Author's Note: Hello everybody! Writing has been difficult for me lately as my depression has been kicking my butt, but I finally found some time to do so. On another note, this will be the chapter in which Yuri Briar is introduced in. I just wanted to give a warning that I'd be glossing over Yuri's appearance in the usual chapter. This is because this Fanfiction is meant to focus on Annie and her relationships.

Warning: There will be the mention of SA, and the word "rape". If these trigger you, please skip over the flashback sequence.

'It was strange... the feeling of having something as important as your virginity ripped away from you. Especially by an adult. She laid on the bed almost lifelessly, she didn't want to be alive. If she wasn't here this wouldn't of happened, and she wouldn't be feeling all this pain. She tried to ignore the burning of her eyes as she began to tear up. It had took all night to get the man out of the house, he did it multiple times. On and off throughout the night. She stared up at the ceiling as she heard the front door open. It must've been her mother, who had just gotten home. She walked inside her daughter's bedroom and that's when the smell hit her. It smelled of sex, which was a broad term, but it mostly referred to the mixture of the smell of sweat, and bodily fluids that provide accurate lubrication. Not that he gave the girl the chance to get ready for it, her mother stared in shock. Her daughter laid on the bed, her bottoms were off and her shirt was pulled up her hair was messy and the tears had stained her cheeks badly. Her mother was a bad mother, but she knew what this was all too well.

"Oh my god, my baby!" She exclaimed, running into the room. Tears forming in her eyes as she barely remembered the phone call the night before. She quickly found something for her daughter to throw on and sped her to the hospital. All while being on the phone with the police. "I'm headed to the hospital right now with my daughter she's been raped." She heard her mother's voice cracking as she spoke to the police. At least her mom cared enough about her to do this for her, sure her mom was in a bad place years ago, but... at least she cared about her. They pulled into the hospital's parking lot and her mother quickly pulled her daughter out, who could barely even stand. She walked her into the hospital and they got some strange looks from other people. The girl's hair was ratty, stained with tears, and was wearing a large white t-shirt that looked like a dress on her.

"How may I help you, Ma'am?" The receptionist asked, looking concerned at the girl who looked drowsy... It only took a few seconds for the girl to collapse. The receptionist quickly called someone and the girl and her mother were taken to the back, her mother knew rape kits could be rather invasive, but she didn't care. She wanted the man who did this to her daughter to face charges. So they did a rape kit, it all came back fairly quickly. It even came back with DNA, it seemed he didn't bother to pull out. He left all the tracks they needed to have him arrested. It was the day before her fifteenth birthday, and she spent the whole time in the hospital.'

Annie's eyes fluttered open, and she laid in bed while staring aimlessly at the ceiling. She glanced towards the clock which read 8:00AM. She had slept in, it was Sunday so it didn't much matter. She dragged herself out of bed and noticed that Anya wasn't in bed. She assumed that Anya was in the living room with Loid and Yor. She walked over to her closet and pulled out a light blue blouse that had white lily's patterned on it. She quickly pulled a jean skirt on and slipped into her flats. She walked out of her bedroom and smiled at her family who was just setting the table to eat. She sat with them and discussed how school was, while eating.

"School is okay... Except Damian is always mean to me, calling me uggo and other things." Anya admitted, sighing defeatedly. "I've tried everything to get him to leave me alone, but he just feels the need to say something anytime I mess even the littlest thing up!" Annie nodded in agreement, turning to Anya and watching as she shoveled eggs into her mouth. She giggled softly and then sighed loudly.

"Kind of having the same problem..." Annie admitted, gaining the attention of Anya.

"Same problem?" Anya asked, blinking as she looked at Annie, who was now peacefully eating some of her sausage.

"Demetrius!" Annie grumbled annoyedly. "He's always horrible to me, saying that my smarts won't last, and that I'm going to slip up or something eventually." She continued, rolling her eyes as she spoke. "But at the same time I always catch him staring at me. It's so weird!" She whined.

