We stroll around the mall's halls and visit each store. I enter a store after spotting a red dress there. I take it and try it on in my size. It looks perfect when I look in the mirror. As I browse the shop, I notice a leather jacket that resembles Clay's. I turn to face him and he smiles. "Why don't you get it?" He asks me.

"Because I have yours." I smile at him, and he leans down and kisses me quickly.

"Are we almost done?" Logan grunts. "Yes," both Brie and I say.

As we roam around, we finally decide to stop and get some lunch. Brie and I spot a nail salon and, on a whim, leave the boys in their seats and go get our nails done. Once done, we walk out to see that the boys have left. My instincts tell me I'll find them in the video game store. Brie follows me as we make our way up to the second level of the mall, and who do I see but Clay and Logan standing, reading the backs of video games. I lean against the railing, waiting for them to be done, when Clay spots me.

He walks out of the store and wraps his arms around my waist. He leans down and gently brushes his lips against mine. "Ready to go home?" I nod as he takes my hand.

Clay opens the car door for me and then gets in himself. On our way home, I internally laugh; today was fun. Laughing at the boys as they acted as though they were being dragged through hell.

⁂

We get home, and I bring my bags upstairs. Once downstairs, Clay walks up behind me.

"How was your day so far?" He asks, wrapping his arms around me.

"Besides the nightmares that make me tired, it's been good," I say, turning around to face him.

After dinner, I excuse myself to go back to studying. I must have fallen asleep. I wake up to Clay clearing my books off the bed. "Sorry." He whispers, "I didn't want to wake you."

"It's okay. What time is it?" I ask him.

"Eleven," He says. "Oh, and Zack texted you." At least he is now more open to the thought that Zack is merely a friend.

"Oh, okay, thanks." I grab my phone; there is one missed message from Zack.

Can we meet ten minutes before class tomorrow? The text reads

Of course. I message him back.

Great. See you in the morning.

I put my phone down and crawl under the covers. Clay pulls me close, his hands moving slowly up my thigh.

"Promise me you will fight till the end. I don't want to lose you." He adds as he places his hand between my legs. I'm not sure why, but every time he touches me, I gasp as if it's the first time.

"I promise," I exclaim as his hand reaches my spot, and I gasp; his touch is exhilarating.

"Come, baby," He breathes, and I sense a release. I close my eyes and allow the sensation to take control. He waits until I emerge relaxed from the intoxicated stupor he has me in. When I turn to face him, he is sitting up on his elbow, his dark eyes fixed on me, and one of his lips curved. I turn to my side to face him once more, and he encases me in his arms.

"Will you love me until the end?" I ask him, my face in his chest.

"From now until forever, we will always be together, till the end," He whispers as he kisses my head. He holds me like he has the nights before as I drift into my sleep.

⁂

The following day, I'm up and showered before Clay is out of bed. I finish my make-up and hair quickly and quietly. I grab my bag and kiss him on the cheek; he wakes up.

"You're not leaving without me!" He says.

"I have to meet Zack before class. I'll be okay. Meet me at the campus," I tell him.

"Fine, here." He throws me his keys.

"Seriously?" I ask, looking at him. "Yes. I'll get a ride with Logan."

"Okay, thank you," I say; he's quick before I can walk out the door, he wraps his arms around me, and I turn to face him. "Be careful," He says.

"I will." He kisses me, and I leave. I enter the university parking lot. I scan the grounds for Zack. He is sitting with Serenity. I get out, grab my book bag, and head towards them.

"Hey, Raven," Serenity says. There is something off about her, but I can't put my finger on it. "Hi,"

"Are you ready for today?" Zack asks.

"Nope," I laugh, "you?"

"Nah," He chuckles.

"I'll let you two go over your notes. I'll see you after class." She kisses him and leaves; what is it about her? It's like she is hiding something. I look around to see if anyone is near us, but not a soul is in sight.

"Can I ask you something?" I say, sitting down next to him.

"Shoot."

"If you were sent here to protect me, where were you when Alessandro and Alec attacked me, or when Bronx and Thair were taunting me, or when Cain tried to hurt me?" A shiver runs up my spine, as I say his name. I have been holding this in for days; I need to know.

He takes a deep breath. "I was there, hiding in plain sight, watching. I'm only to step in if you can't handle the situation on your own, if you can't fight back, until then, I can't do anything. Plus, from what I saw, you handled the situations pretty well," He says, looking at me. "Soon you won't need me." He fakes crying and then bursts into laughter.

"I'll always need you, loser. You have become one of my best friends," I say, nudging his arm and laughing with him. We sit there going over our notes. I look up, and I see that damn jacket. I grab my stuff and tell Zack I'll see him in class.

"Here." I hand him his keys.

"Thank you," He says, kissing me. He holds me, and I sigh, taking in a deep breath.

"What's the matter?" He looks down at me.

"I don't know. Something doesn't feel right."

"Everything will be fine." He tries to assure me.

⁂

The day flies by quickly, so I'm pleased it's the holidays. I see Brie and Logan approaching as I approach Clay to speak to Zack and Serenity. My neck snaps back to Clay and Sloane as soon as Brie's eyes touch mine. This girl persists despite Clay pushing her away once more. I move toward them. To calm me down, Brie clutches my arm.

"Oh, look, it's the princess." Sloane snarls; Clay turns to look at me.

"Don't you ever get tired?" I shake my head.

"Of what?"

"Of being a whore?" I reply.

"Oh, shit!" Zack, Clay, and Logan speak at the same time.

Clay gives her a look, as if you asked for it. His right hand covering his mouth.

"Well, this is awkward," Serenity says. "Anyways, are you guys coming tonight to the party at the old Cladwell property?"

"There's a party at your family's old property?" I ask, looking at Clay.

"Yeah," He says, running his hand through his hair. "There is a huge party there a couple of times a year."

"Well, I'm in...Brie?"

"I'm in," she says.

"You're not going!" Clay shouts.

"Excuse me? I'm going to this party. I don't need your permission." He is mad, but I don't care.

"See Clay. She will never bend for you. I'd listen to you and obey anything you have to say," Sloane smirks, rubbing his arm.

Is this some kind of joke to her?.

I step forward, but Brie pulls me back; I take a deep breath. "You know what? I'm over this," I say, walking away. Clay grabs my wrist, and everyone is watching us. "What do you mean?" he asks, concern etched on his face.

"I'm through with this. I've had it with battling her for you. I honestly thought it would be easier than this, but I'm exhausted. It won't stop until she has you. I've had it," I say, turning to face Sloane. "You win; he is entirely yours." I walk away while smiling and shaking my head.

"Raven, don't you dare walk away from me!" Clay barks.

"That's the plan!" I shout, waving my hand in the air.

"Raven, please," He pleads, "I love you, and you love me, just talk to me." I stop in my tracks and turn to face him, eyes on us, but I have no choice.

I move closer to him and say, "Read my lips, I was never yours." I can see the hurt in his eyes as I speak. "You think, I'm in love, oh baby, I'm not that naïve; I played you, this was all a game, so I guess I should say thank you for the tattoo, though that was sweet."

"I don't understand," He says with confusion.

"I'm cutting you loose because I've got no time for you. I don't want you, I don't need you, and I don't love you. So I'm walking away because I'm through with you, did you understand that?"

He stands there, holding back tears, and my heart shatters into a million pieces. I walk away. I'm dying inside, but I brace myself and hide my tears, taking a deep breath as I blink away the tears while walking away. He pulls on his hair, "Fuck!" He screams.