Origins (Unedited, 1st draft) As I awoke in the darkness a voice made my blood curdle. “Good, you’re awake then the process begins”. —————————————————— I wake up to my alarm blaring at 6 in the morning. It was all just a dream I tell myself but I didn’t listen it felt so real though and I couldn’t just go on like everyday. This is real, at least I think it is. I get out of bed and went to get dressed. —————————————————— At 8, I am on the bus to Westward High. With all the noise, it surprised me if anyone could hear even themselves. I am just in the back listening to a stupid instagram video when all of the sudden this guy pulls out my earbud and asked what I’m doing. “Not bothering with you, that’s what I’m doing”. I put my earbud back in quick enough I don’t hear his retort. The bus suddenly stops and I jerk forward. My bag drops to the floor and with my sketch book. The guy catches it quicker than I do. As he skims through the sketches he stops. “No, how is it even possible, where did you see this?” He asked. Before I responded I grabbed my sketch book back.I walk out of the bus without a word. Just walk away I tell myself, he shouldn’t have seen it, what I see every night. ************* A few periods later, lunch had finally come. As usual I sat with a group of friends who others might consider really popular in the junior class. I was arguing with Will over something he did. “I don’t drag others into stupid situations.” Will argued. “Ha! So you agree they’re stupid!” I said ending the argument. I go back to eating my slice of pizza. “I need to talk to you, Alina.” said a voice above me. I look up, it’s the guy from the bus! Before I can say anything he grabs my wrist-not the one with the pizza- and starts walking away. I slam my slice down on to my tray, and follow-unwillingly. He drags me out to the hall, down a few corners and into an empty classroom. He lets go of my wrist gently as soon as he closes the door. I realize he had been quite gentle, not being too rough dragging me, which was surprising considering how buff he is.His shoulders are heightened just right and he’s tall like 6 1” tall, and his ashy blond hair helps complement his bronze skin.“How do you know those symbols? Have you seen them in public? How can you even know about them, there’s only supposed to be one master per providence?” He rambles. “One, I dont know even know what you’re name is, two, my dreams, no, and what’s a master?” I question him. “Ok, I’m Micheal but you can call me Mike, and you don’t know what the symbols mean?” “For the last time, no!” I basically scream. “Ok, ok I get it.” He says trying to calm me down.”I’m sorry.” And that was the last thing I hear. ********************* I woke up and a bright light was shining on me. I heard a voice dulled but I could mostly make out what he was saying. “She can’t be a chosen, Mike is already the master of providence 57.” One voice says.”Maybe the rule of the Origin is to be taken into action.” Another older, groggily voice says. “We are already stocked up on trainees. And with Mike here as a trainer.” The young voice says. Suddenly the door opened and in came in brunette, tan, tall 19 year old. “You have to be kidding me, she’s not even a senior yet!” He says. “I am 18! You idiot!” I yell. “Ok, calm down.” “No I will not calm down, I’ve been kidnapped!” I scream. I see the light fading. And darkness over come my sight. “Wha di ya do ti meh?” I ask. ***************************************** I wake up in a bed, I spring up, and look at my surroundings, which are a two huge canopy beds, two dressers a bathroom door and two doors, that I guess lead to closets. I see a girl spring in front of me and I jump back from surprise.”Hi, my name’s Janielle, but you can call me Janie!” She says a little too happy. Realizing I have time to kill, Janie and I start talking. And it goes on for hours.Then the doors open. “I’m here to bring you to dinner, Janie you can go on your own.” The guy from earlier says. So I guess that means I’m stuck with jerk-wad. We walk down a few hallways before he speaks “I can’t believe they let you in, all because of sketches, something you could’ve seen on the internet. I think they chose wrong.”He whispers, even though no one is around. I am about to tell him to shut his face, but we reach the dining hall. And I only know that because two guards are in front off two large doors. We walk in and there is one long glossy black table, with 29 tall chairs. Janie is already seated so is the traitor formally know as Mike. I sit down and surprisingly my guide sits down right next to me. I already have a plate set up with food and I see everyone else eating. So I dig in, it tasted a little funny but I didn’t mind overall the pork, mashed potatoes, and green beans tasted fine. I smell it and I could tell that it was not a pork smell or any other normal dinner smell. My vision starts getting darker and darker. —————————————————— I wake up in a room that resembles a hospital room. I move my head up slightly and see a man get up from a seat immediately after seeing me move. “Are you ok?”It was jerk-wad! “What happened to me?” I ask. “You passed out, hit your head, and you shattered the plate.” He says gently. “You’ve been asleep a few days so you could handle the pain better.” ”How bad is it?” I ask, in a lot of pain. “You have scars on your head and your arms.You have two huge cuts on the front and back of your head.” He continues. His look was pained, like he was worried. “Was this planned?” I ask. “I thought you weren’t going to make it.” He whispers, and that scares me a little. “I don’t even know your name.” I whisper. “Ethan”He says.”Alina.” I say.“Umm, I’m really tired, so can I sleep?” I ask Ethan.“Uh, yeah sure, I’ll be here when you wake up.” As he backs away. I couldn’t sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up. Ethan’s words just kept repeating over and over in my head. I drift to sleep. By the time I wake up again it wasn’t just Ethan there it was Mike too.They’re both arguing about something.“What time is it?” I say groggily. They both run to my bedside, I was in my room. I don’t know how I got here but I’m here I don’t hear what they say because the light fades and the sounds are silenced. I’m in a pit of darkness where no one can protect me, not even Him. The voice made my blood curdle. “Good, you’re awake, then the process can begin.” I awake screaming, Ethan is still here.He calms me down,but I can’t sleep. So I just lay there in bed, thinking. I realize it’s about time for dinner but I don’t want any food but I have to go he says,I tell Ethan to wait outside the door while I change from the hideous blue hospital gown, I change in to ripped skinny jeans and a royal blue halter top I see a pair of light brown heeled boots- that look my size- across the room so I put them on. I pull my hair up, grab a hat, andI open the door. “Woah, nice.” Ethan says. I am not happy he thinks l am trying to impress him.I am just hungry. We start to walk down the long hallways and he finally says something. “Umm, I was just trying to say you look nice.” Ethan says turning a little pink. Ugh, that idiot. I’m not going to let him think my look is for