06

Paige.

"What did the guidance councilor say?" Aicko looked curious.

"She told me to say sorry to Blake and to change my behavior," I recalled what the guidance councilor said. "She said that this school doesn't tolerate violence, No wonder Blake's like that. "I scoffed."

I also told her about what happened, she outraged at what Blake did to me and somehow helped fix my hair by tying it into a high ponytail so that the uneven cuts wouldn't be obvious.

I also made her promise not to tell Aiden about the incident, he's just too over protective, I'm not dragging him into the mess I brought myself into.

Aicko crossed her arms and glanced at my hair "We're going to get your hair fixed this weekend,"

"Ok boss." I nodded.

____________________

"Come on riders!" Our horseback riding instructor called us.

I stepped out from the bus, Woodland hills is a long walking distance from the school so we had to take the bus to get here.We all wore our riding uniforms, it was long sleeves, jeans, boots, helmets and gloves, in the school color, dark blue.

It's my first time in taking a riding class, I've got to ride a horse when I was young but that was with a chaperone, Aiden used to bring me along with him to his family farm estate where they had many horses, but that was a long time ago.

Aicko wasn't with me, she had class back at school, so did Aiden, I've been avoiding him the whole day. I didn't want him to know what happened this morning.

We were a group of 20. I saw Eloise with 5 other girls, I recognized Diana, Isabel and Bellona among them, I wasn't familiar with the other two, one had blonde hair and was very tall but not as tall as Bellona, the other girl was brown skinned and looked strangely familiar although I'm sure I've never seen her before, she was also indeed gorgeous.

So they were a group of Princesses, They all matched each other, they had different beauty, they were all prim and proper and were all very poised.

The instructor then called us and made us follow him going to the stables.We all entered the stables and the smell of the horses filled the air. My eyes widened at the horses standing before me, they were all so tall and majestic, each had a different color.

Everyone went straight to their horses, they each had one of their own. I saw Eloise patting a brown stallion, she pulled on it's saddle and hoisted up, holding the reins leaving the stables on the back of the horse. One by one the others saddled up on their horses and rode them to the riding range.

"Paige Bennet." The instructor called me.

I faced him, "Yes sir?"

"Pick one and join us outside," The instructor pointed to the few horses left at the end of the stable. "This is Will," he pointed to a young boy who was probably around the age of 10. "He will help you take the horse of your choice and bring it outside then we'll start the lessons.

The instructor left leaving me with Will, He waited for me patiently.I approached the horses remaining. A tall white stallion caught my eye, It's hind legs were tall and it's main was as white as white as snow. 

"Hi what's your name?" I playfully patted the white one's mane.

"Lune." Someone from behind me said.

I turned around and got shocked to see Kile standing behind me with his arms crossed. His cold expression was plastered on his face.

"Who?"

"My horse," He pointed to the horse.

I realized what he was talking about. "Oh! this is your horse."

"Obviously," he whispered but I still got to hear it.

He then took his saddle, saddled up Lune and climbed up on his back.Then I remembered, I forgot to bow to him again, and to the other royals, why do I keep forgetting! I rubbed my head.

"Sorry!" I exclaimed. "I forgot to bow again," I bowed at him, "I'm just not used to being with royals."

He raised his eyebrow. "You know, you don't have to bow all the time, you'll see royals everyday, He clipped on his helmet. "You're gonna break your neck if you keep bowing at all the royals you'd meet." He didn't sound like he was making a joke but I still found humor in it.

I laughed. He didn't mind me and just rode his horse out the stables like everyone else.

I then faced a cream colored horse,"That's Nutmeg." Will said. "She's a fast runner."

I patted her head, she reminded me of the horse Aiden and I used to ride. "I'll take her."

I joined the group back in the range with Will and Nutmeg by my side. I could see the others starting their lessons. The instructor faced me. "There you are Paige." He then shifted his eyes to Nutmeg. "Great choice, now lets get started shall we?"

"Yes Sir." I smiled.

Then something rang from his pocket, he pulled out his phone and answered the call, giving me a wait hand signal.

"What?! Are you serious?" I heard him say. "But I'm instructing a new student. That urgent? Oh I see. Ok I'll entrust her to Astley.

I faced the instructor keeping my enthusiastic smile when he placed his phone back in his pocket.

"Sorry Paige but I've got an urgent matter to attend to, I won't get to teach your first lesson."

My shoulders slouched. "Oh, is that so."

"But not to worry." The instructor tapped my shoulder. "I'll have one of my students instruct you."

"What?" My eyebrows furrowed. "I don't want to be a bother to them, I could just take a seat on the stands." I pointed to the stands on the side of the range.

"Nonsense!" He shook his head. "My riders are very good and I'll make sure that you'll be taught by the best of my students."

