Part Twenty Three

Ferris

I felt and looked stupid. Zaelyn's clothes were too baggy for me and hung off my shoulders. I had to readjust myself and every few minutes catch the collar from showing a little too much skin."Maybe I just shouldn't go for a swim?" I sort of pleaded, pushing up my shorts for the fifth time. "Nope. You're swimming whether you like it or not." He insisted while visibly trying not to laugh. I'm always scared that I look like a fool but now that I actually do look like one I'm terrified. Yeah, I got weird glances from maids and guards but none of them spoke up. I mean, they couldn't.

We made it to the pools again and the smell of chlorine assaulted my senses. Zae whistled getting the attention of the group in the pool, their eyes gluing onto me. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. The others don't know about us yet. We asked Raphael not to say anything until we're ready." Zaelyn whispered in my ear. I shot him a confused glare but didnt act on it as he shobed my forward.

I fiddledwith end of my shirt and stood there like a completely moron. I'm overreacting again as I always do. "Ferris! Come join us!" Lucian called out, calming my nerves. "See? You fit right in," Zaelyn coaxed, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I've got to attend to a few things but I'll join you guys shortly!" He yelled before scattering away. I walked over to the pool and submerged myself in the cool waters the baggy clothes clung to be but still somehow made me look stupider. I swam next to Fraener who found my hand underwater and grasped it. We didn't say anything, only looking at eachother with a smile. This was cheesy as hell but I liked it.

"Are you two going to get a room or play?" Ryker teased from the opposite end of the pool. I noticed there was a net separating the pool in half and Ryker was holding a ball.

Oh god. Sports.

"I'll be over in a second!" Fraener yelled back, before giving my hand a tight squeeze and wandering over. I looked at my team which consisted of myself, Lucian, Geno and Xan. On the other side was Fraener, Raphael, Zuda and Ryker. I didn't even have time to figure out what sport we were playing as the ball started being batted around. I was trying my best to keep track of where it was and who was hitting it, and so far I was doing a good job.

Raphael hit it, then Geno smacked it back, then Fraener managed to get it just in time. It then hurled in the air, spitting water everywhere and landed infront of me with a splash. I didn't even attempt to hit it I just stared down at it in embarrassment. Turning around I noticed them looking at me with amusement.

"I don't know how to play.." I told them earning an outbreak of laughter. "We'll show you how," Lucian said while wiping away a tear. Maybe it was a tear or just a droplet, I couldn't tell. We huddled together and began to teach me how to play 'volleyball'.

"So I hit it like this?" I wondered, putting my hands together in a certain way. "Yeah, that's it! And you serve like this," Lucian praised before demonstrating something that flew over my head. "It's pretty simple. Hit the ball over the net, don't let it hit the water." Geno chimed in before we headed back.

"You guys ready?" Fraener asked. We all nodded in response and the game was set in motion. I managed to actually hit it, even if it didn't go over the net but they still cheered when I did. We had to wrap it up because Xan kept complaining his fingers were pruning but mainly because we were all getting hungry.

"Nice clothes, Ferris," Geno playfully remarked. I had completely forgotten I was wearing these. "Oh! Zaelyn just shoved whatever he could find into my hands." I mumbled while brushing my hair out of my face. "Those are Zaelyn's clothes?" Lucian questioned. That's another thing I forgot. They don't know. "Uhh- yeah. Gotta help eachother out right?"

They looked at eachother then back at me. "Sure.." Geno muttered. It was quiet for awhile as we walked back into the palace. "So, what's it like being with a Naga?" I asked out of pure curiosity. This is how people make conversation, right?

"Sorry if that was too personal-"

"Nah, it was straight forward. I like it."

He thought for awhile before sighing. "Where do I begin? He's everything I could ever ask for! And his snake tail makes sex so good!" He exclaimed with glee. "You guys really have no filters," I commented. They both nodded in agreement. "Filters are no fun." Lucian sighed. "Being with Zuda can be a bit... rough. I mean he's three times my size and huge. He cares for me a lot though," the werewolf continued, tracing the scar from his ear to his shoulder.

"Sure it wasn't always like that but eventually it worked out."

I nodded as if I understood. I didn't. I've only been in a 'relationship' for a week. "What's it like being with Zaelyn and Fraener?" Geno asked with a devious smile. "I- uhh I'm not with-" Before I could finish the lie the two broke out into laughter. "We're only messing with you!" The djinn stammered, laughing inbetween breaks. Before any of us could strike up another topic Ryker declared were at the bar. Why was this bar so far away from the pool?

