Chapter 10

CHAPTER 13: I"m trying but He"s hot

"Good morning Students of The student council."

Everyone is here… well including the Foreign Exchange Students

"Well I think you already heard about the Foreign Exchange students" right? " –Teacher Mariam

"Who doesn't hear them? They were the hot topic this week. " Art laughed.

"They should introduce themselves again, I'm sure you don't know them by name." -Sir Leo
"Ah, we"re so flattered. Thank you. " Seraphina said with a pleased voice. She really love the spotlight huh. "Hi everyone, you all already know me but let me introduce myself. I am Princess Seraphina Clement from the Gremlin Empire. And I am the top 1 in the political course at our school. "

I looked at Jayden for a second because he was just next to me. She really looked displeased when seeing Seraphina, I saw her rolling her eyes.

His companions followed, the wizard girl and the knight. The knight has black hair and ponytail while the wizard girl also has black hair and was wearing a glasses, she has shorter hair than the knight too. She doesn"t seem to talk much too.

"Hello, I am Taliyah Seymour from the Gremlin Empire. Also the top 1 of my Knighthood course. " She greeted with poised manner.

"An-and I"m Evyanah Seymour from the Gremlin Empire. T-top 1 of the wizard course. " She said with a full voice.

"Seymour? Are you related? " I was struck by Art's question. Of course they"re related, they have the same surnames. The two nodded in response. "Then shall we introduce ourselves too-"

"Oh no need, we already know all of you. We heard so much from all of you and this school. " Seraphina's happy storytelling.

"Is that so, then we're very much flattered." Alistair was smiling like he did something amazing today. I saw Seraphina backed down, she was nervous when Alistair commented on her story.

"Y-Yes My Prince, w-we heard so much." She repeats like she lost her words. Taliyah looked at Seraphina and sighed.

"What she meant is this school is popular in our place. Many nobles, decent and royalties wanted to study here too but they didn"t know how the school works. So they asked us to scout and learn what strategy the school do. " Taliyah explains, she looks disappointed at Seraphina and I don"t know why.
"We won"t stay here for too long of course. We will be leaving this Friday next week. " Evyanah added.

"Ohh? What a shame then. " Jasper said.

"I know right? We should probably give them a party before the leave then, since they are the popular topic here at school. " Art added.

Gray and Alistair gave Art a ‘what-are-you-doing-look". Art just smiled at them and winked. Damn it Art! We are so tired that you will give us that kind of work.

"I think it will be a good idea!" Teacher Mariam's happy response.

"The student Council members, we'll leave that up to you." I heard several grunts and sighs.

********
After the meeting, they left. Alistair and Gray left immediately. Art and Jasper followed.

Jayden and I were about to go out too but someone called us.

"Good morning Princess Astraea." Taliyah greeted me warmly. Seraphina already went somewhere and Taliyah along with Evyanah is still here.

"Good morning Taliyah, please call me June." I greet back with him.

"Yes! Of course. Im sorry, uhm…. " Taliyah sound excited.

"W-would you love to have a friendly duel with me?"

"W-would you love to have a friendly duel with me?" she asked shyly.

"Sister! Don"t, she might be busy. " His brother's rebuke. I looked at Evyanah and she looked back at me and took a bow. "Forgive us for our rudeness, Princess."

I gave them a focused gaze. They sound so happy talking to me.

"Oh, uhm its ok! Also please call me June, we"re inside the school. " I said as I bit my lip. They also looked at Jayden and bowed at her, Jayden was surprised and bowed back.

"Are you Jasper"s twin? Whoa, I"m so sorry for staring. It"s because that, it"s our first time seeing twins and uhm we"re just amazed. " Embarrassed Evyanah said while biting her nails. Is she nervous?

"Oh, don"t be. I'm used to it." Jayden said while glancing away.

We just smiled at them. But why didn't they go with Seraphina?

"I accept your request then." I said while giving them a broad smile.

"YES! Thank you so much! I"m so honored. " She shouted with her flashing eyes, she must be very excited. "I-I'm free every time."

"Then how about this Monday. I"ll asked Sir Leo if we could have a friendly duel inside the training room since the field will be full of students. " I told him. She gave me a dimpled smile.

"Yes!" he answered me. Maybe I should ask her where Seraphina is.

"Have you seen Seraphina?" I asked. Taliyah and Evyanah gave me a stunned look. Then Taliyah made a face.

What? She doesn"t look happy when I mentioned Seraphina"s face, aren"t they close?

