Author's Note: It's been four months, I know :( So sorry to everyone and thank you for the patience! I don't think this chapter is as good as the others because I kind of lost my flow in the past few months but I'll pick it up in the next few.

To those of you still around: Thank you for sticking around and filling up my inbox with requests to continue. I needed the motivation. Love you all! 3

We pretended it never happened. He walked out before I even had a chance to catch my breath and didn't take a single look back. The door that shut behind him voiced our final goodbye.

The music video was a hit around the world as we all predicted it would be. It had the perfect theme for Halloween and got most of the PalmWoods ready for the festivities.

Halloween was still a week away and I had no idea what I was dressing up as. With all that happened at the music video set, I was too caught up in my own grief and regret to notice anything around me. I spent most of my time in school now, hanging out with girls my age, talking to boys my age, studying and working. I kept my mind as busy as possible so that I didn't have to think about that day.

James had taken to bringing Ariana around to the apartment more often now. As if showing her off in front of me to prove something; that it was possible for him to get over me, that I would never be in her place. The first few days were miserable and her bubbly personality left me in tears every time but slowly I found myself warming up to her.

She was perfect.

I mean, I'm pretty amazing myself, but she had something about her that I couldn't explain.

Something that attracted everyone to her.

James was lucky to have her. He seemed genuinely happy to have her and I was trying my hardest to be happy for them.

Haha, I'm all grown up now.

The PalmWoods was throwing its first Halloween party and everyone was allowed to bring two guests. I immediately sent out invites to Christian and his girlfriend but Amelia (her name) had flown back to London to visit her relatives so only Christian would be attending. We decided to go as a themed pair but couldn't figure out what couple to embody.

I was going through magazines on the couch looking for motivation when Ariana walked into the apartment.

When the hell did she get a key to this apartment and why was I not informed about it?

I didn't glance up at her as she walked to James's room to see if he was there.. or when she realized he wasn't and sat down on the couch next to me, instead.

Please leave. I can't stand your red hair right now.

"Hi, Katie!"

Seriously. It's kind of late for a hello.

I grunt in response.

"Do you know what you're going to be for Halloween yet? James and I are going as Ariel and Eric."

I wonder why. As if that wasn't the most obvious choice for you.

"No."

"Oh. Do you need any help? Kendall said I should talk to you because he's not so good with sisterly advice and stuff.."

"You're not my sister."

"I know but I wish I was. I've always wanted a little sister to hang out with."

What are you trying to do? Nice me to death?

"Hmm."

"I think you would look beautiful as a Greek Goddess or something.. Your big eyes and long brown hair.. With the right make up you'd look stunning."

I get up and look down at her. How can you not get the hint that I DO NOT want anything to do with you? Do you realize I slept with your boyfriend?

"Sorry. I need to be somewhere."

She looks a little disappointed.

"Oh. It's ok. I'll just wait here for James.."

Yeah. You do that. Wait for him like he never waited for me.

I end up walking down to the laundry room and give Christian a call.

"Hello?"

"Hey Chris.."

"Katie! Hi whatsup?"

"Hiding."

"From the fire demon?"

I laugh. Christian knows all about James and me and basically supported me through the whole mess we had created.

"Of course. I'm upset but she did give me an amazing Halloween idea.."

"Oh what's wrong with her! Of all the things she could do to you!"

"…Are you done?"

I can see feel his smirk through the phone.

"Yeah yeah.. tell me this brilliant idea then."

"We could go as Persephone and Hades!"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…Hello?"

"Persephone and Hades.."

"Yeah.."

"I'm assuming I will be Persephone then since I have the better skin out of the two of us."

I really want to punch him in the face right now but end up laughing instead.

"As if! With that nasty breath of yours, you can ONLY be the king of the underworld."

"Ouch. Hurtful. But that is a good idea.. I'm down."

I laugh.

"Alright, Hades. See you in a few days to get our costumes ready."

"I'll make sure to dress in stealth mode to make the kidnapping effective. We have to get into character."

I'm seriously about to fall off this washing machine if I keep laughing like a maniac.

"I'll be waiting. Bye!"

"Bye!"

That put me in a much better mood but I still don't feel like going up to apartment. I decide to mope around with the laundry some more.

