Chapter 13

When Mina entered the school building, it was almost empty. Looking at her watch, she realised that she was early. She quickly went to her locker and took out her books. She entered her class and sat at her usual place. Since she was early, Stara and Sid were not yet there. Absently she began doodling in her book. Someone entered the class. Mina lifted her head to look at the person, actually thinking that it was Jared. Her mouth flew open. It was Ashley. And she looked like she had come to a night club. They had no restrictions about clothing in their school, but what Ashley wore seriously crossed the line. Seeing Mina's reaction, Ashley smirked. Then somebody entered the classroom. Ashley turned to see. It was Jared. She squealed and ran towards him. Mina wondered how she could run with those wicked heels. She clung to him and without warning kissed him on the cheek. The red imprint of her lipstick could be seen. Mina let out a hiss. She was feeling incredibly jealous. She tried with all her might to smother down that wave of jealousy. She wanted to fling Ashley away.

Jared looked over at Mina. Seeing Jared look at her, Mina turned away quickly blushing. Jared smiled. He slowly pushed Ashley away and wiped his cheek. Jared looked at her coldly. Suddenly Sid and Stara came in, they were talking and laughing. As soon as they saw Jared they stopped talking. An awkward silence ensued.

In order to break the ice, Mina waved at them . Stara saw Mina and broke into a smile. She ran towards her and gave her a hug. Sid glowered at Jared and walked towards them. Stara started at Mina. Mina turned red under her scrutinising stare and asked," What? Do I have something on my face?" Stara frowned,"You look different today." Mina gave a nervous laugh," In what way?"

"Your face...it looks happy. By any chance...did you...? " , she asked. "Did I what?", Mina asked nervously. " Did you find yourself a boyfriend without telling me?", she asked. " Of course not!.." , Mina sputtered out. Jared and Ashley suddenly turned towards them. Mina was turning red under all their gazes. " As if you would find a boyfriend with that face of yours...",Ashley retorted. Jared opened his mouth to say something Mina shook her head at him. He frowned. Nobody noticed this silent conversation as they were staring at Ashley. Mina suddenly spoke out," At least I don't have come dressed to the school as a prostitute..."

Sid and , Stara broke out into smiles. Jared smiled and walked to his seat. Ashley ran out of the class angrily. Stara couldn't stop laughing at Ashley's expression. Suddenly she turned serious and turned to Mina and asked," Is this dress yours...? How come I never saw it before...?" Crap! Nothing failed Stara's eyes. " I bought this dress recently....", Mina said. "You liar... you don't even have a good sense of fashion... there is no way you would pick a good dress like this one..", Stara said. Mina laughed nervously and said," Maybe I got the fashion virus from you after being to with you for so long." Stara noticed her nervousness,"Are you lying...." Suddenly a shadowfell over them. Both looked up. It was Jared. He smiled at Stara and turned towards Mina," Why don't we meet at the library again after the class?" "Sure." He smiled again at both of them and walked away.

Saved. After seeing Jared, Stara forgot what she had been talking to Mina. Mina was grateful, Jared had knowingly or unknowingly saved her. Stara hugged Mina. "Did you see that?", she squealed. "He smiled at me! Thank You, for telling him about me." Mina smiled guiltily at her. She had not told anything about Stara to Jared. Beside them Sid snorted and left the room angrily. Staralooked at him and asked, "What Is wrong with him...?" Mina kept silent. She didn't want to interfere in their love affairs. Her involvement could create a rift between them. She could only sit mum. Monster entered the class. As soon as he entered he announced,"Don't keep your projects until the last moment. You you will suffer..." Collective groans emerged from the class. Mina turned to look at Jared. Their eyes met and they smiled at each other.This interaction between them was clearly seen by Stara.

Even though she said that she not interested in him, was she?, Stara thought to herself. During the rest of the class, Mina kept wondering about whether she should go to the library. Jared must have just said it to save Mina from Stara's questions. But then what if Jared had meant it seriously. At last she decided to go. After the last class, Mina hurriedly packed her things to go to the library. Stara was watching this with a bitter smile. But she chose not to say anything to Mina.

In the library, Mina looked around at the entrance for Jared. He was not there. She felt a sudden pang of disappointment. She turned to leave. Suddenly she turned back and wen t inside. She went straight to the place they sat the last time. There he was. Jared looked up from the book he had been reading and saw her. He smiled at her. She smiled back and took her seat. "Thank you for saving me from Stara.",she said. "No problem." Unknown to both of them, somebody was hearing their conversation. That person got a phone call and left as quietly.

Jared looked at her and asked,"Are you alright?" Mina looked down and nodded. Jared spoke again," I thought you had a lot of questions to ask and you could not do that yesterday."

Mina thought about all the questions she wanted to ask. Once she organised her thoughts, she took in a deep breath. She looked up at Jared. She would all the answers today, she thought. Both afraid and curios about what she would find.

.....

Far away. A dark castle . A castle On a cliffThe castle turrets were dilapidated. It looked deserted from outside. But a look inside told another story. The locals never came there. It reeked of blood and death. Once it was a historical landmark. But due to the deaths, people never came here. Not even the government ventured to have it taken down. The locals believed that it was inhabited by the vampires.

Inside the throne room.

On the iron throne a sinister figure sat. Vampires, he thought with a scorn. The locals are foolish to think that those puny bloodsuckers still inhabited the castle. It had been twenty years since he defeated them and occupied the castle. One day, he thought, he would announce his presence in the world. He smiled.

A knock on the barred oak door resonated around the hall. "Come in." A tall man came into the room. A large scar marred his face, he looked cruel. But he came to the throne and bowed to the figure there. "Speak ..", the man on the throne ordered. "They have met. The girl does not recognise him. But the boy has suspicions about her. He may tell her who she is once he confirms her identity. She may remember the past." The person on the throne got up slowly. He moved to a window that oversaw the sea. He turned towards the messenger. His face was twisted with cruelty, his eyeswere a sickly yellow. The man below trembled fearing the consequences. Seeing the messenger's fear, he smiled. The messenger asked," Should we send our assassins?" "No, let them be. Both of them will have a weakness now...each other. "

"But sire, the prophecy..."

"To hell with the prophecy the old hag made...! I will make the boy in my side..to serve me. If the boy is as strong as the prophecy says..then isn't it good to have him fight for me?"

"Yes sir", the messenger said and bowed again.

"Now get out of here."

The messenger went out quickly. The man or as he called himself the king, once again sat on the throne and said," Jared ...just wait,...I'll have you with me..."

Unseen to him, an owl flew against the cloudy sky bearing a piece of paper. On the paper, three words were written.."SAFE FOR NOW..."

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