“You’re both insane!” I yelled, clawing at Daren’s hand around my neck. “And would you let go of me!”
To my surprise, Daren listened and released his grip. His eyes never left Aiden. A shadowy aura erupted from his hand, morphing itself into claws. “It must have been so easy for you. Mr. Perfect flew through his training and had to leave for more?”
“And what about you?” Aiden held out his flaming hand. “Still clinging to those lies?”
With a low growl, Daren lunged forward, swinging his clawed hand at Aiden, who easily dodged. The fire surrounding his hand flared and he countered with his own attack.
With the fight blocking the door, I had nothing to do but cower in the corner. “What’s going on?” I whimpered.
Why did Daren think there was a tiara in my desk? Why did Aiden call me a princess? I was known throughout the school as the ‘Sophomore Freak’ who bleached her hair so much it turned white.
“I’ll destroy that tiara!” Daren declared. “Then I won’t have to listen to how perfect you are!”
“I won’t let that happen.” Aiden swung his fist, but Daren dodged, bringing up his claws in a counter.
My eyes grew wide as I realized Aiden was open for a critical hit. Daren was going to rip him apart!
“Aiden!” I screamed. A scorching pain ran through my chest and I sank to my knees.
“Princess!” Aiden used my distraction to push Daren away and run over to me. “Are you alright?”
Unfurling my hands from my chest, I looked down at what had materialized. A swirling crown topped with a crystal snowflake. “What…” I held it up and the stone around Aiden’s neck began to glow. He uncorked the vial and tapped it out.
“Here, take this.” He said, holding it up to the crown. It merged with one of the center swirls, a silver tendril holding it in place.
He stood and turned to face Daren. “You should give her yours as well.”
“Why would I do that?” Daren spat. “She doesn’t know anything!”
“She’s our princess.”
“She’s your princess.” He threw his hands out and his claws materialized, looking like that one Canadian superhero. “I’m not going to follow blindly anymore!”
The door behind him swung open and Ashley walked in. Immediately, the dark aura around Daren’s hands dissipated. “What are…” Her eyes scanned the room, taking in Daren’s offensive stance and Aiden standing next to me. She shook her head and turned around. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t see this.”
When the door closed behind her, Aiden took on his own fighting stance. “Stop it.” I said, rising to my feet. Aiden immediately dropped his fists, but Daren didn’t move. “People are going to be arriving for class.”
Daren scoffed and turned away. “I’m leaving.” When he got to the door, he paused. “Later, Princess.” He said sarcastically.
I sighed and turned to my desk to unload my bag. Upon seeing the upturned wood, I groaned. Daren could have at least stuck around to clean up his mess.
“Unbelievable.” Aiden sighed. “I apologize for my cousin. Allow me to help you, Princess.”
A shiver ran up my spine. “Please don’t call me that. It gives me goosebumps.”
He righted the desk and started picking up notebooks. “Then, Gwyneira?”
“Gwen.” I righted the chair and put my bag on top of the desk. “There. And no one has to know.” I looked over at Aiden and saw he was standing awkwardly, looking anywhere but at me. “Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing. Just…” He finally looked me in my eyes. “There isn’t time to explain everything, so I’ll tell you later. But, for now, keep the tiara safe.”
The tiara! I looked over at where I put it in my bag. “Right, your charm. How do I get it off?” I pulled it out and started pulling on the red stone.
Aiden put his hand on mine to stop me. “It’s meant to be there. I promise I’ll explain later, but for now…” He glanced around. “I… have to go to class.”
“Okay.” I carefully put the tiara back in my bag and placed it between my desk and the wall. “That should be safe.” I turned back and Aiden was still standing there, looking nervous. “Go to class. I’ll be fine.”
He nodded and walked to the door. He paused with his hand on the knob and looked back over his shoulder. “I’m sorry.” He whispered before opening the door and disappearing down the hall.
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