Chapter 31: Lying Truth
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Even though David covered his ears tight, the crowd's cheers still boomed. Kadic Academy's indoor stadium may have been half-filled with supporters (that's because most of the students are at the soccer field) but it was still as loud as ever. A strident blast of the whistle encouraged the crowd to shout even louder, stronger as the game broke into half-time. David caught sight of Cornelia, heading towards the bench as she sprayed water in her face. It was the Volleyball Championships and Kadic Knights were battling against the mighty Cross Caribbean.

Yesterday, David could recall clearly, Tiadora didn't want Cornelia to be the only guardian alone in the stadium, and since Jason was having soccer finals as well and Kiara was the cheerleader for that game, there were only Tiadora and David left. In the end, David volunteered to stay by Cornelia's side. He saw her head lift up, trying to look through the crowd for him. Eventually, they made eye contact. David was seated right behind, the highest row and right at the end, almost secluded. Cornelia winked, having no strength to wave frantically at him. Having seen her, David fished out his iPhone and texted Jason, whose phone is actually with Tiadora right now, curious to know the soccer finals' scores. In the mist of his text message, David noticed that someone had sat right next to him. At first, it was just him at the corner, a space, and then continued with the many rows of the crowd. He looked up from his black fringe to see a blond girl looking back at him with huge eyes. "Cool! An iPhone!" her gaze moved from his face to the gadget in his hands, "Mine is Nokia 5800. Also a touch-screen phone, but not as cool as yours."

David looked at her again. Her short straight blond hair seemed to look a little bit like Cornelia's this girl's hair was much longer and Cornelia had some curls. Her eyes are so pure black with a bubbly face. She was wearing a red hoodie with extremely short shorts. She must be one of the new kids, David figured, remembering that they were four other new students besides Tiadora, because David knew that no girl would just go up to him like this. Reluctantly, David replied, "Uh... Thanks, I guess."

"I'm Chloe," the blondie held her hand out, smiling gleefully, "What's your name?"

"David," he said dully, realising that his sixth sense had triggered a surge of adrenaline with Chloe's presence, "you're... You're one of Xana's minions, aren't you?"

Her shock didn’t seem to look real, but she must have realized his doubts and smiled cunningly, “Very good. How did you guess?”

“Instincts,” David said and turned his face away from the court, and away from the villain’s disguised face. “I’m turning you in, whoever you are.”

“And if you do,” she called after David right after he jumped off his seat and landed on the ground, still able to hear her words, “I’ll too. I guess your pitiful friends don’t know about your horrible fate yet, haven’t they?”

“You better shut your mouth, snake,” David seethed. The crowd didn’t seem to have noticed the commotion as they were intrigued in the starting of the games again. “Let’s make a deal, shall we?” Chloe dangled her legs over the bench and acted like a small girl, “you won’t mention my ‘existence’ to the other guardians, and in exchange, I won’t tell about you.”


“My time’s already up anyway,” David shouted back, “Vitani told me.”

‘Yes yes yes. But are you prepared,” she hissed, and also jumped off the bench, standing in front of David. “Cyrus has told me so much. You may have a strong will, but remember it’s better to be wise than foolish.”

By that last sentence, David was already walking away, heading towards the stadium exit door when he heard her last few words that stung. He knew every bit was right and he had to endure it alone till the time was right. David dashed out of the stadium, not wanting to recall the mistake he had made before. “It’s today, David!” rewinding the words that Chloe had yelled, “You’ll become one of us today!”

♂

So what’s the score??

A text message flashed on the screen of Jason’s Samsung Phone. Tiadora tried to press on the intended buttons just like how Jason had taught her to, but it had seemed to have slipped away. Instead, the message turned out weird, Thie sprnonaccee gigss twonn come twonn. Irritated, she decided not to click send, as she knew that David will eventually know the results of the game anyway. Tiadora glanced up from the blue phone and faced the muddy soccer field where Kadic Knights are desperately trying to tackle away the ball from an opposing player.

