I groaned groggily. My body was sore all over. I could feel deep breathing and light snoring all around me. Where am I? I decided not to think so hard and snuggled deeper in the soft duvet but then a foot kicked my face. I scowled and sat up as I opened my eyes.

Nessa, Ria, Eric, Levi, Jarvis, Ellaria, Lucas, and Gavier were sprawled on the king-sized bed with me. What the hell happened here?

I groaned once again, my head was aching as if someone was drilling my head. I scavenged my way out of the bed, careful not to wake anyone up. However, just as I was about to step on the floor, I jumped up, almost stepping on someone. It was Keith and the bull, snoring with their mouths open, their shirts and pants nowhere to be found. At least they still had their boxers on. I shook my head in disgust and found a blanket on the bench and covered them with it, including their faces.

I was unfamiliar with my surroundings but I'm pretty sure we were still in the academy. The walls were high and white. Paintings were placed against them here and there, putting some life in the room. I stepped out, not really bothered. I need to feeaking drink water.

Fortunately the kitchen was nearby and someone seemed to be using it. I could smell something delicious.

"Livana?" I was surprised to see her wearing an apron.

"Good fucking morning," she mumbled and continued flipping pancakes on the pan. "You need anything?"

"Water please," I replied hoarsely.

She got me a cup of water and I gulped it down in one go. "That was so fucking good."

"I fucking bet. From all that running and chasing like a motherfucking rat being chased by cats--"

"What?" I looked at her baffled.

"You don't fucking remember do you?"

"Not really."

"There was a damn game of chase in the fucking party. . ."

I zoned out by then, I began to slowly remember until the whole thing slapped me in the face. I swear, I'll never play that game again. And that's right, I'll have to kill Lucas later.

Flashback. . .

"May I have everyone's attention please,", Lucas said over the mike. "We'll be playing the game called cats chasing a rat." There were whistles in the crowd and I could tell that they were getting excited.

"So here's the thing, there'll be only one rat which we will all be chasing and when you've caught it, you can ask that person to grant whatever you wish for."

I nodded grimly. I certainly hope I won't be the rat.

"For the rat to be safe, she has to get on the top floor of this building which is on the 8th floor. If she gets there, she cannot be caught and therefore wins the game."

"The person who will become the rat in this game is someone special to me. She made me realize my real peoblem and helped me solve it." Oh freakin' no.

"The rat will be non other than-----Clarissa Marie Valdez!!" He smiled at me as I frowned. "We'll give her 10 seconds before we chase her. And it starts. . .Now!"

I bolted towards the stairs and damn, it looks long.

"Lucas I'm so gonna kill you for this!"

I heard chuckles in the party room.

"You can chase her now!"

Shoot.

I quickened my pace and glanced down. Oh no, it's the freakin' bull.

"So I can ask for a wish from you and you'll do it. How appealing." He smiled wickedly as he climbed up the majestic staircase faster.

I swear, how could a person so big be that fast?

Another figure went beside him, and wow he was even faster. He was like a black blur which blocked the bull.

"I got your back my queen." Jarvis smiled at me and he cackled in front of the bull.

I smiled back. "Thanks Jarvis!"

"Who said only fucking men can only be fucking fast?"

"Yeah girls can be too," princess Ellaria said as she cartwheeled forward like a spinning wheel. Livana was adjacent to her sprinting up the stairs.

"I want a cookie."

"You won't get your cookie." I saw Vince catching Livana by the waist. "Unless you're going to leave your friend alone with me."

Livana screamed, making princess Ellaria stop her tracks and glare down at him. I smell trouble.

"Thanks Vince!"

"No problem."

I had a feeling he liked his position now; his arms around Livana's waist.

I sprinted forward but was stopped immediately. Right before me, on the fourth floor was Prince Levi, holding his laptop. "Nobody said you can't use the elevator." He smirked.

I groaned, not really wanting to be Levi's fairy godmother but it turned out I didn't have to worry. Three seconds later he was being pinned down by my best friends, Ria and Nessa.

"We got him, go ahead," Ria said as she struggled to hold Levi's arms. He looked pissed.

"Win this race Clarissa!" Nessa cried as I ran.

