Leaving 1.

Recommended song: Fallen - Gert Tarberner.

Aiden.

"You must've been insane signing that paper without reading it, dude. What were you even thinking?" Ashton asked while he scurried on my bedsheet, eyes glancing over my packed luggages.

He wasn't pleased with the fact that I was leaving to a boarding school and was making a fuss about it.

I understand why he was this way. He had been my best friend since I could remember and we have lived our entire lives together.

He is like my ride or die. And for a moment during our hundred years together, I really thought he was my link.

Back then, I was so desperate that I didn't even care if he was a man... But apparently, he wasn't my link because he was also searching for his.

With a shrug, I settled on the couch while drying my hair with the towel hanging behind my neck. I was preparing to leave as fast as I could before father came back from his trip.

As stated in the supposed contract I signed with my own father, I am to settle in the boarding quarter of the school prepared for me before he returns home. It was as though he was in a hurry to send me away like I am some sort of plague brought upon his family.

Ever since mother died, he had always been this way. Treating me like an outsider and a burden he wanted to get rid of.

He hated me for so many reasons. Part of it was because mother died trying to give birth to me since she was human. And her dying wish was never to be turned to a vampire so he became frustrated, venting all the pain of being without his one true love on me.

Believe me when I say a huge part of me is relieved that I am going to be living very far away from him, and a tiny part of me is pained that the only family I had ever known wanted me even more distant than we already were.

My eyes strolled to the doors when they were pushed open by George. He had been my family's butler since I was born and has been very loyal to father.

Beside him were two maids I was quite familiar with. They both bowed slightly before hurrying towards my luggages, rolling them out of my room.

"Take them to the car". George ordered.

"You ought to be ready by now, young one". He directed his deep baritone to me after bowing in greeting before taking his eyes to Ashton that looked like a mourning widower as he smiled and added "You're here too?"

Ashton responded with a small smile and a nod, sadness written all over him. He knows just how strict father is and how stricter he gets when my name was mentioned so even if he wanted to plead on my behalf, it would be futile and father might make things even more difficult for me.

It is already enough that he was sending me away. At least he didn't take away my allowance or block my accounts.

I could see the look in the eyes of my best friend. He was very certain that this was the last time we were going to be seeing each other till whenever.

He knew that this was goodbye.

"So this is it, huh?" He muttered with a smile trying to ease up the mood, standing up from my bed. This was him trying to be cool about me leaving.

I managed a shrug again with a smile and watched him take a few steps towards me before pulling our bodies together in a hug as he wrapped his arms around me tightly.

In all our years of being best friends, this was the most emotional hug I had received from him, and it felt very out place. I mean, I could literally feel his breath on my neck.

"Back off, asshole". I muttered to his hearing but he tightened his arms mouthing "Stop struggling for a second, will you?"

It was just for a tiny second, but I could hear the hurt in his voice and let out an exhale in surrender. I let him have his way because this was the last time we were going to be seeing each other.

We hug for I don't know how long before George's "ahem" interrupted, mouthing "We might be late, Young one".

Ashton quickly let go, sneaking a sniffle while rubbing both palms on his thighs consistently. His eyes were still on me. He glanced at every feature on my face before taking his eyes down to my outfit.

"Don't tell me you're wearing this on your first day". He asked with wide eyes.

"Like I give a fuck". I tell him, walking past him and past George that bowed slightly before following behind me.

"Dude, a sweatshirt and sweatpant on your first day? Do you want to be bullied by your seniors or what?" He asked from behind, following I and George.

I furrowed, confused by his words while stepping down the spiral stairs. "Why would I be bullied by kids". I asked him and was shocked by his actions.

He suddenly hurried his steps to match up mine as he stood beside me with shock on his face mouthing the word "Kids??" In a question.

"Did you just say kids??" He exclaimed again, showing astonishment, making me raise a brow in question.

Why was he so worked up?

I watched him close his eyes with one hand on his waist and the other rubbing his temple in frustration as we both stood on a stair staring at each other while George walked past us and strolled down the stairs.

Ashton exhaled in disappointment before asking "Hey, do you even know where you are going?"

I shrugged moving down the stairs, not paying attention to his words anymore. At this point, I really didn't care where I was going, i just wanted to be gone before father got home.

"Dude, don't you think you should beg your father?" He hurried behind me, trying to stop me but his words surged through me, making me pissed. I paused.

Beg him?