Suspicion

Nicole Jane's POV We were walking silently on our way to the clinic. Meanwhile, I continued to ponder over what had happened. There was definitely something wrong. I glanced at my wristwatch for a second just to check the time. But I was taken aback when I noticed that our next class had already begun. 'We should leave. Our class is starting, and we weren't hurt much anyway," I was about to pull Mikan away, but Miley immediately blocked our path. 'You don't have to worry about anything. Vince and Hiro already informed your teacher that you won't be able to attend today." 'What?" I was about to protest, but they quickly dragged us away, leaving us with no choice. When we arrived at the clinic, we found Kyle sitting inside. I wondered what he was doing here. I decided to ignore him and the nurse welcomed us right away. 'Please treat the gashes on their arms. Both of them fell in an accident," Reiri said. The nurse attended to us promptly. She first approached Mikan, so I looked around to pass the time. But my forehead furrowed when I caught her staring at me, though not particularly at my face. I followed her gaze, and only then did I realize that she was staring at my neck. Then I remembered the red mark that had suddenly appeared a while ago. I had almost forgotten about it. 'Miss, could you please focus on treating this instead? I don't know why I suddenly have this," I pointed to the right side of my neck. She looks at me for a moment, then shook her head. 'I'm sorry. But I don't think there's anything I can do about that. It's not the kind of wound or illness that can be treated. Actually, it seems familiar to me. I just can't remember where I first saw that mark." I suddenly felt disheartened by what I heard, and my companions just nodded in response. Maybe it really was a birthmark! But it was weird because it only appeared now, and in such a visible area. It looked so ugly! 'Hey! What the hell is your problem?" I was surprised when Kyle suddenly pulled me up. He looked at my arm as if he was examining it. 'Your wounds are healed," he said more to himself. 'Oh my! Yes, Nicole! Your bruises are gone. How did that happen?" Mikan asked, amazed. I blinked. Then I stared closely at my arm as well. There was no trace of any wounds or bruises anymore. 'I d-don't know." It feels like I just saw the wounds a while ago. 'Don't tell me they just healed on their own? Could it be that you have vampire blood, Nicole?" I glared at Mikan as she suddenly burst into loud laughter. I felt that everyone in the room, except for the two of us, tensed up. I wonder why. Well, maybe they're just afraid of vampires. Who wouldn't be, anyway? 'Are you serious? Vampires, really?" I just shook my head at her. She's really impossible. While Mikan was being treated, I noticed that Kyle and the others remained silent. They were all looking at me as if they were studying me. I averted my gaze, especially from Miley. There's something different in her eyes that feels like it's pulling me in. I don't know. After finishing, Mikan bid me goodbye, saying she had something to attend to. The two princesses, on the other hand, mentioned that they needed to take care of something in the Student's Council Office. 'I'll leave as well. I'll probably just go back to the dorm." I turned away from Kyle and started walking away. I'll just attend the next class if I feel like it. I was about to turn at the end of the hallway when I suddenly froze. I almost jumped in surprise when he suddenly appeared in front of me. 'Do you need anything?" I asked him, puzzled. 'I just have a few questions for you," his face had a serious expression. I suddenly felt nervous. 'Okay. W-what is it?" I stammered. It's strange. I think this is the first time we've talked like this, without shouting or arguing. 'Have you noticed anything unusual about yourself recently?" he asked directly. I furrowed my brow. Why would he ask that? Could he have noticed something about me too? I met his gaze confidently. 'That's none of your business." I was about to pass by him. But he suddenly grabbed my arm and forcefully pressed me against the wall. He leaned both of his hands on the wall, trapping me. Our faces were just an inch apart. I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin. And then my heart. It's beating so fast right now. As if it has been beating like this for a long time for the man in front of me. 'H-hey! What are you—" I was silenced when he brought his face even closer to mine. Good heavens. 'Will you answer my question..." He looks down on my lips. 'Or should I just kiss you instead?" I suddenly swallowed. Is he threatening me or trying to make me feel giddy? Why does it seem like it would be better if I just didn't answer his question? My eyes widened, and I tilted my head in confusion. Where the hell did that come from, Nicole? 'Fine! I'll answer! Just stay away from me for a moment." I tried to push him away, but he didn't budge. 'Don't test my patience. I'm waiting." His jaw tightened. Wait, why does he look so attractive when he did that? I shook my head again before avoiding his gaze. It's difficult, as I might completely get pulled in by this man's charisma. 