"We were just acting, did you forget this was drama class?" Jack waved him off as if he was over-exaggerating, trying to make a fool of him.

"Yes."

"What?"

"In drama class, you portray a character. Instead, I saw Jack Star finally being able to act on what he desired most. This was no scene, but an excuse."

Jack pondered on this, not ready for Damien's quick-witted response. The audience watched, anticipation filled the room -besides Damien's icy stare- for what would happen next.

"What about the act you put on for Annalise? You know you will never be able to marry her, yet you flaunt her around, then hide it from the King." He waves his hands around.

"That one was rude!" Henry interjected. If he had a tomato, it would have been thrown.

"Annalise can decide for herself what situation she will put herself in. Our relationship does not involve you, nor will it ever. I love her, therefore I will not give her up to anybody else. Your words do not concern me."

Damien cut Jack down with one icy look, leaving him with no response. I viewed his thick, furrowed brows, wanting to straighten them out. His large hands barely crossed beneath his elbows, his forearms bugling while bunched together. His eyes told a story of a storm brewing, but his face was as cold as ice.

He turned away to sit back down, not even bothering to look at Jack anymore,"The next time you try to make her think any less of our relationship with your words, or lips per say- there will be consequences. I'm tired of your interjecting where it has never been needed."

Jack jumped off the stage, ready to attack him from behind. "Damien!" I shouted, wanting him to be ready for Jack. As soon as he turned around from my call, Henry appeared in front of him, surprising everybody. He reared up his right hook, landing a perfect punch on Jack's jaw. The whole class gasped, not expecting such a climax.

"That was for Annalise." He shook his hand, trying to mask the pain from his face with a glare. The audience went wild, screaming for Henry and his bright suit. Jack seemed flabbergasted, glancing at his brother like he had seen a ghost, holding his face.

Nobody saw this coming.

Damien arched an eyebrow at me, as if he was asking if I was alright. It felt as if I was stuck in time, the cheering for Henry fading out and it was just... us. I smiled back at him, shaking my head with a laugh- letting him know that Henry's punch made up for Jack's random "attack". He winked at me, and a boyish smile played at his lips. I could tell exactly what he wanted to say, the way he gazed at me warmed my heart.

I watched as he patted Henry's back in appreciation, causing him to rock forward. He was still holding his hand in pain, and I was afraid he might have fractured it. Shortly after, our teacher sent Jack to the principals office, which left one less person for our picnic.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I viewed Annalise and Damien holding hands in front of me, swatting away tree branches to dive deeper into the forest. I grasped onto my basket tighter, feeling Landon's burning gaze behind me. Henry purposely walked in front of me, wanting me to be as near Landon as possible.

Curse him.

Henry let a tree branch fly back, hitting me directly in the face. I gasped out, dropping the basket and feeling my face turn red. A cloth filled with crackers flew out, and I immediately bent down to pick it up.

Something rammed into my behind, and so I stood up again, causing the branch to wack my head from the top. I flew back down to the ground.

A spark of joy filled my heart... I hadn't heard that laugh in a long time. I forgot it even existed. I even forgot just how much I missed it, the way his nose scrunched up- he would slap his hands on his thighs if he laughed too hard.

Landon bent down, picking up the crackers,"Are you alright?" He paused, looking me over to make sure I was indeed safe. While doing so, I took the time to glance over his features. His brown eyes hadn't changed, the color of Annalise's favorite chocolate. He had a few more wrinkles then last time, but he was still the same old Landon I once fell in love with.

It's quite fascinating how you can still love somebody after years have gone by, decades even. The memories you share with a person leave an imprint on your heart. It is as if your mind works with your heart- remembering the way you felt and never forgetting it.

I hated it, but in a way I relished it.

"Hazzy?" He asked me questionably. Immediately he shook his head, embarrassed, blinking away furiously,"I'm sorry- I didn't mean to-"

"No," I laughed at him, grabbing the crackers from his hand,"It's fine. I'm alright, but the crackers aren't. Let's leave them for the deer."

He nodded to me, a hidden smile playing at his lips. He knew that was his nickname for me, and I gave him permission to use it again. I started to see his ears turn red, a quality I always made fun of him for.

"Will you two hurry up?" Damien shouted from afar.

"Let them have their moment!" Henry whisper-yelled, and I awkwardly stood back up.

Curse him again!

"Let me carry the basket instead." He grabbed the heavy load of food, holding the branch for me this time.

"If you say so." I played with him, rolling my eyes. He only smiled back, staring directly into my eyes. I looked away, scared at the familiar feelings dancing around my stomach.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"So how has uncle Terry been?"

"High as hell, per usual. He tore up one of Henry's handkerchiefs the other day for his new 'art piece'. I thought the castle was going to burn down when Henry found out."

"That's amazing!" Landon ripped off another piece of bread, laughing joyfully. Slowly, he leaned in, and I felt my anxiety rise a tenfold. "Don't tell Henry this.. but the first time I ever got high was with Terry."

"You did not!" I viewed in shock. Landon only rocked back on his heels, a childish grin on his face. I continued,"You should be more worried about my opinion on that matter, you kept a secret from me!"

"I've kept many secrets from you, Hazzy. I am truly sorry for that." He looked away, our reminiscent mood had suddenly ended. We had been on a roll, talking each other's ear off for the past hour. I had forgotten how best of friends we were, not just romantically.

