Chapter 3

Tala Hill

I let out a deep breath as I got out of the director's car. Now is the only time that I felt so much happiness that we were back at the academy. Now is the only time that I remember feeling stressed and anxious. I immediately put the bandage on my left wrist after the nurse gave it to me. I wanted to hurry, but I couldn't. Miss Romanova might have doubted me if I bandaged my wrist sloppily.

We would have been home long ago if it wasn't for the appearance of the annoying man. I get annoyed again when I remember what he did to me.

“Thank you, Ma'am, for coming with me,” I thanked the director with a smile when we entered the dormitory

“Don't be silly. That's part of my job as your director,” she commented and went straight back to her office.

I was about to go up the stairs when I saw Maya hurrying down to me. “Tala, where have you been?” my sister asked immediately. “I’ve been so worried about you, not in our room for a while. If no one had told me that they saw you leave with Miss Romanova, I might have called for help already. I’m stressed knowing you're not here,” she said with a worried face. She was trembling in fear. She glared at me.

“I’m so sorry, Maya. I was in such a hurry I forgot to leave you a note. You don’t have to worry anymore. I'm already here. Safe,” I assured her. “We just went to the hospital. That’s all,” I announced.

“What! Why? Are you hurt? What happened?” Maya hysterically asked. Her eyes went to my left wrist. “What happened to your hand?” she asked again. Her voice and face are full of concern. “Is that the reason why you went to the hospital? You should have woken me up so I could go with you,” she whispered.

I sighed. How am I going to explain this to her? I sighed again and whispered to Maya. “It's fake.” I looked her in the eyes. “I was just pretending that I hurt my hand,” I added.

“What! What do you mean?” Maya asked, surprised and confused. I smiled discreetly before lifting my hand in front of her face. I moved it around. Maya's eyes widened.

“Then why did you leave? You mean to say that I was worried for nothing?” she asked.

“I need to go out of the academy. I contacted Aunt Kyndra. Don't be mad at me, Maya. I just don't want to bother you,” I said.

“You are not a bother to me, Tala. We are sisters, remember?” She looked at me dead in the eyes. “Why did you contact her? What happened?”

I did not know how to answer her questions, but eventually, I decided to tell her the truth.

“I asked for a sleeping potion.”

Her expression suddenly changed because of what I said. “What? Tala, why didn't you tell me?” Maya asked. A little offended.

I sighed. “I just don't want you to worry,” I reasoned out.

“But I’m your sister. It is my job to worry about you. We’re bound to look for each other.” She took my hand and held it tightly. I squeezed it in return. “I am always here for you, Tala. For us. Don’t take your problems to yourself. Don’t go out like that again,” she said sullenly.

I nodded. “I’m really sorry, Maya,” I sincerely apologized.

“Hmm. I’ll let it go this time because I love you. But don't you dare do it again,” she said. Threatening me with her eyes staring at me like a dagger.

I smiled. “Yes, Señorita.”

She clung at arm. “So, did anything else happen besides your conversation with Aunt Kyndra?” she asked with a knowing look on her face.

I winced. “Nothing really,” I lied.

She raised her brows while smiling at me like an idiot.

“Why are you smirking? You look—”

She laughed. “Why do I feel like something happened?”

I surrendered at her cuteness. “You are really my sister.” I sighed. We both entered our rooms. I layed down on my bed. I raised my hand to my face. I looked back at my sister. “Something happened.”

She slumped on my bed and watched me intently. “Tell me what happened,” she said. A look of excitement is plastered on her face.

“I was on the hospital's rooftop. After chatting with Aunt Kyndra, a man appeared all of a sudden.”

I watched as Maya's face suddenly lit up as if listening to a love story going to unfold. “Stop smirking. I was attacked before you feel giddy.”

“Whoa! Are you serious?”

I nodded. I thought he’s a vampire but then the sun was touching his skin. And he's big. I thought he needed a hug but then I realized he was fucking sniffing me.”

Maya burst out laughing. “I bet he's cute,” she commented.

“What the heck? I was attacked by a stranger and now you're thinking he was cute?” I asked, dumbfounded.

“Tala, I watched your eyes sparkle. I know he's handsome. Am I right?”

I stopped talking. I couldn't stop thinking about the man's face. His ruffled black hair and his beautiful eyes. His eyes as dark as the night sky.