The Unholy Trinity

Mess Ups

Marsden’s POV

I f****d up so badly with Joey. 

The secret I’d been harboring was killing me.

But I couldn’t tell her. I couldn’t stand to see the look on her face when I first told her. When she finds out who I really am. I was sure she would leave me, but what if she didn’t? If anyone understood me, it was Joey. She could see past this right?

I'd never met anyone like Joey. She made me feel better than I was. I felt safe with her. I hadn’t felt safe in so long.

When I first met her, I knew there was something about her that I liked, but I assumed that it was because she was the most gorgeous girl I'd ever seen. But after a while I figured out what it was. She was special. Everything she did made me happy. The way she laughed, the way she teased me, the way she smiled at me.

I started to become jealous when I saw her with other guys. She was mine. Not like I owned her or anything, but she was my girl. She made me feel incredible. Those other guys didn't care about her the way I did. Seeing her with Bryce was the nail in the coffin. I would occupy all of her time so there wouldn’t be other guys.

I stopped seeing other girls. What was the point if they didn't make me feel the way Joey did? I was wasting my time with them. I needed to spend every moment that I wasn’t miserable being with Joey. 

Joey started asking questions about where I'd disappear off to and I was running out of excuses and I hated lying to her. She could see right through me each time. We'd get in arguments over it. Well more like she would get angry with me and I'd try to calm her down and explain. Eventually she stopped asking questions when I told her I couldn't tell her yet. We got closer then.

I had never been anyone’s boyfriend for real, but being Joey’s was easy. Like second nature. I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life. But how logical was that when odds were when I told her who I was she would run for the hills? 

Not telling her was no longer an option. I was on the verge of losing her. I'd been on edge ever since then. I couldn’t function correctly anymore. My mind was scattered. Things just weren’t right without her. What if they never would be?

I had to get her back.

---

"Hey, hey! Wait up!" I called out. The pretty girl turned around and crossed her arms. "I need to talk to you." 

"I'm not Joey, you know." Chloey said.

"I know." I said. "I know the difference."

"So what do you want with me?" 

"How do I get her to forgive me? I know I screwed up, but she means more to me than anything. Please help me."

Chloey’s face softened and she uncrossed her arms. "You really care about her, don't you?" She asked. 

I nodded. "I do. She is by far the best thing that has ever happened to me...I think I'm in love with her."

"I'll help you." She said.

***

Joey opened the door and sighed. “This is stalking.”

"I uh...got you something." I said.

"What is it?" Joey asked, snatching the box out of my hand.

"A ring." 

The next thing I felt was my face tingling with pain. She had slapped me.

"You think I'm one of those girls who lets you get away with s**t because you buy me jewelry? Cause you have another thing coming, Thorton!"

"No, Joey! Would you just open the box?”

"What is this?"

"It's my family's ring." I answered. "I want you to have it."

"Why?" She asked.

"Well your sisters told me you like sentimental gifts. So I thought about something that meant a lot to me, like you do, and this is what I came up with. It's been in my family for ten generations. It gets passed down. I got it when I was thirteen. It's my most prized possession. And I want you to have it."

"And why's that?" Joey whispered.

"Because you've got my heart, I figured you might as well have my most prized possession in your hands too."

Tears filled her eyes. "Do I really mean that much to you?"

"Joey, babe, you mean the absolute world to me. I'd do anything for you."

"Yeah, except tell me the truth."

"That's over, okay? No more excuses or lying or avoiding questions. If being honest is what keeps you with me, I'm willing to take that risk."

"Really?" She squeaked.

"Yes, really. I’m sorry." I said.

"Okay. I forgive you." Joey kissed me. "But you still owe me from the other night.

"Yes I do."

She gently pushed me on the bed. I think I was actually nervous. I rolled on top of her before kissing down her body. I wanted to make her feel better than any other man had. This could be the first and last time we do this. I had to make it count. I gripped her hips as I shoved my face between her thighs.

“Marsden…” she gasped. 

I moved my tongue faster, holding her down as she squirmed and writhed. I was getting more turned on with every moan that escaped her perfect lips. Joey’s body lifted off the bed as she shook furiously under me. 

