I don't have a choice, but to face Flynn and Avery during our Practical Magical class. All my classmates congratulated them, except me and my friends. I avoided Flynn in any way I can, I can hear Avery's bragging about the incoming engagement, she used to be so silent in class, but now she joined forces, with Princess Suzanne.
"So, tell me Princess Avery, are you going to make your own gown?" Suzzane asked, it is obvious that she raised her voice purposely to hurt me.
"No! I really wanted to make my own gown for the engagement ceremony next week, but my mother, the Queen of Eirini, wanted it to be especial, that is why she personally asked Seamstress Veronica to make my gown, as we all know her creation is known among the royal family of Erthesia." She said, I can't help myself, but to look in her direction. My heart aches again, I saw Flynn looked at her intently, while holding her hand.
"Wow! Everyone is dying to wear the creation of Seamstress Veronica! She is the well known seamstress ever born." Exclaimed Suzanne, and all the female fairies are excited about it, I don't know who Veronica is, but judging by their excited shrieked, upon hearing her name for sure she is famous in the field of garments and gowns.
I want to get outside, but before I can stand up, Nick is blocking my way.
"Don't Malia, you can do this, you are strong and smart, please endure the pain for one hour, just ignore them." He said seriously, then he holds my hand.
Declan arrived, he is genuinely smiling at me, he is one of the people in the entire academy that I like, his smile is contagious. I smile at him shyly.
"Malia, can I ask you to be my date next week?" He asked me.
"You are late already Prince Declan, I already invited Malia, but sad to say, she is not interested in attending balls and parties, she is a unique fairy I should say, while everybody is excited and busy preparing their costumes, she is busy training." Nicholas said loudly, it made Flynn to look in our direction, at the exact moment, when Flynn's gaze is fixed on us, Nicholas takes my lips into his warm sweet lips.
I wanted to push him away, but I know he is pretending again, to save me from embarrassment and total humiliation, I let him continue to kiss me, I pretended that I enjoy our kissing scene. Out of the corner of my eye I see the angry stares of Flynn, before he turns away to face Avery.
I don't enjoy Public Display of Affection, but it seems Nicholas is a bad influence.
"Wow! So you are an item now?" Asked Declan, I can see the surprised on his face.
"I hope so, it is Malia's decision, but I am willing to wait, even if it takes forever, as long as it is her, she is the only girl I want, now Declan if you are planning to ask Malia for a date, just back off now, okay?" Said Nick, I am trying to hide my amusement, they both know I am in love with Flynn. They are trying to tell him something, but I think no matter what they do, Flynn will never change his mind.
He didn't give me a chance to explain, I know there is no need to explain, because from the start he hates me already, it was only a game for him, I was just an experiment, I only insulted him once, but it is so painful that the price I have to pay is so high, it is my heart.
He is so unfair, he insulted me first, I was just trying to retaliate, it is not his fault, why I fell in love with him. I should stop my heart from loving him? But, I don't know what to do? In order to forget everything. I am still hoping that he will come back to me, even I already heard it from him, that everything was part of his plan. His goal was successful, I am not only in love with him, but I am so crazy about him too.
When the bell rang indicating the end of our last subject, I immediately got up and told my friends, that I will be staying in the forest overnight.
"Malia! Please stay with us for dinner, we can have our dinner near the garden, we don't need to dine at the banquet hall, we missed you." Hale said, looking at me intensely, it is seldom Hale express how he feels.
"Okay! Hale, I want to have dinner with you guys, I missed our bonding moments too." I said smiling at them.
Freda and I went to our dorm room to change our clothes, then we wait for the boys to come back, they promise to treat us a delicious meal, we agreed to meet after two hours, at the white Pavilion in the garden, on the backside part of the academy near the lake. When we arrived, the food is ready. My stomach growls the moment I see the food displayed on the table.
"Are you ready Princess!" Hale asked me eagerly.
"Yes! I didn't know I am this hungry." I said, while laughing.
"Did you go to Kentro again?" Freda asked them, then they both nodded.
"Thank you! Guys, these foods are ravishing and tasty." I can't help, but to talk even if my mouth is full. They all laughed at me, I realized I miss them all badly, I bailed out on them for how many times, because of my stupidity and foolishness about Flynn.
After eating the main course, Nick served the desserts, I don't know what are the names of their menu in fairyland, this time it reminds me of Tiramisu and fruit salad, then Hale set out the sweet cocktail drinks that tasted like Malibu Sunset.
It made me miss my home in the human world, my Mom loves making sweet cocktail drinks, during special occasions. We are all silent, while sipping our drinks.
"Malia, I know you hate the idea of attending the engagement ceremony of Flynn and Avery, but can you consider going for our friendship's sake?" Hale spoke softly, while looking at my eyes. I am speechless, I don't know what to say.
