"UGH!" I exclaim, slamming the doors to my closet shut and whirling around, pressing my back against the cool wood and sinking down to the floor in a melted heap of Ashley.

"What's the big deal?" Becky asks from where she's combing through her hair in front of the mirror a few yards away, not sparing me a glance.

"The deal is the Harvest Festival is in one hour and Lager still hasn't visited me like he said he would!" I grunt, standing up and walking out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, where I pace the floor.

"What if Sylvia really has sunk her claws into him? What will I do then? I can't exactly walk up to him and demand he take me instead of her. Arg! I should have gone to him, not wait for him to come to me! To make matters worse I don't even have an outfit and I'm suppsoed to be ready in one hour!" I rant, fisting my hair as I collapse backwards into a heap on the bed.

"Just stop ranting already!" Becky snaps, walking into the room and crossing her arms while narrowing her eyes at me. "One, it won't fix anything, and two, you're hurting my ear drums."

"Sorry." I mutter, staring up at the ceiling in defeat.

"I thought something like this might happen. Something always happens when it comes to you. I can't really help you in the date department, but I did go ahead and get something else for you."

She turns on her hell and walks back into the bathroom. Curious, I push myself up so I'm leaning back on my arms, craning my neck to see what she has.

Becky comes out with a hanger, and on it is a short, stylish black dress that's sure to make anyone look gorgeous in it.

"Becky..." I trail off in awe, climbing off the bed and taking a few steps towards her. "That dress is gorgeous!"

"I know, right?" She smirks, putting it against her and twirling around. "It's going to look great on me don't you think?"

My face falls. "What?"

"Oh this one is for me. Don't worry though, I still got you a dress. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?"

I let out a breath of releif, watching as she dissapears into the bathroom again and emerges with another one.

This one is.....pretty.

It's a floor length slip with spaghetti straps and a slight V-neckline. It basically looks like someone took a slip of black fabric and made it into a dress form.

"It's......pretty. Thank you, I guess." I say, and she scowls, narrowing her eyes at me.

"That's the thanks I get for going through the trouble to find you this dress?" She sniffs.

"Were you actually the one to find it?"

"Of course not! Kay did."

I slap my forehead, uttering a few choice words under my breath, but I reach out and take the dress anyway, walking past Becky and into the bathroom while shutting the door.

I slip on the dress, which is as light as a feather, the fabric feels so thin. I tuck the necklace I'm wearing, a blue, nearly translucent crystal that's tear-drop shaped, into my dress so it's out of sight. When I open the door, Becky is standing there in her beautiful dress, waiting for me.

When she sees me come out she snorts, before quickly covering her mouth, her eyes glittering. She coughs to control herself and smiles.

"You look gorgeous, Ashley!"

"Mhmm." I hum flatly, not believing her because of the laughing gleam in her eyes. Then my eyes dash to the clock hanging on the wall right besides the fireplace that contained lava.

"We have ten minutes before it begins!" I exclaim, jogging forward and grabbing Becky by the arm.

"What about shoes?" She asks as I start to drag her towards the door, and I pause, looking down at my bare feet that poke out from beneath the black dress.

"Where are they?"

She points to two pairs of shoes. One of the pairs are cute black flats, which Becky grabs, sliding on her feet. The other pair are black, glossy stilettos with a heel so thin, it's almost as thing as the fabric of the dress I'm wearing.

"Kay again?" I ask, accusingly turning my narrowed eyes to Becky, who shrugs innocently.

I sigh, grimacing, before making the split decision to go barefoot. There's no way I'm making a fool tonight and killing myself. Those heels look sharp enough to stab someone.

On second thought......

I quickly jog over and swoop them up off the ground, carrying them tucked beneath my arm and speed-walking back over to Becky who waits at the door. Who knows, there might be a certain blonde-haired snake in the need of a good stabbing tonight.

Together, we hurry down the hallway that's lined with floor to ceiling length windows, and there's nobody in sight. They must all be at the festival already.

We reach the huge metal doors that lead to the outside and Becky punches in the code, knowing it because she's lived in Highclere nearly her whole life.

The doors slowly start to open and we slip through.

"There it is." Becky points up ahead to where light is coming from in the orchard, the sky fading to a dark black around us.

