The Turned Queen

The ball

Scarlett and Riordan waited for Nicole's school bus while Nicole was busy playing with a stray cat.

Scarlett took the initiative to ask Riordan.

"What exactly happened yesterday? Why they attacked you?"

Riordan gave her a small smile, "Just an unpleasant encounter."

Scarlett stared sharply at him, "Don't lie. You can tell me when you feel better. Now that I've considered you as a friend, your business is my business. That's why I asked or I wasn't going to ask you anything. I like minding my own business but you insisted on being friends with me so you have to tell me sooner or later." Scarlett spoke in a stern manner but Riordan felt warm, her words touched his heart.

"Thanks for asking. I'll tell you later. Right now I need to tell you something else, which is more important I think." Scarlett stared at him and gestured him to continue when the school bus honked.

"Wait, Nicole come here." Riordan lifted Nicole up and helped her get on the bus before Scarlett could do it. Scarlett observed them and a small smile made it's way on her face.

Scarlett waved at Nicole, "Take care, Cole. Be good, I'll come to pick you up after school." Nicole nodded at Scarlett and turned to Riordan.

"Bye brother, see you soon! Bye sis."

Riordan waved her bye as the bus took off.

"What were you saying?" Scarlett turned to Riordan who sighed.

"I wanted to say that..-" a loud ringing of phone cut in air as Riordan realized his phone was ringing.

Scarlett gestured him pick it up.

Riordan answered the call,

"What's up?"

"Right now?"

"Alright I'll be there in ten."

He hung up as he looked at Scarlett in urgency. Scarlett looked at him and waved him off.

"Go on. We can talk about it later."

Riordan was desperate to confess which Scarlett noticed from earlier when they were having breakfast. Scarlett smiled at him warmly, Riordan nodded at her.

"Alright, See you at evening. I'll come find you." Scarlett nodded as he took off.

----

Scarlett walked in her first class and scanned the room when her eyes fell on Ryder who was already waiting for her. Scarlett took the sit beside him but before she could breathe in peace, Ryder grinned at her sheepishly.

"Scarlett, you got invited to the ball, so would you like to be my one plus?" Scarlett rolled her eyes at him.

"No, I'm not going." Scarlett said coldly.

Ryder pouted at her childishly.

"Scarlett ignored him but Ryder kept poking his finger on her arm.

"Why? Please Scarlett, I swear it will be fun."

Scarlett snorted, "Since when did a ball became fun? It's just some traditional celebration, isn't it?"

Ryder narrowed his eyes at her.

"This is Ceben! Things are different here. Go with me please."

"I said n-"

"SCARLETT! YOU HAVE TO ATTEND THE BALL!" A sudden voice came as Scarlett and Ryder turned to look at the source just to come across Artemia and Athanasius.

Athanasius stood there looking as much as a royalty in his black suit.

'Why would he wear a suit in school?" Scarlett spoke in a low voice as Ryder laughed out loud which annoyed Athanasius to no end.

Athanasius and Artemia walked up to them.

"Scarlett Stanwood, here is your invitation. You will be picked at seven p.m. sharp." Athanasius placed the invitation infornt of Scarlett.

Scarlett raised her eyebrow at him,

"Who said I'll be going?"

Ryder sighed as Artemia gave Scarlett her best puppy face.

"Please Scarlett, You said you will consider it. You can't go back on your word."

Scarlett looked at Artemia with a sharp gaze which send chills down Artemia's spine.

"When did I say that? What word did I give you Artemia La Croix?"

"No you didn't. Sorry." Artemia admitted in low spirit.

"But I need to make it up to you. Please Scarlett pretty please. Go with me. Huh?"

Scarlett sighed as Athanasius's sharp gaze made Scarlett uncomfortable. "What are you staring at, La Croix?"

Athanasius was baffled by her attitude as he watched her in amusement.

"Scarlett, what are you afraid of? This is just a celebration." Athanasius provoked her on purpose to convince her to attend the ball. After all his plan can only be executed if Scarlett is present in the ball.

"I'm not afraid of anything. I don't like these events or do I like socializing. So I won't go."

Students started murmuring around as Scarlett could sense people noticing her and Athanasius's black suit wasn't helping her keep a low profile. 'Oh Christ! Why me?' Scarlett complained inwardly.

"Don't you have classes to attend?" Scarlett's voice was as cold as ice. Artemia looked at Ryder for help as Ryder shrugged.

"I've been trying to get her to be my one plus since morning." Athanasius turned and glared daggers at Ryder, Ryder noticed Athanasius's weird obsession with Scarlett and smirked at him.

Scarlett turned to look at Ryder, "I won't go. You should look for someone else."

Ryder pouted like a small child and poked Scarlett's arm again.

"Scarlett please go with me. Pretty please. I'll owe you a big one, if you save me."

Scarlett looked at Ryder puzzled,

"Save you? Did you get into trouble? What did you do?" Scarlett's tone was so accusing that the pair of siblings took a step backwards.

Ryder put his hands up in surrender. "I'll tell you once we are alone." he gestured at the siblings and Scarlett nodded at him.

"Does that mean you'll go with me?" Ryder asks enthusiastically.

"Yeah, if I won't save your a*s, who will? You owe one dude." Ryder exclaimed like a small kid.

"She'll go with me."

Artemia was so excited she held Scarlett's hands, "We need to go shopping after class. I'll come for you " She skipped her way out of the class excitement as Athanasius rolled his eyes at his sister's childish behavior.

Athanasius turned to Scarlett. "See you tonight. I've a gift for you."

"I don't need anything from you." Scarlett said coldly but Athanasius smirked.

"I owe you one, don't I? I don't like owing people. That gift will make us equal.. -even I mean." Athanasius almost gave himself away so he hurried his way back.

"See you tonight."