The breeze picked up around me as I sat under the tree near the front of the Business Building. It was a warmer day than usual for summer which made it more distracting to study.

I still preferred it compared to the stuffy, cold library.

I lightly repositioned the scarf on my neck, trying to pull it away a bit more to let some cool wind against it. I sighed. There was no way I could get comfortable with it on. But I couldn't take it off either.

The handprint had gotten darker, angrier making a sharp contrast against my fairer skin.

I texted Damien that I needed to talk to him but received no response. Even Cat-boy, Bird-boy, Oren was gone. I hadn't seen either of them since the night at the bar two months ago.

I was the last person to see either Leah or Damien ,too. While Leah had kept contact with her parents, Damien had cut off all contact with me while he was gone. I assumed that they had been together the entire time touring their home.

I took a deep breath and leaned my head against the tree trunk. I was so tired if only I could close my eyes for a couple of seconds ...

"Falling asleep again, Emmy?"

I looked up at the voice. It was Mia, her long dark hair back in a braid. She had her hands behind her as she politely leaned down. "Do you mind if I join you?"

Her smile was warm, reaching her eyes.

I only nodded. She crossed her legs and sat next to me. Mia had started to spend time with me before class since it was a class we both took in the afternoon. Since Leah had disappeared with Damien all two months ago, Mia became more open. As funny as it was, it was a small routine that I started looking forward to. I never realized how mousy she was. She was quieter on her own than when she was with Leah.

She was really kind.

And insecure, I'd found out.

I'd always thought she was outgoing but it turned out that as soon as Leah stopped showing up for classes Mia became quieter, reserved.

Or she had always been that way and Leah was the one that brought out her adventurous attitude.

"Is it that noticeable?" I asked her about her observation.

She nodded her voice quiet, "The last couple of days I've noticed that you've fallen asleep during Harper's class."

I sighed, disgusted. It wasn't like me to fall asleep during class but I took it for what I could. I literally could not sleep for weeks. Nightmares plagued my nights - I started wearing concealer under my eyes.

"Harper doesn't seem to mind," Mia said quietly again. "I don't know how you aced his quiz when you fall asleep."

I shrugged. "I don't sleep at night - I have to do something. So I just study."

She took out her book and opened to the chapter we were studying. "Would you mind helping me try to figure this out? Arrays are not my favorite."

We discussed the subject until class was about to start. Mia looked more relieved than she had earlier. "You have no idea how much this is going to help me."

I shrugged. "It's all right. Happy to help."

She tossed her long dark braid over her shoulder and she zipped up her bag. "You should sell tutoring services you know. I know a lot of people that would pay you for what you've been teaching me."

I shook my head. "I don't know –"

Mia insisted. "Seriously, you should definitely at least consider it. Or join the study group Josh has put together. I think he's asked you before, right?"

I nodded. "He has but – "

"But what?" Her hair took different tones in the filtered sunlight through the leaves of the tree I was sitting under.

"I don't, know, I think I'm just there to fill whatever spot Leah had in the study group –"

And it was true, ever since Leah disappeared and stopped making it to classes, everyone started reaching out to me. Even Mia who was always trailing Leah started talking to me.

It seemed everyone was being genuinely nice. There didn't seem to be any malice or ill intentions in their words or invitations.

It was all very strange.

Mia didn't seem to share my concern. She only shook her head. "I don't think so. You're smart, his group needs a smart person, I'm not sure why he never reached out to you before."

I bit my lip. Didn't she realize it was the same with her as well?

She shrugged. "Give it a thought." She nodded at me and pointed at the scarf at my neck. "Isn't it a little hot to be wearing a scarf?"

"I like how it looks," I lied.

She seemed to notice I was lying but was kind enough not to say anything further. She smiled, stood and extended her hand, "Need a hand?"

I laughed and took her help to stand. Once standing, Mia froze watching something behind me. "Oh, my God."

I turned and squinted towards where she was looking at. There was an expensive looking black car pulling up to the front of the Business building. A familiar black-haired young woman strutted out with a designer purse over her shoulder.

Mia squealed. "It's Leah. She's back!"

I continued to squint at the mirage. Leah looked different. "Is she tan?"

Mia ignored me and sprinted towards her friend just as a familiar voice spoke behind me.

"Did you know that the beaches in Bali are amongst the most beautiful in the world?"

I turned slowly.

Damien stood leaning against the tree looking at the phone in his hand. "Leah was more interested in shopping in the French Riviera though. And Paris. I think those two were her favorite places."

