Chapter 4: Trust Him

Nicole Jane’s POV

I was startled when I heard a series of knocks on the door. I didn’t have any intention of bothering with it. But it seemed like whoever was disturbing me had no plans of stopping.

“Wait a moment!”

I lazily got up and rubbed my eyes. Once I stood, I immediately headed towards the door and opened it for whoever was on the other side.

“What is—” I wasn’t able to finish my sentence because Mikan suddenly hugged me.

“What the? Get away from me!” I quickly pushed her away, and luckily she let go immediately.

“Geez, you push so hard! While you’re the one who just woke up and hasn’t even taken a shower yet.” She pouted, then went ahead inside on her own.

My eyes widened as she went straight to my bed and lay down.

I was about to pull her out when I glanced at the round clock hanging on the wall. I gasped as I noticed that it was already past seven thirty in the morning. Our time is at eight o‘clock!

I quickly grabbed my things and went into the bathroom. I can’t believe I took a shower for only five minutes!

After I finished getting ready, I pulled Mikan out. But I immediately stopped as I remembered something.

I was about to return when she tightly held onto my arm.

“Is this the thing you forgot?” She waved the bracelet that Butler Lin gave me in front of me.

“That’s mine! How did you get it?” I asked her in doubt. I took it out last night before going to bed, so I wouldn’t forget.

She raised both her hands. “Relax. I just saw it on your table earlier. I thought of taking it, so I could give it to you myself, in case you forget to wear it again,” she explained while I was putting it on.

I didn’t argue anymore, and we quickly ran towards our classroom. We were late yesterday, and I didn’t want that to happen again today.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I opened the door and didn’t see Sir Martin. We went straight to the back and sat down. We arrived just on time.

After a while, Sir Martin arrived. I listened quietly as he started teaching.

However, our class was disrupted when the door suddenly burst open.

We all looked at the newcomers. There were four of them. But the one who seemed to lead the group is...

Kyle!

I heard Mikan gasp beside me. “Oh, my! He’s really back.”

I was about to ask her why she reacted that way when I noticed Sir Martin suddenly bow his head. I looked around, and so did the rest of my classmates.

“Welcome back, Prince Kyle.”

I felt frozen in my seat upon hearing that. I couldn’t even blink.

Is he really a prince?

The four of them started to walk inside with confidence and authority, as if they’re the ones who rule the world and no one could ever go against them.

Suddenly, my world seemed to slow down as I realized they were approaching our seats while keeping their gaze straight ahead.

Kyle sat down next to me, plopping his face onto the desk.

I couldn’t help but be amazed by his behavior. He really knows how to play the part of a supposed prince, huh.

After they settled in, Sir Martin resumed his interrupted teaching. It seemed insignificant to him that his esteemed prince was sleeping.

Even though he’s really a prince, I don’t think he has the privilege to be this disrespectful. It’s not right for him to control everyone and do everything he wants by using the power he has.

I shifted my attention to his friends that were seated on the other side. To my surprise, they’re all looking at me already. It feels like they’re scrutinizing me, and I can’t understand why. Weird as ever, just like most of the people here.

I quickly averted my gaze. I don’t want them to think of anything else about me.

I decided to focus my attention on what’s in front. But no matter how hard I try to listen, my attention is still divided. As quiet as my seatmate is, Mikan is being restless on the other side.

“What’s your problem? You seem so uneasy over there,” I softly scolded her.

She glanced in Kyle’s direction before returning her gaze to me. I immediately got the message she wanted to convey, so I just let her be paranoid.

But occasionally, I can’t help but glance at Kyle. I can’t determine if he’s really asleep, or if he’s just creating some drama in his life.

Several hours passed, and along with the loud ringing of the bell, Kyle lifted his head.

Why was he sleeping in class even though it’s much more comfortable in their mansion?

Now I wonder, is there still any knowledge entering his mind?

I quickly gathered my belongings before standing up. I really want to leave this place. It feels too cramped for the both of us, and I find it hard to breathe. That’s what I feel whenever he’s near.

I almost reached the door when I felt someone bumped me from behind, then walked past me.

It’s as if a non-human entity collided with me. The force was so strong that I almost stumbled to the floor. I looked up to see who it was.

It’s none other than Kyle Ethan Clarkson, and he’s smirking at me. It’s obvious that he did it on purpose!