"Yeah, Damian too!" Anya exclaimed, turning to Annie. "I can always feel his eyes on me, no matter where we are! It's like he's using laser vison on me." Anya explained, expressing her annoyance.

"I mean, they are brothers. I guess it would make sense for them to act similarly." Annie nodded as she stood up, collecting the plates once everyone was done eating and then taking them to the sink. She quickly did the dishes, dried her hands and smiled. "I'm gonna go out for a bit, I'll be back soon." Annie walked to the door, and walked out. Obviously Loid knew where she was going, it was getting that time. She needed to have her hair re-dyed before her roots began coming in again. Admittedly she had been rather lazy about it recently, and she had to make sure that she kept her hair pink constantly, but also made the necessary moves to protect her hair in the long run. This was the best option for their mission.

"Good morning!" She announced as she walked into the hair salon, she had become a regular. Luckily, none of the hairdressers had kids who attend Eden, so none of them know that she's telling people that pink is her natural hair color. They waved her down excitedly as she walked into the hair salon, she sat in one of the chairs and waited for a hairdresser to be free, when she did she walked up happily.

"The usual?" She asked, and Annie nodded. This was good, since her hair was still pink and was just now fading the 'usual' could mean anything. So none of the customers would be lose ends. She blinked, why was she thinking like a spy? Perhaps this girl was trained to be one before she was isekai'd into her body. She brushed it off as the hairdresser began her work. The hairdresser first shortened her bangs as they were beginning to go over her eyes, and also trimmed the ends of her hair, successfully removing her split ends. She then slathered her hair in the pink dye, and thus began the waiting process.

Annie sat patiently reading a magazine as she waited, when a familiar voice rang through her ears. Sending shock waves and making her stomach twist. She turned and there she stood, a woman with long pink hair pulled into a tight bun it was the head scientist, the woman who was in charge of the lab that had held her and Anya. She looked exactly as she remembered, she was Anya's biological mother, and also the woman who was responsible for Annie's parent's 'disappearance'. She wore a black powersuit with a white blouse underneath it. Her stomach twisted, she tried to ignore the woman who was discussing with the hairdresser. Her blood ran cold as the woman sat next to her. She remained frozen, not daring to move an inch. She stared at herself in the mirror, but she swore the woman kept subtly glancing at her.

"Alright, Annie. Let's wash the dye out of your hair now." The hairdresser called her, and she rushed to get up and away from the woman, she stumbled over her feet dropping some items on the floor.

"O-Oh, I'm so sorry!" Annie exclaimed, flashbacks began to ensue, this time not of her past life but of the life that had been happening here. She didn't directly remember these, but the body did. ' "No! No, please!" "I'm sorry!" "I won't be bad anymore mother!"' She heard herself begging for people not to do something, she tried to ignore the tears stinging in her eyes as the hairdresser helped her pick the items up, insisting it's no problem. Annie's reaction did raise a few concerns, as she had never acted like this before. The hairdresser took her into the back room to have her hair washed. But on the way back, she swore she saw that woman smirk.

Annie felt a shiver run down her spine as she sat in the chair, her heart racing. Memories she didn't fully understand flooded her mind, making her grip the armrests of the chair tightly. She closed her eyes, trying to push the images away, but they persisted, haunting her like fragments of a forgotten nightmare.

The hairdresser's gentle touch and soothing voice helped to ground her a bit. As the warm water washed away the dye, she tried to focus on the sensation, letting it calm her nerves. Yet, the feeling of the woman's presence lingered, like a shadow creeping in the corner of her mind.

Once the washing was complete, Annie returned to her seat, avoiding any direct eye contact with the woman. She could feel the weight of her gaze, as if the woman was trying to dissect her with just a look. Annie couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter wasn't a coincidence.

