Chapter 13: Confusion

Alice just blinked and tried to process what Blood had said.

"What?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "I don't understand what you're talking about." Blood just smiled and leaned back on a desk, in a relaxed position. "It's how I said it; It's all of his fault your family went under."

Alice stepped out of the closet. "No, I don't believe you." How could she believe this guy anyways? He always tried to get his way with her. Blood leaned into her face and smiled again. "You have to Alice. It's the truth I'm speaking."

Julius wouldn't lie to me, would he? He's trustworthy. I know it. But…

Alice pondered for a moment before responding.

"If I were to believe you, do you know how our company went under?" She wanted answers. She didn't like the way her family was living right now. It was hard enough as it was.

"Well," Blood chuckled and then pushed her back until she was leaning against the closet door. "Go on a date with me. I asked many times Alice. I really don't like being kept waiting."

For some reason, this time it felt like his threat was real. Alice decided to be serious about it and nodded her head. "Fine. We can meet this Saturday at 1:00 P.M."

Blood suddenly gave a nice smile and patted her on the head. "Good. I will pick you up from your apartment then." He placed Alice's phone in her hand and just like that, he left the room.

Alice couldn't believe it. She stood there for a solid ten seconds before screaming.

"ARGHHHH!" Everything got so complicated in less than a month. It was difficult for Alice to process it all.

Alice looked at her phone.

"Julius…"

Alice understood Julius came from a very wealthy family (like all the other kids in this school), but he was very kind despite his seemingly tough exterior. The only thing that really bothered her was the way Julius and Ace acted before they left her apartment. It seemed like they were hiding something.

"Should I ask?" Was it worth asking? She trusted him. But that nagging feeling already started to grow once Blood mentioned about her family's downfall. Then is that why….

Alice stopped her thoughts and gathered all her things. She sped out the classroom and took the next bus ride to the hospital.

"AARON!" She burst into the hospital room and startled the younger twin.

Nearly dropping his cup of tea, he regained his composure. "W-w-what?"

Alice jumped on the bed, straddling him and proceeded to pull him up by his hospital gown. It looked like she was ready to beat up the poor boy who was still recovering from his injuries.

"Why is Blood after you? Is it really because of the stupid shoes?" Alice knew there was more to than just the shoes. He knew things… a lot of things about them.

Aaron gulped and did his best to stay calm.

"I can explain."

Alice scoffed. "You better explain." Aaron breathed in and out, again trying to stay calm.

"Blood… he knew a lot of things about our family because… well you know… his family is in the mafia business."

Alice nodded her head. Aaron glanced over at the open hospital door. "Hey I think you should close the door." Getting off her brother, she slammed the door shut and pulled a chair next to him.

"Continue."

"I remember on the first day of school he approached him and apparently he already knew who I was. I didn't do anything to provoke him, I swear. But he always had someone watching me on surveillance. And one day, he just asked about you."

Alice felt confused. "Me?"

"Yeah, you. I didn't know why at first, but he saw you at one of dad's business parties. I think it was the one you ditched."

Alice scrunched up her brows and took off her glasses, trying to remember. "When was this?"

"I think two years ago. It was like six months before things got really bad."

"Oh, now I remember…" Alice recalled ditching the party because she felt like it was useless to be there. She wasn't intending to inherit anything. All she wanted to do was live a peaceful life and pursue her dreams of becoming a writer one day.

"Dad got really upset…" Alice murmured. She remembered coming back after midnight. As soon as she walked past the front door, her dad confronted her and slapped her on the face for not staying.

"Yeah, he was really irritated even though mom said it wasn't a big deal."

Alice touched her left cheek, the memory of the slap still there.

"And he wasn't upset for just that reason. He was upset because he was going to introduce you to some suitors."

Alice's ears perked up and she gave the most confused look. "What? Me?" Alice laughed. "I thought dad didn't like that kind of marriage arrangement."

"But I guess he thought he had to…" Aaron murmured.

"Huh?"

"It seems like –-"

Suddenly the door swung open and Aaron quickly shut his mouth.

It was Nightmare. He stood by the door frame and greeted them.

"The nurse told me you came by Alice," the pale young man walked over and gave an eerie smile.

"Yeah… just visiting Aaron," Alice felt uneasy and Nightmare could sense this. He smiled and handed over a small charm to her. It had a character for trust was written on it.

"I think this might help you. Try not to judge too quickly," he said. He greeted Aaron and left the room.

