The day after the charity event I was at the art studio reflecting about what happened...

That unexpected lip touch with Luca... hearing about the shiny, glamorous lives of the rich people I met... and the waltzing experience I had with Kai...

Even after the event I couldn't forget Kai telling me at the house that he appreciated my attendance and my cooperation in the event... he even told me he would take that expensive dress in to be fixed... it seemed like getting along with Kai was a dream... being around him was becoming a lot more natural... but it was something I was determined to establish: a bond with this family in order to fulfill that old man's last wish...

I mean, building any foundations for friendships or relationships took time... especially if you started off on the wrong foot... and it was becoming easier to be around the Ravenwolf grandsons...

I sighed. I was playing with one of my paint brushes. I was spinning it around a few of my fingers. I didn't notice my students coming into the studio until a few of them called out to me. I put the paintbrush down and greeted them.

When I waited for them to all comfortably find a spot, I noticed that West was missing. This was his second last class... I was surprised he wasn't there. Perhaps he was with his mom? I hoped he was alright... he hadn't left a phone number when he signed up for this class for reasons he never really stated...

"Hey! So what would you like to do this year?"

"For... what?"

Rae had already arrived at the studio and had finished up one of her classes. I had no idea what she was talking about...

"You know... for your birthday... don't tell me you forgot?" I stared up at her, wide-eyed... I had forgotten my own birthday.

"It's already October?"

"Yes..."

"I didn't realize..."

"This is the first time you... are you alright? How has your aunt been treating you?"

"Honestly, things have been so busy. It definitely doesn't have anything to do with my aunt... sorry, Rae..." I reached out to hold her hand.

"Don't be sorry towards me silly..." she patted the top of my shoulder and I smiled. "Should we just go to dinner and check out an art gallery?" I nodded and she grinned. "It's a date!"

I laughed and she skipped away.

I yawned shortly after she left and stared back at my paint brush... I definitely wasn't going to be getting any work done. I decided to head back to Ravenwolf. I needed to forget about the ball...

*

I barely stepped into the mansion when I heard Edna calling out to ask who was at the door.

When she saw me there were tears of relief in her eyes. I was a little startled by her emotions.

"What's wrong?!"

"It's Charlie again!"

"What happened?" I held onto her arms, worried about what she would say next.

"He's... he's in his Headmaster's office. A few students were harassing him again and--" before she finished speaking I was already looking through my contacts on my phone to call Walt.

I asked him to meet me at the front of the house. I told Edna to calm down and reassured her I would take care of it right now. I encouraged her to keep calling his brothers.

When I arrived at his large 'campus,' I raced inside the front foyer entrance. I must have looked like a frazzled so when a teacher greeted me cautiously I asked her where the Headmaster's office was. I explained who I was so she escorted me thankfully.

When I arrived I opened the doors and saw Charlie sitting quietly across two young boys who were accompanied by whom I presumed were their mothers.

"Charlie!" I ran up to him with hesitation and held my hands up to his face to inspect for any wounds... there didn't appear to be any on his face. "What happened?"

"He's the one who knows what happened to Mark, we all know it."

"I already told you I don't know where he is," Charlie replied and I turned around to look at the preppy boys glaring my way.

"What the heck is going on here?!" I shouted while looking at the Headmaster. She was clearing her throat. If I recalled... she was the mother of the son who was violently harassing Charlie and who caused my injury. She seemed incredibly uninterested when I made eye contact with her.

"Miss. Rose, correct? We hope to resolve this matter as soon as possible," I could hear one of the mother's scoff and I turned around, glaring back at her. "Since there was no--"

"But he's been missing for like weeks now and we're supposed to just assume he didn't do anything?"

"Alex!" one of the mother's shouted and I straightened my posture while standing in front of Charlie protectively. Charlie grabbed a hold of my arm.

"What are you implying? You shouldn't be accusing anyone without evidence. And besides, this is just absurd. What else do you want from him? Huh?! What else?" I must have stepped forward because the 2 mothers were now standing as well.

"My son didn't do anything wrong."

"Yes, they are not in the wrong here. In fact, he may be the one overreacting."

"Yes, and from our knowledge, our sons were just asking a few innocent questions about our Headmaster's son."

"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't realize your sons were judge, jury, and executioner in one go."

That seemed to push them off the edge. We continued to banter back and forth until the Headmaster stood up, trying to get us to stop engaging.

"Who do you think you are?" one of the mother's got closer to me. "Who are you to come in-between our matters? You're not related to him. And if you think we don't know all about you and your reputation--"

"Regardless of what you may think about me that doesn't change what happened or excuse the violent outbursts of your children."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me or does the truth sting a little? To imagine that your Ivy-League prodigies are evil spawns--"

Before I knew it a hand was raised. I knew she was going to slap my face. I wanted to turn away, but someone stood in front of me to take the hit. When I looked up, it was James.

"James!" I heard Charlie shout.

"Let's all desist at once!" I heard the Headmaster shout. "Mr. Ravenwolf if you could escort Miss. Rose and Charlie out of the office, I will handle matters here."

"I trust you will, Headmaster..." James then looked up at the mother who was stepping back.

"Ms. Stein, please remember that if you or your sons ever raise your hand against anyone of the Ravenwolf name there will be legal consequences..." James grabbed a hold of my hand. Before he pulled me forward, I grabbed the edge of Charlie's blazer and he followed after me.

James was mumbling under his breath, "maybe we should just get him transferred..."

"James... James!" I finally caught his attention. When he turned around there was some blood dripping down his face.

"Bro!" Charlie shouted, startled. He rushed forward. James lifted his hand to his cheek, realizing that he was hurt. It was probably her ring that cut his cheek.

"Charlie, go to your infirmary and get us a mini first aid kit," I said and he nodded while racing forward. I nudged towards our left side and suggested we take a seat on the bench. He complied. He wiped some blood off with the back of his hand.

"Why did you step in?"

"Did you want to get slapped in the face?"

"Well, I was getting ready to right hook her in the face after she smacked me," James smiled and chuckled a little.

"Self-defense?"

"I do have the lawyers of Ravenwolf to help me get out of a civil lawsuit too..." my comment seemed to ease the tension.

"Why didn't you wait for one of us?"

"The thought of Charlie spending any more time in that room again all by himself was a little..."

"I know where you're coming from but... you don't have to protect anyone all by yourself," I nodded and then he added, "besides we should all share equal responsibility for taking care of the family."

"Come again...?"

"I'm saying... you will be protected by our family too... Hazel... for all that you've done... thank you."

I couldn't believe what was happening. Given the severity of the situation... I couldn't help but feel a sense of inclusion that I never thought I would desire. Before I knew it, Charlie arrived with the first aid kit. I took out some wipes to clean the wound and then some ointment to prevent infection and encourage the healing of his skin. Before I put on the Band-Aid I wondered why I had to do all of this...

"Wait... you're supposed to be the doctor... why did I have to do this?" he suddenly turned to me and our noses almost touched. I hadn't been this close to James in a while... I couldn't help but noticed how beautiful his lashes were.

"Doctors should also be taken care of" I scoffed at his response.

Charlie and I followed James to his car. When we got home I couldn't help but think about what I could do for Charlie to help him feel a little better about the situation he was put in today...