As soon as dance class ended, Thea had lost eyes on Darius as soon as the class was over and she had bid her goodbyes to her dance partner, Witty.

'Where is he?' She asked herself as she walked the hallway and towards the lockers where her eyes locked on to the soon-to-be baron. "Darius!" She greeted him with a smile.

Darius inhaled sharply as he turned to Thea, putting on a forced polite smile. "Hello, Thea." He greeted curtly, bowing to her before straightening up and pulling down his vest.

Thea could tell he was a bit annoyed so she needed to tread lightly. "I haven't seen you since school started. Where have you been?" She asked, her voice soft as she played with her finger on her finger.

"I've been around, we never really cross paths." Darius turned towards his locker and reached in, fiddling with random books. "We don't have any classes together and the only time I think we will see each other is in etiquette and dance class." He passively replied, avoiding her gaze.

Thea chewed on her lip as she listened to him. "What about breakfast, lunch, and dinner?" She insisted, stepping a few steps to the side to catch his eye.

Darius turned his head away, rubbing the nape of his neck awkwardly. "Oh, right, I uh, I normally eat in my room. My mom has placed me on a strict diet and doesn't want me to waver." He hesitantly replied, making sure he didn't trip over his words.

Thea didn't buy that lie for a minute. His mom was the last person to ever go all health conscious, even if it was between life or death. "Darius, you know you don't have to lie to me. Why have you been avoiding me?" She asked softly, her expression softening.

Darius sighed heavily and closed his locker, twisting his body towards her. "Look, I don't feel the same way I did a few years ago. Yeah, we were best friends, but things are changing. I'm not saying I grew out of our friendship but I'm in a different place than I was then." He bluntly explained, not dancing around the question.

Thea felt a twinge of pain in her heart at his words as she rubbed her arm. "I understand. I'm not the same person I was either and I am ashamed to admit that. Things haven't been easy, for any of us, especially with me being Crown Princess at the end of the school year." She looked off to the side.

Darius relaxed his body as he truly listened to her words and took them in. "You're still picking me as your land manager, right?" He asked, realizing that maybe his avoiding her could jeopardize things

"Of course," Thea nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. "It's between you or your cousin and there is no way on this earth that I would ever pick your cousin." She replied, pushing a lock of hair from her face.

Darius felt relieved. "Yeah, I wouldn't trust him with the kingdom's land either. Plus he doesn't like Mia and you have to be on good terms with Mia since she's taking over the kingdom's finances." He shuddered at all the chaos that could create.

Thea took a deep breath, reminding herself she needed to have confidence as she spoke. "Just because we've grown apart doesn't mean we can still be friends and rekindle the friendship over the rest of the school year." She quipped, bouncing on her feet.

Darius didn't need any time to think about her words. "I don't see any problem with that. I do miss the chaotic times we spent together. Then Mia came in and did the most random thing to join in even if she didn't understand what we were doing." He responded without hesitation.

Thea softly laughed, recalling those memories too well. "Ah, those were some good times." She then became more serious and found more confidence to be bold. "I was beginning to think you were avoiding me and didn't like me anymore."

"Oh, Thea, I don't not like you. I like you like I did when we were kids" Darius said, feeling bad that she thought that of him. "I wasn't avoiding you, per se, I was just focused on my studies and I didn't even talk to my roommate."

Thea decided it was best to keep the ball rolling and move away from that line of question. "Who is your roommate? Mine's Mia." She said, glancing around to see if she could see her friend but turned her attention back to Darius when she couldn't find her.

Darius leaned against his locker and crossed his arms. "Prince Zackary Zimmer of Kylara. His soon-to-be royal lord isn't here because he got sick with the flu and will be coming in late." He replied, inhaling and puffing out his chest before letting it out.

Thea tapped her cheek as she thought about whether the name was familiar or not. "I don't think I've met him before. We may or may not have classes together, but what will you do when his soon-to-be royal lord comes back?" She inquired, her voice interested.

Darius thought about it. "Probably they'll add another bed like they did with the scholarship winners or I'll move to my room without a roommate." He liked the sound of that.

Thea nodded, glancing out the glass windows in the main hall at the grounds as they walked through them. "That sounds good. I hope it all works out for the best." She turned back to him and flashed a smile.

Darius recalled what he had spoken: with Sidney about. "Did you, by chance, tell Sidney that you'd tear down the poor part of the city?" He slowly asked, smoothing down his tie.

Thea frowned a bit at Darius' question. 'Oh crap, that scholarship winner had to tell him that.' She grumbled in her head. "She told you. I did say that, but before you go crazy, I only said it because Dree was egging me on. I wouldn't do that, and besides, I wouldn't have that power. It would have to go through you, and you'd never do that."

Darius let out a long sigh with a small smile growing on his lips. "That's exactly what I told her. I knew you wouldn't do anything like that, and you must've said it just because of Dree." He felt better that he was right to defend her.