“Next time, learn to move aside and find your place. Stupid.”

I balled my fist. He’s the only one audacious enough to call me names!

“One more thing. Try to lessen your stares at me. You’re being too obvious,” he turned his back on me and walked away.

I was left dumbfounded. I was about to chase after him when I was suddenly blocked by three of his companions earlier.

“What’s your problem?” I asked them irritably. That frog prince is really getting on my nerves! They better not add to it, or they might become the target of my annoyance.

I was taken aback when Mikan suddenly stood beside me and grabbed my arm. She’s shaking, and I can’t help but roll my eyes. I’m even more annoyed because of her behavior.

The guy with blonde hair approached me. He looks amused. He has a sharp nose and fair skin. His eyes are chinky.

I hate to admit it, but all the students here are indeed good-looking. Is it a requirement to be good-looking once you enroll here?

“I apologize on behalf of my friend’s behavior towards you. He just woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” He smiled widely.

His smile seemed captivating, causing me to be mesmerized for a moment. In an instant, my anger towards Kyle vanished like a bubble.

I shook my head. What am I thinking?

“By the way, I’m Kira. These two with me are Hiro and Vincent.”

My attention shifted to the two guys he pointed at.

Hiro is smiling at me, while the guy named Vincent is looking at me seriously with his gray eyes. His aura is cold as well.

I engaged in a staring contest with him. I don’t have a good feeling about this guy either. He’s probably related to Kyle since they have some resemblance.

Suddenly, his forehead creased in confusion. His face clearly showed his disbelief.

“How did you do that?” he asked me in disbelief.

“How did I do what?” I asked him in return, confused. I didn’t do anything. We were just staring at each other. Is that too impossible for him?

I could feel that we were attracting the attention of other students around us. It’s already lunch break, so there are a lot of people in the corridor. I also heard some of them murmuring the words bitch and slut.

Seriously? How I want to strangle their neck right now!

“Nothing,” he answered in an inaudible whisper

I just shrugged and grabbed Mikan’s arm, then left them. It’s better to be careful as their fangirls might suddenly gang up on me.

While we were walking, I couldn’t help but notice the sharp glares from almost all the women we passed by.

Should I pluck out their eyes?

“Do you know that you’re the only one who had the courage to speak to them like that? You looked cool earlier,” Mikan said, smiling.

I just shook my head at her. Honestly, I didn’t know why she insisted in being at my side all the time. She’s too good to be my friend.

We were about to enter the dining hall when suddenly, three girls appeared out of nowhere and blocked our way. I already predicted this kind of scenario would happen, but not this soon. Can’t they just let me eat first?

“How dare you talk to the prince and the other royalties just like that? Who do you think you are? You’re just a human!” The girl who looks like their leader shouted at me.

I’m just a human? I couldn’t help but laugh at what she said. The way this girl speaks as if she’s not a human.

I took off the bracelet I was wearing and put it in my pocket in case things get heated. I don’t like having anything that could hinder me. “So, what if I speak to them like that? Will they die from it?  No, they’re not, right?”

I was about to walk passed her, but she quickly grabbed my arm. I almost flinched when I felt that coldness again.

I tried to hide the pain I felt when her long nails dug into my skin, causing small cuts that soon started to bleed.

I heard a loud gasp around. Is this the first time they’ve seen people fighting?

“Don’t you dare turn your back on me while I’m still talking to you!” She pushed me forcefully, causing me to sit on the floor.

Other students started surrounding us. Most of them looked at me as if I were some kind of prey, and they were all my predators. Meanwhile, others just looked at me with pity.

One of them is Mikan. Fear was evident on her face. She seemed lost for a moment. I know she wants to help, but she just can’t.

I clenched my right fist. I despise being pitied by everyone. I was about to stand up when a powerful voice echoed throughout the hallway. It was a voice that never fails to give me shivers and throws me off track.

“What the hell is happening here?”

As if an ocean suddenly parted, the onlookers dispersed and turned towards the voice.

I raised my gaze and was met with his piercing eyes. Besides that, for the very first time, a different emotion showed. He looked so angry and worried at the same time.

But worried about what?

I was taken aback when, in an instant, he carried me bridal style. He quickly distanced me from the scrutinizing eyes that were fixed on me.

I wrapped my arms around his neck. I felt like I was going to fall with how fast he was walking.

