Here's another chapter for ya'll.... those who read this anyway. Not receiving many reviews so maybe I shouldn't even update.... hm....


Rhiannon stared sadly at them as they walked by laughing and talking. She looked after them from behind a pillar, full of confusion. Watching them walk away made her feel more lonely then she's ever felt before. What am I suppose to do? Rhiannon went up against the pillar and slowly slide down. Tucking her legs in, Rhiannon let her head lay in between her legs. I know if I hang out with them I'll get in trouble… but I can't stay away from them forever. Emma and Billy are my friends. She gave a big sigh and pushed herself up. Looking from the pillar she sang to herself. (a/n: the tune below is to May It Be by Enya)

"Day and night, you will toll

like a cursed, lost doll

But comes the day when you will shine

My dear child

you'll be mine

How can this be all true

if I don't know who told me

Every night, I see your shadow

You call to bring me home to you

And can it be? that you'll protect me

or am I just living on my own

Can't they see the pain I hide

Crying tears when they've gone

No one cares that I need help

Like a fragile lost doll

Don't they see that I'm just like them

I need a friend to tell secrets to

And I ask them why can't they see that

I can not shine if they don't help me.

I can not shine if they don't help me.

As Rhiannon finished singing, she slid down the pillar and hugged her legs tight. Suddenly she heard a noise, she looked around and saw Melanie.

"Were you here the whole time?" she asked Melanie. When Melanie nodded Rhiannon turned back and hugged her legs tighter. "I don't know what to do," she mumbled.

"I gave you some choices," Melanie said.

"I know but I don't see any good ones."

"Don't worry about them," Melanie's voice was unusually soft and gentle and Rhiannon looked up in surprise.

"Why are you acting like this?" Rhiannon asked. Melanie shrugged. Rhiannon concluded that even she did not clearly why she was acting like this. Melanie then twisted around, opening her bag. Taking out a piece of paper she handed it to Rhiannon.

"You're to go to the King's Room now, everyday for homework." Rhianon took the paper and opened it. It was a letter written by Dr. Bloor.

"Why do I have to go in there?" Rhiannon asked.

"Because he told Ezekial that you're endowed and apparently all the endowed are suppose to work in there. I think it's something about keeping all of us together. You have to give this letter to Manfred when you get there. " Manfred. Rhianon never heard of him but the name didn't sound like it belonged to a nice dude. Melanie shrugged. She knelt down besides Rhiannon and smiled. Rhiannon was taken aback. When was the last time Melanie smiled? However, the smile was kind of… sad as though she was hiding something. What could it be? "Don't worry about them ok? It'll be for the best if you stayed away from them." Melanie got up and Rhiannon slowly watched her go. The horn sounded. Melanie got up and with her hand on the pillar she peered past it and saw Billy. He was headed to History, maybe he could help her find the King's Room because Rhiannon had no idea where it was. "I can not shine if they don't help me."

*****

"Billy!," Billy turned around to find the voice. "Billy!" There it was again. Billy looked ahead and saw Rhiannon running towards him. He smiled and waved. He waited for Rhiannon to catch up with him before entering the room. Almost immediately the teacher set them to work, and because of this Billy didn't get a chance to talk to Rhiannon until the end of class. At the end of class, Billy waited for Rhiannon to finish packing and then walked up to her.

"How are you Rhia?" he asked.

"Ok, I guess." Rhiannon answered curtly.

"Was there something you wanted to ask me before class?" Billy asked. Rhiannon looked around and took out a piece of paper. She handed it to Billy and said softly, "I have to go to the King's Room for homework starting next Monday and I was wondering whether you can take me there or not."

"Um… of course I could," Billy said as he quickly read the letter. "Dr. Bloor wrote this?" Billy asked in astonishment. Rhiannon nodded and Billy took a second glance at the letter. He didn't like the look of this letter. It looked very suspicious, as if it was hiding over a thousand secrets inside the words.

"Can I keep it Rhia?" He asked. Rhia gave a shrug and Billy quickly stuff it in his bag. Maybe Charlie or Emma could decipher it or maybe one of the other boys, Tancred and Lysander. "What class do you have before homework?" he asked.

"Language," she said. Billy nodded and told her that he would wait for her at the end of that class. Rhiannon agreed and left the room. Heading to his next class Billy wondered, Another mystery is here at Bloor's. What endowment does Rhia have and why is she being sent to the King's Room now and not at the beginning of the semester. Billy knew whether he liked it or not, another adventure was in store for him and his friends.

*****

As Rhiannon entered her painting class she realized that she was the very last person to enter. All pairs of eyes were upon her as she nervously sat down next to Emma. The teacher continued instructing them on the first project they were to begin today.