I get ready at Christian's apartment so that when we arrive it will be a surprise. It's a masquerade which makes things even more fun because no one will guess who I am or who I'm with. The guys all expect me to dress up as a werewolf or something and show up with someone from school. I'm more excited about surprising them than over how amazing Christian and I look together. We pose for a few photos on his phone to text to Amelia and then take one final look in the mirror before heading out.

My dress is a simple strapless and it's cream colored but closer to white. It flares out at my waist but falls in flowing layers of silk and net. The front of the skirt stops at my thighs but creates a small train of layers as it circles around my back. I'm wearing white satin ballet shoes with the ribbons tied around my legs all the way up to my knees. I have my hair curled and pinned behind me so that my shoulders and neck are bare. There's powder all over my face, neck and chest to provide the huge contrast between my partner and myself. My mask covers everything from my eyebrows to chin leaving only the right side below my eye open. It is white but has a gold outline and decorations that make it all the more surreal. I love it.

For the king of the Underworld, Christian sure looks good. Dressed in all black the effect comes from the cape he wears around him. It's a full-length black cape but it has a fur lining around the neck that goes down to his waist. His mask is a simple black Venetian mask with the long, pointed nose. He looks terrifying but in a sexy way, if that makes sense.

I wish Amelia was here as his Persephone right now.

Everyone seems to already be at the party when we arrive but besides looking at us for our elaborate costumes, no one seems to recognize me.

I whisper my observation to Christian as we head over to the registration desk to list our (character) names in the guestbook. He nods and makes me take my arm as he leads me through the crowd. We create a sort of fashion show, not talking to anyone and looking through them as we pass, but making note of who is who behind their costumes.

Kendall, Carlos, and Logan are in the corner by the bar as the Three Musketeers.

Gustavo is dressed as himself..

Kelly is .. Nicki Minaj? I'm confused, too.

I don't realize I'm looking for them until I spot her flaming red hair. She has a version of Ariel's blue and black human dress on but the blue bow in her hair gives her away. They haven't worn masks, I notice, but have instead painted their faces so that in a certain light they almost glow.

I don't even have to look at him to know that he will look stunning. He has his white button down on with the top buttons undone, jeans, and boots. So simple yet so noticeable at the same time.

I make Chris promise me that we have to be on opposite sides of the room from them at all times. We make our way over to the bar by the Three Musketeers but keep a distance so that I'm not recognized.

They will never change. I can hear every word perfectly.

Kendall: "I wonder where Katie is. She wouldn't even tell me what her costume was.. or who her date is.."

Pouty. You'll find out soon enough.

Logan: "I can't wait to see her. I bet it'll be a werewolf hybrid!"

I hear Christian snort next to me. I roll my eyes.

Carlos: Ohmygod! What if she's a gorilla werewolf hybrid?"

I'm ready to give up on them when I hear another voice.

"I heard gorilla werewolf hybrid! Where?"

James.

Carlos: We're guessing that's Katie's costume. So be on the look out."

James: "Oh. Who is she coming with?"

Why do you care?

Kendall: "She wouldn't even tell me."

Ariana: "It must be someone special then. You guys better be nice when you meet him… Ouch! James! You just spilled your drink on me!"

James: "Oh! .. Oh. Sorry. I didn't even realize. I'm so sorry."

Ariana: "Forget it. I'll be right back."

I watch her leave and then look at the four boys standing a few feet away from me. Kendall, Carlos, and James are having a debate over whether gorillas and werewolves could really reproduce. I turn toward Logan and find him staring right at me.

Shit. I give Christian's arm a squeeze so he can look over to confirm what I saw.

He nods.

Damn. Guess my cover is blown. I look back at Logan who points to the balcony across the hall and starts walking. I glance at Christian and tell him I'll be back in a second before following Logan outside.

"You look beautiful, Katie.. or should I say, Persephone?"

He always was the smart one.

"Hi Logan."

"I've missed you."

"We live in the same house.."

"We might.. but you're not there anymore. Ever since the music video shoot, something had been off."

Maybe a little too smart..

"I've just been really focused on school and dance."

"You're distracting yourself."

"From what?"

"You tell me. I kept asking myself the same thing but now I think I know what it is."