The score looked alright so far. Three-to-three. But she knew that by Jason’s expression in the field, it wasn’t much of a victory. For the past fifty minutes, the three goals were not even made by Jason, the playmaker, the captain. One of the goals was shot by Ian and the other two by Ulrich Princeton. Many of the supporters, mainly girls, were still continuing to cheer for Jason, although Tiadora realized that the cheers for Ulrich have gone into a loud noise level. She had been analyzing Jason’s techniques, skills and power. Jason is a very good player, Tiadora knew as she saw him kick the ball away from the opponent’s best player, but Ulrich was new, fresh and different. If someone were to be bored of something, they’ll throw it away and get a new one. But to Tiadora, it didn’t matter if the ball was not scored by him, so long as he did his best in the game.

Among the many whispers in the game, one ran towards the opposition’s team leader saying, “Now is the best time to tackle the King.”

“Do your worst, and this match shall be ours,” the leader, Travis, smiled wittily, unknown to the gazes of the spectators.

Then it happened. Jesse, the opposition team’s best striker, charged into Jason’s direction and punched Jason’s chest with a hard blow. The crack of his rib cage breaking was audible and the whole crowd was silenced by the incident of their star. Jason feeling weak, helpless and tired collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain as he clutched his jersey. The referee held out a red card to Jesse, disqualified, but he didn’t look to be disappointed. Tiadora was on the edge of her seat, trying to look over at the commotion.

Jason was kneeled on the ground, hugging himself tight. But then he stood up straight and firm, with a confident face. The whole field was in silence, shocked by Jason’s reaction to his injuries and attack. The opposition leader stared up in awe, not believing that Jason had survived that blow. The paramedics were already halfway across the field but halted when they saw Jason stand. Jason looked up and faced Travis before staring at the crowd, and smiled.

The entire field roared with cheers of their strong soccer captain. The host boomed through the microphones, “Amazing! Jason looks like he didn’t feel anything at all from Jesse’s bone-breaking attack! The sound of his bones breaking must have been painful especially if he’s braving himself to carry on!”

“Captain,” Kyle, one of the soccer members of the opposition team headed towards Travis, “Jesse’s efforts were in vain. How about I give it a shot?”

“No,” Travis frowned, fuming in Jason’s happy expression, “The referee has eyes on us. It’s too dangerous.”

And the whistle blew, demanding a break from the incident. Paramedics still rushed to Jason’s aid even though Jason declined the help, and many spectators who were seated in the front row were leaning onto the fence worrying for him. Tiadora heard them squeal, ‘Oh Jason, are you alright?’ and ‘Is it painful?’ Jason just smiled at them, and caught the eager gaze of Tiadora’s locked into his. He winked, hoping that the message got through to her. At first, Tiadora didn’t understand why Jason didn’t seem to feel any pain, but soon realized that it was because of something in his body, the Sapphire Crimson.

She remembered now, that he had accidentally swallowed a piece on their trip to Oceanatic and that the crystal does have drastic side effects. And one of them was, replacing his blood with the Sapphire Crimson crystals. As in now, he’s body doesn’t rely on blood to keep his life up to beat. The Sapphire Crimsons in his body will maintain his life. Other side effects include allowing him to regenerate simply at once, just like when Oberon stabbed him, and also as magic spells. Although, Tiadora thought, it would be very useful to apply his Sapphire Crimson abilities into battles, it would be dangerous as the Sapphire Crimson is supposed to be his ‘blood-supply’. If he were to use it up too much, it might be fatal for Jason.

For self-defense, and only as a very last resort, he may use it. Somehow, Tiadora felt, it was a good thing that she didn’t say anything about the Sapphire Crimson at that time. He would have been too eager to try it out. But lucky for him, he doesn’t need to worry about getting bitten by vampires. Tiadora smiled back at him in return, before the soccer match continued into the next round, and this time, Tiadora didn’t need to worry much about him getting hurt.

♫

“Three cheers and three cheers and three cheers for Kadic! Hip Hip! Hooray!” Kiara shouted into the microphone, making everyone cheer wildly. The basketball court, which was now turned into the party area, was filled with almost every Kadic student. Kiara was then ushered down by Ian and Bobby before celebrating the many victories that took place today. One thing’s definitely for sure.

