I'll Protect You (Original Version)

Useless autograph? My signature is worth five hundred dollars on eBay!

"Park, Logan's waiting!" my father called from downstairs. I rolled at my eyes at his persistence at getting me out of the house and took another look at the mirror. 

I was back in the Cross Academy uniform--dark blue skirt, white dress shirt with a scarlet red tie and the emblem of the Cimerian seal on the side, with black tights and my favorite pair of black boots. My blazer was slung over the chair at my desk.The only thing different about my appearance this time?

No wig.

The news had gotten out. A few teenagers at the school couldn't keep quiet and had told the world where the princess of Cimeria was studying. My father really wanted me to finish my education, so I could pass through life and be able to say, "I finished school."  

The paparazzi were too frightened to make an appearance. When the news had gotten out, my father (and grandmother) had instantly scheduled an interview with an international show where they announced that if my picture showed up in the tabloids, the media, or the Internet, the company would get sued.

But that didn't stop the whispers flying around town the moment I came back, the awestricken gazes on everyone's faces as I walked past them to get to my job. Oh, yes, and the gasps that were heard whenever I wrote up an order for a macchiato. Not to mention the autographs I had to sign and the pictures I had to take.

I wasn't Park Sparrow, the idiot girl who got a scholarship--I was Princess Park of Cimeria. I missed the insults and teasings--now all I got were praises and apologies and gushing admiration.

"Park!" my father yelled again.  

"Oh, shush, I'm coming!" I shouted back. I pulled on my backpack as I left my room. My feet were about to take me downstairs when I paused and took a look at Alec's door.
        After that ngiht, Alec had gone as if I didn't watch him betray me to my enemy. He was still courteous to everyone, joking with Jasper and Logan, debating with my father and grandmother and complimenting my mother. He talked to me every day, smirking every time he saw me like he normally did. He avoided Archer--the only difference is his life. Well, that and becoming a traitor.

Only my father, Six, Archer, Logan, and I knew what Alec had done. We had all agreed to act indifferently about it, letting Alec think that no one knew beside me. Meanwhile, he'd let his guard down around me, thinking that I trusted him still, and they'd give him false information, leading the enemy into a trap.

I reversed and went to his door, opening it without knocking. He was on the phone, looking extremely angry. His jade eyes froze with surprise and his jaw dropped slightly when I came in. Alec instantly put the phone on his lap and frowned jokingly.

"Knock, Sparrow. It doesn't hurt to knock once in a while," he said. 
"Actually," I said, and proceeded to slam my fist on his door, "it does. Are you walking with us or not?"

"And be the third wheel?" he scoffed. But I noticed Alec's eyes flash down towards the phone before flickering back up to meet mine. "I'm good. I won't be, so don't worry. I just have a few things to take care of."

I shrugged in a nonchalant manner before turning on my heel and walking away, closing the door. I didn't shut it tight, however. I pretended to walk downstairs. Just as I hit the bottom, I took off my boots and snuck back up, silently sliding to the crack I left for my ears to eavesdrop on.

"Shut up, Daniel," Alec snarled. "I'm trying not to be caught here--she thinks I'm on her side still, so I have to act like I am." 

There was silence until Alec spoke once more, his voice rising considerably. A bit too much for a double agent. Didn't this boy know the basic concepts of being deceptive? You have to keep your voice lower than the library notch.