Chapter 67 New students.
I swear Quinn’s mouth ran on some kind of infinite battery. She won't shut up about Domenic even for a second.
We hadn’t even made it past the front gate of the school before she was already on her third rant about her perfect and amazing Domenic Darkshadow is. The way she talked so much about Domenic, one would think she was talking about the love of her life and not mine.
Not that Domenic is the love of my life. Or yeah, maybe I love him a little. Maybe more than a little.
Oh whatever!
“Kate,” she said for what had to be the fifth time, “do you realize how insane this is? Everyday he brings you Flowers. A freaking Greek god Mafia lord brings you Flowers every single day. Not cheap grocery store ones either. How does a man like that exist?” she shook her head in thought, "I'm still trying to figure out how you manage to get a guy like Domenic Darkshadow. It seems like a dream."
I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and kept walking, pretending the pavement was far more interesting than her commentary. “You’re exaggerating.” I said even though I knew she wasn't. I am actually lucky to have a mafia lord and vampire prince pinning after me. It's not just about his title. Domenic looks like he walked out of a fashion magazine.
“I am not,” Quinn shot back. “Domenic Darkshadow, Russian Mafia lord who ever one fears and worship is out here acting like he walked out of a romance novel." Her eyes widened as she added. "He begged to drive you home yesterday. Begged, Kate! When have you ever heard that Domenic Darkshadow begs anyone. It's always the other way around!”
I shrugged, schooling my face into indifference even as my traitorous lips twitched. “So?” I would admit that Domenic has really been going out of his way to win me back, and I'm flattered by it even though I tried to hide it.
“So?” She stopped walking entirely, forcing me to stop too. Her glare was hot against the side of my face. “If it were me, I would have forgiven him on day one. Actually scratch that. I would have forgiven him before he even apologized. I have no idea what he did to you girl, but it's time you stop holding a grudge and forgive him. I can tell that he loves you a lot. Even more than that asshole ex of yours ever did. Although I'm still wondering what he sees in you.”
I glared at her last statement and replied. "Of course you'll forgive him quickly because you have terrible judgment,” I muttered, even though I kind of agree that it's time for me to call off my stubbornness and stop playing hard to get.
She gasped, offended. “Excuse you. It's not my fault that I'm more romantic than you. I wish Domenic would even choose me instead of...”
“Quinn, shut up,” I said flatly and quickened my steps.
"One day, you’ll regret not appreciating greatness.” I kept walking and she called out again. "Hey, wait for me!"
The thing was… I did appreciate it. I just didn’t want her to know that yet. Domenic had been trying for weeks to get back on my good side. He has proven on many occasions that he likes me and was willing to give us a chance.
And the best part is, he always looked so sincere while doing everything to make me happy.
I hated that my heart reacted before my brain did. That stupid flutter every time I remembered him standing there with flowers in his hands as he waited for me outside the school building.
He wasn't bothered by the number of girls looking at him. He didn't care that there were many more beautiful girls desperate for his attention. He was waiting for me and me alone, and it made me fall deeper in love with him everyday.
It was all I had ever wanted from the beginning. I wanted him to love me and show me that he does.
And now that I was fully convinced, I was enjoying this game a little too much. It's not my fault that I loved being the center of his attention.
By now, the entire school had shifted their opinion of me. I wasn’t Jason’s ex who he abandoned anymore. That title had vanished completely after Domenic made Jason almost pee in his pants the last time they met.
Jason hadn’t so much as looked in my direction since then. Instead, now I was referred to as Domenic Darkshadow’s girl. Even if I hadn’t officially forgiven him yet, and we weren't dating yet. But he did tell everyone that I was his girlfriend.
I couldn't help the blush that colored my cheek as I remembered that.
Whispers followed us as we walked into the building. I rolled my eyes at it. I thought everyone has gotten over the fact that I'm dating Domenic Darkshadow.
Quinn finally caught up to me and asked. “Kate, did you hear everyone whispering?”
I nodded. “Yeah. It's obvious they are talking about me again.”
“It’s not about you this time,” she said. “People are talking about new students. Apparently we have new students joining us.”
That made me frown. “New students? Now?”
“Apparently,” she replied. “Which is weird because they’re seniors.”
