Nicole Jane’s POV
“Take my hand,” he commanded.
I couldn’t make out his face. So, at first, I hesitated to reach out for his hand. But when I heard the familiar voice urging me from behind, I quickly reached for his outstretched hand.
I didn’t know where we were going. All I knew was that we were by the seaside, surrounded by battles on both sides.
“We shouldn’t run. We have to face them,” I shouted at him.
He shook his head. “No! I won’t let them take you away from me again.” He grimaced. “Don’t worry. I’ll just make sure that you’re safe before I face them.” His every word carried a hint of threat, so I didn’t say anything else. Besides, I didn’t have the strength to object anymore.
But I stopped abruptly when my knees suddenly weakened. I just couldn’t run any longer.
“Nicole! Shit!” He quickly came to my side and carried me.
I wanted to speak, but I was getting weaker. My vision was also blurring, and the blood continued to flow from my side.
What the hell is happening to me? Is this the effect of that knife on me? What’s with that knife? I can feel something spreading through my body since I was stabbed earlier.
“Stop right there!”
I felt the person carrying me exhale heavily when someone suddenly appeared in front of us. I strained my eyes to see his face, but all I could see was the demonic grin on his lips.
I woke up when I started having difficulty breathing.
It was that dream again. It’s been a few days since I started having that scene in my dreams. But until now, I still couldn’t understand what it meant.
I looked around. I smiled as soon as I realized where I was. Somehow, I felt lighter.
I looked at the bed beside me where Althea was still sleeping peacefully. It was just the two of us here, and it seemed like the others woke up early. Well, our vampire companions never really had deep sleep.
I glanced at the wall clock. My eyes widened in shock when I saw that it’s already 12 pm!
Well, we did have a movie marathon last night, and if I recall correctly, we finished around 4 am earlier.
What chance do we have against the vampires when it comes to staying up all night?
I stood up to take care of things. This place has its own bathroom too. It also has six king-size beds and an entertainment room. There’s a mini-kitchen on the other side, and when I heard my stomach suddenly growl, I settled for eating the cake and sliced bread I saw in the refrigerator.
After eating, I immediately tidied up and grabbed the DSLR camera placed on the bedside table. I smiled as I remembered that it was Kyle’s graduation gift to me. Meanwhile, I didn’t even give him anything. It had slipped my mind.
I slowly went out and took the path leading to the mansion. When I reached the living room, I smelled something delicious coming from the kitchen. I started to walk towards its direction, expecting to see all of them there.
But I only found Gino and Athena there. Gino is the one who’s cooking, while Athena is sipping a cup of coffee. They both looked like they just woke up.
And during these moments as I stared at them, I couldn’t help but notice that they looked good together. If ever, I wouldn’t object to Athena. She’s a nice and smart girl. I’m sure they get along well.
I prepared the camera I brought. It seems that I’m going to capture a lot of special moments today.
***
Third Person’s POV
GINO is currently cooking lunch while Athena is drinking coffee. It’s already noon because they woke up late as they slept in the early hours of the morning.
He has been facing away from Athena for a while now, and although he wants to initiate a conversation, he can’t bring himself to do it.
He didn’t know what was actually happening to him. Whenever Athena is close to him, he can’t find the right words to say and his mouth remains shut.
It all started when he first met her here at the mansion. The day they revealed the information they got.
He took a deep breath. He has been feeling deafened by their silence for a while now. He turned his back and was about to start a conversation when they accidentally bumped into each other. It just so happened that she stood up and was heading in his direction.
And because of the impact, Athena lost her balance. Fortunately, Gino’s reflexes were fast enough to grab and support her waist, preventing her from falling.
The moment his eyes met hers, he felt like time had suddenly stopped.
He couldn’t miss Athena’s sharp intake of breath. He swallowed hard, and for some unknown reason, his heart suddenly beat faster.
NOT far from them, Nicole was watching the scene intently. She had a smirk on her face, clearly delighted with what she witnessed.
She didn’t linger and turned around, walking away. She didn’t want to ruin the moment. So she decided to look for the others for now.
She made her way to the academy. Her first stop was the wide-open field. She looked up at the sky. The weather was just fine. She embraced herself when the wind blew and touched her skin.
She then took her camera to capture the beauty in front of her. But she was slightly startled when something caught her camera’s attention—a more beautiful view.
“WHAT do you mean?” Steph asked Vince while looking from afar.