him. “I just found this in a drawer, I wasn’t dressing for a special occasion or anything.” I say. We continued until I see the guards and I walk a little faster, tired of Ethan at the moment. I walk in and I see Janie. I plop myself right next to her. Ethan goes to the other end of the table, silent. I start talking to Janie. “Oh, it was so adorable!” Janie says. “What?!” I whisper yell. “Oh you know, so after a few days of you being unconscious in the hospital bed, Ethan just went and carried you into our room! The best part is that he came in carrying you, like in bridal style!” Janie says. I am so angry! Ethan thought he could just do whatever he wanted! I was this close to yell at him, but I had to act like I didn’t know he did anything. So I just go on and eat my teriyaki chicken with rice, it tasted fine. I look at Ethan for a quick moment and I see what I didn’t expect, him looking back. He looked genuinely surprised to have caught my eye. “So what is this place anyway? Is it like a sanctuary?” I surprise myself by asking. “No, it’s a training facility.” Ethan says. No, please no. I’m not the training type of person I’m a Diet Coke kind of person. “So what do you train for?” I ask. Ethan’s face turns grim. “Killing.” He says. On that note I feel really dizzy. “Umm...Excuse me please.” I say feeling faint. I get up and my knees give out. Janie helps me back up and put her arm over my shoulder, to keep me up. Ethan bolts over. “Ethan, it’s fine, Janie will help me back to the room.” I say a bit agitated. Janie and I start “walking” around the halls, and then she says something. “That was so cute! The way he was going to help you even if he get in trouble!” “What!?!” I basically scream. “If you step out of line you get three whips per misbehavior.” She said a little grim.Now I was mad, he just had to risk it, didn’t he? We got to our room and I told Janie that she can go back to dinner, but she said she was fine, so we lay there laughing in our room. She looks at her watch, and said it was almost lights out so I said I would shower. I got in the bathroom and took a deep breath in. All of the past few days I was going with the “I’m strong and I can handle whatever you throw at me” kind of attitude, but now once I was alone it all hit me. The tears start down my cheeks.This is my life now, I can’t go back, Not with me knowing all these...these...assassins. Now I am stuck here but I’m going to do whatever it takes to leave with no strings attached. —————————————————— I’ve been training for 6 weeks and I’ve already been in the infirmary 13 times already with bruises, concussions, and reoccurring vomit- because of being repeatedly punched in ribs, stomach, and liver. I hate training but what I hate even more is that my personal trainer is Ethan. He gets me up an hour earlier so I can train without distractions. I hate training, I hate Ethan, I hate this stupid facility! The only upside is, I gain a family. Everyone here is now my family, all the trainers, the trainees, even the old guy-Ol’e Paps I heard Janie call him that. Truth be told my home life wasn’t that good, I slept there but my parents had used my old college money to buy another house in the alps, so I’ve been on my own since I was 15. This is a big step up. I snap out of my self pity-party, and see Ethan walking back over. “Are you ready?” He asks. “Yeah, side kick, lower abdomen for maximum pain. Also left hand punch,in right rib does minimum pain.” I say a little proud. “Do it.” He says. My jaw drops a little, totally not expecting him to say that. “Fine.” I say teeth gritted. I get in position, but he doesn’t notice. I kick him a little too hard in the side by his upper abdomen. He grabs his side and falls to the ground, groaning. I realize he was in real pain. I rush to his side on the floor. “Ethan, I’m so sorry. I thought you were ready.” I meaningly and sincerely. “It’s fine Alina.” He says. I believe him but,he grabs his side and groans. “Nope. C’mon, you are going to the infirmary.” I say strictly. I help him up and put my arm around his waist in his left side. We start walking the long hallways. He winces and then stops. “Alina, you can’t do this if I go to the infirmary you get whipped.” He said in a lot of pain. “It will be worth it if you get better.” I say softly. He turns toward me. “No, I won’t let you get in trouble, not for me.” “Ethan, why won’t you let me do this for you?” I yell. Just for yelling I could get a whipped. “I can’t, ok? I just can’t.” He says and looks me dead in the eyes-even though I’m quite a few inches shorter. We keep walking and with my hand under his arm, I can feel everything. I feel his deep breaths, I feel his heart beating, but what scares me is I feel scar, after scar, after scar. “Ethan,” I start. “Why don’t we go into your room and I can help you in there?” He nods. We turn direction, and we walk. We get to a room which I guess is Ethan’s room. He puts his free hand around the door and it unlocks. We go in, and I help Ethan to sit up on one of the beds. Now, I have to find the medical supplies. I open one of the drawers, and I find a huge white box with a red plus on it. I walk back over to Ethan. I set the box down next to him. First I take off Ethan’s sweatbands, then I take off his sweatshirt. Finally I see his real shirt, I start pulling and Ethan helps.Together we pull off his shirt, throw it to the other side of the bed. I look at where I kicked him, and it’s cut up slightly, slightly purple, he probably has a broken rib or two. I open the box, and I search for an antibiotic, a cleaning pad, gauze, and distilled water-for the cuts. I find all of it. I take the cleaning pad and I start moving it across the cuts, and the bruises. He winces, I move my free hand into his, and I squeeze-just a little- then he calms down. I keep going, after I finish going over it with the cleaning pad, I pour some distilled water on some gauze and lightly pat it on his bruise, and just above his bruise-to see if his ribs were broken-he winces. Great, just what I need. I go back to dabbing his bruises with the gauze, I finish. With scissors I cut off the wet area of the gauze. “Lift your arms up.”I say. “Ok.” He replies. He lifts his arms and, I start using the rest of the gauze and wrap it around his upper chest. I realize I’ve been touching his bare chest this whole time. My cheeks start turning pink, then red. I look down, not wanting Ethan to see my bright red cheeks. I keep putting the gauze around him,with my head down. He puts two fingers under my chin, and unwillingly moves my head up, I look into his bright blue eyes. I stop with the gauze-partially cause I used it all, and the rest was I was intrigued with what Ethan might do. He moves his other arm around my waist. We don’t break eye contact, and I move a little closer, and Ethan fills in the rest of the air space. I close my eyes. Ethan tastes like cherries and sugar. I move to sit on the bed, and Ethan moves with me. My hands-on their own- go into Ethan’s spiky brown hair. Both of Ethan’s hands tighten around my waist. My hands start at the front of his hair line and end up on his back. Ethan-while still kissing me- takes my hands and moves them