Chapter 47: The Start

🍪Ellie's P.O.V

It's officially the start of a new year, new beginnings, new obstacles, and new memories.

2019, I'm praying you'll be a blast.

The wind rustled gently as I walked on my way to school, the sun was bright and the sky was beautiful blue that reminded me of a certain someone.

Winter break has passed by and it was the officially back to school. My thoughts are a jumbled mess as I think of what possible things that may happen this year.

I still couldn't wrap my head around that I'm dating Alec King. Although the way we treated each other was the same but the exclusiveness of it brought a deeper meaning to me.

Entering the school doors, I was greeted by the familiar lavender scent. Heading straight to my locker and fumble with the lock.

I tried not to grimace, seeing as my locker wasn't exactly neat and started to organize it. Two days and it'll probably be a mess again but hey, I tried.

I jumped in surprise when I felt someone poke me on the side, my ticklish nerves jittering. I threw a playful glare at the blue-eyed demon who leaned next to me.

"Good morning skittle." I beamed, returning the poke and earned nothing but an amused smile from him.

He pushed a strand of ombre hair behind my ear."Good morning beautiful, did you enjoy your walk?" Alec asked, crossing his arms and faced his body to me.

Alec wanted to drive me to school today but I told him that I wanted to walk. He wanted to join me but I told him it was my thing with myself which earned a selfie in reply where he was pouting and big thumb ups with the caption saying 'I'll see you at school then love'

"Indeed, it was fun. Got to enjoy the scenery, ya know?" I cheekily said, turning to my books and started stacking them together.

He huffed."You would've enjoyed the scenery in my suzy either way cookie." Alec grumbled, earning a soft laugh from me.

"Stop frowning skittle, you'll get to drive me home later." I assured, making him perk up.

"Can we add an ice cream date to that?" He hopefully said, his blue orbs glimmering with happiness.

A cheesy smile graced my lips at that."You totally can skittle." I closed the locker door, glancing at my watch to see there was still ten minutes to spare.

"You look beautiful cookie." He complimented, nodding at my choice of outfit.

I let out a giggle, looking down at my comfy nike sweatpants, a black crop top, and dirty white sneakers. Let's not forget my chapstick clad lips and messy bun.

"Thank you love, you look handsome!" I smiled, glancing at his choice of attire."Your leather jackets gives me that hot yet attitude vibes."

A satisfied smile fell on my lips when a light pink settled on his cheeks. Alec's pearly white smile greeted me, making him even more handsome.

I let out a small gasp, dramatically fanning myself."Damn, look at that smile skittle! It makes you ten times more beautiful,"

Alec looped an arm around my waist, pulling me in for a hug."Stop it, you're making me blush." He grumbled, resting his chin on my head.

I couldn't help but laugh, hugging him back when suddenly a forced pushed us away from one another.

"Hey! Stop harrasing my smurf and let me greet her!" Todd suddenly popped out of nowhere.

Todd pulled me away from Alec and wrapped an his arms around me in a bear hug. Alec threw a glare at him making Todd gasp.

"Why are you looking at me like that? If it wasn't for me you didn't have that awesome kiss!" Todd whined, referring to the mistletoe kiss.

"Does your mouth ever shut up tadpole? It's too fucking early in the morning." Chase muttered, popping behind us with Jayden and Hayden.

"You seem happy." I commented, looking at the grinning faces of the twins and Ark.

I let Ark pull me in for a hug, she got back from her vacation two days ago and had a sleep over with Sage at my house.

Imagine the screaming fit they both had when she found out Alec and I were dating. Turns out they placed bets on us wether we'd be together before new year or after new year.

Ark won that bet and that was 100 dollars.

Lucky her.

"Who wouldn't? Your mom invited us eat dinner later which means we get to eat her awesome food!" Hayden cheered, fist bumping with his Jayden.

My brows knitted, the pack of skittles had an alarmed look on their faces."Since when did she invited you guys?" I asked, growing confused.

"Oh! We saw her at the hospital last week when Al-" Jayden who was talking to Ark started to answer before Hayden elbowed him.

