" You have no clue how much I cared. How much I'd do anything to see you smile. How much it took in me just to say goodnight sometimes. How hard I forced myself to believe things would be different this time. They weren't. But you were the first person I ever loved. And I would never forget you"

-Annonymous

10 Years ago-

Saelius High-

He watched her gracefully swag her gown; which enrobed upon her perfectly. She was donned in a luxurious aesthetic mauve gown, what prostrated to the floor respectfully. Crystal clear diamonds protectively enveloped around her curvy waist, such, it stealthily slide up and collided in the center.

He watched her pace her course elegantly. Her light blonde hair swiftly flew, obediently following the winds rhythm. He was mesmerised. His heartbeat patrolled faster.

Her childish yet suggestive smile lite his world. Her black thick and volume eylashes convoyed her beautiful hazel-nut brown eyes.

His view was blurred and could only see her adept stature. She was his eyes. His world.

His gaze travelled as she was approached by a well-built and handsome guy; who held her hand cautiously and softly pecked it. Her welcomed response caused unimaginable pain and loss to his heart. He could only watch her laugh heartily in the arms of another man.

The soft music bellowed in the romantic atmosphere. Every couple and everyone single coupled to dance in the basking surrounding.

He stood alone. Shattered. Lost.

His heart ever so wanted to snatch her from the wretched man's grip and hide her. His senses had advised him to claim her his. He wanted her. She was his, and only his.

But, she'd never agree to be owned by him. He wasn't good enough. He wasn't worthy. She was the school's beauty; she was loved and surrounded by friends, a pampered child. He was ostracised from society. He wasn't a spoilt child with loving parents. She had money in her bag only as pocket money more than what he was capable of earning in two months. She wore luxurious brands and threw it the next day without hesitating. He? He would wear the same clothes everyday until worn out. She wouldn't need to blink an eye to spend thousands on some extras. Whilst he would have to save every last penny meticulously to regulate even his essential necessities. She'd be given real estates on her birthday. Yet he'd have to sleep on the cold and lonely streets if was late a day to register the rent; people like him weren't considered humans but trash. They were only adding to the sur-plus population. They'd better rot in slave houses or keep the streets clean by being behind the bars in the jail; this was as far the wealthy and influential were concerned. What was he? He was not worthy of her. She was the light everyone craved and sought for, he was the darkness nobody wished for nor long for. She was wanted. He was unwanted.

Yet, shamelessly enough, he still wanted her.

For her, he'd wake up at the cuckoo of french marans; clean the windows of the local and friendly corner - shops who'd generously offer tips at times. He'd then give out the newspapers in the high end streets because the payment was decent but he'd have to occasionally collide with her. He didn't want her to see him like this, but she'd only give him a kind smile and help him out with the newspapers. They'd jolly around till the break of dawn; when she'd have to leave him once again, and he would burn a little more. Realisation would him then, he had not done his measly yet sincere jobs, but he just only wanted to spend a little more time with her and look at her beautiful smile only a little more.

He was trying. Hard. For her. To become worthy of her, to hold her hands openly; to hear her laughter. Simply enough, he just wanted to be beside her.

However, this wasn't enough. More, he had to try harder.

Oh, God, oh. If only thy hath born him not an orphan. If only thou hath over-flowing riches. If only thou was wanted, perhaps she'd want him too. Probably, he'd be the man in whom arms she'd laugh her beautiful laughter. If, only if.

But, sadly enough, there are no ifs in the world.

He wasn't good with words and didn't put his love on display but it was there. Quiet, steady, and true. It showed in the things that he did and didn't do.

"It hurts to know that you........

.....will never look at me the way I look at you "

-N.V

This project is

brought to you by *LightDreamer*.

"God has purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggles and a gift for your faithfulness.

Don't give up."

-Anonymous

♢

Sky's POV-

Great! Just so perfect! My entire day has been a total disaster. First I fought with my father and brother because I didn't want to go to the zoo. Animals are cute and I like them, really. But today wasn't that day. I was stubborn and so were they. I came out of anger and stormed like crazy and now I am running for my life!

'Oh God. Please. Please.' I pray hard in my head whilst sprinting from the monkey chasing me!

Oh God, I was only eating a banana when a monkey was let lose because of some child's mischievousness. I panicked, monkeys are my least favourite animals, the poor banana was dropped to the floor, and I just ran and yelled.

I shouldn't have run.

"ahhhhhhhhh!" My voice fill with horror.

"ouch! That hurts." What is this place?

It seemed I fell into a giant hole in the ground. This is even more troublesome.

"Huh? Did someone just grunt like they are in pain?" Maybe I am hallucinating.

"Urhggg!"

I jump in surprise and see a boy. 'Did I land on him that why it felt so comfortable?'