I moved up, keeping eye contact as I slid myself inside of her. I had to stop for a moment to get myself together. I didn’t know it would feel this good. Joey bit her lip and whimpered when I started again. I kept my pace slow, knowing if I went faster it would be over. 

Being inside of Joey was the most pleasurable experience of my life. Joey kissed me as we rolled around on the bed. She got on top of me and slowly moved up and down and threw her head back. I had never seen her like this. So naked and vulnerable. 

I think I loved her. 

“Oh f**k…” I groaned, gripping her hips tightly. “Jo, you’re perfect.”

She leaned down and licked my neck. My eyes fluttered closed as she continued. Every second I was losing control. I wrapped my arms around her tightly, keeping her in place so I could be inside of her completely as I finished. 

Joey looked down at me with a smile. “That was worth the wait.”

“Yeah.” I kissed her.

“So?” She whispered. “What’s the secret?”

I swallowed hard. I sat up with her still straddling me. 

“Do a revealing spell on me.” I whispered. 

She looked confused. “Okay. Revalsmente.” She waved her hand over me and then gasped.

Now she knew my secret.

Tate’s POV

I had royally screwed things up with Zoey and I didn't even know how to fix them. 

I shouldn't even care this much, but I did. I could lie and say I didn't know why, but I did. I liked her as way more than a friend and I completely ruined it. 

Now things were even more complicated because I was dating Raina and Zoey’s dating stupid Zander Craft. I didn’t even know what she saw in him.

"He's brilliant, funny, a real nice guy." Rune said when I brought it up to him. 

He was surprisingly okay with me losing affection for his sister. I guess he's always disliked me dating her a bit. No one wants to think of their best friend sleeping with their sister.

Also he knew what it was like to fall for a Rosaria sister, or at least I thought he did, until he started dating Lavina Stone for some odd reason. Ever since then he's seemed less happy. I reckon that's because Chloey doesn't hang out much with him anymore. Any fool could see that she had the biggest crush on him.

"Yeah I suppose all that's true, but I still think Zoey can do much better." I grumbled.

"By better, do you mean you, man?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

"I'm not saying I'm better than Zander, but I think I'd appreciate her more than he does."

"I don't know, according to Chloey-you know when she was still talking to me- Zander appreciates her very much. She said he's much better than her last boyfriend." Rune said.

"Um so, what happened with you and Chloey?" I asked, deciding to stop thinking about my own for a moment. Just a moment.

Rune sighed heavily. "Ever since I kissed Lavina and that forcefield almost killed me, Chloey won’t speak to me.”

"Um you think?" I said sarcastically.

"What do you mean?"

"Are you that oblivious? Everyone knows Chloey is crazy about you."

"No!" He exclaimed. Then he thought about it. "Is she really?"

"Yes!" I said throwing my hands up in frustration. "The girl is head over heels for you. How could you not know?"

"I...I guess I just thought she was being nice and we were just friends. I never thought she would actually like me!”

“She asked you on a date!”

“Well ugh now I get why she was so mad.”

"Exactly, now that she knows you don't like her, it's hard for her to be around you when you're always kissing your girlfriend." I explained.

"But I do like her!" Rune yelled. "I like her so much. But I didn't think she liked me." He put his head in his hands. "I've screwed up, haven't I?"

"Yep. You and me both."

***

I tortured myself by watching Zoey and Zander, since it's my fault that they're together.

I should have stood up to Raina and told her the truth. Instead I gave in to her like I always do. She's so jealous and controlling and for the first time, she had a right to be.

I fell for Zoey the moment I met her. She was gorgeous, smart and funny. I knew I wanted to date her, but I didn't know how to end things with Raina. She's got a strange hold over me.

So I told her what she wanted to hear. I didn't mean any of it, and I especially didn't mean for Zoey to hear it. And I couldn't explain to her why I said what I did.

Now she barely even looked at me. Every time I tried to talk to her, she's so cold. I really hurt her and I regret it more than anything.

And since I had lost any chance with Zoey, I figured I might as well stay with Raina. But it still hurt every time Zander kissed her.

Why couldn't she look at me the way she looked at him? Why couldn't she kiss me like that? And laugh at every little stupid thing I say?

What hurts the most is if I hadn't screwed up I could be where he is standing. I came so close! Had I broken up with Raina the night I kissed Zoey, I’d actually be happy.  This is what I get.