As the hairdresser resumed her work, Annie forced herself to concentrate on the current moment, attempting to block out the memories and the unsettling presence of the woman. She tried to engage in small talk with the hairdresser, hoping the distraction would alleviate her mounting anxiety.

However, as the hairdresser proceeded to style her hair, Annie couldn't shake the feeling that the woman was still watching her every move. Her hands trembled slightly, and she prayed for the appointment to end soon. She didn't want to be in the same space as the woman any longer than necessary.

Annie stole occasional glances at the woman in the mirror, noting the subtle smirk that seemed to etch deeper into her features with every passing second. It was as though the woman knew something, something Annie was yet to discover about her own past and the circumstances that led her to this hair salon.

With her hair finally styled, Annie hastily paid the hairdresser and made a beeline for the door, her mind racing with unanswered questions and a growing sense of unease. She had no intention of allowing that woman to take her or Anya back to the facility they had spent so much time being abused in.

As she walked, she was suddenly pulled into a nearby alleyway. She was about to protest when the boy, who was about her age put his hand over her mouth. He glanced out to the road to ensure it was safe. She had assumed the worst at first because he shoved her against the wall and put his hand over her mouth but she heard the nearby steps of what sounded like a group of men marching. Her stomach dropped. She knew the woman would've wanted her and Anya back to the lab, but was she really targeting her so early? Was it because her telepathic abilities were much stronger than Anya's? The questions kept racing as the boy pressed her against the wall, effectively pinning her tightly to the wall with his body pressing against hers, she couldn't help but feel a blush raise to her cheeks.

Amid the tension that hung in the air, their eyes met, searching for answers and reassurance. His gaze was intense, and she could see a mix of determination and concern in his eyes, as if they were sharing a secret moment.

As the footsteps drew nearer, she forced herself to remain still, her heart pounding loudly in her chest. The boy's hand still firmly clamped over her mouth, she couldn't help but wonder how he knew to act at this precise moment, as if he had been anticipating this danger.

The approaching group of men passed by the mouth of the alley, their voices fading into the distance. Once the coast seemed clear, the boy cautiously removed his hand from her mouth and leaned back just slightly. Their proximity, though slightly less intense, still left her cheeks flushed. She took a deep breath, her mind racing with a mixture of fear, curiosity, and gratitude.

"Who are you?" she finally managed to whisper. The boy ignored her words and quickly grabbed her hand, and walked her throughout the city alleys, as if he knew where to go before he'd been there. He turned around once they had made it to a small abandoned building, away from prying eyes and looked at her up and down, crossing his arms. Now that she could get a better look at him he had messy ginger hair, and green eyes. He wore a lose-fitting button up shirt with a leather jacket overtop, his pants were simply jeans.

"My name is Caius." he announced softly, a subtle smile playing on his lips as he locked eyes with the girl before him. Her heart quickened, partly from the surprise of his sudden appearance, and partly from the subtle thrill of danger; after all, she found herself pressed against the cold, rough surface of a brick wall.

In her mind, she couldn't help but question why, lately, it seemed as if everyone she encountered had the uncanny desire to pin her against some inanimate structure or another.

With a reassuring tone, Caius continued, "I noticed those men tailing you, so I thought I might as well lend a hand." The girl struggled to discern his intentions; a task made even more difficult by the disconcerting realization that she couldn't read his mind either. A strange sense of recognition dawned on her; he too possessed some form of telepathic ability.

As she grappled with this revelation, Caius stepped closer, their faces now mere inches apart, the warmth of his breath mingling with hers.

"What's racing through that head of yours?" he inquired softly, his voice a gentle caress that momentarily broke her trance and elicited a startled jump. A mischievous glint flickered in Caius's eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the girl's skittish reaction, which only made her cheeks burn hotter.