He needs a vacation. He's getting too intuitive for his own good.

We stare at the dance floor for a few second before I speak.

"There's nothing to go back to."

"That's because you haven't noticed."

"…What?"

"The way he still stares at you. When we're eating dinner and he drops his food because he's too busy watching you. When you come home from school and his eyes light up and stare at the door as you walk in. When he's watching a movie with Ariana but you walk out of your room for a small snack. The way he tenses up when anyone talks about you. The way he loses focus when anything reminds him of you—"

"Stop. What are you trying to prove?"

"That you both think there's nothing left when there clearly is still something there."

"Not for me."

"Don't lie to me, Katie."

"I gave him up the day of the music video shoot. He made his wishes clear."

He sighs. I see him make his way back to the entrance to the dance floor.

"You don't know what you're doing.. I wish I could make you see."

I let Christian twirl me around the dance floor for a while but my thoughts are plagued with Logan's talk from before.

"He might be right, you know."

I look up at Christian and resolve not to let this ruin our night.

"No. It doesn't matter anyway. Let's get some drinks."

We make our way to the bar but realize Ariana and James had the same idea.

I order our drinks but realize Christian is missing. I look over to James and he gives me a small smile.

"I guess our dates just abandoned us.."

I look down at my drink.

"Don't take it personally. He said he wanted a chance with the sea for a change. Smooth talker, that one."

"And you let him?"

His laugh warms my stomach and I realize how much I've missed him.

"He presents no threat. No one would be able to willingly leave such a beauty as you. What do they call you?"

"Persephone."

"And he is Hades. Kind of says something about your relationship.. No offense."

I crack a smile. My mouth is dry and it's difficult for me to keep speaking.

I ask him if he wants to dance.

"Sure."

Back in his arms.

I feel lightheaded and can't keep my eyes away from his. We're the only people left in this world right now but he doesn't realize it.

"You remind me of someone."

"Oh? Who?"

"Someone I used to know."

Me.

"Where is she now?"

"I don't know. I lost her recently but never made an effort to look."

I feel myself choking back tears.

"She might have been waiting for you."

"No. The day I lost her was the day she gave me up."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I hurt her."

The tears well up in my eyes now.

"She might be the forgiving type."

"She is. She's wonderful. But we reached a point we could never turn back from."

"I'm sorry."

I'm not. I want him to be stronger for me. I want him to fight.

"Sometimes I feel bad for Ariana because she has to deal with my bullshit."

"You mean Ariel?"

He laughs.

"Yeah. Haha I'm sorry for putting this on you. I could tell that girl anything and you just give me the same feeling."

I smile.

"It's alright. Dancing and listening go well together."

"Clearly."

I stop moving after a second and look up at him.

"I think you should keep looking for her.."

"I can't."

"Why? You obviously want to."

What the fuck! Can you make up your mind?

"I can't hurt Ariana like that.."

I'm furious.

"Then stop thinking about her. You're only making it worse on yourself and her. Especially her."

"You're right but I can't live without her.. or Ariana."

I want to slap his pretty face right off.

"Then you need to man up and decide what you want before it's too late."

"Hey. Why are you getting so upset?"

"Because! Because you're being ridiculous!"

"You don't know a thing about me!"

"I know you. I know the type of guy you are. And let me tell you that you're nothing great. You hurt girls more than you love them and in the end you're left alone because you don't know what you want."

"Shutup."

I grab his wrist and before he can realize what's going on, I manage to pull him out into the lobby. I push him against a wall and lean into him.

"Make me."

I begin to pull my mask off my face but his hands stop me.

"Dont."

"Why not.. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't."

"I have a girlfriend."

"That didn't stop you before."

He's speechless. He's trying to process what I just said. I take this time to take my mask off and reveal myself to him. Still speechless. But his hands are on my shoulders now.. I guess that's a start.

"Katie.."

I lean in and feel his lips against mine. My mask falls to the floor and the thud makes me come back to my senses.

What am I doing?

I take a step back and look at him. I can sense my own fear and confusion masked in his eyes and we both stare at each other for what feels like an eternity. There is nothing more I can do. I lose.

I walk past him to go back into the hall.

This time his hand doesn't grab mine to stop me.

This time it was he who let me walk away.