Golden Girl, are going to be legendary."

"What if I want to stay?" I question and Brink's joyful expression hardens. "What if I'd rather stay here and-"

"This isn't optional." Brink chuckles, his grip tightening on my thigh. "You wouldn't want something to happen to Golden Boy, would you?" He leans in closer.

My nostrils flare. "No. Sir." I look at him. "What do I have to do?"

The room begins fade, ceiling tiles coming undone and I take a step back.

"He fucking touched you?" Jordan's breath rages.

"Jordan-" Andre starts and I see him grab Jordan's arm out of the corner of my eye before they shove him off.

"No. Brink fucking did that to her and you expect me to not say anything?!" Their voice raises before as my chest tightens, making it hard to breathe.

"Maybe don't fucking yell about it to her right now!" Andre snaps at him.

A knocking sound gains my attention as I notice we're no longer in Brink's office.

"Neither of you aren't helping." Marie interjects as she turns to look at the cause of the noise.

I exhale, seeing myself wearing the same thing I was in moments ago in Brink's office standing in the hallway of the dorms, knocking on a door. Great.

I hear a faint sniffle as I wrap my knuckles on the door. "Jordan, please." I croak.

Finally the door opens to Jordan in their male form. "You were supposed to be here an hour ago, Il-" Their brows furrow as their eyes meet mine as I try to blink back tears. "What's wrong?"

My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I shake my head. "Nothing. Just kiss me." I say breathlessly and throw my arms around their neck. Their lips instantly meet mine and my head spins, feeling lightheaded.

That's how they make me feel. Lightheaded, drunk, breathlessly, crazy-

"You knew." Jordan says, in real time. I feel their eyes burn into the back of my neck. "That night." I stay silent, forcing myself not to turn around. "You knew you were leaving. Brink-" They pause, growing angry once again.

"Don't." I say.

"Don't what?" Jordan snaps back.

"Il." I gasp quietly hearing Luke's voice and Marie jerks beside me, going into a defensive position.

"Hey." I greet happily, entering Luke's room.

"I haven't seen you all day, I was started to worry." Luke smiles and my heart physically rips apart seeing him again, knowing it's not real.

I force a reassuring smile for him, wanting to slap myself for faking anything around Luke. It was for the best, a small voice in the back of my head tries to assure me.

But was it?

"Oh, I just woke up with a bad headache, went straight back to sleep, sorry." I wave it off.

Luke's face softens. "Oh, I'm sorry, Il. Why don't you lay down." He offers.

God, what did I ever do to deserve a twin like him?

"Thanks." I move to sit on the edge of his bed, taking a deep breath. "I, uh, I have some news."

He perks up, raising his brows. "Oh, yeah?" He rubs his hands together. "How exciting, lay it on me."

"Um." I pick at skin around my nails, seeming to find my fingers to be the most interesting thing in the room.

Oh, how I wish I could go back. Go back and be with Luke instead of leaving. Hug him tighter. Tell him I love him more.

"Is it bad news?" He asks, forehead creasing. "Is everything okay?"

I nod quickly. "Yeah, yeah." Who am I fooling? "Well, depends on how you look at."

"How do you look at it?" He asks gently, patiently waiting for me to answer.

That was one of my favorite things about Luke. Was. And the list is long. But he was always so patient with me. Was.

"Godolkin is sending me to film a movie."

His eyes widen. "A movie?! Wow, Illie, that's amazing, congrats! That's huge!"

I nod. "It is." Anyone else would quite literally kill for the opportunity. But its tarnished.

And tarnished gold loses its shine.

"But?"

I look up at him. "How'd you know there's a but?"

He chuckles. "There always is with you." He smiles, and the knots in my stomach ease up, in the memory and the present.

A small, genuine smile reaches my lips before it fades. "I'll have to be gone for a year."

"A year?" Luke repeats, the slightest bit of sad etching his tone. "What about classes?"

"They're exempting me. Firsthand experience stuff." I explain loosely. "I have to go."

Luke nods. "I understand."

And I knew he would. Though I dreaded telling him, I knew he wouldn't be the most difficult person I'd have to tell...

"Yeah?" I check, almost like I needed him to understand. I needed to know he'd be okay.

"Yeah, of course." He says and I give him a look. "Il, I'll be fine."

I rub my arms. "I know. I just... don't know what I'll do without you." I admit. We had never been apart for more than a few hours at a time.

He stands. "Come here." He opens his arms and I don't even think twice before hurrying into my brother's arms.

Beside me Andre clears his throat and I jolt slightly, forgetting for a moment that this was just a memory and I wasn't the only one watching.

"I'll be gone for a year." I whisper.

Luke squeezes. "And it'll go by so fast and you'll be right back here before you know it, you won't even know a years past." He says.

"A lot can happen in a year." I tell him.

And it did...

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽 sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hello, helloooo!! Welcome back to Golden Facadeee!! <3333

Been a HOT minute bc I was sick last weekend, ugh, buttt we're back!! We are still not done with Iliana's memories y'all... buttt next chapters memories is gonna be gooodddd!!

I hope y'all enjoyed this chapterrr!! This was a roughhh one for Illie & it's not gonna get any better... Also, every time I have to write Luke it makes me wanna rip my heart OUT, ugh... I can't even begin to imagine losing a TWIN...

Oh, and can we TAKE a moment to appreicateee protective Jordannnn, ahhh>>>

Anddd can't forgettt HAPPY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO 1989TV!! The Vault Tracks are SO Ilordan coded, omfgggg!! And happy 1 year to episode 7!! Can't believe next Sunday is already the 1 year anniversary of the finale!! Like what?!

I also wanna take a moment to say thank you guys SO much for all your supporttt!!! Especially on the previous chapter, I got a few comments that were SO exciting, sweet, & extremely motivating so keep em coming y'allll!! AND THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR 18K READSSS!!

Until next time, mwah!! <3333