We start to walk through the lines of trees towards the glow of light, faint music growing louder as we near.

"You've been to this festival before right? What should I expect?" I ask, turning my head to look at Becky and breaking the silence.

"Every year." She nods, her voice soft. "It's a festival. I'm sure they have them back on the Main land."

"They do, but I thought this one might be different."

She contemplates for a second, before shrugging. "Music, dancing, and lots, I mean lots, of fruit."

She then turns to look at me, a corner of her mouth actually pulling upwards, and that draws a smile out of me.

When I turn back to face the front, I realize that while talking, we had gotten much closer, and have now arrived to the border of the festivities.

"Wow." I breathe, taking in the scene before me.

Twinkle lights are strung up in trees, illuminating the festival, and rows upon rows of tables are set up with many fruits, all different types and colors. Everyone in Highclere is in attendance, spread out among the trees and mingling. A little group of people playing stringed instruments is gathered underneath one twinkle-light covered tree, playing a fun, upbeat song.

"Yep. It's pretty amazing." Becky says, pride in her voice.

I nod, scanning the people, and then I notice that everyone is here, expect for one person.

"Where is Lager?" I question, my brows furrowing.

"You mean your "date"?" Becky asks, using quotation marks and making me narrow my eyes at her. "I have no idea," She continues, "Sorry I can't help you find a partner. I already have my own. Speaking of which, where is that horrible-smelling monkey?"

I roll my eyes at her, but she's correct, I can't find Max either.

Suddenly everyone goes quiet at the music stops playing, and murmurs start up as everyone starts to get into groups of two.

"It's time for the traditional ceremonial dance." Becky says, a hint of worry in her voice. "I'm supposed to do it with Max."

"Did Max even ask you to go with him to the Harvest festival?" I ask, and Becky seems to turn pale, eyes going wide, then turning furious.

"No, he didn't, but I thought it was a given that he go with me. I mean, who else would he go with?"

Just then a group of people move aside and my eyes spot a familiar mop of blonde curls, dread filling me as I catch sight of Max.

"Most likely her." I say, pointing to Max who is talking to a pretty girl with brown hair, laughing as the girl says something. He's actually wearing a shirt for one, a nice button down black one that has short sleeves and matches with the black shorts he wears.

I nervously glance to the side at Becky, expecting steam to be shooting out of her ears, and for a second she does look downright furious, her face turning as red as an apple that sits on a table just a few yards away, but then her shoulders slump and the anger leaves her. She stares at Max and the girl with wide, sad eyes, and I lightly rest my hand on her upper arm.

"I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding." I try to comfort her. "Max has eyes only for you."

"I'm not too sure anymore." Becky says, her gaze going dark as Max laughs again, his smile never-ending.

By now many couples have gotten into places in the middle of the festival area, standing there as they seem to wait for something.

"What are they waiting for?" I ask Becky.

"The High Commander." She responds, and my gaze immediately darts around again, trying to see if I can find him.

Lager said something about choosing someone special to do the dance with. Maybe there is still a chance he'll pick me.

"Make way for the High Commander!" A shout goes up int he crowd, and people move aside as Lager, dressed surprisingly different in a black suit, but still with that same black cape on, strides into the festival.

My eyes glued to his form, watch as he moves to the very center of the dancing area, a light and playful smirk lighting up his features as looks out over his people.

"May the ceremonial dance commence!" He declares, and claps start to echo with his words.

Then Lager outstretches his hand, seeming to beckon to someone, and I'm nearly stunned out of my socks, if I was wearing any, to see Kay slowly start to walk through the space people had made for Lager, her head down in shyness as she walks forward.

She looks absolutely adorable, her dirty-blonde hair pinned up in a cute bun with strands of curled hair left out to frame her face. The dress she wears go a little past her knees, and looks like something a twelve year old princess would wear.

Is it possible to be jealous of a twelve year old?

She reaches Lager and takes his outstretched hand, letting him guide her into a dancing position.

Yes, I decide, it definitely is.

Lager gestures to the group of musicians to start the music, and I sigh, my shoulders slumping in defeat, when suddenly someone grabs a hold of my hand.

