I really wanted to write this...but I wasn't sure how. I'm not entirely sure if I'm happy with the outcome...but it'll be fine...

BEL's POV

I don't get it. Wasn't Melody my princess? Has she changed since then? Does she not remember me or something? But, wait, no, she had said "Belphegor" when I first opened the door. But I guess she isn't the same. And who the heck was h-holding her? I'm going to beat the crap out of that freak. But...I guess, If Melody does really like him, I'm going to have to just leave it. I can't do that to Melody. But...why was she holding m-my tiara? And holding it while in that guy's arms? What the heck Melody. Why? I thought our friendship meant more than that. She could've told me later, but seriously, on the day we were going to meet after eight years? I thought she was better than that.

I groaned in frustration. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen! And for the first time in eight years, I sat in a corner and just cried. The prince's heart was broken.

And then I decided, If she's changed to a different person I can't do anything about that. I'll just...leave the entire thing alone. I guess she's someone else's princess now.

OKAY WE'RE

Basil had tried to comfort me earlier but pretty much, failed. It almost would've worked, if it weren't for that phone call he had gotten in the middle of our talk.

That phone call was from Squalo. Basically, it was all "VOOII WHAT DID YOU DO TO OUR STORM GUARDIAN HE'S ACTING WEIRD -"

And then I had started sobbing again so Basil just left.

Three hours later, I stared at a slip of paper that was pushed under my door. I had been staring at it for about 10 minutes, so I decided it was about time to see what it was about.

"aaaghh." I groaned, pushing a pile of tissues unceremoniously off my bed and all over the floor.

I tried reaching for the note from my bed but it was futile, so I ended up just plain falling off the cushion. I groaned again, leaned on my stomach, and snatched the note.

It read: Hey Melody. Sorry about the short notice but I have some important business to attend to in Italy. I know that you aren't feeling too well but I'm asking if you could please come to the battle tonight in place of me. Thanks, hope you're feeling better. –Iemitsu

I frowned, almost feeling a little anger towards my boss. The last thing I wanted to do was go to the battle tonight, or go anywhere at all, especially because of what happened yesterday. And Iemitsu knew about the whole misunderstanding the other day. Yet, the man was making me go anyway.

I figured I had to go since it was my duty. I looked at the clock. It was 7:00 PM.

When did time start flying by so fast?

Oh well.

I stood up, quickly put some jeans on and a hoodie and walked out of my hotel room, not bothering with clothes or hair or anything like that. Besides, I already knew I looked like a mess, and what was the point in it?

It was earlier than I had to be there, but I wanted to be alone. I was hoping not to see any of the guardians on the way there, so I walked quietly with my hood on.

Soon I got to Nami Middle, and made my way up to the third floor, where the battle was supposed to be held.

I felt a sharp pain in my right hand. Ouch. I looked at my hand. It was covered in dry blood from clutching the tiara the other day.

I looked away, gulped, and opened the door to a random classroom. No one seemed to be there so I just went up and sat in a corner, crunched up in a ball.

And I just sat there, thinking.

Besides the fact that I really didn't want to be there, I decided that I had to clear up this misunderstanding with Bel. Not just because it was a huge misunderstanding but because of my pride. And because our friendship meant more than that.

I checked my watch. 7:30 PM. Okay. It's going to be easy. Just explain it to him.

7:40 PM. My stomach churned. I was feeling more nervous as time went on.

7:50 PM. I could hear the voices of everyone outside of the classroom but I was too scared to come out. After all, not just Bel, but the guardians, what would they think of me now?

So I just sat there, frozen in my little corner, wiping my wet face every few minutes. The door opened and I saw Basil's head peek in.

"Melody? Is that you?"

I stared at him as he opened the door a little wider. Part of me felt annoyed of his intrusion. Part of me felt happy as first, he was like my brother and it was nice to know he cared for me and second, if he hadn't come I don't think I would've ever left this corner.

I didn't answer so Basil just closed the door lightly and walked in to lean down to me.

"Hey. You alright?"

"um...no..."

...that's Basil for you.

He must've noticed how emo I looked because he said, "Hey, you should put your hood down it's-"

"no."

He looked a little taken back.

"Sorry, but you guys don't need to see my face."

" Why, there's nothing wrong with your-"

I flipped the hood down.

His eyes widened. "Melody...what happened...?"

My eyes were bloodshot and my face was pale. Not to mention my hair was a bird's nest.

"what do you think happened..." I muttered.

"I-I'm sorry..." He said, and he gave me a hug.

Again I was thinking different thoughts.

Again, I'm glad he cares for me as we're practically family.

Oh god I hope Bel doesn't walk in the room right now.

