The next day started with Arthur's loud, obnoxious laughter echoing down the hallway. "Hahaha, where is my ferocious friend? Why is there an innocent boy looking for his lover instead?" He was laughing like a madman, and I immediately regretted getting my hair cut. Damn it, his words stung because, if I thought about it, he wasn't entirely wrong.
"And when did you have time to get a piercing without me?" Arthur asked, suddenly noticing the small black stud on my ear.
"Sorry, I just felt like getting one, next time we go out remind me." I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. The truth was, the piercing had looked good, and the seller had been pretty convincing.
Arthur finally dropped the teasing and said, "Okay, jokes aside, you look fabulous. Don't take my words to heart."
I rolled my eyes but smiled at him. "Not gonna. Now let's go get a meal. I'm starving." I wrapped my arm around his neck, partially dragging him along with me. At least with him by my side, the day didn't seem so bad.
But the day was bad, worse than I'd expected. The number of stares I was getting had skyrocketed, reaching a level that felt like I was standing on top of Everest.
Was it possible my old hair had been subconsciously emitting bloodlust that kept people at bay? Now, with that barrier gone, the floodgates were open.
I spotted a group of girls attempting to approach, their confidence apparently bolstered by my new look.
"Yo, Heartbreaker, they want your autograph," I teased Arthur, nudging him as he shot me an exasperated look—the kind that screamed, *I'm engaged, remember?*
Not wanting to deal with the incoming attention, we both instinctively picked up the pace, eager to escape the growing crowd.
*Holy shit, I'm getting a bit insecure here.* The thought kept gnawing at me as I sat in the crowded classroom. *I'll never cut my hair this short again, I promise.* The attention was overwhelming—everywhere I turned, eyes were on me, scrutinizing my every move. *Fine, look all you want at the holy and glorious light you ungrateful peasants have been granted.*
I caught Jamie staring at me yet again. His gaze was intense, almost like he was trying to figure out if this really was me or some impostor. "Stop it," I said, but he didn't even blink.
*Fine,* I thought, standing up abruptly. "Where are you going?" Jamie asked, finally snapping out of his trance.
"To sit with her," I replied, making my way over to where Veronica was seated in the last row, tucked away in the corner.
Her red-haired friend, who was also coming to sit next to her, froze the moment she saw me. It was as if she'd seen a ghost—or maybe she was just stunned by my new look.
Either way, I wasn't in the mood to deal with her. I waved her off, silently directing her to go sit with Jamie.
She hesitated, still staring at me in awe, but eventually got the hint and moved, albeit reluctantly.
Veronica, however, was still lost in thought, seemingly unaware of the commotion. I reached out, gently tilting her chin so that our eyes met.
Her gaze was distant at first, but as it focused on me, I could see a mix of emotions flickering in her eyes—surprise, curiosity, and something else I couldn't quite place.
Veronica POV:-
*What the hell should I do? Should I ask Lucas to help me with my assimilation…?* The thought kept swirling in my mind, anxiety building up. I felt a tingling sensation pulling at her face, mana instinctively surging to my hand. A freezing sensation spread through my fingers, sharp and cold, until—
It vanished.
My hand grew still as she locked eyes with someone across the room. Those eyes—those familiar, emotionless emeralds—stared into mine, piercing through my thoughts. Yet, despite their usual aloofness, I could feel a hidden warmth beneath the surface, a subtle comfort that began to melt my anxieties away. It was Lucas.
For a moment, everything else faded. The classroom, the distant murmur of other students, even the lingering doubts about my assimilation—all of it dissolved as I continued to stare into Lucas's eyes. My heart pounded in my chest, and before I knew it, my body moved on its own.
I leaned in, wrapping my arms around him, pulling him close. The warmth of his body against mine felt safe, comforting, and without thinking, I pressed my lips to his. It was just a quick kiss, soft and fleeting, but the moment it happened, I realized what I'd done. My eyes widened, and I pulled back slightly, my mind racing.
*What did I just do?*
I froze, still holding him, my face burning with embarrassment. The air between us grew thick with an awkward silence, neither of us knowing what to say. My heart continued to race, pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I didn't dare look up, but I could feel his gaze on me, heavy and unreadable.
I didn't move, didn't breathe, just kept holding onto him as if letting go would shatter the fragile bubble we were in.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Arthur. He was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, a smirk plastered on his face. He looked like he was enjoying this far too much. His eyes flicked between Lucas and me, that annoying smile only growing wider.
I wanted to say something, to explain myself, to break the silence, but no words came. Instead, I stayed there, feeling the awkwardness thicken around us as the minutes dragged on.
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