Thea was taken back. "Darius, you defended me?" She inquired, her voice growing a little pitchy in surprise at his words.

"Of course," Darius nodded, placing his hand on her shoulder. "You're still someone special to me, and I had to. I knew you weren't like that unless Dree was around and she brings out the worst in everyone."

Thea couldn't deny that. "She does. I wish I had some sort of backbone to call her out but I can't say anything that'd offend her, which in turn would get to her father and our kingdoms' relationships would be in jeopardy." She shook her head at the haunting thought.

Darius understood, nodding gently as she spoke told her all she needed to know. "Your mother would be pretty mad if that happened. If it was me, I would have already said some colorful words. You have much patience and tolerance, I admire and wish I could have that."

Thea gave a short laugh and crossed her arms loosely. "Ha, yeah, she would be." She commented, pressing her lips into a thin line. "So, does that mean you will attend lunch?" He asked with hopefulness in her voice.

Darius tilted his head back and forth as he debated. "I don't see why not. We talked things out so I have no logical excuse to avoid attending." He caves in like a house made of cards when lightly tapped.

Thea beamed with glee, softly punching his arm. "You know you're a terrible liar. What made you think to use your Mom as an excuse? You do know I've met her and she hardly diets."

Darius sheepishly grinned as he rubbed the nape of his neck. "Uh, I'm not sure. I think she was just the first person that came to mind to use as an excuse. I probably should have used my dad." He replied, feeling a bit embarrassed and guilty.

Thea laughed softly, putting her hand over her mouth to muffle the sound. "Oh, Darius, this is what I missed." She nostalgically mused, resting her hand on her cheek, and sighed lightly.

Mia approached the two, tilting her head to the side. 'They seem to be having a good time. Smiling and laughing. That's something Thea genuinely hadn't done in a while.' She thought to herself. "Are you two on good terms, again?" She asked as flatly yet innocently as ever.

Darius looked over at Mia and furrowed his brows. He exchanged looks with Thea, who simply shrugged her shoulders. "Good terms? What makes you think we were on bad terms?" He inquired, crossing his arms over his chest.

Mia knew Darius was playing dumb, or at least what she perceived as dumb. "You haven't spoken to Thea in years, right? She's tried to contact you but you never responded." She bluntly replied, placing her hand on her hip.

Darius looked down at his shoes. "Can't hide anything from you, can I?" He shook his head and sighed. "Yeah, we made up."

Mia was pleased to hear that he had made up with Thea. "Good." She nodded towards Darius then turned to Thea. "Your mother is looking for you back in the ballroom. She sent me to get you."

Thea sighed softly, wondering what her mother could want from her. "I'll see you later, Darius. Bye Mia. I'll see you two at lunch." She waved towards both of them as she walked off towards the ballroom.

She pushed open the doors as her eyes swept the room and zoned in on Katherine, who was standing in front of the window that took up the whole back wall. "Mom," She greeted, approaching her mother. "Mia said you wanted to see me?"

Katherine, with her phone in her hand, flipped it closed with a snap. "Thea," She returned the greeting, turning her body towards her daughter. "After school today, I want you to talk to Countess Cleo."

Thea furrowed her brows as she listened to her mother. 'Countess Cleo? She graduated from the academy last year and will be one of my Labor Relations for the Union jobs and workers.' She thought to herself before speaking. "About?"

Katherine frowned deeply, shakinh her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Seriously, Thea? She wants to talk to you. You've been ghosting her and she's not too pleased."

Thea's jaw went slack. "I have not. I've been busy and it's not like she can settle on a date. She's the one always making excuses why she can't speak when I'm free!"

Katherine pointed her finger at her daughter. "Don't you raise your voice, young lady? I do not care if it is her fault, you keep trying and working around her schedule, even if it means sacrificing a little of your time." She sternly explained, withdrawing her finger.

Thea gritted her teeth and dug her nails into her arms. "It's. Not. That. Easy." She mumbled under her breath while trying to calm herself down. "Fine. I will talk to her later tonight and forgo some studying, it's not like I don't already know everything anyway."

Katherine looked around the room before taking a step closer. "I don't appreciate this attitude towards me. I'm your mother, I deserve respect, whether you like it or not. I expect more from the future Crown Princess, Theanna." She said, her voice held contempt.

Thea swallowed harshly, relaxing her tense posture. 'Mother never uses my full name unless she's not pleased with me or is in a bad mood because of me.' She thought to herself, choosing more careful words. "I'm sorry, Mom."

Katherine rolled her eyes, she didn't exactly believe she was sorry. "Don't let it happen again, Thea, or there will be consequences for your words." She reminded her, looking down at her with narrow eyes.

Thea nodded her head. "I won't, Mom. I promise." It might have been an empty promise but it was what her mother needed to hear.

