QUEEN 
Days passed quickly, and it was already October 31. stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my costume. We are attending a Halloween party, well I was invited because of Vermont. 
I sighed, turning to check my reflection from different angles.
"This is nice." I said to myself, but then frowned as I caught sight of my arms. "Ahh, I'm getting fat! I need to exercise and be on a strict diet, tsk."I chose to dress as a vampire because it was simple and classic. Vermont, on the other hand, hadn’t told me what his costume was going to be, which made me curious.
And in just two months, another year will be about to end. 
"So, where is your costume let me see," I said and look at the backseat. 
"You'll seat nothing there." he teased, chuckling as I turned around, trying to spot it in the backseat.
"Let me guess." I said, tapping my chin in mock concentration.
"Hm?" 
"Angel?" 
"Do I look good in your eyes?" he asked, a sly smile playing on his lips. I rolled my eyes. 
"Why it is just a costume." He laughed and I shrug my shoulders. "Ahm, a clown?" we both laugh and he shakes his head, still grinning.
"Not a clown?" I clap my hand and I dramatically laughed at what I just think off. "Oh, I think I've already got it. Frankenstein?!" 
"Nope." I tried to guess and again but he still said no, just what is it?
"What is it, then?" I pressed, giving up.
"You’ll find out tomorrow." He smirked, and I groaned in mock frustration. "Gonna pick you tomorrow." 
"Okay, okay, goodbye. Take care on your way." 
"Hm." I wave my hand and watch his car leave. When I get inside I saw Estancia sitting on the couch but my brother is not there. 
"Hi." I greet her and she gave me a sweet smile. 
"Hello, sister." I nod at her. 
"Where's King?" 
"In his room." She hesitantly replied. Estancia look down and I then raised my eyebrow and sighed, already sensing what had happened. I think they did fight again. 
"And he just left you here?" She clasps her hands nervously and looks at me. 
"Ah- we had a small fight." 
"That kid. Tsk."  I muttered. Handing her the key to King’s room, I said, "Here's the key to his room, you better talk to him. I don't want to deal with stress tomorrow." 
"Is it okay?" she asked, looking relieved. I nod and she said thanks and immediately get upstairs, I just had a light dinner and drink my milk. The house was quiet, except for the faint sound of the ceiling fan. I went upstairs and knocked on King’s door, but before he could answer, I called out.
"Don't make babies, I'll be on my room so please no doings deeds in the house!" I warned them and get to my room, I did my activities and it was already 1:00 a.m when I finally completed everything. I yawn and go down to get some water when I noticed a shadow in the kitchen.
"Who's that? Ace? King?" I asked. The figure didn’t respond and with that I step backward and shouted. Damn, that was not my brother. "KING! ACE!" I shouted, panic seeping into my voice.
My brothers immediately get down and opened the lights of the house. They asked what is it and I told them that there was a person in the kitchen. They immediately get the bat and go to the kitchen but the intruder was already gone. 
The door in the back of the house was broken and looks like there are no things that have been stolen. We report this to the police and shortly after that they arrive.
"It’s fortunate the intruder didn’t attack you. The missing knife suggests their intention might have been harmful." The officer explained.
"Drink this water." 
"Thanks." Ace rubbed my back and after 10 minutes Uncle finally arrive. 
"Thank God no one's hurt." Uncle checked us first and when he make sure that we are safe he then talks to the police for minutes. I think after 15 minutes the talk was done and he was now approaching us. "It's good that you didn't go to the kitchen and immediately called your brothers. Get your things well stay in the resort, I will also put some CCTV and gonna lock the back door forever. I'll put more secure on the door and windows." 
"Okay." 
"We'll also hire two guards to make sure this won't happen again." We nod and we immediately pack our things. It was five when we got into the resort, before sleeping I texted Vermont that we are not in the house and want to cancel our date for tomorrow. 
It was 10 something when I woke up and I look at my inbox. 
Vermont
I will visit you there. 
I immediately get up went I saw that it was send at 5:30. I rushed to the bathroom and fixed myself first before I go to the reception and there I saw Vermont helping Uncle Jordan. 
"Hey, Good morning." he greeted me and gently grabbed my waist, I smiled at him. 
"Good morning." I plant a kiss on his cheeks and pulled him. "Uncle, I’m taking Vermont with me." 
"Sure." Uncle said, nodding with approval. I smiled at Uncle and held Vermont's hand as we go to the resto. I ordered food and look at him. 
"I'm sorry I just woke up." I said and yawned. 
"It's fine, I know that you're still tired you can continue your rest after eating." He softly said as he held my hands. 
"Hm." 
"I'm glad that you are not hurt. And I was glad that it didn't happen when you're alone." I close my eyes when he caresses my face. I felt a sense of comfort in his touch. "Thank goodness you are safe. It’s scary to think what could’ve happened to you." 