She averted her gaze momentarily, gathering her composure before meeting his gaze with a determined, albeit slightly flustered, expression. Yet before she could utter a word, she felt the gentle pressure of his lips on hers. A sudden rush of warmth enveloped her, leaving her wide-eyed and breathless, her cheeks flushing crimson. Caius retreated, a playful smirk lining his lips as he looked to the shocked and flustered Annie in front of him.

"Consider it payment for my 'heroic' intervention." With that, he pivoted swiftly, a carefree confidence in his gait, leaving her standing there, stunned, as he called back over his shoulder, "Make sure you get home safe now!"

Annie blinked, her mind still reeling, struggling to grasp the sudden turn of events. Caius's enigmatic charm and his unexpected act left her feeling oddly unbalanced, her thoughts a jumble of confusion and inexplicable attraction.

As she stood there, dazed and trying to piece together the whirlwind encounter, she couldn't shake the echo of his lips on hers, the imprint of that fleeting connection burning on her skin. Was it gratitude or something more that prompted his impulsive gesture? Her mind churned, grasping for logical explanations to tame the surge of emotions within her.

A tremor of uncertainty coursed through her as she watched Caius's retreating figure, his form effortlessly melding into the bustling city crowd. It was as if he was never there, save for the lingering heat on her lips that served as a haunting reminder of the encounter.

Annie's hand fluttered to her mouth, her fingertips brushing the spot where his lips had briefly met hers. The bustling sounds of the city faded into the background as she grappled with the inexplicable rush that now coursed through her veins.

She couldn't deny the flutter of excitement that lingered, even as she willed herself to maintain a sense of composure. Confusion battled with a strange thrill, and the realization that she was still rooted in the same spot dawned on her. With a determined shake of her head, she finally gathered her wits, her mind set on making sense of the flurry of emotions before making her way back home, a whirlwind of thoughts following her every step.

She quickly retreated to her home, this time being cautious to ensure that nobody followed her on the way home. Her mind kept racing about it when she got home, the rest of the day went by normally. She was glad she had the rest of the day to come to terms with what just happened, she didn't expect to be pulled into an alley, pressed against a wall and then when it was all said and done, having her first kiss taken right there. She sighed as she began studying, she needed to stay on top of her classes to ensure she receives Stella's as soon as possible. This meant, although she doesn't want to, there's a good chance she's going to have to steal some of Anya's thunder. Or at least manipulate the situation so that both she and Anya get them.

"Annie are you okay?" Loid asked, turning from tutoring Anya to talking to Annie, who was sat at across from Anya doing her own studies.

"Oh yeah, I'm okay!" She said, hoping to fool him by feigning cheerfulness. She wasn't sure how she was going to explain the situation with Caius to Loid, she opted the best option would be to simply keep it quiet. After studying, Anya and Annie retreated to bed. Annie helped Anya change into her blue pajamas, while pulling her own blue nightgown over her head and on. She sat on her bed, and was just about to lay down when Anya glanced over at her.

"Did something happen, big sister Annie?" She asked, concern lacing her small, delicate features. Annie appreciated he concern, but she doubted telling Anya the truth would help her much. Anya was just a child and didn't really understand the weight of what had happened.

"No, everything is fine!" Annie lied, smiling softly at her sister who obviously didn't believe her for a second, but decided not to push further. She laid down and tried to get to sleep, she couldn't really get there, so she read for a bit before she dozed off and fell asleep. She slept throughout that night without issue, she didn't even have any dreams from her past life. Which made things easier for her. The hours ticked by and before she knew it, her alarm was blaring. She groaned loudly, wanting to sleep more, but she knew she couldn't. It was Monday, they had to get up for school. Annie dragged her butt out of bed, turning her alarm off on the way.