"Hospital? Why were you in the hospital?" I wondered out, my gaze narrowing at them

Chase suddenly had a coughing fits and turned to Hayden.

"I think, I'm having an asthma attack. Can you fetch me to the clinic Hayden?" Chase asked, doing a fake wheeze.

I raised a brow at the two of them, Hayden letting out a nervous laugh before bidding goodbye and pulling Chase towards the opposite direction of the clinic.

Todd looked dumbfounded."Is it just me? Or Chase was lying about him having an asthma attack?" Todd asked, staring at us.

Jayden slapped a hand on his shoulder."It's just you Tadpole, wait, I think I forgot something on my car. Let's go and get it back." He nervously said, steering Ark and Todd in the direction of the clinic.

"Huh? Your car? We rode on the bu-" Todd didn't finish sentence because Jayden was already dragging him away.

I crossed my arms, turning to Alec with a glare. That earned a gulp from him before he sigh, scratching the back of his head.

"Mama got sick and was hospitalized," He explained, making me gasp.

"What? Is she okay? Why didn't you tell me?" I angrily said, growing worried for Mama King.

He placed a hand on my cheek, shaking his head."She's fine, just a typical flu. She didn't want you to worry so she didn't want me to tell you. The guys visited and met your mom who was on duty hence why they got invited." Alec explained, making me sigh.

"You should've told me," I huffed, making him press a kiss on my forehead.

"Don't be mad, I just listened to what she said." Alec defended making me nod my head.

"Fine but I'll be giving her a visit tomorrow." I said, making him smile and nod.

Alec's phone beeped, making glance at my watch the same time the bell rang indicating class was about to start.

Shit, I'm gonna be late.

"I'd like to fetch you to class cookie but something came up." Alec said, looking at his phone.

"It's okay skittle, I'll see you lunch?" I asked, closing my eyes briefly when he placed a kiss on my lips.

"Lunch beautiful, be safe." He said, before walking away hurriedly.

I couldn't help but frown, I hope everything was okay. Whatever came up seemed important from the way his muscles tense.

Starting to walk towards my class, I stopped when my phone started to ring. It was an unknown number and without even thinking swiped answer.

"Hello?" I greeted, continuing to walk.

A few seconds passed and no one answered. I looked at my phone to see the call was still ongoing and grew confused.

"Hello?" I repeated, a wave unease entered my system, my heart rate spiking up. The bell rang indicating I was late for class but I didn't dwell much on it.

"Missed me, sweetchicks?" Valentino's voice rang through the phone.

I felt myself come to a complete halt at his voice."What the fuck do you want? The audacity you have to call me, traitor." I angrily said, gripping the phone hard.

"What I want? Alec gone." He sneered, his tone deadly and filled with promise.

My blood ran cold, the way he said was like they weren't even friends to begin with. It was filled with hate and dark promise.

Was this really the Valentino Fedeli that I knew?

"How could you even betray him for something that he had no control over Val? It's not his fault that people look up to him, that girls fall for his feet or that your first loved fell for him. You seriously think that doing this will change anything?" I told him, my anger growing.

"Yes, him gone will change everything." He snapped, making me snort.

"It doesn't change anything Val. Doing this proves why you will never be number one. No one would look up to someone who'd turn their back on his friends." I stated, my heart hammering in my chest.

"It does! It changes everything!" Valentino growled out, the thread of his patience seeming to end.

"Even if you kill him, it wouldn't stop people from looking up to him. Can't you see Val? The road that you're walking on will only lead to your regret and pain. Please, stop this. This isn't you Val," I softly said, hoping to get through him.

Valentino let out a laugh that brought chills to my very core."You're little brother looks like you." He stated, ignoring what I said.

I felt my blood boil, rage entering my system."You son of a bitch! My little brother has nothing to do with this!" I hissed, my grip on my phone tightening.

"He has everything to do in making you comply to what I want." He chuckled, hearing something click.

Fear slammed in to me."What do you want Val? Tell me," I gritted out, trying not win against my panic.

"Hmm, I don't know. I think my gun needs a little testing." He said, chuckling darkly.

