Clouds. So fluffy and soft, I could sleep on it forever. I snuggled deeper in the cloud only to find out that it could also be hard.

Hard?

I opened my eyes and saw Gavier's half-closed eyes looking at me, a smirk plastered on his face.

My mouth hung open, my brain adjusting to the fact that I was on the bed with Gavier. No, scratch that I was sprawled on Gavier on the bed.

He smirked, his arms tightening around me, finding my shocked state amusing. "I know you like me Clarissa. But are you sure you're ready to do this? I'll let you go on top since that seems to be what you want."

I gasped and sat up, straddling him. "I-I, w-what?" I looked around, blushing. "H-how--?"

He chuckled, sitting up with me still on him. He tucked my hair behind ear, chuckling at my red face. "You're so cute when you stutter. It makes me want to kiss you badly" Then do it. No, wait where the heck did that come from?

"N-no! S-shut up!" I finally found my voice, the scene last night came flooding to me finally.

Still chuckling, while I glared at him with a red face, he brought my head nearer to his, with him leaning as well. My heart raced like I was in a marathon. Are we. . .are we going to kiss?

My body sighed as I closed my eyes. There was no denying it. I want to kiss him.

I could feel his warm breath against my face as his hand rested on the side of my neck whilst his thumb caressed my cheek. His other hand rested on my waist, bringing me closer to him. Closer.

He kissed me.

But to my disappointment, he only kissed the corner of my mouth, then trailed down my jaw to my neck. I opened my eyes as I felt the acute pain his mouth was giving. Oh my god, he's doing it again!

"Gavier, don't you dare give me another hickey."

"Too late."

Angrily I pushed him hard on the chest. He can't just violate my body whenever he wants to, this jerk! He fell down pulling me with him and in a second he rolled us, putting me underneath him.

"That hurt sweetheart." His eyes blazed mischievously. "You need punishment."

And then the jerk attacked me, poking my sides mercilessly. I've always been a ticklish person, and knowing Gavier was the one tickling me only intensified the sensation.

"S-stop! Haha. Stop!" I screamed, "P-please Gavier!"

He finally did. I caught my breath, my chest rising rapidly. I looked at him, still smiling, as I gasped for air. He greeted me back with a mocking grin but it later turned grim. His eyes darkened as he scanned my body like a predator.

"I think you need to go." He swallowed.

"What? W-why?"

I only realized how dangerous this scenario was when he touched my bare leg. My shorts have rumpled down showing my long legs and my shirt was ridden up revealing my stomach. It must have happened while he was tickling me.

With his signature smirk, he caressed my leg higher and touched my bare stomach. "You need to go before I take you right now."

I gulped and quickly scrambled up. "Y-you pervert!" I pointed a finger at him again stupidly.

"A pervert only for you." He winked, making me shiver. I rushed outside before I embarrass myself more. Gavier you cocky jerk! Later, I'm gonna get us even.

My forming plan of revenge quickly left my trail of thoughts as several boys stared at me surprised. Right, freaking hell, I'm in a boy's dormitory.

I looked down, covering my face with my hair, hoping none of them would recognize me but it was too late. They had seen me coming out of Gavier's room.

"She's hot, no wonder Gavier's taken an interest in her."

"Damn, look at those legs."

"She's so beautiful, maybe I should ask her out."

"Nah, even if you're a prince you won't have a chance. Gavier's taken her. Lucky bastard."

"Look guys, check out Gavier's hot chick."

Boys. They should be damned to hell.

I was annoyed by their comments. Didn't they know that I could hear every single damn word?

I turned to face them and flipped them my middle finger.

They only laughed back, making me want to punch their faces. Some even hooted and whistled as if seeing a banshee in heat turned them on.

Great, now they fucking think I'm amusing.

I left the dorm hurriedly before I burst from embarrassment and fury. I think this morning was humiliating enough.

*****

Nessa and Ria were ecstatic when I finally graced them with my presence. I quickly told them what happened and got a lot of teasing in return. After a lot of bantering and denying they told me about the third challenge then gave me a silver box with a mask inside it.

The next challenge would be a formal masquerade party. We wouldn't be allowed to let anyone know it was us behind the mask and the judges would also be watching us in the party without us knowing where they are. Each mask has a number with which the judges would refer to when it comes to grading. Everyone would have to act formally and like a royalty, if disgraced, the person would be given a low grade. Which reminds me, shit, I need to attend Mrs. Wales class.

I opened my box, curious to see what my mask would look like. It was beautifully designed with peacock feathers and gems. Number 21 was written artistically at the side. Seeing this made me feel excited. I couldn't wait for the next challenge which would occur in just a few days. I hope Mrs. Wales would be patient with me.

It was a weekend and we all needed a break from the stress so we decided to visit the bathhouse again.