I glanced back to where we came from. I noticed that Kira and Hiro were talking to the other students, while Vincent was with the girls who blocked me earlier.

“Hey, there’s no need for you to do this. You’re only making it worse!” I whispered to him as we turned to the end of the hallway.

“Didn’t I tell you to always wear the bracelet?” he said angrily.

I frowned. “What’s so special about that bracelet? I was wearing it earlier. I just took it off briefly in case I had to fight that girl!”

Suddenly, everything around us blurred for a moment. I felt dizzy all of a sudden. But to my surprise, when I looked around again, we were already walking towards the clinic in the hallway.

Wait... the clinic is almost at the far end of the building. How did we get here so quickly?

But at the clinic right away? My injury isn’t serious!

When we arrived here, he opened the door by kicking it. I was taken aback. Doesn’t he have any concern for the facilities here?

A smiling beautiful lady wearing the usual nurse uniform approached us. “What happened to her?” she asked, as if the broken door meant nothing to her.

Kyle gently laid me down on the white bed that was here. I was even more surprised when he suddenly reached into my pocket and took out the bracelet from there to put it on me.

“Don’t you ever take this off. Do you understand?” His face still showed concern.

I still wanted to ask more questions, but I just nodded instead. Then he turned to the nurse who was just looking at us.

“She has small cuts. You take care of her now.” He turned away without even looking at me.

“Kyle! Wait!”

He stopped on his tracks, with his back still facing me.

“Thank you,” I said sincerely.

Honestly, he didn’t really need to help me earlier. But still, I appreciate it.

He shrugs. “Just be careful next time. Avoid getting even small injuries as much as possible.”

I furrowed my brows in confusion. “Why? Is that even possible?”

“Just trust me on this one,” he answered, then left.

It took a few seconds before what he said sank in my mind.

He wants me to trust him. Right now, even if I deny it, I know that I already did.

But just who the hell are you really, Kyle Ethan Clarkson?

***

Vincent’s POV

“How is she?” Kira asked Kyle as soon as he arrived.

He plopped down on the couch. “She’s fine. I took her to the clinic. What happened to those girls?” he asked, referring to the women who attacked Nicole earlier. They’re aristocrats.

“No worries. They have been taken to the detention room already,” I replied.

He looked frustrated. “We’ll be in trouble with Dad if something happens. Thankfully, none of the vampires there were triggered when they smelled Nicole’s blood.”

“Fortunately, the vampire students here can control their bloodlust. Besides, we have trained the vampires here to drink animal blood instead and not to crave human blood,” Kira tapped his shoulder.

Kyle nodded. “I know. But still—”

“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine, and we will make sure that this kind of incident won’t happen again,” I assured him. “Just make sure that the spoiled brat girl, and every student here always wears their bracelets,” I added.

The four of us fell into deep thought and silence for a few minutes until Hiro abruptly broke it.

“Anyway, why did you ask her like that?” my close friend Hiro asked me, sounding puzzled. I immediately understood what he meant.

We were currently in the mansion’s living room. I don’t know where our two princesses are again, seemingly lost in their own worlds.

“Ask who what?” Kyle asked curiously.

I let out a deep sigh. They deserve to know what I just discovered. “When Nicole and I locked eyes earlier—” I couldn’t finish my sentence as Kyle abruptly stood up.

“Why did you lock eyes with her?” His jaw clenched.

It seems like something affected him in what I said.

I cleared my throat and looked at him seriously. However, I couldn’t miss the stifled laughter from our other two companions.

My cousin acts as if he’s a jealous boyfriend. It’s so ridiculous.

His eyes widened. “I’m not jealous!” he defended himself before sitting back down.

I covered my mouth, but I couldn’t help bursting into laughter loudly. The other two joined in.

“If you could only see your face, man. It’s so priceless!”

We continued laughing until I felt a strong punch, causing us to stop.

“It’s all your fault. Let me finish before you react,” I said. This time, I got the attention of the three of them again.

“Here it is. You know that I can already control my mind reading ability, right?”

They all nodded in unison.

“So, I tried to use it on Nicole. But unfortunately, it didn’t work.”

They furrowed their brows. “What do you mean? Does that mean you really can’t do it yet?” Hiro asked, confused.

I shrugged. If that’s the case, then there will be no problem. But it wasn’t.

“I asked her how she did that because she managed to block me,” I explained, which made their jaws drop.