CHAPTER 14

A week passed by in a blur. During that time, I made myself fade in the background. In other words, I pretty much vanish when Queen Elizabeth or her snob of a daughter come around. How? It wasn't hard really, given my acting skill and pronounced lying habit, it was easy as pie. I just had to act here and there, hide behind someone, fake a stomach ache or headache from time to time most especially on Mrs. Wales class (Sorry Mrs. Wales but the bitches were always there).

The reason why I hid myself for a while was so I could focus on my other classes, and learn about the ways of the academy. It was like a recharge for me, and at the same time I was doing what my dad told me, 'avoid Queen Elizabeth'.

Carlos wasn't easily fooled though, he knew what I was doing and would always shake his head in disapproval. He said that Mrs. Wales' class was one of the most important classes for girls such as myself. He also said that he'd been hearing from Mrs. Wales regarding why she wasn't seeing her clumsiest student anymore. I told him my bountiful reasons and he agreed, well almost.

I also learned that since I wasn't born a princess after I graduated here I would earn the title of 'lady-in-waiting'. It's the person who was always next to the queen, like her first servant, or something like that. I laughed at the thought, I bet my dad would be laughing his head off right now if I told him. I mean me being a lady almost didn't suit at all. But I wouldn't mind serving Ria or Nessa in the near future.

This past week, I barely saw Prince Lucas and Prince Eric as well. They were probably busy with their princely duties, I heard they get out of the school almost everyday. Though occasionally I would bump into Lucas and we would say our hellos and how are yous. Sometimes we would chat for awhile. He was almost like a big brother that would always check on me. It was nice. Too bad I still don't remember how we've met.

As for Gavier. . .well as usual, he was tormenting the hell out of me.

"Why do you always have to hold my hand?" I asked. I could feel the glares coming my way, people whispering in the hallway with judging looks.

"Because I want to," he replied casually.

"Well I don't want to." I tried to take my hand away but he clung on tighter, making me feel jumpier than ever.

"Why not?"

"You're asking me why?" I asked furiously, "Do you know how many hates I've been getting from your fans lately. Every time I get to my locker, it's always filled with hate letters. And guess what's in those letters. Death threats Gavier, death threats." I shivered, remembering reading some of them. They were very threatening, I tell you.

"So? I don't care." He shrugged casually as if it wasn't such a big deal at all.

Wow, so he doesn't care if I actually die?! This jerk!

"You're impossible!" I stepped on his foot hard.

"Ow-shit!" He finally let go of my hand as I snubbed my head away, walking away from him.

"Clarissa." There was something in his voice that sounded very dangerous. I felt goosebumps all over me in an instant.

I turned around and swallowed. He was glaring at me and his glare looked different somehow. It was literally telling me 'You're fucking dead bitch'.

Crap. Time to get out of here.

I only got three steps away before he caught me by the waist tightly. "You naughty girl, you need punishment," he whispered in my ear making my heart race.

"W-what do you mean Gavier?"

He didn't answer and dragged me in a secure room. He locked the door, making my eyes widen in fear. Oh no.

"Gavier, w-what are you going to do?" I asked uncertain, my nerves mushed like mashed potatoes.

He suddenly pushed me against the wall, towering over me, his arms went at the top of my head, and his legs placed mine between his, trapping me completely. I gasped at his near proximity. My heart was thumping so hard, he could probably hear it.

"You've been a very bad girl, Clarissa, very bad." He smirked dangerously, as he leaned closer."Did you think I would just let you go, after you practically rejected my hand which every girl in the world are now dying to hold?" He caressed my chin, tilting my head so he could see my eyes.

"Maybe," I said, proud of myself because I didn't stutter.

"Yes that's right." He leaned even closer until our lips were just two centimeters apart. "And because of that I shall punish you."

My mouth was dry as I stared at his lips but he didn't go for it, instead he went for my neck. He bit it hard and no he's not a vampire. I didn't know what he was doing but all I know was that it was slightly painful but pleasurable at the same time.