Kadic Knights emerged as champions for the Soccer match and also in the Volleyball Championships! When the match was determined, the newspaper crew had announced through the microphone that there was a party to commemorate the victory of both teams at night. Everyone was excited and was practically trying to get as close to the boys to congratulate them.

At the party, which had just started, Jason was mainly the centre of attraction, partly because of the accident that he had on the field. He had just grabbed himself a cup of orange juice when a group of cheerleaders crowded around him and began babbling on. Kiara noticed that Tiadora was isolated at the corner of the basketball court, sipping her glass of orange juice alone. At first, Kiara had half-expected Cornelia to be with Tiadora but then when Bobby and Ian left her side, she saw them heading towards Cornelia, flirting with her.

Expected so, Kiara thought, Ian had always been hitting on her. Giggling, Kiara decided to accompany her but then Daniel stopped her tracks, “Hey beautiful, dance with me?”
“Danny?” Kiara exclaimed, “Aren’t you supposed to be with Bobby and Ian?”

“Nah!” Danny stole a gaze back at his soccer team members and stuck his tongue out at them, “Corny’s not my type. Too boyish. Plus, Sally’s entertaining Jason so I’m all alone. Let’s dance!”

Without reluctance, Kiara took hold of his hand and danced to the techno beat, totally forgetting about Tiadora. Soon, more people stepped into the dance floor and at the fourth song, Kiara felt dizzy and decided to stop. Danny just winked in approval and went to dance with another random girl. Kiara headed to the food table and found Jason hiding on the other side of the table, placing a finger on his lips to shush Kiara. “What the hell, are you doing over there?” Kiara whined after she went around the table and kneeled down beside him, noticing that he was trying to get out of sight again.

“I’m improvising. Sheesh! Even with powers, I can’t seem to get rid of Sally,” Jason spoke after taking another gulp of orange juice, “Non-stop talker.”

“Hey too bad you’re too gorgeous,” Kiara teased, punching him on the shoulder, “And luckily her ‘not-so-evil’ twin isn’t that bad.” Kiara said and smiled at herself when she realized that she had forgotten about Tiadora, “Oh Shit! I totally forgot all about Tia! She’s all alone!”

Kiara quickly stood up, wanting to get out of there but Jason caught her wrist and pulled her back down forcefully. “Ouch! What’s that for?”

“I’ll get Tiadora,” he winked his charms, “I kinda miss her.”

Shocked, Kiara just let Jason pass, walking towards one direction. Kiara pouted to herself, “Geez. Tiadora’s so lucky. At least, Jason seems to be paying attention to her. By the way, where’s…”

That’s when she realized that she had not seen David anywhere. Sure she knew that he’d avoid coming for these types of parties, but even before preparations, she didn’t see him. Where is he? Kiara asked herself and scanned across the party room. There wasn’t anyone with jet black hair, and a baby blue collar tee on. She rushed to the nearest jock, which was unfortunately Bobby, and asked, “Hey do you know where Goth-zilla is?”

She had to use that kind of language as most of these soccer players don’t even know David’s name. Bobby gave her a puzzled look and groaned, “How am I supposed to know? Oh wait. He was heading to the boys’ dormitory, I think.”

“How long was that?”

“Right after the match,” Bobby finished his sentence in time as Kiara dashed out of the basketball court. The boys’ dormitory was on the other side of the school from the basketball court. She slides to her right several times before reaching the boys’ dorm. But before she could climb the staircase, Kiara realized that the principal’s office, which is at the foot of the boys’ dorm, had a dim green glow inside.

She felt it urging her to bust in and check it out, but her intentions focused on David. Just on Wednesday, David had dropped a bombshell saying that he knew who had bit her neck that day. When she had prompted him to continue, he just erases everything off with a smile and said, “Just joking! I can’t believe that you actually thought that I knew.”

However, Kiara knew very well that David never jokes around, especially if it’s about her. And for the whole of their journey back to Kadic from the modeling studio, David had kept awkwardly silent the whole time. And for the rest of the week, never spoke a word to her. She got even more frustrated when he just dodges the question and escapes without a second look. At some point, Kiara sometimes wonder if he did knew who the culprit was.

