QUEEN
I don't know how long I was staring at the sea, the salty smell of the air mingling with the calming rhythm of the waves. Lost in thought, I didn’t notice the figure approaching until I heard her voice.  
"Queen." I turned and saw Devi smiling softly at me.  
"Why are you suddenly here?" She asked.  
"Hmm, I just felt I needed to be here," I said as she sat beside me, gently tapping my shoulder.  
"Do you have a problem?" she probed.  
I shook my head, opening my mouth to speak but closing it again. "It’s nothing," I muttered.  
"I doubt that," Devi said with a chuckle. "You can tell me."  
Her raised eyebrows invited a confession, and my face crumpled as I gave in. I sighed and stare at the sea again.
"Everyone hates me. I don’t know why. The only thing I know is... they hate me."  
"Who wouldn’t love Queen Diamond?" she teased, laughing lightly, but her smile faded when she saw my serious expression.  
"Them," I whispered. "I didn’t do anything to deserve this... oh fuck." 
"Hmm." Devi placed a comforting hand on mine. "There’s nothing wrong with you, Queen. Don’t dwell on useless things. This isn't you."  
"But they bring my past back to haunt me, I don't know if it was intentional or not but fuck. All the pain I worked so hard to forget comes rushing back in a matter of minutes. It felt like being slapped in the face. I just want to know—why are they doing this to me?"  
"Queen..." Devi’s voice softened. "Let go of the pain, guilt, hatred, and regrets in your heart. Maybe then you’ll find peace—no pain, no bitterness. You shouldn’t trap yourself in sorrow. Please don't be hard on yourself."  
"Devi..." She smiled at me, wiping away the tears streaming down my face.  
"Forgive yourself," she urged. "If you keep blaming yourself and locking yourself in the past, you’ll never move on. I made a big mistake once, and you helped me. Now, I’m asking you to try the same. Look in the mirror and tell yourself you’ve forgiven yourself and will move on. I know it’s fresh and hard to forget, but please, do it for him."  
"Can I? After that incident, I started hating myself. I think I’ll never be able to forgive myself," I admitted, my voice trembling.  
"Yes, you can, Queen."  
I nodded slowly, wiping my tears as I turned my gaze back to the sea.  
It's been a week since I left Ravendale. Mom and Dad knew I was here in Hartville, but they hadn’t said anything on me skipping classes. My brothers didn’t even know I’d left Ravendale that day and since it's been a week maybe they already have an idea that I am here at Hartville. I don't know what happened after the pageant. At the time, my mind was a mess, and the only place I thought to go was here—the place where it all began.  
I go back to places that we used to go. It was bittersweet and somewhat calms me. But after seeing Ace’s message, telling me to take care, I decided it was time to return to Ravendale.  
When I arrived back at the house, my uncle and brothers didn’t say a word about my absence. At university, people still stared at me, but no one mentioned the pageant anymore.
It's been a month since we arrive here at Ravendale and I continue to observe everyone and luckily these days the students seems to be calm. I felt that the next month would be good. I hope so.
Vermont Casanova, however, was another story. Whenever he saw me, he’d flash a smile, though his friends remained as rude as ever.  
"Hey," he greeted one day, sitting beside me.  
"Hi. No class?" He nodded. 
"Almost all of my professors are absent. What about you?"  
"I have a class later," I replied.  
We fell silent after that. I glanced at him, trying to understand his intentions. Since the pageant, I had started doubting everyone. What if he was the one behind it all?
Could I trust him? Is he sincere? 
"You know, my mind is a mess," Vermont said suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts. I straighten my back and asked him.
"What are you saying?" I asked and gulped.
"I’m not sure either," he admitted, kicking at the rocks. "Everything seems... fast."  
"You’re right," I agreed softly.
We went silent after that. When I felt that he was not going to say anything I just went back to reading my books. And while I was writing some notes I felt Vermont was staring at me.
Dude what's wrong? 
I looked at him and I could clearly see how his face redden. "You alright?" I placed a hand on his forehead and then his neck. His skin was normal—no fever—but his face was practically is beat red.
