Do you want to be my friend

The next morning, I am roused from my slumber by the sound of Louise's voice. "Aurelia, wake up," she says, her tone unusually direct. I blink groggily, sitting up in bed and regarding her with surprise. Louise hardly ever wakes me herself; she usually leaves that task to the servants. 

I can't help but wonder if she regrets her actions from yesterday. Is this some form of apology?

"What's that look on your face, Aurelia?" Louise asks, her voice tinged with suspicion.

"Well, you don't usually come to wake me up, so I wonder why today?" I reply, my confusion evident.

Louise's response is far from what I expected. "I clearly didn't come here to apologize but rather to warn you that from now on, if the princess bothers you, let her," she says bluntly.

My anger flares at her words. How could anyone, let alone a guardian, instruct their child to endure harassment?

"But..." I begin, but Louise cuts me off as she rises from the chair.

"The royal family could destroy us in an instant, so just be happy to have good results and avoid the princess if you can," she adds with a sigh before leaving, closing the door behind her.

Alone once again, I feel a mixture of frustration and resignation wash over me. It's clear that I won't find understanding or support from Louise in this matter.

"Well, it's time to get ready for school," I mutter to myself, my mood sour. With a heavy heart, I make my way to the bathroom, going through the motions of my morning routine. The warm water of the shower does little to ease the tension coiled in my muscles.

Dressed in my uniform, I return to my room to find a maid waiting for me. "I've come to do your hair," she says, her voice gentle as she begins her work. Once finished, she takes out an ointment and carefully applies it to the spot on my cheek where Louise's slap had left its mark.

"I hope you have a nice day," the maid says softly as she finishes her task.

With a forced smile, I thank her before making my way downstairs and out of the house. The car is already waiting for me, a silent reminder of the obligations that await me outside these walls.

The car ride to school feels interminable, each passing minute stretching out like an eternity. I find myself wishing desperately to stay cocooned within the confines of the vehicle, shielded from the prying eyes and whispered gossip that await me at school. But, as always, reality has other plans.

Eventually, the car comes to a stop in front of the school, and the driver emerges to open my door. His familiar face offers a fleeting sense of comfort in the face of the impending storm. "We've arrived, Miss. You can get out now," he says with a kind smile.

I step out of the car slowly, reluctant to face the day that looms ahead. Turning to the driver, I muster up the courage to ask, "Can I stay in your car all day?"

He chuckles softly at my request before shaking his head. "No, sorry Aurelia. You'd better get to class now or you'll be late," he replies firmly before retreating back into the car.

With a heavy sigh, I watch as the car pulls away, leaving me to face the school alone. Steeling myself for what lies ahead, I pass through the gate and begin making my way towards the corridors.

As I walk, I can't help but overhear snippets of conversation from my fellow students. "This is the girl who used magic without incantation," one whispers loudly, drawing curious glances in my direction. Another chimes in, "She's got too much class, plus her broken horn gives her a rebellious look."

Despite the implications of their words, I can't help but feel a small swell of pride at the attention. It's almost as if a tiny fan club is forming around me, their whispers serving as a strange form of validation.

Lost in my thoughts, I fail to notice Lydia and her friends approaching until it's almost too late. " I have to get out of her sigh" Panicked, I instinctively back into the nearest hiding spot, a broom cupboard, hoping to avoid a confrontation.

My skips a beat as I realize I'm not alone. Someone else is already inside the cramped space, their presence catching me off guard and eliciting a startled scream from my lips.

"But what are you doing here? This is my hiding place," the voice from the dimly lit cupboard confronts me, drawing my attention. I peer closer at the figure, taking in her striking appearance: a vampire with mauve hair and red eyes, casually sipping on an apple juice.

"Hmm, I'm hiding too," I manage to reply, still catching my breath from the surprise.

I find myself watching the vampire girl with a mixture of curiosity and admiration. It's not every day you come face to face to vampire and I found them so cool when I was reading about them , especially one as nonchalant as her.

"Do you drink blood?" I blurt out, unable to contain my curiosity.

The vampire girl lets out a heavy sigh, as if my question is the most tiresome thing she's ever heard. "No, I don't drink blood. I don't like it. And I'll remind you that demons drink blood too, so I could ask you the same question," she retorts, her tone tinged with annoyance.

I pause, realizing the oversight in my question. It had never crossed my mind to consider such a thing before.

"What's your name?" I inquire, eager to steer the conversation towards more neutral territory. After all, getting to know someone under such bizarre circumstances might not be such a bad thing.

The vampire girl takes another sip of her juice before responding, her annoyance seeming to dissipate slightly. "I'm in your class, and what's more, I'm sitting right next to you, are you blind or deaf. But I'm willing to tell you my name, I'm Lise," she says, her tone softening.

"Oh, well, I'm Aurelia," I reply, offering my hand in an attempt at a friendly gesture. But Lise doesn't move to shake it, her focus seemingly elsewhere.

"I liked the fact that yesterday you didn't let Lydia beat you. That's brave," Lise remarks, her tone more serious now. "Besides, do you want to be my friend?"