Second floor, was where his room is. Her heels brought her to the level and guided her towards his room which was situated right at the end of the corridor. As she was about to grab the doorknob, a surge of energy flowed through her fingers and shocked her. Involuntarily, Kiara let go and rubbed her polished fingers. What was that?! She freaked out, even more keen on discovering what was going on inside.

Kiara knocked on the door and shouted, “David? Are you in there by any chance?”

There was no answer, and yet she was determined to enter but slightly frightened of the doorknob. “Mokona?” Kiara decided to call for the sacred animal, “Mokona, I’ve got some biscuit for you!”

Kiara tried lying, but still, there was no answer and no one answered the door. Irritated, she breathed in and took out a tissue from her left pocket of her cheerleading skirt. She covered the doorknob with the tissue and gripped the doorknob. No shock and no energy so far. Slowly, she turned it and opened the door without grace.

Inside, the room lights were not switched on and the room seemed to be rather empty. As usual, she saw the neat bed and his usual flat-screen television. I guess he’s not here then, Kiara muttered to herself and turned away from the room, heading outside when she heard heavy-breathing. The shivered breaths sounded so vague yet painful and sore at the same time. Kiara looked back into the void, and that’s when she saw David.

Crouching at the edge of the dent of the wall, David was on the floor, hugging his knees to his face. As he was facing down, Kiara realized that he must have been deaf not to hear her call from outside or too engrossed in something to bother. And this time, as what she had felt before, he had been concentrating on pain. Kiara didn’t have to ask to see him in agony. His fingers were practically clutching tightly onto his jeans that creased the material and his breathing felt too deep.

She walked forward and kneeled in front of him, wondering if he knew of her presence. Kiara was unsure of what to do, whether to ask him or just get Tiadora and the others. Ignoring her options, she placed her hand on his ruffled black hair, scared that he might react in a terrifying way and her other hand reached behind his fringe and onto his cheek. “David?” Kiara whispered hoping that he was alright and just had stomach cramps, but again, David didn’t move from his position and continued not to answer her. “David, are you okay? David, look at me.”

Still no response, Kiara noticed that he had continued to ignore her. “Please, David! At least look at me and tell me that you’re alright, for god’s sake! What’s wrong?!” her voice croaked as beads of tears started to trickle down from her face, “David, c’mon. I’m serious! Stop joking around. Do you want me to get Tiadora?”

Again, Kiara didn’t hear any answer. She stroked his smooth cheek even though she can’t see it or his face, hoping that it would at least encourage him. That’s when she felt the same surge of energy on her fingers just like she did from the doorknob. But instead of letting go, her mind flashed an image quickly. As the image took over her view of David, she couldn’t believe what she saw.

Behind her eyes, Kiara gazed upon her vision. A dark room filled her mind, reminding her of the reality. That’s when she realized that it was the same vision as she had before. The environment, the ambience of utter shock and hurt, the feeling of her dying, it was all coming back to her in that same vision that she had on Monday. Only this time, it was crystal clear, it wasn’t as blur as her original vision.

In that vision, she recalled, had a dark room when her ‘future’ self came in and looked at the person she was in the vision as. It hit her. Everything looked the same! The dark room was an exact duplicate of David’s room, and from where David was crouching, was where she had remembered suffering. Everything was forming into place! The room, the aura, everything. Her vision was coming true right now! But that would mean that…

David’s dying.

Her vision vanished and Kiara gasped at David as he had finally lifted up his head. Kiara quickly let go of his cheek and his hair as her brown eyes interlocked with his. David’s head rose from his knees and his expression, as always, expressionless and mundane. Despite that, his eyebrows furrowed in anger and his gaze was full or rage and frustration. Icy tremors shivered down her spine making her feel metaphorically like as if there was a stab in her heart. There was one thing that scared her the most. One thing that was out of the ordinary was his eyes. They were different, strange and petrifying. They weren’t their usual luminous romantic green eyes anymore.

When they stared into her own eyes, his eyes were the colour of death, of blood, of hatred, the gory shade of shocking red. They were the eyes of a vampire.

