Vincent’s POV
I am silently listening to the Stanford sisters, even though I already know where their story is heading. I also knew that it would trigger the same emotion that I felt years ago.
I thought I could still continue listening— that I could manage to hear her name again. I thought I was okay already.
But my heart felt differently.
I don’t know where I’m going right now. I suddenly found myself running as fast as I could, letting my feet take me wherever they go.
All I want is to get out of this place. Away from them. Away from the fucking reality. Away from the memory of the past that keeps haunting me.
“Fuck!”
I can no longer control myself, so I decided to stop. I’m not even surprised when I noticed that almost all the rocks around me are now floating in the air. I know my eyes are burning red right now, and I can feel my fangs ready to bite as deeply as they can.
It’s been five years already. I was only thirteen years old back then. But it feels like it just happened yesterday. The pain it caused is still the same until now.
Everything is clear to me now. And yet, I still can’t accept it.
I calm myself down, and a memory from the past suddenly flashes in my mind.
“Hi, Prince Vince! My name is Mica. Can you be my friend?”
I raised my gaze from reading when I heard her familiar and playful voice again. Won’t this girl ever leave me alone?
I just stared at her for a moment before standing up and walking away. This girl won’t stop bothering me. She keeps saying the same things over and over again. When will she leave me alone?
I look around. Where could Steph be? She’s the only person I want to talk to and be with. She’s the only one who can understand me.
“Hey! You’re too fast! Where are you going?”
I wasn’t surprised when she suddenly caught up with me while walking. When will I ever get used to this girl’s mischief?
“Away from you.” I kept my gaze straight ahead, but I could clearly see from the corner of my eye that she smiled.
This girl is really insane!
“Prince Vince, why don’t you want to be friends with me? Is it because I’m just the child of a protector?”
Her words caught me off guard, and I suddenly stopped.
I turned to her and saw the sadness in her eyes. I shook my head while massaging my forehead. It seems like this girl has no intention of leaving me alone.
“It’s not that. I just don’t feel like talking to other people aside from Steph. I am already content with Hiro and Steph as my best friends. Besides, I am not comfortable having you around, pissing me off. You’re so damn irritating with your machine gun mouth. I don’t like chaos. I don’t like noise. I don’t like being bothered. Do you understand?” I gave her a cold stare, hoping that she would finally get my point.
But it seems like this girl was really born to be mischievous. She’s such a spoiled brat protector! I wonder if she can even protect any one of us.
She stomped her foot like a child, then pouted. “That’s exactly my point. You make friends with Steph, and I am actually like her as well. So why can’t we be friends too? What does she have that I don’t?” She pointed at herself.
I looked at her intently. “She’s different.”
Yeah. That’s true. Steph is the exact opposite of her. She’s a strong, mature, and independent woman. Just like me.
She nodded while caressing her chin and smiled. I can’t believe that she’s actually two years older than me.
Her brow arched, and amusement was visible in her eyes. “Try me. I’m different in my own way, you know.”
And right there and then, I didn’t know that I was actually smiling.
I looked at her and smirked. “Let’s see how far you can go.”
I paused reminiscing of the past when I noticed that my feet had led me to her grave as I walked around.
Mica Herlock
I stared at her name engraved on the tombstone. It’s already been a long time since I last came here.
Until now, I still can’t believe that I fell into her trap. Fuck that thing called love. I didn’t see it coming.
I closed my eyes the moment I felt the cold wind pass through my already cold skin. For a moment, I wished that there would be a pair of hands to embrace me and make me feel that I’m not alone at all.
Well, I can say that she’s also different in her own ways. Because she totally got me.
If before I ignored her persistence towards me, now I find myself spending more time with her. I just don’t know what happened. Steph, on the other hand, seems distant to me these past few days.
And this girl in front of me, I don’t know what she did that made me fall for her instantly. I guess I ate my own words.
Yes, I admit that I had already fallen for her.
“Vince, let’s go to the river.”
I just nodded at her and took her hand, leading her there. We are now in the forest, far from the palace. So, I’m sure that no one will see us.
Ever since everyone noticed our closeness with Mica, they’ve been watching our every move. Especially my parents, and I just hate it. They weren’t like this before when Steph and I were just getting close.
We stayed silent for a few minutes, gazing at the clear water flowing in front of us. I knew that both of us were just enjoying this brief moment. Soon, we’ll have to return before someone noticed our absence.
I almost jumped in surprise when suddenly, she rested her head on my shoulder. My heart thumped against my chest.
A smile formed on my lips. “Are you tired?” I asked, and she nodded.
“Yeah. Training can be exhausting!”
I chuckled. Indeed, their training was no joke.
But my mouth fell open when she suddenly held my hand.
“Mic—”
“Look at me.”
I felt like a statue, completely frozen, and slowly turned my head towards her as she suddenly lifted her head off my shoulder.
“Mica—”
“Vince, I love you.” She looked straight into my eyes before her gaze dropped to my lips.
My eyes widened. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. She loves me too.
I was about to speak when I heard a rustling sound. I was about to look around to see what or who it was when she suddenly grabbed the back of my neck, pulled me closer to her, and our lips met.
