Chapter 2: 7:15 p.m.

Somewhere in my subconscious, I could heard a door open opening and closing. I blinked up trying to gauge my surroundings. I was in my room, that much I knew. I could recognize my pastel colored walls anywhere. I was moving, but my legs weren't moving. I looked up. Oh, right Kile. My head was nestled on his chest. My arms were wound around his neck. He was carrying me. I suddenly felt his arms descend and my body fall onto a soft mattress.

I glanced at the clock next to my bed. 7:15 p.m. I shook my head, that's not possible. It was only 3 wasn't it?

"My clock's broken."

I looked up and saw Kile laugh. "No. It really is 7:15."

"Liar. I know what time it is."

He smirked down at me. "Do you now?"

"Yes. The vigil started at noon. I made small talk and then a speech and then-"

"And then you decided to start heavy drinking, walked to the edge of the castle grounds where I found you, and then passed out as I carried you across the castle grounds."

I pouted. "That's not exactly how it went."

He gave me a look. "That's exactly how it went."

"But all that couldn't have taken 4 hours!" I huffed.

He rolled his eyes and then he started ticking off his fingers one by one recounting the facts. "I saw you take the wine bottle at 3. It took you about 30 minutes to walk to the edge of the garden. We talked for 15 minutes. By then it was around 4. I took you through the hidden passageways which took about an hour, because quite frankly I haven't been in there for a while and I got lost, and you were heavy."

"Hey!" I protested. I wasn't heavy. How dare-

He continued as if he didn't hear me. "I had to find my mother and tell her what happened because by then everyone was getting worried about you. She was in the boardroom in the other side of the palace and then I carried you here using another set of secret passageways which brings us to the time now, 7:15." He looked quite proud of himself by the time he was done.

I turned over and pressed my head into the pillow in exasperation. "Ugh. You're such a know-it-all!," came my muffled reply.

He chuckled. I turned my face to him. He did so much for me. We both stared at each other quietly for a few moments before Kile cleared his throat.

"I should go. I can bring you something to eat if you like?"

I shook my head. My appetite was gone, washed away with all the alcohol. I was just so tired, both physically and mentally drained. I just wanted to fall into an eternal sleep and not have to face the world.

Kile nodded and turned to leave. I quickly grasped his hand before he could leave me. He looked back at me, questions swarming in his eyes.

"Stay." I whispered.

He gazed at me quietly. I could see the indecision in his eyes. I held my breath. I couldn't stand to be alone, not tonight. He looked away from me for a moment then slowly nodded.

"Okay."

He shrugged off his jacket quietly and pulled off his shoes. I gently pulled him to my bed. He came willingly, never taking his eyes off me. I moved to the side of my vast bed as he laid down next to me. I lay on my side facing him, watching him. His body turned towards me and without thinking, I moved toward him. His arms enveloped me and I immediately melted willingly into them. I didn't need to think, it was instinctual. It was magnetic, this constant need to be around him, to be near him.

His arms wrapped around me as I placed my head on his chest. I took a deep breath and inhaled his scent. He smelled so good, like a mix of hazelnut and musk. Maybe hygiene wasn't a problem after all if he always smelled like this. I sighed in content. So he wasn't just a good kisser, he smelled good too, and was really comfy.

It didn't take long for me to fall asleep. In fact, I don't think I've ever fallen asleep so easily than here in his arms. He was more comfortable than my bed!

I felt a light press against my temple and smiled as I fell into the land of dreams. One last thought entered my mind as I drifted off. What would I do without Kile?

...

I awoke to the feeling of warmth from two arms securely around me. I felt so safe. This had been the best sleep I'd had in weeks, like I would tell Kile that. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my lips.

I peeked up at him only to see him smiling that stupid crooked smirk down at me, but then my eyes captured his. In his eyes I saw concern, worry, and a tenderness I'd never seen before. Well, a tenderness he'd never looked at me with. When we were younger, I recalled seeing that look in his eyes when he would look at his parents. But never with me, until now.

Something had changed between us since the Selection started. I could feel it in the way he held me, the way he touched me, or whispered my name. It was getting harder and harder for me to pull away from the hold he seemed to have on me. And the more time I spent with him, the more I didn't want to fight it.

"Well, it's not every day I wake up next to an angel," he teased.

I giggled. "I'm anything but an angel."

He pretended to ponder it. "Are you sure? Well, I suppose you have been acting devilish lately..."

I thwacked him playfully before we both burst into laughter. Somehow Kile had found a way to become someone I relied on for comfort and someone who could easily distract me from all my troubles. I hated to admit it, but he was special in that way.

Our laughter died down, but Kile still had a trace of a smile on his lips. "Good morning," he whispered quietly.

"Good morning," I whispered back. I don't know why but I suddenly felt shy. "Thank you for staying with me."

He flared his head in a dramatic way. "Well it's not every day a guy gets to help out a princess, especially one that is too darn headstrong for her own good."

This boy. I shook my head and smiled up at him then snuggled further in his embrace. We stayed like that, silently just enjoying each other's company. For the first time in a long time silence didn't bother me.

I lightly traced patterns on his chest, thinking about everything that happened these last few days. Suddenly I remembered something I had said to him. I moved myself up, onto my elbows and looked down at him.

"Some time ago, I told you that we should spend some time together."

His lips quirked up. "I think you're right."

I slowly lifted my eyes to his. "How about we take the day off?"

"Nothing sounds better."

His eyes were bright with mirth and I knew I was probably beaming too.

….

AN: Please let me know what you think. And finally Keadlyn date next chapter! Also for Henri & Hale lovers like me, they'll get some fanfic time I promise. This is a selection after all and Eadlyn can't just pick Kile, that wouldn't be very realistic haha. There will be ups and down for Keadlyn in this fic, BE WARNED.