onto his neck. We stand, and he puts his arm underneath my legs, and picks me up. He starts walking into the bathroom, and he sets me on the bathroom counter. He breaks the kiss. Moves away, starts deep breaths. I hop onto the floor and Ethan comes back. He was kissing lightly this time, like I was gonna break, if he went to rough. My hands moved over to his chest, I felt every muscle every line, then my hands move to his back. He breaks the kiss. “What’s wrong?” I ask. “Nothing, but what do those mean to you?”he asks with deep breaths. “ I think you have at least three, probably more for helping me.” I say gently. “Do they disturb you? Or disgust you?” He asks, a little shaky. “Ethan,” I start. “You have saved me probably more times I care to admit, so no, those you got from risking your reputation to save me.” “Thanks.” He kisses me once more then I open the door. And Ol’e Paps is right outside. —————————————————— I end up in a closed in room with a small metallic table. Ol’e Paps comes in, he sits in the other chair. “So I’ve already spoken to Ethan, and he said he refused to let you take him to the infirmary. Is that correct, Alina?” If I say yes Ethan gets in trouble and if I say no I get in trouble. “No. Ethan told you what I told him to tell you, I was the one who wouldn’t let him go to the infirmary. I knew that if I did I would get whipped, so we went into his room and I patched him up.” And landed in an intimate moment. I wouldn’t let Ethan get more injured for me. “And what exactly did you need to patch him up for?” “I kicked him, in the lower abdomen, when he wasn’t ready, on accident.” I say. “Well, now I believe you’re up to 3 misconducts. Shall we make it four?” Ol’e Paps asks. “How?” I ask entirely out of curiosity. “Let’s start with why you and Ethan were in the bathroom? Together.” He asks. “We were...umm....kissing.” I say in total embarrassment. “Strike four, no intimate moments between training.” He says. “Now, I will give you an option, you may take all of the twelve whips, or you may give half to Ethan and spare yourself pain.” “I will take them all.” I say not questioning it one bit. “One bit I forgot to mention, Ethan will be watching. All of the whips.” He says. At least it’s not me who has to watch Ethan get whipped. Ol’e Paps gets up and walks out. He comes back a second later. Not just himself but Ethan too. “She has chosen to take all the whippings herself.” He says grinning. “Alina, No!” Ethan yells. “I’ll leave you two alone.” Ol’e Paps says, and leaves. “Alina, I’m not letting you do this.” Ethan says sternly. “I know, but he gave me the option to spare you the pain, and I didn’t hesitate when he said it was you or me.” I say gently. “No, Alina please.” He begs. “Ethan, I’m doing this, you have scars from protecting me, now I’ll have some for you.” I say. “Alina, sometimes you’re allowed to be saved.” He says. “I know, and this time I want to save you.” I say. “You can’t possibly think I’m going to be ok with this.” Ethan says. “Ethan, I know you’re not but I am. I’m going to save you from as much more pain as possible.” I say ending the conversation. Guards come in and grab our arms. They start pulling us and I yell at Ethan that I’ll be fine, but in my heart I know that I’m not going to be fine. They drag me down a separate hallway from Ethan. After a few days of being in a small metallic room. I go through a door and I see three stone walls and one glass. I see Ethan go in through a door on the glass side. Ethan’s eyes widen when he sees me. I am dragged up in between two podiums, that have leather strips on the podiums. The guards let go of me but cuff my hands to the leather strips. “You might want to hold on to those.” a guard’s rough, but gentle voice said. I listen and take the leather strips tight. I see Ethan on the side of the glass window screaming and yelling, but I can’t hear him. “Are you ready?” The rough voice asks. “Yes.” I say. The guard who had given me advice put a piece of leather in my mouth. “Here, so you don’t break your teeth.” He said, and put it in my mouth. Someone says go, and the whips begin. I feel it break my shirt. I feel it break my skin. I hear Ethan’s screams. I hear my screams. It hits again, I scream and the leather falls out. The whip hits a third time. I use the rest of my voice, and fall to my knees. I feel the blood drip down my back. The kind guard comes over and helps me, he gives me water. He breaks a piece of bread and feeds it to me. “Here, this will give you strength.” He whispers. He stands, solutes to the whipper and it continues. Ethan moves up closer to the glass, and he puts his palm against it, spreads out his fingers. He looks at me with a tear going down his cheek. “I’ll be ok.” I mouth. “I’m sorry.” He mouths back. “Me too.” I mouth. The whipping speeds up I get two to three back to back. When it hits 11, and I prepare for the last one the whipper stops makes a noise and hits me. This makes me scream with the voice I thought I had lost. I knew what this was. I had read about it in junior year, It’s the....the....the triple whip it has twelve leather strips instead of three. Tears roll down my cheeks. The guard uncuffs me and he puts his arm under my legs. He picks me up and starts jogging toward a door. No one stops him. We go through the door. The guard put me on a cold metallic table- upside down. He pulled his helmet off, his wet blonde hair flung sweat everywhere. He looks down at me. “Who are you?” My ragged voice whispers. “You need to lay still malady.” ”Malady?” “Yes. As a guard everyone is higher up than me.” “I need to make sure you don’t get any infections so I am going to pour a disinfectant, ok? It will sting, and hurt.” He says. I nod. He starts pouring it and I scream through my gritted teeth. My stomach on the table doesn’t help breathing. “Ok no more of that. But I do need to burn it to stop the bleeding.” He says. “Are you a doctor?” I ask. “No, but I’m the one who is supposed to help everyone during and after their whips.” “Why?” I need to know. “I feel like it’s the morally right thing to do when you see everyone in pain, to help them get better.” He says, putting a stick in the fire. He pulls it out and looks at it. “This will hurt, a lot. But I can’t let you pass out, if you do you will end up dead ok Alina?” He asks. I nod again. He moves closer to me and puts it on my skin. I scream so loudly, louder than with the whips. He moves it once, I scream. He moves it 6 more times across my back, I scream 6 times. When he’s done he puts a cool, wet towel on my forehead. Then he puts a big towel across my back. “I’m so sorry this happened to you, malady Alina.” He said as I start to cool down. A fist hits the door. ”Open up Lazare!” “I’m leaving you in here, for now, don’t leave, you will die.” He says. He opens the door, and leaves. Now, I’m stuck alone in a room full of supplies. I get up, and start looking around. I find gauze. I take off my shirt, and start wrapping gauze around myself. I wrap it from my upper chest down to my lower stomach. Then I hear voices, and they’re coming closer. I finish wrapping myself, and put the rest of the gauze away. The door opens. The officer Lazare is back. He