Chapter 5

(Skyler POV)

I walked next to Princess Hermione and as we moved further away she reached out and touched my shoulder. I turned to face her, "What did you want to talk to me about?" I let out a breath, "Look I really need a friend around here and so far you are one of the only ones I feel like I can trust right now." She smiled and blushed as she looked down at the ground, "That might be one of the nicest things anyone has every said to me." I let out a breath, "Well if your offer still stands I would really appreciate any help you can give me with the Ball." She smiled up at me, "Of course, I'd be happy to. We can work on it later today during break. There is bound to be an empty classroom we can use." "Thanks," I said.

She looked around, "We should probably head back over I don't want to be late." I nodded my head in agreement. We walked back over and I could feel Onyx's glare fixated on me. A part of me wanted to rub it in his nose longer but, the truth was I didn't want her to be in the middle of whatever was going on between Onyx and I. She didn't deserve that, "I'll see you later." She smiled, "See you later." I watched as she went off and joined the other princesses she was talking to before. I looked around and decided to head into the building as I caught another glimpse at the glare on Onyx's face. I made my way inside when I felt someone pull back on my shoulder. I turned around and saw, "Prince Onyx." I was trying not to engage with him and walk away but, he wasn't having it, "I thought I told you to stay away from Princess Hermione." I let out a breath, "Look I enjoy hanging out with Princess Hermione and from what I have gather she does as well. I am not letting you dictate my life so just back off." He smirked, "I would think very careful about that if I were you. I have a lot of power and can make school very difficult for you." I rolled my eyes and walked away.

I went to class and tried to just get through the do, which began turning into the longest day of my life. Onyx wasn't kidding when he said he could make my life difficult. In every single class that we shared he found ways to sabotage me. From a leaky teapot, to startling me during different etiquette training even telling me the wrong names of kingdoms during protocol training. Not to mention he was right about being powerful. The few princes that did talk to me my first day had ignored me all day or were helping Onyx mess me up. When it was finally time for the break in our day I slumped in my chair in the classroom and had no interest of leaving. I didn't know why I was putting myself through all of this. I pulled the rings out from under my shirt and began rubbing my fingers across them. I started with Mom's and moved to Dad's. He was the reason why I was doing this, but I wasn't sure if it was right anymore. "You would know what to do," I whispered as I looked down at Mom's ring. I closed my eyes and tried to picture her face, something I had done many times before. This time though it took me longer to remember and I felt like I was missing details. I couldn't tell what was different but something was and I was gutted as it felt like I was forgetting her.

(Hermione POV)

I was waiting for Skyler to meet me so we could find a classroom to work on everything for the Ball but he was nowhere to be seen. As I looked around I saw Onyx coming over, maybe he knew where Skyler was. "Princess Hermione," he started with a bow. I gave a brief curtsey, "What are you doing standing around on this fine day?" I looked around again, "I am looking for your step-brother have you seen him?" He thought about it for a moment but shook his head, "No haven't seen him, but I will send him your way if I do see him." "Thank you," I smiled, but something definitely felt off. I looked back at the school and decided to see if I could find him. I was walking past an opened classroom door when I had to take a few steps back and saw him sitting by the window.

His eyes closed and his hand clutching onto something. "Prince Skyler?" I said as I made my way in. He jumped at the sound of my voice and quickly shoved what was in his hand down his shirt. "Princess Hermione, what are you doing here?" His voice was cracking as he tried to put himself together. His eyes has a sheen of tears as he forced out a smile. I turned around a chair and sat down across from him, "We were supposed to meet up to work on what you need to know for your Ball." Realization spread across his face, "I am so sorry, I didn't mean to... I didn't want to..." He took a breath and hung his head, "God today is not my day."

I let out a little laugh, "I figured that something came up, but are you alright?" "Yeah I'm fine," he quickly brushed it off. I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, because sitting alone in a classroom clasping onto some type of necklace with your eyes closed is what you do when you are completely fine." He let out a breath and gave me a look, "You don't have to tell me anything, just know that I am here." He smiled and nodded before hesitantly pulling on the chain that he had hiding under his shirt. There was two rings hanging down, "They were... are...were.. One was my Mom's and the other was my Dad's before he remarried." He struggled to find the right words and clearly there was something going on. I took his head, "I am sorry." We were quiet for a moment. "Do you still want my help?" He sighed and nodded his head, "Yes please." "Well let's get started Prince Skyler," I smiled. "Yeah, but please just call me Skyler or Skye." "Only if you call me Hermione," I smiled. He nodded his head, "Very well, Hermione." I laughed a little as we got to work.

(Jane POV)

I watched as Hermione went into the castle and decided to see where she was going. I hadn't seen Skyler all day and I was worried. I made my way into the school. I then heard noise coming from a classroom and saw her sitting with Skyler. Skyler seemed to be smiling and so did she. They seemed to be running through protocol training and I knocked on the door, "Need any help." Skyler nodded his head and gestured for me to come over. I pulled up a chair and Hermione and I began quizzing Skyler on the material. The bell rang and Hermione and I looked each other satisfied with his progress, "You are going to do great at your Ball." He looked down, "Yeah, except there is one big issue." I looked at him and it looked serious, "P..." he stopped himself and took a breath "I can't dance." I could tell that there was something else bothering him but, he didn't want to talk about it, "Don't worry we all have dance lessons tomorrow. You will know everything that you need for your Ball to be great." He gave us both a weak smile, "Thank you."

(Onyx POV)

I was making my way through the halls after the break when I heard a noise. I looked in the classroom where I had left Skyler and saw him sitting there with Jane and Hermione. Talking with each other. "You are going to do great at your Ball," Hermione said. He looked down, "Yeah except there is one big issue." My hand clutched the door and I hoped he wasn't about to do something stupid. "P..." He looked up and I ducked away not sure why I was hiding. I heard him take a breath, "I can't dance." I smirked our dance lessons tomorrow and I knew exactly what to do to make things right. I told Skyler to back off and he didn't listen. I thought that something small would get him to back off, but clearly he needed more. He needs to stop playing pretend and realize who he really is. I was not going to let him steal my family too. I already had a family, a dad and mom who loved me and a little, twin sister. I didn't need anyone else and he was not going to interfere with Hermione. She deserved better. I knew that better than anyone...

Author's Note: Hey I'm not sure how consistently I will be posting this story but, I started getting ideas for it and am going to try to start it up again. I hope you all enjoy it and I will try to post some more soon.