I startle, looking down and seeing Becky's hand and mine, her grip tight as she starts to pull me towards the dancing, my shoes dropping onto the grounf.

"What are you doing?" I ask, putting up a slight resistance, but she's relentless.

"Since both of our partners ditched us, we might as well partner up ourselves." She says through gritted teeth, pulling me into the throng of people right as the music starts up.

"But I don't know this dance!" I argue, brow furrowing as Becky grabs onto my other hand, her features set in determination. There's no escaping now.

"What do you want me to do? Flutter my eyelashes and tell you that I'll teach you? This isn't a romance movie! Just dance, Ashley!" Becky demands, starting to move her feet in the way that everyone else is.

I look at the couple next to us, a middle aged man and woman, and try to copy their movements, moving awkwardly in what I hope is the right dance.

Based on how everyone is moving all around me, the ceremonial dance is supposed to be graceful and almost languid, one movement flowing into the next.

I concentrate as hard as I can on replicating the steps, but it just doesn't work. I'm always a few seconds behind and my dance moves are stiff.

That's when my eyes catch sight of the figure standing at the edge of the circle of dancers.

"Um....Becky?"

"What?" She asks while continuing to dance in her relaxed, confident manner.

I stop dancing for a few seconds, which makes Becky narrow her eyes ta me, and poitn at the figure.

"If Max had a partner, why is he not dancing with her and is instead standing over there looking like a kicked puppy?"

Becky whips her head in the direction I'm pointing and stops dancing in surprise.

"Where did the girl he was with go?"

I shrug, softening my tone and gaze. "Maybe you should go talk to him?"

She shakes her head, disappointment settling on her face as she starts to move to the music again.

"I can't. Once the ceremonial dance has begun, you can't leave until it's finished. I'm pretty sure we also just broke a rule by stopping our dancing."

"Oh." I say dumbly as I start to copy her movements again, my gaze wandering away from sad Max and landing on, yet again, another familiar figure.

Sylvia stands at the edge of the dance, a pouting look on her face as she stares at Lager. I can almost sympathize.

My eyes trail to Sylvia's target, finding Lager easily as he towers over most people. Kay stands on his feet and dances with him, her head reaching just below his chest.

When my eyes trail back up to Lager, I'm surprised to find he's looking at me, his gaze intense as if he's been hoping I would meet his stare.

When he sees I'm looking right back at him, he blinks once, and then a corner of his mouth slowly lifts upward into a languid smirk, his gaze darting from Becky then back to me.

I shake my head at him, just imagining all the things he must be thinking right now.

Men, am I right?

I was too caught up in Lager's gaze to even notice the ending notes of the song play, and when everyone comes to a stop in the dance, I'm still embarrassingly moving around.

I quickly halt my movements, feeling my cheeks heat and sending a pointed glare at Lager, who's raised a hand to his mouth to hold in a laugh.

I barely have time to take a step in Lager's direction before Sylvia is on him, butting Kay out of the way with her hip and placing a manicured hand on his shoulder.

I pause, watching as Lager stares down at her flatly, before shrugging her hand off and murmuring a few words to Kay, who nods.

He straightens, looking over in my direction and I hurriedly look anywhere else but at him, hoping that he didn't notice I was staring.

"Hello, ladies." Max appears in front of us, his sad demeanor gone and replaced by his usual playful one. " I have to say, you two dancing together, was the hottest thing I've seen in my entire life."

Becky growls, socking him on the shoulder and making him yelp while I roll my eyes.

"But in all seriousness," Max continues after rubbing his shoulder with his other hand," I thought you and I were doing the dance together, Becky."

"We never said we would, and you found another partner!" She exclaims, crossing her arms in anger.

Max's brows furrow in confusion, his hand moving from his shoulder to rub the back of his neck.

"What other partner? I didn't even do the dance."

"You know who I'm talking about!" Becky says, sparks flaring to life in her eyes. "The little brunette you were laughing your head off with before the dance!"

Max's eyes widen in realization, before a smile blooms across his face. "Oh, now I see what this is about. You're jealous."

"Please." Becky scoffs, turning away from him and rolling her eyes. "I don't get jealous."

