"Hurry up slow poke." I laugh. Dancing backwards up the hill. My dimpled smile and wide sea blue eyes trained on my Fiance. My auburn curls swaying in the morning breeze.

"I'm coming. Hold your horses." Aaron laughs. Scurrying to catch up to my retreating form. His soft green eyes rolling in fond exasperation. Short black waves ruffling with each step he took.

Originally we were going to have our picnic in the garden, but my dad had set so many guards around the castle. That even the garden was filled. I shudder just thinking about trying to enjoy our date with so many eyes glued to our backs. No thanks.

So instead. I suggested the old weeping willow. Its a old tree at the top of a hill out behind the castle. Its long swaying leaves stretching to the ground. Almost like tears. The soft swaying creates an enchanting sound that fills the space between its leaves. Where light from the holes in the leaves. Create a diamond like effect on the ground. Twinkling down in millions of gentle lights.

Its a spot my mother used to love when she was alive, but now that she is gone. No one ever goes up there. When we were younger. Long before I met Aaron. Conner and I would hide up here from my dad and brother. We would spend hours up here just talking. It was, like my mother, our favroite spot. It was our secret hideway. After Aaron came into the picture. I admit this spot became a thing of the past. The last time we had spent anytime up here. Was after Conner and I crashed the limo into a lake. When we were 15. Not that it helped. Fredrick found us and dragged us back to be punished. So much for the spot being a secret.

I admit part of me feels like I am betraying Conner. Bringing Aaron up here. Even if technically this spot isn't actually mine and Conners insclusively.

"Wow. So this is the spot you were telling me about?" Aaron whistles. Staring in awe at the long hanging lies concealing the spot beneath.

"Yeah Conner and I found it shortly before mom died. Apparently it was her favroite spot when she was young." I pause in confusion. As a dark look crosses Aarons face at Conners name. His green eyes flashing posionously. Lips twitching in disgust.

"Aaron?" As if a spell has been broken. Aarons eyes snap back to a gentle green. A soft smile back on his lips as he glances over at me.

"Are you o..."

"Lets check out this hideaway you mentioned." Aaron cuts me off. Charging forward and brushing through the leaves. His smile more strained than usual. Following slowly behind him. I warily step through the hanging leaves. Watching in concern as Aaron admires the area. What could possibly cause my sweet fiance to look so murderous. Just by hearing my best friends name.

"Wow Sasha. I have to admit. This place really is as beautiful as you said it was." Forceing a smile. I decide to forget about the venomous gaze filled with so much hate. At least for now.

"I know right." I laugh. Spreading the checked blanket I brought. Carefully on the ground, as Aaron begins unpacking the food from his wodden basket. Once everything was set out. Aaron with a mischevious grin. Reaches forward. Snagging me around the waist. Tugging me down to sit on his lap.

"Hello beautiful." He laughs admiring the rosy blush. Adorning my cheeks.

"Aaron. What are you doing." I squeak. Squirming in embrassment.

"Who me? Nothing. Can't a guy simply hold his fiance." He innocently replies. His eyes glinting in mirth.

"Sure. Ok Aaron." I snort relaxing in his hold. My blush slowly vanishing beneath his gaze. A soft rustling behind me. As if someone had just pushed through the leaves. Has me halfway turning as Aaron speaks.

"Sasha I.....LOOK OUT!!" I yelp in alarm as Aaron pulls me to the ground. His body laying protectively over me. Before I can ask what the crap he thinks he is doing. He jumps to his feet. Eyes flashing in fury. With a hint of something else hidden beneath his green eyes.

"WHO SHOT THAT! COME OUT RIGHT NOW!" Aaron shouts. Storming angrily through the leaves. Only once he is gone do I notice the Arrow lodged in the base of the tree. Right where Aaron and I sat a moment before. I gulp. Paling in dread as I realize. If Aaron hadn't reacted when he did. We would be dead right now.

Loud voices. Followed by grunting. Has me turning just in time to see Conner thrown through the leaves. His body slamming harshly onto the ground as Aaron steps in after him. A crossbow clutched in his hands.

"Conner? Aaron whats going on?"

"I will tell you whats going on. This idiot shot an arrow at us. I found him standing outside with this in his hands." Aaron spits. Tossing the crossbow to the ground.

