I am sitting quietly on the edge of the railing, when suddenly I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around to see Rem, my Rem. My mind, once chaotic, finds peace in his presence. But just as quickly as he appeared, he vanishes into thin air. Where did he go? I step down from the railing, not by jumping, but by simply turning around and getting down from the edge. "Rem? Where are you?" I call out, but there is no response. As I am about to turn around, a shadow catches my attention. A little girl emerges from behind, holding a bowl filled with fruits and nuts. She is coming towards me. Before I know it, a scream escapes my lips, "DAD, DAD HELP ME, DAD PLEASE SAVE ME, MOM, DAD, UNCLE AIDEN!!!" No one comes to my rescue. The girl continues to approach me, and I instinctively start moving backward until there is nowhere else to go. I recognize her, she is wearing a blue knee-length frock. I know her. It's her. She will take me away. I don't want to go. Her face is swollen, and her body is covered in rashes. Did I cause this? Is it because of me? Suddenly, she reaches me and places the bowl in my hand, grinning widely and motioning for me to eat from it. "No, no, no, this can't be happening... MOM, DAD, PLEASE HELP ME, I DON'T WANT TO GO... UNCLE AIDEN, WHERE ARE YOU... PLEASE..." And then, she pushed me off the terrace... "arghhhhhh!" I jolt awake, in a warm embrace and my dad is holding me close to him. My mom is holding my hand, tears streaming down her face. Dad embraced me tightly. I am safe. It was just a dream. I look at my mom, and she is crying uncontrollably. All I can do is stare at her silently. "Ari, my baby..." she chokes out a sob, and I feel pathetic for putting them through this. Dad looks vulnerable and helpless.And mom! She looks terrible...I despise making her cry. "Please talk to me, Ari..." Her voice came out in tears, and I have never felt this vulnerable before. I simply embrace my mom and comfort her, saying, "I'm alright, mom...it was just a dream and I'm okay now." She hugged back and said,
"I will be sleeping with you tonight."
I have truly worried her too much, and I hate myself for it. I want to scream, cry, and break things, but I restrain myself from doing so. I can't hurt mom anymore. Despite my fears and dark side, I hold onto mom and dad's hands and say, "Please stay with me here." They both lie down, and my head rests on dad's arm while mom held me close to her heart. I wait until they both fall asleep, then carefully get out of bed and silently sneak out of the room. I miss uncle Aiden. I wish he was here. Once I enter dad's study, I let my tears flow and begin writing in my journal.
Dear Sophi,
It has been more than a year since I last saw that nightmare, and suddenly, I am starting to see it again. I am scared. I wish I could go with you, but I can't. I am so sorry that I can't. I dreamt of Rem today. Will he ever know how much I love him? Does he still remember our promise when I asked him for all of his firsts? I think I won't be his first, although he will be my first in everything. I love him. I truly love him. And I don't mind if he doesn't love me the same way I do. I just want him to let me love him. Will he ever acknowledge me? Will he ever see me? Am I still invisible to him? His thoughts are the only thing that brings me back to my sane mind. I hate that mom and dad are suffering because of me. I wish I am more like Ava. She doesn't give them any reason to worry about her. She is perfect. She has her own friends who will support her all the time. She is a social butterfly like mom. I know they mean a lot to her, maybe more than me. That is why she prefers them over me. I don't hate her for that. I never can.
Closing my journal, I put it back in the drawer. I take out my phone and open Instagram
He shared a post...oh, they had a party last night. He appears as usual, cool, charming, handsome, and beautiful. I close Instagram and open my photo gallery. It is filled with his pictures. Its filled with many pictures but not mine. Its all of family and mostly Remi, From family dinners to him playing basketball, I even have some of his childhood photos that I took when Aunt Teal showed them to me. Looking at him brings me peace. He is the chaotic peace in my dark world. Stop, Ari, don't dwell on it. But still...will they still love me the same when they find out about me? Only Dad, Uncle Aiden, and my friend knows and they have kept their promise not to tell anyone, not even Mom. It's almost six I should go take a bath and freshen up.
What a drag!
I close my phone and see Dad approaching. He sits beside me and puts his arm around my shoulder. "Princess, you know that I love you, right?" Oh god, I feel guilty now. I can never confess my feelings to anyone. No matter how much I love them, I can not. I'm terrible at confessing. I'm exactly like my dad. Mom said Dad used to hide his feelings a lot, then he came along.
"I know, Dad," I reply, smiling.
"Your mom suggested we should take you to see a-"
Before he can finish, I interrupt,
"Dad, I'm completely fine. I don't want to see any shrink,"
"Ari its just that-"
"Its such a drag"
my voice comes out frustrated.He remained silent, but tenderly kissed my forehead, and in return, I planted a gentle kiss on his cheek biting it. My love for my father is immeasurable, and I hope to express it to him one day.
"You can always confide in me, Ari, but if not, you can talk to that fu-I mean Aiden." My dad sighed, emphasizing the importance of language.
"Language Dad, Uncle Aiden is my favorite," I added, causing my dad to sigh once more.