"Gavier, what the hell are you doing? I'm going to be late." I finally snapped out of it, and patted his back hard. His mouth remained on my neck, not letting go.

"Gavier, I swear if you don't let go right now, I'm going to scream rape."

"Go ahead, let's see if someone helps you."

"Gavier!!!"

He finally let go and smirked, looking down at me. "Your punishment is done, you may go now," he dismissed but then held my hand, interlacing our fingers together. "But with me."

I blushed, feeling more nervous than ever. What was he doing to me?

"Fine." I rolled my eyes. It was impossible to disagree with this arrogant prince. I don't know what his goal was, whether he was just messing with me or not but I let it go since we were friends anyway.

The day of the competitions finally arrived. I was pretty excited about it and I didn't want to be late. But the-oh so annoying arrogant prince wouldn't leave me alone. By the time I got to the arena where the announcements would be said, hundreds of people were already there.

A bunch of people were staring at me but instead of the glares that I usually got, this time they were more of surprised stares. Was there something wrong with my face? And why do I get the feeling that this was caused by Gavier. I looked at him, and the cocky jerk had a smug look on his face.

There was a particular crowd of a bunch of looking handsome princes and he suddenly stopped us in front of them. He leaned near my ear. "Win the competition for me, Clarissa." Then the jerk had the nerve to kiss my cheek. I of course was too stunned to say or move. It was always like this when Gavier did something unexpected to me. My brain wouldn't function for awhile.

"Clarissa!" Nessa's cry snapped me. "We're finally here!"

I looked around for Gavier but he was gone. I spotted him by the side with Prince Lucas and Prince Eric. Damn it.

"I saw that stunt there." Nessa arched an eyebrow at me and hit my hip with hers playfully. "Aren't you and Gavier getting closer these days?"

"He's just teasing me, it means nothing," I denied, blushing. Ugh.

"Yeah right." She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Hey guys!" Ria called and ran to us. "I finally found you, and what's that on your neck Clarissa?"

"What is it?" I asked obliviously and touched my neck.

"Oh my god, is that a love bite!" Nessa shrieked, "Oh my god!"

"Whoah, you and Gavier are going too fast. I can't believe he gave you a hickey."

My face felt very hot, I didn't know which was causing it-either anger or embarrassment, or both. No wonder everyone was looking at me weirdly and Gavier-th-that jerk!! I looked up, covering his mark on me, glaring at him. The devil smirked at me which infuriated me more. I flipped him the bird and he raised an eyebrow, looking amused. He opened his mouth and mouthed,'I'm looking forward to it'.I gasped, flushing. Damn him.

"Aren't you guys too cute," Nessa babbled and I glared at her.

"Guys we're really not like that, whatever you guys are thinking. We're just friends."

They both just smirked, not believing me. Why couldn't they believe me, when I was being the victim here?

A tall guy with black spiky hair passed by us and I couldn't help but stare at him. Apparently he had a strong mysterious, crazy and dangerous aura about him, as if he was the source of darkness. Everything about him was dark except for his eyes which were dark green and his olive skin. He was wearing a cape and a princely shirt that had a high collar that went up till his jaw but the middle of his shirt was cut revealing part of his toned and hard chest. He was smirking at everyone, the kind of psycho smile that says 'I can't wait to kill you'. I shivered, my instincts were basically screaming 'Danger! Danger! Stay away! Stay away!' and I agreed with it instantly.

"That's Prince Jarvis Jonathan Ubzeq Sacrose, prince of Russia. His family also owns a big bomb company so I suggest you steer away from him," Ria warned me.

"Damn right," I agreed.

"I heard he got disqualified last year because he bombed the place where the competition was supposed to be held."

"And he doesn't care if he wins, he basically joins just for the thrill of it." Nessa shuddered at my side.

What a twisted guy.