"Yeah, it was scary..." he hugged me and gently patting my back. After a minute he let go of me and continue to caress my face. 
"Eat now." Vermont said as our food was served. I nodded at him, offering some of my food, but he shook his head.
"I already ate," he replied.
Still, I couldn’t resist feeding him. Holding up a spoonful, I gestured toward him. 
"Here, just a little." I smiled when he open his mouth. After taking I bite I ready another spoon.
"Ah." he said, opening his mouth. I couldn’t help but smile at the way he humored me. After sipping my juice, I glanced around the room, noticing the lively yet peaceful ambiance of the resort.
"Did you see my brothers?" I asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Yeah, a while ago King was on the beach with Estancia and Ace mentioned he'll visit Allisha." he answered casually. I nod and after we eat he asked me if we could walk around. 
As we strolled along the beach, Vermont suddenly asked, "Are you still going to the party?" 
"I don't know." I admitted, kicking the sand before plopping down to sit. The cool grains sifted beneath me as I stared out at the horizon. "Can we just party here, just the two of us or your friends can join too. I will ask my brothers too." I I paused, realizing how abrupt my suggestion sounded. "Sheez I suddenly made a decision, sorry, you can join the party, I'll just stay here." 
Vermont laughed softly, the sound easing my nerves. "Haha, why do you look so down?" 
"Well, I was thinking that you'll get mad at me."  I said, my gaze fixed on the ocean.
"Why would I?" His voice is soft that my knees trembled. I'm glad that I am sitting down. 
"For deciding that we should just party here. Maybe you want to go there if so I won't stop you." 
"Of course, I do want to go but I won't go if you're not there." His words made my chest tighten in a way that was both comforting and overwhelming. I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. 
"I suddenly feel I don't want in crowded places. The knife still hasn't been found. And I can't stop thinking negative thoughts. That's normal right?" 
"Of course." 
"I heard the police officer that the person's motive must be to hurt someone in the three of us because if the purpose is to get something valuable that person will immediately go to the rooms. But there are no missing items there besides that knife." I sighed and he pats my back. 
"Come on you need to rest, think about something so you won't stress yourself." 
"But really if you want to go to the party I won't stop you." 
"I will not enjoy the party." I laughed and hug him. "I want to be with you." 
"Thank you and sorry." I said and he look at me. 
I plan to keep you, Vermont. I'm sorry if I'm selfish and a greedy person. 
"For what are you thanking me and saying sorry?" 
I'll forget, Adler. I want to be with you. 
"In everything." 
"Then I must thank you too. You don't need to say sorry, Queen." I nod at him. We stayed on the beach for a while longer, the sound of the waves soothing my restless thoughts. When it got too chilly, Vermont escorted me back to my room and I had a nice rest. Vermont still hasn't gone home so we ate dinner together and after that, I told him that we should go dip in the water for a minute. We were enjoying the water when my brothers joined us. When I notice that Ace was holding a bottle of wine. 
"Hi, sister." I smiled at Allisha and greet her too. 
"Hi, Lish." 
"Vermont, here's your glass." Said Ace. Vermont accepted a glass from Ace, but I quickly intervened. 
"Wait you three will drink? Ver you can't drink and of course you two, you still need to drive Estancia and Allisha home!" I said in a stern voice and glared at them. 
"Just one glass, and it's just a wine." They do drink one glass and after that, we swim in the pool. We are the only once using it. King and Estancia was grilling some fish while Allisha at Ace are having a swim contest right now. Vermont was beside me and we are just silently sitting while I watch Ace and Allisha. 
We got back to class and still staying at the resort. The trip from school to resort was tiring. That is why we hired a driver that will drive us. Uncle doesn't want us to stay there not until he finished installing new security in the house. 
Uncle also said that we are going to stay in the resort until the last day of our class, coz in just a week our class will soon end. We already planned that on December 23 we are going home and will spend our Christmas and new year in Hartville. So me and Vermont already plan that we're going to Stoa again from 20 until 23. 
Uncle and my brothers let me because Jason and Shanon were also going with us. Art said he was not going so it was just four of us. I also ask Akie if she wanted to come but she said her parents will be going to Hartville so she can't come. 
"Gosh I like it here!" last night we spend the whole day in the lodge because it suddenly snow. And that night was definitely cold. "Ahh, I don't want to get out from this comforter." 
"Are you going to sleep with lights on or off?" 
"Off please," I said okay and turn off the lights, I look outside and the snow still continues to fall.
"Queen, how's Akie in Hartville?" 
"She looks fine. She's doing great there and Akie was enjoying her stay there." 
"That's good." We went silent after that, maybe she was already asleep. 
Vermont
Are you already asleep?
9:49 
Me
Nope 
Vermont
Sleep now, we are still early tomorrow. 