"Don't you dare Val, I'll do what you want. Just don't fucking hurt him," I pleaded, my voice cracking in the end.

I couldn't imagine losing my little brother. He doesn't deserve to get involve in this, he's way too young for this shit.

He hummed, my nerves going in a haywire."Fine, you'll do anything right?" He asked, the threat on his voice evident.

I nodded before realizing he can't see me."Yes, anything." I answered, my hands trembling.

"Ten P.M at the Ricadar Beach. Only you, tell anyone about this and I'll fucking slit you're brother's throat." He ended the call.

My phone clattered on the ground, falling to the floor in defeat. My shoulders shook while I cried silently, different scenarios running in my head.

I didn't know what to feel or what to do. I have to bring Alec to that beach, I can't lose my brother but I can't lose Alec either.

The fear that crawled into my heart was enough for me to gasp in pain. I poured all my tears and fears out, my heart knowing what had to be done.

We need to talk. Meet us at the back of the school.

I glanced at the text on my phone, replaying the message in Alec's voice. It was lunch time and I was a complete mess, I skipped all my classes and hid here.

The fear was present but so was the anger. I feared for my brother's life more than mine and the fury that entered my system at the though of Val hurting him was enough to reel my emotions in.

Alec texted me a few minutes ago and I had to take deep breath and fix my wild hair. I made sure that my eyes weren't that red and I looked presentable

I didn't want anyone knowing, I can't risk my brother's life. I was still shaking though, my hands trembling at the thought of Valentino pointing a gun at my little brother's head.

My tears were at bay but I held them back. I needed to be strong, not only for me but for everyone else and for my little brother.

The rooftop was usually brimmed with students during lunch but it seemed that it had something do by the pack of skittles being here from the way it was empty.

I ran up to them in haste when I saw Alec beating Chase up with the pack of skittles trying to pull them apart.

"What the hell is happening here? Alec? Calm down," I quickly pushed Alec away from Chase with all my might.

Alec let me pull him off and I tried not to let the hurt portray on my face when he shrugged off my hold on him.

Todd and Ark helped Chase up, his lip bleeding and a nasty bruise already forming on his jaw while Jayden and Hayden held Alec back.

Alec's lips were in a scowl and his jaw clenched, muscles tensing but my heart dropped at the sight of something in his hand.

Rody's phone.

Alec took a few steps in front of me, his eyes boring glares through me."I'll only ask you this one time Ellie."

I felt my heart drop at how cold and withdrawn his voice was, the familiar anxiety rushing in me at his words.

"Did you know that it was Valentino and Annie who were behind all of this? Did you know that they were the traitors?" He asked, making me step back in surprise.

"Alec I, I'm sorry." Just like that, the familiar set of guilty tears slid down and it was enough for Alec to understand what my answer was.

I flinched when Alec angrily threw Rody's phone on the ground, the object smashing into pieces.

"Why?" Alec gritted out, his fury evident."Why did you lie Ellie? Why did you hid it from me?" He accused, making my cry harder.

"You weren't suppose to find out about it this way Alec. " I replied, my voice hoarse from the crying since earlier.

The pack of skittles had grim expression on their face and it made everything in me crumble.

"Then how was I supposed to find out about it Ellie? If they managed to kidnap you again?" Alec angrily said."I have every right to know and you know that." A flash of pain going through in his blue orbs.

As my composure crumbled, it came with my knees weakening but I forced myself to stand. I choked on a sob as my heart thudded painfully making it impossible for me to breath.

"I'm sorry Alec, don't get mad at them. I was really gonna tell you but I just don't know how. I knew that telling you the truth would break you in half and I didn't want you to go through that." I cried out, taking a step towards him.

Alec shook his head, his hair in a complete mess."That's not your decision to make Ellie, it's fucking not. You knew the truth and you kept it from me, I trusted you and you lied, not only to me but to them." He snapped, my guilt doubling.

"You have to understand Alec, I was doing it to protect you just like you did to me!" I explain, a certain plead on my voice.

Alec shook his head."I think you did it protect yourself Ellie, one way or another you knew I would find out and wanted me to find out this way to save yourself from the one to break the whole truth."

