edited and rewritten

I shut my locker with a clang, and I put the necessary books into my backpack. My best friend, Via, stands beside me but her attention is on something—er— someone else. She watches her crush talk to a teacher. She bites on the skin of her finger as she watches their mouths move. We can hear no sound, but her crush's face becomes flustered as the teacher lectures him about something.

"Via," I say, but she doesn't answer. She leans on the blue lockers, keeping her eyes trained on him.

I smile at her. It must be so great to have a crush. The senior class president? Out of everyone, I didn't think my best friend would fall for him. Anyone else, not a senior. She doesn't like falling for someone only for them to leave. A senior? Is leaving next year, so she has limited time to act on her feelings. Knowing my best friend, that's unlikely. According to Via, she's had the crush for a few months but I know better than that. It wouldn't be a reach if I said she's liked him since freshman year.

"Via!" I yell her name and she jumps. Her crush and the teacher turn in our direction to see what's going on.

Via looks in their direction and they lock eyes. Her entire face turns beet red and she turns away immediately. She hugs me, burying her face in my neck. "Ara! Why would you do that?" She whines as she looks at me with a pout.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it would come out so loud but at least now he knows you exist. He looked at you." I awkwardly smile with my teeth. She doesn't smile. She looks at me with her arms crossed, her face still red.

She uncrosses her arms then she lifts one of them and brings it down on mine. With the small slap, a sting follows it and I rub my arm.

"Why'd you slap me?" I ask her, making it my turn to pout.

She points an accusatory finger at me, "You know what that was for."

A small laugh escapes my lips and out of hers too.

We walked away from the lockers, in the opposite direction her crush was. "Hey, at least he knows you exist now," I say and she chuckles.

"True," she admits, "How did we even become friends in the first place? We're both antisocial."

I laugh, "Introverts flock together." Is the only thing I say and she nods in agreement.

"So, I saw the news last night, was the source right?" She asks.

I push my curly hair behind my ears, blowing air out, "Yeah, they were right. Mom was furious." I tell her and we pass a group of people who stop talking once we walk by. They look at me while we walk past.

Are they talking about the same thing we are right now?

"I cannot believe your parents are the Royal Family's lawyers. The number of perks you must get." She proceeds to go into her fantasy. "Rides in limos to the Palace, meeting the King and Queen—not to mention the Prince. You're living in heaven, darling." She says with a big smile on her face.

I roll my eyes at her, "I haven't gone to the palace, haven't ridden in a limo, haven't met anyone in the Royal Family. Even though I'd so wish to meet Queen Flora. Out of everyone, she seems like the nicest." I say.

She grimaces as her face twists in confusion, she looks at me as if I am insane. "So your parents see them almost every day but you haven't seen them in person, once?"

"Nope." I shake my head.

"Dang, anyway, see you in Art." She hugs me and we part ways.

I go into my History class and greet my teacher, Mr. Rick. The short, bald, big-bellied, middle-aged man sits at the door and waves at me when I greet him. I sit in my seat and I wait until class commences.

More students pour into the room in the span of a few minutes. The bell rings, sounding the beginning of the first period.

Mr. Rick makes his way around the table and he tells us to quiet down so he can begin the lesson. The only thing he discusses is the coexistence of vampires and humans. How it started, how it's going, the different laws, stuff about Vampire Monarchy. Also why us humans need to remain passive and why they're the dominant species. Stuff like that.

"I see a lot of you sleeping, much more not paying any attention. Some of you," He clears his throat, directing his eyes toward me, "Need to know this for future reasons."

Right. They all think I'm going to take over my mom and dad's law firm when I'm of age. I have no idea if that's what I'm going to do. I don't have anything else. I don't find anything exciting, so I guess I'll take it over, what's the harm in it?

Do you mean other than the fact that you're an introvert and can't argue without feeling like you're going to cry? My subconscious comes at me and I can't say that it's wrong cause it isn't.

I'll have to learn how not to do that.

"Miss De Clare." He calls my name and I look up.

"Yes sir?"

"You know a lot about the Royal Family—or at least your parents do— tell me something. Why does the Vampire Prince do what he does?" He asks and everyone in the class' eyes goes to me.

Nervousness builds in my chest and I can feel my palms getting slippery. I swallow, "Umm, I don't know that much about the business they have with my parents. My parents try to keep me out of it. Trying to answer your question though, I'm guessing he does it to prove he has the power and we can't do anything about it." I answer.

"Good answer." He tells me then he moves on to another topic.

Phew.

I take a deep breath, needing to compose myself. I look around the room to see everyone's eyes on Mr. Rick. They have no idea the anxiety and stress I went through a while ago. They're all moved on with what happened but I'm still shaking. My hands are shaking.

I clasp my hands together trying to get them to stop shaking but it's futile. I can't stop it. I exhale.

This is okay, I'm okay, it was only a little question I answered. It's fine. It's not that big of a deal.

I repeat those words in my head for the rest of the lesson. Even in my other class, I repeat it as well.

I hate this.

The lunch bell rings and I take up my stuff, going to the cafeteria. I meet Via at the entrance and we go into the line together. I want pizza instead of chicken bites and mashed potatoes.

Ew. Whoever made the lunch list has no taste in food.

We walk over to our lunch table and sit. I waste no time digging into the pizza, eating and leaving no crumbs. I am so hungry.

I look up to see Via staring right back at me. She holds the pizza to her mouth. "You're done and I haven't even started mine." She gapes at me and I hold a laugh.

"Don't judge me, I'm hungry," I tell her, getting up for another one.