“Seniors?” I repeated. “That doesn’t make sense. Graduation is right around the corner.”
Quinn shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything concrete yet.” she grinned again. "I just hope they are guys and handsome guys at that. Maybe they will even be in our class!" She gushed in excitement and I rolled my eyes at her.
The hallway ahead of us was suddenly filled up, students clustering together in an excited mass. Voices overlapped abd phones were out. The energy around us suddenly felt electric.
“What is going on?” I muttered in confusion. What's everyone so excited about?
Quinn shrugged looking confused as well.
We pushed forward just enough for me to see past a few shoulders, but then my brain short-circuited.
Domenic stood outside the principal’s office looking as handsome as ever. What threw me off mostly was that he was in a casual outfit. Grey polo shirt and dark jeans coupled with sneakers. He had his hands in his pockets and everything about him suddenly looks younger and more charming.
I looked beside him and gasped softly. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. What the hell is Lysander doing here?
Lysander also looked different. He was still devastatingly handsome, of course but toned down somehow. He was also dressed casually in a grey shirt and black pants. His black hair was longer and I notice his eyes were no longer red.
He probably wore contacts to hide his weird vampire eyes.
Around us, girls were literally losing their minds. They were whispering and blushing, obviously batting their eyes and trying to catch Domenic's and Lysander's attention. Some weren’t even pretending to be subtle.
“Is that him?” someone whispered. "That's Domenic Darkshadow right? Who's that gorgeous man with him?"
“Domenic Darkshadow is attending school here? Oh fuck, school is about to be so much fun.”
"Isn't he dating Kate? Kate is so lucky!"
"Kate can have Domenic, but that other hotty belongs to me."
"Who's that other guy anyway? He looks like a god.”
Quinn made a sound beside me that could only be described as awe-strucked. “Kate,” she breathed, “what is a literal god doing on planet Earth?” She was definitely talking about Lysander.
Before I could answer, Domenic turned and our eyes met. My breath hitched so hard it physically hurt. He smiled softly. A smile that never fails to turn my brain to mush. The smile that's meant only for me.
And then, as if the hallway full of people didn’t exist, he started walking toward me. Lysander followed close behind him.
The entire school was watching the show once again.
Great!
Domenic stopped in front of me. His eyes were warm and green as ever. “Good morning, kitty.” He winked.
My heart speed up at his usual nickname, but I pretended to scowl. “Don’t call me that.”
He only looked amused. The bastard could see right through me.
Lysander shifted awkwardly beside him and gave me a small smile. “It’s been a long time, Kate.”
I stared at him with raised brow. “What are you doing here Lysander?”
Quinn gave me a wide eyed look that I literally translated to. 'How do you know so many hot guys'. Of course I ignored her.
Lysander rubbed the back of his neck shyly. “Domenic suggested we attend school.”
“No,” I said sharply. “I mean—what are you doing in the human world?”
Lysander hesitated. Then his eyes flicked straight to Quinn probably wondering if it was okay to reply with her around.
Oops! I totally forgot that Quinn knew nothing about the vampire world.
Thankfully, Quinn was still staring at him like her soul had left her body. She was almost drooling.
Ewww.
I cleared my throat loudly. “Never mind,” I said quickly. “Forget I asked.” I stared at my friend. "Are you okay Quinn?"
Quinn suddenly snapped out of her trance and blurted to Lysander, “If you were a fruit, you’d make a cute cucumber!”
Silence followed her remark. Domenic coughed out a laugh while I glared at her. “Quinn!” could she get anymore embarrassing?
Lysander blinked at her looking genuinely confused. “I…um. I don’t understand.”
“I don’t either,” I said through clenched teeth and before anything worse could happen, I grabbed Quinn by the arm and started dragging her away. “we have to get to class now, before you make a bigger fool of yourself."
Behind me, Domenic’s voice followed, amused and far too pleased with himself. "I’ll see you around, kitty.”
I didn’t turn back. But my heart was already racing.
Was this another one of his tricks to win me back? Why did he have to enroll in the same school as me, and why the hell did he involve Lysander?
If he did all these for me, there's no need for me to keep playing hard to get. It's time to forgive Domenic.