"I can't wait to try the massaging equipment one more time," Nessa said excitedly.

"I think I'm going to pass that one. I'll just float in the Jacuzzi and sleep," Ria glumly said.

"How boring Ria. It's been a long time since we hung out with Clarissa. Clarissa tell her to join us."

"Who said I'll join you?" I said jokingly and she hit my shoulder.

"Clarissa! You guys are so mean."

Ria and I rolled our eyes, chuckling a little.

Just as we were about to enter the bathhouse, a perverted voice stopped us.

"Hey guys, Ria."

We turned around and saw Eric with two bimbos wrapped around in each of his arms.

"Why don't you join us, it'll be fun."

"No thanks," Ria answered for us.

His two bimbos glared at us jealously. "I don't think that's necessary," I added.

"Yeah, thanks for the invitation," Nessa said cheerfully not sensing the glares of the bimbos.

"Oh come on, I'm pretty sure Ria wants to come." Wow, Eric, as if.

"You wish." Ria rolled her eyes.

"Ouch, you hurt me babe." He let go off one of the bimbo and touched his heart. "You need to heal me."

"Not gonna happen." She turned around and so did the rest of us.

"I'll get you one day Ria, you'll see," Eric said with determination and I could feel him watching Ria's every move.

I turned to look at Ria, expecting her to look bored and her usual non-existent expression but I was wrong. Oh no, she's freaking blushing. Shit, this is bad.

I looked at Nessa and beckoned my head for her to look at Ria. She did and her eyes widened. Panicked-stricken, we looked at each other with a WTF look.

"You guys are overreacting." Ria broke the tension.

"R-ria do y-you like him?" Nessa asked, biting her lip worriedly.

"No."

We both relaxed. "Yeah don't, he's bad news."

All of us sighed when we finally dipped in the Jacuzzi. I smiled happily, already wishing that today would never end. It was one of those rare days where I could fully relax. There was no tension, no fights, no hard feelings, no chasing, no killing, no tests, and no Gavier to mess me up.

Ahh, blissful life.

But this blissfulness of mine was cut short. When Ria turned on the tv to see the news, I wished that this day had never came. I wished I didn't think that everything would finally be alright, that everyone would be happy, that I would be happy and safe staying in this twisted academy because it would never be alright. My life had always been revolved with suspense and nightmares. Why couldn't I just accept this fact? Why couldn't I, the daughter of a con artist believe that fairy tales shit never existed? Was I too late to wish? Was I too late to hope?

"Right now you're seeing the famous Valdez Company crumbling from the wild fire. Witnesses said they've been seeing smoke coming from the top of the building since 3 am. Sadly we had not heard of any survivors—"

I didn't listen anymore. I couldn't. Like a trained soldier I got up and dressed frantically. I could hear Nessa and Ria crying and running after me, but I didn't care. I barged in Carlos room, he looked worriedly at my stricken state.

"I need to go home," I demanded.

"You can't Clarissa, how many times do I have to tell you this."

"You have to let me! I need to go home! I need to see my dad!" I cried desperately, rage and worry was pumping through my veins.

"I've seen the news Clarissa but I'm afraid I can't—"

"Fine, if you won't let me, then I'll go myself!" I turned around, running for the gate. My heart was in agony, and I was shaking. I closed my eyes, wishing this was just a nightmare but when I opened them again, reality swallowed me whole. Suddenly it was getting harder to breathe, my heart couldn't take it anymore.

I felt someone stop me by holding my waist. I screamed and struggled to get free.

"Let me go! I have to see him!" Tears were rolling from my eyes. Please.

"You can't Clarissa, I'm sorry," Carlos said, "Look, look at that boy."

Through my blurry tears I saw a boy not older than me run to the gates. One guard caught him, and he screamed that his mother was very ill and that he needed to see her. The guard didn't budge one inch and when the boy tried to break free, two other guards stopped him. Another man appeared, a big syringe in his hand. The boy screamed but that didn't stop the man from piercing his skin with the syringe. Almost instantly the boy's eyes rolled at the back of his head and stopped functioning altogether.

"No!" I cried.

"They will lock you up after putting you to sleep. I can't let that happen to you."

"Please, Carlos let me go! Please, I need to know if he's okay! Please," I pleaded hoarsely. I need to see if he's alright. I need to know if he's alive.

"I can't."

Hearing those two words broke me down. I lost all my strength and fell on my knees. This isn't real. No, this can't be. I shook my head. No, this has got to be a dream. But it wasn't. Darkness was clouding my vision again. Voices of Satan whispered in my ear. It's the queen, Queen Elizabeth. She did this. But why? Why?

My heart felt numb from the pain. Tears flowed incessantly down my face as I cried in agony. I was broken, crushed, shattered, devastated. My dad. . . he. . he can't be dead.

He's my only family.

He's the only one I have.