looks at me, and says, “That’s exactly what I was gonna do, but I ran out of time.” “I was going to school to be a nurse.” I say. “But, you chose this path?” “No, I never wanted this.” “Malady Alina, I’m sorry for what’s happened to you.” He said gently. I grab for my shirt, but officer Lazare grabs it first. Lucky for me I guess it’s a button down flannel. He turns to me and puts his arms behind me, trying to help me-gently- put my shirt on. I move one arm through the sleeve, and go to do the other but Officer Lazare stops me. He takes my arm and gently moves it into the sleeve. I moan, the pain just got a whole lot worse. “Are you okay?” He asks shocked at me. “Yeah, just felt like fire.” I say. He nods, like he knows what I’m talking about. He moves his arms from around me to the front of me, to start buttoning my flannel. He gets to the third button and stops. “Thank you,” I start. “You have been incredibly kind.” “It’s the right thing to do.” He says. “Also, your welcome.” He looks down, to keep buttoning. I look at him, blonde hair, buff, tan. I put two fingers under his chin, and he stops buttoning. I move in and kiss him on his cheek. “Thank you.” I say more sincere than before. “You’re very welcome Alina.” He says. “I have a problem,” I start, and his face scrunches up. “Clearly.” He says laughing. “You know my name, but I don’t know yours.” I finish. “Officer Devin Lazare, at your service.” “Alina Cleming.” “I know. You’re the new recruit.” “Not really.” I say. “Alina, it’s time to take you back to Ethan.” “Why?” I ask. “He’s asking for you, and he has a gun to his head.” Devin says. I gasp. “Ok, let’s go!” I start to get up. “No, you’re in no condition to walk.” “And if Ethan sees me in your arms is that going to help him want to pull the trigger or make him put the gun down.” I say. Devin nods. “Fair enough.” He puts his hands under my arms and helps me off the table. He starts taking off his uniform coat and gives it to me. He opens the door and I go through. We start walking fast and I go through a hallway. I see Ethan in the front of the circular room. He has a gun to his head. ——————————————————-“Ethan!” I yell, with my nonexistent voice, so he doesn’t hear me. I start moving through all the people. I reach the front of the crowd, the part closest to Ethan but he still can’t see me-I’m too short. I start walking closer, Ethan just sees a person, and he points the gun at me. “Stay back, I just want to talk to Alina.” He says. “Eth, I know and I’m here.” I say almost as a whisper. Ethan finally looks over at me and his gun drops to his side. “Alina,” Ethan starts. “Are you ok?” “Eth, I’m fine, why would you even think to do this?” I ask. “I couldn’t find you, I saw a guard take you.” I go walk a few small steps and give him a questionable look. He nods. I walk closer to Ethan and when I’m close I start running-even though I shouldn’t- and then I’m in his arms. With my arms around him I feel like I could never let go. His arms tighten around me, and I hear a thud. I let go with one arm, and spin to the side, to see what had hit the floor. It was the gun. Ethan falls to the ground on his knees. I see tears rolling down Ethan’s cheeks. I kneel beside him. I use my thumb to wipe Ethan’s tears away. He looks up. “Alina I’m sorry.” I put my forehead against his. “No, Eth, it’s not your fault. You were scared and didn’t know what to do.” “Since when do you call me Eth?” He says jokingly “I thought I should have a nickname for you, also I thought you might listen instead of being called Ethan.” I say, a little red, and look down. “Hey, I like it.” He says with a smile. He lifts my chin up, with two fingers. I look into his blue eyes. “I’ll come see you tonight.” He whispers, I don’t know why he does, then I realize that everyone is still here watching our loving, touching moment. He stands and puts his arm over my shoulder and I put my arm behind his back. We smile and start walking through the crowd, we walk down two hallways then I move my head on his arm. He looks around, seems to see nothing and looks back at me. I smile the slightest of smiles. Apparently that’s a sign that he should kiss me. He tastes good. He moves me against a wall and I’m fine with it, except pain flares. He’s kissing more deeply, my hands go against his chest, I push him off me and go against him, on the other wall. Devin’s uniform coat falls off my back. He kisses me and I feel this is the best place I could ever be. I don’t want to stop, but I hear feet. I push Ethan off of me, but he comes back. I push him again, and he understands. I straighten his shirt out, kiss him on the cheek, pick up the coat, and start walking. Ethan gives me 5 seconds then catches up to me. “I’ll see you before dinner.” He said. He starts off in a jog. It took me a second to realize what he meant. He meant that he would take me to dinner. I just kept walking all alone. Then the guard I had heard earlier caught up to me. “Are you feeling ok?” The guard asks. “Quite fine, thank you.” I say with my chin up a little. “Come Malady, I am to take you to your room.” I look to find the guards face, but he was wearing a helmet. “Who are you?” I ask. “Surely you would remember me?” He asks teasingly. “Mike? Devin?” I question him. “Yeah,” He says and moves his hands over his helmet, and pull it off. It’s Devin, he looks different when he’s not rushing to save your life. “Devin,” I say. “To be fair you haven’t said full sentences to me without your helmet.” I say defensively. “Okay, fine you get a pass, but you better have it down next time.” He says jokingly. He looks at me, and I look down. “Hey, are you okay?” “Yeah I’m fine.” “No, really.” He says. I’m shocked, that he wants to know. “Umm... my back hurts, my neck is clinched up, and I can’t figure out why.” I say and let a deep breath out. Devin stops, I stop too. “This may help.” He moves behind me, and puts his hands on my shoulders, and starts pushing in. This is probably the best massage I’ve ever had. He goes on for a few more minutes and I see a shadow-or at least I think there’s one-walking closer. I close my eyes and pretend it’s not there. “Hey! What are you doing?” I hear someone yell. I open my eyes it’s Ethan! “Eth, calm down, this is Devin. Devin, Ethan.” “What are you doing with her?” Ethan screams. “I was helping her.” Devin says calmly. “Dude! She’s mine!” Ethan yells. “I am no ones!” I yell. Ethan moves me aside and punches Devin. Devin falls to the ground, he gets up and pushes Ethan to the floor, Ethan gets back up. “Ethan! Devin! Stop!” I yell. I move between them, and put my hands up. “Stop! One of the three of us already got whipped today, and I don’t know about you but I don’t want all three of us to have scars.” I don’t add that Ethan has a ton.”You will have to push me out of the way. And if you continue I will never speak, listen, walk, or care about either of you ever or ever again!” I say angrily “Devin, here.” I shrug off his jacket and hand it to him. “Ethan, stay away from me, for now.” I start walking away, but Ethan grabs my arm, but I shrug him off. “Alina.” Ethan starts. But I keep walking.