"W-What!?" he stammered, pulling back as he avoided my hands and continue to move and my eyes widened when he suddenly fell to the ground. "Ouch."
"Oh my gosh, are you okay?" I immediately approached him and helped him to stand.
"I'm fine." he grumbled and he retreated again. Why? His reaction made no sense.
"Hahaha you look ridiculous..." he looked at me with disbelief and I laughed more at the sight of him.
"Stop it," he said annoyed as he brushed the dust off his pants and sat down again.
"Why are you so distracted, huh?" I smiled gently and he just stared at me. "What?"
 "Are you busy later?" I blinked at the sudden question, then shook my head. 
"Nope, why?"
"Finals is already approaching."
"Ahh yes, right. My schedule’s still pretty light, though."
"Mine is pretty busy." he said, sighing.
"Oh?”
"Mm," Then, almost hesitantly, he added, "There's a new open resto in Maplewood... Do you come with me tonight?"
"Are you inviting me on a date?" I asked raising a brow as we stared in each other's eyes. His eyes widened and his face turned red again.
"No! Just a casual Dinner, not a date." I laughed softly his face was redder than ever. I nodded.
"Ok then. I don't have anything to do tonight."
"You said yes, okay, there's no taking back." he said quickly, grabbing his bag. "See you later, bye." and he left immediately. I casually smiled while I continue to read my book. When a thought crossed my mind.
'He was kinda cute.'
Wait, why did I think of that?
After my class, I went straight to the library to read some lessons. I had just gotten comfortable in my usual spot and was focused on reading, when suddenly Vermont sit down in front of me. I glanced up, surprised, and smiled at him and he smiled back and then we went back to reading. When I was already finished, I just found myself watching Vermont, he was really focused on what he was reading so maybe he didn't know that I was staring at him.
I watch his brows slightly furrowed in concentration. And I enjoy every bit of reaction in his face. I do admit it Vermont was really handsome. He has this aura in him that will naturally made you stare at him.
I was not surprised when our eyes suddenly met, he playfully grinned at me. I continue to watch him, He has a bit tanned skin, tall and lean frame, and the way his hair fell just slightly out of place made him look effortlessly charming. Tan suits him better. I don't know him very well, but he is kind, and I hope what he is showing to me now is true...
"What?" he asked and I shook my head and averted my eyes at him.
“It's nothing,” I mumbled.
"Diamond, I have a question."
"Hm?" he sat up straightly and closed the book he was holding.
"What is your full name?" I laughed not expecting that and he raised an eyebrow.
"Are you going to say that I am her that I was just lying and get angry again?"
"Tsk no. I heard it in the pageant, still I want to hear it from you. We barely know each other."
"Yeah right. Ok, I'll introduce myself again, this was already late though. My full name is Queen Diamond Imperial, 20 years old. Hmm, what else... I can't think of anything. There's nothing realky special about me."
"Imperial sounds familiar. What about Boyfriend or lover?" I laughed at his bluntness.
"None."
"Eh? What about King and Ace?"
"Hahaha." all of a sudden, my laughter got louder so the librarian called us. "I'm sorry. Haha what a good joke, why don't you tell that to them to see their reactions." I whispered and continue to laugh.
"I'm not joking." He said seriously and I nodded and continue laughing.
"Thanks for the good laugh. Anyways, King and Ace are my brothers okay. Queen Diamond, King Spade, Ace Imperial, actually there are four of us his name is Jack but mom had a miscarriage."
“Your parents named you after playing cards?” he asked, dumbfounded. I nodded, grinning.
"The reason about our names is because when Dad was young, he loved to gamble but he stopped when he met mom. So, when my mom got pregnant, He named us that. Funny, isn't it? Queen, King, Ace, and Jack."
"Nice, I thought they're flirting with you since they're always at your back. Bringing your books and bag like that."
"You seriously thought that? Haha." and he nodded and arrogantly averted his eyes. “Really that was terrifying. That made goosebumps all over my body.”
“That is everyone thought.”
