[ E D I T E D ]

♕✿~♕✿~Chapter 18//: Friends? Friends.♕✿~♕✿~

Saturday morning, and I'm spending it by waiting behind the other Chosen girls in a sleeveless cream dress and cream heels.

Caroline had told Rose, Addaline and I about this photoshoot yesterday, but that didn't mean I was exactly enjoying it.

Apparently, they were going to take pictures of all the Chosen girls with Ahren, and put a poll out to the public. The people would vote for who looked best with Ahren. Even though I wouldn't admit it out loud, I was nervous as to what the people would think.

Rose and Addaline had already taken their pictures with the prince, and were lounging in the chairs situated around the room we were in. Currently, Ahren was taking pictures with Alexis, and I looked with envy at the way Alexis, being a model, tilted her head at different angles so that the light captured her perfectly. The perfect smile was on Alexis' lips: not too small and not too big. She was born to be a model, that's for sure.

Two more turns and I would be up there. This would be awkward, especially since I haven't talked to Ahren since Wednesday. I've been avoiding him as much as I could, and Ahren could see that I didn't want to talk, so he kept his distance for the last three days.

"Miss, you're next." A timid voice breaks me from my thoughts and I realize with a jolt that the girls in front of me are no longer there. I look over to Ahren to see him waiting for me expectantly. He's dressed in a lieutenant uniform, like in the family portrait I saw on my first day. With a gulp, I walk forward, almost tripping on my dress from nerves.

Why am I so nervous? I shouldn't care what the people think about how Ahren and I look together. But I do, and I hate it.

I reach Ahren, awkwardly standing there with my arms hanging stiffly by my side. I don't look up at Ahren, choosing to instead stare wide eyed at the camera lens in front of me.

"Relax," Ahren whispers, his breath tickling my ear and sending shivers down my back. "You're so stoic," he says with amusement. I glare up at him, and at that moment, the camera flashes, taking a picture.

Ahren smirks at me as a look of horror crosses my face. Let's just hope they don't use that photo.

Without warning, I feel Ahren's arms wrap around the sides of my stomach. He starts tickling me, and I can't control the laughter bursting out of me. The camera flashes again, capturing the moment.

I immediately figured out what he was trying to do. By tickling me, I would look more at ease and natural in the photo. He was helping me with this photo shoot and poll.

But even if he is helping me, I was suffering from immense stomach pains from all of the tickling, and I wasn't enjoying it much. Honestly, I had to resist the reflex to kick out at him to stop him.

"I...hate...you," I tell him in between gasps, trying to regain my breath after being tickled. Ahren smirks at me. "You know you love me," he says jokingly as he pulls my body against his chest, having us pose in the traditional bride-groom pose. He continues his tickling, and I finally crack, a laugh escaping me. The camera flashes yet again.

"Next," the gruff man taking photographs grumbles. Ahren reluctantly lets go of me, and I quickly start to walk towards where Addaline and Rose are, but a touch on my wrist stops me. I look back to see Ahren.

"We need to talk after I'm done here. Meet me in my room at 11 o'clock sharp," he murmurs into my ear. He moved away from me, greeting the next girl to take photos with him, and I stumble away from him, trying to push down the feeling of foreboding.

~♚♡♚♡~

I hesitantly knock on Ahren's door, and wait as I hear footsteps from inside. Soon, the door opens and I see Ahren dressed in casual clothing. I had changed before coming here, choosing to wear some simple jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt.

"Hey, Madison," Ahren greets me, opening the door wider and inviting me in. I walk into his room, and remember what I found the last time I was here. Looking towards his desk, I don't see any papers, but books. Upon further glances, I realize that the books are on war tactics, and goosebumps appear on my arms.

I hear the door click shut and then footsteps make their way towards where I am standing.

"Alright. Why have you been avoiding me these past few days?" Ahren asks me, with slight frustration in his voice. I find that I can't look into his eyes, so I look at the floor instead.