***

"Oh, Zander, stop it!" Zoey giggled. Zander was kissing her neck during lunch.

"You know, even if you glare, they'll still kiss." Simone said.

"I know." I grumbled. "I just don't like seeing her with him."

"It's your fault, you know. If you had just stood up to Raina that could be you being disgustingly cute with Zoey."

"I know. I'm an idiot."

“Yep.”

"How do I get her to talk to me again?" I asked. 

“Actually be her friend. Don’t criticize Zander and don’t try to win her back. Be her friend.”

“I can do that.”

--

"Hey, Zoey." I called.

"Tate." She said, "What's going on?"

"I just wanted to see how you're doing." I said.

“I'm great."

"How are things with Zander?"

Zoey looked surprised. "Um, they're wonderful. He's great."

"That's really good to hear, I'm glad." I said, hoping I sounded genuine.

"Um, thank you?" She shook her head. "What's going on with you, Tate?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean that up until now you were telling me that I can do better than Zander and now you're happy things are going so well with him. I don't get it."

"Look, Zoey, I just realized how much of a jerk I've been. What I did was wrong. And now I know if I want you to believe that I do want to be friends with you, I have to be supportive of you, which I will be."

"You don't have to do that."

"Yes I do. And I don't care what Raina says. I want to be friends with you, so that's what I'm going to do."

"Okay." She smiled.

"Hello there, my gorgeous angel!" Zander’s voice exclaimed from behind me.

He ran over, and kissed Zoey while spinning her. 

He finally put her down. "Everything okay here?" He asked. Zander had also been slightly cold to me. I imagine Zoey had told him what happened between us. 

"Everything is great." Zoey said smiling.

"Brilliant. Wanna go study?" Zander winked at Zoey.

I felt sick. They weren't going to study. They were going to have s*x.

"Yes. I am falling behind in my studies." She teased.

"Oh I'll catch you up then. Later Tate."

"Bye guys." I said, watching them hurry away. "Ugh!" 

"What’s wrong with you?" An amused voice asked. It was Marsden Thorton.

"Nothing, Thorton, go away.”

Thorton followed my gaze and chuckled. "Ah, now I get it. I know how you feel."

"What do you know about how I feel?" I asked. "You don't care about anyone but yourself."

"That used to be the case before I met Joey. She changed me. You know, we have a lot more in common than you think."

"Oh yeah, like what?" I challenged.

"We're both crazy about a Rosaria sister." He smirked.

"Yeah that's true." I agreed. I decided to forget I hated him with every fiber of my being for a moment. "Before you and Joey became official, how did you handle seeing her with other guys?"

"Badly." He laughed. "I got kicked out of a club for her. I thought by seeing other girls, I would be less focused on her, but that's not true. It made me compare other girls to her. Seeing only her became the right thing to do."

"So you're saying I should dump Raina?" I asked.

"Yeah. How will Zoey know you're interested if you're giving your attention to another girl?" He questioned.

"Wow, thanks Thorton. I can't believe I'm talking to you about this. I must be going crazy."

"A Rosaria girl will do that to you." He laughed.

"Marsden!" I saw a flash and then a girl wrapped around Thorton, kissing him.

"I missed you. Oh, hi Tate." Joey said before giving Thorton a strange look.

"Hey, Joey. Um, I'll see you guys later." I said to them as I walked away.

I thought about what Thorton said. He was right. But I'd have to wait. No way was I going to Director Magnus’s party dateless if Zoey would be there with Zander.

Rune’s POV

I completely screwed things up with Chloey.

I really liked her. She was unlike any girl I had ever met. She was smart and charming and she actually listened when I talked. She didn’t care about my family or anything like that. She was just interested in getting to know me. 

And I wanted to know her in her return. 

That night at The Underworld, I was going to make a move on her, but then Lavina approached me. She was all over me. Touching me, rubbing against me. Of course I found her attractive, but I wanted to be with Chloey.

But when Lavina kissed me, I gave in.

When I saw Chloey, I knew I had f****d up and she was hurt. I felt horrible. That didn’t stop me from sleeping with Lavina that night. 

