True Destiny

Secret

I ran and ran and ran.

I didn’t know where I was running. I had no destination. All I knew was that I was extremely tired from an extremely long and daunting day and night, and I was sprinting as quickly as I could to the closest safe place I could find. I would usually be running towards Guy’s room if I was trying to find a place to unwind in, but this was different.

I was running from Guy; from my father. He had lied to me and sent me on the most bizarre wild goose chase which consisted of events that I’d rather not remember, and he said he did this because he was selfish; that he didn’t want me to leave him. I’d understand a bit if there was some sort of lesson I could take from this. Guy usually did that. He taught me lessons and gave me advice with some of the most backward techniques, but it usually paid off in the end. But, this wasn’t a lesson. All I gained from this whole experience was extreme confusion and distrust. Yes, I did find my prince and he was very kind. But, I think my trust in Guy was totally destroyed. If I couldn’t trust in Guy, who could I trust in? I didn’t know what to do.

So, I just ran to nowhere.

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For some reason, with all that was happening around me, my mind drifted as I ran. I thought of my first meeting with Serge.

I had only known Chita then. He took me to this high school concert that only high school students were allowed to go to, but considering the finale act was his brother, he had enough connection to let us in. Guy was also the principal of the school, and he took me, so that could have been one of the reasons we were allowed in as well.

When Serge came on stage, I was enthralled. Here was a young, 7 year old boy playing the piano, but he was playing timeless classics that ranged from acoustic versions of famous songs to music by the most respected musical composers of the world’s lifetime. He played so beautifully. Anyone could tell that he had a serious passion for music from the glow his face held as his fingers tackled the black and white keys perfectly under them. After the concert was over, the audience roared and cheered for him. Now that I think about it, it was actually surprising that a group of teenagers would get so lively after piano music, but Serge was indeed special. He drew people in with his music. From the beginning of each song, he captured them. Their chests rose and fell with every sharp and flat, their hearts stopped at the climax, and they finally normally breathed in astonishment and relief after the song was over. Astonishment that such a young boy had this glorious amount of talent, but relief in that they weren’t captives anymore. If Serge played for a whole day, no one in the audience would move a muscle out of their seat for that whole day. That’s how special Serge was.

A few dozen minutes later, everyone in the auditorium finally filed out except me, Chita, and Guy, then Serge came running from backstage to meet up with his brother. Guy shook his hand and gave him a very hearty pat on his back, and Chita exchanged a loud high five with him. Then, Serge looked at me and my heart stopped. I had no idea what to say. It was like meeting a famous celebrity you had a crush on for years, even though he was just my friend's brother that I've known for a day.

“HI, I don’t think I’ve met you before. My name’s Serge.” He held out his hand to shake my hand. Thankfully, Serge released my heart from its temporary coma, and I gained enough confidence to lift up my arm, and shake his hand with mine. I gave him a wide smile.

“Hi, I’m Leila.” I greeted him. Serge let go of my hand jerkily and jumped a little.

“Oh, the princess?!" he shouted, surprised. "Oh, no I’m sorry I didn’t know that you were Princess Leila. Chita why didn’t you tell me? I’m sorry I didn’t know-”

“It’s okay.” I interrupted him, laughing. Half the people I met didn’t mind that I was a princess, but there was another half that used to almost piss their pants once they found out who I was. They all knew I existed, but it’s not like Guy paraded my picture to everyone. That way, I could be able to meet people casually without them getting flustered. Thankfully, as I grew older my classmates treated me like the ordinary girl I love to be treated as.

Chita suddenly jumped out of nowhere, putting an arm around me and another arm around Serge. He was smiling widely and then cheerily exclaimed, “We’re going to have so much fun together, guys!”

That statement indeed came true.

Ever since then, me and Serge were inseparable. Serge’s guy friends used to tease him a lot for hanging around an “icky” girl like me. Apparently, I had cooties that could poison him and turn him into a girl. But, Serge didn’t care. And I didn’t care when everyone I knew was teasing me as well, asking if Serge was my boyfriend with smirks on their faces. I was a child. I held no feelings of love towards him; I didn’t even know what love was at that time.