"Oh...ok." Was all I could say.

He smiled and faced the group of students who were riding their horses around the range. "Kile! Come here." He called.

My eyes widened at the mention of his name. Why him?!

Kile on the back of his horse Lune, came riding towards us. "Yes Sir?"

"I'm being called back to the school, this is Paige Bennet," He pointed to me. "She's new around here, could you teach her the basics while I'm gone?"

"Ok." Kile immediately said without giving himself time to think or even looking at me,

"It's settled then!" The instructor smiled at me. "Paige, I leave you in good hands." He then walked away out of the range.

I watched him go then slowly lifted my head to see Kile, his horse was quite tall. "So, how do we start?"

Kile crossed his arms, "Have you ever ridden a horse before?"

"Uhm...when I was younger but that was with a chaperone."

He nodded then looked at Nutmeg. "Greet her first."

I was confused. "The horse?"

"No, yourself." He said sarcastically.

I raised my eyebrow. "I never knew you were the sarcastic kind of Prince."

"Think whatever you want." He said in a monotone.

I didn't mind him and faced Nutmeg. "Hi girl." I patted her mane. She neighed.

"Now saddle up with confidence." Kile continued.

I stared up at Nutmeg, she was very tall, how am I supposed to get up on her? I glanced back at Kile, he was just watching what I was going to do.

The instructions are very simple Paige, just saddle up.

"Hey could you uh," I looked back at Kile he was already looking at his silver watch.

 he raised his eyebrow.

I shook my head. "Nevermind." I don't want to annoy him.

I took a deep breathe "I can do this." I whispered to myself.

I held on Nutmeg's saddle horn placed on her saddle and hooked my foot on the saddle and tried to bring my weight up.

"Shit!" my foot slipped of the saddle and I lost hold on the saddle horn, I closed my eyes getting ready for the impact.

Suddenly I felt two strong arms on my waist. "Hold the saddle horn." Kile said.

I held on to it and he helped my waist up to the top of Nutmeg.

"T-thanks." I stuttered a bit. "Nutmeg's too high for me."

"Then why didn't you ask for help?" he said in his low cold voice.

I was speechless.

"Hold the reins gently." He pointed to the reins. "Don't slouch."

Wow he does sound like a professional at this.

He took my hand and brought it to the saddle horn. "Don't hold it to stay on, hold the reins."

I took a sneak peek at the other riders, I saw Eloise and her group eyeing me, the Blonde girl had a scowl on her face while Bellona on top of her black horse had her arms crossed, when they saw me looking at them, they immediately looked away

"Hey!" Kile called, he was already on top of Lune. "Focus."

I nodded.

"Start slow and follow my lead."

"Huh?" I blinked twice. How am I supposed to do that?!

Kile stared at me while Idebated with myself. Should I tell him that I don't know the first thing about letting this horse walk or not?

Kile shook his head, then suddenly came down his horse and tied the reins to a post on the side, he then walked back to me.

He stopped on my side and reached out his arm.

My eyebrows furrowed "What do you want me to do with that?"

"Hoist me up." 

My eyes widened. "You want to ride with me?!"

"Unless you want to fall off your horse the second it runs." He raise his eyebrow said. 

Before I could say something else, he held onto the saddle horn and hoisted himself up my horse and positioned himself behind me. Looks like he doesn't need my help.

I again was completely speechless. I could even feel all the other riders staring at us.

 "Don't slouch." I felt his breathe brush the back of my neck. I never ever thought I'd ever be this close to the Prince of my country.

I straightened my back, I got shocked when I felt his hands hold mine and bring them to the reins. "Hold the reins like this." his monotonous voice said. 

I held the reins gently as Kile had said and Nutmeg started to walk, just when I thought I was doing great, Kile placed his hands on top of mine again and held the reins, "You're holding it the wrong way, were headed to the creek."

"Oops sorry!" I apologized.

 My peripheral vision could see Eloise's group of friends all stood together again with their horses shooting dagger stares at me. What did I do to them?!

Kile and I rode Nutmeg a few rounds, but he didn't take his hands of mine and the reins, He probably doesn't trust me, I don't blame him.

After a few rounds of walking our class ended. We all brought our horses back to the stables. Will brought me a stool to help me come down. I patted Nutmeg again and said goodbye.

I faced Kile, he was giving Lune some hay. "You're actually a pretty good teacher."

He ignored me and left the stables before everyone else. Stupid Paige, Why did I even expect him to answer. That Prince's cold as ice.

I walked out of the stables too headed for the bus when the blonde friend of Bellona stopped me on the doorway out, beside her was their brown skinned friend who looked awfully familiar and a few meters behind them was Bellona, as intimidating as ever.