—————————————————— It’s been a few days and they both leave me alone. I’m just walking to my room. I walk in and, Janie’s not here-for once. I’m so tired of this. I lock the door from the inside. I start unbuttoning my shirt I look at the gauze and it’s white, and the the pain flares. I groan, I start walking toward the bathroom door, then there’s a knock at the front door. I look down to make sure the gauze covers everything of my chest. It does. I open the door. “What do you want?” I ask with my hoarse voice-even after a few days my vocal chords are still healing. “Can we talk?” asks the voice I look up and I see Ethan with a cheesy smile. “No.” I say and start to close the door, really fast, but he puts his foot in the door. He pushes the door open, comes in and closes the door. “Umm...” He starts. He looks down and puts his hand through his hair. “Alina, I like you. I care about you like I’ve never cared about anyone else. I can’t think what life would be like without you.” He says. I look down, but I still feel the heat on my cheeks. “Hey,” He says. “Hi,” I say, still looking down. He chuckles. “I mean it.” He says. I start walking toward the bed Ethan follows. “Ethan, I just don’t know if I can trust you, I mean you attacked Devin when he was helping me, you can’t trust me with other guys, I like you, but I can’t trust you, and you can’t trust me.” I say and let out a breath. “Is there a way I can regain your trust?” He asks. “Ethan what about me? How are you going to trust me?” I ask. “I....I.....It’s an instinct, I always have to protect who I care about. You.” He says like it’s an explanation. He hasn’t even apologized yet. “Ethan, that’s not an answer or an explanation. That’s an excuse for what you did.” I say. “I’m sorry, I can’t change the past, I would if I could, I would’ve taken the whippings, I’d take back the fight, I would take back my gun moment, I would have eaten the poison for you. I would take it all back. I would let you live a normal life, even though it would eat me up inside. I would watch you from afar how your life goes, wishing I was in it. Alina, I am so sorry, you don’t deserve this.” He finishes. With my head down, tears slide down my cheeks. He gets up, and starts walking away- now that he’s said his piece, but I grab his arm, and slide my hand down to his. He turns back at me, I finally look up. I see he has tears too. “Hey,” I say. “Hi,” He says with a sheepish grin. I hug him, and he squeezes me. I feel his heat vibrate off on to me. I smile, and turn toward his face and the side of my head is on his chest. I let go. He looks at me and grins. I turn toward him. I start walking away to the bathroom door but, Ethan grabs my arm and pulls me back close to him. I put my arms around him and up his shoulders. “I’m sorry.” I say. “For what? You did nothing wrong.” “I can’t be without you, I need you.” “Then why are you sorry?” I give him a look. “I was saying it in general.” I laugh. I kiss him softly. It gets deeper, but I break it. “Ethan, let me go,” I say softly. He comes closer. “I can’t, I need you too much.” He says. “Ethan, you can need me but after today,” I start. His smile sinks. “But, I need a really cold shower. His smile returns. I kiss him, briefly, and walk to the bathroom door. “I’ll wait for you as long as it takes.” “You mean me not the shower?” I ask unsure. “Yes.” He says. I am so confused. I walk in and I get undressed, and turn the shower on cold, but before I get in I look in the mirror, to look at my back. It’s black and dark red with purple bruises. I step into the shower. The water is cool and it feels like heaven on my back. I look down and I see reddish pinkish water, I turn to my back. Oh thank goodness, it’s just blood that dried. I step out of the shower. I wrap a towel around myself and tie one up in my hair. I grab my clothes, fold them and walk towards the door. I open it. I see Ethan against door frame. “Ethan!” I say. “What are you still doing here?” “I told you I would wait as long as it take for you, to get out of the shower.” He says smiling. “Ethan, leave, I need to change. And no you cannot stay in here while I do it.” I say. “I’ll wait outside the door.” “Fine.” I say. He kisses me gently on the forehead and leaves. I can still feel his heat from holding my head to kiss me. I set my unclean clothes on the dresser. I put gauze on. I look through my drawers and I find a blue tank, and skinny jeans and of course underwear. I put it all on. I’m dressed and I’m really cold. I walk out. “Do you have a jacket?” I ask. “Yeah sure we just have to take a detour to my room.” Ethan says. “Let’s go I’m freezing.” That seems so long ago. “Here,” He puts his arm over my shoulders. Honestly it does warm my shoulders up but not the rest of me. We walk down a few hallways and go to his door. He finds a huge jacket that can be recognized as his just by that I’m wearing it. I put it on anyways. We leave and go to dinner. This time there are 12 circular tables, each with four chairs. Ethan and I go sit at the one with Mike and Janie. Ethan and I sit next to each other, and since there’s a white tablecloth I take his hand and hold it, underneath. “If I may?” Paps asks through a microphone. “Yes.” We all repeat. “In light of recent events, I have decided that there will be a spring ball, we will have tailors for tuxes and dresses. We will have hairdressers for the ladies. This spring ball will be in one week. You may have dates. There will be food served, and music will be provided. That will be all.” Eeeee Yes! Now Ethan and I will have the night of our lives! Ethan leans closer to me-or more specifically my ear.“Will you save me a dance?” Ethan asks. That’s it?!? Are you kidding me? “I’m not hungry anymore.” I say, and let go of his hand. “I’ll walk you back to your room.” He says. “No. I need some alone time.” I say angrily. I move my chair back, and get up. I leave the room and I get to my room, close the door I get into pjs and fall on my bed with tears rolling down my cheeks. I fall asleep. —————————————————— I wake up to the chirping of birds. I when up, brush my teeth and change into training clothes. I finish and leave the room quietly and walk to the training room. I go in and find the big blue circular training section, and get into position. I punch it 7 times. Then kick 3 times to the left. And then to the right. I hear people. I must have zoned out. I hear Mike, talking, then I hear a laugh. Janie. Mike kneels down, Janie squeals. “Will you do me the pleasure of going to the ball with me and being my princess?” She nods-eagerly-pulls him up and kisses him. I clear my throat. They look in my direction. I come out from the shadows. “Hey,” I say and wave. “You guys should be happy it was just me who saw that.” I say a matter a factly. “You won’t tell?” Mike asks, and steps partly in front of Janie. “Of course not, I’m happy for both of you.” I say. Mike comes and gives me a hug. “Hey can you do me a favor?” I whisper. “Of course.” He says automatically. “Can you talk to Ethan? All he’s asked me so far is to save him a dance.” I say. “Alina, we both agreed that we were doing something big, He only asked you that so you would know that he wanted to dance with you.” He whispers back and it reassured me. “Thanks.” I