When I think about it now, it was so obvious that I was head over heels in love with this boy, even if I was 5 years old. I started receiving teases from my friends as well. I mean, you wouldn’t voluntarily hang out with someone – almost – everyday if you weren’t in love with them.

I finally realized my love for Serge when I found out he was leaving the school.

It’s funny and kind of weird. As humans, when we have something so wonderful we never appreciate as much as we should. We walk forward in life taking in granted the people and things that help us move so forward.

Until the person or thing is gone.

I remember my farewell with Serge as well.

I was broken and confused. Broken because I didn’t want one of my best friends to leave, but confused because my heart kept on wanting to jump out of my chest and my stomach wouldn’t accept the normal amount of food I would consume in a day. I didn’t know what this feeling was, and it made the situation all the more unbearable.

I was in Serge’s dorm. Chita and Knives were there as well but they politely excused themselves to get some kind of drink and left us alone.

My gaze was shifted down towards the navy blue carpet that lay under my feet. For some reason, I couldn’t look him in the eye. I was speechless like the first time I met him.

“So, how’s everything going, Leila?” Thankfully, he still had the talent of bringing up conversation at the most awkward times. I lifted my head up and frowned, trying my best to not make myself cry. The tears were so close to erupting out of my eyes. “I’m almost done packing to leave; I didn’t realize I had so much stuff.” He chuckled softly, the smile that formed on his lips seeming forced. “I’m going to miss the school a lot and everyone too. Especially you, Leila. I’ll miss our adventures that we have every day. But, we’ll definitely write to each other all the time. I’ll keep you updated with everything that’s happening, and you’ll have to do that as well with yourself. Then, we–” I shook my head at him causing a surprised look to appear on his face. He probably thought I was rejecting his request at the time. I wasn’t.

“Don’t go.” I pleaded, walking closer to him. The tears easily slipped themselves out of my eyes. “Please, Serge, don’t leave.” I stared at him with this melancholy, tear-ridden expression until I was so close to him that our feet touched. I probably looked pathetic, crying so fiercely in front of a growing boy. But, I could tell Serge wanted to cry too. He didn’t cry, but his eyes were rosy red and I could see some small droplets hanging from his eyelids. I guess he was trying to stay strong for me.

“I can’t Leila,” he responded, his voice sober. “…I have to go. I’m not allowed to stay here if I have parents that are alive and want me.”

“But I want you Serge!” I cried. “I can’t imagine living without you; I can’t imagine this school without you. Serge, please don’t leave.”

“I don’t want to leave Leila. I really don’t.” He lifted his hand to wipe some tears away from my face with his soft fingers. “I don’t want to leave you.”

“Then don’t!” I cried again, shaking my head in disbelief that my best friend would be leaving me for good. “Don’t leave me Serge.”

“I can’t stay though, Leila.” He said, his voice broken. He embraced his arms around me tightly, so tightly that I would never wish to leave his grasp, caressing my hair with one hand and my back with the other. I lifted my arms up to return his embrace. “I can’t stay.” He repeated. I cried in his shoulder for a few minutes, drenching the sleeve of his shirt with my salty tears. I didn’t think before that saying goodbye to a good friend would be so sad, but that was because this was the first goodbye I ever had to participate in.

Eventually, my tears started to dry out so I pulled my head back from Serge’s shoulder, trying to catch my breath as I rubbed by red eyes. I wanted to say something to him, but as words pushed speedily up to my throat to speak out, they immediately were sucked back down with the same speed. So, I just stood there in his embrace silently.

Until he leaned down to kiss me.

As soon as I figured out what he intended to do, I turned my face, his soft lips landing on my cheek rather than his destination. He pulled back, confused. I gave him a reassuring smile.

“I don’t want my first kiss to be like this, Serge. I want it to be happy, not sorrowful, and I want it to be with you.” I pulled my arms around him tightly, resting my chin on his shoulder. “I’m going to see you again, Serge. I know it. And then,” I smiled at him to the best of my ability. “Then, when we reunite, we can have the best, first kiss ever.” This whole farewell took place a week before he was supposed to leave, and for those seven days I tried my best to be happy for Serge. He was going to be able to live outside with a family that loves him; I kept on repeating that in my mind. Even if he’s not with me, he’ll be content with the family that everybody needs, and that most of the children in the orphanage were unfortunate enough not to experience in their lifetime.

