Author's Note: This is the sequel to Sweet Amoris Ball. I wrote a little summary in the prologue and first chapter so you don't have to read Sweet Amoris Ball unless you want to read it. However, a summary also means spoilers, so decide for yourself whether you want to read the other one first.
Prologue
"What. Are. You. Doing?" Lysander said through gritted teeth.
I turned around to see Amber with her arm slung over Lysander's black coat. Amber flipped her golden curls. "I'm trying to prove a point. Notice anything new, Kari?"
I looked her up and down. Instead of her usual designer blouse and matching necklace, she wore a white top with pink lettering. I read the words aloud. "I look so good with your boyfriend?"
"That's right, you little urchin. Girls, who looks better with Lysander, me or Kari?"
We were in the courtyard surrounded by the most popular girls in school, who also happened to be Amber's best friends. Of course, they took her side. One by one, they chirped Amber's praises. Personally, I didn't care. I just wanted to get to the garden and eat my lunch in peace.
Lysander stood there as stiff as a board with his arms crossed. "Amber, get off me."
"But we look soooo gooood together," she crooned.
"You're right, Amber. You do look really good with my boyfriend. You also look great on your own or with other guys." I took out my phone and snapped a quick picture. "Of course, you can't look good with Lysander all the time. Here's a picture if you'd like to commemorate the occasion. Just give me your number and-"
"-as if!" Amber let go of Lysander and pushed him towards me. "Here. Take your stupid boyfriend back."
I caught Lysander as he stumbled into my arms and watched with a smile as the other girls turned their backs on me. They really could have a piece of Lysander if they asked nicely, but they could never take him away from me for good.
Lysander, Rosalya, Leigh, Violette, Jade and I had been going steady for about three months now. However, Rosalya was originally paired with just Leigh and Lysander paired with me to help protect Rosalya's reputation. Jade went to another school so we did not get to see him very often, but if anyone asked he was Violette's boyfriend. Amongst each other we had no secrets, but we agreed not to tell other people at our school that I also loved Jade and Lysander also loved Rosalya.
Jade's parents seemed quite thrilled that he was dating two girls at the same time. In fact, Violette and I were invited to their house for dinner Friday night.
My parents, on the other hand, had differing opinions on the matter. My dad accepted it quietly and listened to whatever I had to say without judgment. After all, this was my life and only I really knew how to live it. My mom asked a million tough questions. OK, maybe it was only a dozen questions, but by the time I was done explaining my choice to her it felt like a million. She eventually accepted that my arguments were sound and that I had put a lot of thought into my decision, but I still got a strange vibe from her like she expected me to come crying back to her when it all fell apart.
I'm fully prepared for the possibility that my bundle of relationships might unravel someday, but I don't dwell on it. To dwell on something is to condemn it before it even has a chance. Relationships fail for many different reasons, and expecting failure is one of those reasons. I prefer to expect success. Robert. A. Heinlein once wrote, "Don't ever become a pessimist... a pessimist is correct oftener than an optimist, but an optimist has more fun, and neither can stop the march of events."
Closing Note: Please Review! Reviews make me happy.