"Anya, wake up." Annie said, shaking the young girl gently to get her to wake up. She couldn't help but giggle when Anya groaned softly, rolling over as her sister shook her again. Eventually she got up, grumbling the whole time. Annie helped Anya put her uniform on, and watched her run out to the living room as Annie herself got dressed. She walked out and saw Yor and Anya sitting at the set table, waiting for Loid to finish cooking. She walked over and sat down, it was strange, she felt more tired than usual, even when she had woken up earlier. She couldn't explain it, perhaps it had something to do with all the events that had been happening recently. Perhaps the whole thing just made her very tired. She took a deep breath, kind of relating with Loid's overwhelming exhaustion at times. She shook it off, and stood up, grabbing a cup of coffee, to the shock of Loid, who didn't even know she drank coffee. He stared intently, watching how she likes it, and she let out a loud sigh.

"Pa, you don't need to memorize what I like in my coffee." Annie said, turning around and looking at him as she took a sip of the coffee. Which she desperately needed. She sat back down at the table ignoring Loid's looks of shock. He then brought the food over and they all began eating, they talked about everyday things as the extra hour passed by. Then they went and got on the bus. Once they arrive at school, they go their separate ways and Annie tells Elysia, who had become her best friend at this point about the experience. Elysia begins gushing, talking about a romance show called 'Berlint in Love' and how something like that happened in the show between the main protagonist and one of her love interests. Nearby, Demetrius overhears the conversation. He hears that some guy named Caius kissed Annie, and he couldn't ignore the ping of jealousy he felt. He couldn't explain it but he couldn't help but despise the idea of another man touching, kissing or even talking to Annie. Even Will talking to her was a bit of a boundary, but he knew Will had no chance with a girl like Annie. But he still couldn't help saying something cocky and mean to Annie as they walked in.

As Annie and Elysia stepped onto the school grounds, the crisp autumn air carried the whisper of excitement among the students. Elysia, her eyes gleaming, turned to Annie, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "Oh my gosh, Annie, you won't believe it! Remember that scene from 'Berlint in Love' where Caius unexpectedly kisses Helena during the festival? It was just like that, right?"

Annie's laughter rang out, her eyes reflecting Elysia's infectious energy. "Yes, exactly like that! Except it was more surprising, and I was just standing there, completely shocked!"

Unbeknownst to the two friends, Demetrius, who had been walking a few paces behind, caught snippets of their conversation. The mention of some guy named Caius kissing Annie sent an unexpected surge of discomfort through him. It was an odd sensation, a twinge of jealousy he couldn't quite comprehend. He quickened his pace, trying to push the troubling thoughts away.

But as they approached the school building, Demetrius found himself unable to shake off the unsettling emotions. The sight of Annie laughing and talking animatedly with Elysia only intensified his inner turmoil. Will, who occasionally exchanged friendly banter with Annie, was already on the fringes of what Demetrius deemed acceptable. He was convinced that Will didn't stand a chance with someone like Annie. Feeling a surge of inexplicable possessiveness, Demetrius caught up with Annie and Elysia, his tone laced with a false bravado.

"Oh, look who it is. The center of attention. Did Caius teach you any new tricks, Annie?" Annie's smile faltered, her eyes flickering with a mix of confusion and hurt.

"What's your problem, Demetrius? I don't know what you're talking about." Elysia, sensing the sudden tension, shot Demetrius a reproachful look.

"Come on, Demetrius, don't be like that. We were just talking about a TV show." she said, glaring over at Demetrius as he shrugged, attempting to mask the unease gnawing at him.

"Yeah, well, just make sure you don't get too carried away with your little adventures, Annie. You never know who might get the wrong idea." With those cutting words, he turned on his heel and strode into the building, leaving Annie and Elysia standing there, the warmth of their earlier conversation now replaced by an uncomfortable chill. Elysia and Annie both glanced at each other in confusion as Demetrius walked away, some girls flocking after him, today he decided to give them a teeny bit of more attention than usual.

Elysia and Annie ran into Will on the way to class, and they made the rest of the way together. Talking and chit-chatting about everything that's going on, Elysia and Annie made sure to leave the event with Caius to themselves, not wanting to hurt Will's feelings. His crush on Annie was obvious, but Annie knew she would eventually have to let him down slowly.