I missed Serge so much.

I don’t know why he popped into my mind as I ran to nowhere.

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Breathing heavily, I found myself in front of Chita’s and Knives’ dorm room entrance, the navy blue door seeming like a sanctum to my mind. It was already so late in the night, and I hoped that one of them would be awake so I could stay the night over at their dorm. I didn’t have the energy to argue with Kaye if I decided to go back to my own room. Talking to Kaye was like talking to a parrot; she just repeated back everything I would say as my reason for doing whatever wrong action I did, in a sarcastic manner.

Just as I was about to knock on the door, it opened. Chita stood there, nothing but gym shorts covering his body, and when he looked down and saw me, a puzzled expression overcame his face. I planted my hands on my hips and stared at him suspiciously.

“Where were you thinking of going this late at night with your shirt off?” I asked him inquisitively. Chita reflected my look back at me.

“Why are you standing in front of my doorway this late at night when it’s five hours past your curfew?” I shrugged, the little energy I had leaving me.

“You make a good point.” I sighed, my gaze transferring to the ground below me. “Chita, can I stay over here, tonight?” I could tell Chita was looking down at me worriedly, sensing that something was wrong.

“Yeah, sure.” He stepped aside, and I walked into the room. As soon as I reached the fluffy blue carpet of the cozy living room, I saw the open door to Chita’s bedroom and ran towards it, awaiting the comfort of his mattress. “Leila, wait, that’s my bed! Where are you going?” he exclaimed quietly under his breath, closing the door behind him and then dashing forward after me. When I reached a foot or so away from Chita’s bed, I leaped as high as I could, spun my body horizontally in the air, and landed back first on the mattress. I pulled his blanket towards me, eager to hold anything as tightly as I could close to me, and drift off to sleep. As I was about to close my eyes, I heard the bedroom door shut and lock, and a few seconds later the bed wobbled a bit. I opened them to see Chita crawling towards me, a mischievous look in his eyes. I gave him my most pitiful frown, sticking out my lower lip.

“Let me sleep, Chita.” I groaned. “I’ve had a long day.”

“I’ll let you sleep, Leila. Just not on my bed, go on the sofa or something.” I let out a groan again when I noticed Chita’s body directly over mine, his hands planted on the mattress near my arms.

“But, your bed is more comfortable.” I argued.

“But it’s my bed.”

“Then, what do I have to do to sleep in it?” I asked him, getting annoyed at his persistence. He grinned with that same mischievous stare glued onto his face. I hoped he wasn’t going to say what I thought he was going to say. I didn't know then if he was back to his normal self after coping with the death of Rosetta.

“You have to fight for it.” I smirked up at him. Now, that’s actually what I wanted to hear. Chita and I, now and then, would always fight playfully if one of us or both of us had to release some stress out from ourselves. It was our way of relaxing and enjoying the day. I was glad he was up for another one, and this fight was definitely going to be stress-relieving.

I started it by rolling my right into a fist, and planting it firmly on his cheek.

Me and Chita went all out. Well, as all out as we could without severely injuring each other and hitting each other in the areas where it hurt most.

I jabbed him in places where he had the fewest muscles to protect him and in return he kneed and kicked me in the stomach, most likely holding back some of his strength. Even though Chita was a wimp, he still had some manly strength that I couldn’t overpower as demonstrated when he tried to pull a move on me a few nights before. If he really gave his all in these brawls we had, I would be coming out with severe bruises all over rather than light ones. Yes, we both hit each other hard enough that we bruised a little.

