The Selection: Third Generation

Ch.11: Never Stop

Arabella's POV:

"This is my love song to you
Let every woman know I'm yours
So you can fall asleep each night, babe
And know I'm dreaming of you more
You're always hoping that we make it
You always wanna keep my gaze
You're the only one I see, love
And that's the one thing that won't change
I will never stop tryin'

I will never stop watching as you leave
I will never stop losing my breath,
Every time I see you lookin back at me
And I will never stop holding your hand
I will never stop opening your door
I will never stop choosing you, babe
I will never get used to you

And with this love song to you,
It's not a momentary phase
You are my life, I don't deserve you
But you love me just the same
And as the mirror says we're older
I will not look the other way
You are my life, my love, my only,
And that's the one thing that won't change.

I will never stop tryin' 

I will never stop watching as you leave

I will never stop losing my breath,
Every time I see you lookin back at me
And I will never stop holding your hand
I will never stop opening your door
I will never stop choosing you, babe
I will never get used to you

Still get my heart racing
You still get my heart racing for you
Still get my heart racing
You still get my heart racing for you

I will never stop tryin

I will never stop watching as you leave
I will never stop losing my breath
Every time I see you looking back at me
And I will never stop holding your hand
I will never stop opening your door
I will never stop choosing you, babe
I will never get used to you.."

I jump at the sound of applause behind me. When I turn around, Carlisle is standing right behind me, a look in his eyes I've only seen once before...when we kissed.

"I didn't-I.." I sigh. I didn't want him to hear that. I didn't want anyone to hear that. Now I'm vulnerable. Again. That song was not meant for anyone else's ears.

"Did you write that?" He asks in quiet awe, walking towards me.

"Yeah, but-"

"No. No buts... It's amazing." He says, sliding onto the bench next to me. His fingers trace over the keys and he soon figures out the melody. I help him with the rest and we start singing. The song becomes a duet, his angelic voice making it even better. I didn't want him to hear it, but I am glad he did now. My stomach is still feeling like it is packed full of butterflies as our hands touch again and again throughout our playing.

As soon as we end the song, a siren starts screeching throughout the palace. I jump and let out a small screech.

"Shit. Hurry, we gotta go." He says quietly, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the hall. He looks to make sure no one is there and runs to the end of the hallway. He runs his fingers behind a painting on the wall, clicking a switch. The wall opens up to a set of stairs that lead down. He pulls me down them quickly, causing me to nearly fall in my heels. 

What in the hell is going on? Why are we running down so far into the basement?

When we reach the bottom, the guards standing there allow us into a room behind huge steel doors. Lyle drags me across the room to where his parents are sitting. They talk in hushed tones, but he never lets go of my hand. I look around and notice most of the girls trying to comfort each other, and I realize what all this is: a rebel attack. 

I look back at the King and Lyle, and I notice the King give him a look. Carlisle just nods and turns to me. "I have to make my rounds... Are you going to be okay?" I see the sincerity in his eyes, as well as a lost and desperate look. 

Wait, if it's been about forty years since the last attack... This is his first one, too.

"As long as you are, so am I," I whisper. He smiles, squeezes my hand, and kisses my forehead before leaving to walk around the room. I curtsy to the king and queen and leave to sit by Liz. She is by herself on a cot in the corner. She looks like she is trying to hide how truly terrified she is.

"Hey."

"Hey, Ara. I see you came in with the prince." She says, wiggling her eyebrows. I giggle and sit next to her on the cot, but I sit facing the wall while she is leaning against it.

"Yeesss.."I say dramatically. I make my eyes big at her for effect.

"So..?"

"So what?" I say sarcastically and she gives me a look.

"Okay, okay. I'll tell you." I give in, making her laugh. "I wrote a song, and I played through it and sung it. Apparently, he heard the whole thing. I taught it to him and we sang it as a duet... then the sirens went off."

"What's the song called?"

"Never Stop... It was actually about him." I say sheepishly, looking down.

"Oh, was it now?" comes Prince Carlisle's voice behind me. I jump in fright as he laughs.

"So, you aren't gonna turn to talk to me now?" He asks. I turn and sit with my back against the wall.

"There's my beauti-"

"Carlisle!" The king's voice echoes in the large room full of terrified girls talking in hushed tones. All of those whispers stop as Carlisle walks across to his father immediately.

They talked in whispers and the king gestures wildly. Amongst all of this chaos, the queen still manages to be patient and graceful.

"Ladies, Sophia and I have agreed that its best you take naps. This is a bit of a stressful situation, but you must make the best of it. We have work to be done today." 

The girls whisper a short while longer before silence takes over. Liz is laying with her head in my lap, and I am laid back against the wall. I start to doze off and just give in.

It feels likes only minutes later when I feel the cot sink down beside me. 

"Mmm" I groan, shifting my legs that now feel empty for some reason.

I hear a chuckle beside me and turn towards it, opening only one eye to get a peek at who it is. Auggie's face is the first thing I see, and I laugh at how ridiculous I must look.

"Hey, sleepyhead."

"Sup?" I say, stretching my arms over my head.

"Everyone's gone, waiting on us." I look around and sure enough, we are the last two in here besides the guards. 

"What time is it, Aug?"

"About 5:30." He answers before standing and offering his hand. I take it, allowing him to pull me to my feet. We walk upstairs before going our separate ways. Sophia said we have work to do, but it is almost time for dinner now and she gave no further instructions, so I go back to my room.

When I walk in, my maids are waiting for me at the table. They jump up and run to me, smothering me in a group hug.

"Oh, Arabella! We were so worried!" Anne exclaims.

"It's okay, girls. We're all okay." I say, hugging them back.

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A/N: Sorry for never updating anymore but life's been a little hectic !!