say and let go of him, and hug Janie. I leave them alone. And go back to the room, so I could shower. I get back to the room and shower, put on real clothes. I walk out to breakfast, I wait and Ethan never shows up. So I walk down to his room to make sure everything’s ok. I knock, and Ethan opens the door slightly, looks at me, and slips through the door to talk to me. “Hey, What are you doing here?” He asks. “You never showed up to training, and you didn’t show up for breakfast.” I say. “Oh, yeah I guess I lost track of time.” He says. “Doing what?” I ask him. “I’m working on something.” He says, and my heart skips. “Here, c’mon in.” He says, and opens the door. Woah, this was beautiful, it’s got pink, red, orange, and yellow streamers hanging from the ceiling and it’s got a small dance platform to dance on. “It’s beautiful,” I say. “Who’s your roommate? Is he ok with this?” I say. “My roommate is Mike, and he’s cool with this.” He says calmly. “Hey can you dance with me? I need some practice.” I nod my head. He takes my hand, and brings me to the dance floor, I put my arms up, and around his neck. He puts his arms on my waist, and pulls me closer to him. We start swaying back and forth. I put my head on his shoulder. He steps back. “Woah, did you think this was for you?” He says, and I look down. He puts two fingers beneath my chin and moves it up. “Because it is.” He says then smiles. He moves in and kisses me softly then breaks it, and my eyes flutter open. “Will you go to the dance with me?” He asks. “Save me a dance.” I let go and walk away, laughing. But Ethan reaches for my arm. He pulls me back toward him. He moves and puts his mouth near my ear. “I’ll save them all, all for you.” He whispers. “Good, because you’re the only one I want to dance with.” I say. He moves back, but I move toward him. I envelope him in a hug. “Thank you, for everything, for all of this.” I say. “I take Thank you in kisses.” He says mockingly. I move back-just slightly- and look up at him. I put my hands on his neck and pull toward me. His lips are on mine, and my hands move from his neck to his hair. My hands move through his soft, spiky hair. Then my hands go down on his face, to his cheeks. I hold my hands there, I feel his heat, I feel him. My hands move to his chest. His hands that were on my hips move to my back. Usually it is painful when I touch it, but when I’m kissing Ethan it feels wonderful, he holds me delicately. My hands, start going to his back, and Ethan’s lips move to my throat, it feels nice, but I move my hands from his back to his cheeks, and move him back to me. He comes back to my lips. He kisses me deeper, and harder, but I don’t care, I want him to be here, with me. I break the kiss. I breath heavily, so does he. “I want to you to stay,” He says panting. “ I can’t, I have to go to my fitting for a dress.” I say. He smiles. “I’d love to come,” He says, and I laugh. “I’m sure you would love to come but, theres this no man policy, and you get to wait and see me.” He does a pouty look, I laugh. “Hmm, I’ll stay for a few more minutes.” I say after I see the clock. I kiss him. He kisses me back, this time light and brief. I back away, and put my hands around his neck again. He put his hands back at my waist, I moved his head down and put my forehead to his forehead. “I have to leave,” I pause. I kiss him on the cheek. I back away, and Ethan doesn’t stop me. I turn toward the door, I keep walking. I walk toward where the tailor is making the dresses. I go in and straight to the counter. “I’m the 11 o’clock appointment.” I say. “You’re late we gave up your spot to 11:30.” The lady says not looking up. “Can I get a new time?” I beg. “Sure, I can squeeze you in at 12.” She says. “I’ll take it.” I look down at my watch and I had totally gotten here late. I go and sit down on one of the many sofas. I see a magazine and I skim through the pages and find a dress section, I see the perfect dress. Thin lace straps, a white cream base covered in more lace, that goes to your thigh and it is short in the front long in the back. “12, 12, you’re up.” “Right here.” I take the magazine with me as I stand walk over to where the woman was gesturing. I walk in and a man is in there. He gestures to a circular raised floor and I step on it. He measures me and I show him the dress. He thinks it would look good on me but in a light light blue. Time runs out, I thank him and leave. —————————————————— A few days later, and it’s been exactly a week. All trainings have been canceled, so that everyone can look their best tonight. Personally I’m not going to breakfast or lunch, because I need that time to prepare. I sneak a look at the training area-where the spring ball was being held- it looks so beautiful, flower hanging from the ceiling, with light dull gold streamers. I have to keep walking because a guy from the inside tells me to move along. I go back to my room, and find Mike in there laughing with Janie. Which is adorable. I haven’t seen Ethan the entire day. “Hey guys, what’s up?” I ask and they stop laughing. “Nothing,” they say in unison. “Ok,” I say and start walking to the bathroom to do my hair-I know Paps said there were hairdressers, but I want to do it myself. I go in and find a curler, bobby-pins, and hair-ties. I put my hair up in a ponytail, make most of it into a bun then curl the few strands left. I finish and leave as I see Mike leaving the room. I catch him outside in the hallway. “Hey, What was that all about?” “Oh, nothing.” “Okay,” I say. “Umm, I got to go.” “Uhh, yeah me too.” He says. I walk away, and go to where I first got fitted. I walk through the door and get my dress, put it in a clothing keeper. Then I see Ethan. He’s getting his tux on, and he looks really handsome in it. I start walking past him with my head down, but he sees me. “Alina, hey I haven’t seen you all day.” “Yeah, I didn’t want you to see me before everything.” I say. “Is that your dress?” He nods to my keeper. “Yeah, and no you can’t see it.” “Then tonight we dance.” He says. I laugh, and kiss him on the cheek. “I think you look so handsome in that tux.” I say into his ear. I walk away and go to my room. I walk in and Janie’s in a beautiful royal blue strapless dress. I go to the bathroom and get dressed in there, the dress fits my curves perfectly. I walk out. “Hey, Janie could you do the last button?” I ask, she nods and does it. “Attention attention, the ball is beginning.” The PA system announced. Ethan and I had agreed before that we were both going to first see each other at the ball. I wait ten minutes after the announcement so I can have a big entrance. I start walking down the halls. To match my dress I have the same shade of blue, earrings, heels and clips in my hair. I get to the training area, and walk through the doors. Everyone turns their heads to look at me, and they all look shocked. I smile and go through the flower arches. I see Ethan and he’s standing right at the end. Somehow he got even handsomer from when I last saw him. He turns and looks at me, and smiles to his ears. He walks toward me, and puts his hands on my hips. “Is it possible that you got even more beautiful from when I last saw you?” He asks. “I was just thinking the same thing about you.” I say. “To answer my question, yes, you get more beautiful everyday I see you, because you light up my world, Alina.” I smile. “And you, Ethan, light up mine.” We keep walking to the table he got with Mike and Janie. But secretly our hands are together just as we are. We get to the table and Ethan takes off his coat puts it on the table and pulls me toward an exit. We walk out, and Ethan puts his arms on my waist. I put my arms around his neck, and lean closer to him. “I have no other joy in life than being with you. Hugging you, being with you, kissing you. It all is what makes me want to get up every morning.” He stops and just holds me for a few minutes. “C’mon, lets go back inside.” He lets go, puts his hands on mine and takes them off his neck. “There’s one more thing I have to do.” I kiss him, and this one is different then the other ones, this one was of trust, and certainty, . My hands leave his and go to his cheeks.I break the kiss, and kiss his cheek. His eyes flutter open. I take his hands again. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.” I whisper. “Then, tonight I give you everything and more.” “You can’t possibly.” “I can, we will dance until dawn.” I let one hand go to my side but I have my other still holding his. We walk back in and we go to our table and sit. We sit for a while just talking, then we go and dance, and the hours fly by. People start turning in one by one, but we just keep dancing-at one point I had taken off my heels. But I eventually get too tired. So we walk to my room, and find Mike asleep on the floor. I tell Ethan to wait outside, and I change into pjs as quietly as possible. I change, and thankfully don’t wake up Janie or Mike. I walk out, take Ethan’s hand, and gestured to down the hall, he nodded. We get to his room and he takes his tie off and starts unbuttoning his shirt, I look down-I know I’ve seen him without his shirt before but, now is different. I look up. He finishes unbuttoning and untucks his shirt. He takes his shirt off and throws it somewhere. He finds pajama pants, goes to the bathroom. I look around, I remember how he asked me to the ball, I close my eyes. I feel his hands on my hips, my eyes flutter open. I didn’t even hear him come out. I take his hands off my hips and put them around me, and I put my hands around him. “Can we just go away, together?” I ask full of hope. “Nothing, would make me happier, but we can’t,” He says. “I know, I just want this. I want us.” He kisses me, and my knees give out-from all the dancing. He breaks the kiss, and puts one his arms under my knees, and I put my arms around his neck. That’s when I notice he’s still shirtless. He carries me to the bed. I sit down and go under the covers. He sits down, and also goes under the covers. I go on my side, move my head up and take his arm, putting it down where my head was. I curl over, and put my head on his chest. I can feel his breathing, I can feel his warmth. He looks down at me and kisses my head. I say. “Can we stay like this forever?” I ask. “I wish you could stay here with me forever but we can’t. We have training.” “Well, you are my trainer, you could just say I did.” He laughs and I feel it. I fall asleep, with my head on his chest and his arm around me; protecting me. I know I said I would leave with no strings attached, but now, now I want one string attached-Ethan. —————————————————— “Good, you’re awake. We begin soon.” ——————————————————- I spring up, and I wake Ethan up. “What’s going on Alina?” He asks rubbing his eyes. “Nothing, just a nightmare.” “You wanna talk about it?” “No,” I say relaxing. I lay back down on his chest and look up at him. I kiss him, and he holds my face with his hands. I break the kiss, and he kisses the top of my head. “Hey, can you tell me what a master is?” “Uh, a master is someone who takes control of one providence. Like in hunger games where president snow is in charge, accept divide that like by 100.” “Oh,” “Ethan, when I got here you told me I didn’t belong here why?” I ask. “I was stupid, once I got to know you, I realized my mistake, without you I could never be this happy.” “Good, cause this would have never happened if you stayed stupid.” We laugh at that. “Tell me five things I don’t know about you,” He says seriously. “One, I’ve never had a boyfriend before, two I’ve never said I love you to anyone, not even my parents.” I pause. “Three, I have been on my own since I was fifteen, I was going to be a nurse, and finally five I’ve always wanted to go to Paris.” “Alina, you’re the best thing that will ever happen to me. I can’t tell you how much happier I am now that you’re here in my life. I’d choose you over a thousand over girls. I’ll always choose you.” “And I will always choose you.” “Sadly, we have to get up.” He says as he looks at the alarm clock. “Fine,” I say huffy. I start getting up, but Ethan grabs my hand and pulls me back to him, and kisses me. I start getting up again, and he doesn’t stop me this time. I get out of bed and go to his side, to pull him up. “Eth, you have to get up.” I say as I pull his arm. “Hey,” He says as he gets up. “So you have a nickname for me, but I don’t for you.” “Ali, that’s what my parents called me.” I didn’t add, before they left me. “So Ali, what are we doing today?” Ethan asks, while I blush because of the way he said my name. He gets ready for training then we walk to my room-hands held- so I can get ready. I’m surprised when mike and Janie aren’t here. I put on a tight sports bra, a running jacket, and short-short- running shorts. I leave the room, and Ethan just stares. “You evil, evil lady.” He say and I laugh and nod. “Just so you know I’m not trying to impress you or anything.” I say and he laughs. “As if.” He says and puts his arm around me. My back tingles at his touch. I still can’t believe the ball was yesterday, it seems so long ago. We walk to the training center and for once I’m happy we got here early. After every move he kisses me. Then the PA system goes off, asking for us both. Ethan kisses me long, hard, and hungrily. His hands move around waist, and he lifts me off the ground. He breaks the kiss, and sets me down. I take his hand, and we walk to the office centre. We let go of hands when we reach the door. We walk in. —————————————————— Janie is gone. She and Mike left, they ran away. On another note I already have a new roommate, Jordan. Ughh. She’s like pretty, really pretty. Ethan doesn’t even look at her, he’s looking only at me, I blush. Now we’re her guides, like Ethan was mine. Ethan and I take Jordan to our room. Jordan’s on my right, while Ethan’s on my left holding my hand. I just keep looking at Ethan, and he’s looking at me. I blush, and look down, he squeezes my hand. I look up and we’re at our room. I show Jordan our room and show her, her bed. Then she takes my bed! I scoff, and I squeeze Ethan’s hand-Hard. He lets go and massages his hand. “Sorry.” I whisper into his ear. “You’ll make it up to me.” He whispers into my ear. I smile and he smiles back. He takes my hand again. Then Jordan looks at him, and smiles! Are you serious? I Want to scream at her. I wrap my other hand