As the constant punching and kicking went on, I spit out everything that happened that day, minus Mia telling me about her parents. I told him about the crazy, winged woman taking over my body to kill Rosetta, the oddly comfortable meeting with Darian, as well as the betrayal that I received from Guy. I thought, as I repeated everything aloud in words, how far fetched my life really was. “I-can’t-trust-any-body-any-more-Chita.” I strained to tell Chita as we pummeled each other. “Guy-is-my-father, the-best-person-I-could-trust, and he lied to me!” I yelled that out, hoping I didn’t startle Knives in the adjacent bedroom. Chita stopped the fight, by not reflecting a punch to his shoulder that I threw at him. He winced a little from the punch, but then a sad smile formed through his lips, his eyes staring into mine pityingly. We were in a very compromising position – my body on top of his and our bodies both on top of his bed – but there was no tension raging through our hormones, well I could only speak for myself on that. Hopefully, he wasn’t feeling anything. I frowned down at him, realizing that I unconsciously blurted the truth about Rosetta. “Do you hate me now, Chita? I really did kill her; I killed the girl you loved.”

Chita shook his head, positioning my hair behind my ears then holding my face with his hands. His fingers felt so comforting, just the feeling I needed after the longest day of my life. I wanted to shut my brain off and just lie in those gentle hands. “I could never hate you, Leila.” He responded. “It wasn’t your fault, and I didn’t love her all that much.” I reflected his sad smile back at him, then resting my body and placing the side of my head on his chest. He curved his arms around my back, pushing me deeper into his chest, causing him to feel all the more warmer.

“I don’t know what to do anymore, Chita.” I whispered to him softly, as he curled his fingers through my hair. “All I could think about as I came here was Serge. I just want to see him before he leaves. He could calm my life down.” A tear escaped itself out of one of my eyes. There was the thought of Serge barging into my mind again. A short silence followed. It was a very soothing silence, causing me to close my eyes and be on my way to sleep in that position on Chita’s chest.

Chita then chillingly spoke up.

“I can take you to him, Leila.” My eyes broke open, and I lifted my upper body off of Chita’s chest. He still kept his hold on my cheeks. The tone of his voice wasn’t really chilling, but hearing those words made it seem unreal to my ears.

As if the day couldn’t hold any more surprises.

“What?” That was all I could release from my voice.

“I know how to get to Serge.” He casually told me, a smile on his face. “There’s another entrance that I know about. It’s a blind spot to the security cameras in the school. I can take you to Serge from there.”
“But how-?”

“I didn’t mention it before when I was devising that incredible plan with everyone, because at that time I wanted to be,” he paused. “I wanted to be theatrical. I was just putting on a big show and tried to make the whole operation seem like a big, risky, exciting mission. But, it’s not like that Leila. It’s so simple, it’s crazy. ” I stared at him, my mouth hanging open in shock, my tongue probably dangling hopelessly out as well. Chita was right, I thought everything he was saying was too crazy for my mind to grasp. He chuckled softly at me, and pushed my body back towards him, resting my head gently onto his chest once again. “I can get you to leave without anyone noticing. Then, you can just meet with Serge and come back.” He caressed my back with his hands. “I’ll tell you everything tomorrow, Leila. Rest for now, you look like you desperately need it.”

Too sleepy to rebuttal, I positioned my arms to ravel around Chita’s shoulder blades, holding him as tightly as I could, as I always need something to grasp to when I slept. I didn’t bother to ask him any questions. The idea of rest never felt so satisfying and integral to my body before, and for pushing it so hard the whole day, it deserved a well-needed rest.

“Thank you, Chita.” I mumbled softly, my eyelids beginning to droop over my eyes. “I love you, you know that?” I felt his body shift a little, his arms warmly embracing me tightly. Maybe he smiled, I hoped he did.

“Yeah Leila, I know.” He whispered back to me, partially sounding indifferent. “I love you, too.” I thought I heard him mumble something after, but I was too close to unconsciousness to hear it.

My eyes closed.

I finally felt the warmth of sleep overcoming me, after so many nights of pretending.

And I hoped to God that I wouldn't dream about that horrid figure that night.

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Daisy's Note: How is Chita going to get Leila to meet Serge? We'll find out next chapter, look forward to it! Any reviews and critiques will be appreciated. :)

Also, this is the second time I'm putting up this chapter, because of a few errors I had to fix up here and there. Sorry for anyone who is receiving alerts from this story for getting more e-mail than needed.