Love Me Now

Chapter 4

I opened my eyes to the sound of the alarm bells.

It's 6 o'clock in the evening. Time to get up, but I couldn't, wouldn't get up. "Ari!" Elena burst into my room and jumped into my queen sized bed. She had a smile plastered to her face. "Time for school." She said in her singsong voice. She gets excited about school. It's because she has another night of searching for her soulmate. I groaned and turned to the other side. "Ari, what's wrong?" Her voice was laced with worry.

Should I tell her?

"I don't feel like going to school, Elena." I have a lot of things on my mind right now. The conspiracy against my father, my soulmate... My chest ached again. "But why not?" She whined. "Please, please, please. I don't want to be alone in school." She said while tugging my pajamas. "Alright, alright. Be thankful that I pity you eating all alone." She smiled her brightest smile.

I got up and took a shower. Our uniform was black zipped shirt, black pants and black combat boots. Our headmaster decided that it might as well fit how humans describe us. I tied my hair to a bun and looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes had a cold gaze. I didn't know why, but I thought about last night's incident. Maybe that was why. I sighed.

As usual, Elena drove her Audi to school. The whole ride, I was silent. And I was thankful Elena wasn't her usual nagging self.

The hours went by too slowly. I wished there was something exciting that would happen today. I sighed while eating my apple under the tree while reading a book.

"Head's up!" and in an instant, I caught the ball with my left hand without looking. "Nice catch." I turned to look at the person who disturbed my reading, and holy wow. He was gorgeous. I tried to hide the emotions in my eye. I stood up and handed him the ball. I presume he's new here. I noticed his eyes glinted silver, and I realized he was looking at Elena. Elena was looking at him, too. "Well, I guess I should leave you two alone." I said and shifted away. I'm happy for my best friend, at the same time my heart ached from all this soulmate shenanigans. I sighed. I should go home and help my father. After all, I need to know how this works since father plans on handing me his title, an elder.

The only time I enjoyed my youth was when my mother was around. And when she died, I had to cut myself off from all those nonsense and help father lead the coven. I had duties and responsibilities, and I never complained for that. My mother was a great leader. And I intend to let her legacy live. My father said she died by a wolf attack, but I knew better. Wolves and vampires don't usually get along, most of the times, but we don't just randomly attack them or them us, especially royalties. And I accidentally overheard my father and the council talk that a hunter had killed her. Ever since then, I was so focused on catching my mother's murderer. But for 13 years, I had no lead.

As I was absentmindedly walking through the hall of the school, my chest began to tighten. Everything was blurry, and the people around me paid no mind to the fainting Arianna. I didn't want to close my eyes, but my eyes were too heavy. I just gave in to the heaviness and closed my eyes. The last thing I heard was a snicker. I don't know whether it was just on my mind or if it was real, but I just let the darkness consume me.

In what seemed like forever, I opened my eyes, and gasped for air. I put my hand in my chest to check if my heart was still beating. Thankfully, it still did. I took in my surroundings. The walls were white and there were beds separated by a white curtain. I realized I was in the infirmary. I sat up and leaned back in my pillows. "Ari?" I saw Elena with my dad coming my way.

Oh, shit.

I panicked but still kept a cool face. "Arianna." My father called and hugged me tight. "What happened?" He sat on the side of the bed while Elena sat on the far edge, keeping her distance from us. "I... I guess I forgot my meals." I chuckled nervously. My father sighed a breath of relief.

"Are you sure?"

My father put his hand in my forehead. "I'm fine, dad. Really." I stole a quick glance at Elena, who wasn't convince that I was okay. "Let's get you home. School can wait, you need to rest." He stood up and leaned forward to carry me. "Dad! I can stand, I'm not disabled." I blushed. It's embarrassing having your father carry you outside to school. He chuckled. "Sorry, honey. I guess I just got too worried. Get your things." I smiled. He never failed to be the best father in the world. "Elena, you can come, too. Arianna needs company. I still have a lot of work to do." I smiled at Elena, and she nodded. She's still intimidated by my father after all this time. I hooked my arm on hers. She narrowed her eyes on me. "I know you're hiding something, and I'm going to find out what." She whispered. I sighed. "No need. I'll tell you when we get home." An excited grin was plastered in her face. "I knew you couldn't resist my charms!" She squealed. I laughed.

"Oh, shush."

~

Hey, there...again. Updating fast because I don't want y'all to be left hanging so.. here ya go. Please comment, vote and share! 

Lots of love,

Chelsa.