"Alright students, settle down!" The teacher, Mr. Wilson announces to the class, putting some papers together. "Inexplicitly, we have another transfer student." He said, and Annie blinked in confusion. She listened to the teacher's words, and when he called the student in, she along with everyone else (except Demetrius) watched as the boy walked in. To Annie's surprise, horror and panic... it was none other than Caius. This was going to be awkward, how was she going to handle attending a school with him? After the other day she didn't know how to act around him, she was glad she thought she would never see him again, but he transferred to Eden? What were the chances of that?!

As Caius walked into the classroom, a wave of disbelief washed over Annie. Her heart raced, and her mind scrambled to make sense of this unexpected twist of fate. She couldn't fathom how he had ended up at Eden School of all places. It felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke on her.

Caius, his gaze sweeping across the room, locked eyes with Annie, a small, knowing smile curving on his lips. It was as if he had anticipated this moment, and the connection they shared during that alleyway encounter echoed between them. Anxiety and curiosity swirled within her, leaving her uncertain of how to proceed.

"Annie, isn't that the guy you were talking about? The one who kissed you?" Elysia nudged Annie, whispering.

Annie could only nod in response, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and intrigue. She tried to focus on the lesson, but the presence of Caius in the same classroom made it nearly impossible. As the class continued, she couldn't help but sneak occasional glances at him, her thoughts a whirlwind of questions.

The day wore on, and Annie found herself unable to concentrate on her studies, her thoughts perpetually drifting to the enigmatic boy who had entered her life. She couldn't shake the feeling that their paths were intertwined for a reason, and she was determined to uncover the mystery that now loomed over her.

After the final bell rang, Annie hesitated, torn between the desire to approach Caius and the apprehension that still clung to her. Eventually, curiosity got the best of her, and she decided to take the first step. With Elysia by her side, she approached him as he gathered his belongings.

"Hey," Annie began, her voice wavering slightly, "You transferred here... unexpectedly. What brings you to Eden Academy?"

Caius turned to face Annie and Elysia, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his lips. His emerald eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned casually against his desk, giving off an air of confidence that was impossible to ignore.

"Annie, what a delightful surprise to see you here," he said, his voice smooth and filled with feigned innocence. "Eden Academy, huh? I guess I just have a knack for stumbling upon unexpected adventures."

"So, Caius, you're saying this is all just a coincidence? You transferring to our school right after... that encounter in the alley?" Annie's brow furrowed at his words; her curiosity mixed with a sense of unease.

"Of course, Annie. What else could it be but sheer coincidence? Fate has a funny way of bringing people together, don't you think?" Caius chuckled, as if thoroughly amused by her skepticism.

"You really expect us to believe that, Caius? It seems a bit too convenient, don't you think?" Elysia chimed in, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Believe what you want, ladies. I'm here because my family moved to this area, and Eden School just happened to be the most convenient option. Besides, where's the fun in revealing all the secrets right away? Mystery and intrigue can be quite thrilling." Caius shrugged nonchalantly, his expression retaining its playful edge.

Annie exchanged a puzzled glance with Elysia, unsure of how to proceed. Caius's confidence and charm made it difficult to determine his true intentions. While he insisted on the randomness of the situation, Annie couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this story than met the eye.

"Annie, I don't know about you, but something about this guy just doesn't add up. I'll keep an eye on him, okay?" Elysia whispered, leaning over and whispering into Annie's ear.

Annie nodded, her thoughts still in disarray. She couldn't deny that Caius's presence had added an unexpected layer of complexity to her life, and the mystery surrounding him was one she couldn't ignore. As the days passed, she made a mental note to unravel the enigma that was Caius, all while navigating the complexities of high school and the ever-growing complications of her telepathic abilities. On another note, Annie felt a familiar gaze seething into her as she spoke to Caius, after the conversation was over she glanced over at Demetrius, who hadn't moved even a inch despite class being over. Annie and Elysia quickly strode out of the classroom, hoping to catch up with Will. Demetrius watched with seething hatred as Caius made his way to the front of the classroom and then out the door.