"Yes! Malia, this is the first time I can set foot in Erthesia Kingdom, It looks so majestic from the outside, I want to see what is the inside of the Kingdom, ever since I was a child that is one of my dreams, I hope to realize one of my dreams Malia, and I want to do it with you, so please come with us." Freda said, looking like a child, I know they plan all this, so that I can't say no.
"Yes! Malia, we can finally go shopping at the shops, we will arrive at the Palace a day before the engagement, so we have a lot of times to roam around Kentro, we promise this time, nothing will happen to you, besides right now, you are more powerful compared to us." Nick said.
"Don't give them the satisfaction of seeing you sad Malia, show them that you are not affected by Flynn and Avery, the two of them hurt you, I know Flynn loves you, but there is nothing he can do about the engagement." Hale explained.
"I want you to make my dress Malia, so please come with us to Erthesia Kingdom. You don't need to answer right now, you can tell us your answer tomorrow, whatever is your final answer, don't worry we will respect it. As your friends, we just want you to enjoy Malia, we are young and don't let anyone hinder your happiness." Freda said, then she hugged me soundly.
"You can also tell us, what is your answer right now, if you want to." Nick said, while finishing off his drink.
They are all right, I need to look strong in front of everybody, or else I can't save my parents. Saving them is my priority, not Flynn or anyone. I want my friends to be happy too, I always make them worried. They are always there for me, and I am sure Nick will always be there to rescue me.
I love to tour Kentro too, since our last trip was not a good one. I almost lost Freda that time. This time I will make it sure that we will enjoy our visit to Erthesia Palace, I am not afraid anymore, I know how to control my power now, I am not just ready to face everyone, even though Flynn knows about the real me, I think he is not fool enough to divulge my identity to the people of his Kingdom, for he knows the consequences.
I am even wondering, when is he going to make his move to eliminate me, like what Avery did. I won't let him harm me, I will fight even if it means my own death. He warned me before, that he will make me return to the human world, if that time comes, I will make sure that he will know his place.
"Hey! Are you alright Malia?" Nick asked.
"Malia, I told you, not to think about it seriously, we can't do anything if you don't want to come Mal, we just want you to be with us, that is all. If it really breaks your heart to go there, then I will stay here with you, no worries." Freda said, she smiled at me, then she sat beside me.
"Guys! I am fine, I am just thinking about the design of our gowns Freda." I told her, I am smiling from ear to ear, while Freda screamed with happiness.
"Really Malia? You are coming with us? You will be my date?" Nicholas said, his gladness is so evident on his face.
"Yes! Nick, I'd love to be your date to the engagement ceremony, but Hale you owe me a dance too." I said, looking at Hale, who is smiling broadly at me.
"Of course, Malia, I will hate you forever if you won't dance with me." Hale said laughing.
I can feel the excitement of Freda, the time has finally come, that Hale is her date. I know, that my best friend is so happy right now. We put away our trash, then we clean the table manually, I love it here in the academy, even though we can keep away things easily using magic, but it seems they are enjoying doing it physically, and I am glad. Until now, I am still used of being a human, I still do everything using my hand.
We walked slowly in going to our dorm room, I tell the boys to go back to their room, since it is still early in the night, and I wanted to have a girl talk with Freda.
"Wow! Freda, I am happy for you." I said, the moment the boys vanish in front of us.
"Thanks, Malia, I really wanted to go to the Palace, and I will be very nervous to go there alone, I didn't expect that Hale will ask me to be his date. I thought he would ask you, but it seems he already knew that Nick will be your next choice, next to Flynn." Freda said, and I am shocked about what she said.
"What you mean Freda?"
"You like Nick more Malia, you may never realize it, but if you didn't meet Flynn there is a big possibility that you will fall in love with Nick." She said, looking at me earnestly.
"Freda, you are my best friend, but this time you are very wrong, I don't feel anything about Nick, Okay?"
"Okay, if that is what you say, but it seems you enjoy kissing him Malia."
"Freda, it was all pretend, I know I should have pushed Nick away, but I can't to that in front of our classmates, I care about Nick, that is why, I don't have the energy to embarrass him in front of everyone, not being able to reciprocate his feelings for me is hurting me Freda, I want Nick to find someone that will love him back, I told him already, but he insisted on doing it to hurt Flynn." I said weakly.
"I know, he just wants to kiss me, even if, it was all an act at least for me, I know we have to stop doing things like that, Flynn will never be mine, this is my destiny. Watching the only love of my love being engaged to someone else is one of the curses I need to face, because the next ceremony, I need to attend, it will be their wedding day, so good luck for me and to my foolish heart." I said, I was not able to control my tears, this time it flows like a river.
Freda embraced me, then she cried with me, while we are standing on the academy ground.