She was trying to keep it together, but she kept dozing off. It was Mr. Mathryn's class and he would get really angry if he were to catch someone sleeping in his class. Especially since she was the Vicepresident of their school.
*Ugh, screw this. I'm so skipping next period.*
But for now, that still meant that she had to endure it a little while longer. There were still 15 minutes left. And Mr. Mathryn was talking. Unfortunately.
"The apparition context of this one particular novel was quite complex. Open your textbooks at page 34. Does anyone want to read this paragraph?"
"Not me", she mumbled at her deskmate and giggled barely audibly.
The other girl did nothing more than threw her a rather disgusted glance and ripped a bit of paper from her ntotebook. She scribbled something on it. It read:
Angy, you're horrible. Did you drink last night again?!
She smirked again and put her head on the table after their literature history teacher chose someone to read that paragraph.
With her forehead on the table, she whispered:
"Yeah, I did. Does that make me a horrible person?"
Her deskmate looked at her in disbelief.
"Seriously, is this all you wanna achieve in high school? Hangovers in literature history class?!"
Another giggle from the one nicknamed Angy. It seriously got on the other girl's nerves.
And she didn't seem to be the only one to hate it. Mr Mathryn was renowned for his extremely good hearing... .
"Miss Shion", he said, his voice firm and cold.
She didn't react to that. She knew everyone was looking her way. And it didn't really bother her.
"Miss Angelica Shion"
Her deskmate kicked her under the table. So much for her little pretend play.
"Yes?", she finally answered, a serene expression on her face.
She rose to her feet and looked their history teacher directly into the eyes. Angelica was fairly beautiful for her age, but that was not what made her presence so unforgettable. It was her teasing smirk. The way she conducted herself. She had been raised in a rich family, brought up to be a successful woman. And...she wasn't really, but she at least knew how to keep up the appearances.
"Are we, perhaps, disturbing your conversation?"
For the first moment, she gave him a blank stare.
*Yes, actually.*
In spite of her real thoughts, she put on an apologetic smile and said:
"My apologies, Mr. Mathryn. Disturbing your class was not my intention. I was asking my deskmate for some water because I am not really feeling well."
Angelica didn't usually bother to lie, but given the bags under her eyes and her overall look, she could definitely pass as nauseous. And that would be the best excuse to leave the classroom.
"You sure do talk quite a lot, Miss Shion, when you are not feeling well."
Soft laughter engulfed the rest of her class. They didn't particularly like Angelica.
Since she was from the Shion family, the founders of the Academy they were attending, that girl had more privileges than most children. The fact that she was only the Vice-president of the School Council was the only thing that was real about her school status. The members of the school council were chosen by students and it was impossible to meddle with the election.
That was why the President was someone else. A boy of amazing skill, conduct and intellect. A boy of slendid up-bringing and ...the youngest son of the Minister of External Affairs. No, his position was definitely not influenced by this little piece of information... .
"Miss Shion? Maybe I haven't made myself clear enough, but I am awaiting an answer from you."
*Go die, old geezer.*
"I'm sorry, but may I go to the bathroom? I seriously don't feel well at all..."
This time, she didn't even need to fake anything, she was really feeling like she could throw up on spot. The truth in her words must have reached her teacher because he allowed it immediately. The class was almost over anyway.
On her way to the bathroom, as she kept cursing herself for drinking so much again, she encountered a few girls gathered before a random classroom's door. Despite in quite the hurry, she couldn't help overhearing their conversation.
"Have you seen him today? I wonder how much more he plans on playing.."
"Huh? I haven't. I just hope he'll come out soon.. "
Confused, Angelica threw a glance at the door.
*Oh.*
It was not a random classroom. The sign on the door read: Private music room.
*So this is his practice room, huh?*
Angelica was talking about their Student Council President, Jade Sharrow.
*The rumours are true after all. He does have his own practice room, doesn't he? Spoiled brat... .*
"You there", she spoke before she even realized. "What are you doing spying on our President like that?"
The girls turned around to face her and froze when they saw her. Their vice-president.
"Uhh, we just..."
"You're skipping classes, I know. Get lost before I-"
The door opened with a gentle sound and a boy with blonde hair came out. This was Jade, the leader of the student council and the young man to steal everyone's heart, regardless of gender.
"Before you...what exactly? I'd like to see you go to classes yourself, Ange."
All the girls present had a shiver run down their spines. To be in front of their King... .
"I'm not feeling well", she answered in a soft tone. Why was it that she kept losing her voice around him?
"Then please go home and don't make so much noise." Jade had such a crystal clear voice, but it was always cold.
Angelica felt her cheeks heating up and she swore in her mind.
The other girls had all gone quiet in front of this King. Jade was keeping his poised expresion and looking down on them.
"Well...done disturbing me?"
*Why the hell are you skipping classes just to play the piano?*
Angelica was frowning at the King, struggling to bring those words out, but she couldn't. She absolutely never managed to say anything against him.
The other girls left and she was left alone with him. Not even she herself had any idea what she wanted to accomplish by being all alone with him. She raised her head a little to make eye contact.
"You know, you're quite the privileged kid. How comes you get to play the piano while the rest of us-
"
"...are skipping classes? I'm a good kid. Not so much a privileged one."
Not many people dared to interrupt Angelica, but Jade seemed to be close to making it his hobby. He didn't really wish to hear her talking. Not now at the very least.
"Do you want any explanations?"
With those words, he stepped a little closer to her, blocking the sunlight coming from the window opposite of the classroom's door. Jade was a little taller than Angelica and made things harder for her to say the least. A little smile was playing on his lips. But it was an emotionless smile.
"You're not saying anything? Should I even bother explaining this to you?"
"Uh...yes, sorry."
He giggled teasingly. What a reaction from her side.
"Well, Miss Director's Daughter, some of us have to worry about the image of our school too sometimes. I hope you are aware that someone from the student council has to open the Annual Fall Festival with some sort of performance. And honestly...who else could do that if not...me?"
*Narcissistic bastard...*
Those were her thoughts, but she couldn't retort anything, as always. Jade's presence was truly something else.
"Now then", he said, giving a sweet smile. "Is there something you need, dear Angelica?"
The way he was behaving towards her was just hard to swallow, but there was nothing she could do. It was like trying to confront royalty as a simple noble. There was nothing more she could say.
"No. Continue your playing."
Just as she wanted to leave though, he added something more to what he had previously said:
"By the way, you seem to be looking better..."
Finally having his desired peace and quiet, Jade went back in and closed the door behind him. He leaned against it and sighed, gazing absent-mindedly outside the window. The sun was throwing its rays over his beautiful pale skin and was highlighting the beauty of his green eyes. Giving in to the warmth, he closed his eyes.
"You really live up to your name, you know that?", a voice said.
Jade opened his eyes wearily, trying to shield himself from the sun.
"I do?", his voice was calm and steady as usual, but his heart was beating a little faster. This man before him...his music teacher...he really pulled at his heart-strings.
"Yeah, your eyes are literally the same color. They're beautiful."
Jade smiled.
"Now don't make me blush", he said, half whispering. "Would it be appropriate to make me blush?"
The young man let out a short laugh.
"Of course not, Jade. Or should I say...milady?"