I was almost there. Just two more steps. I opened the door, smiling. I won this ra--

I was lifted up high before I could step on the 8th floor.

"Caught you." Gavier smirked down at me and I sighed, shivering a little by the way he was holding me.

"Gavier. . ." We stared at each other in wonderment. For some reason, I felt relief, excitement that it was him who caught me.

"What's your wish?"

He put me down but still held my waist to his. "Hmmm. . Kiss me."

"W-what?"

"I'm always the one kissing you. This time I want you to kiss me."

"Fine," I said, feeling my heartbeat fasten its pace. The wind was making my hair go everywhere so I tucked them behind my ears. "Close your eyes."

He did and I leaned in to swiftly kiss his cheek. Hey, he said kiss me, but he didn't say where. But Gavier was smart, he turned his head so that my lips would land on his. He pulled me closer, kissing me harder. His hand carressed my face and I wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling the softness of his black hair.

He groaned and pulled me against the door, deepening the kiss, making my toes curl. He sucked on my lower lips as I moaned and proceeded to nibble on my upper lip. Opening my mouth wider, he tangled his tongue with mine and my heart almost went out of my chest by how deep this kiss was going.

Oh my. . .

We finally let go, our foreheads touched each other and our eyes remained closed, still feeling the aftershocks.

"You're getting better at kissing. I'm proud of you," Gavier teased and I blushed.

"How could I not, after how many times you've kiss--"

He trapped my words with his mouth and kissed me quickly.

"You shoud thank me." He winked.

He held my hand and we went downstairs. Lucas announced that Gavier had won and everyone cheered. Lucas then invited some of us to his new house nearby in which we watched a scary movie then had a pillow fight after (I know childish right? But it was fun. Jarvis started it, not surprising). We were so exhausted we all fell asleep on the bed.

Present. . .

"Yeah I remember now. Last night had been wild."

"Damn fucking right."

"Hey, do you know if there's spare clothes around here."

"Yup, I searched around and fucking found some."

"Great."

I changed into the clothes Livana gave me. It was casual wear and made of pure cotton. I wondered if Lucas had any other siblings.

Today was the day they would announce the 5th challenge and I couldn't wait. Sadly, Nessa and Ria did not pass the 4th challenge but they were fine with it and put their bets on me.

Before I got to the main hall though, I had to make sure of something. I strode on a familiar path and barged in my adviser's room.

"Jesus Clarissa. Don't you know how to knock?" He looked startled. As usual though he was on his seat and in front of him sat piles of paper.

"I do but was too lazy to."

"What do you want now? I'm very busy."

"Busy talking to queen Elizabeth?" I asked him as I closed the door behind me.

His eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"

"Please, aren't we past the what are you talking about phase? Don't lie to me Carlos." I sat on his table table and crossed my legs.

He leaned back and sighed, looking exhausted. "She asked me about Gavier and Lucas since I work with them closely. I'm their professor in math if you didn't know."

"No I didn't. How about me? Did she ask abou--"

"No she didn't, don't be so conceited and if she did, I wouldn't tell her a thing."

I smiled and slung my arm around his neck. "I knew you wouldn't betray me."

He rolled his eyes while smiling. "Wouldn't dream of it."

I skipped towards the door to leave.

"Just to inform you, the fifth challenge is different than the rest. It is way harder and you have to make difficult choices. The trick is to choose what's in your heart."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!" I closed the door and was on my way to the main hall when I saw a girl crying.

"What's wrong?" I sat on the bench with her.

She looked at me softly and shyly, her eyes were puffy and red.

"I have to g-go to a p-party and I, I can't do it. I'm s-scared." Her shoulders shook as she spoke.

"Why?"

"B-because there's people. I d-don't like people, they scare m-me."

"I see. But I know you can do it. Just smile, you don't have to always talk to them."

"Thank you" She smiled a little. "But I r-really can't which is why you will do it for me."

Someone suddenly covered my mouth with a cloth and I inhaled chloroform which immediately put me in an unconscious state.

As my brains malfunctioned I only had one thought in mind. I'm going to lose the fifth challenge if I don't get out of this fucking mess soon.