"I mean I'm surprised you're not together now." Evyanah was holding her sister"s shoulder.

"Princess, don't come near that woman." Taliyah said. "That fake Princess just wants to steal everything."

Fake princess?

"Oh, I thought you were friends or something." I said.

"Oh no, we were just colleagues. June, don"t concern yourself with that girl. She"s a huge troublemaker. " –Taliyah.

"Sister-"

"Why? Isn't that true? She ruined big sister"s records- "

"Sister stop. What happened has already happened. " Evyanah calmed her sister down. "I"m sorry about this. But we will leave first. "

Taliyah was having a mental breakdown like she"s ready to punch someone. I think something terrible happened to them and Seraphina caused it all. They left and said goodbye to us.

"June, you should listen to them. Don"t go out or talk to her. " –Jayden. I just nodded, maybe I should ask them what happened to their family. But not now.

Taliyah called Seraphina a fake. Why though? I know for the fact that Taliyah and Seymour aren"t decents, they were royalties too. Are they related to Seraphina then?

I didn"t really know that Seraphina is a huge troublemaker since we weren"t close then. But yeah she looked down at me when she became a queen. She always sticks to Alistair that time, they both look so inlove though.

Why not now? It wasn"t love at first sight? Then what? What happened when Alistair, Gray and Jasper went into the Gremlin Empire?

"June, where are you now?" Jayden asked.

"Oh I don"t know, I would have liked to go to the library case…" I remembered the scene that happened this morning and made me blush.

"KAso? What is the case? " I awkwardly laughed at Jayden.

"W-no, maybe I'm just in the dorm."

"Oh ok, let me go to town first. I just want to buy something. " Jayden said and smiled at me.

"Sure." We parted ways. I was about to go to the dorm building case…

"JUUUUUNNEE ~" I immediately looked around. Wasn"t that Art"s voice? "JUUUUNEEEEE DEEARRR ~"

It"s coming closer, dang it will just hide-

"Eek-"

Dirt and leaves tangled my hair as he pushed me to the ground. He pressed his hand over my mouth and whispered,

"Hush, or they'll hear you."

I was silent and stunned the whole time. He was looking around while still above me, we were on the side of the road and there were plant bushes there to cover us. Is this supposed to be hiding ?!

"JUUUUNNEEE ~" Art called again. "Where is she? I thought I saw her here. "

"Hey- have you seen June?" we heard Jasper said from afar.

"Nah, no. I swear I saw her around here. " Art answered.

What do they need me for?

"Damn, we really need her to go to the training ground." - Jasper.

"Yeaaaa ~ it"s boring, why are we still the ones they are looking for? They can just give the flower. " -Art

Flowers? From whom?

"They"re too shy, plus they"re from the wizard tower. If Alistair hears this, he"ll kill us and those guys. " –Art. Kill? What? I looked at Alistair, he was still looking from afar. But I saw him gritting his teeth.

"I still don't want to die, you just look." - Jasper

"Eh? But… but yung free chocolatesss. Jasper namaaan. Help me akoooo, let's share some chocolatessss. " –Art

"No, I don't even want to die. The chocolates are yours, maybe you want to bury them alive-

"Fine fineee. What are we gonna do? They"re still in the field. " –Art

"Leave them there." - Jasper.

Gradually the two disappear, what did they say? We both stood up, I swear that position was awkward as heck.

"I'll kill them." My two eyes widened when he said that out of the blue.

"What? No! what are you." I said to him.

"Just… just a little?" he pleaded, then looked at me with puppy eyes.

"Al, no." I refused, what kill? Is he insane? I would have left.

"Where are you going?" he asked me and followed me.

"I'm going back to my dorm." I said, but he still followed me. "Don't follow me, guys are not allowed in the dorm."

That's where he stopped. I didn"t even look back, I hope he won"t do anything to those guys.

As I was on my way to the dorm there were groups of men in front of the women"s dormitory. I didn"t mind them and continue walking towards them, in case they called my name.

‘Princess Astraea!"
‘The Princess is here!"
‘Give me the flower."

Oh my God, are these the guys that were supposed to be in the field? I thought they were shy ?! They were many as in and they were dressed properly.

Uh. I think I should run. I slowly backed away and ran. But instead they chased me too.

"Oh my God!" I shouted "Leave me alone!"

They are still chasing me like a bunch of creeps, I don"t know where I ran but I went inside a building and I was still being followed there.