Her head then rested on Vince’s shoulder. And it just feels so good. She waited for this moment for a long time.
Vince let out a deep sigh. “I have already said goodbye to Uncle Zach. He said he will be the one to inform my parents. After graduation, I will leave for a while. I want some time alone, to find peace in a place where nobody knows me or my existence. But don’t worry, because I will still join the planned vacation.” He chuckled.
It seems like something pricked Steph’s heart when she heard about that thing. After the kiss they shared, Vince started talking to her again. Although it was still unclear to her what the status of their relationship was, she was content for now just being able to be with and talk to him.
That’s the main reason why she hasn’t been with Nicole these past few weeks. Because she’s with Vince, and he doesn’t want their friends to see them together for now.
“When will you come back?” she asked with a hint of sadness in her voice. Even though that day hadn’t arrived yet, she already missed him.
Well, it had been several years since I last saw him, and I managed to get through it. I guess I can handle it now. She thought.
He didn’t answer. So, she looked up just to see him staring intently at her.
He caresses her cheeks and she can’t help but close her eyes. “I will come back as soon as I’m ready and good enough for you. I just need to fix myself first. And as soon as we see each other again, I will be that kind of man with no hatred, sadness, and doubts anymore. A kind of man that you deserve.”
ON THE other hand, Nicole smiled as she looked at the picture she took. It’s such a sweet scene, and she knew too well that Steph and Vince don’t need to say it anymore because their actions were literally screaming out what they had out loud.
She then proceeded to the music room. It’s one of her favorite places to go when she’s alone, aside from the forest.
But her forehead furrowed when she saw that the door was slightly open. She was about to step in when a familiar sound coming from the piano reached her ears.
She slowly peered through the crack of the door. And she didn’t really expect who she saw there.
She wasn’t aware that Kira and Miley were both good at playing the piano. The only sound that can be heard in the four corners of the music room is the sound produced by the keyboard they were playing, while the two of them were gazing at each other intently and speaking softly.
“YOU’LL be graduating tomorrow, and Reiri and I will be left here,” Miley said sadly.
Kira glanced at her briefly. “Don’t be sad. We’ll still visit you here. I’ll often come too. I can even visit everyday if that’s what you want?” Kira chuckled.
Miley couldn’t avoid feeling sad. She knew that very well. But she didn’t want him to feel obligated. She knew that as soon as they got out from the academy, other royalties would have new responsibilities to face and fulfill.
But that’s not what Miley is worried about. Because as they embark on a new path, they will meet more people. Their world will expand, including the people in it.
And that fact scares her. What if Kira meets someone else? Someone who is sexier and more beautiful than her? She won’t be able to keep an eye on every move he makes.
“You’re overthinking again. Don’t you trust me?”
What he said made her stop. He was right and both of them were swallowed by the deafening silence.
She nibbled her lower lip and bowed her head. “It’s not that. I trust you. Really. I’m just scared.”
Miley was almost startled when Kira turned her around, pulled her closer, and embraced her.
“If you trust me, then you will not be scared. Don’t worry. Because you are the one and only beautiful and sexy girl in these eyes of mine.” Kira let out a small laugh, and Miley playfully hit his arm.
“When should we tell them?” Miley asked after a minute of silence.
Kira smiled. “After graduation.”
That made Miley sigh in relief. Kira was right. She was overthinking things. She shouldn’t be thinking or doubting anything.
Yes, it’s the person she treats as an older sister that her beloved man first liked. She already knew about that because Kira admitted it to her personally.
But she believes that she is the only one he truly loves and has loved. She knows that he was just scared at first because her brother was his close friend.
They remained still in that position, cherishing the moment. And deep inside her heart, Miley knew she was giving all her trust to this man.
NICOLE couldn’t help but smile at the sight. She can say that music is one of her favorite subjects.
Before long, she started walking again. There were only three vampires left that she hadn’t seen. Now she can’t help but wonder where they are.
She freely roamed around the library, their classroom, the dining hall, and various other parts of the academy. She captured shots of each location, filling her camera with sweet and meaningful memories in this school.
But when her camera turned towards the swimming pool area, she was shocked to hear someone shouting. She couldn’t be mistaken. It was Reiri and Hiro’s voices.
She peeked over and saw the two of them arguing over something again.
Nicole covered her mouth in surprise and almost dropped the camera when she heard Reiri’s next words. She didn’t see it coming. And she knew that even the others had no idea about it.