Chapter 30: Fashion
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Mrs Prachett took an awfully long time to pick a stalk from the hundreds of flowers that poured over the whole shop. Tiadora had to explain flower by flower, its price and meaning which was getting really difficult to memorise, while the customer just continue moving. It was Wednesday, the day when all the guardians had their activities whether inside or outside school. Cornelia with her volleyball, Kiara and David with their modeling, Jason with his soccer training and Tiadora with her job at the flower shop. Her first day had been great. There were a total of seven customers so far, but the eighth, was still searching for ‘the’ flower.

The shop was surprisingly bigger than what she had seen before. There was a huge room behind the main room to store all the many varieties of flowers. Finally, Mrs Prachett picked out a Christmas Rose and paid six dollars for two stalks instead. Tiadora breathed a sigh a relief, tired at the latest customer. She plonked herself onto the wheeled-chair behind the counter and closed her eyes. "Tiadora?" Ms Hermoine's frail voice echoed the walls as she strolled to the counter, "Where's Mrs Prachett?"

"She has left. She bought two Christmas Roses. Is it always this much?" Tiadora sat up straight and looked at the short figure. Mrs Hermoine had a winnie the pooh's tummy, and although she was already in her sixties, she wore no glasses. Her wrinkly warm face cringed to a smile as she dragged a chair to sit with Tiadora. "Today, there's a lot of customers," Ms Hermoine explained, "Somedays there will be many people and others sometimes no customers at all. You must be a good luck charm."

"I'm just doing my job," Tiadora smiled and stared at the pastel-coloured shop. "How did you know Jason?"

"Oh that young lad," she said carefully, rubbing her palms together, "He was playing with his bike last year, and at that time of the day, there weren't many people along the streets. I was in my shop waiting for anyone to come in. That day was no-customer day unfortunately. And so, as I was staring outside the glass windows, I saw Jason on his bicycle, riding at such ridiculous speed opposite the street of my shop. The next thing I knew the bike stumbled upon a huge rock right in front of him and the bike practically fell on top of the poor boy."

"Ouch. That should have hurt," Tiadora grew fearful.

"It was his fault in the first place," Ms Hermoine chuckled at Jason's careless act, "When I saw that the boy didn't stand up, I knew that he was injured. So I went out and helped him to his feet. His knee was bruised pretty badly and I had trouble dragging him into the shop. Luckily there weren't any cars at that time. And so, I cleaned the dirt away and bandaged the wound. He was so grateful that he passed me a cheque with a hundred dollars in it. I was so shocked. Giving so much cash."

"What's a cheque?" Tiadora quietly asked, embarrassed by her lack of understanding of the new time.

"A piece of paper whereby when you have a shortage of money but require paying a company or person, you write a cheque. So that the money from your bank will go straight into the other person's account."

"What's a bank?" Tiadora realised that it was a bad idea asking all these questions, knowing that she wasn't from here. 'Cause Mrs Hermoine's face showed a 'huh' face to Tiadora. "Gosh, my dear," Mrs Hermoine exclaimed, "You really don't know what a bank is?"

"I'm sort of like from the roo-ral areas," Tiadora remembered the 'excuse' Cornelia had given to Tiadora. Though she did not understand why, Cornelia told her that it will solve all weird questions if anyone was suspicious. "Oh I see. Rural areas," Mrs Hermoine finally fell for it, "Banks are places where you save your money throughout your whole life for your adult future. So that once you grow old and retire, you won't lack the money. Anyway, ever since that day, he often drops by to chat with me, knowing that I'm always alone. That's the reason why I wanted an assistant. Not because I can't manage the shop but it was because I wanted a friend. Someone to talk to."

"I'll be your friend," Tiadora excited considered, "Let's be best friends!"

Ms Hermoine giggled wittily, agreeing, "Very well then, my friend. Let me give you something." She ushered Tiadora deeper into the rows of hundreds of flowers up to right at the end where the back gate was. Unnoticeably, there was another dark black door beside it. Ms Hermoine pushed open that door and Tiadora entered into the room. Coloured with lime green walls and a flowery carpet, the living room, or so she has heard from the other guardians. A rather bulky television stood above the low wooden cupboards that contained many old books and magazines.