"This project is to 'discover and paint.' Your goal in this project is to find a way to paint your thoughts and ideas in a presentable way. Today by the end of class you are to find some special attributes or values that are most important to you. You must also begin your sketch today. The design is totally up to you but you just have a minimum of five thoughts or values incorporated into you painting. Make the painting a part of you. You know where the supplies are if you need them, get started." The teacher walked to her desk and took out a pile of paper as the students walked around the class getting supplies and whatnot. Rhiannon simply opened her bag to take out a piece of paper. Uncapping a pen, Rhiannon began envisioning this project. The teacher wouldn't know what attributes or values are really important to me, I could simply make them up. Smiling, Rhiannon began writing and designing.

Moments into the class, Rhiannon finished designing her project. She took a step back to look at her sketch. It wasn't bad, in fact it looked pretty good. Rhiannon decided to get her teacher's comments, after all it was her who was going to grade it. Picking up her sketch, Rhiannon headed for Miss. Lina's desk. Miss. Lina was writing some sort of note.

"Miss. Lina," Rhiannon said. Miss. Lina stopped writing and raised her head, "Yes Rhiannon?"

"Well, I was just wondering whether you could give me some advice on this sketch. What do you think?" Miss. Lina extended her hand motioning for the sketch. Rhiannon gave her the sketch and Miss. Lina held up for both of them to see.

"Hm…" Miss Lina said as Rhiannon waited with anticipation. "It looks pretty good Rhiannon. I really love the design and the stars are really well placed." she handed the sketch back to Rhiannon and Rhiannon nervously accepted it.

"So, is there anything I should do with it?"

"Not that I can think of at the moment," Miss Lina said, her head bent down again, "You're truly a remarkable designer."

"Thanks," Rhiannon said. She waited for Miss. Lina to say more but when she didn't, Rhiannon shrugged and returned to her desk. She looked up at the clock. Still about 15 minutes left. Sighing, Rhiannon stretched her arm onto the desk and laying her head on them she turned to watch Emma as she designed. She wanted to ask Emma about her design but decided against it. She wasn't sure yet whether she wanted to receive the consequences yet. His powers are pretty strong. she thought.

On her desk she laid for five more minutes. Then she saw Melanie lean over to Emma. Interested, she sat up and strained her ears to hear. "You know," Melanie was saying, "that's a beautiful design."

"Thanks," Emma said, "I'm having trouble figuring out this last section. Without it, it doesn't look right but with it, it seems over crowded."

Melanie nodded understanding but Emma caught a glimpse of craftiness in her eyes. Why was she acting like this? she thought, it was like she had a split personality. "What values and attributes have you put in it?" her voice was extremely coy and Rhiannon sat holding her breath.

"I guess stuff like love, happiness, honesty, innocence, stuff like that," Emma said. She lay down her pencil and sat back to look over her design.

"Were you thinking of showing it to anyone special?" Melanie asked. Rhiannon immediately knew where there was trouble. Both girls knew that Emma liked Tancred. It was obvious but what was Melanie planning?

"Well I guess I'll show to Livvy and Tancred. Maybe Lysander as well." Emma said shrugging. She was quite oblivious to Melanie's plan and turned to face her. "Why do you want to know anyway?" Rhiannon watched as Melanie smiled a sweet yet sly smile. Emma indeed was quite innocent, she decided, if she couldn't see a trap right in front of her.

"I don't think it's a good idea to show it to Tancred," Melanie smoothly said.

"What's that?"

"Simply because he probably wouldn't care."

"What do you mean?" Emma asked.

"What I mean is that he doesn't care about you the way you think he does," Melanie said. Both Rhiannon and Emma jaws dropped. Rhiannon immediately looked at Melanie. However she wasn't looking back, she was instead looking at Emma. How could she say something like that? Rhiannon thought. She knew it wasn't true and so did Melanie but why then would she lie?

"You're lying," Emma said her voice shaky.

"I'm not lying," Melanie said indifferent.

"How would you know anyway? You don't even know him."

"I heard him say it."

"When?"

"Yesterday when he was with Lysander. I heard him say he didn't like you but he didn't know how to tell you." Melanie said smiling. Emma watched her in amazement. She's lying, she thought to herself, Tancred would never say anything like that. But what if she really was telling the truth? Emma stared silent just gaping at the news.

"I think you should just stay away from her."

"What if she doesn't?" Rhiannon spoke up. Melanie and Emma both looked at her and Melanie merely laughed.

"Why would she want to hang out with him if he doesn't like her." she turned to look at Emma. Emma turned back around and looked nervously into her eyes, "Emma, I could help you stay away from him. You know anything about boys?"

