Nicole Jane’s POV
“Why do we have to be in a separate bus?”
I glanced at myself in the mirror one last time before turning to Mikan, who nearly broke my pillow with her constant punching.
“Just let it be. We’ll meet up when we get there, anyway. Besides, you’re with Steph, Vince, Hiro, and Reiri. So, you have nothing to worry about.”
I wasn’t initially assigned to our section. Well, actually, it was Kyle who wanted it that way. I ended up being grouped with Miley and Kira. We were together with half of Section B, then the entire Section C. We separated to keep an eye on both buses. The ones from the lower levels could have joined us, as long as they were part of the student council.
She looked up at me and pouted. “Yeah, I guess. But Steph and I aren’t that close yet, and even with the others,” she said sadly.
I raised an eyebrow. Thankfully, Steph left earlier to help with some preparations, so Mikan and I could discuss these things now.
“To be honest, I’ve noticed that too. It seems like there’s still awkwardness between you and the other royalties, even though we’ve been together for a long time already. Why is that?”
I couldn’t help but be curious. It felt like this girl was only sticking to me. She only accompanied the others when I was around. When I wasn’t there, she often kept to herself.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I feel closer and more comfortable with you. But I promise, I don’t have anything against them.” She raised her right hand as if taking an oath. I just laughed.
“I know that. Well, it’s better if you take this opportunity to get closer to Steph and the others, even if it’s just for a short time.”
She nodded and gave a thumbs up.
After I finished arranging and preparing my things, I invited her to come out.
We headed straight outside the main building where other students and the buses that would transport us were waiting. I was still a bit drowsy since it was only four o‘clock in the morning. Our trip was going to be quite long.
The disadvantage of our school being located in the middle of nowhere.
But I furrowed my brow when I couldn’t find Kyle. Where could that guy be?
“Okay. So, I guess everyone is here already. Go up to your respective buses, so we can leave,” said Sir Maurer.
Oh, right. He’s actually our section adviser.
“Come on, Mikan. Let’s go to our bus,” Steph invited Mikan.
I was about to ask Steph where Kyle was, but she quickly grabbed Mikan’s hand and ran towards their designated bus.
“Bye, Nicole! See you later!” They both waved before going up. Vince, Hiro, and Reiri followed suit.
I just smiled at them.
The truth is, Steph wanted to join me, so she could keep an eye on me. But I told her not to. Our classmates and Mikan might think of something else if she were with us too.
Besides, it’s the students safety that we need to prioritize, not mine. I can handle myself just fine for crying out loud.
When I saw Miley and Kira, I quickly ran to them.
“Where’s Kyle?”
“He went ahead. He wants to check and secure the location first just to be sure.”
I frowned because he didn’t mention anything to me about going ahead. I wish he had just taken me with him. That guy is so unfair. He always likes to act alone.
We also boarded our designated bus. The three of us sat at the back. I chose a seat by the window.
I also noticed that the vampire students were already wearing the necklaces that arrived yesterday. And as far as I know, Kira has also explained to the human students why they don’t have them.
While on the journey, I just stared outside. Until the road we were taking gradually became familiar.
I smiled. I also missed living normally and life itself out here. It’s like I have nothing else to do but go to different places and enjoy myself every night. Even my way of coping with boredom, and road trips.
“It seems like we’re thinking of something fun there, huh? You’re smiling so much,” Kira said.
I turned to Kira, who was between Miley and me. My smile widened even more when I saw Miley resting her head on Kira’s shoulder, eyes closed.
“Yeah. I just remembered my life before. Carefree and just normal.”
“Don’t worry. Once Marcus is gone from this world, your life will go back to normal. All of us, too.” Kira gave me an assuring smile. He always has such a positive mindset, and that’s one of the qualities I admire about him.
I nodded and looked outside again. I hope everything eventually turns out okay.
***
“Wow! So many paintings! And some of them date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. I wonder how they managed to preserve them?”
Mikan has been talking nonstop and marveling beside me for a while now, but I just ignored her because I’m still looking for Kyle. Where could that vampire be?
Steph is following us too, and I managed to ask her, but she has no idea either.
Miley, on the other hand, refuses to speak. She just told me to wait, and her brother will surely show up. So, I kept quiet because I got tired of asking them already. I even tried to read their thoughts, but I got nothing.
We’re currently at the National Museum of Fine Arts. As soon as I got off the bus earlier, someone immediately pulled me towards here, and I didn’t even bother to see who it was. Besides Kyle, Mikan is the only one who often sticks with me.
“Nicole? Steph? What’s wrong with you two? You don’t even react. You two are so serious.”
That made me turn to Mikan whose staring at the two of us with her arms crossed. The other royalties laughed.
“What reaction are we supposed to have? I’m used to seeing things like that back when I was in Romania,” Steph whispered, but I heard her.
I also noticed Vince suddenly looking at her intently. But she just shrugged it off.
“Huh? Where?” Luckily, Mikan didn’t hear Steph’s last words.