"I will go freshen up,"
I announced, to which he simply nodded and reached for his phone. Leaving the room, I noticed my mom sleeping peacefully. I leaned down and kissed her forehead before heading to the bathroom. After my shower, or should I say cold shower, I emerged to find my mom nowhere in sight, but she had left my dress on the table. I changed into the outfit and made my way downstairs, taking the comb with me so that mom can make my hair, what? They are long, and I can't untangle them. I go down to hall, where I found my sister, Cecily, and Glyndon enjoying their breakfast.
"Look at her, girls. She's already grown up, even though she's only nearly 17," Ava exclaimed dramatically.
"Your hair have grown pretty long"
What a drag.
"Good morning to you too, Ava,"
I replied, causing everyone to burst into laughter. Though she glared at me initially, even she couldn't resist joining in the laughter. We often engage in playful banter. Or used to. Taking a seat to eat, my dad joined us at the table, I always like always sit beside dad, thats my place on table, and I don't change it, even in Kings mansion I have my chair reserved on which no one but me sits on. Mom had prepared pancakes for everyone and egg toast specifically for me.
"Aunt, may I have some berries?"
Ces asked, and my mom smiled sweetly, fetching the berries for her. The sight made me feel nauseous. Dad never allows mom to place fruits or nuts on the table, especially when I'm present. The same goes for Uncle Aiden, who never allows Aunt Elsa to do so either. I spend a significant amount of time with them at least three days a week, at King's Mansion. Additionally, every Sunday, either my mom and aunt or my uncle and dad take me out. I don't really hang out with my friends, not because I don't have any, but simply because I choose not to they are away from here anyway and my doll, she is no where to be seen these days. Those who I truly consider as friends are away from me.
As I focused on my breakfast, I ignored the cherries and suddenly, someone placed two covers beside me, causing me to scream. It is Uncle Aiden, and I couldn't have been happier to see him here. He lifted me up from my chair, embraced me, and asked
"missed me Warrior?" I nodded my head, and Aunt Elsa shook her head at us before joining my mom.
"Now Ari are you hiding something from me" he called me by my name which he only does when he's serious, usually about my health. I gave him my puppy eyes, trying to change the subject. I see whats in the covers, there are chips and chocolates.
"Thank you so much Uncle Aiden,well I didn't expect you guys to come today"
to which Aunt Elsa replied
"we couldn't miss your first day of university, especially since you skipped a grade, am proud of you Ari"
She expressed her pride in me, knowing that I often feel useless and unworthy. Whenever I accomplish even the smallest thing, they always praise me, even brother Eli and brother Creighton. "Thanks Ellie"
I turn to Uncle Aiden and kiss his cheek biting it
"you are the best".
He grinned and said,
"You see that, Cole? She said I'm the best."
It's typical of my dad and Uncle Aiden to have this playful rivalry between them. I could hear everyone laughing, and Aunt Elsa jokingly questioned Mom
"is Ariella really your and Coles daughter or she is Aiden and Coles instead".
We all burst out laughing, and Uncle Aiden proudly declared
"Ariella is my daughter too".
Ava,Ces and Glyn are laughing uncontrollably and Aunt Elsa and my mom exchanged glances and winked at each other, making me suspect that they were up to something mischievous. Ava rose from her seat and opened the door, despite the fact that the bell had not rung. Lost in my own thoughts, I got startled when a certain someone entered, causing my heart to skip a beat. Its Remi, my Remi, dressed in the Royal Elite uniform just like us, exams time maybe, else no uniform except for one day. University duh!.
His hair is messy and disheveled, and I Am trying to resist the urge to run my fingers through his hair. Everyone is aware of my crush on him, as it is quite evident. Uncle Ronan even referred to me as his "hellion stalker,"
a title I had somewhat embraced. However, only Uncle Aiden knew that my feelings for Remi went beyond a mere crush. He didn't discourage my love for him, but he couldn't stand Remi either. Typical Aiden King. I couldn't tear my eyes away from Remi; he is simply breathtaking, resembling a Greek god. "Bonjour mesdames et messieurs, my lordship is here,"
he spoke in his honeyed, husky deep voice, and I cant help but yearn to be intoxicated by him, I want to get drunk on him so badly.
"Back to earth, Ari,"
Ava said, waving her hand in front of my face, and I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. Ava hugged our parents goodbye, as did Ces and Glyn. It is clear that Remi is here to pick them up.
"Ma chèrie? Where are you lost?"
he asked me, and all I could manage to say is,
"huh."
Uncle Aiden glared at him, and my dad seemed confused as to why I am behaving like this. I wish I could go with them too, but it is evident that he has no intention of taking me along. To him, I am just Ava's sister, Cole and Silver's daughter. I am never Ariella Nash to him. I grab my bag and leave accompanied by my dad and Uncle Aiden. They are dropping me off at university. Oh, did I mention that Ava lives in the college dorms with Ces and Glyn even though Universityis shifted here to London for two months? I, on the other hand, prefer to stay with mom and dad or at Kings
Upon observing these men approaching to drop me off ,my mom and aunt laughed hard I cant help but notice their mischievous grins. I have a feeling that they are up to something that will inevitably lead to embarrassment for the three of us. As we settle into the car, it is my dad who took the wheel. Uncle closed the front mirror making me smile.