Wow, Basil can actually be sympathetic.

"Thanks Basil." I said softly.

He stood up and held out his hand to me. "come on, let's go. It's alright. Don't be afraid, there's nothing to be afraid of. I mean, I'm not saying you were scared, just...you don't have to be worried or anything we-we're all here for you-"

I smiled. Never mind the sympatheticness, Basil was still clumsy with those kinds of things. I took his hand, he pulled me up, and we walked to the door. Before he opened the door I flipped my hood back up, concealing my entire face.

"Let's go." I said.

The door opened.

Okay...remember, quickly. I can do this. Our friendship is on the line.

I walked with the head tilted slightly down, going towards Bel. I could feel the eyes of everyone on me. I didn't want to have to say what I had to say in front of everyone so, without any eye contact whatsoever, I grabbed Bel by the shoulder and dragged him into a room, despite a loud "VOOII WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING!" from Squalo.

I shut the door of the classroom and gulped, closing my eyes. After a few moments, I dared to look at the prince. He looked a little pained, but was recovering faster than I was.

"Hello princess." He said plainly. A little too plain. It was like he was speaking to a stranger.

I couldn't help it. I started crying. The words I wanted to say just wouldn't come out of my mouth. And the "princess" thing was killing me.

I looked down. "Bel...ye-yesterday...that..." I summed up some courage, "it wasn't what it looked like."

I glanced at him. He was frowning. After a while he said, "then...what was it...? you were in that guys arms, crying. Clutching my tiara. What was that all about then Mels?"

I stopped. His voice...it sounded... different. Like it was calm and, soft. Also, I'm not sure I wanted to tell him and be embarrassed with the whole tiara thing.

"Um...well..." I blushed. "stuff happened and well, I ended up collapsing on the stairway from all the stress; too much thinking about...things...you know." My voice got a little louder, and it almost felt a little natural to be talking with him, " But er, ANYWAYS...Gokudera caught me in time and with all the tension and strain I was feeling I just...I guess I just stayed there crying. " I frowned.

Bel seemed like he didn't know if he could trust me. A few moments passed, and Bel stepped forward and lowered the hood off my head.

His hands froze on my shoulders when he saw my face; my bloodshot eyes, red nose, and pale disposition.

Suddenly there was a "VOII WHAT THE HECK. WHY ARE THEY TAKING SO LONG! ARHGHSHAHAWHSDHFSF!" from outside.

Me and Bel flinched. Bel seemed nervous, and scratched his head. And in that little moment his hair shifted and I could see the swollen skin under his bangs. I had a sharp intake of breath. So this affected him too.

"Er...well I sort of have a battle to get to.." He said.

"Oh...right. But uh, Bel? I'm sorry about the whole thing yesterday, and If you don't forgive me I'll understand. It's not something we can both forget...but I hope...things can be the way they were...back then."

I was desperately trying to change things between us. I knew he didn't believe me with the whole thing with Gokudera. He still thought I was lying.

A faint ushishisi, "same here."

Then I flipped up my hood, feeling embarrassed and walked out of the classroom.

"VOOIII WHAT TOOK SO LONG? THE BATTLE IS GONNA START!"

Nice to see to too, Squalo.

I ignored him and walked over to the guardians, my face emotionless. I went to the side of the hallway and leaned against the wall propping my foot up, determined not to see the eyes staring at me.

Bel came out shortly afterwards and came up to where the Cervello were standing. He too seemed a little...uncomfortable.

I faintly heard Reborn chuckle and say, "teenage love..."

I resisted the urge to turn around and glare at him. But inside, I felt a little happy. That me and Bel had actually had a conversation. But I was frustrated because I could read his thoughts, and he thought that me and Gokudera had something going on.

I grimaced and looked over at Bel, who seemed surprised when Gokudera joined him with the Cervello. He also looked a little angry.

Then the pink haired lady said, "Tonight's battle, the battle for the Vongola Storm Rings, will be Belphegor VERSUS Hayato Gokudera."

I froze. Oh crap.

Then I heard a "Ushishishi."

BEL's THOUGHTS AND SHTUFF

I still don't believe Melody. I should. But...I can't get the image of her and that "Gokudera" out of my head. And before the battle I decided to leave her, uh, love life alone. I mean I don't want to, since she's my princess, but I did make that decision...so I must've had a good reason. We'll see how things turn out. We were best friends back then after all.

And now that guy's actually my opponent? So, if Melody's telling the truth, and nothing is going on between her and him...then I've got no reason to hold back.

Get ready, Gokudera. You just angered the prince.

Ushishishishi...

*oh man...here comes the hard part. I've gotta write the battle and stuff...