Only now had she pieced together everything that happened. Why the two princesses suddenly treated Mikan that way.
“ARE you still that affected?” Reiri asked Hiro.
Surprise was evident on Hiro’s face. He didn’t need to ask what Reiri was referring to because he already knew. That’s why he couldn’t speak right away.
Reiri smiled bitterly. “Indeed. Mikan is your first love, right?” Her voice almost cracked upon mentioning Mikan’s name.
Hiro looked away. “Actually, I thought the same, too. But...” He looked up and met Reiri’s eyes. “I was wrong. All this time, I was making myself believe that it was her. Just to divert my feelings and attention. When in fact, it’s actually you,” he whispered almost inaudibly, but enough for her to hear.
Reiri couldn’t help but be surprised at that moment. “What? Y-you’ve got to be kidding me!” she yelled in frustration.
Hiro’s eyes softened. “I hope I am. But hell, I’m not! I’ve liked you for a long time now. But...” He sighed. “Vince talked to me. That’s why I didn’t pursue any feelings I had for you. Right at that moment, I immediately suppressed the unfamiliar feeling that was starting to grow here.” He pointed to his heart.
Reiri was still in a state of shock. She couldn’t believe that her brother had something to do with all this.
Hiro approached her and hugged her. Reiri felt as if she was frozen in place because of what he did.
“I know what you’re thinking. Your brother is just concerned for you. He was afraid that I might hurt you. You know, considering my track record.” He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood and ease the tension.
Reiri still couldn’t bring herself to speak. Numerous questions raced through her mind, and she only wanted her brother to be the one to provide the answers.
NICOLE no longer wants to listen. She has learned more than enough, and she wants to give the two of them a chance to be alone in private.
After taking a shot, she started to walk away. Amongst everything she saw, it was the last scene that pierced her heart. It was the only moment she captured the weight of her emotions.
She let out a deep sigh. Now she wonders, where’s Kyle?
***
Nicole Jane’s POV
I was awakened by the feeling of the cold breeze touching my face. As I opened my eyes, a dark sky greeted me.
Wait... why is it so dark?
I blinked several times. I didn’t realize that I had overslept. But I abruptly turned to my side when I heard someone suddenly speak.
“Good morning and good evening, babe.”
I tried to remember what happened. All I knew was that I practically roamed around the entire Clarkson Academy earlier, searching for this idiot. Until I decided to take a rest in the gymnasium and ended up dozing off while looking at the photos I took.
“How did I end up here?” I asked in astonishment. We were currently on the terrace of the mansion, and I was lying on one of the hammocks here.
“I carried you. You were sleeping so soundly. I went around the whole academy earlier, but I couldn’t find you here. Even your brother didn’t know where you were. I thought you went somewhere else.” He pouted.
I rolled my eyes. “Coming from you. I practically turned the whole academy upside down just to find you. Where did you go?”
He stood up and walked towards me. I adjusted my position to sit up, so he could sit next to me.
“I’m sorry. I went to our vacation spot. Dad sent me there suddenly. I didn’t want to disturb your sleep, so I didn’t bother to wake you up.”
My eyes widened. “You should have woken me up and brought me along. That's so unfair of you!”
He almost jumped in surprise when I extracted a poison from my body and formed it into a ball shape on the palm of my hand.
“Woah! Easy. Don’t forget I can counter that with a fireball,” he said playfully.
I raised an eyebrow. “Don’t forget that I can stop the time,” I said proudly.
Before he could say anything, we suddenly heard Gino shouting. “Both of you, come down! Dinner is ready!”
We laughed and quickly went downstairs. We found them in chaos at the table, and Gino could only shake his head. It seemed like he was our parent now.
Oh, wait. I just recently found out that Gino is talented in cooking. Since I had no idea about that, I decided to learn from him.
“Wait! Before we start eating, let’s take a picture first. Let’s do it in the living room!” I suggested. It’s rare for all of us to be together like this, you know.
“Sure! We love that!” Althea said excitedly.
“What’s that? So cheesy.” Vince shook his head.
I couldn’t help but laugh because he still followed. I thought I needed to show him the picture of him and Stephanie to make him compliant, but it turns out I didn’t.
I quickly set up my camera and signaled them to get ready. Once I set the timer, I joined them.
“Okay! One! Two! Three! Smile!”
I couldn’t help but smile as wide as I could because this day was filled with unforgettable captured moments.
Not just by the camera itself, but by our hearts and minds.