Idea

"I thought we agreed that you won't meet Everly today and tomorrow Iris will come. We'll continue our plan of making Everly jealous." Raoul questioned, sitting on the kitchen table.

"You aren't supposed to sit on this." He rolled his eyes getting down. "Won't you answer me?" He asked sitting on the sofa this time. "You know that I wasn't okay with the plan from the start. I want to do it my own way."

"Yeah. Your own way by falling more and more in love with her." I stopped moving, Raoul did too. Our gazes deep into each other. "It's obvious that you like her Aseseus. I know I can't stop your feelings, neither can you. What I am asking you to do is not to forget your main goal, and not to forget that no matter how strong your feelings are, you can't be with her."

"You think I don't know? I know. I really know. It's just…Forget it."

He sighed standing up. "I didn't mean to anger you Aseseus. It's just it's my duty to keep Everly safe and if you chose to stay with her, then you're putting her life at risk." He sounded mad too, but he looked like he was holding himself back from getting angry . I'll come back later when you calm down a bit."

-

"You know, you should find a job for yourself. I can't keep on spending on you. It's not that I am annoyed, the money I am using was left by my family to me … I don't want to spend it all and you know. Also, the money I am getting from working at the university library, isn't that much so..."

"Yeah. I understand what you mean." But never in my life have I worked. We were both on our way to university, a habit we have built when we had classes at the same time. At first, she wouldn't talk to me, she would even ignore my existence. As time passed, she started engaging with me more, hence to what we are doing now. "I can help you find jobs outside university that pays well."

"Why don't you apply for an outside job if they pay better than the university ones?" She went silent for a second before she smiled. "I work better in a familiar environment."

"Oh, what's that?" There was a huge poster on the wall beside the university entrance. "Aphrodite's Festival."

"Aphrodite festival?" She nodded chuckling. "You know, goddess of beauty and love? This is a yearly festival at this university and one of the most famous. Every year, 20 students are randomly chosen to take part of a game called Aphrodite's crown. If you are chosen, you should not tell anyone, you should play secretly. Upon receiving the invitation, the 20 students will start having quests that they should, of course, secretly fulfill. There are 10 quests, the first to finish the quests wins, and takes the crown. They become the human Aphrodite for a year. There are many type of quests. For example, once they asked a participant to make two teachers go on a date without them knowing that she was the reason."

"Are you serious? Did she complete it?" We laughed as we made our way to class. "No. The teachers were quick to realize.

"Once, there was this boy whose first quest was to confess to his crush. They are still dating till now." "Ah... It's not that bad after all." "Yeah, the purpose of this festival is to bring joy to everyone. You never know if one of the quests is targeted towards you."

"Let's get to class." This gave me an idea. When Everly's heart glows gold all the way, I have to confess to her. If I learnt one thing from my mother, is to give my all in everything and be creative. I have the perfect idea for my confession.

"So, you like to solve quests right?" She nodded as she sat down. I followed her as I scouted closer to her. They're fun, and the reward at the end is worth it." She laughed putting her books in front of her. The reward sure will be worth it. I need to ask Raoul about the state of Everly's heart.

-

"Why are you so excited to know?" Raoul teased smiling widely at me. "Well, I have an idea that I want to do…" He raised his eyebrows curiously. "Nah, not going to share." He frowned mumbling a 'your loss.'

"I'll go and check Everly's heart for you then. Wait a minute." With that he left me thinking. If her heart is gold there is no way she would reject me right? Why would she reject someone she likes? Yeah, she wouldn't. So why am I nervous?

"It's normal."

"You scared me." I jumped in my place as Raoul stood close behind me. "How did you even hear my thoughts-?" "You were talking out loud not my fault." "Anyway, Everly's heart is officially all gold." Yes, finally. A smile grew on my face upon hearing these three words. I can go with my plan.

"You can make her drink your blood soon then" Right, and this too. I need to start working on the confession.

*knock*knock*knock*

"I'll be going now then." Raoul said disappearing. I'll never get used to him coming and leaving as he wishes.

"Everly? Are you alright? Is something wrong?' She never came over willingly alone at night. "I'm fine, I happened to pass by a donut shop... I... got you some too." I noticed the donut bag that she was holding in her hand. "That's yours." "Thank you. Want to come over?"

"No, its okay, I have some things to do before sleeping. Ah, also, you may have heard but we have a 2 week spring break, so now classes for 2 weeks." What a good timing. "Oh really? I must've dozed off in classes when they said it." She laughed bidding her goodbyes. Time to start working on my plan, eating donuts.