I rush to get another slice. I hand the lunch lady some cash then I head back to my table. Questions hang on the curve of my lips as I sit back down. What or who is she looking at?

I wave my hands in front of her eyes but she doesn't move. I doubt she even blinked. Is she staring at her crush again?

I let out a sigh. "Via, you need to go up and talk to him—" I turn to see who she's looking at and the words die in my throat as I see him.

What is he doing here? He doesn't go to school.

The Vampire Prince stands tall talking to a teacher with a package in his hands.

"Why is he here?" Via leans in and asks me.

I shrug my shoulders, "How am I supposed to know?"

By now, everyone's eyes are on him and we're all looking to see what's going on. He turns and points to someone here in the cafeteria. He then turns back to the teacher and she nods as if confirming whoever he was pointing at.

He walks away from the teacher and heads in the direction of the cafeteria. All around us I hear students murmuring to one another, wondering why he's even here, to begin with. Others giggle and squeal to their friends as they wait for him to come. They all move up into empty seat spaces. Even though they're thrilled for him to come here, the pounding of our hearts states otherwise. There's a reason the Vampire Prince is scary, and many people don't approach him.

Why on earth is he here?

The Vampire Prince arrives in the cafeteria which is now dead silent. He looks around first, then his eyes land on my table. Scratch that, not my table—it's me. He's staring at me. He's walking towards me also.

He keeps his eyes trained on me, his body straight with the perfect posture. He takes one step in front of the other until he finally reaches my table.

What is happening? We've never met before so why is he here now?

My heart pounds so hard that I fear it may kill me any second now. Since he's a vampire, I assume that he can hear everyone's heartbeats by now. He must know how he affects people.

He sighs then he puts whatever package that was in his hands on the table. He slides it over to me, "Adara De Clare?" He asks, his voice deep as he continues to stare at me.

By now the cafeteria is deadly silent, it doesn't even sound like anyone's breathing. It wouldn't surprise me if they weren't. I'm terrified. He seems like the person to kill you and your death would make his day.

I shudder on the inside.

I nod my head, "Y-yes, I am."

"Give that to your parents." He tells me, directing towards the package then he puts his hands in his pockets turning around.

I nod, "Okay. Um, w-what is it?"

Taking my chances, I ask him what's inside. I have no idea if he's going to get mad over that. Would he?

He turns back around, facing me. His face gives away nothing of how he feels. "Payment, and more files." He answers.

With that, he turns around and takes slow strides to the exit. He doesn't turn his head when he hears the giggles that leave the cafeteria nor does he show any sign that he heard it. He's too used to it by now.

Now that he's gone, I can breathe better. I take the package off the table and I put it beside me. The minute he's no longer in earshot, a bunch of girls and guys rush over to my table. They talk all at the same time, wondering why he came over here, or how we know each other.

We don't, but it's none of their business.

My best friend Via grips my arm and we get up, bringing our food. Running out of the cafeteria, we go to our spot by the breezeway.

We collapse against the wall, sliding down onto the ground. "What just happened?" She looks at me with wide eyes and creased eyebrows.

"I think it has to do with my parents. They had a meeting with the Royal Family today. She said it had to do with discussing his behavior, or something like that."I say to her.

I don't think that information was common knowledge but Via's my best friend, I can trust her with anything.

She nods, "Woah, how do you think that'll go? Like, the Prince doesn't exactly sound like someone to conform and follow the rules."

"Yeah, exactly. My parents won't let me in on anything else." I tell her, and I pout.

I mean, I do want to know what they're up to and what they're talking about but they won't let me in. They always keep me in the dark. I know it's their job but when it involves me, it wouldn't hurt to give me a little heads up or something.

"I'm sorry," She rests her head on my shoulder, "Wanna go to the movies tomorrow after school?"

I exhale, "Sure, maybe around six?" I propose and she nods her head on my shoulder. I rest my head on hers, and we finish eating our pizzas.

After two minutes or so, the lunch bell rings and we pack up to go back to class. "See ya, hon." She kisses me on the cheek.

"Bye, sweetie pie." I kiss her on the cheek also.

We part our ways, going to our different classes. At least in ninety minutes, I'll see her in Art. For now, it's until the next time.

→⁜←

I lay in my bed, my nose buried in the latest novel I'm reading. I use my elbows to prop myself up on the bed, looking at the clock. I have ten more minutes until I have to go and do my homework.

Better make good use of it then.

I go back to reading the novel. As if it's nothing, the ten minutes are over. I was in the middle of the good part of the novel but I put it down. I know that if I don't do my homework now I won't do it ever. And I would get detention tomorrow, which wouldn't make my parents happy.

I sit around my desk, getting my books, computer, pencils, pens, and highlighters out. I study and do homework for two long tedious hours. By the time I'm finished, my eyes are about to shut down.

I look at the clock, nine forty-six PM. Wow, it's not even that late and I'm already exhausted. I put away my stuff, then I take my pajamas out which consist of an oversized shirt and tennis shorts. I go into the bathroom to shower.

A couple of minutes pass and I finally get out of the bathroom. After getting dressed I fall onto my bed, turning out the lights.

Buzz Buzz

My phone buzzes and I twist and turn before finally getting up and answering it. "What?" I hadn't bothered to look at the caller id.

"Check the news, now." Via's voice rings in my ear.

I go on my computer and type in the news station—live— then I turn up the volume a little.

The first thing that catches my eye is the headline that's in bold and all caps.

"Are you seeing it?" Via asks me, her voice agitated.

I nod, but then I remember she can't see me. My eyes widen and my mouth falls open, "Yeah, I am."