Reincarnation

39

Sunday.

'You alright?' Was the first question asked the next morning by Will.

'Yeah...it's just the uh- whole coronation thing. It's just stressing me out' Serris lied, making sure her face was free of any tears and bloodshot eyes before approaching the teens' closet. 'May I ask why you're here so early?'

'That's the thing. I need to hide. Like right this minute' Will panicked, opening the doors wide and getting himself inside along with Serris. The two joined the teens, receiving 'good mornings' from everyone..

Kaycee started longingly at Serris, observing the frown and bent head as she sat down. She could feel her heart tighten as an unfamiliar pain shot up there. Guilt.

'Cheuk's onto me' Will stated, clutching his head.

'What?!' Everyone said in unison, but no one laughed.

'Yesterday, i-uh, I might h-have done something I should-shouldn't have done' he continued, bringing his knees up to his chest and rocking back and forth. 'I busted Alex and Arielle out'.

Never before had Kacee noticed how time is so much like water; that it can pass slowly, a drop at a time, even freeze, or rush by in a blink.  The news went through her ears, eyes dilated, and her jaw dropped with gravity. 'You-you did what?'

'I gave Cheuk alcohol and made him drunk so that I could bust Alex out. I wanted to start again, this is the new me. But I've managed to just fuck things up in a minute. I heard Cheuk telling Sophus about them being missing-again- and he's onto me. I know it'.

'Okay, we need to calm down' Serris croaked, her throat filled with tears from last night.

'I can't. Cheuk's going to find me soon'

'Wait-but what about Alex and Arielle. Where are they?' Sean questioned, tapping his chin.

'Who cares' Kaycee mumbled too quiet for anyone to hear.

'I let him stay at a little room. It used to be the mansion's bar until Cheuk grew an addiction to it. I doubt Cheuk will go searching for them. He couldn't care less, but he'll severely punish me' Will spoke, biting his nails and rocking on his spot like a baby going to sleep.

'We won't let anything happen to you' Kaycee consoled, laying a hand on his houlder although her eyes were fixed on Serris. 

'I got it' Sean thought aloud, raising his index finger in the air. Everyone nodded for him to continue. 'So tomorrow we're necessarily giving away our escape plan. Will can stay here with us and we can all sneak out together tomorrow for the coronation' he explained. 'Then Kaycee can do the princess test and-'

'Kaycee's doing the princess test? How did you- but who told you? I um' Will asked stunned.

'Um- I. Uh ages ago Alex had a theory I was the princess, but I didn't listen to him. Then charity spoke of it again, and we've been planning for me to go up against Serris on the day. But it's just a theory and it's probably not true. So...' Kaycee rambled, it was almost impossible to keep up with what she was saying.

'I knew it was you' Will smiled, oblivious to the frown forming on Serris' face like everybody else.

'You did?'

'I'd say you'd be our closest match to be the princess' Will chuckled. 'I'm ashamed to say that I was part of a council to rig Serris into being next in line. Sorry'.

Serris brushed it off, as if it was nothing, but Kaycee could tell it meant a lot to her.

 'I have to go. You guys, stay here and be quiet. I'll call Sarah and we'll see what the news relating to Cheuk is' Serris muttered, leaving the closet without her usual smile and goodbye.