QUEEN 
“Queen!” 
I turned toward the familiar voices, and there I saw my brothers leaning casually against a black car outside the station. They looked relaxed yet sharp, and as usual they have these grin on their faces and some kind of presence that always made them stand out in a crowd. Their smiles widened when they saw me. 
I rushed over and smile to both of them. 
"Hi!" I greeted, hugging them both tightly. 
"It's good that you're back," King said as he pulled away. "I thought you were going to stay there for a whole week." 
I shook my head. "Nope, five days was more than enough. I missed you two too much." 
Ace grinned, patting my head. “We missed you too. The house was so quiet without you. Kind of boring, actually.” 
I squinted my eyes and look at them suspiciously. Their unusually angelic smiles made me pause. “Your smiles look suspicious. Did you two behave while I was gone?” 
There is something different from them. 
King scoffed, dramatically placing a hand on his chest. “Of course we did.” 
Ace nodded solemnly. “Not a single thing to tarnish the family reputation, I promise.” 
“Uh-huh,” I said, narrowing my eyes at them. “If you say so.” 
They chuckled as we loaded my things into the car. 
“You sure you want to head straight to the university?” Ace asked while King started the car. 
“Yep. I just want to take a look around.” 
"Just so you know," King said, "everyone’s busy preparing for the three-day celebration of CU next week." 
“Really?” I asked, intrigued. 
As the car sped toward the university, I started telling stories from my trip, talking animatedly as if I’d been gone for months instead of a few days. My brothers listened attentively, telling jokes here and there. 
“And I tried cooking spaghetti,” I said, earning a raised eyebrows from both of them. 
“Was it edible?” Ace asked cautiously. 
I rolled my eyes. “Of course it was! I even tasted it myself, and it was good.” 
"I doubt that." 
"Yeah, yeah. I didn't try but I know it was edible." 
King smirked. “You sure?” 
"Fine, I’ll cook for you two next time! Let's find out if it was edible or not." 
"No thanks," they chorused. 
"No, I insist. Really, my cook was that good." 
"Gosh." 
"You two are thinking, ‘I do not want to die in food poison’ Right?" I raised an eyebrow and the car filled with laughter. 
The campus was buzzing with activity when we arrived. Students were busy decorating the gymnasium and setting up colorful stalls around the area. 
“Queen, we’ve got to go,” Ace said, grabbing his bag. “We’re helping our classmates with the preparations.” 
“Yeah, call us if you need anything,” King added. 
“Got it. See you later.” 
“If you get bored and want to go home just give me a call okay?” 
“Yeah.” 
As I wandered around, I spotted familiar faces from my department. I was about to turn around and avoid them, but one of them called out to me. 
"Hi Diamond! Glad you're back!" 
I raised an eyebrow. "Hi? What's going on?" 
“We signed you up to represent our department in the university’s pageant!” she said excitedly and I frowned. 
"You did what?" My voice came out louder than I intended. 
"Well you are the prettiest in our department." She clasp her hands and smike widely. 
"But why me? I was not here when they announce something so I don't know what is happening." 
“But we decided because you're the perfect choice!" 
“But I didn’t agree to this—” 
“Oh, come on! Everyone voted for you. If you back out, our department gets disqualified,” another one butt in. 
"Then why did you list my name? Did I even say yes?" I asked them irritated. “Why not ask if I want to join right?” 
"As we said you're the most beautiful in our department." 
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "You should’ve asked me first. This isn’t fair." 
"Please, Queen," one of them pleaded. "It’s just a casual and formal walk—no talent portion or Q&A. All you have to do is show up and look pretty." 
“Please, just say yes.” 
“Diamond, our department is in your hands. You just need to show up and represent us, that’s all your gonna do.” 
“Fine, as if I have a choice,” I sighed. “But I’m not happy about it.” 
"Thank you, Diamond!" 
"Ok, I already said yes so leave me alone now." 
"Then let's go so you can now practice with others." 
Then they pulled me to where the other contestants' are. The instructor told me where should I stop and pose then do the final walk. 
Why am I doing this again for? 
Since they don’t seem suspicious maybe I should just go with the flow. 
"Queen, how did you end up joining the pageant?" King asked me and give me a bottled water. 
"They gave my name, they said we will be disqualified if I back out." 
"Really? Hahaha, can't wait to take a video of you ramping again." 
"It's been three years, no? I think I am not good as before." 
"You sure?" 
I shrugged and after our break we continue to practice. We only have three days so and if we don't have practice, we are helping others to decorate the gymnasium. It was Saturday morning and we are here in the resort of uncle helping him again. After our work we ate outside and take a stroll and Monday will be the 88th-anniversary of the university. 