Alice looked at it and put it in her bag. Looking her watch, she realized that it was almost time for dinner. Aaron didn't get a chance to finish explaining to Alice, but it was fine. She was tired and she had enough information to think it over before going to sleep.

Alice laid in her bed, looked at the charm and sighed.

Nightmare is so weird… but… he's right… I shouldn't judge the situation too quickly… I shouldn't judge Julius too quickly.

Friday…

The next morning Alice woke up groggily and looked at the clock which read 6:04 A.M

For the first time she was early to school.

30 minutes before classes…

"Maybe I won't see—"

Walking down the hallway was Peter White.

"I said it too soon," Alice sighed.

Peter glanced at Alice. "You're early today."

"Yeah, I am…" Alice didn't know what to say. It was kind of awkward the last time they met."

The two just stood there before Peter spoke up.

"I just wanted to apologize for my behavior from before… I… I didn't know what I was thinking."

Alice just stood there. Peter apologized to me… what the hell is going on…

"It's… fine…"

Peter continued however. "But, you don't seem like yourself Aaron. That's all I wanted to say." With that he left Alice alone in the hallway.

That confused the heck out of Alice, but she was too tired to care. Looking at her watch, she still had 20 more minutes before classes started. Not wanting to run into anyone else, she went to the one place she could have some alone time: the rooftop.

Lost in thought Alice didn't notice Julius walking behind her.

He gently tapped on her shoulder and startled her.

"Huh?" Alice turned around. "Julius!"

Julius gave a soft smile. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to say hi."

He seemed too kind. Alice felt uneasy after what Blood told her and therefore kept some distance. "It's fine."

"So um… how's Aaron? Nightmare told me you visited?" Julius tried to strike up some conversation.

"He's okay… still the same, but he'll heal."

Julius noticed how tense she was. "Are you alright? I didn't mean to scare you... I'm sorry..."

Alice blinked and shook her head. "N-no you don't have to be sorry for anything! I'm just… I'm just…" She couldn't get the words out. She was too scared to confront him.

"Alice?" A single teardrop slipped down her cheeks. Alice quickly rubbed it away. "I-I'm fine."

She didn't understand why she was feeling so confused. What was this constricted feeling in her chest? It felt like she wanted to just shout at Julius, but she didn't have the heart.

Suddenly, Julius wrapped his arms around the petite girl and hugged her.

"I'm sorry…" He didn't say anything else except for that.

Alice hugged him back and started crying. She was already tired of her life at this school, but what made it worse was the mystery behind her family's downfall. It was frustrating.

Alice pulled away and wiped off the rest of her tears. She finally gave him a genuine smile. "I'm sorry Julius, I probably look really stupid."

Julius gave a soft laugh and patted her on the head. "It's alright. I just…" He looked away. "I just wanted to check up on you. I -"really care for you. He couldn't say those words. "-yeah." He just ended it like that. Alice smiled again and the raven haired boy blushed.

"I'm fine now," Alice said. She felt hurt inside, but she remembered what Nightmare told her. Don't judge too quickly. Suddenly she felt herself at ease and she gave one more smile to Julius.

"Thanks, I'll see you later today then Julius."

Julius said goodbye as Alice went back down for class. He looked at the clouds and sighed. He really, really liked Alice. It hasn't changed.

"You're such a liar."

Julius turned around saw Gray standing behind one of the pillars.

"What?"

"You know what I'm talking about."

Julius understood once he said it that way. "I know. But…"

"It's not fair to her and you know it," Gray could feel his jealously grow. He liked Alice as much as Julius liked her. And Julius knew that.

"I won't say anything, but she'll figure it out sooner or later," said Gray. "That's all."

Julius didn't say anything else and left.

Gray looked at the door that was just closed. It was getting harder to hide the truth from her. But she would figure it out. And once she does, Gray hoped that she would eventually choose him in the end.

I'm so tired lol. But I had to write. The urge to write fanfic! Hahaha I got sick for about two weeks, but I'm recovered now! Yay~~ But work is a bit of a bummer...

Things are getting a bit serious as Alice unravels the mystery! For those who already read this fanfic before, I changed a few details here and there in other chapters. Nothing too major, but I had a few inconsistencies so I fixed some of those... Grammar wise.. please let me know, especially if it bothers you haha. English... I'm still trying! :)

But anyways, thanks for reading and please review!

~Seo Hyunee

P.S. Please check out my new fanfic, It Started with a Kiss! :)Thanks!