I decided to change the subject,"How has you dad been?"

"He's faring well. Ever since he got that job a year back, he's been trying to do better for me. I won't be living with him much longer- Damien will be crowned King soon enough."

"You? In the castle?"

"He's already offered me a position as his right-hand man for the time being. I shall become his closest advisor until his future son becomes grown enough. I guess all those "war and peace" tactic books I read for fun paid off, huh?" He grabbed a grape, throwing it up and catching it in his mouth.

I forgot how much of a nerd he was.

"If dark-haired big-boobs comes back, we will all be in some serious trouble." Henry remarked, tuning into our conversation. I was still stuck on the fact that Landon would be moving into the castle. Would he live on the same floor as me? Surly not, I couldn't stand the thought of him so close to me.

"Can you not bring her up for two seconds, Henry?" Damien shot daggers at him, squeezing Annalise's hand. I sipped my peach tea in silence.

Landon turned toward me in a whisper,"Is dark-haired big-boobs-"

"Not another word." Damien chucked a grape at Landon, whom gave him a childish look.

"When is she coming back to Deltora?" Henry questioned Damien in a soft tone. He didn't want to hurt our best friend, but we all wanted to know. The King's intentions for her second arrival were obvious.

Damien stole a quick glance at Annalise,"A month's time." He sighed, deciding to pour himself a glass of xamba juice. I watched as Annalise glanced at their intertwined hands, worry etched onto her face.

Oh, poor Annalise.

"That was a pretty good punch, Henry. You just need to work on tucking your thumb in so you don't break it," Landon changed the somber mood, patting his back. I wanted to kiss him for it, but decided against it.

Here I go again.

"I wish I could've done more. My hand is fractured, but at least it's not my writing one. I have another project in mind." Henry deviously smirked, taking a piece of Landon's bread.

Another one?

"Would I be of any help?" He offered.

"Hell no, you wouldn't know one thing about such a subject."

I zoned out, watching my best friend's interaction with her lover. Damien whispered to her, asking if she was alright. She perked her head up from gazing at their hands, placing a smile on her face. She whispered something back, but Damien could see right through her. I saw his lips form 'Jack', and Annalise shook her head.

He spoke louder,"You look beautiful today, you know. I haven't seen you wear a gown in quite some time."

"What about me?" Henry batted his lashes, fixing his reflective suit.

"Quite... blinding." Damien coughed on his drink.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It wasn't intended as one."

"Damien!" Annalise swatted him,"He just saved your life."

"From Jack? That's the most amusing thing I've heard all day, sweetheart." He laughed, viewing Annalise's scowl with humor.

She rolled her eyes at him, turning to our injured friend,"Well I thought the show was quite entertaining. You were the star, Henry."

"I am always the star, and don't you forget it. Henry Star."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Our lunch this afternoon seemed to lift my spirits, but I honestly wanted the day to be over. Our first day back seemed more eventful than I presumed, and I was exhausted from taking notes in class. I couldn't focus, Jack's words were playing in my mind.

"Hiding her from the King."

He didn't know I lived within his own home, and my existence- "half-Descuvi" or not- despised him. The Princess of Tarzla was coming back to Deltora soon, and for the first time ever after school, I would not be heading home to my mother.

I needed a drink.

"Annalise Woods?"

I perked my head up from the assignment on my desk, wondering what the teacher needed of me.

"Principal Roswell requires your attention at the office." All eyes turned to me, obviously hearing about the event in drama class. I heaved a sigh, packing up my bag and leaving the classroom.

I made my way to the principals office, hoping Damien and Henry would be there as well. I didn't want to get Jack into any more trouble, and the gossip surrounding the school was already enough.

When I arrived, Jack sat on a bench right outside his office.

"How is your jaw feeling?" I asked him, setting my backpack down. There seemed to be no injury left behind, and I realized Henry turned out to be more hurt than his brother in the end.

Our interaction reminded me of one of the first conversations I had with Damien, right after a fight broke out. Just like with Jack, Damien came out unscathed, yet instead of butterflies in my stomach I felt apprehension.

"He didn't hit me that hard, but it sure is sore." He joked with me, leaning back in his seat. He paused, his signature "Star family" hazel eyes looking up at me apologetically.

"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings in any way, Annalise. Obviously, the lust I bare for you overcame me. I also apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable, and you won't see me making any more attempts for your affection."

I could tell his apology was genuine, as was all his actions. Jack always let me know how he felt, the complete opposite of how Damien used to be. I wondered how different my life would be if I had fallen in love with Jack, much easier I assumed. I pushed the thought away, realizing I wouldn't want it any other way. Instead, I held out my hand,"I'm glad to hear it. Friends?"

"Friends." He smiled, shaking my hand.

The door swung open, revealing our principal. He eyed Jack and I's interaction with distaste, trying not to let it show as he turned to me.

"Miss Woods, please come in. We have much to talk about." He replaced his look of disgust with a bright smile aimed at me. It felt unnatural, and I wanted to stay with Jack more than anything.

"Jack Star, you are dismissed."

He rolled his eyes,"Thank the Gods for that."

I walked into his office, stealing a glance at Jack's retreating figure. Mr. Roswell closed the door with force, blocking my sight from him. He walked over to his desk, only needing a few strides with his lanky legs. I suddenly felt trapped, wanting to leave even though I just got there.

"Come, take a seat Miss Woods." He gestured to his guest chair.