Me
Okay, goodnight. 
Vermont.
Goodnight, I love you. 
Me
I love you too. 
After I alarm my phone I go to my bed and was about to sleep when Shannon talked. I was surprised coz I thought she was already asleep. 
"You two look happy." She said. 
"Hm?" 
"You and Vermont, he was smiling again, thanks to you. And I-I'm sorry for everything, for accusing you and for shouting at you, please forgive me." 
"Yeah. It's fine now, let's forget that." 
"Thank you for making them smile, I mean Ver and Akie." She continued and I nod. She gave me a sweet smile. "Thank you for everything, Queen." 
"Ah yes..." then she turned her back and I close my eyes now. 
"Goodnight." 
"Goodnight." The next day while we are eating I don't know why it suddenly got awkward, Vermont suddenly leaned on me and whispered in my ears. 
"What happened to you and Shanon?" Vermont asked, his tone curious as his gaze shifted between me and Shanon.
"Nothing we just had a small talk." I replied, keeping my tone light. He frowned slightly, tilting his head. 
"Did she get mad at you?" he looked at Shanon once again who was busy talking to Jason, I shake my head. 
"Ugh, No. Not at all, she apologized and actually, she… thanked me. We are in good terms now." 
"Thanks for what?" he pressed, his eyebrows knitting together in curiosity.
"Well, it was a secret." I laughed softly, trying to brush it off. He raised his eyebrow and I shrug. 
"Later well eat chicken stew." I nod and Shanon approaches us and gives us some hot chocolate. 
"Thank you." I said, taking the cup gratefully. The warmth seeped into my hands as I took a sip, the rich sweetness of the chocolate spreading through me. Vermont nodded his thanks as well.
After we drink the hot chocolate we stroll around, we go to the places we didn't visit when we first got here in Stoa. I'm already wearing a coat, a hat, and a scarf but it's still cold. 
"Are you cold?" Vermont asked, noticing my small shiver.
"A little bit." Without hesitation, he reached for my hand, brought it to his mouth, and blew warm air over my fingers before pressing a gentle kiss to them. The simple gesture made my heart flutter, and I smiled despite the cold.
"Better?" he asked, slipping our hands inside his coat to shield them further.
"Much better," I replied softly. His warmth was enough to chase away the chill.
"Ver, let's go there and take a picture." I said, pointing to a spot by near the snowy trees.
"Okay." he agreed, already pulling out his phone. He was my photographer that day after that we go to a café, and next is the resto because we need to try their famous chicken stew. After that we have a relaxing time in the hot spring, Vermont told me to just stay inside for 30 minutes because I might collapse again. Then our trip ended again it was too fast and felt too short.
When we got back to the resort we started to pack our things because we need to travel to Hartville. It was am exhausting ride and we are all tired and hungry when we arrive at home.
"Please bring our things to our room,"  I said to the maids as we arrived home. They quickly got to work, leaving us in the entryway.
"Finally, we got to see you again brother!" I look at Mom and Dad who was on the staircase. 
"Mom, Dad." They look at us and they nod. 
"You all must be tired from the trip so let's go first to the dining room to eat and after that, you can now rest." 
"Okay." 
"My, my Jordan we still have a lot of things to talk about." 
"I have too much time in my hands." They laugh and we followed them to the dining room. 
"It good that they were not hurt." 
"Yes, I was really surprised because when mother was still alive that didn't happen." Then mom looks at me and I avert my gaze, he cough and I continue eating. 
"How are you, Queen?" 
"I'm fine." I answered, keeping my tone neutral.
"You must be shocked that time." she said, her eyes searching mine.
"Yeah, kind of." I was still uncomfortable with them so I just limit my answers into three to five words. 
"Haa." They continue talking and Mom didn't ask me again when the dinner ended uncle stayed with our parents to have some tea while we go back to our rooms.
As I reached my door, King coughed behind me. Turning, I found him standing there, his expression serious. Without warning, he pulled me into a hug.
"What is it?" I asked, my voice muffled against his shoulder.
"Why are you still uncomfortable with them?" he asked, pulling back slightly to look at me.
"Still my answer is the same as back then." I said softly, avoiding his gaze.
"Queen..." 
"Hmm?" 
"I love you, sleep tight." I tapped his back, a small smile tugging at my lips. 
"I love you too, Good night." Ace appeared next, wrapping me in a tight embrace.
"I love you, sis." he said, his voice full of warmth. I chuckled and kissed their cheeks. My cute brothers.
"I love you too, go to your rooms now and rest." I replied, shooing them away gently. They nodded and left, leaving me alone in the quiet hallway.
Finally, I entered my room, letting out a long sigh as I sank onto the bed. Despite the warmth of my brothers’ love, the suffocating weight of the day lingered.
It's suffocating.
—IAmRoseee