Chapter 49

Ray's POV

Ray was sitting at his office desk, files upon files open, and his computer having about seven different tabs open on them. He was currently talking to Mimi on one of the tabs, hearing out her latest theories on the attack. She was right, someone from inside the castle must be helping the rebels. The only question is who? Could it be a Selected? Could it be a servant? But then again, why would a servant endanger every other servant in the palace? Wouldn't they want to save "the innocent" in their minds, while getting rid of the royals or Selected? It was just a miracle no Selected had been killed during the attack.

Ray's father was in his own study, working on hiring more servants, Ray knew. Ray was mad his father was more focused on hiring new servants than getting justice for the dead ones, but he also knew the palace needed to function. Falling apart now would mean the rebels won. And the rebels couldn't win. They just couldn't.

Ray heard a knock on his door, and he quickly shut and hid all his files, minimizing all of his computer tabs, before calling out, "Come in."

To his surprise, Spencer walked in. His brows rose, and he stood as Spencer walked over, "Spencer? What can I do for you?"

Spencer was silent for a while, then sighed, "Can I sit before we talk?"

Ray nodded, and sat at his own chair as Spencer took the chair across the desk. Ray was concerned, was something wrong? Did something happen?

Spencer took a deep breath, and all in one breath he said, "I don't belong here, I love someone else."

Ray couldn't say that he was shocked, but he was surprised Spencer wanted to leave, considering he thought Spencer was in love with Akio. He saw them interact, the way Spencer looked at Akio was certainly the way Ray looked at….well...it didn't matter. Ray had to focus on Spencer.

"Oh? So, you want to leave?" Ray asked, trying to clarify.

Spencer was silent again, "Yes...I think so."

Ray hummed in thought, and ran a hand through his hair. "And you don't think he'll be upset with you leaving?"

Spencer turned beet red, and gasped, "Well, uh, I-"

"Spencer." Ray said, drawing his attention. Ray offered a small smile, "I know you like Akio. I've seen the way you look at him. You wouldn't rather stay here until he's eliminated too?"

Spencer slumped his shoulders down, "I guess my feelings are obvious then. Well, I don't know if you'll choose him or not. How can I stay here and possibly watch him fall in love with you? I mean, I know he thinks….greatly of me...but he also likes you, and has a bit of a school-kid crush on you."

Ray felt his own face heat a little, and he bit his cheek as he said, "Well, it's up to you. Stay or go, but you'll no longer be a part of the Selection per your wishes."

Spencer bit his lip, and fidgeted in his seat, before saying, "No offense Ray, but I think I'll leave because of the rebels too…"

Ray couldn't help the laugh/huff that left him, "I understand. I won't keep you here then." Ray stood, and offered his hand. Spencer stood too, and shook the offered hand, even drawing Ray into a short, stiff hug.

Spencer nodded, "Thanks, Ray. Of course, I'd love to come visit sometimes while Akio is still here." He replied, blushing again.

Ray laughed, "Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less."

Spencer chuckled slightly, as Ray led him from the office. "Thanks for everything, Ray. I joined the Selection to discover new experiences, and this was certainly more than I could have hoped for." He rubbed the back of his neck, and gave a crooked smile.

Ray nodded, "I agree, I'm just glad you enjoyed your time here. I'll let you pack up, and I'll be around when you leave to bid you good-bye again."

Spencer nodded, and left the office, looking behind him and giving Ray a thumbs up and a smile as he walked back in the direction of his room. So that was it. Another elimination, and only 5 Selected left. Akio, Evie, Kara, Brendan and Jed.

Akio Mazaki, Three, Yukon

Akio sighed, blinking heavily as he watched the limo with Spencer in it drive away from the palace. Akio hadn't expected to be so hurt by his leaving. They'd taken the longest to say good-bye, and Akio made Spencer promise he'd visit, or call, or message him on the computer. Akio turned, and was surprised to see Ray still standing beside him.

"Oh, Ray! Hi…"

Ray stepped closer, and enfolded Akio in a hug. "I know you care for him, Akio."