It was mostly to make myself feel better. While Lavina was good at s*x and let me do any and everything I wanted to her, I still found myself thinking of Chloey. Wishing she was the girl moaning my name and telling me to go faster. 

I just wanted her. 

Of course now she didn’t speak to me. We no longer had a date for the Yuletide Party and she wouldn’t breathe in my direction. 

I was going to win Chloey back.

***

"Hey Ember, can I talk to you?" I said, pulling her away from a crowd.

"I suppose." She said, looking at me like she'd rather not. She was probably not thrilled about the whole Lavina thing.

"Um, how is Chloey?" I asked.

"Like you care." She scoffed.

"I do." I insisted.

"She's okay. A little sad lately." She answered.

"That's my fault, isn't it?" I asked guiltily.

Ember nodded. "Why'd you do it, Rune?" She asked. "She had just asked you out and then you go and kiss another girl while you’re out with her? And Lavina Stone of all people?”

"I know, I'm a complete idiot." I sighed. "I guess I didn't realize how Chloey felt about me. I regret it though. Do you think she'll forgive me?"

"Don't tell her I told you this, but you hurt her really badly. She liked you so much. So I don't know if she'll forgive you."

"Shit."

"Maybe you should talk to her and explain yourself." She suggested. "I'm sure once you apologize, she'll understand."

"Okay. Thanks, Ember. I will make things right with her." I promised. I started to walk away.

"And Rune?" She asked.

"Yeah?"

"Dump that bimbo.”

***

I decided during Transmogrify I would talk to Chloey, since we only sat a table away. When I arrived, Lavina immediately started clinging to me. I looked at Chloey, who was purposely not looking at us.

The girls started speaking loudly about the Yuletide party. I wondered if I apologized today Chloey would still want to go with me.

I sighed heavily and sat at my table across from Tate. He had a weird look on his face.

"What's up?" I asked him.

"There's something you should know." He said.

"What?" I asked curiously. Then the girls started speaking loudly about the Yuletide party. I wonder if I apologize today, Chloey would still want to go with me.

“Okay, Chloey spill!” Simone exclaimed. “The Yuletide party is coming up.”

"Yeah." Chloey said shyly. "That's true."

"So do you have a date?” Ember pressed.

Chloey’s face broke into a big smile. "Yeah, actually, I do." My stomach dropped. "I'm going with Cade Pickerin."

"No way!" Simone exclaimed. “You asked him?”

"Yeah, I actually just asked him before class started." She looked over at Pickerin who was a few tables away and waved at him flirtatiously.

He waved back and gave her a wink. He looked very triumphant like Chloey was a prize he had just won.

"You are so lucky!" Ember smiled. "He's so hot!”

"Well good for you, Chloey." Lavina said. Apparently now that Chloey was unavailable to me, she doesn't hate her so much.

"Thanks." Chloey said, barely acknowledging her. She turned to Ember and Simone. "You guys have to help me pick out a dress to wear for the party!"

The girls continued to talk excitedly about the party, while I sat there numbly. I really had messed up.

When Transmogrify was over, I exited the classroom to see Chloey and Cade together. They seemed to be talking about the party.

"Well I'll let you know what color I'm wearing, so you can coordinate." Chloey said

"Of course, my dear." Cade answered before taking her hand and kissing it. "I'll see you later." He winked and walked away.

Chloey laughed out loud when he was gone. 

"Hey, Chlo." I said.

"Oh, hi, Rune. How have you been?"

I almost said she would know, had she not stopped talking to me, but now didn't seem to be the time for that.

"I've been alright. I uh...I miss you."

"Yeah, sorry I haven't been around much lately. It's just that you and Lavina just started dating, and I wanted to give you guys space." She explained.

"I wish you hadn't." I admitted.

"I think it was for the best." She shrugged.

"So uh...you're going with Cade to the party?”

Chloey nodded. "Yeah. I mean he was already going to be at the party anyway, so I thought he and I should attend together."

"That's cool." I nodded. "He seems to really like you."

"Yeah, he does. And it's always nice to have someone like you like that, you know?"

"Of course. I get it."

"Great. Well, I've got to go find a dress for the party, I'll see you later, okay?"

"Yeah, of course. Bye Chloey."

"Bye, Rune." She left and I sighed, wishing it was me who had to coordinate with whatever color her dress was.