I hated you

Chapter Two

When I get home, Mom is on the couch reading a book. I set my bag down and go to find a snack in the kitchen. "Anything interesting happen today?" she mocks. Of course she knows. Everyone will know by morning. 

I roll my eyes at her, walking over to sit on the couch to the side of hers. "I hate him." I tell her, forming my lips into a line. "Yeah... pretending to be your boyfriend, not a great idea." she laughs. "I'm glad you find my awful experience amusing," I joke. "You'll have so much fun at school tomorrow!" It's going to be hell.              

 That night, I video call Jamie. "Girl," she says when she answers. "Looks like you had an interesting afternoon." she says, raising her eyebrows. "I'm so screwed, dude!" 

I fall back onto my bed. "So will you be coming to school tomorrow?" "Oh, no way my moms gonna let me stay home." she barks out a laugh. "It's not funny!" I say. "It's very funny." she says. "I don't know what he was thinking." "he wasn't," True. "I'm going to get ready for bed, i'll see you at school tomorrow." "you sure will!" I make a face and hang up.                

In the morning, I have about 50 more texts about Alaric, including people asking if I can set them up with him. I've always tried to keep my connection to the royal family on the down low so this is not good for me. 

By Christmas, I'm sure everyone will be done talking about it though. Hopefully. I want to try to go as unnoticed as I can today, so I just put on black leggings and an over sized hoodie and plan to keep it over my head all day. When I go downstairs, mom has just finished making breakfast. 

"You're still here," I say, surprised. "Well, you're basically a celebrity now, so-" She laughs and I almost do too. "Eat before you go to school." She's made chocolate pancakes with syrup and peanut butter to top it. Dad used to make this every Sunday morning. "Thank you," I say.              

When I am already going to school, mom stops me right before walking out the door. "I love you." she tells me. "Ugh, I love you too." 

While I walk to school, I notice a group of girls from my school walking toward me. "Is it true?" They insist. "Piss off." I shoot back and shove my way through them. Not even on campus and already being asked, great. 

As I walk into the building, I find Jamie sitting on a bench. She spots me and runs over to me. "Hi!" she says. "Hey," we walk to our lockers that are right across the hallway from each other. "How's Jace?" I ask. Jace is her boyfriend of 3 years. There to perfect a match, destined to live happily ever after. "Great! He just got exempted to his dream college!" 

Of course he did. He's a football player at a private school and like three private tutors. "Well, hopefully you got into it too then." She sighs. "Fingers crossed." with that we part for the first period.                

My first period is gym so I go to the locker room to change. I'm in the middle of putting my gym shirt on when 3 girls walk in the locker room. I always try to go early so I don't have to change in front of people. I try to leave but they stop me at the door. 

 "So the prince likes you huh?" the blond one says. I have to doge all questions about him today. "Move." I say firmly. "Nah, I don't think I will." she says, laughing with her friends. "What does he see in you?" one of the brunettes asks. "Why do you care? Not like your any better." I shoot back. She gives an embarrassed smile but quickly covers it up with a laugh. I manage to push my way through them out to the gym.                

My classes up until lunch go by pretty fast. By the time it's 12:30, I basically run off campus. I wait by a tree close by for Jamie and call her. "Hey, i'm waiting at the usual spot." I say. "Oh i'm so sorry I forgot to tell you that i'm going to get lunch with Jace today. Sorry!" "Oh, uh, yeah that's fine. Ill see you later." With that I hang up. 

 I walk to a local coffee shop for lunch. When I get there, I see the same group of girls from this morning. I avoid them and get my drink and scone to-go. I go to the park -the same one from yesterday with Alaric- to eat my lunch alone. 

All I do is scroll through the million texts I suddenly have and make myself even more annoyed. My life was perfectly fine before this. It truly is not that huge of a deal but it is for now.                

During my last class, the only one I have with Jamie, I cannot stay focused on anything. I just want to go home and hide away from everyone. "Miss Frost," Mr. Darron says to me, clearly noticing I'm not paying any attention. "Sorry," I say. He gives me a look and continues. 

Fifteen minutes. fifteen minutes until I can go home and dwell. Does this teacher even know what he's talking about? I think to myself. Everyone is taking notes but I only have two notes written down. 

I begin to sketch a sword. I enjoy those kinds of things. The things that seem like they are extinct. It is long and has vines carved into the blade, growing all the way to the tip. 

 When the bell finally rings, Jamie grabs my wrist while walking out the door. "Yes?" I ask her. "Hey! Wanna go get ice cream?" "Um, sure why not." "Sweet!" 

Sneek peek into the next chapter - As we walk to the ice cream shop, I grab my phone out of my pocket. The messages about Alaric have slowed down, thank god. I scroll through one when one catches my eye. 'Alaric confirmed on the news that you two are dating?!' "What the actual fu-" I began. "What?!" Jamie cuts me off. "Alaric 'confirmed' we're dating?!" I yell. "What!?" she yells back. "I don't know why he would say that! We're not!" I go to google and look up the most popular news article. 'Prince Alaric Raimen confirms rumors of his new girlfriend' The headline reads. Panicked, I show it to Jamie. She looks shocked as well. "I'm going to kill him."