"Yes, you absolutely were." Max sings, moving so she's facing him again. "You have nothing to worry about though, I'm all yours. Also,That girl was Vanessa. I helped her grandmother with her back problems the other day, and she was just giving me a report on how she's doing."

"How is her grandmother's back problems funny?" Becky interrogates, although her tone is now starting to soften.

"Vanessa is an aspiring Comedian." Max says while his grin grows, winking at Becky. "She's almost as funny as your's truly. Almost."

"Whatever." Becky huffs, and I feel a small smile growing on my face as I watch their exchange. Looks like it was just a misunderstanding after all.

"What's going on over here?" A smooth voice interrupts, and we all turn to see Lager standing there, looking devilishly handsome in his suit and cape.

"Nothing much now. You missed the good stuff." Max says before any of us can reply, and Becky and I groan at the same time.

"Okay....mind if I borrow Ashley for a moment?" He asks, looking at Max and Becky, but I step in front of his vision.

"You don't have to ask them for permission, I'm not an object, but yes, just this once, you may borrow me." I say with a small smile on my face, which he returns.

He holds out his arm which I take, my hand fitting perfectly into the crook of his elbow, before he leads me off through the festival.

"So..." I say, breaking the silence. "Kay's going to oversee the planting of the next harvest's fruits?"

Lager nods once, looking down at me. "Yes, at first I was going to ask you to dance, but then when I went to your room to ask you, you weren't there."

"What?" I ask, confusion lacing my tone. "I was in my room the entire time waiting for you to come talk to me." I don't care how desperate that sounds, I want to get to the bottom of this mystery more than worry about my dignity.

Jut then my eyes catch sight of a platinum blonde head dissapearing into the crowd at the same time Lager does and we both growl one word. "Sylvia."

"Forget about it." I sigh, wanting to just ignore her existence entirely. "It was actually cute that you danced with your sister. Do you think she's up for handling next year's harvest?"

"More than capable." He nods, and I almost swoon at the brotherly pride in his tone. "That wasn't really the point of why I stole you away though."

""Oh really, then what was the point?" I question, hoping that nothing bad has happened to ruin this night.

Lager looks down at me, his smirk growing as he leans in close, my breath catching in my throat as his gold eyes grow near.

"I have a surprise for you." He whispers conspiratorially.

"What is it?" I breathe, feeling my heart literally stop for a few seconds.

Lager leans away though, and I blink a few times to bring the world back into focus.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you." He smiles, and takes a sharp right, pulling me into the trees in the orchard and away from the festival and twinkle lights.

My heart rate starts to pick up the farther away we get from the festival, the noise fading slightly along with the light.

"Where are we going?" I ask, but Lager doesn't answer.

Finally, when the festival is nearly out of sight, he stops, turning to me and smiling.

"I'll give you two some alone time to catch up."

"Alone time? With who?"

"You'll see." He says, before pulling out of my grip, which had tightened and dissapearing into the darkness, shadow travelling away.

I take a step towards where he vanished, raising a hand as if to reach out and stop him, but he's already long gone.

A breeze suddenly blows through the trees, reminding me of the thin dress I'm wearing and how far away from the light and other people I am.

Stay calm, Ashley. Lager said it was a surprise. He wouldn't do something to harm you intentionally.

Suddenly there is movement out of the corner of my eye and I turn around, seeing the shape of a person walking forward and out of the trees.

They flicker in the darkness, their entire form made out of shadow, so it's hard to track their movements as they continue making their way forward, my body tensing with each step.

They finally come to a stop a yard away in front of me, the moon shining down between the leaves right at the spot so I have a better view of their face, the features blank and barely able to make out because of the fact that they are entirely made of darkness.

I straighten, clearing my throat and letting a soft smile settle onto my features.

"Hello, End."



Dear readers, second chapter is up! It is an extra long chapter to make up for the long wait! I hope you guys enjoyed! This chapter is unedited unfortunately, which I apologize for, I also apologize for the cliff hanger. Are there any End lovers out there reading this? Can't wait for the next update! Vote, comment, and drink a milkshake (only if you are not lactose intolerant, if you are....I don't know drink a slushi? Those are pretty good too. lol, XD) Lots of Love,

Dangeroustoken