It was just days and I am now getting nervous. I was busy staring at my cake and drowned myself in to deep thoughts for the upcoming pageant when someone coughed and in my back. 
"Hi." I look at him and was shocked by his handsome face, It's rare to see handsome men here in the resort. His skin was a little bit tanned and he has this cute smile. I raised my eyebrows and he go in front of me. 
"Yes? What do you want?" I ask and he tap the available seat in front of me. 
"Do you mind if I sit here?" he asked, gesturing to the seat across from me. I look around and there are no available seats. I thought he was hitting me, my bad. 
"No, you can sit there." 
"That's good, thank you." When he already sat down, I smiled at him and stand up his eyes widened and he also stand up. "Haha, Ahh your already going?" 
"Yup, eat well." 
"Wait what's your name, I saw you in CU your one of the contestants am I right?" 
"Yes...?" 
"So, what's your name? I'm Bench. I also study at CU." He offers his hand and I shake it. 
"Diamond." 
"Wow. What a beautiful name you've got. It suits you." he also laughed and still not letting go of my hand so I snatch it from it and he was shock. "Sorry." 
"That's ok." 
"Nice to meet you Diamond, mind if we could have some small talk, you still haven't done eating your cake." 
"Thank you but I really need to go, sorry." 
"Oh no, Haha I am the one who needs to say sorry for disturbing you." 
"Queen." I look at King who suddenly appeared and his eyes immediately landed on this Bench dude. 
"Hmm?" 
"You done eating?" I nod and get my bag. 
"Yup." 
"Ok let's go, dude, we need to go." 
"Yeah." He smiled at me I nodded my head. "Nice meeting you. Goodluck at the pageant." 
"Mm, nice to meet you too. Bye." 
"Bye." He smiled at me and when we turned our back King asked me something. 
"Is he trying to flirt with you?" 
"I don't think so King, he seems nice. He was just being friendly." 
"Hmm, is that so? Just be careful, tell me when there is a Jerk who is trying to flirt with you, I'll give him what he wants. I'll flirt with using my hands." 
"You are overreacting, we just had a small talk. That's it so calm down, Haha. And I don't want you to fight someone, you can rest assure because no one dares to approach me with such intentions." 
"Okay. I almost forgot it I did buy a guitar a while ago." 
"Hmm. That's nice." 
"I will bring it on Monday." 
"Why did you suddenly buy?" I asked and he blink a couple of times. 
"Nothing why is it bad?" 
"No, I just curious you know," I smirk and I saw how irritated he was. "Are you courting someone?" 
"Stop smirking I'm not courting anyone!" 
"If you say so, Brother." I wave at him and once I enter my room I took a nap. I woke up when someone knocked and when I opened it, I saw Uncle Jordan. 
"Dinner is ready." 
"Ok uncle, I'll go down in a minute." I yawn and stretch my arms. 
"By the way do you know where is King and Ace?" 
"Huh? I thought they were having fun in the water." 
"Okay, I will just find them." 
"Yes." 
"You can eat first if you are already hungry." 
"Okay Uncle." I closed the door and lie down on my bed again. I look at the ceiling and sighed. After a minute I wash my body and go down. It’s been 20 minutes and they are still not there just where did those two go?
"Where are they?" I asked Uncle and he shrugged.
"Can you call them?" I nod and call King first, I dialed it two times and he didn't pick up, then next is Ace's number and after how many rings he finally answered it. Finally. 
"Ace, where are you?" 
(Ha, why?) 
"Dinner is already served, Uncle was also finding you two. Just where did you two go?" 
(Ahh yeah, we are going back right now.) 
"You didn’t ask my question. This will be the last, where are you two?" 
(I'll end the call now, bye Queen.) 
I stared at my phone for a second. Hah he ignore my question just what are those two doing? 
"They will be here." I simply said.
"Did he say where did they go?" 
"I dunno, he didn't answer my question Ace just told me that they will go back now." 
"It looks like they were busy on something." 
"And my guess is that it was a girl." He chuckled and I shake my head.
"Do you already have a dress for the pageant?" Uncle asked and I gently nod.
"Yup." 
"That's good. The last time I went shopping I saw a dress and I think it will be good on you, I'm willing to buy it if you want." 
"I still have clothes that I still haven't worn, just save your money, Uncle. Still, Thank you." He shake his head and smiled. "What?" 
"He really did change you, Queen. He changes you for good." I smile, I suddenly feel pain in my chest. 
"Yeah, but he was not here. I was thinking what is the point of everything." He pat my shoulders. 
"You are strong, don't bring that guilt forever. That was not your fault." 
"I... Yeah." I sigh. I hate myself. 
Disgusting. I'm so digusted by myself.
"Good evening!" I look at my brothers weirdly and raised my eyebrows. 
