CHAPTER  28

May

How did it ended up like this again? Was what Annalissa thought as she stood at the park with Xavier Collins and Zachary Black.

You guys like to know? Well, it's like this..

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Annalissa was on the way back with Alec doing his assignment from school at the Collins when she suddenly stopped at the park that haunted her memories since she found her childhood diary a few weeks ago. Other than the assassin attempts on her, nothing was new. Not even news of Zachary Black was heard but she had a feeling it would be soon..

Did she mention how she hated her gut feelings that runs in her family?

Well I hope it's the lesser of the two evils, she thought. But the story is never that easy, is it?

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Xavier was walking past the park back from the walk he had when he suddenly saw a familiar figure standing in the middle of the park, looking down at her hands. The said person was none other than Annalissa Winters.

"Hey!" He raised his hand to wave before his mind played a flashback on his eyes.

I'm late, I'm late! Little Xavier thought as he ran hurriedly towards the park. She's going to kill me!! He thought frantically as he ran faster. When he finally reached the park, he saw a lone figure standing there staring at her hands.

"Annalissa!!" The girl turned towards him and her features softened. Her brown hair swayed behind Her as she turned.

At the same time, Annalissa turned when his flashback was over, leading to him frozen in his spot. His eyes widened as he thought, It couldn't be.. right?

She stood there looking at him quizzically. "Xavier Collins.." she said.

"It was you..." he said, his eyes wide opened and mouth gaping. She on the other hand looked calm. "You were the girl from my childhood.." the one I loved..

"Hey, Anna. Can I ask you a question?" Little Xavier asked as they both sat on the swings in the park. Little Annalissa was looking beside at him as she swung.

"What is it?"

"If I say I like you, will you like me back?"

Little Annalissa furrowed her eyebrows and asked. "In what definition?"

"Um... love?" She only blinked up at him as he got nervous. "Um.. you don't have-"

"Okay." Now it was his turn to blink. "Huh?"

"It seems that my heart feels fuzzy with you and with Milliana said, I may have the same feelings for you."

"Great!"

"You.. knew?" He asked in disbelief, Annalissa took a moment before understanding. "Upon our first encounter, No. Recently, Yes."

"How..? Why didn't you find me?" So the reason I always felt put out by the girls I went out is because of this? Her eyes for once wavered into sadness before return emotionless again. She looked back to the sunset before them and answered.

"I was told not to. It was for the best, Zachary at that time was already targeting me and Alec by then. You had No need to be involved."

Xavier was struck silent at this. What should I say, 'I had a crush on you before and now I'm in love with you again?' That's just ridiculous. Just when I finally admit I like, much less love her now..

The silence was suddenly interrupted with the sounds of clapping. The two teens turned towards the sound and got into a fighting position. To their surprise, the one came out was none other than Zachary Black. "Bravo. Bravo! What a twist, I never thought you two knew each other that way?!"

"Zachary.. " Annalissa said monotonously, if she had any emotion before they were completely gone now. Xavier was on the edge between nervous and anger.

"Why won't we make a deal Little Ann." He said, mocking the nickname his wife gave him. Her eyes narrowed in challenge but remained silent.

"Let's set a place. A final showdown. For all our 4 Year war to end." He grinned maliciously.

"Why now?" Annalissa asked.

"You see.. I've been getting bored with our usual confrontation, you know, I kidnap you, you escape, we threaten each other then all over again. So I've thought this up! The final battle between the new and old. Who will win?"

Annalissa and Xavier both remained silent when Zachary grins and shifted his gaze towards Xavier. "Meet me back here after 3 days from now to accept or deny my offer."

His eyes held a mocking glint along with showing he knew something they didn't. "Tell your father I said hi Xavier." Then he was off, leaving the two more confused than ever.

What did he mean 'tell your father I said hi'? Did dad.. No. That's impossible.. Xavier thought shaking his head in physical and mental denial. Annalissa was silent for Xavier's mind to clear before she turned. Xavier at that time saw her leaving and shouted her name. She turned halfway to look at him.

"What happens to us now?" She just stared at him and turned away. "It is up to you. I'm not sure if this feelings I have now is the so-called 'love' teenagers speak of now. If your feelings remained the same then as of now then I would try." Then she left.

"My feelings..? I'm sure.. I'm in love with with you, Annalissa, back then and even now.. " He said softly to no one.

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Next day

Annalissa woke up to the sounds of typing from the computer when she realised she overslept and Alec was using the computer. "Alec..?" She called out only to received a shout from the living room. "Here!"

Annalissa changed to a sleeveless top and a pair of shorts before she came out of the room. She saw Alec was unusually serious, and that is certainly not good. She was the one who was to be serious, not him.

"What did you find?" Annalissa immediately said, no emotion in her word.

"Xavier's dad... you knew didn't you big sister?" He asked, looking up at her with sadness and guilt.

"Yes. I knew of course, but until just recently though." She said, looking down at the screen with info about Michael there.

"What should we tell them?" Alec asked. She knew he was referring to Xavier and his family.

"Nothing." Alec snapped his head to her with wide eyes. "Nothing?"

"Nothing. They wouldn't believe us anyway. A loyal family they are, just not all of them. It's better to learn it themselves than to hear from others."

"But.. we could-"

"Alec. Remember the time the gang all pitied us when we arrived? " Alec only nodded his head solemnly. "It is the same. The thing that people hates most are only 2, betrayal and pity. It is in the human nature after all."

"I.. understand." He bowed his head sadly as he thought of when they find out about this. Annalissa seeing her brother's guilt said. "You'll be able to comfort Sheila then, tell them the truth when the time is right." She patted in his head before ushering him to eat breakfast. Alec ran out as soon as breakfast was said, making Annalissa smile fondly at his retreating figure.

But all traces of that warm smile was gone when she turned back to the screen. "All man hates pity and betrayal, but when they overcome theirs, they will be stronger. I wonder, Xavier Collins, will you overcome this betrayal? Or fall to despair?"

With that said, she left the room, closing the files and shutting down the computer in process.

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Author Note:

Dun. Dun. Dunnn.. how's that for suspense? The romance thing is something I can't help so forgive me if it's not the ideal thing. I have midterms today so wish me luck! Cuz.. I'm sure I'm going to need it.

First off! Japanese... Though I love anime like any otaku, The language is just confusing haha.. TT-TT I'm so dead.