"Thats not what happened at all. I..." Conner begins. Leaping to his feet. Hazel eyes desprate.

"Oh just stop with your lies. You were caught red handed." Aaron scoffs. Cutting Conner off mid-sentence.

"Aaron. Let him speak. I want to hear what he has to say." I gently state. Earning me a dark scowl from my fiance, and a relieved smile from Conner.

"Thank you Sasha. I was patrolling the grounds. When I saw a cloaked figure with a crossbow run this way. I followed them out here. By the time I caught up. They were gone and this crossbow was sitting on the ground. I had just picked it up to take back for evidence. When prince Aaron appeared and assualted me." Conner explains.

"Yeah right. Its obvious that's just a feeble exscue. To hide the fact you were caught red handed." Aaron snorts. Stepping forward. Eyes glinting furiously. Sensing danger. I swiftly move between them. Before a fight can break out. Gently pushing them apart with a hand on their chests.

"Thats enough you too. Aaron. I know you don't trust Conner but I do."

"Sasha you can't be serious?" Aaron sputters. Reeling back in shock.

"But I am Aaron. I know it looks bad, but if Conner shot that arrow. Why is he still here? Why didn't he run away after shooting the aarow? He had a good 2 minutes before you rushed out there. So why was he still there? Not only that. Why wasn't he wearing any kind of disguise? He had to know how risky it is to shoot an arrow so close to us. He would have known if he missed you would come charging after him. So why then is he not wearing a disguise? Why come in his usual uniform?" I pointed out. Hands on my hips.

"Because...Because... Oh whatever. If you want to trust this fool. Than be my guest, but don't come running to me when he kidnaps you." Aaron sputters. Stuffing his hands into his pockets and storming away. Leaving me alone with Conner.

"Sorry about that Sasha. I didn't mean to ruin your date. " Conner sheepishly appologizes. Rubbing his honey brown hands along the back of his neck. His shoulder lenth, chestnut brown curls swaying as he slightly tilts his head forward. 

"Its ok. Aarons just frustrated that this creep keeps slipping past our defenses." I sigh. Running a hand through my midlength curls.

"Do you really belive that I didn't do it?" I snort at this. Fondly rolling my eyes at his stupid question. 

"Yeah right. You can't even hold a gun without shaking. The only time I have seen you not hesitate to pull that trigger. Is when you are protecting me. There is no way you could have shot that arrow and get such an accurate shot." 

"I don't know whether to be offended, or relived?" 

"Conner. I am saying that I have no doubt that you were telling the truth." I soften. Turning to face my best friend.  A small smile tugging at my lips. 

"Thanks I guess. Anyway Sasha.  I was wondering. The circus just came back into town. Did you want to go with me. Its been a while since we hung out as friends." Conners asks. His voice wobbling slightly at the word friends. 

"Um..." I hesitate. My smile falling. A painful sadness filling my heart.

"Whats wrong?" He asks. His hopeful smile falling at my expression. 

"Well... The thing is..." I trail off. Biting my bottom lip as I struggle to form my concerns. After a moment of silence. In which he studies my painfilled face. His eyes widen as he remembers that horrible day.

"Oh crap! I'm so sorry Sasha. I completely forgot your mom died last time the circus was in town. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories." He sputters. Fluttering his hands frantically in front of him.

"It... Its ok. It was a long time ago." I whisper. Wrapping my arms across my chest in a self hug. 

"No its not. I shouldn't have suggested i..."

"No!" I shout. Cutting him off.

"Wh... What." He stutters. Unused to hearing me shout. 

"No. Its ok. You are right. It has been a while since we hung out last. We should go."

"A..Are you sure? We can always do something else." He hesitantly asks. Concern clear in his hazel eyes. 

"I'm sure. Its been years since that day. I can't keep running forever." I sigh. Shaking my head as a new determination fills my heart.

"Ok if your sure. I will meet you at the entrance tomorrow night at 5." 

"Ok. See you then." I force a smile on my trembling lips. Watching as he slowly walks away. A worried look filling his eyes. The moment he was out of sight. I crumbled to the ground. Pulling my legs to my chest. My arms wrapped around my knees as I bury my face in my knees.

"Mom I miss you."