"Not my type."

"Wake up," William shook me awake. I opened my eyes and he gave me a small smile. "We have a busy day today," he commented. I didn't care, my thoughts not really processing that well. So instead of bolting off the bed like he assumed I would, I stretched my arms and legs, rolling around the bed.

"Everest," William facepalmed. "Yes, William?" I repeated in the same tone. Last night, I saw a different side of William. A caring and gentle side that I wanted more of and prayed that William was still around. When I fell asleep in his arms, he tucked me into bed and left because when I had a minor nightmare, he wasn't in the room anymore. "We're going to the mall today. For the clothes you wanted," he revealed and I sat up with excitement running through my eyes.

"Shopping?" I excitedly squealed.

"Yes," he sighed," shopping." I got off the bed, already planning something comfy to wear to the mall. "You changed?" He questioned, looking down at my pajamas. He's lucky it wasn't revealing ones. "A nightmare woke me up," I shrugged since it was a normal occurrence. "Oh...well um, I'll be outside. We'll grab an apple and have brunch together," he announced. I nodded my head, liking the sound of that.

We're going to have to see what this day with William and I alone looks like.

William left my room and I bolted to the bathroom to begin my morning routine and end it by throwing on some blue jeans and a sweatshirt. I slipped my feet into the only pair of converse shoes I had. As for my hair, I ran my fingers through it and hoped for the best before opening the door.

William leaned off the wall, his hands buried inside his pockets. "Done?" He asked, glancing at my outfit. "Done," I confirmed and we walked to the elevator together then into the kitchen for a fruit.

The kitchen was empty and quiet, except for the sister tapping away on her phone, sitting on the barstool. "There you two are," Renee smiled upon seeing us. "We're just grabbing something to go. Why aren't you at the castle?" William answered and his sister shrugged. "Why aren't you? I stayed over last night, nothing out of the ordinary," she replied.

"Whatever. Let's go, Everest," William huffed, grabbed an apple from the bowl, and attempted to leave. "Goddess, William you can at least be nice to her. It doesn't hurt to have kindness. Mom rose you better than that," Renee scolded her older brother, surprising me. "What? I am nice to her!" William defended and I rose my eyebrow at him. "Last time I checked, ordering me around like a puppy and calling me a whore isn't being nice," I mumbled below my breath, not realizing they could still hear me.

"What!?" Renee blurted out. "She provoked me! I swear!" William defended. I rolled my eyes dramatically and folded my arms across my chest. How did this escalate so quickly? "I should have known. You're one of the reasons why Rieka left so quickly when she got the opportunity. All the insults drove her away from you, so do you think that method is working for you, William?"

"Don't talk about Rieka," he demanded and my eyebrows furrowed. History. There's a history between William and Rieka in which I hadn't known before. "William, you're going to lose Everest before you can even have her," Renee ignored and William avoided my eyes the most.

"If you continue to be an ass it would be my responsibility to get Everest out of this pack and far away from you," Renee calmly threatened. William's face paled and he finally snapped to me. "What did you tell her?" He questioned. "Nothing! I swear," I blurted out. "You forgot I know you brother and it only took me to see you both in a room together to realize you're just a douche to every girl you meet, not just Rieka," Renee revealed.

"That's enough. Can we please leave so we don't be late?" William turned again, ignoring his sister yet I saw through him. Her words hit him in the chest, I knew it. "Yes sure. See you later Renee," I politely smiled at her, thanking her for getting through to William silently.

"Yes, you will!" She confirmed as William and I walked out of the kitchen. "She's right. In case you were going to rub it in my face, I know she's right," he broke the silence between us. "I wasn't," I truthfully said. "I don't deserve you, Everest," I hear William mumble below his breath.

"Oh I know," I agreed.

_♤_

The ride to the mall was a quiet one. William was caught up in his thoughts and honestly so was I. This morning and last night were okay. William wasn't a grouch and he was more free and gentle. We made a mistake going into the kitchen since he's now upset but at the same time, I don't regret it since Renee only spoke the harsh truth.

We walked into our first store side by side. William followed me wherever I went, sort of just tagging along, not saying anything until he had to pay the bill. Why did I feel bad though? I was hoping we'd talk or something...after last night, William gave me many hopes. They were all crushed now, making me slightly angry.

My eyes were attracted to the boy in uniform standing at the corner, waiting for someone to ask him for help. He's cute, shaggy blonde hair, bright hazel eyes that lured me in. "Why are you looking at him like that?" William asked and I don't take my eyes off the cute employee. "He's cute, right? Should I make a move?" I taunted with a mission to get William pissed and jealous. This would probably end badly, no doubt. The blonde wasn't my type. A couple of months ago sure, but now my type was dark hair and grey eyes. Muscular and rude.

"No. What kind of question is that Everest?"

"Yeah...he's cute. I'm gonna make a move," I happily cheered and skipped my way over to the blondie. His eyes latched onto mine and he gave me an innocent smile. Trevor. His name tag read Trevor. "What can I do for you today," Trevor politely asked.

"I'd really like it if you help me make my ex-boyfriend jealous. Just go with it," I blurted out and hoped for the best before tiptoeing and kissing his lips. He froze, and I began to panic that he wouldn't go through with it. However, Trevor surprised me by leaning into my touch and moved his lips with mine.

"Everest! I'll kill him!" William warned and I forced my lips off Trevor. "Um..." he blushed. "Impressive," I bit my lip, referring to the kiss and he blushed harder. "Thank you! Bye!" I blurted out and ran back to William, grabbing his hand and pulled him out of the store. "Why did you do that! I would never do that!" William shouted.

"One of the characteristics of being a whore I guess," I shrugged, checking my nails and pretending not to pay attention to him. "Fuck! I'm sorry okay! I'm fucking sorry. I....I thought I meant it at the time but it's haunting me, I don't mean it I....I don't know why I do things that I don't want to, say things I don't want to. I'm not used to being nice Everest. You need to be easy on me because I don't want to lose it and say things that aren't true..." he rambled off the apology and I just stared at home in utter shock.

I'm not used to caring either. I'm not used to a lot of things but I'm trying. "Let's go to the phone store," I changed the subject since it was the first store I spot at the corner of my vision. He sighed helplessly and walked away first.

••••••