'Fine! I'll answer your question." He slightly backed away from me. 'Good." I took a deep breath. 'Ever since I turned eighteen, I noticed that there were so many changes that suddenly happened to me. I started doing things that I'm not actually capable of doing. Like I can do impossible things. And now, there's something coming out of my body." He suddenly fell silent. I met his intense gaze. 'Is my answer okay already?" He continued to stare at me for a few more seconds. The longer it went, the more I felt something different about him. I felt like I have been with him and I already knew him for a very long time. That we have this certain connection with each other. Then the familiar set of deep brown eyes that's looking straight into mine. It's as if I already stared at it a long time ago. Telling me something that can't be spoken with words. Then he leaned closer... and closer... and closer. Our lips almost touched when... 'You guys are so sweet." I came back to my senses and automatically pushed Kyle away upon hearing Kira's teasing voice. But my eyes widened when Kyle threw himself against the opposite wall. I covered my mouth, accompanied by a deep gasp. I only pushed him lightly, so why did he fly that far? Kyle and Kira both gave me a confused look, their mouths hanging open. An awkward silence ensued, and I was the first one to break the ice. I forced a smile as I turned to Kira. 'Kira, it's not what you think, okay?" I also faced Kyle and flashed a peace sign. 'Sorry, Kyle. But I really need to leave. Bye!" Without waiting for them to speak, my trembling legs carried me away, running without looking back. When I reached our dorm, I immediately headed to my room. Panting, I leaned against the door as soon as I closed it. I stared blankly for a moment. How did I do that? Reluctantly, I gazed at my hands. Suddenly, I remembered what Mikan said earlier. Could it be that you have vampire blood, Nicole? I shook my head. It's impossible. Seriously! A vampire? She must be kidding me. She just enjoys reading about those kinds of creatures, that's why she thinks of all sorts of things. But I can't deny the fact that there's really something wrong with me. I grabbed my laptop and slumped onto the bed. The next thing I knew, I was already typing details about vampires. I kept on browsing until the topic about the characteristics of vampires caught my attention. Super strength Pale skin Cold skin Accelerated healing Decelerated aging Heightened senses Strong hearing Accelerated speed Eyes become red when angry I suddenly stopped and tried to recall all the unusual things that had been happening to me in the past few days. Super strength. Just a while ago, I pushed Kyle lightly. But I was surprised when he suddenly flew back forcefully. Pale skin. I automatically looked down at my skin. I sighed in relief when I noticed it wasn't pale. Yeah, I wasn't. But most of the students here did have pale skin. That was the first thing I noticed about all of them here. Cold skin. I touched my hand, and it's still warm, as it should be. But not most of the students here... I still remember when Butler Lin, Kyle, and Miley held my hand. Their hands were freaking cold, which made me flinch and shiver. Accelerated healing. I immediately thought about the mysterious quick healing and disappearance of my wounds and bruises earlier. Decelerated aging. I haven't noticed it yet because I'm still a teenager. But if you look closely, Kyle and the others look too young for their age. Even the teachers here and other staff members. Heightened senses. Oh. That night at the supermarket. It was so dark, and yet I managed to see what was happening around me. Strong hearing. Wait. Earlier, while I was talking to Mikan, I felt and heard their whispers even though they were far away. Accelerated speed. It struck me. That incident a while ago when I suddenly appeared in front of Mikan as fast as the wind. Then I remembered the times when Kyle and the others would suddenly appear out of nowhere. It has happened many times. The latest was when he appeared out of nowhere in front of me earlier. Eyes turn red when angry. I haven't been completely angry in the past, so I still have no idea about it. But I already saw Kyle get mad, and that night when I saw his eyes turn red, I couldn't sleep enough. And earlier, when Mikan jokingly mentioned being a vampire, they suddenly became tense and silent. Even the nurse. Crap. I was dumbfounded when all of this information finally sank into my mind. Everything that happened and the characteristics I noticed they all match up. I didn't want to believe it yet. But here I am, facing all the answers. Maybe that's why most of the students here seem weird. There's something mysterious about them that gives you goosebumps. And the way they look at us, it's as if we're different from them. Because they are truly different. Or are they the only ones? I pulled my hair in frustration. It's so confusing. I can't understand anymore. It's just hard to believe. Because I feel like I'm just like them. Because they possess most of these characteristics. Which I was too. But who the hell are they, really? Most importantly, who the hell am I? *** Kyle Ethan's POV 'Ever since she turned