Later that day during lunch, when Annie went out of her lunchroom to take a break in the courtyard, Demetrius followed. Intending to confront her about Caius, he walks up and barrages her with personal questions about her and Caius. She couldn't quite understand his behavior, he was always insisting that he had nothing but distaste for her, and yet here he was.

"What's the deal with you and that guy Caius?" Demetrius asked, his voice full of distain and annoyance. "Do you know him? Why was he looking at you like that? What's your connection to him? Why are you talking to him like you've known each other forever?!" He asked expectedly, Annie was confused and was beginning to get a bit of a headache with all the drama going on. She wasn't sure if she was going to be able to handle this. Her headache made her slip, and she accidently read Demetrius' mind. 'I don't like that guy, I won't let him get too close to Annie.' His thoughts were confusing, he was usually awful to her, she was getting annoyed. He either hates her or wants to protect her, not both.

"Why do you care, Demetrius?" She asked, curiously as she looked over at him crossing her arms and rolling her eyes softly. 'Did she just... roll her eyes at me?! What is this girl's deal, I'm just looking out for her!' Demetrius struggled to understand his own feelings, and scowled softly as he looked over the girl who stood boldly in front of him.

"I-I don't!" Demetrius stumbled over his words, rushing to cover up his feelings. The feelings he refused to acknowledge. "He just gives me weird vibes." Demetrius insisted, letting out a loud sigh as Annie turned to face him but she flashed him a look he hated. More annoyance, he couldn't hold it in anymore, he had to knock her down a few pegs. He said the first mean thing that came to his mind. She began walking away, but he grabbed her wrist, holding it tightly as he yanked her into him, bringing his face to hers. She couldn't help but flare up at the sudden movement, but she yanked her wrist out of his hand and stepped back, defying him more than anyone ever has.

"Oh, please!" She protested, glaring at him intensely. "You don't like Caius? Well, you've made it abundantly clear that you don't like me, so why do you care who I interact with!?" She yelled at him, taking him off guard but only angering him further. He grabbed her wrist again and pulled her towards him, wrapping his arm around her waist and squeezing her tightly pushing her body into his.

As Demetrius forcibly pulled Annie closer, she found herself locked in an intense, unwanted embrace. His lips suddenly met hers, leaving her stunned and bewildered. Her mind raced, a whirlwind of emotions taking hold. She was caught off guard, not just by the sudden kiss, but by the intensity of Demetrius's actions.

Annie's initial response was to push him away, to resist his advances. But as their lips remained connected, she felt a strange mix of sensations coursing through her. Confusion, anger, and a hint of something else she couldn't quite place.

In the midst of the unexpected kiss, Annie briefly closed her eyes, unable to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions. For a fleeting moment, her thoughts were silenced, and she simply allowed the experience to wash over her.

But as quickly as it had begun, the kiss ended. Demetrius released her, and Annie took a step back, her chest heaving with a mixture of shock and anger. Her voice trembled as she found the words to address the bewildering situation.

"What... what was that, Demetrius?!" She demanded, her gaze locked onto his, searching for answers in the depths of his eyes.

Demetrius, his face flushed and his breathing erratic, struggled to meet her gaze. He was as surprised by his own actions as she was. He had acted on a surge of irrational jealousy and couldn't explain why he had kissed her. He knew he had crossed a line, but pride kept him from admitting it.

"I... I don't know," he mumbled, his voice laced with uncertainty and regret. "I just... I don't want that guy near you. I don't like the idea of you getting close to him." His confession hung in the air, leaving an awkward silence in its wake.

