"I can't decide whether I can tolerate you or not."
And for Ashlar, that was probably as close to a compliment as you fucking got.
I grinned, trying to hide my annoyance. "Why's that?"
Ashlar shrugged and plucked a cocktail sausage from the table laid out with food. "I appreciate your strength, don't get me wrong, but I don't know whether your relationship with Hero is wise in this competition."
"So what?" I blurted defensively. "We're not lovers, we're friends... with some benefits."
Ashlar smiled wryly. "Right. OK."
I scowled and flounced away from her. That girl was a bloody burden. I hoped I got to be the one that drove a dagger into her stomach when the time came.
"Hi."
I glanced up to see Hero regarding me curiously, a hint of amusement upon his face. I cursed myself for instantly smiling at the sight of him.
"Hi," I replied, just as casual. "Where have you been?"
"Socialising," he answered, gesturing towards Tiara and Dragon, who seemed to be debating about something.
Hero smirked. "You should try it some time."
"I'll pass," I giggled, taking a glass of champagne from an Avox as they hurried around with the tray.
"Naughty girl, you're too young to be drinking that," Hero laughed, taking a glass of his own.
"I won't tell if you won't," I replied with a wink. A thought returned to me from a couple of days ago, when Hero decided he would lead the Careers. I'm not sure why it had slipped my mind. I must've been too busy... doing things. Ha.
"About your leadership," I said, changing the subject after taking a long, refreshing gulp of my champagne.
"What about it?" Hero asked bluntly, his eyes hardening. I sighed slightly. Here we go.
"I'm not happy," I answered honestly. "I promised my father that I would lead the Careers, just as he had done."
"Guess what, Shiney?" taunted Hero, stepping closer to the point where he was leaning over me mockingly. "I don't care."
Something inside of me snapped. I pierced him with my eyes and placed my hands firmly on my hips.
"But-" I began, but he interrupted me.
"But what? You want to defend your pedigree, Miss Onyx-Platinum? Time for a reality check. I'm the oldest, the strongest, and quite clearly, the fucking smartest. It'd make me very happy if you kept your talented little mouth shut, and let me get on with my job. I'm the leader in this fucking alliance, and what I say goes. Got it?"
He practically spat the last part in my face. I boiled with rage, and the atmosphere around us became very, very hot indeed.
"Get out," I hissed, meeting his stony glare.
Hero blinked, taken aback. "What?"
"I said, get out," I said tightly, through gritted teeth. I needed to get away from him before my temper took over and I did something incredibly stupid. And I wanted him to fucking leave.
"Gladly," Hero snarled, and then stalked away. "Ashlar, come on! We're leaving!"
I noticed Ashlar over by the punch bowl with Dazzle, doing something I'd rather not see. She looked embarrassed and disappointed and sadistic in one. Now that was a girl of many facial expressions.
"Shine? What's going on?" I heard Tiara shout, but I ignored her and continued to storm towards my room.

Once inside, I threw myself down on my bed and just lay there.
Things were going wrong. And it was my fault. Because no one had seen that one coming.
I felt my eyes begin to sting, but I swiped the tears away fiercely. No tears, not now. I refused to cry over him. I refused to let him reduce me to this. I heard a tentative knock at my door.
"Shine? Are you OK?" said Dazzle softly.
"No! Go away!" I snapped, my voice heavy with emotion. I sounded like I'd been fucking bawling, damn it.
Dazzle came in anyway, and pretended to stumble backwards with shock.
"Christ, I almost forgot how beautiful you are."
He'd intended to cheer me up, and it'd worked. I laughed as two big, hot tears ran down my cheeks.
"Aw, Shine," Dazzle sympathised, sitting beside me and draping a comforting arm around my shoulders.
I couldn't help myself. I leaned into the only reassuring arm that'd ever been offered to me and cried.
"You know," Dazzle mused quietly. "I've never been good at this sort of thing. I admit, I treat girls like shit. I always have done. I don't know why, I think it might be just a power thing, you know? And the fact that I can get any girl I want. It makes me feel good, I suppose. But things have changed. Things are different now. People have changed me."
Dazzle smiled at me. Honestly, openly, smiled. "You're one of those people, Shiney."
I continued to sob even harder at this confession. "Fuck, my words are having the opposite effect," Dazzle joked. "But I mean it. I love you, girl. As a friend. As a sister. I grew up detached from my family, just as you have, but we've got each other now. OK?"
"Definitely OK," I managed, giving him a playful punch in the arm. We sat for a few minutes in comfortable silence, with my head resting on his shoulder. This boy, right here, was my best friend. I didn't doubt that for a second.
"Who else has changed you, Dazz?" I whispered, gazing up at him.
Dazzle seemed to hesitate, but then he sighed. "I think you know."
"The psychopath upstairs?" I wondered, surprised.
Dazzle smiled grimly. "Feelings don't make sense, Shine."
"Tell me about it."
I had to fucking say it, didn't I? This certainly was a night to remember. I'd possibly ruined the relationship beyond sex that'd been blooming with Hero, and I hated myself for it. Absolutely hated myself.

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