Objects we ardently pursue bring little happening when gained; most of our pleasures come from unexpected sources.

-Herbert Spencer

***

Why...how did this boy know about my execution?

His volcanic eyes pierced into mine. "That's weird," he started off "isn't it?"

I hadn't realise but my lips were noticeably parted and hanging down in shock.

"Those were going to be her last words before she got her head cut off. She could have failed to save our royal. My training partner and I were on a mission to save Ivory but this girl ruined it by doing what she wanted." His face had become rigid, jaw clamped tight, teeth grinding as he shouted, striking his finger towards me.

"You were that orange guard who said, 'that's weird', weren't you?" I asked slowly standing up.

Our voices rose above the sacred silence. "Yeah and you almost killed our future queen."

Was he serious right now?

"Oh, well excuse me for saving your princess-" That was the breaking point of my patience. His rage was absolutely pointless.

He cut me off, "Well it wasn't your job!"

"Oh so you're angry because you didn't get to prove yourself but not glad about the part where Ivory is here alive?" The mockery in my tone pierced through the air, probably slicing his throat if it was physically real.

"She could have died!" he shouted.

Every time he opened his mouth I got angrier. I stared down at my white knuckles from clenching my fist too hard. "First of all, she asked to come with me herself ,and second, she never told me that she was a royal."

All of a sudden, a redhead with a ruby dress stormed onto the stage, her hair tumbling over her shoulders like rusty water. Her fiery eyes were the same colour as her emerald pendant.

"Stop talking to him like that,human girl, and behave. Everything he's said is true!"

Human volcano.

I scrunched my nose. "Well that's not a very nice way to thank me for returning your royal."

The silence in the room made my blood cold. Nobody dared to stop us.

"Get off the stage immediately. You don't even belong in this room" the boy shouted.

Who the hell does he thing he is? A prince?

A chuckle escaped my mouth, breaking the tension. "You think I'm going to listen to you just because you're a pretty Maya boy?"

Her angry red cheeks matched her scorching red hair, making her look as if her whole head was on fire. "He said to go, so go!"

"Oh I'm sorry, who made you my mother?" I replied calmly.

"Nobody talks to me like that," she said with her lips tightly pressing together. I could almost see steam from those red cheeks.

"Well someone obviously should!" I shouted back. Burning rage hissed through my body like deathly poison.

Out of complete silence the cry arose. It was more than crying, it was the kind of desolate sobbing that comes from a person drained of all hope. Ivory sobbed into her hands and the tears dripped between her fingers, as her ears drooped down.

"Why are you all even fighting?! I'm disappointed in both of you, like why can't you just be happy that I'm here and not moan about your mission? And why do get so angry about things, Burn?" she screamed.

I felt sorry for her. I cursed myself under my breath for exploding like that. I had to think of a way to lighten up the party.

Suddenly, I burst into a loud harsh cackle of laughter. My laughter was like ripples in a still pond after a stone has been thrown in. It radiated outwards through the crowd as more people started laughing. I had quite a lot of practice doing that since dad used to make me go to the sessions where they stood in a circle and laughed to be healthy.

Within a couple of minutes most people were exploding with laughter including Ivory. All of a sudden, the same blonde boy stepped forward and held out his hand towards me, expecting me to shake it.

"Hi there, I'm Ash," he said, richness in his tone.

He sounds like a celebrity advertising a talking company.

He saw the shock register on my face before I could hide it. A small smile played on his lips, I guess he gets that a lot.

I narrowed my eyes at him. Was he out of his mind to play nice after that violent word play?

The girl's expression changed to baffled.

"Just keep up the act for Ivory's sake," he muttered to both of us.

Our fingers entwined as I shook his hand. "Burn."

The red-haired girl stepped forward. "Eleanor," she said with a mocking smile.

I returned the smile. "Burn."

The peace is shattered by Ivory laughing. "Yay! now that we're all friends, time for dancing!" I smiled as I saw the excitement dance in her eyes and the adreneline coursing through her veins

She was such a light spirited girl, forgiving people instantly. People like her were so rare. The golden ones that saw the good in everyone.

I swung my hands back as I landed with both feet off the stage. "Alright let's get this party started!"

Every fibre in me being was vibrating with anticipation. Everyone gawked at me for a solid thirty seconds as if I had gone mental. I guess they hadn't been to many upbeat parties.

Suddenly slow music boomed into my eardrums. My eyes twitched at the sight of the orchestra. This was the definition of boring.

My complaining voice strained when everyone had already chosen their waltzing partners and headed to the dance floor. To my surprise, my eyes searched for Ash's who was staring right back at me.

Eleanor broke our eye contact as she linked her arms into his, pulling him onto the dance floor.

I started climbing back onto the stage to have some time to myself, since I wanted to stay away from dancing, when suddenly someone's fingers tapped my shoulder. I whirled around to see a handsome boy smiling at me.

His features were symmetrical, reminding me of Garry, making his dimples dig into his cheek in perfect structure.

Not another Maya. These angels were beginning to make me wish that I could tear their skin down instead of mine.

His presence seemed to buzz around me.

"Uh may I help you?" I asked, a noticeable hint of annoyance in my tone.

He crossed his arms, his cheeks flushing red. "Yeah, you may help me by dancing with me."

"Dude, seriously? Is that a demand or a question?"

What was with these Mayas and their self obsession? The short temper that coursed through my veins meant one thing; I was obviously tired of the long day I had had. I couldn't risk talking to people because of saying too much.

"Oh I've seen what happens when someone demands you to do something, it was a question," he replied with a chuckle.

I surprised myself by the reckless words that came out next.

"Yeah sure I'll dance with you." My laugh was light, almost forceful.

I was in some serious trouble tonight.