I felt my heart drop and my guilt grow deeper. Tears streamed down my face, his words replaying in my head. Was it? Did I really do it for Alec or myself?

The weight in my heart grew heavy and I didn't know what to say or think. I knew it was wrong and now it was coming back to bite me on the ass.

Although it seemed that it was more than that.

"Y-you have to understand, please Alec." I pleaded, placing a hand on his arm.

I felt remorse flood in me when he flinched at my touch, his blue orbs were colder than ever and there wasn't any warmth that could appease to my growing fear of losing him.

Alec took a few steps away from me."I need to think, this is too much." He stated, turning around to walk away.

This time, I let myself fall on the ground. The weight of everything seemed heavier and I just didn't have the energy to stand firm anymore.

"Don't go, please." I cried out, my voice pleading and portraying my pain.

Alec stopped but didn't turned."You know Ellie, I could have gone through all that pain knowing you were there for me but now, I don't even know anymore." He replied, before completely walking away.

Each step away from me, made it harder for me to breathe and the distance between us grew wider.

Did I just lose the love of my life? Why did it hurt so much? I slapped my palm repeatedly on the ground, my tears dropping on the ground.

I felt arms wrapping around me, my eyes opening to see Chase saddened ones. Todd kneeled next to me and pushed my wet hair away from my face. Jayden was hugging a crying Ark, Hayden letting out a sigh.

"Alec doesn't understand Chase! He hates me, I-I don't know what to do." I sobbed, covering my face with my arm.

"Calm down Red, your going to pass out if you continue crying." Chase murmurs, tightening his hold on me.

"I can't Chase, it hurts so much." I whimpered, not returning his hug.

"I understand why you did it Haven, I knew it was what you thought was best." Hayden said, glancing at the door where Alec went through.

"Knowing Alec, it probably hurt him more that you felt like you had to hide the truth just to protect his feelings. You didn't only lied to him but you hurt his man pride." Jayden piped in, rubbing a hand on Ark's back.

"Don't worry boo, we'll go talk to him." Ark piped in determinedly, wiping her sad tears aways.

The twins nodded and it made me cry harder, somehow their words giving me hope."Don't worry Ellie, It'll be okay." Jayden assured, before walking away hurriedly to catch Alec.

The bell rang indicating it was time to start the next class and Todd looked worriedly at me and then to Chase.

"We have to go blue, someone's gonna check here in a few minutes." Todd said, wiping my tears away.

I sniffled, letting out a small nod. I didn't have the energy left in me, it was like crying sucked that out of me.

"Can you walk?" Chase asked, worry evident in his tone.

Todd rolled his eyes."Of course she can but at this situation, she can't because she's mentally in pain. Carry her, you dumbass." Todd pointed out, standing up.

Chase threw him a scowl before turning to me with soft eyes. I took a deep breath before nodding my head in agreement with Todd.

He placed an arm under my knees and back before swiftly standing up. I looped my arms across his neck and his my face on the crook of his neck.

I heard him breath sharply at the action but I was too sleepy to ask him about it. We quickly made our way out of school, Todd making sure to glare at anyone who looked in our way.

We made our way to the parking lot with Todd taking confident steps and glancing around. I let out an occasional sniffle before letting out a sigh.

"I'm not that heavy am I Chase?" I mumbled, grimacing at how hoarse my voice sounded.

Chase grips on me tighten."You're light as a feather red, don't worry about it." He assured, earning a small nod from me.

Todd suddenly stopped walking making Chase do the same."Why you'd stop walking?" Chase asked, his tone alert and quickly glanced around the area.

"I don't have my car today. The twins and I rode the bus remember?" Todd sheepishly said.

Chase heaved a heavy sigh."Here." He took something out of his pocket and threw it at him.

Todd caught it with ease before his eyes widen at the sight of his car keys."Oh my god! You're letting me drive your car? You're finally accepting me as your bestfriend! Oh god, This is big! Like a really big step to our friendsh-" Todd let out a yelp and dodged the kick that Chase tried to send his way.

"Shut up and let's go." Chase muttered before making his way to his car.

Todd was rambling his