A thought popped intonKatherine's head. "Oh, before I forget, your father wants to have dinner with you and me later this week. He's pretty insistent about it, not sure why. I just hope he doesn't bring Joy along because I am in no mood to deal with that woman." She bitterly explained, looking down at Thea.

Thea recalled what Joy had said to her the previous day about spending time together and not telling her mom. "Oh, yeah, um, Mom, about that -" She stopped herself and realized maybe it wasn't such a good idea to tell her. "I don't think Dad would do that, didn't he say she would be leaving?"

Katherine furrowed her brows as she recalled that conversation. "Yes, you're right. Hopefully, she leaves before he decides to have that dinner. He is also insisting we have it in the palace, not sure why, but I have been wanting an excuse to use my new china."

Thea titled her head. 'New China? Oh, don't tell me she's stressing shopping for things we don't need just as an excuse to get rid of anything Dad had brought her or they had gotten as a wedding present.' She inwardly sighed at those thoughts.

Katherine continued talking. "I just hope he doesn't want pot roast, that takes forever and I don't like pot roast. I need to find a way to pick out what we will eat, oh, Thea, think of something we both like and you tell your father that you want to eat that."

Thea knew she was only telling her that because Marshall would listen to her since she was his daughter. "I will think about it. Just give me a list of things you want and I'll pick from them." She flashed a smile as her mother nodded.

Katherine glanced at the time on her phone screen. "Now, get to your next class. We don't need you being late, because then the scholarship winners would have something to hold against you. No daughter of mine will be on the same level as them."

Thea nodded slowly, feeling rather small by her mother's tone. "Yes, mother." She curtseyed quickly before turning on her heels and scurrying out of the ballroom and colliding with a body. "Watch it!" She snapped, only to realize it was Skye. "Skye?"

Skye looked up at Thea, her eyes red and puffy, she kept wiping her nose on her sleeve and she was trembling. "T-Thea, I-I'm so s-s-sorry. I-I didn't s-see you there." She stammered, tugging at her sleeves.

Thea pulled a handkerchief from her vest pocket and offered it out to her. "It's okay. I wasn't looking where I was going. Is everything okay?" She hesitantly asked, looking down the halls for a glimpse of Dree. "Where's Dree?"

Skye took the handkerchief and blew her eyes, taking a shaky breath. "It's nothing," She glanced over her shoulder, bouncing on her heels. "Uh, Dree? She sent me to find her hairpin. She thinks she dropped it dancing with one of the scholarship winners.

Thea frowned. That was something typical of Dree, implying they might have stolen it. "You mean that bulky, ugly cream grape hairpin she sometimes wears in her hair?" She inquired, knowing exactly what Skye was looking for.

Skye nodded sheepishly, twisting the corners of the handkerchief around her finger. "Yes, that one. If I don't find it she's going to accuse the scholarship winners of stealing it." She quickly replied without any hesitation.

Thea's eyes widened as she realized that could mean two things. One, she planted it so they would, or two, she did lose it but would blame them.

"Hmm," She racked her brain for any memory of it being seen. "Oh, Headmistress Devona picked something off the ground and took it back to her office."

Skye's eyes lit up. "Really? You think she found it?" She asked, her voice laced with optimism. "Thanks, Thea." She darted off towards the Headmistress' office, glancing at her watch and seeing she had less than ten minutes to retrieve it and return it to Dree without getting a tardy.

Thea flashed a smile as she waved to Skye as she dashed off. 'Dree needs to treat her better. She's going to snap one day and could hurt someone.' She shuddered at the thought but realized she couldn't tell Dree anything.

'Please let the rest of this day run smoothly.' She thought to herself as she made her way down the hall and towards her next class with her fingers crossed at her sides.

〰❦〰❦〰❦〰❦〰❦〰❦〰

A/N:
Sorry this is late. Things have been chaotic. We have two kittens, one we finally got to start going in the little pan and is no longer marking his territory, that is Aiden. Now, Theo, his brother, he was going both in the litter pan but he got spooked, idk how and now we have to retrain him to do it. So, it's been stressful and sleepless nights. And my mom's not very hapoy she has to keep washing stuff so I having to deal with her moodiness.

Chapter Talk:
Okay, so Darius has more of a personality than he did in the OG draft. My man was literally there for Sidney's behalf and nothing more. Of course in the OG draft he was at an all male academy which was a brother academy to this one but for only boys whole this one was strictly girls. I figured I'd be better to have everything co-ed.

You're also probably wondering why Thea was more softer towards Darius. Remember, she can tailor her words and actions deciding on what the situation calls for and for Darius she needed a soft approach.

I felt I needed to expand more on his relationship with Thea since it's mentioned quite a few times they have been friends since they were babies. Especially since, over time, people can change and grow apart. Which is what is happening between Thea and Darius. I wanted to show that since I've been in their shoes and it's never easy. I did want them to remain friends and reconnect, which will be a major growing point in both their lives.

Thanks for reading!