"What the heck? Why would they even suggest that?" I blurt out.

"Son, you need to do this. I don't know why they want you to attend their school in exchange for Melony's enrollment, but it's what they want. Melony wants to go to this private school. Can't you go for one year? It'll help your social standing as well." My father tries to convince me.

How can this make any sense? I'm in my junior year of high school. I'm enrolled in the best school in the country. How will this help my social standing? And why the fuck would I care about that in the first place? I'm going to school to learn, damn it!

"Are you forcing me?" I ask sternly.

After my cousin tried to "abandon the family" by going to work for a design company, my family pitched a huge fit and forced him to be the next in line to take over the company instead. Considering he's six years older, I didn't think they would care about my future choices. Why is my father acting like this? There has to be more to it.

"I… look at things this way: Prince Jay needs space to grow more sociable. With you around, he won't need to make new friends. It's only for a year." My father finally tells me the truth.

I'm assuming King Wolfgang wants me out of the picture for some plot he's planning for Jay. Jay has been rebellious lately, so King Wolfgang is fed up. However, that means this is even more of a reason to stay. I must remain by Jay's side if his father is planning something.

"You keep saying only a year, but to a high school student, a year is long. I'm top of my class. Transferring now would hurt my overall GPA. Tell me the truth, and I will consider it. Is this because of Melony or because of Jay? Did King Wolfgang talk to you about this?" I ask coldly as I stare my father in the eye.

"Anon, you are…haaa, okay, I'll tell you. The company isn't doing well. The last two years of crops have been a disaster. It's taking all we have to stop us from going bankrupt. Head Master Wilton is an understanding guy, but I can't convince him to allow you to stay at the Royal Academy for free. Your scores are what kept you in school last year. I'm sorry. We are in this grey area of having too much money for a scholarship and can't afford to pay tuition outright. We get a discount at Mastra Academy if more than one child is enrolled. I made a deal with Headmaster Wilton, and he will allow you to come back to the Royal Academy for your senior year if we can come up with the tuition before the end of this year. I promise you will graduate from Dalmane Royal Academy and get into the college of your choice. Please help us out with this." My proud father begging me for help is almost too much to bear.

Looking at my father's face, I notice subtle changes I hadn't before, such as dark circles under his eyes, frown lines on his forehead, and a thinning hairline. Until now, I saw my father as a strong and formidable leader. Even if he isn't the President of the company, my father leads alongside his older brother as Vice President. The past few years must have been a struggle for him. What kind of son would I be if I didn't listen to my father's earnest pleas? 

"Fine. One year. However, I will not stop spending my free time with Jay. So don't even try telling me I can't. Also, remember, even if Melony and I will be attending the same school together, I'm not her babysitter. Got it?" I snap as I turn to look at Melony, who is snooping from behind the ajar office door.

Melony quickly retreats without even trying to be discreet. What a brat.

Two Months Later

"Don't even think about talking to me once we are at school," Melony demands as she fixes her makeup for the third time since we got in the car.

"Why would I want to talk to you? I don't intend to let anyone know you and I are related," I retort.

Melony scrunches her nose at me.

"Same here." She adds as the car comes to a halt.

"Young Master, have a good first day at school." Our chauffeur says to me as he opens the door.

"Thank you, Austin," I say with a smile.

Melony speeds past me as she spots some friends from her middle school who also decided to join us here at Mastra.

Melony is lucky. This is her first year here. Making friends as freshmen is easy. However, I'm a transfer student. I don't know anyone. Everyone in this year will already have their cliques. That's fine, but it will be tiresome to deal with for a year. I'll focus on my studies, and next year, I'll be reunited with my friends and Jay. I repeat the meaningless words my father told me—only one year.

"Good morning, class. I see everyone has found their assigned seats. We will change seating every quarter. I won't tolerate interruptions. You are juniors this year. You need to focus on your grades. Now, let's take the time to introduce ourselves. Everyone will tell us your name, age, and where you're from. Let's start in the back left corner." The homeroom teacher announces as she passes out packets of paper stapled together.

Shit. Why? Why me? I sat back here to keep attention off of me! Damn you, woman!

"Ahem, My name is Anon Quin. I'm 16, and I'm from Dalmane City." I say quickly and sit back down.

"Hello, Anon. Now, the young man in front of Anon." The teacher directs the class to the surprisingly tall blonde man before me.

"Sup, my name is Jace Young. I'm 17 as of yesterday, and I'm from Moita. Also, I'm single," Jace winks at the girl beside him on his left.

The class burst out laughing. The girl beside him blushes, and the teacher rolls her eyes. 

Ugh, gross. My disdain must have been evident because Jace turned to me with a very intense death glare. However, his intimidation tactics had zero effect on me. I've encountered more brutal bullies than you, my dude. Life as Prince Jay's best friend isn't all sunshine and roses. People hate me for being able to be so close to Jay. I've mastered dealing with punks like you, Jace Young. Don't even dare to mess with me. It won't end well.

Jace finally gives up on his staring contest and turns to face forward, allowing me to see the back of his abnormally large head once more.

After homeroom, we all separate and go to our first class. I'm in advanced classes with fewer students and longer course times. For me, economics is first. My course load is challenging, but at least I don't have to do any extracurriculars this year. However, the school has a study group program I might join. We will see how things work out today. 

I enter the classroom and notice a familiar blonde tree standing near the windows. Damn it, why did he have to be in this class. Considering his childish introduction, I figured he'd be in one of the lower-ranking classes. This is surprising. Let's avoid him for now. I walk to the center of the room and take the middlemost seat. Sitting in the back last time backfired. If I blend into the crowd, I shouldn't attract attention.

"Hey, Anon from Dalmane City. Sit next to me. Us homeroom C guys need to stick together, right?" Jace yells from the back of the room.

"Nope. I'm perfectly content right here, thank you." I answer without turning around.

I suddenly hear heavy footsteps walking up to me. 

Fuck, he won't leave me alone, will he?

Jace grabs my backpack from my desk without hesitation and walks to the back of the room. He puts it in the empty chair behind him, mimicking our homeroom seating next to the windows instead of the door.

This is a pain. It may be easier to go along with him. It's only for this class and homeroom, so this should be fine.

The second class of the day is calculus. I dread this class, but I arrived on time. Before I could enter the room, Jace blocked the doorway with his back turned to me. 

Don't tell me this guy is in this class, too.

"Jace, I'd like to enter," I say calmly through gritted teeth.

"Oh! Anon, are you in this class too? Awesome, come on. I'll grab our seats for us," Jace says as he pulls my arm towards our desks.

This unbelievable trend lasted until the final class of the day. Our entire schedule lined up, and not once was I free of him. My only moment of relief was lunch. He sat with his friends, and I sat as far away from him as possible. I don't know if he was distracted or if his interest only lasts until he has a friend around, but I don't care. The peaceful twenty-five minutes were welcomed. 

Once the day ended, I signed up for the after-school study group program. The groups were randomly selected from students from the same year. This should help me focus since I always have that idiot around me.

The group I was assigned to was in study room A, right across the hall from the library and the restrooms with the vending machines. It's a prime room location. I couldn't be more excited. I was the first to arrive since the school allows the students an hour between the end of classes and the beginning of the study group. I decided to rest and review my limited notes from today. 

After half an hour, I hear the handle of the doorknob turn, and I turn my attention to the first person I will meet in my study group. To my surprise, the blonde idiot tree stood on the other side of the door. 

"ANON! What are the odds?" Jace smiles as the study room door closes behind him.