Annie's mind reeled, grappling with the conflicting emotions swirling within her. She couldn't deny the unexpected rush that coursed through her veins during the kiss, nor could she ignore the intense surge of anger at Demetrius's audacious actions. Confusion battled with a growing sense of frustration, leaving her struggling to find the right words to convey her tumultuous thoughts.

"Demetrius, that doesn't give you the right to just... kiss me out of nowhere!" Annie's voice wavered, her expression a mix of disbelief and indignation. "I can make my own decisions, and I don't need you stepping in like that!"

Demetrius, his gaze now cast downward, seemed to shrink under the weight of Annie's reproach. He had acted on impulse, driven by a possessiveness he couldn't explain, and now he was left grappling with the consequences of his impulsive behavior. His usual facade of indifference faltered, revealing a vulnerability that Annie hadn't seen before.

"I'm sorry, Annie," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to... I just..." He trailed off, unable to find the right words to express the turmoil churning within him. She couldn't stand to look at him right now, although she had to admit that his behavior had... flicked something on within her. She couldn't quite understand why he behaved that way though. She took a deep breath and rushed away, leaving Demetrius standing there feeling jealous and somewhat remorseful, as he understood why she was angry about the fact he kissed her.

She made her way back to the table with Elysia, who was talking to Will. She waited for a moment alone with Elysia, and luckily Will had to use the bathroom shortly thereafter. She then told Elysia of what transpired when she went out to the courtyard.

Elysia listened intently as Annie recounted the bewildering encounter with Demetrius in the courtyard. Her eyes widened with surprise and concern as Annie described the unexpected kiss and the confusion that followed.

"Annie, that's... that's crazy!" Elysia exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and disbelief. "I mean, I knew Demetrius had some sort of grudge against you, but this is on a whole other level. What could have possibly compelled him to do something like that?"

Annie, still reeling from the experience, shook her head, her thoughts a jumble of emotions. "I don't know, Elysia. It was like he was jealous of Caius, but I can't understand why he would care so much about who I talk to. It's not like he's ever been nice to me before."

Elysia's expression turned thoughtful as she considered the situation. "Annie, I don't want to jump to conclusions, but maybe there's something more to this. It could be a case of jealousy or possessiveness, but it might be worth trying to have a conversation with him to understand his side of the story."

Annie sighed, her frustration and confusion still lingering. "I guess you're right, Elysia. I just can't believe how things have spiraled out of control recently. First, Caius shows up out of nowhere, and now Demetrius pulls a stunt like this. It's like my life is turning into a soap opera."

Elysia offered a reassuring smile. "We'll figure this out, Annie. Maybe there's more going on beneath the surface that we don't know about. In the meantime, maybe you should avoid them, all the boys in this school seem to have a thing for you."

As the two friends continued to discuss the situation, Annie couldn't help but wonder if her life was taking an unexpected turn filled with mysteries, secrets, and unexpected twists. She couldn't predict what the future held, but one thing was certain: her journey at Eden Academy was far from ordinary.

Annie was more than relieved when the school bell rang, and she gathered her items. Along with Elysia, they said bye to Will and rushed out of the classroom, confusing most people as they usually take their time leaving. Annie made it to the bus before Anya did, and was waiting patiently when she walked up with Becky. Annie waved them both down, and she and Anya boarded the bus together. The day had actually really tired her out, she wasn't sure she'd even be able to stay awake to deal with Yuri. She took a deep breath, and tried waking herself up, but she ended up falling asleep. Annie had to wake her up when they made it to the bus.

Surprisingly, Yuri wasn't nearly as bad as he was in the manga. Although he was protective, it didn't seem like he was strangely in love with his sister either. That relieved Annie, as she felt comfortable enough to go to sleep. She was exhausted after getting Anya to bed. She just... wanted to sleep.

Another Author's Note: It's becoming difficult for me to stay motivated, so chapters may be slow. If you like my story, please comment. If you comment requests, I may even add them to the story!