I woke up with swollen eyes and a sore throat. I heard everything he said. I heard every bang on the door. I even heard his soft snores from behind the thin wood. My closet floor is not a comfortable as it looks.

I'll have to look into that

I slowly rise from the makeshift bed that I made out of jackets, on the floor. Instantly feeling bad, I know they are too expensive for me to sleep on.

Hell, too expensive to even be on the floor.

I walk into the bathroom purposely keeping me head down to avoid the mirror. I don't need to look at my reflection. I feel hideous, it doesn't matter how I really look.

The hot water from the shower cascades down my back. Slowly flowing through my hair. It's everything I need at the moment.

Well, not everything

But I'm always somewhere wanting something I can't have.

My mind starts to drift to the very vivid dream I had last night. It was of me and Cole. We were dancing under the moonlight. His eyes lighting up under the bright white light as I've seen in person many times before.

The dream was: Enchanting.

I was content in his arms. In this dream, it was the only thing I knew. There was no heartbreak. There was no pain. There was only us. I hate myself for adorning it, or anything that had to do with him. It only made me realize that I'm not mad at him. I couldn't be mad at him, it's not his fault. I was the one jumping to conclusions. It was foolish of me to think I was lovable.

He's right, love isn't real. I got a glimpse of what I thought it was and I ran with it. I'll blame it on the childhood trauma for now.

I stop the water and start drying off. I can't seem to figure out if the water on my face are from my tears or if it's from the shower. I meet my own eyes in the mirror. Through the fog, I see a girl with worn eyes and a torn heart. At the same time, I can't remember a time when I didn't look like this.

I throw cold water on my face and slam the bathroom door.

I don't think I'll ever be happy

Maybe if I realize that now it won't be so agonizing in the long run.

***

After putting something comfortable on I look around the kitchen for something to eat before knocking on Elijah's door.

Nevermind knocking on his door.

I roll my eyes, continuing to be head deep in the refrigerator. Surprisingly, he doesn't say anything. I can feel his presence, nevertheless, he's quiet.

"You alright?" He asks sincerely, I chuckle softly at his attempt at being a big brother. I really appreciate it. I face him, a strawberry hanging loosely from my lips.

As soon as we locked eyes he knew. I couldn't even get a word out. Before I knew it I was engulfed in his arms. This is the brother I used to have.

"I wish I'd never met him," I sniffle, still in his embrace.

"It would break his heart if he heard you say that," Elijah retorts, I pull away slightly to look him in the eye.

"He has a heart?"

"Barely."

I roll my eyes and walk towards the door.

"Rose, listen," I stop. "Since I've met him he carries more anger and pain than a thousand armies could ever bear. He has been betrayed, deceived, hurt-"

"-believe me when I tell you he has already crossed hell," He pauses to shoot me a crooked smile. "The only time I see peace in his eyes is when he looks at you,"

"That's the only reason I didn't kill him last night for what he said you, it's because I know where he's coming from," Elijah adds.

"I knew he didn't love me and I adored him anyway," I answer blankly, "I really don't want to talk about him anymore."

With that being said I start out the door.

It's not that I don't believe what Elijah's saying. He wouldn't lie, not to me. I think he truly believes that Cole feels something for me, even I think that. I don't believe I meant nothing to him. I clearly do.

It complicated, however.

Elijah follows me out silently. Once we walk through the lobby he steps in front of me. Nodding at guards passing by. His large body hides me from most people's view. It's not they're not allowed to look at me. I just think Elijah doesn't want them looking.

He opens my door for me, then jogs around to the driver's seat. We drive towards the gang house, still in silence.

No music

No talking

I can barely hear him breathe

I don't mind; looking through the window at the passing scenery was all I desired to do at this point.

"He was born to love you, Lorena,"

I ignore his use of my first name and turn to him.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"You know about the contract. That was signed even before you were born. You and he were meant to be wed once you turned 21," Elijah continues, turning on a back road that I've become very fond of.

"That contract doesn't matter after daddy died," I quirk a brow, "Right?"

"That's not the point,"

"Then what is the point?" I shake my head, "A guy doesn't have to tell me he doesn't want to be with me twice. I understand what he means very clearly. I'm not even mad, Eli," I put my hand over my mouth.

Eli

That's the name I used to call him when we were kids. It just slipped out. Elijah's reaction to it was strange. Looking at his face he seemed unphased, but the spark in his eye begs to differ.

"I have to start training." I shoot him a small smile and hop out of the car.

With a few waves to the passing guards, I get to the training room. Pressing my hand on the scanner, I smile lightly at the thought of being important. I walk through placing my stuff down on the bench looking around.

Only a few people in here, some were the boys that were in here the last time I sparred with someone and others I've never seen before. Everybody, however, was busy doing something. Whether it be beating the crap out of each other or round housing a punching bag.

"Hey!"

I turn to see who was trying to get my attention. A guy with jet black hair and bright green eyes seems to be waving me over. I walk towards him, shooting him a small smile.

"Aren't you the one that killed Amber?" I lift my brows in surprise.

Wow, they already know?

"It's okay, none of us liked her," He jokes, other guys gradually join the conversation.

"We saw the pictures," Another guy adds, "You did a number on her, huh?"

Thinking back on it I really didn't. My intentions weren't even to kill her. The only reason she died at that time was because she blocked the door.

"Leave her alone you heathens," A feminine voice laughs from behind me. I turn around to see where the voice came from.

It's a girl I've never seen before. I don't know how because I think I could see her from a mile away. Her chocolate skin looked godly under the blazing room lights. Her curls framed her high cheekbones well, even from her ponytail. She was gorgeous. In a way I envied her, I could never be as stunning.

Her brown eyes couldn't even be compared to mine for they were nowhere near the same level.

"Good morning," She beams at me in a way that makes me smile as well, "I'm your new trainer."

Instead of going in for the handshake like I thought she was going to do she engulfs me in a hug. She smells of warm vanilla and roses.

I'll have to ask what perfume she uses later

"My name is Angelina, but you can call me Angel," She realizes me from the hug, bring me over to the treadmill.

Ugh, Oh my god

I fucking hate running

"It's so nice to meet you, My name is Rose." I introduce myself even though I'm almost positive she already knows who I am.

But she doesn't mention it and goes on to explain what all we'd be doing today.

I'd say after a solid two and a half hours, Angel let me take a break. I like her vibe. He aura is something I need in my life at the moment. She has a no-bullshit attitude and she laughs at my jokes. Even the bad ones!

I pat my face with some of the cold water from the fountain. Some of the boys came over to talk with me. They're cool; when they're not asking me about who I've killed. I ignore the sound of the metal door opening too intrigued with my current conversation.

"Princesa."

(Princess)

I freeze, like a whole-body jerk forward freeze. I turn to the daring face that I was hoping not to see today. I don't know what to say.

"You have a sparring partner, now," He wraps his hands, eyes never leaving me. "Go ahead and get ready,"

So he wants to break my heart then break my face?!

Wow, what a jerk

I stand up only giving him a nod of acknowledgment. Walking over to Angel she gives me a small wink handing me my gear. I shoot her a small smile. Heart pounding the closer I get to the open ring. The open ring was different from the last one I fought in. This has no cage, it's only a mat in fact.

I finally meet Cole's gaze, striking blue eyes staring right back at mine.