Hidden Away

Part 11

We agreed to have as little to do with each other as possible, to avoid making people suspicious. Lucien was only here as a backup, after all. The rest... was up to me. I can't rely on magic to befriend Zachary anymore. If I do, he'll know instantly that I'm a witch! Uuu... how am I going to do this? My Phone buzzed as the teacher droned on. I stared down at the push notification- it was a message from Kenna, asking to meet after. Feeling guilty, I swiped the notification away. I hadn't had time to respond to her calls or messages... my inbox was full of them now. Sorry, Kenna... I'm a little busy fighting for my life right now... " and now, our student council representative has a little announcement to make." Zachary bowed and moved towards the front of the class. ...Is it just me, or is he walking a little stiffly? I guess I really hit him hard yesterday. Eheheheheheh. "Everyone pay attention now!" Zachary nodded graciously at the teacher, with his usual brilliant smile. If he was hurting from the fight yesterday, he was hiding it pretty well, I had to admit. He sounded just as kind and gentle like always as he made his announcement. "I'm sure everyone is aware that the Harvest Festival begins next week, yes? On behalf of the student council, I'm delighted to announce that we're making a few changes. First of all, the beauty pageant is now a swimsuit pageant." a few students began hooting in joy, while the rest just stared at him with gaping mouths. "A swimsuit contest? That's rather-" Zachary cuts the teacher off "It's to commemorate the recent completion of our in-door swimming pool, ma'am." Smooth! "and secondly, instead of being chosen by student council... The Harvest King and Queen will now be chosen through a vote by the entire student population! After which, they will head to the final Harvest Parade, as usual. We thought this would be a more democratic and satisfying way of conducting the festival." And then he gave us all a big, wide smile. After school, i headed home immediately instead of meeting with Kenna. 

"He's plotting something." I state

"i agree" Lucien nods. "but what?" I ask. "only one way to find out." Soon enough, it was the day of the festival. The swimsuit pageant ended up being one of the most dangerous events of my life. An entire line-up of hot guys wearing nothing but tight, butt-hugging swimwear? I came extremely close to having to be carried out on a stretcher. I'm pretty sure that when Zachary came out, his abs knocked most of the audience unconscious. "Everyone, please, stay calm!" Zachary yells. Lucien, on the other hand, resulted in much squealing and cooing from the crowd. "...ugh..." The more Lucien scowled, the louder the screams got. Zachary had dragged him into it to get him to 'mingle more', apparently. Zachary had tried to get me to participate too, but I had to decline no matter how hard he insisted. My scar was still there, after all. Maybe something about the witch hunters' weapons was impervious to magic... My thoughts we disrupted by the sight of my friend in trouble. "...nnhh!" On one end, Lucien was being accosted by a few overly enthusiastic fans. His eye was twitching, and I could see his fangs and ears perk up in rage... Oh no- if this keeps up, Zachary is going to notice! I have to calm him down!  But just as i started towards him, an announcement began blaring across the sky. Apparently Zachary had just been voted Harvest King- just as everyone had expected. It also announced the start of a talent show, which would be my last chance to get my votes. I had to be voted Harvest Queen for a chance to get closer to Zachary...! It was tradition for Harvest King and Queen to go on a date after the festival. Gah... what do i do? I glance over at Lucien and made up my mind instantly. Running over to Lucien, "h-hey, can you please stop that? You're making him really uncomfortable..." My quavering voice seemed to snap the rabid fans out of their trance. Apologizing to Lucien, they quickly slipped away.  "...you didn't have to do that. I was about to stretch their cheeks out to show them how it feels to be treated like mochi. Thank you, though. Shouldn't you be at the variety show?" I give Lucien a shrug, "you know what, I'm sure there are better ways of getting closer to Zachary."

"huh?" Lucien tilts his head a bit.

"I promised you that I'd show you the world, remember?"

"shining, shimmering, splendid?"

"yep!"

"but... our plan..."

"Screw the plan, the Harvest Festival only happens once every year!" I give Lucien a big smile. "It's when our student council pulls out all the stops! Come on!" 

"You're just saying this to get out of  the talent show, aren't you?"

"eheheh... Maybe?" I blush embarrassed "...It was a dangerous plan in any case. Sure, let's go then. Show me the world." he gives me a small smile. "of course!" I dragged him all over the school grounds, which had been utterly transformed. Everything had been remodeled to look like we were living in a fairy-tale. I got cotton candy for Lucien from a person dressed as a giant smiling flower... Took him on a ride through our basements, which had been converted into a haunted house. Explored the gardens and played an escape game where we had to solve riddles from a sphinx... eventually, we were so tired we just plopped ourselves down on a swing-set in the courtyard. "...so, how was it?" Lucien looks at me, "...my feet feel dead. I suppose it wasn't entirely boring, though... That girl who tried telling our fortunes using bird entrails? Angela would've enjoyed that." he smiles a softly looking at the grass. "...Yeah, i think so too." Together, we stared off in the distance as the sun began to set. We were sitting opposite of the auditorium, which had been converted into a giant palace. Music stirred in the distance as the Harvest Parade came closer and closer. "You know, if we'd followed the plan I'd be with Zachary at the head of the parade right now. I, um, you know, so, I-I kinda like being here with you better though? It... was really fun, Lucien. It's stuff like this that makes me want to stay out here in the human world... you know? Showing you how fun the world can be... it's really important to me." Lucien just stared into the distance as the Harvest King and Queen ascended the tower. Gaaaahhh, I talked too much! I wanted to stick my head in the mud and never come out again. But then... Lucien turned towards me. The setting sun struck his face, lighting his cheeks with a warm glow. "I... enjoyed that too, Echo. Thank you." My mouth dropped open. "what? Is it so shocking that I'm actually capable of enjoying things?" He asks, "N-no!" I jabbed my finger past him towards the top of the tower. "The Queen... It's Kenna?! How is that possible? She's like... the least popular girl in school besides me!" But it was true... Kenna and Zachary were standing, tall and regal, at the top of the tower. They seemed to be talking and laughing about something. "huh." Luciens eyes narrowed "something feels... strange about this." Confused, I look at him "s-strange? How?" he doesn't look at me, "Be on your guard, Echo." I furrow my eyebrows.

"why? whats happening?"

" I don't know, but..." Lucien seemed to be staring at the area just around the tower, frowning. "Lucien? What-" But before i could finish the sentence, a scream streaked through the sky.