"You should stay away from that guy too." Ria pointed at looking nerdy guy, but had a handsome body built. He wore glasses, sitting on one of the chairs with a table, and was typing furiously in his mac laptop. "His name is Prince Levinnaeus Nestor Burzin Tosch, or Prince Levi for short. He's the prince in Canada and if you get on his bad side, he will make sure you lose the competition before you even start."

"In other words he's a dangerous tech guy," I summarized and they both nodded. Definitely need to steer away from this guy.

"Also Princess Ellaria, she almost won the last time. You should be careful around her." Nessa pulled me to face the princess.

"You mean her? She doesn't look dangerous to me," I disagreed. The cute princess looked forlorn, and she was looking down at her feet, fidgeting with her fingers. She had the most adorable ringlets I've ever seen, a little thin and pale, her body didn't even look that strong. Surely this princess wouldn't be a threat for me to win this competition.

"Just wait and see," Ria assured.

Another girl appeared, she looked a bit taller than me and had very long straight blonde hair up to her butt. She frowned at Princess Ellaria and put her hand in the pocket of her silky skinny jeans looking like she was about to get something out of it. Princess Ellaria brightened when she saw her and her face brightened even more of what the other girl brought out-a lollipop.

Princess Ellaria's mouth hanged open and her pale blue eyes suddenly darkened but when she reached for it, the tall girl put it away and shot it straight up high. What happened next was unbelievable. Determined to get the lollipop, Princess Ellaria quickly held on to the tall girls shoulder, stepped on her waist, then back flipped in the air, snatching the flying lollipop in the process, and landed softly on the ground. My jaw dropped open. Holy crap, is she a ninja?

"That's Princess Ellaria Janica Montique, a princess from Gamaica. She loves junk food and since we only get high class food here, she's determined to win so that she could eat as much junk as she could outside."

"And who's that with her?"

"That's Princess Livana Mellorie Antejo, a princess from Italy. She's a pretty tough girl and swears a lot in Italian. Only Princess Ellaria could talk to her without a lashing from her," Ria answered.

"She doesn't really care about winning but since Princess Ellaria wants to win, she's going to wipe out every other princess on the way."

What a tough pair.

One of the staffs ushered us politely to the seats saying the announcement was about to start. I followed, my mind filled with the information Nessa and Ria just told me. Damn, this is going to be a tough competition.

The lights suddenly dimmed and the talking and hushing lowered. There was a big screen in front of us and it turned on revealing a stout man with a curly mustache, wrinkles were on his forehead and his brown hair had streaks of white hair.

"That's Mr. Thomas, the chairman's right hand man. He's usually the one who gives the announcements," Nessa whispered to me and I nodded.

"Ladies, gentlemen, princesses, princes, heirs, heiresses, welcome to our King and Queen Academy 2015 competition. I hope you are all doing well your majesties." He bowed his head down slightly.

"Now if I may, let me begin discussing about this year's competition." He cleared his throat and unscrolled a thick and long paper that rolled to the ground. "As usual there will be 5 challenges. The first challenge will be a race. You will be brought in the place where it will be held by our first class airplane that's on your left side."

As if on cue I saw an airplane with a big 'K & Q' land just outside. It was the biggest airplane I've ever seen and wow so grand.

"There will be a 5 hour limit, and the first 200 people who get to the finish line first will get in to the next challenge, but the rest, I'm afraid will have to try the next year competition. I will also have to ask you to wear your new IDs which the staffs are going to give. There's a small button at the top for emergencies. Please press it when you're in grave need of attention, we will come surely and immediately." I glanced at the uniformed staff who were standing rigidly behind a table, which was full of name tags and pins.

"This challenge's purpose is to see if you as a princess, an heiress, a prince, or an heir is strong, courageous and smart enough to handle the outside world." Mr. Thomas faced us, his face serious.

"Now it is up to each one of you to show us if you're capable enough to be set free with the academy on your shoulders. I wish the best of luck to all of you, your majesties." He bowed his head down and the screen turned off leaving the room in darkness and intense frenetic energy.