The Ballad of Hate

CHAPTER 3

Juliette:

   I walk inside the very quite mansion, it was an exhausting day, first the breakfast, which happens everyday, second I didn't have any free periods, third Bianca and her threats, fourth the cafe was overcrowded and fifth walking to the house from the cafe. I and Scarlett both work at the same cafe, it's a small place but it's cute and the owner is a very sweet old lady who treats us good. I can't imagine how exhausted Scarlett must be, she is currently taking her tuitions, not learning but teaching, she teaches english, maths, piano and violin to children.
   I'm halfway up the stairs, when I see him at the top, he's looking down at me with a smirk. Ace Lambordi, he's Levi's best friend and a jerk. He treats me and Scarlett the same as the kings, until a few years ago he wasn't like this but he slowly started to notice Levi's so virtual hate towards us and realised he could do the same and Levi wouldn't say anything, he doesn't.
   I'm about to side step him, thinking he wouldn't do anything, when he grabs my elbow. I try to get my elbow out of his grasp, "Let go!"
   "Not so fast, baby. Where were you?" He brings his face closer to mine. "Probably whoring around, weren't you?" His words are making me feel pure rage.
" Wherever I was, whatever I was doing, it's none of your damned business" I seeth.
"So, you were whoring around. You are the slut Levi claims you to be, and your twin must be riding someone currently, right?"
   The slap rings in the empty hall, his face turns to the other side, his grip loosens, I bring my elbow out of his grasp and run towards my room. He shouts something and follows me. Suddenly, a door opens, Dante comes out and arch's an eyebrow at seeing us. I have never been more happier to see him before and Levi yells for Ace from the hall. I take the opportunity, run to my room and lock the door.

Scarlett:

The thing that i love the most about weekends is spending the days in Daniel's home. I have tuitions today but only half of what I have on weekdays. I love children, they are innocent and good creatures, and I'm happy I get money for spending time with angels like them. With that money, which I have a lot now because of saving, I will move out with Juliette and we will both live our lives to the fullest.
   "What is it, sweetheart? You're not eating." Aunt Helena asks softly. "Do you not feel good? Or is the food not to your liking? Should I make something else-
   "No, Aunt, I'm okay and the food is delicious, it's just I was thinking something." I say, she really gets worried.
   "Don't stress so much, it's bad for your health" She says.
   "Right? That's exactly what I say. I'm telling you, Scar, you'll get white hair before you're twenty." That earns Juliette chuckles from everyone at the table.
    Aunt Helena is about to say something, I know it's about my health, when Uncle Kingsley keeps his hand on hers and says, "She's alright, Helena."
   I shoot Uncle Kingsley a grateful look and he nods, I know she's worried for me, something no one has ever done except for them and I know I should be grateful but I'm not answerable to her questions currently.
   "So, are you both planning anything for your coming birthday?" Demitri asks, trying to cheer the mood, normally we have happy conversations on lunch, but I don't know what happened today.
   "Nothing special, just the usual cake cutting and gifts exchanging." Juliette answers, truthfully.
   "You'll both be turning eighteen this year, in a month to be exact." Its Damien, he doesn't speak much but when he does it's something serious and I know this is too. "Do you plan to move out?"
   Juliette looks at me and I say the truth, "Yes. We'll move out, we have savings and if we get the scholarships, which I hope we do, we will go to university."
   "And, Anastasia will move out with us, preferably the same day as us, she will go to the same university as us and we'll be staying together, I think."
   "You'll leave?" It's more of a statement than a question, I turn my head towards Daniel to answer, but to my surprise, he's looking at Juliette. Juliette look surprised too, she glances at me and then says, "Of course i will."
   Daniel doesn't look happy with that, he turns his head towards me and asks,
"Which university do you plan to go to?"
   I have already told him once but guess he forgot. "Harvard. Me, Juliette and Anastasia, all plan to go there and hope we get the scholarships." Daniel will go to Oxford, his parents will pay, they did for his brothers, too.
   "So, Daniel, have you decided what you are going to gift Scar and Julie for their birthday?" Again, Demitri is lightening the mood. Daniel's mood has soured, I can sense it but I don't know by what? Is it because we all are going to leave together, leaving him alone here or because Juliette particularly will be leaving? And that's because he seemed sad for Juliette's leaving and hasn't even acknowledged that I would be leaving too.
   "I haven't decided yet." Is Daniel's short reply to Demitri's question.
   The rest of the lunch goes by, Juliette stays while I leave for my tuitions which are from 6 to 9 pm.

   We walk inside the mansion, it's 9.30 pm, I went back to the Hawthorne mansion to pick up Juliette. She has been talking about her plans after moving out the whole walk. She plans to rent an apartment with me and Anastasia, which is my plan too, go thrift shopping, make new friends along with Ana and me, change our last name, again my plan, never contact the Kings, same, get a job, me too, get a boyfriend, definitely me, study hard and become what she wants, all that is my plan too.
   We are almost at the stairs when a voice booms, "Where have you two been this late?" We turn around and see Dante, Damon and Adrian standing there watching us with angry expressions. It was Adrian who asked the question, they stare at us, demanding an answer.
  "Well, answer him, where were you two?" Its Damon, Juliette and I exchange glances, I can see fury in Juliette's gaze, there is anger in me too. How could they question us now when they didn't care about us all these years? They didn't care if we went and died somewhere. They'd be happy if we did.
   "Why do you care? You didn't care all these years if we died somewhere. You have no right to question us." Its Juliette who voices her thoughts.
   "Be careful how you talk, Juliette. We just asked." This is the first time I heard Dante speak in weeks, I think.
   "Then don't ask." I say firmly, grab Juliette's hand and we both head upstairs.
   I can hear something like 'they are so disrespectful and spoilt' from behind me but I pay it no heed.

Word count: 1221
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