Chapter 17: Perfect Things Don't Last

-POV- Ashlynn

I woke up surrounded by a sea of my orange curls sprawled across my pillow. Light streamed in through the parted light pink curtains illuminating the room. A soft snoring came from Briar's side of the room and I turned over the face the door. The note, which was addressed to me, rested on my night stand still. I hadn't opened it because I dreaded what it's contents could be.

It was Friday morning, the masquerade would be tonight. The beautiful dress I had gotten from Maddie was hung up, ready to be worn, a detailed golden mask laid beside it.

I rose out of bed and got dressed and ready for the day.

School was slow, all day people were excited about the masquerade. I mean, it was just a high school dance. A normal high school dance, but it was a big deal with everything going on. The sons and daughters of people who hated each other would all be forced into the same room for a night. What could go wrong?

Briar and I sat together bored in princessology, our last class of the day. We were supposed to be reading a passage in our textbook titled 'How to Behave Like Royalty' and fill out questions as we went. Apple was already getting started on the questionnaire, writing quickly but delicately.

As the teacher left the room for a moment, Briar shut her book. "This is so stupid," she complained. "Of course I already know to sit with my back straight and never chew with my mouth open, why do I need to read about it?" I giggled and shrugged. "She's already made us walk down the hallway balancing books on our head in heels, she has nothing left to teach," I commented. Briar nodded, "I want to go back to her teaching us how to plan the perfect tea party so we can taste tea cakes again." All the girls in the class laughed and agreed, that has definitely been one of the better lessons.

Apple then cleared her voice and interrupted the conversation, "you guys, we will all have to be queens of some sort after our destinies, we need to be prepared whether it seems silly or not." Darling, who was resting her feet on her desk in the back of the classroom, raised her voice. "Well, maybe destiny is a thing of the past now." Apple let out a little gasp and her eyes widened. "Don't say such a thing Darling! We are not just going to abandon our destinies because a few nobodies say so!"

"You'd be surprised," Duchess scoffed in the back, crossing her arms. Everyone turned to her. Duchess smirked, "you know the rebels are starting to get to some royals, don't turn a blind eye, dear Apple." Apple brows furrowed and her face tightened, "that's simply not true Duchess."

"Oh really? I think I could name a few." Duchess's gaze fell on me. My heart dropped. Did she know? She couldn't know.

Apple continued grimacing at her. "You don't know what you're talking about," she finally stated. She looked furious but conflicted at the same time.

"I think Ashlynn knows." Duchess made direct eye contact with me, an expression of satisfaction plastered on her face.

I felt my mouth drop open. My stomach felt like it just dropped out of my gut. I felt so angry, so betrayed I just wanted to scream, but I composed myself. I knew if I got too angry and defensive it would seem suspicious. I took a deep breath and let a calmness return to my features. "What are you talking about, Duchess?" I finally said.

Duchess sneered and rolled her eyes, "you and Huntsman, obviously."

Another wave of disdain washed over me, I thought I was going to rise out of my seat and choke Duchess, if Apple hadn't interjected.

"Oh, please Duchess. Those were just some nasty rumors spread by nasty people. Ashlynn would never do such a thing."

All around the room girls were in shock. Lizzie, who had previously been fidgeting with some cards, was frozen in her seat. Holly's, like many of the other girls, eyes were wide and flickered between looking at Duchess, Apple, and me. Briar had been fixing her makeup but now she was still. She stared at me, looking stunned.

I thought I had gotten it together, but before I could process everything my legs carried me out of my seat and stormed towards Duchess. "Yes, they are just rumors. How dare you accuse me of something so horrible. I wouldn't lower my standards to that level. Check your facts." I snapped. The words I had said flowed out of my mouth, but tasted like poison. I had to defend myself, but I felt torn in half having to say those things while all I could do was imagine Hunter's gentle face. It would have broken his heart if he knew what I had said, and it broke mine knowing that.

Duchess looked taken aback, as if no one had ever challenged her before.

The door to the room opened and the White Queen stomped into the room. "Girls! What is going on in here? I can hear yelling down the halls and that is very unprincess like!" She huffed. Everyone went still and not a word was uttered. I could see through the open door that outside the room a small gathering of curious students had formed.

Right at that moment, the bell rang putting an end to the school day. I grabbed my book bag and rushed out of the room, tearing through the crowd of students. I hurried to my dorm room. I made it to the empty corridor but saw Hunter leaning against the wall outside my dorm's door. His face solemn, his arms crossed. I inched over to him, "Hunter…?"

Hunter looked up at me. His kind face was taken over with anguish. He pushed himself off the wall and met me in the middle of the hall. I reached out my hand to his face but he turned away slightly. "I had made you this a while ago," he whispered with an uneven tone. He dropped a little charm into my open hand. It was a small heart carved out of wood. I smiled a little. Hunter bit his lip and put his hands into his pockets. "It was for your charm bracelet." I met his eyes with my own, but he wasn't looking at me.

"But I hadn't realized I was so below your standards."

The words he said burned and I felt the world quit turning. Tears pricked the corner of my eyes. "Hunter…" I breathed. He only shook his head, he looked like he was fighting off tears too. "Don't," he spoke.

With that, he pushed past me and disappeared into another corridor. I was left standing in the hallway feeling like the world was crumbling around me. I knew I should have gone after him, I should have hunted him down and told him that I hadn't meant even a syllable of those words. I should have told him that I loved him and that he was well above any standard that had ever been set. But I didn't. I was frozen in my own little pit of despair, tears welled in my eyes and my throat burned like I had swallowed acid. What had I done?

...

I know I said this chapter would be the start of the masquerade but that will actually be the next chapter sorry! Had to add some drama before. ;)