edited

|Adara De Clare|

Once I arrive in History, Mr. Rick starts teaching us a new topic then he gives us homework. For the rest of the hour that remains, he allows us to work on that huge project. Justina and I pair our desks together then we begin working on the two different royal families.

I'm just at the twentieth slide in the presentation, but based on the amount of information Nikolai gave me, I still have some ways to go.

At first, I felt pressured to do this assignment and I really didn't want to do it, but as time went on I became more invested in it.

When the bell rings, and it is time to go to another class, I really don't want to get up. I want to stay seated and do more work. I have to get up though. I pack up my computer, books, and pencils then I leave, going to my next class.

It would be a lie if I say that I didn't continue doing the History project in my other class. I've gotten very addicted to it. Besides what I am learning in Spanish is boring. I don't speak Spanish but it is a very easy language to learn. . .at least for me.

I get to slide thirty in the presentation. All that's left is to make the index, bibliography, citing information, and the conclusion then I'm done. That'll take me at least two days to complete.

Justina told me that she's a little behind on hers because she hasn't been feeling well these past few days. I excused her but it did make me extremely aware and curious.

I need to get closer to her. I don't know how but I need to. I desperately need answers.

"Miss De Clare?" My teacher stops behind me and I pause. I slowly turn around to her, smiling, hoping she'll excuse me for doing other class work in her class even though I haven't been listening to anything she's been saying this whole time.

"Hi, miss."

"Get off your computer. Now." She orders and I nod, immediately following her orders. I save the changes then I close my computer, and I listen to her for the last ten minutes that are left in class.

The ten minutes pass like a sloth climbing a tree, it took forever but it came. The bell rang and I quickly pack up, going to lunch.

At lunch, I get my food then I sit down at the table, waiting for Via. Nearly six minutes pass and still no sign of Via. I had texted her but it only said that it was delivered. I wonder where she could be?

I start eating my food, and I wait an extra five minutes after eating to see if she'll turn up. She doesn't. I need to get to Biology early so I end up leaving lunch a few minutes early.

As I'm walking to Biology class I spot a certain black-haired girl and I do a double-take. Is that Via? No, no that's not her, it can't be her. Yep, it's her.

My eyebrows crease together. Why is she here? With them? Is that why she didn't come to lunch and hang out with me? Because she was with them?

I watch as my best friend laughs at a joke this girl told her, and the others around her laugh along.

I never knew she hung out with them. I know that it's not really my business who she's friends with but all those times ago she made seem as if she'd never hang out with them.

Why did she lie to me? I can't really be mad though, I'm lying to her also.

It's for different reasons, my subconscious tells me and it's right. I'm keeping this whole Justina plan thing from her because it's Nikolai's problem that I'm helping him with. Besides those rumors threatens his entire image and his chance to be King.

I'm still confused if I want it to happen.

Her blowing me off and hanging out with them, even though she said she'd never do that is rude. I sigh then I continue on my walk to Biology. I'll ask her about it in Art, let's see if she lies.

The entire time in Biology I go over possible reasons as to why she'd lie about it. I can't come up with a viable excuse, only horrible ones that paint Via out to be a bad friend; which she is definitely not. I'm sure she has a reason.

You know, maybe I'm just overreacting about this entire thing, maybe it's not really that big of a deal.

"I really hope you all took your notes and followed along in your textbooks. You're having a quiz on Monday." Miss Grayfield says and everyone in the class groans.

Eh, I mean, Biology isn't even all that hard. It's simple. Even if you haven't studied you can still pass. Just choose the best answer. Studying for Biology lasts an hour and a half max. Besides, Miss Grayfield makes Biology as simple as possible.

"Adara, sweetheart? Could I speak to you outside?" She comes to my desk, saying it to me privately. I nod then I get up out of my seat and I follow her into the hallway.

"Yes, miss?"

"How are you feeling today?" She asks me and I instantly remember me coming to class with really bad stomach cramps because of my period.

"I'm feeling better today, thank you miss," I tell her honestly and she smiles at me.

"Good I'm glad." She tells me then we head back inside.

I decide to start studying for the test tomorrow in the time that we have left. The twenty-five minutes pass and my chest begins to fill with anxiety. I walk slowly to Art class, I want to talk to Via about what I saw earlier at lunch but I'm horrible at confrontations. I really don't want to talk to her about it but I know that I have to.