"Hello new girl." The blonde said. "Enjoying riding class now are we?"

I folded my arms, "Yeah, it's ok, uhm who are you guys again?"

The blonde rolled her eyes. "I'm Khrystyna Rostanov, Princess of Russia. This is Nile she pointed to the brown skinned one and that's Bellona, future empress of Rome, she then pointed to Bellona who stood behind them.

"Khrysie lets go." Bellona firmly said and walked away.

"Wait Bella!" Nile called and walked after her.

Khrysie looked at me with daggers in her eyes. "Don't act too comfortable."

I raised my eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"What I'm saying is that you can't just feel comfortable with us Royals and Elite just because you come to school with us." She rolled her eyes. "Know your place."

The next thing I knew was that she was also out of the stables leaving me here processing what she said.

______________________________________________

"Aiden was right, this place is full of monsters." I said to Aicko, then I took a bite from my steak."We were having lunch at the cafeteria.

"Yeah there are many monsters." Aicko took a sip from her strawberry shake. "But don't let them overshadow the good."

I smiled at her. "I won't."

"You should join some clubs, get into extra curricular activities, that would be fun." She suggested.

"I don't really know." 

Aicko stood up and smiled. "This Friday, I'm gonna to introduce you to a bunch of my other friends. It'll be fun"

I just smiled.

After lunch, I had classes again, it's a miracle that I haven't yet bumbed into Blake, There's also no way I'm saying sorry to that jerk.

When dismissal came Aicko left for her group club so Aiden and I decided to hangout in the library and finish our homework there.

"Shh!" The librarian scolded me and Aiden for talking again.

"Sorry!" we whispered back in unison.

I then spotted Ned alone at the other table.

I looked at Aidem. "Wait here?"

"Ok."

I slowly sat beside Ned. "Hey, how's it going?"

Ned took his eyes of his book and seemed surprised to see me. "Why are you still talking to me?" 

"I...uh-

"Forget it!" he cut me off, piled his books and left the library. He must be overwhelmed by everything, I wouldn't blame him for it.

I then went back to Aiden. "lets go." He nodded.

Aiden had Ice his Lexus parked outside today, guess he felt lazy to walk to school so he just brought Ice.

I sat in shotgun seat and Aiden held the wheel.

"So did you pick a sport yet?" Aiden started the engine. I tried to think. "Nope."

"You better start thinking of one before they ask you."

"Well what's your sport again?" I pretended not to know.

Aiden joined my stupidity game. "Oh, I don't know as well."

"Is it Tennis?" I laughed.

Aiden rolled his eyes "Ok cut that out."

"So when's your next match?" I rolled down the window."

"Next month."

"Make sure you win." I ordered. "Or else."

"Or else what?" Aiden faced me.

I hid my smirk. "You're gonna have to teach me how to play Tennis." I laughed.

"Uh-oh." He rubbed his head. "You suck at that."

My smile faded. "Not funny." I knocked his head.

"Hey!" he massaged his head. "That hurts."

I gave him a peace sign a laughed.

He looked at his watch. "Wanna catch the sunset?"

"Where? here?" 

"I know a place."

"Ok, we've finished our homework so I don't see anything wrong with that."

We stopped by his dormitory, the building was just as big as ours but just like ours, girls weren't allowed inside. So I waited in the car while Aiden went to his dorm to change. 

He came out with a black t-shirt and shorts, then we drove to my dorm and he waited while I changed. I picked a yellow pastel t-shirt and some denim shorts and paired them with sandals. Know isn't the time to go all out with the clothes Aicko and I shopped, I'm just going to watch the sunset with Aiden.

We then drove out of the square. "Where are we going?" I turned to Aiden.

He smiled while keeping his eyes on the  road. "You'll see."

After about 20 minutes of driving the woods changed and the seaside came into view.

I faced Aiden. "The beach!" I said excitedly

"I knew you'd love it." Aiden chuckled.

He was right, back at home I rarely see the Beach, I've always wanted to see the seaside here in the west coast, and now I'm looking at it. 

He parked his car on the parking area, beside a silver Tesla, it was the only car here aside from us.

The second I stepped out the car I felt the sea breeze blow against my skin and hair, It felt wonderful. 

"Raise you to the water!" Aiden challenged and made a head start.

"Childish," I whispered to myself then I raced after him.

When I got there he was already waiting for me.

I didn't run fast coz I wanted to enjoy this afternoon view, the sand was golden, the water was clear and sea green, while palm trees surrounded the edges of the beach. 

When I got to Aiden he crossed his arms. "You're too slow."

I rolled my eyes at him,  wore off my sandals and dipped my feet in the water. Aiden did the same. We splashed the waves a bit but not too much to get ourselves wet, we didn't come here to swim, the sunset is our priority for now.