But that old feature did not ruin the modernised ambience of the living room, with its L-shaped sofa and two large orange larva lamps that stood firmly at the corners of the room. Ms Hermoine walked past Tiadora and led her up a narrow flight of stairs to upstairs. Even the stairs were colourfully painted with different shades of the rainbow. Tiadora trailed behind her, admiring the paintings that hung alongside the staircase. One, she recognised of a picture from Kadic's history book, was the duplicate of the Mona Lisa. Temptation told her to caress the soft texture of the painting, but Ms Hermoine had already finally reached the door on the other end, trying to unlock it.

Inside, covered with yellow walls, was a vintage-like room whereby the bed was wide and so spacious that Tiadora thought could fit five people. Then, she saw another door that might have probably led to the toilet. Also, at the corner of the room, a small cabinet and a desk mirror. Ms Hermoine dragged Tiadora towards the cabinet and started to unlock the many chains that secured it. After the fuss, she drew out a dusty brown box from inside and carefully wiped the surface with her lacy sleeve. The dust stained her clothes, but it didn't matter to the owner at all. Instead, she handed the box to Tiadora with a weak smile, "This is for you."

Confused, Tiadora was. A gift after only less than a day to know each other. She reluctantly took hold of it and looks innocently at the flower shop owner, "You're too kind, but I believe that I don't deserve this. It's not my birthday and we've only been friends for two minutes."

"Child, do I need to have a reason to why I have to give?" Ms Hermoine finally let go of the box and let it lay in Tiadora's hands, "This was my most treasured item. When I was a teenager, I had longed to buy this whenever I passed the shop. Unfortunately, I devoid of money at that time. My family was so destitute. And when I finally earned the money, I managed to purchase this. However, by that time, I was already too big for it. But the feelings of precious still lie. Even though I've only met you, Tiadora, I feel that you're a very good person. I can sense that you've made many sacrifices in your life and have lost many loved ones. It's all in your eyes, dear. I can tell. Please don't reject it. Embrace it warmly like how I did, and you'll grow to love it. This is my gift to you."

Tiadora felt touched and somewhat thankful. The words that had sinked in, reminded her of her mother, who’s always giving things away for no absolute reason. The gesture formed little wet tears at the side of her blue-green eyes. Her words came out soft and weird, but she knew that Ms Hermoine would have heard it, "Tha... Thank you. I really love it."

"Love what, my dear?" Ms Hermoine tapped the box and folded her flabby arms, "You haven't even opened the parcel." And at the moment when Ms Hermoine said that, the cling of small bells echoed through the whole room. Both knew the sound well. There was a customer below. Tiadora quickly made for the door but Ms Hermoine blocked her way and instead, stepped outside of the room, "I'll take care of the customer. Try it on, Tiadora. When I come back, it must already be donned on."
And without giving Tiadora a chance to say no, the wooden door closed behind Ms Hermoine as she left Tiadora alone in the bedroom as she approached the waiting customer.

♥

Jason sniffed the pink carnation once more, absorbing the beautiful fragrance of the flower. He caressed one of the soft fragile petals with care, wondering in deep thought of the exquisite plant and admiring three hundred and sixty degrees of its outlook. But his train of thoughts were interrupted with the clanging of wooden clogs across the room. Ms Hermoine practically wobbled herself forward, opening her arms wide as Jason gave the old lady a friendly hug. "I'm here to collect my nightingale," Jason said after he had let go from the embrace, "How is she?"

"She's perfect. Thank you for introducing the shop to her," Ms Hermoine exclaimed as she took the carnation stalk that Jason was holding, "It's three dollars for sniffing."
Jason chuckled and tried to search for Tiadora, but she didn't seem to be anywhere. Noticing his wonder, Ms Hermoine smiled, patting his shoulder, "She's upstairs. Would you like to see her?"