Akio felt a tear fall from his eyes, and he nodded against Ray. "I do. But I'm so confused."

"About what?" Ray asked.

Akio sighed, unsure about how he should phrase it. "Well, I care for Spencer….but I also care for you."

Something flashed in Ray's eyes, and he smiled, to Akio's surprise. "I know that too, Akio, and you don't need to fear my reaction. I couldn't possibly have had a bi-Selection and not have someone fall in love with another Selected."

Akio felt his face heat up, in fact, it was on fire it felt like. "I- I don't know if I'm in love, I just-"

"Like you said, you're confused." Ray finished. Akio nodded, and Ray smiled, "Then how about we go on a date? You can think about how you feel for me, and how you feel for Spencer, and then decide from there."

Akio sighed in relief, he was beyond glad that Ray understood, and wasn't going to strip him of his caste or anything. "I- I think that sounds nice…"

It didn't take long for Ray to set up a date. It was a simple date, lunch on a balcony. The wind was blowing, and the wind was chilly, it was practically winter, being late November. Akio was wearing a long sleeved shirt, and Ray a turtle neck. Akio had teased him for the choice of style, but Ray simply shrugged, saying it suited his hair style.

Akio was eating a salad, as Ray was munching away on all the little orange slices. Akio laughed, "Will there be any left for me?"

Ray's face turned red with embarrassment at being caught, and he swallowed the oranges before speaking, "I'm sorry, you can have the rest if you want."

Akio chuckled, shaking his head, "No, if you love them that much you can eat them."

Ray's face relaxed, and though his face was still pink, he continued eating the oranges, though more slowly this time in case Akio wanted one.

They were silent for a while, each looking out at the scenery of the garden, and the setting sun over the hills. Most of the trees had lost their leaves, and a few were still carrying red, orange, and yellow leaves. The sky seemed to match the trees, though it added purple to the mix. Stars were already starting to show, and Akio could see the faint moon starting to appear.

Ray finally spoke, "Akio, you know, you don't have to stay here because of a small crush you used to, or maybe still have on me. If you think Spencer is your future, you should go after him."

Akio looked to Ray, and then down into his glass. "I don't know what I want. I like you, you're smart, responsible, cute, sweet...But Spencer is all of those too, and no offense, but we've spent more time together. I know more about him. But then again, if I'm your 'one' then we can get to know each other just as well."

Ray took it all in, absorbing every word, and when Akio looked up, saw that Ray was watching him intensely. Akio blushed, and cleared his throat, "So, yeah, I'm confused."

Ray nodded, and sighed, sitting back, "I'm confused too, it's okay. I feel like every time I start to think I can marry someone, I spend time with another one of you, and fall in love with a different person."

Akio thought for a moment, it was his turn to study Ray, "Well, are you really in love with anybody if you forget those feelings when you're with someone else?"

Ray looked up to Akio, curiosity and confusion in his eyes, "What?"

Akio gulped, afraid he'd offended the prince, but answered, "Well, it's just that, if you're in love with someone, I don't think you could ever really think of another in the same way. You know? Like, if you really are in love with a Selected, you never stop thinking about them, or relating something back to them, or thinking they'd like something you're doing with another Selected. They're always there somewhere, and everything you do feels better with them around…" Akio trailed off as thoughts swirled through his mind.

Ray hummed, and nodded, his eyes searching for something far away. They both sat in silence, lost in their thoughts. Akio stood, "Um, I'm gonna go back to my room, Ray, thanks for the date. It was nice to have a distraction, it definitely gave me something to think about."

Ray nodded, "Me too."

With that, Akio left the balcony, and headed back to his room. His own words haunting him, They're always there somewhere, everything feels better with them around…. And worse when they're not.

Hello everyone~! Whew it's been a minute since I've been able to write. Ugh, don't we love high school? Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was quite short, but I enjoyed writing it, so….boo I guess if you don't like it. Jkjk, love you guys, I know you wouldn't hate me for a short chapter *laughs nervously* Anyways, some of you have some very interesting theories on certain things *eyes* curious. Hmmm, we'll see….

See you in the next chapter…~~