The sun shone brightly in the clear sky the next morning. It was a nice day for exploring the campus, drinking iced coffee, or going on a date, but none of those things were on Willow's to-do list. Felicity addressed her team members who were gathered in a circle inside the booth that represented her club. "Increase our visibility, get emails or phone numbers for direct marketing, but remember to get as many new students to sign up as possible." After acknowledging her with a nod, everyone scattered to take their assigned positions. The clubs were organizing events today to obtain new members. Maxon's club occupied the booth next to Felicity's, and eight other clubs in the row were positioned next to or across from one another. Willow approached several students, informed them of the club, and persuaded a few to join. It was an hour of fake smiles and the test of her people-pleasing abilities. She didn't pause until Felicity approached her.

Willow, Felicity, and Luke drove in Luke's car to the outskirts of the city, where Maxon's party was. The two-story house was packed with people and blazing with loud music when they entered. "I'm gonna get us a drink," Felicity said before disappearing. She returned with 3 cups and Willow drank the beverage without any hesitation. "I'm going to talk to some people," Felicity said before disappearing again. "I'll come with you." Luke followed her. Willow looked around at people dancing, drinking, and having a good time; all this while she felt like crumbling. She entered a space where people were playing beer pong and pool and noticed Wes holding a drink while perched on the couch. Around him sat Maxon and his group. A girl that Willow vaguely knew from college sat next to Wes, eyeing him. "Willow, I didn't know you were invited," Melissa, a member of Maxon's club, said. "But now that you're here," she said, grabbing her arm and draggi

Willow woke up on a chair in a cabin situated deep into the woods. To her surprise, her hands and legs weren't tied to the chair. A yellow light bulb hung from the ceiling, illuminating the space. Slade stood near the counter, his back to her. It seemed like he was stirring something on the stove. Willow slowly got up from the chair, not making a sound. The door was just seven feet away. She vigilantly side-stepped towards the exit. "You could try, but you wouldn't get too far." He turned around. "Drink?" He held a cup of steaming tea out for her. "What do you want?" "To talk." Slade moved over to the couch and took a seat. He indicated for her to take a seat as well and she unwillingly did, knowing fully well that she had no other option. "So talk," she said. "And don't beat around the bush." Slade smirked. "Very well then. I want you to give your half of the map to me." He handed her the cup of tea. Sh

Wes parked the car in front of the house. She waited for him while he picked up the map from his room. So many things were going on in her head as she anxiously bit her lip although what she could not stop thinking about was who that old woman was. Her best guess was that she was someone from her father's adoptive family. If not that, then Willow had no idea of her identity. Wes came back in a minute and they drove to the university. Hand in hand, Wes and Willow sneaked past the guard who was sleeping soundly on his chair and dreaming about a lavish home and a hot wife. They entered the library through a window that Wes unhinged. It was quiet, too quiet, and dark. Willow turned on the flashlight on her phone and they made their way to the underground level, where hundreds of books sat on the shelves. "Hold this." She handed the phone to him and walked to the center of the floor, in between the rows and columns of shelves. He wa

On her way back to the house, Willow sat on the bus looking out of the window. Her mind wandered back to the argument that had started out as a scripted scene but later had escalated. At some point, it had become real.Not even Maxon, who she had known for more than half her life, could compare to how she felt about Wes. Maxon was her first crush and her first experience with childish love. No matter how juvenile it was, it still hurt when he didn't reciprocate. She then dated two more boys, but none of them were able to maintain a committed relationship with her.Wes, however, seemed like he was someone worth fighting for. He had changed her for the better. With him, she felt more optimistic, and in his company, the endless possibilities seem real. She cursed their timing and circumstances. If only he hadn't been a prince of some kingdom and just a regular person. On second thought, she might have never met him if he was just another regular human. No, she had no regr