"Just...needed space," I murmur vaguely. Ahren is not satisfied with my answer and sighs loudly. I glance up to see him run his hand through his black hair.

"Do I need to get Officer Merandus to get the answer out of you?" Ahren jokes dryly. However, my eyes widen in worry.

"No thanks, I have no interest in meeting any of Alexis' relatives," I say quickly. Ahren's mouth quirks up a bit before a frown takes its place a second later.

"So tell me." Ahren takes a step towards me, and I take a few steps back. He notices this and stops in his tracks. "Why are you avoiding me?"

I purse my lips, trying to decide what to do. I could tell him about the conflicting emotions I've been feeling and how I was so confused, or I could lie and tell him some bullshit excuse. But I knew deep down that he was probably going to see through my lie and badger me for the real answer until I give it to him. It was only going to be a matter of time before the inevitable.

I sigh, giving in. Better sooner than later. I'd much rather get this over right now than later. I honestly wanted to tell him the truth. "This is all so confusing for me," I murmur. His eyebrows go up in surprise at my words, curiosity glinting in his stormy eyes. "I don't know what's real, and what I should believe in. So far, my experience here has been terrible. I got attacked by three Silvers, and I don't even know if my emotions are reliable. What's worse is that you're the reason my emotions are a mess. Before I arrived to the palace, I thought I had control over my emotions, but then I met you and my control disintegrated. I don't know if it's because I'm new to all of this, but it's frustrating me." During this time, I have started pacing without even realizing it.

"You're jacking me up, Calore," I state truthfully as I stop pacing. Ahren stands across from me, shocked into silence. I cross my arms across my chest awkwardly, not sure what to do after saying all of that. This time, he is the one who can not look me in the eyes. He looks thoughtful as he looks at the floor.

He finally looks up and his eyes have the look of confliction. "Madison...I..." He trails off, not sure how to finish his sentence.

This was the moment I have always been afraid of my whole life. Exposing my raw self to someone, and anticipating the moment when they would accept all of my emotions or reject it.

"I..." he sighs as he runs his hand through his hair yet again.

I see how troublesome this is for him, and hold back a sigh of my own. There were 27 other girls living here. Obviously Ahren would have trouble deciphering his feelings right now, just like I am.

I purse my lips as I sway from feet to feet. "I know this is confusing for you too. We both don't know how we feel, but...well, I have never been in..." I trail off awkwardly, not wanting to say the word. Ahren seems to understand what I want to say, though. "So I don't know how to do all of this. I mean, for all I know, I don't like you like that."

Silence wraps around the two of us once more, and it's suffocating. I know that now, any encounter with Ahren will be unpleasant. Unfortunately, I'll have to deal with it for a month. But there has to be something I can do to make it feel less uncomfortable. I think for a moment before an idea comes to me. "Until we figure our feelings out...I have a deal to make with you," I tell Ahren.

Ahren's eyes light up mischievously at the sound of a deal, and I know he's thinking of the deal he had offered me before. "Go on," he murmurs in interest.

I gnaw on my bottom lip gently. "Well, I could be your...friend during all of this," I tell him. His brows furrow slightly at this.

"A friend. Friend..." Ahren plays around with the word. "And what could you offer me as a friend?" He asks me, leaning against his desk. I think for a minute.

"I can help you figure out this competition. I may not understand it myself, but I do understand girls. I can maybe help you find the one. The bride," I tell him, which causes his eyes to widen.

"So...you could help me interpret what other girls feel for me?" He says. I nod.

"I'll do my best. Of course, you should listen to your feelings before listening to me. But I'll be there to help you through anything. Kind of like the right hand man of a commander," I say.

I stretch my hand out towards him, waiting for him to either take it and shake on the deal, or not.

He stares at my hand silently, before smiling and grabbing my outstretched hand.

"Ok. Deal. Friends," he says.

A lump forms in my throat, but I smile and nod.

"Yeah. Friends."

♕✿~♕✿~♕✿~♕✿~♕✿~

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