Out of the blue, Uncle Aiden posed a question to me,
"Little Warrior, if you wish to change your courses or university, you must inform me."
I swallow hard and reply with an apprehensive
"okay."
Just as he is about to say something else, I noticed a silent conversation taking place between my dad and him through their eyes. The car ride became quiet, and soon enough, we arrive at the college. Both my dad and Uncle Aiden stepped out of the car and followed me, giving off the impression as if they are my bodyguards. Frustrated, I turn to them and exclaim,
"Do you guys really have to do this?" They innocently replied,
"Do what?"
"Seriously, both of you... I can go by myself from here."
"No, princess, you don't know where the principal's office is, and besides, you might get lost here."
Dad and his worries,
"It's been a while since we've been here, and we just want to see how the infrastructure is... isn't that right, Nash?" my dad chimed in.
"Yes,"
Wow! What a wow.
"Guys, I'm not a kid anymore."
"No matter how much you grow up, you'll always be a kid to me,"
my dad said, with Uncle Aiden echoing the sentiment.
"Yeah, to me too,"
he added. I give up. My dad escorted me to the principal's office, while Uncle Aiden went off to see someone. I asked him who it was, but he simply replied, "No one."
I collected my schedule and my dad accompanied me to my class, reminding me to call him if anything happened. Uncle Aiden arrived at the same time, and I bid them both farewell.
"You can do it, Ari,"
I reassured myself as I enter the classroom. My fellow classmates were taken aback upon seeing me ofcourse they would since I am just seventeen okay soon to be seventeen and they all are over eighteen they began to mock me, but I couldn't care less.
They are dragging it...
I started scribbling on my notes, as the teacher had yet to arrive. Suddenly, a guy approached me, laughing and said, "I believe you may be in the wrong class. The opposite campus is where the school students go."
This remark elicited laughter from everyone in the room.
I see to find her beside me but she isnt here
I overheard his comment and promptly removed my airpods.
"Did you say something, sir?"
I inquired, causing the entire class to fall silent.
"That's how you should show respect," he retorted, displaying his arrogance.
"Of course, sir. I have great respect for senior citizens,"
"Listen you, bow down to me, or"
"And I suggest you to stay away from me"
I replied. As soon as those words left my mouth, the entire class erupted in cheers. Just as he was about to respond, Brother Creigh entered the classroom and called me over. The class fell silent once again. After a brief conversation with Brother Creighton, I return to my seat and sit on the bench. The professor began teaching, but my mind is still preoccupied with thoughts of Remi. And I keep looking at my sides trying to find her. I dont think she will be here
Ma chèrie!
What does it mean?
Uncle Ronan referred to Aunt Teal as "ma belle," and Remi called me
"Ma chèrie."
The class eventually ended, and I placed my belongings in my locker before heading to lunch. As I approached the table where everyone is sitting, Cecily noticed me and waved. However, upon reaching the table, I realize that all the chairs are occupied. It seemed I would need to find a chair for myself.
What a drag.
Just as I am about to leave, Remi spoke up.
"Wait up, Ma chèrie. Let me get one for you,"
he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. My heart raced, and I scolded myself for getting flustered. He brought me a chair, and I sat down while he took his own seat. As I opened my lunch box, both Ces and Remi laughed and commented,
"Are you still a school kid? Why do you still carry a lunch box?"
I felt embarrassed, but before I could respond, Brother Eli and Ava chimed in simultaneously,
"She prefers to eat home-cooked food else she will be eating junk."
Ava glared at brother Eli and brother Eli, clearly whipped for her, winked in her direction. We continued eating in silence, more like I am silent and everyone are speaking and laughing
and no matter how hard I try, I cant stop myself from stealing glances at Remi. I can gaze at him for a lifetime and never grow tired.
"Focus on your lunch, Ma chèrie,"
He said and My heart skipped a beat again...stupid heart he spoke normally stop beating so fast
Suddenly, a girl approached our table, batting her eyelashes in a rather repulsive manner.
"Go out with me tonight?"
she asked Remi, or rather, stated in her seductive voice....ewww gross.Before anyone could utter a word, I expressed,
"If you believe that continuously blinking your eyes makes you appear innocent and attractive, then no, it actually gives the impression that you have some sort of eye ailment."
Their response was laughter, except for Remi, who shot me a piercing glare. Why? What did I do wrong? I merely made the comment in jest. Well, perhaps not entirely in jest. Wasn't he supposed to reject her advances? That's why I said it.
My train of thought was interrupted when he confidently declared,
"Of course, I will beautiful."
What the- seriously? He's actually going to go out with her?
"And Ariella, please refrain from speaking on my behalf."
Huh! What?
I closed my case and departed from the scene. I must locate that girl. Ah, there she is...found her!!
Chapter Asthetics
Ariella's dream
Ariella writing her journal
Ari seeing Remi in uniform
The story just started,so two or three chapters will be slow paced but I can assure you that you will see Ariella's stalker tendencies and Remi ignoring yet wanting her.