After a few minutes of playing in the water Aiden stood up and pointed to the sky. "Look Peggy!"

I turned to where he was pointing and my jaw dropped, It was a golden sunset, it's color was fading into the west and it reflected the ocean. "Beautiful." I sighed.

I wish I could bring Mom here, she would love this.

Aiden and I stayed like that until the sun went down.

"Hey we should have some dinner, they've got a restaurant there." Aiden pointed to the building on the other side of the beach.

"Won't there be a lot of people?" I wondered.

He shook his head. "It's a school night, no one really goes these days."

So headed to the restaurant, When we entered I was amazed to see the classic style it had and at the same time it also had the sea's touch in it, seashells hang from the ceiling. We took our seats and a waiter handed us our menus, Aiden ordered the food we liked.

I took a sip on some service water when suddenly my eye was caught by a couple on the other side of the restaurant, the girl had her the back of her head facing me, she was a brunette, I leaned a bit to see who the boy was. I almost choked on my drink when I saw Kile. 

I focused on his expression, he was smiling at the brunette, he even laughed a bit, I watched him as he had a conversation with her, Wow he's actually a normal guy.

"Hey!" Aiden snapped his finger to get my attention,

I turned to him. "What?"

"The foods here." He pointed to the food, I didn't realize it was there coz I was focused on Kile's way of acting with the brunette, he was ice cold, why is he looking happy and warm, I'm just not used to seeing him like this.

We ate our food and I didn't anymore mind Kile and the brunette, I foused on my food and talked with Aiden.

When we finished I stood up and went to the restroom before we leave back to the square, Aiden left to the car so that he could start the engine while waiting for me. When I stood up I made a glance back at Kile's table, they were both gone. I didn't mind and went straight to the restroom.

I went straight to the sink and washed my hands, suddenly one of the cubicle doors opened and out came Bellona.

My eyes widened. "H-hi!" I greeted.

She nodded at me not bringing her chin down and went beside me towash her hands on the other sink. Now that we were up close I could see how much she towered me, I felt so small.

"I didn't know you were here." I said to lighten the awkward atmosphere.

She took a tissue paper and dried her hands. "Well now you do." her voice was so poised that I wished I had it for a second.

I dried my hands as well. "I'm going now Bye!" I said even if I knew she wouldn't reply. I was right.

I left the restaurant ahead of her and walked out to the parking lot. I saw Aiden leaning on Ice the Lexus, waiting for me, but my eyes widened when I saw Kile leaning against the silver Tesla beside Aiden, it was like as if he was waiting too.

He caught me looking at him. He didn't mind me. Classic Kile.

"Hurry Peggy!" Aiden called, making Kile glance to him.

I walked faster towards him, when I got there we both entered the car. I glanced at Kile again, he just stood there with his car keys in one hand. Wonder what he's waiting for? His expression suddenly changed when he saw something, I looked at what he was looking at and I saw Bellona walking towards him.

My mouth formed an invisible O. So she was the brunette he was with earlier. Bellona approached Kile and they both entered the Tesla.

Aiden started the engine and we left the parking lot before them.

"Did you see that?" I asked immediatley.

Aiden raised his eyebrow. "See what?"

"Kile and Bellona," I was still in shock I never knew that Kile was actually dating someone. "He was so warm to her."

"Of course he is." Aiden scoffed."

I scrunched my forehead. "Why?"

Aiden kept his eyes on the road. "Because She's his fiancee'"

____________________________

"We better hurry!" Shari said.

We both walked rapidly, we were almost late for our first class. Since  we had a lot of classes together, we became close and usually hang out.

We were a few rooms away from our classroom when I spotted Blake and his trio walking our way.

Shari saw them too "Should we turn back?"

It was a tempting thought but no. He is just a big bully, he won't control my actions and won't ruin my day.

"No," I faced Shari. "We're walking here."

As we approached I could tell that Blake already saw me, and I subconsciously kept on praying that he wouldn't notice me and let me get to my classroom in peace. 

Stupid of me to think that way.

Suddenly I felt a foot block my walkway and the next thing I knew. I was on the floor.

"Paige!" Shari rushed to me.

"Ouch!" I held my foot. It was swelling but it wasn't broken. I glared at Blake, he stood there smirking at me while Ram had his pitying expression. Kile as always was expressionless.

"That's for my lips." Blake said.

I stood up and was about to fight back when he stomped on my foot, I kneeled to the ground because of the pain.

"Dude we're getting late." Ram complained. Blake ignored him.

Blake kneeled down to my level, held my chin and made me face his green eyes.

"And that was for fun." 

_____________________________________________________________

:))