Rian

After a nearly restless sleep I decided to just work out in the hotel-owned gym. It was small, filled with basic equipment and nothing like mine back at home- but it was something to do in this boring-ass place! Added bonus, it would keep my mind off of that guy.

I was toying around with them dumbbells when his face popped up again. Again.

I shook my head and grabbed my bottle, downing the last of it. Ever since that stupid trip to the city I couldn't stop thinking about him. He reminded me of something- maybe a person or a place? I could practically feel my answer forming in my head but it always disappears! It's stupid, annoying and rude.

Not to mention that odd sense of guilt I received when seeing him become uncomfortable. I didn't see what was wrong with my comment. It was factually correct. People back home didn't get all upset when I said something mean so why should he?

But I'm not home and I made him feel uncomfortable.

Argh!

I slammed my fist into the wall, effectively creating a massive hole. I ripped my hand away and brushed off all the dust. A small cut began to bleed which infuriated me more so I punched the wall again with my other fist.

Why did feelings have to get involved? They were pointless and lead to mistakes. I hated them almost as much as I hated that smug son of a bitch Eurus.

"You might want to get a bandaid on that," My grandma's voice crept up on my and I had to refrain punching the wall again. "I'm not a fucking child." I spat, wiping my slick hair away from my face. "You hold that tongue! You may not be a child anymore but I can still wash that mouth out!" She yelled.

I shut my mouth and ground my teeth together. "What do you want?" I snapped. We both had frowns. "I came to scold you." She answered bluntly. I scoffed, grabbing my towel and wiping the sweat from my forehead. "The way you treated that boy was rotten. What you said was unprecedented!"

I rolled my eyes. "I apologized! He said it was fine." I retorted. She seemed a little surprised. Ha. Take that, hag. "You shouldn't have said it in the first place. Do you know who he is?"

Who he was? Wasn't he just someone who worked here? If I saw him on the street I wouldn't have spared him a second glance. It was Father's idea to follow him into the city anyway. "A bell boy?" I asked. I could see her anger start to rise. "No, dammit! He's the son of Francis Baker." She huffed.

Hearing that name made something click inside my head. It was almost as if a thousand memories replayed before my eyes until I found the right one. The worst one. I covered my mouth and tried to shake the memory away but it hung on like a leech.

"No- I don't want to remember-" I covered my ears as if that was stop the onslaught of sudden flashbacks. Blood. Knife. That look in his eyes. "You did what you had to do. It was five years ago," She said lightly. I didn't even notice she had gotten closer until she placed a reassuring hand on my back. "Don't try to fucking console me!" I snapped.

I couldn't look at him without remembering what happened. "Rian I didn't mean to upset you I was only- I cut her off. "Only what? Guilt trip me into being nicer to some guy?" I yelled back. We both stood up and she backed away. "Control yourself! Twenty-eight years and you still can't control your dragon!" She scolded with a furious look. I looked down at my hands and realized steam was rolling off every muscle and my skin had become slightly red from the heat.

This was another annoying thing. It was a way of letting out all that heat inside in human form. It usually only happened with hatchlings with a temper. "You know what? I'm going for a walk!" I shouted before heading for the door. "What about your father? He's waiting for you!" She called out. "Tell him to go fuck himself!"

**

Florence

"Flo, you've been staring hard at ypur sandwich for half an hour." Liza snorted. I looked up from plate and frowned a little. I had stayed up late last night so by the time I woke up it was already one in the afternoon. I was too busy thinking about Eurus.

"It's not going anywhere!" She laughed. "Sorry, I'm just thinking. I don't think I'm in the mood to eat." I mumbled. "Then it's definetely going somewhere!" Josh grunted before heaving himself from the hammock he was laying in and snatching my sandwich.

It wasn't cloudy at all and the sun was kind of overbearing so we were eating lunch in my backyard porch. I didn't argue with him since I wasn't hungry at all. I had too much in my head and on my plate. "Are you going to tell us who's number that is?" Josh asked, craning his neck far enough to peek over at me. "No." I answered.