"Not really…" Emma admitted. Her stomach was doing back flips and she felt extremely lightheaded. Melanie is lying, she kept telling herself but she had her doubts. Tancred did sometimes treat her like a normal girl instead of someone he likes.

"You see," Melanie said, "I know a thing or two about boys. If you want a boy to notice you, you simply have to ignore him or treat him meanly. He'll notice you and then he'll ask you what's wrong." Rhiannon shook her head in disbelievement. How could Melanie say such a thing to Emma?

"That… that doesn't sound very nice." Emma said.

"I know," Melanie said, "but if you want him to like you that's what you have to do. Trust me." Emma seemed hesitant to answer and Rhiannon did not like how Melanie was manipulating her.

"Mel!" Rhiannon said. Melanie rolled her eyes and said, "What?"

"You can't do this," Rhiannon said.

"And why can't I? I'm just trying to help her."

"You're not."

"Well if you're not happy then you don't have to listen." Melanie said. She returned her gaze to Emma and Rhiannon was officially out of the conversation. Rhiannon watched hopelessly willing Emma to refuse Melanie's request.

"He didn't really say that did he?" Emma asked.

"Of course he wouldn't!" Rhiannon said. She was going to say more but Melanie cut her short with a piercing glare.

"That's what I heard him say." Melanie said casually shrugging her shoulders. "I'll help you. Just first off, avoid him at all cost and if he tries to talk to you, just refuse to say anything."

"What's in it for you?" Emma asked.

"Oh nothing," Melanie said, "I just want to help you. However, there is this one thing… if I help you then you have to help me."

"What's that?"

"Well… not now but soon… I want you to help me trick the other endowed children. For now, you could simply do some of my homework."

"What?!" Emma cried. "Trick them? What do you mean?"

"I want you to trick them, you're friends with them so it'll be easy for you. Lead them into danger and stuff. I'll tell you more later."

"I can't do that. They're my friends." Emma said.

"Do you want Tancred to love you?" Emma fell silent and Melanie knew she had her trapped. "If you want him then you'll have to go along with this. I'll help you get him back."

Rhiannon saw Emma struggling against this decision. She willed her to be strong and say no, but at last, it wasn't meant to me. Rhiannon bent her head and breathed a resigned sigh as Emma looked Melanie in the eye and said, "Fine."

"So it's a deal then?" Melanie asked. "Let's shake on it," She extended a hand and Emma grabbed it. They shook hands and the deal was sealed…. or was it?

"Good," Melanie smiled. "Don't think about going back on the deal either and if you do… I'll make sure you get back on track… if you get my drift?" She seemed to focus her eyes especially on Rhiannon as if she was warning her not to interfere.

Turning back to her design, Emma stared at it troubled. Did she make the right decision or was it just plain stupid of her? She laid head down onto her arms for she sat there for the rest of the class period, thinking over her decision. The last fifteen minutes of class seemed to take forever. When the horn finally sounded, Emma stuffed her sketchbook inside her bag and trudged for the door. However, before she reached the door, Melanie pulled her aside and whispered in her ear, "Meet me in my dorm after homework tonight." Nodding, Emma followed her out the door. Heaving a sigh, Emma trudged her way to the King's Room. Passing the garden, Emma stared out. The sun was setting at this time of day and it cast long shadows through the arches and into the hallway. Feeling the warmth from the sun reminded her of the memories she shared with Tancred and the others. Now she could no longer be with Tancred. Emma let out a big sigh, and wondered, was that deal really worth it or had she made a mistake?

Then, as if the devil had called willed it himself, Emma heard her name called out by one distinguishable voice. Emma closed her eyes tight and willed the voice to go away. However, it did not. Instead, it came closer and closer. Feeling a hand on her shoulder she took a deep shuddering breath.

"Is something wrong?" the voice asked.

"No." Emma said forcing herself to stay calm.

"Em…" the voice said. It sounded worried but Emma forced herself to disregard it. She mustn't listen to him, she mustn't talk to him. But she couldn't. His voice sounded extremely tender and worried. How could Melanie be so sure? Biting her lip, she turned around and gave a weak smile.

"Hey," she said. In front of her stood the two inseparable boys, contradicting each other in appearance.

"Em…" the blonde spiky hair boy said. His eyes were filled with worry and Emma gave a small gulp as she forced herself to ignore his eyes. "Are… you ok?"

"I'm fine," Emma said with a nervous smile. The two boys exchanged worried glances and Emma knew she was in trouble. She quickly turned around and began heading for the King's Room. She closed her eyes to block out Tancred's voice and as she turned the corner to enter the room she quickly wiped her eyes. Gasping for breath she entered the room. There were already a few kids in there and Emma quietly took a seat in a corner. Not soon after Tancred and Lysander entered the room and Emma looked at the wall, biting her lip. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw that the two boys had seated and she chanced a glance at them. Lysander took out his homework and began busily working. Tancred, however, was just simply staring at the wall blankly.

Watching him made her heart break. Emma wanted nothing more than to get up and talk to him. However, she knew she couldn't, not now while Melanie was here. Sighing, Emma turned to her work. Looking down at her homework she picked up her pen and tried to focus. However, she could not. She found herself thinking about Tancred, Melanie, the deal. The two hours of homework seemed extra long that day as Emma found herself continuously glancing up at the clock, willing it to move faster.

After what seemed like forever, the horn finally sounded and Emma desperately made her way for the door. She could no longer stand being in the same room as Melanie. As she raced through the hallway she missed the look one particular boy gave him as she left. It was filled with disgust, anxiety, sadness. Watching her leave without a word made Tancred more confused then ever. Why was she acting so? Lysander told him not to worry about it, but how could he, when his crush was acting so… abnormal?

Twitching his lip, Tancred headed for the garden. He headed for the soccer field where he saw the other boys getting ready. "Hey!" he said as he dropped his soccer bag on the ground. Opening it, he took out his shin guards and cleats. Quickly putting them on Tancred stood up and began stretching. As soon as the other boys finished, the captain walked over and practice began.

For an hour and a half, Tancred forgot about his troubles over Emma. He practiced with the team and took many extraordinary shots. When practice finished Tancred sat down exhausted. Removing off his shin guards and cleats he grabbed his bottle. Squirting it into his mouth he felt a tap on his shoulder. Looking around, he saw one of the boys. "The captain wants to talk to you." the boy said.

"What about?"

"'Dunno." Tancred gathered his belongings and searched for the captain. The captain was sitting on a nearby picnic table. Walking over, Tancred put down his belongings and asked, "So Blaine. What is it you want to talk to me about."

"You might want to sit down," the captain suggested. Tancred sat down opposite of the boy and listened expectedly.

"Well, to begin with you did excellent tonight. Our first game is next Wednesday and I'm think you're good enough to start."

"Wow." Tancred said, "Thanks."

"No problem." Blaine said. "In other news, you're friends with that girl Emma Tolly correct?"

"Yeah," Tancred said suspiciously. At the same time he thought to himself, if she ever tells me what's bothering her.

"Well Torsson, there may be a dilemma with that." Blaine said slowly. Tancred wrinkled his brow trying to comprehend the boy's words.

"What do you mean… a dilemma?"

"You see, the team and I had a discussion and we've come to a conclusion."

"And what's that?"

"While you are on the team you are not permitted to hang out with Emma."

"What?!" Tancred screamed, his cloak blowing fiercely in a wind that was all his own. "What do you mean not permitted? What's wrong with hanging out with her?"

"You're on the team now, Torsson. Which, simply put, means you can't hang out with girls like Emma. Please sit down and control yourself." Blaine said calmly. This simply outraged Tancred more.

"What are you talking about? 'Girls like Emma?' What's that suppose to mean?"

"We are cool guys," Blaine said. "We date popular, attractive girls. Emma Tolly is not one of them. If you want to be a part of this team then you will have to say good bye to your friend."

"Wait a sec," Tancred said. "Who said anything about dating? I'm just simply hanging out with her."

"Hanging out, dating, same diff. Point is, we are only seen around each other or with those girls."

"What about the guys?" Tancred said. "How come I can hang out with them and Olivia Vertigo? She's ok and Emma's not?"

"We have no problems when it comes to the guys." Blaine said indifferent. "And Olivia… she's an actress. She's a drama queen which gives her two thumbs up. Emma on the other hand is soft, quiet and has no fire."

Tancred shook his head in disbelievement. No fire? Emma has pure fire when angered. What do they know about Emma anyway? "And if I don't?"

"Simple, we will force you to leave her."

Tancred simply laughed. "Force me? Then I must as well leave this team."

"You can't," Blaine said smiling.

"I can't?" Tancred laughed in disbelievement. "And why is that?"

"You joined it. Once someone joins it, they can't leave unless everyone agrees and I don't agree."

"So what are you going to do to stop me?" Tancred challenged.

"We can do many horrible things." Blaine said. For a second as the sun hit his face, Tancred thought he saw Blaine's eyes snap red.

"Don't tempt us, Torsson." Blaine's voice grew a bit venomous, spitting out every word.

"Whatever," Tancred muttered, "You can't make me stop hanging out with one of my best friend just because she's the wrong type of girl." He grabbed his bags and left, furious by what he had just heard. If he had seen the look on the captain's face, perhaps he would have thought twice before refusing. We will get him to oblige to our needs. The plan is working according to plan.