We split off into groups so that they could take our orders easier instead of being bombarded with them. I sat with Fraener who couldn't seem to stop staring at me. "The menu's in your hands," I braved with a smile. "Getting cocky, huh?" He snickered. A blush painted my cheeks as I continued to glare daggers at my menu. "What are you getting?" I asked quickly changing the subject. He huffed, bringing the menu closer to his face and scanning the contents.

"I'll order the burger." He decided, peering over the menu and down at me. "I'm just getting a salad," I told him. He smiled before a waitress popped up infront of us. Her aura fizzled and popped with energy matching her bubbly attitude. "Fraener! It's been awhile!" The waitress cheered surprising me. It was a rare occurrence someone didn't address us by prince or your highness.

"Evelyn! It's great to see you!" He greeted standing up to hug her then they began to talk back and fourth. I sunk further into my seat feeling awkward. Is this what people call third-wheeling? The conversation ended in a hearty laugh, with Evelyn wiping away a stray tear. "Oh! Prince Ferris!" She exclaimed when her eyes landed on me. Ugh. She seemed dazzled and didn't know what to do, she did a curtsy, then an awkward bow before straightening up.

"Wh-What would you like to order, your highness?" She stuttered. "A salad would be nice," I gritted out, trying to stop my eyes from rolling back into my skull. I'm sick of this happening. Why do I get treated different? She nodded, before turning to Fraener who was giving me a confused stare. "Fraener, you?" She casually asked. He turned to her and smiled. "A burger would be nice," he replied before she scurried away.

Fraener let me sulk for awhile but broke the silence when our drinks arrived. "What was that?" He asked with an amused tone. He was sounding a lot like Zaelyn now. "I don't know what you're talking about." I grumbled. His eyebrows furrowed and he completely abandoned the amused look. He took my hand in his almost engulfing it completely. His beautiful golden irises captured my full attention and I felt him silently pressuring me to tell him.

"Don't lie to me Ferris," he growled, his eyes seeming to change. They looked less human and more animal. I've never felt both aroused and scared in my entire life. Well, I haven't gotten aroused that many times before. "You really didn't see how she acted when she noticed me? She treated me completely different!" I ranted with hushed voice. I bit my tongue waiting for him to brush it off but instead he nodded.

"Evelyn and I go way back. That's the only reason she's less proper around me. We train together every now and then," He explained. I nodded feeling dumb. "I'm sorry," I mumbled. "No,"

He squeezed my hand slightly, calming me down. "No more being sorry, okay? There's no need, Ferris," He soothed while brushing his thumb against my knuckles. Instead of nodding I smiled back. "Are you sure that's all that was bothering you?" He asked with a coy smile. I poured myself some cool lemonade and look around at the others who had gotten their food. "No? Why?" I both asked and answered. He cocked a brow but still had the smile. I brought the glass to my lips and began to down the honey-sweet liquid. "I don't know, maybe you were jealous?"

I choked on my drink, my eyes wide. Jealous? Me?! No way. "I don't get jealous." I stated dead serious. He gave a hearty laugh making my stomach flutter. I frowned. He can't be serious!

I can see why his own mother called him a gigantic cunt.

"Hey! I'm not jealous!" I yelled only making him laugh harder. "Jealous of what?" Evelyn seemed to pop out of nowhere, with plates on both hands. She placed them down with a curious look planted on her face. "Oh don't worry, Eve. It's nothing," Fraener excused while sitting back up. She nodded though I could tell she wanted to know more. With those prying eyes. Ugh.

Maybe I am jealous.

"Uh, Evelyn. This isn't what I ordered," He noted, staring at his dish. He ordered a burger but instead he got a plate full of vegetables. "Oh right, the King himself requested- we it was more like demanded you are put on a strict diet. For the training I s'pose.." she explained. Why would Heliux want Fraener to be on a diet? He's more than fit and healthy. "Oh!"

She then took the pitcher of lemonade and replaced with this weird green slushy liquid. "No more sweet drinks," she hummed before heading off. "Hey I was going to drink that!" I called out but she didn't return. I returned to my salad and skewered a tomato with my fork. Fraener just shook his head with a smile and began to eat his food.

Bitch.

A/N

So, I'm back guys!! I'd like to say updates will return to normal but the holidays for me are over soon and updates will be sloooow ;(

Sorry for the inconvenience, but stress tends to build up when you have 9999 things to do y'know? Anyway I hope my enjoyed this chapter cuz it might be the last one for a year

(T'was a joke my friends)