around Ethan’s arm. Then Ethan turns and looks at me. I smile. Jordan walks past us, and through the door. “Ugh, I have to deal with her for the next six months?” I grumble. “Not alone.” —————————————————— Ethan became her personal trainer as well so I haven’t seen either of them that much. Today, I decided I will meet up with Ethan for training. I get into the same training suit as I was in when I first met Jordan. I walk to the training arena and open-and close- the door as quietly as possible. I walk to where I hear noise. I see Jordan, and Ethan. They’re kissing. ——————————————————- It’s been 6 months since I stop talking to Ethan. Now we’ve both been called to the office again. I’m not standing anywhere close to that cheating scoundrel. He still doesn’t know why I stopped talking to him. After I stopped talking to Ethan I spent a lot more time with Devin. Then we’re told why we were called. A mission, to be lovers at a gala in New York City. Oh great, and we were chosen for our “chemistry”. “You should’ve picked Jordan. I hear she has quite the tongue.” I say and start leaving. I walk out the door. Ethan closes the door and grabs my arm. “What’s gotten into you Ali-“ I interrupt. “Only people who love me call me Ali, and that’s not you.” “Why would you say that?” “You really haven’t got a clue, do you?” He shakes his head. “I saw it, I saw you making out with Jordan, then I found out it happens every session! I trusted you! I think I might have loved you! But no, not ever going to happen!” I say, with tears rolling down my cheeks. Ethan tries to hug me, but I push him away. “You have no idea what it’s like-“ This time he interrupts me. “To have your heart broken? Yeah, I do, after you stopped talking to me, I didn’t come out of my room for two weeks. Then Jordan came and brought me food so I wouldn’t die.” He finished. “Serves you right, you should’ve.” He steps back and gasps. Then Devin comes over. “What’s going on here?” Devin asks and looks at me-I had told him everything that happened and he had listened, brushed my tears away, and hugged me, so tight I thought the world stopped moving- I nod. Devin puts his arm around my shoulders and we start walking away. We walk to Devin’s room, and I tell him everything that happened just now. I cry, Devin wipes them away, and hugs me. When he hugs me, I feel protected, and safe. Devin takes me back to the centre after I tell him I’m ready. I tell the mission people I’ll do it. I’m doing the mission —————————————————— I’m all packed, and now we’re driving to the airport. Thankfully I don’t have to be in the same car as Ethan, Devin’s with me and going over the mission. I act in love with Ethan-bleh- then I leave with a “headache” and go back to our room, while Ethan pretends I don’t exist-which I bet won’t be that difficult. Then he’s supposed to go get a Spherical Square-whatever that is- from a woman. Then we come back. We pull up to the airport, Devin leaves and opens my door. For that, I give him a kiss on the cheek, he turns beet red. I laugh, I grab my stuff from the trunk, and start heading up to the doors. “Alina! Wait!” I hear Devin yelling. I stop, and put my suitcases on the ground. Devin comes running, and he cups my face in his hands. He kisses me, nice and delicate, I kiss him back, then he breaks it all of the sudden. “I’m sorry.” He says. “You did nothing wrong, I’ve wanted to do that for a while.” I say. “Me too,” He says gently, and I laugh quietly. “One more time, for good luck?” I ask, eager for a yes. “I’d like nothing better.” He kisses me again except his hands are on my hips. I hear someone say lovebirds, and Devin breaks the kiss, and I laugh, so does he. “Good luck.” I hug him. He holds me tight. He picks up my suitcases and walks in with me. I turn around when I hear laughing. It’s Jordan and Ethan, making out, in front of an airport. I turn back around to see Devin. We walk to the entrance gate and I smile. I’m here an hour early, so I sit down on bench and motion for Devin to sit with me. He puts his arm around my shoulder, and I put my head in the crook of his neck. “Please be careful.” He whispers into my hair, and I nod. “Of course, because now when I come home I have you to look forward to.” I say. Ethan and Jordan come. “Alina, it’s time to go.” Ethan says in a gruff. “Ok.” I go to stand up, but Devin grabs my hand and he stands up. He kisses me, I put my arms around his neck, he puts his around my waist. Then Ethan grabs my shoulder-hard. “Its time to go.” He says. “Tell the witch to leave first.” “Tell the guard.” He shoots back. Devin already wants to hurt Ethan for hurting me. Devin looks into my blue eyes, and I look into his chocolate brown ones, I nod, he kisses me on the cheek and leaves. Jordan’s already gone. “You moved on fast.” Ethan says. “You moved on in the middle of our relationship.” I shoot back. “Let’s just get this over with.” He says and I nod. —————————————————— We’re on a plane, and someone did not mention that we would be in first class. Right now I’m having a beer. Actually I’ve had a few, so I didn’t have to listen to Ethan. Then I fall asleep. ——————————————————- “The closer the plane comes the closer we get to activating our plan.” I hear a voice in the dark say. “Then, we can help him. Obtain her.” —————————————————— I shoot up, and Ethan automatically asks what’s wrong, then he smacks his forehead, then goes back to sleep. I tug at Ethan’s arm, “I have to ask you something.” He nods. “Why did you do that? Kiss Jordan?” I ask, pleading to know the answer. “I didn’t, she kissed me, and I backed up almost immediately, with disgust. I was going to tell you about it later that day but you had stopped talking to me by then. I thought maybe you would come if I stayed in my room, but you never came, at the two weeks mark, I heard a knock, it was Jordan, she saved my life. After that we got close.” I nod, maybe I would have understood if I had asked him. “I’m sorry, about what I said earlier, that you should have died.” I say apologetic. “And what about everything else? The silent treatment?” My mouth open with shock. “No, I feel I have a good sense NOT to trust you.” He just shrugs and turns on his side. ——————————————————- We end up at the fanciest hotel in NYC. I find a blue satin dress waiting for me in the closet, along with makeup and accessories. I also find a tux, for Ethan. We have a few hours before the gala, so I watch tv. After a few episodes from HGTV, I start to get ready. I put my dress on and it’s a little tight around my chest and hips. Ethan comes in-he was at the pool- and looks shocked at me. “You look beautiful.” He is not about to make me fall for him again. “Whatever.” I say. I put in gold hoop earrings, and start on my makeup. Ethan’s changing into his tux when I realize there’s only one queen bed. “Um Ethan.” I say. “What?” He says as he comes out of the bathroom, he looks handsome. I point to the bed. “Oh,” He says. Before this wouldn’t have been a problem but now, it’s so awkward. “I’ll sleep on the floor.” We both say. “No, Alina I’ll sleep on the floor later.” I nod. My ‘phone’ starts binging, meaning it’s time to go.

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