Well today has been a bad day. First loder attends my school, second Duke was absent so that weird gym teacher substituted again, and third I had to sit through detention with him. I got detention for writing down notes. Apparently he thought I was passing notes to someone.

The sun was setting by the time I got out and I am so hungry. I walked around the nobles' quarter to see if there was any takeout. I saw restaurants, but I don't think they let customers leave with the food. Although I don't think that I'd become full from eating their food. Besides appetizers just don't suit my taste.

So I guess takeout was out of the question especially since I hardly have anything to buy up here. I hardly have any money. I started walking home when voices caught my attention. I peeked into the alleyway and spotted Duke and Commandant Alexei. Duke was against the wall and the Commandant was caressing Duke's face. I couldn't hear what they were saying though. I studied their mouths and began to lip read.

"Quit teaching those kids and join the Imperial guards officially." Alexei said.

"I can't do that. The children rely on me to teach them."

Alexei leaned in closer to Duke and said "I love you."

Duke hadn't said anything else. He simply let the Commandant kiss him. Alexei looked used to this behavior. How could he be though? Duke closed his eyes slightly and had an emotionless look on his face.

I quickly left the alleyway. Well at least now I won't have to worry about what to eat since I lost my appetite.

The Commandant and Duke? Together? That's not something that you'd expect. They both seem like they have a wife and children in a very happy home.

I got to my apartment to find Flynn cleaning it. Repede lay on my bed watching him. Everything was almost spotless so he must've been doing this after school. Flynn saw me and greeted me with a kiss which was unlikely. Usually he'd scold me for being sloppy.

Flynn backed away from me and frowned. He said "You have no food left…"

I shrugged and replied "We can just eat at your place…"

"I don't have any either."

"Oh…"

This never happened before. Usually one of us had enough to feed each other if one of us ever ran out. At least Repede had something to eat.

We could always drink water to subside the hunger and I have some soda left which works better than water.

Unfortunately Flynn and I have to wait another week for Flynn's mother to send money. She doesn't live in Zaphias anymore because it reminds her of her late husband. He worked with the Imperial guards and died on a mission due to ignoring orders. He wanted to save someone's life and the leader wouldn't let him. Flynn's mother now lives in Capua Nor. Apparently she loves the ocean.

When I think about it, a week is far away. How will we survive till then? Now I'm getting a headache from this. It's not pleasant thinking about how you'll survive.

Until nightfall Flynn and I planned what we'd do for a week. Asking for money or food is rude. I know Estelle would gladly give it to us, but I don't want to ask.

The next day was sunny again. There's never any rain here and I think it only rained once this month. Maybe the weather reacts to everyone's mood. Today everyone seems happy and lively like the sun's heat.

It was just Flynn and I hanging out on school grounds. Estelle hasn't come yet. Now, for the rest of the year, the princess wants to walk to school alone. She feels like she's taking advantage of me. Friends walk with you if they want to. Obviously she wouldn't understand that until she experiences it.

The heat makes me tired and I yawned aloud. That was when Flynn pointed out an elf carrying a large basket covered in clear plastic paper. The elf approached us and handed me the basket. Prince loder smiled friendly. That's something I have never seen him do.

"What's this?" I asked.

"A present for you." He told me.

I had no idea if I should accept the gift. I examined it. It was made out of some expensive material. I suppose I could sell the basket for a good amount of money.

"Yuri doesn't want this." Flynn said. You could hear the jealousy in his voice.

"Wait a minute, Flynn." I said with excitement. "There's food in here."

Flynn looked inside too and his face lit up. We could possibly make this last for a week if we don't become gluttons.

Now for the hard part. "Th-Thanks loder but don't give me anymore gifts."

"Why not?" He asked. His cluelessness showed in his face and also the way he said it. "Isn't it common for someone to give his lover gifts?"

I furrowed my eyebrows. He just wouldn't give in to the fact that I don't like him and Prince loder freaks me out. His behavior, mannerisms, and facial expressions. I quickly glanced at Flynn's face. It looked like his face was going to turn red and steam was going to come out of his ears. I couldn't help but laugh silently to myself.