The problem is I went upstairs and there is only one way up and down. There is only one staircase to where. Basically this building has 3 floors and I"m on the third floor in a room with one window.

I closed the door and locked it. I can hear them calling me, what is this building for ?! I looked outside the window. Shit is high, is there no one in this building ?!

"Hey! Jump! " I immediately watched, that voice…

Alistair?

"Are you Crazy !? The tall-

"Jump, I'll catch you"

Chapter 14: Childhood memories

"Jump, I'll catch you." He said while he"s arms are open wide ready to catch me
"NO! I-I"m scared. " I"m not really a scaredy person but heights are one of my fears. I do not want to jump or fall from any tall buildings.

"I will catch you." His said while giving me a reassuring smile. "Just close your eyes and jump. I will take care of the rest." I shuddered to look out and climbed out the window.

"Y-You promised?" I said while closing my eyes slowly. This is a 3rd floor building! How is he going to catch me I-

"I will catch you and protect you, and yes I promise." I heard him answered

"Please don't let me fall."

"Never"

"You"ll catch me right?"

"Always."

I sighed and made a deep breath. Inhale! Exhale!

I hear the door knock, it was a small knock at first but then it became loud. I wasn"t looking back but Im sure they were taking that door down so they can get to me.

"Ash ?!"

"Catch me. NOW! " I ordered him while I leaped outside, of course I was still closing my eyes. And I wasn"t even screaming or they"ll hear me

I was still closing my eyes while landing softly in his arms.

"Gotcha." He whispered in my ears.

I slowly opened my eyes.

"Are you scared?" I stared at him.

"No. I have this terrified look on my face cause I"m having SO MUCH FUN! " He just laughed at what I said.

‘Princess!"
"Princess Atraeaaa ~"
‘We have something for you"

I feel the chills in my body, like I lost blood because of my fall.

"Heh, what a bunch of creeps." Alistair said while looking up. "They seem to be under a spell."

"What?" I asked in shock. He looked at me and smirked. What does he mean under a spell ?!

"Let's run away from them." –Alistair

"Wh-what ?! No put me dow- AAAAH! " He started running while I was still in his arms, he"s carrying me in a bridal style.

While he was running we had students passed. Shit embarrassing!

"Alistair, I swear to God put me down now." Confused I commanded him.

"Ash, that's not what you call me." Alistair answered while pouting his lips. "Hold on tight or you'll fall, they are still chasing us."

I peek back, he"s right. Alistair said they are under a spell, a spell of what? They look normal but their action wasn"t. who's mad to chase you even if it's running away from them.

"ALLLLLL. WHYYY AREEE YAA RUNNINGGGG ~ "Art said while running after us. "OHH and who are they? Why are they after you both? "

He managed to keep up with Alistair"s speed. Art was humming while running with us.

"Rivals. Call Gray, those creeps are chasing Ash. " Art gave Alistair a playful laugh and saluted while still running. "Stop them too."

"Aye Aye! But give me a chocolate afterwards ~ "Alistair nodded. Art smiled more, why he smiling in this situation ?!

Then Art stopped running. I was still looking back and I saw Art stopping them, he did it like it was nothing. Wow, I didn"t know Art knows how to fight.

"Let's go to the lake." I just didn't say anything.

I should be thankful he helped me, but I feel something inside my chest. It hurts and feels good at the same time.

We were on the lake and he was still carrying me in a bridal style now.

"A-al you can take me down. They are gone. " Embarrassed I said to her. He gazed at me for a little while and sighed afterwards.

I was shocked when he hugged me, he was warm and I could feel his breath.

"A-al?"

"I missed you." I was lost with his words when he said that. He probably missed me as his childhood friend?

"O-oh, I missed you too." I saw him flinched a little. "Old friend." I added

He stopped hugging me and looked at me with his blazing eyes. Gradually, its fire disappeared.
"Old… old friend, huh." Why does he sound so disappointed with what I said? He doesn't want me to be his friend?

"What? I thought you said you missed me as a friend. " I slowly jumped out of his arms and he just let me go.

"Can you say it again? But without the ‘old friend" this time. " –Al looked at me with hope in his eyes.

"Say what?" he wants me to say it again without ‘old friend" at the end? I just scratched my head.

"Nevermind." He gave up on it anyway.

He walked pass by me and went to sit near a tree which was also near the lake. Of course I followed him, I don"t want to leave him here since he helped me escape…

"You changed a lot. It"s like you"re a completely different person. " –Al said with a sorrowful smile.

