Soon the alarm rang, and the flood of students, including Mallory and me, rushed down to the arched door and stepped outside into the breathtaking scenery. Red maple trees surrounded the area, the wind making them flutter in our direction with the lush swaying grass. Mallory smiled and nudged my side, “It’s so beautiful out here! You know, I heard in some other kingdoms and cities they have indoor hallways...could you imagine that? Sounds boring.”

“It sounds better than walking out here when it rains, and please don’t talk to me while we’re at school; people already pester me enough after the night of dealing.” I clicked my tongue. Since then, people have asked me if   Mallory is kind, if she’s mean-I’ve grown sick of it. Being acquainted with Her Highness did little to dull my growing popularity; I’ve gotten stares from everyone, including the new teacher, thinking of a way to court Mallory, no doubt. I wouldn’t mind; maybe it’d get her off my back so I could live my life as a bitter rabbit lady and die in some abandoned building- scratch the dying part.

“Hello? Lila? Are you listening to me?” I jumped.

“Yeah- yeah, I was listening.” I didn’t hear a word she said.

“As I was saying---” Thankfully, she was more self-absorbed than observant, “Wasn’t he beautiful?”

“Yeah, he’s great… a swell guy. Where’s our class?” I pulled out the floor plan from my satchel and glanced over it before finding the literature room.

“Lila, you can just follow the crowd; we’re all going to the same place. Now listen to me!” She shook my shoulders, “There are far more important things to worry about. Did you see the way he looked at me? His eyes were so pretty; they were orange, right?” I fought back the urge to groan and simply kept walking. Finally, we made it to the room along with everyone else, filtering ourselves to sit with those we knew.

“Hello Everyone! I know you all just sat down, but to help us get all acquainted, I thought we’d get assigned seats!” she said with falsified enthusiasm, I hated this class already.

I wasn’t alone in this, as all other students groaned in response, “I know I know, but it’s only temporary… just until I can remember all your names.” She called roll and directed students to their new seats; luckily for me, Mallory was seated elsewhere.

Unluckily, the teacher from before, Mr. Zyanya, was now sitting next to me. I guess he really was a student. As he set his satchel down, I took a chance to glance at him; the Princess wasn’t wrong, he was gorgeous. At first glance, he appeared rather androgynous; his tan olive skin and red-highlighted dark hair were illuminated as the sun beamed through various stained glass colors; it wasn’t fair how mythical he looked. I couldn’t lie; I was mildly envious. His eyes snapped in my direction, and I was met with imperial topaz; they sucked me in, but all light and seeming joy that swirled in them vanished, and was replaced with reverence and yearning for death.

I tore my eyes away, letting them trail down to his bandage-covered neck, and shuffled a gap between the two of us. Suddenly, it felt cold as if the love of death that had flashed in his eyes enveloped me.

“Something wrong with my face?” His soft voice wormed its way through my ears.

“Did I say there was?”

“You’re staring at me like there is, so I’m asking.” His tone had become slightly defensive; I couldn’t tell why.

“No, there’s not.” My tone mirrored his, coming off slightly offensive, whoops. Technically, I was in the wrong for staring at him, but he didn’t have to confront me so rudely. I probably would have done the same, but that is far from the point; despite myself, I apologized. “I’m sorry for my rudeness.” I looked back at him and almost as if I was staring at an illusion. His expression was fixed, brighter than before.

“It’s alright, I know I’m beautiful; feel free to stare as often as you like, dollface.” I fought the urge to gag, I renounced everything I said about this boy, my face scrunched up, and I gazed at him from the side as I turned my face away. “What?” he asked cluelessly. I simply shook my head and stayed silent.