Choosing A Vampire Queen

Nine

I was nervous. I fire ached inside of me more so than it ever had. I sat at the window day in and day out waiting for the knock on the door to tell me it was time to prepare for the outing. I had to get my head together and I had to remember that it was going to be okay, I can make it through this. The only problem is, if I die... I wouldn't have to live with that constant memory of everyone around me dying.
Maybe that's a test? Can I handle the pressure to make moves like this when I become a royal?
Is this even worth it? Fighting for my life? There has to be an alternative, for me and everyone else.
I heard a tap on the door and I instantly knew that it was time to hear the news. "Annabeth." Adam smiled at me.
"Yes." I smiled back.
"Tomorrow we are joining the prince for the royal outing."
"Where will the outing be?"
Adam smiled at me, "Japan!"
That actually sparked an interest in me, because I've always wanted to go. "Oh yay! Do we have anything special we need to prepare for?"
"No, just making the prince like you." Adam winked at me.
My mind returned back to the balcony kiss. Do you think he liked it? My heart pounded when I even thought about it.
I haven't seen him since, not even on the balcony. But I haven't even tried to go and see him in the room.
"So the plans for tomorrow, do you want to know?" Adam asked snapping me out of my dreamy thoughts. Oh Lord I hope I'm not falling for him. It was one kiss. I shook my head and nodded at him. He raised an eyebrow at me and continued, "We will send you girls off early in the morning and we will let you girls shop. Then you will join the prince for lunch/dinner."
"I assume this is going to be a test on our ability to socialize and shop. Proper etiquette in public?"
Adam smiled, "Smart girl!" He applauded me.
"I'm sorry, but should a royal want to spend their money... or no?"
Adam winked at me, "There is no right or wrong answer. Just have a good reason to why."
I nodded, he's right I guess.
"I think I'm going to explore a little."
Adam got busy with my closet iPad and didn't respond to me. So i stepped out quickly and made my way down the hall. I made a couple of turns and found myself near the hall that Adam pulled me in to talk. I leaned again the window at the very end and looked out of it.
Should I go to Matthews room?
I feel like he should make more efforts to see me. Does he even like me? I know these are school girl thoughts, but they are also thoughts of concerns. I don't want to die. I direct myself to that fear that prickles inside of me. Almost shutting me down. But I have to remember why I am here and what I have to do.
Not only do I need to think about that, but I have to remember about the humans revolting and backlashing against the vampires. If it gets too out of hand, then I have no choice but death. There has to be a reason why. There has to be.
I know the vampires have found ways to control us, they basically own us, but they do give us good lives. Well us that are wealthy. Maybe just maybe my mind is clouded and I can't see past what is important.
———-
DING. DING. DING.
I jumped up with grog dragging me down. It's time, time to prove myself. Do I have the energy? Right now, no. In an hour, maybe.
I got up and put some leggings and dark red blouse on. Hazel came in and fixed my hair into a beautiful ponytail. She also did my makeup and I have to give her props. I think she does better than the makeup crew.
Once finished I lined up with the others girls and unlike me the excitement boomed through the halls.
"Okay ladies!" Adam shouted over us.
"Let's line up, we have to get on the plane. Then we will be off."
We did as he said and we all crowded into the plane. After a couple of minutes we were off and the inside of the windows of the plane were blacked out. So we couldn't see what was going on down on earth. For whatever reason, I don't know.
I laid my head back and relaxed. No point in worrying. I'm so exhausted. I hate waking up early like this.
The plane tumbled back to earth and we all lined up. "Ladies, we aren't going to let you tour the land of Japan, for specific reasons. But we have condensed everything into one courtyard. It will give you the feeling of shopping and bars. Every little detail anyone would love." Adam said smirking at us.
I sighed, I was honestly a little disappointed. I really wanted to explore japan.
We all piled out of the plane and I think we all gasped in awe. Even though everything was condensed it was beautiful. The typical look of Japan.
They had little shops crowding eachother with the owners of the shops waiting at the door.
The only way I know how to describe it, is that it looked like a fair. You see people with their tents and items they want to sell under them. The girls giggled and prepared themselves for the enjoyment of shopping. I wasn't going to lie either, I'm excited. Get my mind off of the craziness of my life now and enjoy some shopping.
"Ladies! Welcome to japan! You all have 3 hours to enjoy the walkway and shop. You each get 114,000 yen. Which is a 1,000 dollar in American money.. give or take. This is also an opportunity to get to know another culture. Use this time wisely, because as a worldwide queen you have to communicate and rule them all. Enjoy ladies!"
A lady walked around and called us one by one. We walked up and grabbed a red handbag with the money in it.
The girls gathered in groups, huddling next to one another getting excited.
I was even excited. I honestly wish Lexi was in the same group as me, so I could shop with atleast one friend.
Once we had our money, we were dismissed and made our way to the stores.
The girls huddled in groups around one that seemed popular, i looked at the sign and it read, 王子のお気に入り. The princes favorite.
I shrugged and continued on down the line to the other shops. I found one with some of the clothing that traditional Japanese women wear, a kimono.
"Hello!" The lady who was running the tent said as she bowed at me.
"Hello." I said bowing back.
"How can I help you?"
I thought about it for a second and pointed at the kimonos, "I think I would really love one of those. I've never had one and I think I would love it." She smiled at me and led me to the rack. She showed the style and size that would fit best to my body. I smiled as I saw how beautifully made each one was made.
I pulled out a red one with cherry blossoms covering it, "I think this one will be the one."
I finished checking out and made my way back up to the front. The girls had scattered from the store and I noticed what was in it, regular clothes! Just something we would wear if we were at the castle or for a competiton.
"That is so ugly!" Ashley smirked at me. I rolled my eyes preparing for this bullshit.