eighteen, there have been so many changes that suddenly happened to her?" Vince asked. I just nodded at him while I continued to ponder deeply. We're all here now in the mansion's living room, and we've been discussing the things Nicole and I talked about earlier. I'm confused because even I started feeling something unusual in my body and strength since I turned eighteen. I just don't know if it's a coincidence or if it was really meant to happen. And as I gazed at her earlier, it felt like I've known her for a long time already. Everything about her seems familiar to me. Even her sweet scent. Most especially her lips. If Kira hadn't arrived during those times, I probably would have kissed her already. I just don't understand why I have such a strong desire to kiss her. I involuntarily placed my hand on my left chest. My heartbeat quickened once again. It's all because of her again. But what surprised me earlier was the strong force I felt pushing me when she touched me. However, that's not the only thing bothering my mind right now. I'm also troubled by what Kira told me about Nicole and me sharing the same birthdate and the sudden headache I experienced. I was about to chase after her when she left earlier, but I had to close my eyes and sit down because of the intense pain. While my eyes were closed, I saw two images. I couldn't make out their faces clearly, they were too blurry. The only thing I'm sure of is that they were a boy and a girl engaged in an argument. But I became even more confused because of what I saw next. The boy was talking to a girl. They were discussing the same things Nicole and I talked about. Then he was about to kiss the girl when she suddenly pushed him away. The force was so strong that the boy was propelled backward and hit a tree. It was the same scenario that happened to us. The locations were different, but the events were similar. But who could those people that I saw be? And what could that incident mean? Why do I feel like I know them even though I couldn't make out their faces? 'I'll just be gone for a moment." We all looked at Kira and nodded. I just kept my gaze on him until he completely disappeared. I know he has something bothering him right now. Earlier, on our way here, he was just lost in thought. Even if I want to talk to him, I'll let him be for now because I have other things to understand and prioritize. Besides, maybe he needs some time alone too. Hiro stood up and slammed the table. He looked frustrated. 'I'm really losing my patience with this Nicole! I'm sure our parents know something about this, so why don't we just ask them?" I looked at him seriously. 'No. We will find the answers on our own. We don't need their help. Because I'm certain they will only lead us astray from the truth," I said in a matter-of-fact tone. 'Kyle is right. So, if possible stop being so self-centered," Reiri glared at him. Hiro didn't back down, and I felt like there was some unseen tension between the two of them. When will they ever get along? 'Don't worry. Reiri and I will take care of Nics. Aside from Ate Mikan, I know she trusts the two of us, no matter how much she denies it," Miley tapped my shoulder. 'So, it's settled then. We'll take care of the rest. Hiro and I will be the ones to return to the palace to find the book," Vince dragged Hiro out without him being able to protest. 'We're leaving too, Brother. We'll try to search something in Nic's room. I know it's bad, but we don't have any other choice," Miley and Reiri left as well. So, I was left alone completely. But just a few minutes after they left, my head suddenly started hurting again. Damn it! Why again? I couldn't help but let out a loud scream and tightly hold onto my head before I finally fell to the floor. It hurts more now compared to earlier, causing me to shut my eyes tightly. But I was startled when sudden scenes appeared in my mind once again. 'Hey, grumpy prince! Come out and stop hiding there. What are you doing here again? Are you stalking me?" a woman's voice exclaimed. A man emerged from behind the bushes. 'I'm not following you, snobbish princess. Don't flatter yourself. I just happened to pass by and saw you." The girl crossed her arms. 'Oh really? I know you have a crush on me, that's why you're always following me!" she shouted at him. The man suddenly looked away. 'S-stop it! I don't like you, okay? You're not even beautiful." The girl's eyes narrowed. 'What did you say? Do you know that you're the only one who has ever said that to me?" She stomped her feet on the ground. 'Because of that, be prepared because I will never forgive you!" The girl started running towards the direction of the man. But she couldn't catch up to him as he ran faster than her. 'You're so weak, Jade!" the boy teased her when he looked back. 'Don't be too arrogant, Carl! I'll eventually catch up to you!" The girl ran even faster. I suddenly opened my eyes and the pain in my head gradually disappeared. 'What's that?" Even though I couldn't clearly see their faces again, I'm sure they were the same people I saw earlier. Their voices were exactly the same, and it seemed like I had heard those words from them before. Jade and Carl. Who the hell are the two of you?