Games of Ambrosia {Book I}

6. The Selection (Part II)

      My face was still flustered from my encounter with Caspian. I sucked in a breath and let it go heavily, crashing onto my bed. My thoughts were running wild: I daydreamed of his hypnotizing eyes and his chiselled features, then scolded myself for it. I needed to focus. I didn't need any boy interfering with my life right, I could do things on my own and worked perfectly fine independently.

      I hated feeling vulnerable and relying on other people. Because when they leave, it always ends up causing pain by stabbing you right in the heart. I merely survived when I had lost Caden. I lost a part of myself along with him, for a long while I didn't who I was anymore without him. That pain has happened to me before, I couldn't ever handle that feeling of sorrow again. I was terrified of it.

      Without realising it, my cheeks were tear-stained. I needed to take a walk and breathe, I hadn't expected to be so emotional this early today. I go to the bathroom and take a look at myself in the wide mirror. My eyes were all puffy and red. Making things worse, I rub them with my long sleeve, sighing. I felt disgusting.

       I pulled my hair up from the back of my neck and twisted it into a full bun. Taking one last deep breath, I went out the door towards the Gardenia. I tried to find my way and eventually didn't know where I was anymore. I entered an empty hall, which I assumed to be the other dorm rooms for the Chosen.

      When one door opens and a tall blonde guy comes out of it, I thought of asking him for directions. When he turned towards me, I was surprised by how angel-like he looked. His hair held a honey golden shine, which complimented his tan skin and feverish amber eyes gracefully.

"Hi?" He said hesitantly, probably a bit disturbed at how unsubtly I was gaping at him.

Regaining my senses, "Hey, um... Sorry, do you know where the Gardenia is? I got a bit lost along the way," I say sheepishly.

He chuckles, a harmonious sound that perked my ears up and caused me to smile back unconsciously.

"Well, it's definitely not in the dormitory. It's on the opposite side actually, so your sense of orientation is probably a bit off," he says on a teasing tone.

He was so easy-going and friendly, it felt almost unfamiliar. It has been so long since I've talked with someone in such an amicable way.

"If you want, I can go with you. I was heading to the pond near the Gardenia anyways," he offered with a dazzling smile.

"Yes, that would be great actually."

He starts leading the way and I have to double my pace to catch up with his long strides. I'm actually a pretty decent height and not that short of a girl, but he quite frankly towered over me.

"So what's your name?"

I suddenly remembered that I didn't know his name. "I'm Beatrix. Syleph. You?"

"You can call me Zach."

"You know, it feels really good to finally be able to talk to someone. You're actually really friendly."

He laughed. "Yes, I could say the same. Everyone's so... cold here. I can understand why, I mean we don't even know who's the next person who'll put us in a comatose."

I nodded my head in agreement as we turned right down the hallway.

"I completely agree. I still find it kind of sad, everyone's nerves are on edge and we're treating each other quite hostily. They shouldn't do this to us."

"What do you mean?" He inquired.

"I mean that they shouldn't turn us against each other. In any other situation, we would have all been friends by now!"

"Sadly, it's not the case..."


      We chatted a bit more about the upcoming Selection and the Numbering, finally reaching the garden. It was even more beautiful during the day. The sun hit the flowers all across, their different colours popping under the bright sunlight. The pond was an image straight out of a painting. Filled with white gardenias all over the clear water, it was one of the purest things I had ever seen...

"Which faction are you from?" I asked.

"Vampire," Zach smirked at the shocked look on my face and leaned back. 

"No way! I thought you were from the Angel faction, even though I didn't recognize you from anywhere."

"I know, I get that a lot. I take it you're from the Angel faction then?"

I nod, sitting down on a bench near the pond.

Still incredulous, "But, seriously? You, a vampire?" 

He laughed. "Yeah, I know. It really doesn't show, huh? Look, I'll show you."

Fangs started extending from his canines, his eyes growing red. I flinched, not expecting 

the scare.

"I don't get why all the factions are so against us. You people consider us all bad, but the truth is vampires aren't all that bad. Like me."

He laughs and I join him.

"I can see that. I think it's mainly because of what people think you portray... In Faction Knowledge class, teachers spoke of you vampires as the 'shadows'. Everything dark, mysterious. Your people represent selfishness, fear, seduction, blood lust and bloodshed."

His jaw clenches.

"But I was so intrigued about the Vampire Faction of all. I fear your people, but at the same time... it captivates me how you thrive in darkness with such grace..."

His features soften and Zach smiles. "You should see my twin, though. The polar opposite of me."

Doubletake.

"Wait. What? You have a twin? But that would mean..."

He nodded sadly, "Yes, we're both here."

I stayed silent for a minute.

"That must be terrible," I added softly, "for your parents, I mean."

Zach looked at me with a strange look. "Yeah. They wanted my father to choose between my brother and I. I wanted to go, but I never thought he'd say that he'd go with me."

I was in awe. "You two must be really close..."

He chuckled, amused. "Not really. In some ways, on a certain level, yes. But not really. He's... complicated." He whispered the last part.

Ruffling his wavy golden hair, Zach seemed a bit lost in his thoughts.

"Anyways... I think we should get going and get ready for tonight."

"Oh, I didn't see the time go by."

We started walking back inside.

"It was nice getting to know you," he said.

"Same to you. See you tonight," I smiled.

"See you soon, Beatrix."

My name sounded heavenly on his lips.