I assume before things got out of hand, Flynn led me away from loder. The prince stayed behind still looking clueless. He doesn't understand that I don't want him and that I have Flynn. I also have a strong feeling that he'll keep pursuing until he finally gets it. If that happens, I fear Flynn will get arrested this time.

Flynn's hand traveled from my shoulder to my waist. The feeling kind of made me jump a little and the gentle touch tickled. I liked it when he held me like this, but it didn't last as long as I hoped. Flynn let go when the students came through the gate. I think he let go mainly because he saw Estelle. This reminds me that I still have to tell her that Flynn is no longer single.

When she saw us she smiled largely and practically skipped to us. Estelle's hair grew a little. It was now shoulder length. It's kind of strange seeing it this way because yesterday it was right above her shoulders. I think royal products are mutated. I would never use them and I also think that the food has fewer nutrients than it's supposed to.

As soon as Estelle approached us she spotted the basket and asked "What's this?"

"It's a gift and good morning to you too." I said.

Estelle grinned nervously. "G-Good morning. Who gave it to you? A secret admirer?"

The words ran through my head slowly and I felt my face get hot. I know they both saw me blushing. I'm not attracted to loder so I don't understand why I'm blushing. I felt bad for it. Flynn looked sad and now he's going to think that I have some feelings for that elf.

"It's from Prince loder." I answered.

Her eyes lit up. "You and Prince loder are going out!"

My heart raced from worrying if people heard or not. Flynn's eyes widened just from hearing it. A person stopped and stared for a few seconds but continued to walk. Estelle's eyes dimmed once Flynn and I told her in unison "no."

From behind us, Sodia came out of nowhere and hugged Flynn. She buried her face in his back and squeezed him tighter. She gave me a look like she had just won Flynn over. I wouldn't be able to get her away for good so I just rolled my eyes and motioned the jealous Estelle to walk with me.

Estelle and I left but I didn't go too far from Flynn. I wanted to hear him tell Sodia that he's already in a relationship. Estelle paid no attention to the situation. Instead she looked through her notes for an upcoming test. In some ways I think she'll deny it and still continue to pursue him. Although if he tells her that he's gay then she might stop flirting and messing around with him… but we all that's not going to happen.

From the distance I saw Sodia hold onto Flynn's arm and put her face closer to his. If she was trying to have sex appeal, it wasn't working. Flynn's discomfort showed plainly.

Her words came out in a lusty tone. It reminded me of loder. Sodia batted her eyelashes and changed her posture. She asked "Why spend time with Yuri when you could be with me?"

Flynn furrowed his eyebrows. He responded bluntly "I like to."

"But…! I'm much cuter than him… You should find me so attractive and irresistible that you can't be away from me for even a second."

I had to restrain myself from laughing out loud. Usually people don't look at themselves that way, but in Sodia's case she obviously saw the exact opposite. That demon girl isn't beautiful inside or out. Anyone can see that… Well, except Estelle.

Flynn gave her one of his friendly smiles although he really wanted to smack her deep down inside.

"I'm glad that you like me Sodia, but I'm not interested in you…" Flynn swallowed hard. His expression became stern. "I'm in love with Yuri. He's my boyfriend."

Sodia's became horrified, but soon she grew angry. She gritted her teeth. Sodia looked in my direction and glared. The stare frightened me somewhat. It had an emotion that I never knew she had. Now I know her obsession with Flynn is dangerous.

Sodia looked at Flynn one last time and stomped away. Her face had revenge all over it. Flynn looked at me to assure me that everything was okay, but we all knew it wasn't.

I jumped a little when Estelle grabbed my hand and said with excitement "Yuri! I need to copy your English homework!"

Without allowing me to say anything else, she pulled me into the building. I didn't want to see Duke this early in the morning.

Just as Estelle and I went inside, I noticed that Prince loder approached Flynn.

XXX

-Flynn's View

Prince loder came up to me just when Yuri and Estelle rushed into the school. I don't like Prince loder and he doesn't like me. The more I look at him makes me want to punch him.

He smiled at me. It was obviously a fake smile. There's no way he'd be happy to see me nevertheless speak with me.