"And that isn't?" I said raising my eyebrows at the lacy shirt that could easily show off anyone's boobage.
"Atleast i will get noticed and not look like a nun all covered up."
"Atleast I don't have to show my boobs to get noticed" with that I flipped my hair and walked away. I could feel the daggers stabbing me in the back.
"She really hates you" said a girl next to me. She had black hair and green eyes. She also had something that almost every girl here didn't, a curvy figure. "You haven't noticed?" I said.
She began to laugh an obnoxious laugh. I snapped my head her direction and watched as she rolled. "Are you okay?" This is honestly a weird conversation.
"Yeah, I just find it hilarious. How she is so jealous of you. And you still act like you don't care."
"Well, I do care that she feels this way.. I'm just ignoring it, because it's petty."
"I would do the same. Honestly! You are strong though because I probably would have flipped out on her already. Especially with all the rumors that she gets these girls to believe about you. I'm sure that's why everyone avoids you."
My eyes widened.. "rumors?"
She became still and shocked, "Yeah.. y-you didn't know?"
I shook my head.
"Well, she's told people about how you used to starve yourself for attention. How you tried to screw her brother... I mean it gets nastier."
"Wow..." I felt like my bubble had bursted in my chest. Even though probably only 1 of those things are true, I can't believe the one person who I thought was my best friend would throw me under the bus. Just for a prince and a competiton on top of that. Yeah I'm trying to win, but I would never throw her under the bus.
I leaned against a wall, feeling the excitement and want to be here leave. I don't want to enjoy japan. I don't want to have dinner with the prince. I want to go back to the room I mope in. I want to cry and I want to see my family.
I could tell the girl was getting weirded out by my reaction, she looked at me pitifully and back away a little.
"Sorry, I'm just shocked" I quickly said.
"I can tell" she backed away and made a good amount of distance between us. Before I knew it she made an escape to her group and they were off shopping.
I stayed and watched the girls shop until the time ran out. I knew in my heart that everyone would be upset with me for not just getting over this and moving on. Honestly, I wish I could. I am human though and it felt like that girl had taken a dagger and shoved it into my heart more.
I couldn't take myself back away from everything that was going on. I needed to stay here.
A huge alarm began to beep, stopping all of us from shopping and we all gathered around the beginning of the shopping center. "Ladies we are going to turn in our pouches and what we bought and go to the tables, where prince Matthew will meet you all."
We made our way to the line and handed everything in. I could see the disappointment in Adams eyes as he saw my pouch and clothes.
I lined up at the tables with the rest of the girls. I could see the apprehension from everyone as I sat down. Now I see it.
We all waited and waited and waited and waited. A good 2 hours had passed before we heard whether we were ditched or not.
Nighttime was about to fall and the lights around us turned on. It was beautiful once again.
"Ladies! We are ready for you!" Adam said. We all turned and followed the path of lights down to the a huge bonfire. Matthew sat on one of the benches looking at all us as we entered in awe. Ashley and the blacked haired girl rushed over and bowed. They got the seats right next to him and cuddled up as close as they could.
I took the one farthest away from Matthew, he didn't even make eye contact with me either. He kind of acted like he was avoiding me. I was avoiding me.
"Ladies I'm so excited to get the chance to sit with all of you and have the chance to get to know all of you. I know it's not the same as one on one, but it's definitely better than a crowd." They all giggled at his joke.
"I think we should get to know eachother. We should go around and talk about their favorite color, memory, and what they like about all of this so far". All the ladies looked amoung eachother and smiled.
"Well start with you Ashley."
"Okay! Well, I like every color. And my favorite memory is definitely the first time I seen you. And the best thing so far is definitely sitting next to you." She smiled and clapped.
I rolled my eyes at her.
The ladies kept talking and going around. We all stopped when we heard a rustle behind us and a scream.
I turned and narrowed my eyes trying to see where it came from.
"MA" the person stopped and nothing else came. I looked back and Matthew stood up. "Girls go back to the plane."
Fear prickled in everyone's eyes and the girls did as he said. He began to lead all of them down the pathway. I followed behind them.
Suddenly I felt a claw grab at me and I turned.
"Come here pretty girl." A growl came out. I stopped and froze in fear. I slowly turned and to my horror I saw a half blood. His big red eyes pierced my soul as I couldn't take my eyes away. He was meant to be a 5'9 man, but being half blood he easily was a 6'5 creature. His back bent forward and his hands held claws. Not fingernails, claws. So he could shred his victims easier.
I wanted to scream, I wanted to run, but my body froze. I couldn't breath, I couldn't even hear my heart thud. Is this what life flashing before your eye feels like?
Because that's how I felt.
I heard the girls finally catch up to my speed and they screamed.
Before anyone else could get to me the half blood jumped on me. I felt my body thud on the ground. His weight held me where I was. I closed my eyes preparing for my death.
The girls behind me began to scream and suddenly I opened my eyes to see the halfblood cut my arms as he held me down too hard. Finally my brain reacted and I screamed out.
Suddenly Matthew was there, he narrowed his eyes and looked at the half blood as he enjoyed his next snack. Me.
"Stop." He growled. The half blood looked up and it was like he had seen his worst nightmare. I could see the fear flash through his eyes as he backed away from me.
Guards quickly apprehended the halfblood and I heard his sequel as they shredded his body up and put it into the bonfire.
I felt my body began to convulse. It began to quiver from the pain and blood loss.
I'm going to die. It's my time. I feared it, but it's came. The painful but sweet death has came to steal me from this terrible world.
"No!" I heard Matthew scream.
"Annabeth wake up, don't close your eyes."
I watched as he began to become blury. Everything was blurry.
Sweet sweet death come to me peacefully