"I- I'm....so sorry." He was trying to get up with a hand on his backbone. 'It seems he's really hurt.'

"Are....Are you o-okay?" My hands were reaching out to help him but he shook his head in denial and confronted me.

He had ebony dark hair and he's eyes were a beautiful azure. Maybe he was 15-16 years old. He's really tall but his face was definitely younger.

Some time passed and he didn't speak at all.

'Does he have some disability or is he just feeling uncomfortable.' I am cooking a million different reasons why he is not talking and just stares at me from time to time.

We tried calling out for help but in vain, so we decided to just sit down and let luck try.

"Ummm....you...are you okay?" I was crouching with my knees upto my chest and my hands were wrapped around.

This boy was really quiet. Is he okay?

"Yeah...." Wow! He actually spoke.

I take a deep sigh as though a huge burden was relived. 'Well if something were to happen unto him, it'd be my fault.'

This is really getting boring, so I decided to initiate a conversation. "You, how did you end up here?" He had a sad expression on and he ducked his head in between his crouched legs.

"Oh! Well I'll tell you what happened to me. I was really in a bad mood today because one of my friends went abroad with their family and she didn't even say goodbye. Hump! So my family tried to cheer me by coming to the zoo, I was eating a banana, my tummy was grumbling terribly because of all the frustration I had. And guess what happens next...." I try to liven the atmosphere.

"Guess, guess..." I tried again expectedly.

Disappointed. I continued and told him what had happened, at least now he's looking at me.

"What's your name?"

"Da-Damien"

I extend my hand, signalling him to a hand shake. " Hi. I am Sky Rhodes."

Disappointed, again. I sigh and he turns his head away. Is he still upset that I landed on him or is it because he's uncomfortable?

"Um... You see.. I am really sorry for accidentally hurting you. I-I didn't know you were-" I got cut off by his shrill and sudden outburst, "No!"

Before continuing he took a deep breath, "I'm sorry I shouted. Wh-What I meant to.... say was I... I am fine. You.. don't need to feel sorry..... It wasn't your fault." I was eagerly and obediently listening to his every word. He actually spoke for such a long time although he does stutter there and then.

"Really. You forgive me?" He stares deeply into my eyes and lightly nods his head.

'Phew! Settled.' I motion my hands as though I were wiping sweat of my forehead.

"So Ummm....?" My hands found itself in its former position and he willingly shakes my hands. I could feel his hands weak and malnourished but his grip was big, strong.

Time passed as I blabber my mouth to make the atmosphere comfortable. I don't know why but I wanted him to feel safe and at ease.

"....So when she got the answer wrong several times, the teacher pointed a ruler at her and said 'at the end of this ruler is an idiot' and my friend got detention after sh-" Damien confusedly asked, "Why was a

she given detention?" My laughter was on the verge of breaking. "Haha! Haha! Because she asked 'Teacher, which end?' Haha! Get it?" He was only sitting down with his legs crossed and his hand on his chin looking at me amused.

"Another time..." I trail off when I heard distant shouting of my dad and brother.

I shout, "I'm here!" so that they know our location.

Some time later a rope ladder was sent down and I was climbing through half way when my sight hit Damien. 'Why is he looking like that?' I thought.

"come, hold on to my hand."

We climb the hole together to the safer surface and tap our clothes.

Dad strongly hugged me.like I was missing for hundred of years and whimpered, "Oh! My baby girl. Thank goodness you are alright."

"Dad, I can't breath.."

"Oh. I'm sorry, my angel. Are you okay?" He let go of me but firmly clasped my shoulders.

"It's alright, Dad. I am fine."

"Sky, you scared the hell out of us. Where were you?" My brother, Matteo questioned.

"I know what you did there so don't sound worried, ok?" I snap. It was clearly his trick!

I turn around to see a very distant and lonely Damien. "Hey!" I gesture him to come with my hands.

"Who's that?" Dad asked.

"I made a new friend... well soon he'll be."

"I've heard of soon-to-be husband and a soon-to-be wife. But a soon-to-be friend? A first!" Matteo chuckled.

"No. Well we talked in the giant hole we were stuck in but I didn't ask him to be friend... so yeah... Anyways there are many cases like that." He's always like this.

"Do you want to invite him?" Dad was looking at him, he seemed very cautious and hesitant.

"Can I?"

"Of course."

"Thanks, Dad!" I clap my hands and stride over to Damien.

"Damien! Stop!" Why was he walking away?

He suddenly stopped and I hit my face against his back.

"Ouch!" Not my nose!

I hear Damien gasp, "Ah! I-I am so sorry.... I..I didn't mean to..."

I let out an amused giggle seeing him so flustered. He looks so cute all worried.