“Never mind. Let’s go and explore.” Steph avoided the topic and we continued.
It turns out that this building houses ancient paintings and sculptures. At first glance, they may seem like ordinary images, but I’m sure there’s a story behind each artwork. I also noticed that some of them have names and dates of creation at the bottom, while others remain anonymous.
On the subsequent floors, there are modern paintings as well. The abstract paintings are here too. There are also the tools used by famous painters and others. It’s as if they haven’t touched anything, and they still look the same as when they were created.
“Awesome! If I use these, will I become a great painter too?” Rei asked.
“You know, even if there’s magic involved, you’ll never become a great painter,” Hiro teased her. So it didn’t take long for them to start arguing.
I also saw the only playable tarot cards of the country titled CARTAS PHILIPPINENSIS. There’s also a black book with a dedication from Dr. Jose Rizal to Josephine Bracken after they got married.
“Jane! Smile!”
I turned to Mikan, who was beside me, holding her cellphone with the front camera on. Due to my surprise, I didn’t even manage to smile.
“Hey! Erase that one. I’m not yet ready. Take a new shot.” I was about to grab her phone to delete the photo of the two of us, but she quickly moved it away from me.
“You look so cute here. Your face was so priceless.” She giggled.
I just gave her a warning look. But she pulled me again towards somewhere.
“Let’s go inside here!”
I looked at the two huge doors in front of us. I read the words beside them.
Senate Hall
As we entered, a wide and quiet hall greeted us, with nothing displayed except for the massive pillars on both sides.
“Oh, so this was the Senate Hall before? It’s really classic and awe-inspiring,” Mikan commented, looking around the entire hall. Some of our classmates were also here taking photos.
“That’s right. Our country’s history is truly vast,” Miley added.
We also saw various architectural designs of establishments, train stations, universities, and buildings in different parts of the city on the following floors.
We spent over two hours exploring here before deciding to move to the next building, the National Museum of Anthropology. After that, we planned to go to Fort Bonifacio. So, our time in each building was somewhat limited.
They went inside ahead of me while I was searching for something in my bag when suddenly someone covered my eyes. I gasped as a familiar scent filled my nose.
Finally!
“Kyle!” I quickly turned around to confirm my suspicion.
And there I saw him. He’s wearing a fatigue v-neck shirt, black shorts, and white Converse shoes. He even had matching shades.
“Miss me? You’re staring at me so intensely, I might melt.” He grinned.
I gave him a wide smile before slapping the back of his head. He looked at me in disbelief.
“What’s that for?”
“That’s for leaving without even telling me where you were going.” I slapped him again, and this time he looked at me with disdain.
I noticed that other people and our classmates were also looking in our direction, but I just ignored them.
“And that’s for being missing in action for so many hours already.”
He pouted, and I just rolled my eyes at him. His attempt to be cute won’t work on me now.
“I’m sorry. I just need to make sure that everything will be okay for today and the coming days as well.” He looked at me seriously.
“And in the coming days?” I asked, and he nodded. I let out a sigh. “Okay, fine. Let’s go inside. Tell me everything I need to know.” He held my hand as we entered.
In an instant, my annoyance towards him vanished just because he held my hand. It looks like this day might turn out to be okay.
Hopefully.
***
Kyle Ethan’s POV
I’m happy to see Nicole taking some pictures here in the museum. From the first floor alone, we saw various types that looked like living animals, while others were fossils. There was also the Ifugao house. It was a large hut made of woven palm leaves, and I had to almost bend down to enter inside.
“That’s amazing! So that’s how they used to live,” she said, still with a smile on her face while admiring the house in front of her.
Vince approached me and whispered, “Did you make it?”
I nodded in response, and he sighed in relief, then tapped my shoulder.
On the subsequent floors, there were displays of ancient Filipino artifacts, such as clothing, instruments, weaving tools, and even household items made from natural materials. There were also old coins and different sizes and types of jars.
I looked around the place, and there I saw the protectors and vampire hunters scattered around to guard us. The vampire hunters just nodded at me and kept watch.
I shifted my gaze to Nicole and only then realized she was looking at me.
“Care to tell me now, who they are?” she asked.
I wasn’t surprised by her question. As soon as we entered earlier, Miley immediately pulled her away, so she didn’t get the chance to ask. But knowing her, she’s observant and determined to find out something she’s curious about.
“They’re the palace protectors and the vampire hunters.”
Her eyes widened. “You go and talk to them?” Her voice was low but sounded shocked.
I nodded.
Earlier, I approached and convinced the vampire hunters. I persuaded them to help us. They’re on our side, that’s a fact. But I know that they didn’t want to interfere with our fight against Marcus if possible. They’re not like the previous hunters who were ready to fight and assist us.
Luckily, I was able to persuade them because I believe they can be of great help to us. Especially since they have weapons that will greatly aid in serving as our protection.
Now that we are all united, I hope that Marcus Croven will finally experience his greatest downfall.