"Sure. If it's alright," Jason asked as Ms Hermoine walked back the same route that she used to get there. Jason followed diligently through the many streams of flowers, and up the staircase. He recognised the environment easily. Many occasions had Ms Hermoine brought him through the very same route. He had used to 'wow' and 'ooo' at the amazing different paintings when he was here a year ago, but he's got so used to it, it felt a little bit like home. The door, he knew as the gateway to Ms Hermoine's bedroom, was nearing as Ms Hermoine knocked on the ancient wooden door. "Tiadora?" she called out through the door, "You have a visitor. Are you done? Open up."

Obediently, Jason heard the door clicked and opened very slowly. He looked up and stared upon Tiadora in a beautiful white dress. The dress which reached until her knees with only straps securing it, her shoulders were bare, making Tiadora feel a little odd. Jason just stared in awe at Tiadora. A wide smile gradually formed on his face as he finally said something after his seconds of silence, "Beautiful."

"Come on, Theodore, " Ms Hermoine patted him on the back, "I'm sure you can fish out a better vocabulary than 'beautiful'. Look at her she's stunning."

"I couldn't agree more. Tiadora looks pulchritudinous in that dress. Anyway come, Tia. Time to go. Dinner's almost nearing," Jason reminded, as took hold of Tiadora's palm gently. Warmed by the coolness of his touch, Tiadora grinned another thank-you smile to Ms Hermoine and left the flower shop with Jason. Still holding hands, Jason swinged her arm back and forth, entertaining her. She laughed often now, he realised, somewhat enjoying the sound of her voice. It was all fun and laughter until Tiadora spoke about Monday's event, "The Heritage."

"That's the place that that blue girl said, right?"
"That blue girl is Marabonta," Tiadora spoke in a deadly manner, "Remember when we met Xana, you burnt a girl's arm?"

"That one?!" he exclaimed loudly, "No wonder she threatened about me when the Balistia attacked. But what about the Heritage place?"

"In the kingdom of Anastasia, there's a dark place," Tiadora started in her serious tone, "A place where all of our dangerous criminals are being sentenced. These offenders are banished at a horrible place we call, the Heritage."

"The Heritage is where all the vicious goblins, filthy trolls and uncontrollable dragons roamed about. They are the ones who make life for the criminals much more complicated to endure in. What more, the trees in the Heritage, are alive and rather mysteriously deviously. They pry on the wondering and some, who are unfortunate, are eaten by them. There are those which are in the forms of human. Just the same as how we have the flower, a wish granter. However, a tree in a human form can manipulate people's minds into thinking differently. But of course, there are good trees and bad trees. All flowers are neutral, and abide to the wishes of their masters whether they are evil and good. So a good tree is able to even change the opinions of a person if he or she is planning to do something bad. Anyway, I doubt that any trees got transported to the 21st Century. They are much slower than a human's reaction. But now, after the incident in the Sahara, I'm now wondering if the Heritage is still as active as it was before. Because if it is and if the trees or animals have survived through time, then Xana can make use of them, aiding the villains in their battles against us!"

"Battles with a 's'? As in plural?" Jason asked sounding astonished.
"Unfortunately, yes. And based on Kiara's visions, I'd say many of us will be hurt. Even those who are not guardians," Tiadora solemnly explained.

"And I say we protect everyone!" Jason shouted to the sky as he gripped onto Tiadora's hand harder, "We'll protect them together. You and me."

"Don't forget the others," Tiadora said as she nudged him, walking through Kadic's gates back to the academy. At that same moment, Sally and two others were walking out, stumbling across both Jason and Tiadora, who were holding hands.

Sally’s face twisted horribly as she threw a glare into Tiadora’s direction. She then walked faster than her other two companions and flipped her pink hair in Jason’s direction, trying to catch his attention, “Hey Jason! How was soccer practice?”

“It was fine, I guess,” Jason said without much enthusiasm. Noticing his lack of interest, Sally pulled Tiadora’s hand from Jason’s grip and pushed her slightly away. Sally then held onto his arm, and leaned on Jason’s muscular arm. “That’s all you’re going to tell me? Come on, tell me. I heard you left practice before it ended,” she spoke to his confused expression.