"I'll forgive you but one small condition."

"Huh! What is it?"

"Come with me." I hold his hand and move towards my Father and Brother.

"Wait. Where?"

"Shhhhh..."

We journeyed home in dad's Prado. It was surprisingly quiet, perhaps because Damien was there.

"Angel." Dad opened the door and helped me out.

"Hey! You gonna come or should I specially invite you to?" Matteo glared at Damien with unwelcome eyes.

"Hey! That's my friend. You can't be rude." I snap irritatted.

Matteo grins, "No. 'Soon-to-be friend'."

A challenge, huh. Fine.

"Damien, I know we only met a few hours ago but you've got to admit we conversed and laughed. I really want to have a great friend like you, so are we friends?" I extend my hand for confirmation.

He seemed hesitant but, "I-i... Yes, I hope we can be friends." instantly a triumphant smile forms on my face.

I cage my eyes with his sincerely, vice versa.

The moment he took hold of my hand, I felt a strange electrical signal flash through my body. He held it so firm as though he'd never let go, strangely enough I liked it. Comfortable, secure. Sincere, trustworthy.

♢

"The best relationship starts off as friendship first."

-KushanWizdom

"Sometimes Love comes in the form accident."

-Unknown

* * * *

Today is also going to be a long and boring day. Damien isn't here. Where is he?! He said he was going to come some days after but now, now there is no sign of him at all!

'This damned promise breaker!' I jump out of my comfy bed and throw my phone in the sofa after being thoroughly disappointed by Damien.

I need to calm down! Right, fresh air!

I open the clear glass doors to the balcony and support my elbows on the rift. Sigh! Why am I like this after meeting Damien?

After our coincidental meeting Damien and I have been in touch almost everyday, We often talked and hang out together; Dad investigated on his background and found he is quite a poor boy who is singlehandedly supporting his ill younger sister. His sister has congenital heart disease, to provide for her expensive medical fees Damien had to work numerous jobs instead of attending school at the age of 17. When I heard about this I felt.. I don't know... I just didn't like it. But, so what? I couldn't do anything, I wish I could help him.

Somehow, Dad felt very convinced with him and offered to give his sister the best medical care, his complete studies would also be borne by Dad as well as his sisters studies. Upon hearing this news, my heart bloomed sparkles and I felt happiness I never did before, I felt very content with Dad, seeing his benevolence upon others.

Ever since, Damien would be in Dad's office till late night and I would peek on their conversation. Sometimes I would be able to have a good talk with Damien but only for a brief moment. It's frustrating because he's aways so cold and tries to avoid me, am I that bad?

I finally got his number from brother after 2 weeks of pleas and acting pitiful but he didn't even bother to look at my texts or reply to me, how is he so busy he forgot our friendship?

'This isn't gonna work, I have to do something!' I think as I stare into the beautiful bright orange-red sun set.

"Dad!" I shout as I make my way down the stairs to the dining to table.

Dad and brother were already seated, waiting for me. "Yes, my darling. What are you so enthusiastic to come for dinner so early?" He asks with a blank expression as the maid places the dishes on the table.

I sit down opposite to brother and greet dad and brother. "Dad, you know we only have 3 months remaining till college starts?" I said, munching on the delicious lasagne made by sister Rila; i smile at her, content "You always makes it the best." I compliment her and she smiles back.

"The last time I remember you whined for three days cause you didn't want to go to college. What happened now, kitty cat?" Matteo butts in, his expression frowning.

Argh! I really regret that time I acted like crazy because I didn't want to go to college, I am nothing like my father or brother; My brother is the ideal son, the perfect and only heir of the Rhodes family. He has a good sense of humour is what all our distant relatives and business partners say, but not for me, for me he's a devil. I will agree he's an ace student, one of the top students in the country, his communicational skills are excellent seeing how he was able to appease the directors of the company despite being so young. And his personality and looks somehow attracts girls like magnets, I seriously wonder are those women blind?

But me? I maybe the princess of this mansion but I am not clever, intelligent or have good communication skills; I know I am beautiful and there is no doubt about that, after all I have the Rhodes family genes.

I pout but I have to endure it, "Dad, I realised how important studying is for a bright career and future." I look at dad with a very serious face.

hearing Matteo giggle, my attention distracts him as he bursts into laughter seeing he can't hold it any longer.

"Dad! Look!" I pound the table hard and stand up.

"Sky. Sit and eat." Dad commands and glares at Matteo, he may be the heir of this family but I am the heir of Dad's heart.

"Alright, I will apply to a college for you and to won't need to be taught by a home tutor anymore." Dad reaches a conclusive decision, brother also agrees however I wasn't happy. He said a college will be chosen for me, problem is I don't know which and if it will be the same as Damien