I decided not to tell them since I knew I wouldn't hear the end of it for another year. "Why not?" Josh whined. "Because I'd like to keep some things to myself." I mumbled. They shared another look and the way they 'discreetly' nodded at eachother meant they were determined to find out who I've been talking to.

"Where's your mom?" Liza asked while chewing on her crust she peeled off. "She's getting fitted for a dress." I accidentally let slip. I was so tired I didn't even realize. "Why would she be getting a dress?" Josh asked as I quickly grabbed my cup of water and began to drink. As I somewhat slowly drank I tried thinking of an excuse.

I wiped my mouth and slammed my cup on the wooden porch. "She's going to a funeral!" I shouted. They both seemed taken aback. "What?! Who died!?" Liza shouted. Shit. "An old friend! My old friend- uhh.." Josh and Liza both wrapped their arms around me and gave a tight hug. "It must be so hard for you! You've already lost too much!" Josh cried. I didn't have time to think about what 'lost too much' meant. "Do you want us to go with you?" She asked.

"No, absolutely not!" I shouted. They gave me bewildered looks. "I-I mean he's was a terrible terrible person. Yeah he kicked puppies and tripped old ladies and..." I stopped halfway through by their new judging expressions. "...stuff like that."

"Alright, obviously you don't won't I'd coming but you should've told me, Flo!" Josh scolded. He genuinely looked concerned and I felt a bit bad. "Talk to me- to us, okay? I know I can be overbearing but I'm always here." He reassured me. I nodded and hugged him back. Fuck I felt bad now.

"Alright I'm going to get us some refills," I grunted as I stood up and collected our glasses. As I stepped inside Honey immediately joined my side. I surprisingly found him outside rather than inside this morning and he seemed on edge. Mom didn't mention anything about it in her note so I had to take her up on it when she got back.

I refilled our glasses then went to return them but I stopped midway. My hand was just hovering over the door knob, about to swing open the door. I wasn't the type to eavesdrop but I had a feeling this wasn't a conversation I wanted to be present for.

"I think he's closing up again." I heard Josh sigh. "The only time he ever kept to himself was when-" she stopped early then began excessively chewing on her sandwich. "Yeah. That." Josh muttered.

"I think it's all the stress of the stuff going on at the hotel and his birthday is soon which means so is the anniversary."

"Yeah. He used to be so outward and confident. Like you." Liza acknowledged. "He'll recover from it. I know he will," Josh said confidently Liza agreed and that was the end of the conversation. Had I become a hermit since then? I didn't even realize.

Honey nudged my thigh with his nose reminding me that they were waiting on me. I had bigger things to worry about- like tonight. Like Eurus. With a sigh I pushed opened the door and sat back down. It was silent for awhile until Honey began licking loudly at our plates.

I really didn't want them to know where I was going tonight and especially who I was going with. Maybe if I mentioned the party they wouldn't have a clue and it would put some nerves at an ease. I had a mini debate in my head but eventually it was the silence that was getting at me. "Have you guys heard about the party up in the mountains?" I asked, while taking a quick sip of my water.

"Of course we have!" Liza excitedly hummed. I almost choked on my drink. "Josh's little hook-up with that surfer dude told us all about it! He's his plus one." She whispered as if it were a scandalous secret. I looked at Josh who looked like he had just been highly praised. "Yes, bitch! Turns out he works for one of the guys up there and he invited me. Too bad he has a kid and I'm definitely not interested."

I gave him a deadpan look. "We were going to ask you but since you're busy it's probably a better idea for you to just relax." He sighed. Ah, shit!

"I'm Josh's plus-plus one!"

"Bitch that's a plus two."

They slowly began to bicker and I was left feeling even more worried. After that conversation between the two would they think I'm just trying to close up again? This was getting way too complicated. Between warlords inviting me to parties and lying to friends any problem that came my way seemed to be bigger then the previous one.

So, what are we all feeling about Rian? Seems like he has one or two few anger issues he needs to air out.

I've decided to start asking you guys about how you're all feeling about the chapters at the end like every other author since you amazing people give me so much feedback! It would be nice to get some collective answers from my favourite people!

Anyway, sorry it took so long. No excuses for this one since I'm under quarantine like everyone else. I've been too busy playing Animal Crossing.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed!