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CaliforniaFriends - I'm so glad you're all caught up! I thank you again for reading and reviewing the whole thing, you're amazing! If you're familiar with the webisodes, to me Apple and Daring seem like excellent friends, pardon me, 'hexcellent' xD - but I'm not sure, I love to play with plot-lines, characters, etc. just to see where things go and how they've ended up there lmao. I never know how my story's gonna work out until it plays itself out. :) Please enjoy!

~ Chapter Ten: Great Lengths ~

My mind won't stop whirling, granted that could be wooziness for not having eaten in over a day - I didn't feel much like moving. I'd give anything for it to stop, please. . . I hate the spinning sensation.

I knew the ultimate familiar feeling, I shot up from where I lay without any time to spare - leaning over I heaved what little contents my stomach once held. More than anything my throat felt on fire, as well as my insides.

Before I knew, Hopper was right by my side. "Daring? Hey, shh. . . it's okay." I didn't envy this fellow for one moment, not only were his socks not dry anymore - but it hasn't even been two days and he's already stuck by my side through my drama and vomit. If that's not a good friend, I'd never know one.

"I-I'm so sorry," I told him weakly, my throat just burning heavily. I could hardly speak. "I didn't mean. . ."

"It's alright, it's okay. No worries, it's gonna be okay." He got up, I believe to wipe his feet off?

Gross.

As I said, I don't envy him right now.

I wiped away some of my cold sweat, leaning back on the bed underneath me - just trying to catch my breath and somehow soothe my irritated throat.

I soon felt a cool cloth on my forehead and the area that was dampened beside me, seemed mostly dry now. "How. . ." I didn't even have the energy to finish the sentence.

"I told you, shh." He narrowed his eyes at me, continuing to dab my face. "I spent a lot of time along-side my mother and the maids. My father wasn't around much." He told me softly.

I guess it answered my question of how he knew to act so quickly. But it made me curious, as well as realize my all-around ignorance. Not once had I ever let Hopper talk to me.

The realization came suddenly, but I knew nothing about my own roommate. "T-tell me, please?" I asked him.

Hopper tilted his head, "About my castle-life?"

I gave a weak nod as he moistened the cloth again, ringing it out before setting it back where it was.

He shrugged, "There isn't much to talk about truly. My father just, he wasn't a family-oriented person. He got the taste of one woman and wanted many after her."

I couldn't imagine not having my old man around. He guides all three of us. Hopper didn't have that? It might have to do with how sensitive he seems to be.

He pulled up the blanket further, some-what tucking me in. I was strong enough to notice how he was trying to make himself purposely distracted. "My mother, she's. . . a castle maid."

I raised an eyebrow, but quickly decided against it as it hurt to do even that - but what did he say?

"I told you, my father loved all women. My mother, she gave herself to him. He convinced her that she was the only one, he only kept her around to give him an heir to the throne. Only she could give him the boy he wanted. But, even that didn't make him stay."

Hopper was the result of a newly-crowned King's love affair? Well, that's rather steamy. But he wasn't man enough to stick around and see his son grow up? That was angering.

"Happy now? Now you know." He half-smiled. "I'm a Royal, purely because of him, but I'll be damned if I'm going to follow in his steps and break hearts of many." He sighed.

I moved a bit, causing him to break focus. "You're really good at this friend thing, Hopper." I told him, when I felt my throat had rested enough. "Thank you."

He gave a casual shrug of his shoulders, "It's what friends do. Now here," he handed me a glass of water. "take it and call me in the morning. Or don't."

I chuckled, rolled my eyes and took it as he got up to change his socks finally. I certainly owed him a new pair. With an eased mind after that and a calm serene atmosphere, I was able to drift off to sleep in no time.

Next I opened my eyes, it was very early morning. The sky was still dark, with a faint hint of moonlight shining in. I looked over to see Hopper sleeping soundly, I looked up at the ceiling. I felt more hungry than anything, but I no longer felt sick.

Reflecting upon it, it could very well be the piling stress. I wasn't a person who let my guard down, exposing my true emotions in such way. I spent so much time hiding them, it only felt right to keep them bottled. In hindsight it wasn't a good idea, apparently my body can't handle it so well - but I didn't want to worry anyone. I was alright for the most part.

My cell phone vibrated briefly, I looked at the dorm nightstand inquisitively. It was plugged in, must've been Hopper's doing. I picked it up.

Dare, I can't stop thinking about how you ran away from me a few days before school. I don't know what scared you, but I'd like to talk... if you're up for it? I know it's late and all

It was Dexter who had text me? I sat up a bit, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and decided to compose a reply.

Sure. I'm sorry.

I knew I should've said more, I couldn't bring myself to do so though. Not entirely sure of why.

Meet me outside the dormitory, :)

I took my cellular phone with me, just in case I ended up locked out some how, I could call poor Hopper to let me back in. I was in my own socked feet, pajama bottoms with crowns on them and a thin shirt. Still how I'd look if I were in bed.

"Hey," it was all I heard when I opened the heavy dorm door, I nearly fell down the stairs.

"Shh! Dexter, must you be so loud?" I asked him, mildly annoyed - but I changed my tone quickly. "Dex, I. . ."

"Let me speak first," he asked of me in return, I didn't know what else to do. He wanted the first word so I suppose I'd let him. "I know you were scared because of what I did over the summer. Keeping away from you and Darling, when I couldn't handle it anymore I broke the mirror - still don't recall doing it - and it scared you. I'm the one who should be sorry Daring-"

I strongly protested, "No Dexter, you listen to me. I'm the one who needs to apologize to you. When I became aware of your inner pain, it hit me how completely ignorant I'd been to you."

"Daring," Dexter tried to interrupt, but I wasn't going to have any of that right now. Not when I'm trying to explain myself.

"Dex, please. I need to get this out." I confessed, "I care more than I let you know, hell - I love you Dexter, you're my brother! I just didn't think I had to tell you that I clearly feel that way. We might not be tight best friends, but you're my brother and you should be able to talk to me. I, would like that if we could just talk from now on. If something's bothering one of us, to be able to talk to the other. Please?"

I was waiting for anything, a yell, a smack, a punch - but he hugged me. My brother hugged me, and I hugged him back. It never felt better. "I can try to talk, but make sure you try just as hard - alright?"

I nodded, we soon parted. "So we're good?"

Dexter chuckled, "Of course we are, Daring." A few moments of silence went by before anything else was said. "So, how's about the girl situation?"

I shook my head, "Confused. So confused, and torn but I'm not ready to deal with that any time soon."

He smirked at me, "It's tiring being a stud, isn't it?"

I narrowed my eyes, "I have one who would cling to me and the other that runs from me, you tell me if it's tiring or not."

He shrugged his shoulders, "You still have time to worry about that, I'm just glad that you're more comfortable with me now. I," he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm just glad we're okay. I missed you."

I lightly punched his arm, with a signature grin, "I missed you too, but for school's sake we're good and all but - we don't walk around the same circles right?"

He rolled his eyes, "There's Daring back."

I flashed a toothy grin with a knowing wink, "And better than ever."