Queen of the zodiac ( zodiac city duology #1) [ undergoing revamping]

-fünf-

Brooke
My eyes fluttered open, greeted by the soft, golden light filtering through the curtains. I wished for just a moment that I hadn't woken up, that I could have escaped the painful reality that had consumed me for the past two days. But here I was, alive and plagued by the consequences of that classroom incident.

My friends, or what used to be my friends, had turned their backs on me. Paris was the only one who made an effort, offering a hesitant greeting or an attempt at conversation. The silence from the others, especially Ramon, felt like a heavy weight on my heart. He was my best friend, and his absence cut deeper than anything else.

I hadn't left my dorm room since the incident, so I had yet to face the reactions of the boys. Jamal's cold attitude would likely be more understanding since he was closer to Renee and Maylee, but Ramon's absence gnawed at my thoughts.

Amidst the isolation and loneliness, there was one surprising source of comfort: Aiden. His voice, which resonated in my mind, had become a lifeline. It was surreal, yet his presence had provided solace during these trying times.

But the physical toll of the incident was evident. Half of my hair had turned white, a stark contrast to the fiery red on the other side. I could pass it off as a style choice, but it felt like a constant reminder of my ordeal.

I groaned, tossing and turning on my bed, a silent spectator to the videos Maylee had sent in the group chat. They looked happy, carefree, while I wallowed in misery.

Then, Auriana appeared, breaking my melancholic reverie. Her arrival came with her usual teasing, calling me

"Princess Brooklyn, I'm sorry, but you stink. Time to get up and go bathe," Auriana chimed in, her voice a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

I let out a dramatic cry, wrapping myself tightly in my duvet. "Noo," I moaned, "Not yet. The day is too bright, and I'm miserable as the night shadows."

Auriana chuckled softly. "How poetic," she remarked, moving closer and effortlessly pulling the duvet from my grasp. I shot her an exaggerated pout.

"Auriana, how many times have I told you to drop the 'princess'?"

She smiled mischievously. "A lot of times."

I sighed dramatically. "So why haven't you?"

"Because you fit the title of a princess," she replied with a playful glint in her eyes.

I rolled my eyes and adopted a posh accent. "Well, of course. "

"Have you heard from Maylee's shimmer?" I inquired, my concern for my friend never wavering.

Auriana shook her head. "Nancy refuses to divulge any information."

"That little shimmering fool. Shit, I'm so sorry, Auriana. I didn't mean to-"

"Nah, don't worry, Princess Brooklyn. I call her worse every day," Auriana reassured me, and we shared a genuine laugh.

But then, a knock on the door interrupted our moment of levity. Auriana hesitated, opening it slightly, only to react with clear displeasure.

"It's Prince Damien again," she informed me.

My groan was instinctual. "Tell him to leave me alone, God. He's the only reason why I am here in the first place."

Despite Auriana's attempts to deter him, Damien persisted, firmly opening the door. He had that audacious confidence that both intrigued and infuriated me.

"Get up and get dressed; we're going out," he declared, as if I were at his beck and call.

I couldn't help but retort, "GeT Up AnD gEt DreSsed, like you own me or something."