Without a second thought, I took the notebook in my hand and threw it as hard as I could in his direction.

He caught it in one hand, looked at it then turned back at me in disbelief. The sunglasses hid his unnatural eyes but he still looked shocked. "What was that for?"

I couldn't contain the fury I felt at that moment. "Are you serious? I have been out of my mind worried about you!"

He sighed and tucked the notebook under his arm as he crossed his arms. "It's hardly worth worrying this much –"

"You've been gone for two and a half months! I couldn't even talk to Cat and ask him how you were, he disappeared too!" I screeched.

If he felt guilty he didn't show it. He sighed as if tired, "I've been fine- Oren's fine-"

I gestured towards him with an open palm. "Well, I see that now! You wouldn't answer my calls, my texts – how could I know you were 'fine'? Why do you even have a phone then? I thought you were giving me the cold shoulder like a child after that argument we had."

He shook his head. "My lack of communication has nothing to do with that 'argument' as you call it –"

"Then why haven't you reached out?"

"I've been," he cleared his throat, "busy."

I scoffed. "Right." I swung my bag over my shoulder and snatched my notebook back from him, ready to leave. I turned back towards the building when he spoke again.

"She said yes," Damien's detached matter of fact tone froze me in place. "Our plan worked. The wedding is next week."

I felt the floor almost collapse under me. The reality hitting me harder than I thought it would.

Of course, the plan worked. Who could resist Damien? Who would refuse a proposal from the King?

It would be what every little girl dreamed of.

Did they fall in love in the time they were gone? Start planning their wedding, pick out the colors of the place where they would live?

How would it be now going forward?

I saw less of him since he became King. Now I'd see even less since he was going to be married.

I turned towards him trying not to show any of the conflict I was suddenly feeling. "I would hope so. The lunar eclipse is in two weeks." After a pause, I continued, "Congratulations. You found your Queen."

He nodded and ran a hand through his hair, a typical nervous gesture he would do. "Yes, I get to keep my throne."

I frowned. "You wouldn't keep it otherwise?"

He didn't answer.

I chuckled. "Still keeping secrets then?"

He groaned in anger. "Not this again ... Look, I really need you to trust me on this, Em-"

My anger flared up again. It was a really bad mix with my tired state. "Fine!" I almost hissed. "I hope you two make each other very happy."

I made my way towards my class before he could say anything else.

I huffed in annoyance as I continued inside, stuffing my books in my bag. I'd been so careless I didn't even see Leah running up towards me.

"Em!"

She was beaming. She had a large smile on her face, she was grinning from ear to ear. She looked so different with her tan, her blue eyes stood out remarkably.

She was definitely not human. She was just as stunning as Damien. It even seemed that the designer clothes she had on didn't do her justice at all.

She had flourished in the time she was gone. She was absolutely glowing.

It seemed that in the time that she was gone with Damien she became more beautiful. Had she tapped into her magic fully? Was she using it now?

Is that why everyone seemed to be looking at her more closely than before? They all craned their necks to hear our conversation.

I was the plain Jane again – standing next to a breathtaking goddess of beauty.

I tried to smile, trying not to let on that I'd just fought with Damien. "Hey, Leah."

She was oblivious to it.

She put her hand up, palm facing outward to show me the large diamond on her finger. It was almost blinding how shiny it was. The large diamond in the middle was crowded by smaller diamonds around it.

I couldn't look away.

"He proposed!" Leah's bright smile couldn't be held back. "We're going to be such great friends, you and I!"

I nodded absently. "Of course, it will be great."

She frowned, concern etched across her face. It was a stark contrast to before. "What's wrong? Are you all right?"

I nodded but the smile failed. "I just haven't had much sleep lately," I laughed. "It's catching up to me."

She nodded as if in understanding. "Okay, do you, maybe, want to hang out tomorrow night? I'm having sort of a bachelorette party at a club, I'd love it if you could join us."

I tried not to wince. That was not my idea of a good time. "No, thanks, Leah. I have to work tomorrow – " I was lying. I didn't have to work.

She gave a small frown. "You know, I think that Damien would love it if we started hanging out – being friends. I know that will make him happy."

Yes, of course it would. I thought back to the reason why I agreed to the whole thing in the first place. I loved Damien, he was my best friend, I'd do anything to make him happy. Being set up with Leah and finding a Queen was the first time I'd seen him smile for the first time in the months after his father passed away.

I was still mad at him but ...

I gave a small smile. "Where should I meet you?"