When I walk into class everyone's busy working on their assignments and I scan the room, looking for Via. I spot her over by the corner, looking annoyed as Brenna gets the supplies together.

Why doesn't she just help her and speed up the process?

Just then, someone's hand falls onto my shoulder and I jump in shock. "Oh my gosh!" I yelp, turning around.

Sasha smiles at me with guilt evident on her face, and I place my hand on my chest. "My goodness, Sasha, you frightened me."

"Sorry," she apologizes, "Do you have the essay?"

"Yeah, I do. It's in my folder." I tell her then I put my bag down, and I take out my folder, going through it to find the essay I wrote, revised, edited, rewrote, and proofread then I give it to her. She reads it then she hums in satisfaction.

"This is a great essay," she compliments me, and I smile, telling her 'thank you, "I'm going to give the painting and this to our teacher." She says then I nod.

She hands the essay and the painting with both of our names on them to our teacher, and she glances at them.

"Thank you." She tells us then we nod, going back to our different seats.

Thank God that horrible project is done with. I want absolutely nothing to do with Art. I hate it, it's a horrible subject to me. I cannot do Art.

Speaking of not being able to do Art, let me check up on my friend, Via. I walk over to her and Brenna. They're painting.

"Hi," I whisper, not wanting to distract nor startle them, "How are you guys doing?"

Brenna looks at me and she smiles, "I'm okay." She whispers back which makes me smile.

Via looks at me and she gives a tight-lipped smile then she goes back to her painting. "Hey, Via, I know you're busy right now but could I talk to you when you finish?" I say and she nods.

I scrunch my eyebrows together, why won't she speak to me? Is it because she's painting and wants to focus? That's probably it.

•

So Via and I never ended up talking. She ended up painting for the entire class time. Even Brenna took a break. I totally understand wanting to complete the assignment, I'd probably do the same thing but she couldn't spare a minute?

Brenna took a five-minute break and then went back to work. That didn't hinder the process of the painting. I wonder if she did it because she didn't want to talk to me or because she just wanted to finish her assignment. I mean, tomorrow's Friday so I understand wanting to finish but is that the reason?

School ends and Nikolai comes for me. He drives me home, and the entire ride he kept sneaking glances at me as I stared out the window.

I can't help but overthink this entire Via situation. It's bothering me. I sent her two texts to see if we could call and talk about it but she hasn't responded.

Maybe she just isn't around her phone right now. It would be horrible if she saw it but decided not to respond. At least it's not that.

I open the door and Nikolai and I walk in. He locks the door behind him. We walk up to my room, and I throw my bag on the chair by my closet.

I take off my shoes and I fall onto my bed, closing my eyes. My head hurts a bit. I have no idea if it's because of my overthinking about Via or if it's something else like stress from school.

"What happened?" Nikolai asks me, sitting on my bed and it dips a little.

I groan rolling over and going under the covers. I don't really want to talk about it right now. I just want everything to go back to normal. I didn't have half of these headaches last year. I mean, I was a sophomore and now I'm a junior but still. I don't think that I should be this stressed.

"I don't want to talk about it," I grumble and he pats my hair.

"Do you want the Flaix?"

I shake my head, "No, I want you."

He freezes.

It takes me a few seconds but I realize what I said. "I-I meant—"

"I know what you meant Adara," He laughs, "It just came out horribly."

I chuckle a little, "Yeah, yeah it did." I blush a little in embarrassment.

Gosh, why do I say the most embarrassing things?

We stay silent for a little while.

"You want to go out and see a movie?" He asks me and my ears perk up immediately.

"Yes, please." I smile at him and he smiles back at me.

We get up off the bed and doubt fills me. What if she calls but I'm in the theatre room? Or what if she's ready to talk?

I check my phone one last time. Oh my gosh. This is horrible, this is awful. This is the worst thing that could ever happen to a person.

She left me on read. She read it but didn't respond. Why? For what reason? Why did she do that? Tears build up in my eyes but I blink them away.

I'm not a crybaby.

"Yes, let's go," I tell him forcing confidence.

He analyzes me for a little bit before he nods and he walks out of my room so I can get changed.

I decide to wear a dress. What can I say? I love dresses, they're my favorite kind of outfits to wear. This one is purple and is just gorgeous, I love it so much.

I pair it along with some flowery shoes. I look at myself in my body mirror. I look nice, I like it.