"Maybe… I did. I did it for me too. " I answered.

"But aren"t we in good terms before? But since you fell in the lake near the palace, you… changed. " I laughed at what he said remembering how I drowned myself for him.

I also remember what happened in my previous life, I always see him but he seems a different person from my old life too. Why cant I do the same?

"Oh, you don't know what I've been through." –Me

"Did something happen that I didn"t know?" –Alistair

"Not that you know about it. But I do. Don"t you remember that you"ve always avoided me since the King announced that you"ll be the next in line? You stopped playing with me. " And I was all alone, again.

"I-I was busy. Very busy… I forgot to tell you. " –Al

"Yet you didn"t visit me once, I always go to the kingdom so I can see you. You said I was busy, but do you seem to be avoiding me? " he looked down. Did I hit the right spot? "Why are you avoiding me?"

(If only June can hear what Alistair said in his mind that time when she asked the question.)
‘Because… because I think I"m falling in love with my childhood friend OK? That"s why I"m avoiding you "

There were a few seconds of silence.

"I never stood a chance I didn"t?" –Al. I don't know but I immediately understood what he said.

"That's the sad part- you did have many chances before." He immediately looked at me.

"How bout" now? " he asked.

I was having a few flashbacks of memories, my mind and heart are having a debate.

"I I don't know."

My heart starts pounding louder, again and again. Shit, I know this feeling. Not again.

‘Sometimes memories are the worst form of torture"

"You don't seem so sure about what you said." He seems to have lost hope a while ago, and now he is smirking like an idiot.

I stood up and and backed put a bit.

"What do you want me to answer?" I said angrily to him, but he didn"t seem to care. "Fine! I feel nothing for you! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! "

"Is that so?" his tone was amused, which only irritated me more.

"Y-yep. Nothing. "

He also stood up and took one step towards me with a smirk on his face. I swallowed refusing to back up. He"s too close!

He laughed at my discomfort. "Relax princess, I am not going to jump on you."

That relieve me somewhat, until he added, "Not until you ask me anyway"

DAFUQQQQQQQ ~! I immediately step back when he said that. Where is his sorrowful personality? GIVE ME THAT INSTEAD OF THIS COCKY BASTARD!

He was about to step forward too case-

"Oh no you don"t! when you step

"Princess! Are you okay?!" we both turned to shout and heard Jasper"s voice.

He saw us both in a very uncomfortable position, so I pushed Alistair away. This is the second time I did this to him, he"s probably mad.

"O-Oh, I"m sorry for interrupting-

"Bruuuhh you really wanted to die? I told you they are busy ehhh. " Art appeared along with Jayden. Case Jayden I ran towards me and hugged me.

"Are you ok? I saw you jumped at a building and-

"I managed to catch her, no need to worry about that. You can stop hugging her now. " I raised an eyebrow, Jayden did what Alistair said. It was my case that I hugged Jayden.

"I'm fine." While hugging Jayden, Alistair stared at me. I stick out my tongue, but he gave me a pouty look instead.

"We managed to capture all of them except for one." Gray appeared with the guys who chased me around campus.

They are bound by some magic and they seem to have calmed down. I stopped hugging Jayden and observed them one by one, they looked like zombies.

"How many are they?" I will ask.

"Probably 10, they were my classmates too. The one who got away is one of the best students, they seem to be under a potion. " Gray explained.

"What? Under a spell? Who will give them spells like that? " Jasper asked in astonishment.

"Hmmm… it would be better if we ask them what really happened." Art answered and glanced at Gray.

"Hey, I don"t know what really happened ok? I wasn't at the tower when I left, I do hear a loud noise but I didn't pay attention since it always happens in the tower. " He rubbed his shoulder and sighed. "They'll be fine this afternoon."

"So we need to wait before knowing the truth?" Jayden asked Gray. She looked at me worriedly. "I can beat the shi-

"Nope, twinny. You can"t solve anything by beating them up. " Jasper stopped his twin. Jayden just cussed under her breath and hold my hands.

"Isn't one missing? Where-

‘STOP TOUCHING THE PRINCESS!"

Shout of a man in the distance. We were surprised when he threw something in the air towards us, no. TO JAYDEN! SHIT-

I immediately pushed her and she accidentally trip on Gray"s arms, good thing he got her.

"ASH-"

"PRINCESS-"

"JUNE-"

And I saw the light flashing through my eyes…

To be continued...