Tiadora, who was pushed further than what she thought she would have, was shocked to see her own descendant so irritating. She walked towards them but apparently, Sally’s two friends blocked her way. “Where do you think you’re going, Sally-clone?” one of them scoffed in a hateful manner.

“Yeah. In case, you didn’t know. Sally and Jason have been dating even before you came into the picture,” the other one snarled wickedly, still blocking any escape for Tiadora. “And by the way, even though you and Sally look the same, but she’s gone through way more fashion treatment and hardships just to be with Jason. And you haven’t even tried.”

“Ahem. Excuse me,” Jason cleared his throat as both of Sally’s friends turned around to see Jason towering over them, “If you wouldn’t mind, you’re blocking my friend’s way.”

Almost immediately, the girls moved away and joined back Sally, who was just standing there looking at the situation. Jason slung his arm over Tiadora’s shoulders and walked with her, away from them, towards the cafeteria. Tiadora didn’t feel comfortable with what happen, but Jason seemed to have treated it like nothing. “What happened back there?” Tiadora curiously asked, “I didn’t understand a word from one of Sally’s friends.”

“Don’t worry,” Jason muttered, putting a lock of Tiadora’s brown hair behind her ear, “Whatever Cassandra said isn’t important. If you want to make more friends, there’s Isabella, a choir singer, or even Shaniqua, although she sometimes does stick by Sally’s side. Unless you don’t mind guy-friends.”

“It’s just that…I don’t know. I don’t exactly realized that my own descendant acts that way,” Tiadora admitted sadly, “It’s just not civilized. People should be much more polite.”

Jason chuckled, “Don’t worry. There’re people much worse than Sally, you know.”

“Like Xana and the villains?”

“Yeah,” Jason smiled, “Like them.”

♀

Kiara gripped her wavy red hair, securing it tight with her favourite black headband and staring at herself at the mirror. She knew that she could easily ask one of the stylists in the modelling studio right now, but she was tied having everyone pull her hair without knowing the pain she felt. Her dad, the manager of many famous models, with her mum, famous fashion designer, have emerged as one of the best fashion winners in the 21st Century. Lost in her concentration to tie her hair, Kiara got a shock when David phased through her full-length mirror, making her fall on the ground with a big thud. "God, David, you almost gave me a heart attack!" Kiara yelled in his face when she staggered to her feet.

David just had his normal expression, a frown. He walked closer to Kiara, and caressed her neck. Kiara could feel his fingers traced over the almost-healed vampire bite. She tried analysing his expression, like she always does. Concerned and anger, she could feel it very strongly in him, but what about? Suddenly, the door fell open and her father stood there gaping at both the childhood friends. Kiara knew that he never like David ever since she became friends with him during kindergarten. David was a commoner, her father had told her before, and this was after he became richer. If only he hadn't become more well-known, Kiara would have no boundaries spending time with David. "Kiara, your mother and me will be heading off to Las Vegas for summer holidays," her father explained. But Kiara knew better that it wasn't for holidays, as she folded her arms at her father's lie.

"Alright. Alright. It's for the modelling career. Someone over there has recognised your beauty, sweetheart, and is planning to make you front cover of a famous world-wide magazines," he finally revealed the truth, "Tyra Banks herself wants a partnership with you as well."

"I told you that I don't exactly like her," Kiara lied, wanting to spend her holidays else where. Jason is bound to pop something up for the holidays, Kiara knew. David just rolled his eyes, knowing that Kiara too didn't like the idea too much. But Kiara smiled forming a plot in her head as she answered her dad back, "But I'll go, provided that David tags along with me and model too."

"What?!" both David and her father said in unison, dumbfounded by Kiara's request. Her father scoffed and immediately left the room. By his reaction, Kiara knew that he would have to discuss it with her mother. No way, would he say no. He needed me to be there, Kiara thought. And she knew David will eventually come along. David didn't smile or shout or vent his anger. His normal frown showed no feelings. Instead, he winked at her bravery knowing that Kiara rarely demanded. But then he finally breathed and stared into her eyes, "Do you want to know something?"

"It depends," Kiara sighed. "What is it?"

"I know," David started, sounding rather regretful that he started this conversation, "I know the person who bit you."