I then open the door and I walk out. Nikolai stands at the edge of the top of the stairs with his hands in his pockets. Once he hears the door open, he looks at me. His eyes trail down my body and his adam's apple bobs up and down.

"You look," He clears his throat, "You look. . .amazing." He says looking at my outfit and then back at my face.

"Thanks. Is my hair okay or is it too messy?" I ask him.

He walks closer to me and he snakes a hand around my waist. Butterflies swarm in my belly and I nearly giggle right then and there. I don't however. I hold it in. That would be too much embarrassment for me in a day.

"Your hair is fine." He tells me then he kisses me on my forehead.

I blush even harder then we leave the house, get into his car and drive to the movies.

We decide to see 'Dragons'—a new movie— and Nikolai bought three large popcorns, hot dogs, lots of candy and soda. If I didn't like him before, I sure do now. He bought us a whole bunch of junk food.

He sits beside me and hands me some of the food. Seconds later, the movie starts, and we all get comfortable.

•

In a shocking revelation, an explosion goes off and it nearly flattens the building. Everyone in the room stands and pushes their way out of the door. Chaos is everywhere as everyone tries to get out.

My heart hammers against my chest, and Nikolai grabs my arm and then pulls me onto the floor. I cover my head with my arms, and Nikolai's arms along with most of his body are on top of mine, protecting me from any debris that might be thrown through the air.

We wait for a minute or so then another bomb goes off. It's so loud I can barely hear anything else around me other than the piercing ringing in my ears. I cover my hands over my ears, trying to stop the ringing but it's too much.

I hear something faint and I look at Nikolai. His mouth is moving but I'm not hearing anything. I scrunch my eyebrows at him, wondering what he could be saying.

'I said we have to move. Let's go!'

Ahh, now I hear him. I nod at him, and we get up from where we're crouched down. My feet decide to stop working, and I nearly fall over flat onto my face. Nikolai grabs me before that happens.

Once I'm up, I see the debris and smoke in the air, blocking my sight. I turn to Nikolai.

I don't know where to go.

'It's okay, I do. Hold tight and do not let go.'

I make sure to tighten my grip on his hand then he walks through the smoke with ease. I'm guessing his vampire side helps with that. Due to the ringing in my ears, I feel completely unbalanced, off-centered, and sick. I want to throw up.

We go around corners and under fallen debris from the second floor. My foot catches something and I trip. Nikolai turns around in an instant and he catches me.

"I'm sorry," I whispered but apparently he heard it or read my lips. He nods.

I look back at what I tripped over. A piece of wood. No, that's a foot. Oh my gosh, that's a foot! Ahhhh! That's a human foot! A dead human foot! That poor person got crushed under the ceiling that fell through. Gahh! That's a horrible way to go out.

I nearly faint against Nikolai but I hold it together and we continue moving. All the people I see along the way are dead. There is no one that I've seen that is alive so far. I shiver. I end up leaning against Nikolai's shoulder as my feet continue moving and walking through the debris and mounts of dead people.

Somehow, miraculously, we make it outside and the moment that fresh air greets me, I stumble back and I nearly faint.

Just then, all the images of dead people that I'd seen on the way outside flashed before my eyes. I lurch over hurling out all the popcorn, hot dogs, candy, and lunch I've eaten.

My guts spill onto the streets where there are a few lucky people who escaped, not without injuries though. Nikolai holds my hair back while I puke everything out. He rubs my back.

"There there, let it all out." He tries to soothe me. It's not working. I doubt he has much experience with soothing others so I give him the benefit of the doubt.

I finish vomiting and I grimace at the taste of it in my mouth. Ick! It's disgusting.

Nikolai sees my troubles and he looks around before he vanishes then reappears with a bottle of water and a bottle of fruit punch.

I graciously take the water to wash out my mouth then I drink the fruit punch to get rid of the awful taste.

"Can we go home?" I mutter, resting my head against his chest and wrapping my arms around him. He puts his arm around me also, resting his chin on my head.

"We can leave but we can't go to your house." He tells me and I lift my head up, resulting in him lifting his chin off my head.

"Why not?"

"Because I have a feeling that bomb was set for someone in particular. We're not going to your house." He tells me.

"Then where are we going?" I ask him, feeling absolutely terrified.

"To my safe house. Come let's go." He offers me his hand and I take it.

He lifts me up in his arms, holding my back and underneath my knees. He then runs off, to his safe house.

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