"And you two go to?" 
"We go island hopping, Ace told me about it." 
"Really just the two of you?" 
"Yes." 
"A girl?" I look at them, there is really something that they're hiding from me. 
"We just stroll around and there is no girl it’s just the two of us." 
"Ok, sit down so we can eat now." 
They told stories of where did the two of them go. I still not believe them that there are no girls. After eating dinner, we go to our room and suddenly remember the things that I and uncle talk about.
He changed me for good. 
And since, thought keep on flooding my mind. I go out and went to the bar on the roof top. There is a swimming pool and a minibar, when I got there, I saw three girls and two boys who were happily swimming. I go to the minibar first and order drinks, he gave me the Margarita first and I said my thanks. I lean on the counter and look at the sky. Beautiful. I finished my drink in a minute and then I order mojito next. Hell yeah, let's kill ourselves! 
It was kinda peaceful. 
"Hey." I look at him surprised, what is he doing here? 
"Sheez, you scared me." 
"Haha sorry." I drink the mojito I’m holding and stand up. "Are you leaving?" 
"Ahem, I will just dip in the water." He laughed and I raised my eyebrows at him. He shut his mouth and said sorry. "So why did you laugh? Excuse me, but I know how to swim and I am still not drunk." 
"It's just you're going to swim just like that?" I look at my clothes right now, I'm now wearing a loose T-shirt and shorts. So, this is not allowed? 
"Do you have any problem?" He shakes his head and I nod. "Okay then, I thought you have a problem since i'm comfortable in these." 
“Mm, yeah.” I just look at him and go swim and when I’m already wet I lean on the corner of the pool and sighed. Damn, everything is now spinning. Looks like the liquors started to kick in now. 
Then I was again surprised when he suddenly sat beside me, I look at him and shake my head. 
What does he want from me? 
"They're beautiful right?" I look at him as he stares at the night sky. He smiled bitterly and... "So far to reach." 
"Hmm." 
"You know what Diamond… I feel comfortable being with you." I look at his face, and I frown while looking at the water. “I hope you are not being uncomfortable to me. I swear I’m not a bad guy.” 
'But we don't feel the same, you idiot.' 
"I see her in you." He said something that I didn’t hear clearly and when I’m about to ask him about that he stand up. "I hope we can be friends." I look at him and stands. 
"Sure." He smiled and I just stared at him and my eyes widened, shit did I see it right? He turned his back to me and said his bye and I just nod while looking at his back. 
I think he almost cried, why though? 
I was thinking if I saw it right or it was just a trick of light or I just saw it wrong because I am already drunk. I asked for water after that and then I look at my phone and was shock seeing there is a message from Vermont. I opened it and it was sent when I was drinking.
Vermont 
Do you have a practice tomorrow? 
11:11 
Me 
Nothing, why? 
12:59 
Vermont 
Oh, okay. It was nothing. 
Why still up? 
01:02 
Me 
Well having a hard time sleeping, what about you? 
01:03 
Vermont 
Same. I wonder why I am not sleepy at all. Anyways, can I call? 
01:04 
I stared at my phone and in just a minute it started to ring. I coughed before answering it. 
(Hi Diamond.) 
Damn! Okay I'm really drunk right now cause I’m hearing things. I should sleep after this call. 
"Oh hello, Haha." 
(Can't sleep? I hope I am not disturbing you.) 
"No, I was outside dipping in the water..." I heard a door creaking in the background and I think it was him who was slumped back in his bed? 
(Are you ready for your upcoming pageant?) 
"Yeah, and I'm kinda nervous." 
(First time?) 
"Nope. I’ve done this thing before." 
(Then there is nothing to be scared of.) 
"Vermont are you drunk?" 
(No, we just had a light drink. I will not get drunk by those.) 
"Okay, then get some rest." 
(Yeah, I will end this now. You too should rest, goodnight.) 
"Hmm, goodnight." 
(Bye Diamond.) 
"Bye sweet dreams." 
(You too.) I closed my phone after the call and get some towel. I go back to my room and drink a glass of milk after that I wash my body and blow dry my hair. As I was drying my hair I mindlessly look outside the window and sighed. When I open the windows, the cold wind touches my face, I close my eyes and feel it. 
It felt so good. Still looking at the sky, I bitterly smiled. 
“I miss you, very much. But damn missing you feels illegal.” I still can’t forgive myself. "I really do miss you and I'm sorry for everything." I gulped hard and touch my necklace.
When I already feel cold I decided to sleep when my phone suddenly opened the light from it was blinding me and my eyes widened when I saw that the damn call is still on going. I immediately press the end button and sighed. I thought he already ended it!
Did he hear everything?
—IAmRoseee