The Vampire Prince goes to High School (Book 1)

Demands

"Rin, everything alright?" My mom called from the hallway.

I quickly grabbed the note and crumbled it into ball. Moments later, my mom entered my room.

"What's wrong?" she asked me.

I quickly shook my head. "Nothing. I - I just can't seem to wake up this morning."

My mom pursed her lips. "Alright," she said, "well, come down for breakfast. Don't take to long."

"I won't."

Once she had closed the door, I tore the note and tossed it in the trash. A strange feeling came over me. My head was spinning and it was hard to breathe. 

How had he found out where I lived? He shouldn't have know. He shouldn't have . . . and yet, he had. 

Was - was he watching me?

I hugged myself and looked around my room. Could he be listening? Were there cameras? I backed out of the room as soon as I could and slammed the door shut. My parents appeared at the foot of the steps.

"Rin? Honey, what's wrong?"

I looked down at them. What was I supposed to tell them? "S-sorry," I stammered out. "Let's eat first."

I took the steps two at a time. I didn't miss the look my parents gave each other. I grabbed my breakfast from the pan and sat at the table. I shoveled food in my mouth to discourage my parents from asking me any questions. 

All I needed to do was to act calmly. I couldn't let them suspect anything. Then again, I probably ruined that already. 

Maybe, maybe I could ask Alexander to take a look around my room. There was no harm in asking right? I'd just tell him that maybe Carlos or those Purists had gotten into my room somehow and they were spying on me. Like he would ever believe that.

Or, I could just ignore the note. If I ignored it long enough, it would just go away. He would get tired of bothering me. All he wanted was attention. If I didn't give it to him . . . he would go away. He had to. 

A few minutes later, my mom walked into the kitchen. I'd thought Dad would follow but he didn't. 

"Thanks for the food," I mumbled.

"You're welcome," my mom said.

She took a seat beside me. Her hand touched my arm and I had to stop myself from bolting. 

"Did you get enough sleep last night?" she asked.

I put my fork down. I was sure she could hear my thundering heart. "N-not really," I replied. 

"Are you having nightmares again?"

I swallowed thickly. "I don't know," I croaked out. "I can't remember what dream."

My mom squeezed my arm. "That happens a lot," she agreed. "How's school? Everything alright? Is the Prince bothering you anymore? If he is, let me know. I'll have Mr. Keys straighten him out."

A smile found its way to my face. "It's fine, Mom. Ale- the Prince isn't bothering me. I think he learned his lesson."

"I hear he still goes to school."

I shrugged. "He does. Maybe he's serious about learning."

My mother's forehead creased. "I don't want you around him," she said. "With what happened on the news -"

"Mom," I interrupted. "You don't honestly think he did that, do you?"

"I don't know what to believe," she answered. "I just know that I want you safe. So, if anything happens, anything at all. Tell me."

My eyes burned. I wanted to tell her . . .  "I'll let you know if anything happens," I told her.

"Alright. Finish eating and get dressed. You're going to be late for school."

#

"Miss Borek, nice of you to join us."

I forced a slight smile on my face. Warily, I took my seat. There was nothing waiting for me on the desk. There was no writing or notes. The inside of the desk was also empty. I let out the breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. 

Mentally, I scolded myself. People were noisy at this school. If they found a random note laying around they would read it and the whole thing would spread like a disease. But what if there was a note waiting on the desk upstairs?  I bit my lip. No, it was best not to think about it.

It was then that I noticed that everyone was already whispering. The news had already spread throughout the school. The Vampire Prince hadn't gone to school today. I had a couple of people ask me in the hallway where he was at and I told them the truth. They didn't believe me.

He'd said we would see each other in school but he wasn't here. Where was he? Fear made my heart pound furiously. After receiving that note . . . No, he was fine. Alexander was running a little late. He did that. Plus, if I worried about him, he would just tease me. I couldn't let that happen.

Even as the morning waned and lunch came around. Alexander didn't appear in school. I checked my cell phone every so often but I still hadn't gotten a response from him. Had something happened? My stomach clenched. No, I shouldn't think like that.

I was going to enjoy a nice lunch. Maybe Sonia would join me but then again, after telling her about her cousin, she might just hate me right now. 

I followed the crowd of students into the cafeteria. When I sat at the usual table, Sonia was there yet. I wasn't really surprised but I'd hoped she be there. I ate my lunch quickly before someone came up to me and started interrogating me about Alexander's whereabouts.

As I was halfway through my lunch, Sonia ran up. She held onto the table, gasping for breath.

"Sonia, what's wrong?"

Sonia shook her head and slammed her cellphone on the table in front of me.

"Read it," she gasped out.

Frowning, I took her cellphone. What had her like this? I opened up her phone to a news website. Almost immediately, a video started playing. I felt myself go numb. With trembling fingers, I pushed the volume buttons up. It was a live stream.

I looked up at Sonia, speechless.

There was a warrant out for Alexander's arrest.