"If he is not my brother and he flirts with me, I will surely reject him. King is a total player. I don't like boys like that and I'm sure we won't click."
"What about Ace?"
"Ace is still in the process of moving on." he nodded and looked back at me.
"You're not kidding, right?" I laugh and shake my head.
"Aren't we look like each other?" he shrugged.
"So, who's the oldest?"
"I am, next is King then Ace." His eyes widened and pointed at me. I nod.
"Eh? then why are you and Spade are in the same year?"
"Haha because I stopped, for two years. Personal reasons."
"Ahh. Damn you got into college at such a young age?" I nod. "You're something, really impressive."
"I was somewhat proud of that back then, but not now. I'll be the one to ask you then."
"Sure."
"Your full name."
"Lhance Vermont Casanova and I'm 20."
“Casanova, huh? Fitting.” I teased, making him roll his eyes. "So why did you mistake me for the woman you know? That Astrid girl."
"You look alike, you have the same face." Then he showed a picture of him with a girl beside him that really look a lot like me. She can pass as my twin sister.
"This is crazy." I continue to swipe his phone and see photos of her with his friends. This really feels weird.
"Yeah, that's why a lot of students here were surprised to see you." and I nodded, maybe that's why they're mad at me.
"That's all I'm going to ask maybe others are too personal." I arranged my books and looked outside the window. "But can you do me a favor? if you could make it clear to everyone that I'm not her. Maybe we have the same face but we are not the same person."
"Sure, anything else?"
"And don't stare at me badly. I don't like when people stare at me," and he nodded.
"I'm really sorry, I know what I said hurt you. Even if I take it back you will still remember it. Forgive me."
I stared at him and smiled.
"It's fine, let's forget it now."
"Thank you."
And as he said, there is a new Resto in the Maplewood. Many people came and fortunately we got a table right away. The food there is delicious with a cheap price. I will be back here.
"Lots of stars!" I said softly, tilting my head back to admire them. It's really nice here — I won't get tired of looking at the sky.
"Astrid and I used to stargaze all the time. Picnics, strolling around and road trips, that are just a few of the things we often do. And of course we love to travel with the gang, that is why they were hurt when they saw you. I will say sorry on behalf of them." I nod and stare at the sky. “But that doesn’t mean that I see her in you.” I glance at him and tried to read him. He sound sincere.
"You know I love stars. They're like diamonds and I love diamonds!" he laughed and looked back at the sky.
"Yeah, I see it." He chuckled. "Do you often do star gazing?" I shook my head and hugged myself. Ah, it's cold.
"Sometimes." When I feel sad.
"Diamond." I look at him.
"Hmm."
"I'll take you home it's already cold."
"Sure." The two of us were just quiet inside of the car, I told him the way to my uncle's house and in the distance, I could see King and Ace. When the car stop Vermont immediately got off and opened the door.
"It's already late." I look at him and showed my phone at him.
"Hmm. I know." I said and showed him the time in my phone. Ace laughed. "Come inside first Vermont," I said and he shake his head.
"It's fine, I will get going now."
"Okay take care. Queen inside now." after he said okay to Vermont, he look at me and signaled for me to enter inside.
"What the hell, Haha." Ace laughed again and followed King.
"Okay, goodbye."
"Good night."
"Good night, thanks for the dinner."
"Next time?"
"Okay. It’s on me the next time." He softly smile at me.
"Alright. Bye, Diamond."
"Goodbye Vermont, take care on your way home." He nod and wave his hand, I waved my hand at him and watch him when his car had already left, I was about to get inside when I saw King in front of the door.
"What was that? Are you two dating?"
"Nope." I do some stretching and yawn.
"Is he courting you?"
"Tss King were just friends." I rolled my eyes and Ace laugh once again.
"You sure?"
"Of course. Good night my dear brothers, sleep tight. And don’t ever think that we are a thing."
His unexpected warmth starting to chip away at my walls. I felt lighter than before. But that doesn't mean that I still don't suspect his intensions. I won't let my guard down.
—IAmRoseee