Nicole Jane’s POV
I was jolted awake by consecutive knocks on my door.
“Just a moment.” I groggily walked towards it and lazily opened it. “What—”
“Good morning too, Nicole.” Kira’s smiling face greeted me as soon as I opened the door. But he paused as his gaze swept over me from head to toe.
“Sorry for waking you up.” He scratched the back of his head.
Uncomfortably, I stepped back and looked at myself in the large mirror. My eyes widened when I saw how messy my hair was right now. And to think I was even wearing my Hello Kitty pajamas!
I glared at Kira, who suddenly burst into laughter.
“Don’t worry, Nicole. You still look beautiful.”
I scowled at him. “Whatever! What are you doing here anyway?” I crossed my arms as I approached.
He turned around and seemed to call for someone. That’s when I noticed there was someone with him.
“Well, I’m here to introduce your roommate, Miss Stephanie Miller.” He looked back at the girl beside him. “Steph, this is Nicole Jane Parker. The royalty that you’re going to protect.”
My forehead wrinkled at his words. “What do you mean by that?”
He just smiled at me. This vampire really has always a mischievous grin.
But I noticed there was something different about the way he smiled now. It seemed sad and forced. And his eyes... Is it just me, or did I see pain in them when he looked at me?
I was about to ask him, but he quickly excused himself to leave. I shrugged before turning to the woman he introduced as Stephanie, who was still standing in front of me.
“Come in.” I held the door open and stepped aside to let her pass.
Once she entered, I closed the door and faced her again. But I was taken aback when she suddenly bowed.
“Good morning, beloved princess.”
I was stunned, and my mouth hung open. I remained in a daze for a few more minutes while she stayed bowed down.
“Hey! You don’t have to do that. Besides, I’m not one of the princesses here. I’m just a normal human student,” I laughed to recover from the surprise.
“But you’re still the most powerful pureblood princess no matter what happens. And I will be your protector from now on,” she said, determined.
I blinked. What she had just said completely woke me up.
What? She’ll be my protector?
So, that’s what Kira meant earlier!
“Protector? But why? I didn’t understand!”
After all, I’m just a regular human now and no longer a vampire in need of protection. Moreover, only vampires with high positions usually have protectors.
“I apologize. I’m just following the king’s orders. Besides, it’s an honor for me to protect you,” she said.
I sighed in defeat. As if I have a choice. I thought I would be accompanied by a normal student here.
“Fine! But I’m a human now. So, don’t be too formal with me. I want you to treat me as your friend and not as a princess who needs protection.” I looked at her with a smile. “And just call me Nicole, okay?”
She looked up and was about to protest, but I immediately cut her off. “I will not take no for an answer. That’s an order,” I said seriously.
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. N-Nicole.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Good. That’s better. You were too formal earlier. It felt like I went back to the past.”
She smiled back at me.
“Anyway, it’s not that I’m underestimating you, okay? But you seem quite young to become a protector,” I asked, curious. This is the first time I’ve encountered such a young protector.
“Don’t worry. Because I assure you that I can protect you,” she said confidently.
I shook my head and waved my hand dismissively. It seems like she misunderstood what I said. “I didn’t mean anything bad by that. I was just wondering. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I understand anyway.”
I nodded and we started chatting. Somehow, I felt comfortable with her, so it seemed like the two of us would get along.
Finally, I had a roommate. No more lonely and boring nights.
The only downside was that I also had a guard.
***
“Hello! I’m Mikan! Nice to meet you.” Mikan extended her right arm to Steph.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Stephanie. But you can call me Steph for short.” She hesitantly shook hands with Mikan.
Mikan laughed. “Oh! Don’t be so formal. It makes me look like an old lady. We’re actually the same age.”
Steph’s expression remained blank. “I’m sorry. It’s just something I’m used to.” She stared intently at Mikan, which puzzled me. It seemed like she was examining her in a way I couldn’t understand.
“Used to it? Why? Is that how you address people even if they’re not older?” Mikan asked curiously.
I was about to join their conversation when Sir Martin suddenly entered.
We were now in the classroom, and I introduced them to each other here because Mikan and I didn’t go inside the classroom together. She wasn’t in her room when I knocked on her door earlier. Apparently, she had already left because she had something to do.
But what I didn’t know was why Kyle hadn’t arrived yet.
I let out a deep sigh. I remembered what he told me last Saturday. Perhaps due to shock, I couldn’t say anything after his statement. He didn’t insist on talking about it and changed the topic instead.
What got into his head that made him suddenly propose? Yes, we are of legal age already, but we’re still too young for that.
I felt like he was just scared it might be interrupted again. Like what happened in the past. But even so, we didn’t need to rush.
“Okay, class. I heard that our new student will be in this section again.” Sir Martin scanned the room until his gaze landed on Steph, who was sitting next to Mikan on her right.
“There she is. Please introduce yourself to us first before we start,” he said seriously.
Steph stood up, then made her way to the front. She stands there straight with both of her hands on her back. She was about to speak when the door suddenly banged open.
I raised my eyebrow when I saw the four of them. They always love to make a scene.
What’s their deal? Are they the F4?
Kyle, Kira, and Hiro started walking in as if nothing happened. I frowned. These vampires really don’t know how to show respect at all. Annoyed, I glanced at our teacher who was still looking down at them.
But I furrowed my brow when I noticed Vince standing outside, still staring at Steph intently. I glanced at Steph, and she’s doing the same thing with him.
Okay? What’s with those weird stares all about?
Vince was the first to look away and started walking in. He seems to be in a bad mood because his face can’t be deciphered. Everyone looked at him as he plopped down on his seat.
“What?” he shouted, and my classmates quickly averted their gaze.
I redirected my attention to Steph as she started speaking.
“Good morning, everyone. I’m Stephanie Miller. But you can call me Steph for short,” she said with no enthusiasm before promptly returning to her seat.
Wait, why does she suddenly seem to be in a bad mood too?
After the awkward entrance and introduction, the discussions have finally started.
Our class went smoothly. But I couldn’t focus properly because of the bad aura surrounding me.
I secretly glanced at Steph. She was just quietly listening while slouching.
I then turned to Vince. But I quickly looked away when I noticed the hostile look he was giving Steph.
What’s this guy’s problem?
I let out a frustrated sigh. Whatever. Let them be. I’ll just listen for now because our exam’s week is approaching.