My eyes flew open when I suddenly felt a warm breath on my neck and an embrace from behind. Just by inhaling her scent, I already knew who it was. She never fails to find me.
The one and only person who truly cares for me.
***
Stephanie’s POV
I quickly ran outside to follow Vince as soon as Nicole gave me permission. I know she understands, and I am thankful for that.
I felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety. God knows what he’s capable of doing when he’s not in the mood.
“Where is that guy?” I worriedly asked myself as I couldn’t see him anymore while scanning the surroundings with my eyes.
I even searched the entire mansion, as well as the academy and other nearby places where he might possibly go.
But I didn’t see him. There wasn’t a single sign of Vincent Clarkson. Only silence greeted me.
I took a deep breath, feeling tired because I’ve been searching since earlier. I’ve been walking and running around. I’ve covered almost everything outside, but he’s nowhere to be found.
Then an idea suddenly hit me. There’s a big possibility that he will go to that place.
I quickly got in my car and left the academy. The guards know me anyway. As far as I know, they were strict when it comes to allowing human students to leave before the weekend, except for the common vampire students and the royalties.
It only took me half an hour until I arrived at the place. It’s not far from the academy, after all.
When I parked the car by the side, I immediately got out and walked towards its entrance. I cautiously entered inside and continued walking in a familiar direction. But I couldn’t help but embrace myself as the cold breeze touched my skin.
In an instant, a painful memory from the past came back to me.
I’ve been looking for Vince and Mica since earlier. But I’ve searched the entire kingdom and training camp without catching even a glimpse of them.
I am worried. I can’t help but wonder what the beloved king and his parents will think of them later.
Ever since he got close to that girl, everything has changed. He has changed. And I hate her for making him change like that!
Mica’s family is among those who hold a high position in the royalties. That’s why I know that King Zach and Queen Cass are also hesitant to talk to them about that matter. They haven’t confirmed their suspicions yet.
As I walked, I didn’t know why my feet led me to the river in the forest. I was getting tired from walking and searching for them. So, I wanted to take a moment to rest.
But my eyes widened upon seeing the two of them there. Mica’s head was resting on Vince’s shoulder. We never got that close— Vince and me. That’s why I knew there was something more between them.
And that thought shattered my heart.
They were just talking. But I was a bit far from them, so I couldn’t hear what they were discussing. I was about to step closer when my phone fell from my pocket.
My hand instinctively covered my mouth. Vince can hear even the slightest noise!
I looked up just to check if he noticed. But I wish I never looked up.
A tear suddenly fell from my eyes as I watched the two of them kissing in front of me.
I didn’t realize that tears kept streaming down my face as I continued walking. But I quickly wiped those tears away, and I held my breath when a familiar figure came into view. He was standing there, looking down at the grave.
My heart started beating faster. I don’t know what he did to make my heart race just by seeing him.
I balled my fist. I knew something was wrong with Vince ever since he became friends with Mica. I just couldn’t figure out what it was. But I won’t stop until I find out.
My hand is shaking right now. But it doesn’t stop me from doing what I need to do. Without any hesitation, I hugged him tightly from behind.
I could feel that he was surprised by what I did. And I was already expecting him to get mad and push me away or even shout at me like he always does.
But I didn’t expect to hear the words that came out of his mouth.
“I’m sorry.”
My lips tightened as I stayed motionless. For now, I’ll just let him express whatever he’s feeling.
“I’m sorry if I get angry with you, if I didn’t listen to you, and if I ignore y-you.”
I closed my eyes, and a tear rolled down my cheek once again when I heard his voice crack. I always become weak when it comes to him.
The fact that he’s mad can’t be denied. But at the same time, his whole system is filled with pain and sadness.
“If only I had listened to you, this might not have happened. If I had just continued to stay away from her, I shouldn’t have fallen for her.”
I remained silent. I have been waiting for this moment to come, so I won’t do anything stupid and ruin it.
I’m not waiting for him to say sorry, but to feel that I’m needed by him. A person that he can rely on.
And yet, I have received more than what I wished for.
We stayed like that for a couple of minutes. We were both silent, and only the heavy breathing and the sound coming from the crickets could be heard in the surroundings.
This was the first time that I was able to hug him like this. And it felt so good.
But I was startled when he suddenly spoke again.
“Steph...” He held my hand that was embracing him. “Can you be my best friend again?”
That question made me stunned. I blinked several times as I processed his question in my mind. I couldn’t answer right away, and I could clearly hear his deep sighs.
“It’s okay. I understand if you can’t—”
“No. I don’t want to.”
I could feel his body tense before he slowly turned to face me. His face is void of any emotion. He’s really good at hiding it.
But after a few seconds, his expression changes, and he gives me a cold look instead.
“I understand if you—”
“No. I don’t want to be your best friend anymore,” I whispered and caress his face with the back of my hand.
A mixture of surprise and apprehension is evident on his face. “What do you mean?” he asked, confused.
I smiled sadly. “I don’t want to be friends with you anymore.” I held his hand and placed it where my heart beats.
“Because I want to be more than that to you.” He was about to say something when I sealed his mouth with mine.
This time, I will not waste any chance that I have.