You hurriedly walked down the gravel path until you arrived at the stable. You looked around but didn't see Reed anywhere.

You ventured inside and walked down the row of stalls, searching for the boy.

"Reed?" You called out as you scanned the stables.

A head poked up from behind a stable door, "(Y/n)?"

You smiled and waved as he came over to you, "What are you doing here?"

Your smile faltered, "Um, well, I was hoping you could answer a few of my questions..."

He looked at you quizzically before nodding his head. He pulled over a barrel for you to sit on before looking back at you, "What's your question?"

You thought for a moment, "You said I didn't look like myself earlier. What does that mean?"

He furrowed his brow for a second, "Well. Your eyes usually shine, like there's diamonds in them," He make circles around his eyes with his fingers, "And when you smile its genuine, but now it looks sad." He pushed the corners of your lips up and down.

"Why is that?" You asked.

He crossed his arms, "I think the princes did something to you. You seem more docile now (Y/n)." He looked at you worriedly, "There use to be emotion in your actions, but now your acting like a pet for them. I don't want to see you like that."

"Pet..." The word left a disgusting taste in your mouth.

He nodded, "It's not like you."

"Micah said the same thing..." You trailed off, "Reed. Why does Micah call me Angel?"

His eyes widened and he giggled, "He likes you!"

You wrinkled your nose, "He does?"

He nodded his head eagerly, "Micah and (Y/n) sitting in a tree K I S S-"

You cut him off, "How can you tell?"

He laughed again, "Well, he's got the look."

You looked at him confused, "Look? Is there something on his face?"

He sighed, "No! His eyes brighten up when he sees you. You make him smile (Y/n)."

You nodded, already forming your next question, "Micah said there was a plan. What was this plan again?"

Reed turned around and pointed at Mei who was in a stall, "On the night of the masquerade, the three of us take the horses and ride away. He already contacted your family and friends and they'll be leaving in a few days."

"That's awful dangerous." You commented, thinking about the consequences if you would get caught.

"I don't think he really cares. I don't either. We all need to escape and there's no safe way to do it." He sighed as he looked at Mei.

"So, I really am acting different..." You murmured as you looked down at your hands. You didn't feel different, but would you?

Reed turned back to you, "Do you not remember your fear while we were hiding in the tree? Or how about when Aiden and Connor had their swords at Micah's throat? When you saw them standing over me, thinking I was dead?"

Panic and anger flashed across your face, "It's like its buried under something. Its faint but there."

He looked at you hopefully, "When the princes told you about the masquerade for the first time? You seemed really angry after that. How about our riding lesson? Your fear when you told me to be ready to leave the castle at a moments notice?"

Suddenly a wave of emotions rushed over you and you shot up, "Oh my god. What am I doing?!"

Reed ran to you and hugged you, "The diamonds are back! Your eyes are sparkling again (Y/n)!"

You picked him up and stared at him, "You're a lifesaver Reed. I don't know what I'd have done without you."

He smiled, "I'm sure Micah will be happy now too!"

Your smile disappeared as you remembered his broken look, "...Micah..."

Reed wiggled his legs, "Put me down!"

You nodded, set him down, and walked towards the exit.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"I need to fix something..." You called out before you broke out into a run, down the gravel path.

Your footsteps and breaths echoed down the hall as you made your way to the fitting room. You flung the door open and stepped inside, looking around wildly for Micah. He was pinning a (f/c) fabric to a mannequin as he glanced down at a paper.

"Micah!" You cried as you ran towards him.

He froze and turned to look at you. His eyes widened and he dropped the pin in his hand before you tackled him to the floor.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." You repeated as you buried your face in his shoulder.

"(Y/n)? Is it you?" He asked as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Micah. I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking...I wasn't acting right...I wasn't..." Micah slowly sat up, causing you to tumble to the floor beside him. He cupped your cheek and stared at you for a moment.

"It is you." He breathed before tears slowly started to fill his eyes.

You looked at him horrified, "Did I hurt you!? Oh no! Micah I'm sorry I didn't mean-"

He shook his head, "I'm so glad you're back. It was so hard to not follow you."

You pulled him into a hug, "I'm so sorry. I left you alone with no one. I hate myself...I said so many hurtful things to you."

You felt his grip on you tighten, "I was so worried. You wouldn't snap out of it. You looked...empty. I thought I'd lost you."

You closed your eyes, "I'm back. Reed helped me. Don't worry."

He pulled away and looked into your (e/c) eyes, "I'm so thankful. I didn't think I'd see you like this again. They had you played, they tricked you. I was so scared."

You nodded and looked behind him at the mannequin, "Is that my dress?

He looked over and nodded, "I'm just starting it, but it's going to look beautiful on you. I don't like the princes, but they know what compliments you."

You blushed, "How are you holding up with the whole..." You didn't want to finish the sentence.

He looked at the ground, "It hurts. It feels like a portion of me is ripped out, but I can't focus on it right now. I need to get you out of here." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Micah..." You reached out and rested your hand on his shoulder.

He looked at you, his expression softening, "(Y/n). I really don't know where I'd be without you."

You smiled, "In a better situation probably."

He shook his head, "I'd be sulking somewhere and wasting away." He glanced at you, "Am I allowed to call you 'Angel' again?"

You laughed and nodded. A genuine smile filled his face.

"Good." He furrowed his brow for a moment. "Angel, I need to say something. I don't care if you don't agree or don't feel the same way. It's something I need to do. When I saw you earlier...I regretted never truly saying it and I'm not going to make that mistake again."

You looked at him curiously.

He took a shaky breath before looking at you, "I love you. It's not smart, I know, but I cant help it. I want to help you in every way I can. I want to be around you. Your smile...It's the world to me. I just..." He looked at you, a slight blush on his cheeks.

You stared at him, dumbfounded, "Micah I-"

He shook his head, "I don't need you to respond. I just needed you to listen." He pulled you into a hug again. "Thank you for giving me a purpose."

You nodded, too shocked to say anything.

"Aw. Wasn't that so sweet, brother?" A voice asked and you froze. You could feel Micah freeze as well.

"Yes. Very touching." Connor said sweetly.

You turned to look at the two twins standing above you. Their faces had cold smiles.

"So...very...sweet." Aiden repeated.





A/N: Im sorry this chapter is kinda short. I started getting sick after writing half of it and had to wrap it up quickly. Your guys's comments are so nice and funny though. I never thought this many people would actually read this ^-^. I have a question. Who do you like more? Connor or Aiden?