"So…?" He said. "You're in love with Yuri?"

"Yeah. So what of it?" I said as rude as possible.

Prince loder grinned even wider. "That makes you my rival Mr. Flynn Scifo."

I frowned. There's no competition between us. Yuri loves me. There's no way that this… this… elf could expect to win Yuri over with gifts and his immature, lusty behavior. No one would fall for him (besides the fact that he's filthy rich).

Prince loder continued "If I get Yuri's love then you have to stay away from him. To ensure that, he'd live with me in nobles' quarter or in Heliord."

I scoffed. "You're not smart are you? Yuri's already in love with me."

"Oh really?"

Prince loder had me frowning again. I admit that in some ways Yuri liked me. Maybe the word "love" never crossed his mind. Although if it didn't then the feeling would come up eventually.

The elf boy smiled. I assume he thought he'd won this conversation. "I'll see you later Flynn. Tell Yuri I said that I miss him."

After that, he walked away. Like hell I'd tell Yuri. Prince loder is only lusting for him. That pervert. I decided to enter the building. Estelle and Yuri must be in Duke sensei's room.

XXX

-Yuri's View

I sat next to Estelle as she copied my answers and the basket of food the elf gave me sat on the floor next to my desk. The moment I saw yesterday between Duke and Alexei still surprised me. Their relationship was not expecting. I'd like to know more about them, but it's not my business. Duke's expression wouldn't leave my mind. How could Alexei want to be with him with a face like that, but yet why would Duke still be with Alexei if he wasn't into him?

Just knowing about them makes me wonder if Flynn and I will turn out that way.

I peered at Estelle. She still wasn't finished (not even half way). That was when Duke walked in. He looked at us but didn't pay us any mind. Instead he sat down at his desk and laid his head down. Duke's white long hair almost touched the floor when he was sitting down. Other strands of his hair rested on the desk and hung over the edge. He was obviously upset.

I left Estelle to copy my work. I pulled up a chair in front of Duke's desk and said "Bad morning?"

He lifted his head up. You could see the dark circles under his eyes. His skin was also pale. Duke wasn't sick… perhaps… stressed out?

"You don't know the half of it." He answered. Then he had a concentrated facial expression as he studied me. "Have you ever had someone in love with you, but you don't love that person back?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you talking about yourself and Commandant Alexei?"

Duke appeared horrified as those words came out. Just to make sure he feared my words, I looked back at Estelle to see if she was still working (which she was of course).

"How did you know?" he asked.

"I was walking home and saw you two kissing. You don't love Alexei? Why?"

Sensitivity overcame him and he slouched in his chair. "I don't know. I enjoy being with him but… Let's get off this subject… I stole something back for you."

Duke reached into his bag and pulled out my bodhi blastia. He slid it across the table. I thought I'd never get it back and even more surprising, Duke stole for me. A teacher and his boyfriend is the leader of the Imperial guards. Now that doesn't happen often.

"Th-Thanks…" I said as I took it off of the desk.

"No. Thank you."

Out of nowhere Flynn snatched my bodhi blastia out of my hands and clutched it in his hand. Of course he'd do that. Nothing belongs to me when Flynn knows it'll cause me problems.

I glared at him, but I stopped when I saw the troubled look Flynn was giving as he stared at the blastia. A few moments into his daze he realized Duke and I were staring at his strange reaction to the blastia.

Flynn frowned at me and said "This thing has caused you a lot a trouble. That problem is loder. Yuri… I don't want you alone with Prince loder ever again. We all know he wants more than just your trust and kisses."

Flynn stormed out of the room. How come I'm always running after him? I quickly caught up to him. I grabbed his arm and looked him in the eyes. His blue eyes still made me melt once I looked in them. To avoid saying anything stupid, I hugged him so I couldn't look in his eyes.

"I like you. Not loder." I assured.

"Is that how you really feel?"

"Of course."

Flynn left my embrace. Now he was angry for some reason. "Damn it Yuri! I love you and you just like me!"

I reached out for him but he smacked my hand away and went down the hallway. I didn't do anything wrong. He always causes me problems by stressing me out like this. Who the hell made him think like that?

To be continued…