Rose's POV
After Kayden and Layla came back, we parted our ways. I noticed Layla's bloody hands. I wanted to ask her about it, but she was very distracted; meaning that something was on her mind â a new mission. I had no intention to interfere so I dropped it. When I came home I saw Luke writing something. This time I decided to ask, but he just shook his head dismissively and said I'll find out when the time is right. Having nothing else to do, I took a nap. Well I wanted to take a nap, but when I woke up it was morning.
I went to the clock and waited for Layla. She never came, so I went to her apartment. She wasn't there. Not wanting to freeze anymore, I speed-walked to the bus. To my surprise Layla was there sitting alone.
"I was waiting for you"- I said accusingly and she looked at me expressionless.
"What?"- she asked few moments later. I sighed annoyed and sat beside her. She was uncharacteristically quiet.
"What's on your mind?"- I asked as the bus started driving.
"Nothing"
"Layla..."
"So girls, you disappeared yesterday after school so we couldn't use our newly acquired freedom"- Daniel cut me off as he suddenly popped his head from the seat in front of us. He was smiling and his blue eyes were jumping from me to Layla.
"What?"- both of us said in the same time.
"C'mon, don't tell me you forgot"- he said going with his hand through his black hair. It took me few moments to process what he was talking about.
"We can stay in town till the curfew", he said and narrowed his eyes, "What happened yesterday?"
"Oh, yeah... are we going to investigate a bit today"- Layla said ignoring his question. I shrugged.
"Are you in?"- I asked Daniel
"Of course! Why not?"- Daniel said enthusiastically forgetting about his previous question.
Layla grinned. She was behaving like herself in normal circumstances again. Her mission was forgotten, or at least it looked like it.
We arrived at school and went in. I sat on my usual spot beside Layla and we started taking about where we should go first today.
Adrian walked in classroom without Kayden trailing not far behind him which thing was unusual. Layla turned to Cora to throw an insult and I was just sitting there while they were arguing.
Adrian was walking by my table when I jumped up and popped just in front of him. He stopped with questioning look on his face.
"I'm...I was just...wondering how's Nimueh?"- I stuttered. Why does this always happen? Why?
"She's fine"- he just said and walked pass me. Well, that was rude. I sighed annoyed and sat back down on my seat.
"Although she keeps pleading me to ask you about some boy; Luke was it?"- he said suddenly turning around to face me again.
I grinned and looked back at him. His glowing green eyes were on me and he was smiling. Just a moment earlier he was making me feel like I was annoying him and now... I had no idea what he was doing now.
No matter how much I tried, I just couldn't figure him out. These few weeks of my failed attempts witness that.
Only thing that was clear to me was the way I feel when he's near me. I still had to choose what to do with that. Ignoring it obviously doesn't help.
"Yes, it's Luke..."
"Who is he?"- he asked cutting me off.
"A boy living with me"- I said not knowing how to explain.
"Your boyfriend?"
"No, no, no, God no. He's my... he's Nimueh's boyfriend"
"What boyfriend? How old is that guy?"- he said a bit annoyed. It seems like Luke will have to deal with overprotective brother. I smiled at that thought. Adrian just frowned even more.
"He is six. His parents died when you came and he was alone until I took him in. He was the one who found Nimueh actually. They spent quite some time together"- I said and his frown fell off of his face. He nodded lost in thought.
When he didn't say anything I turned to Layla. I heard him walk away.
"What's the deal with you and Cora?"- I asked her.
"Oh, nothing; I just don't like whores"
"She was whore before and you didn't mind it"
"Well she didn't practice her whoreness then"- she said as teacher came in.
Class started and I directed my attention at my little artwork which I started drawing last time.
I just drew some random shapes and lyrics of songs I could remember.
I never doubted that teacher noticed me not paying attention. He just didn't care.
Classes now were different than before. We don't have books, or homework, or tests or even grades. Teachers do their part by explaining curriculum and they don't really care if we learn it or not. But if you want a job you have to pass one exam on the end of your education. I've noticed that unlike us humans, Ultrrians would never use that as an excuse not to study.
They also don't separate generations - I mean there is no elementary school, high school and college, but kids are separated by age. In our school there were teenagers from 15 to 19 studying about everything in general. Next step would be specialization in certain area.
After bell rung and teacher exited the classroom I got up. Layla gave me questioning look and I said I'm just going to fresh up in bathroom.
I slowly made my way there, going through new hallways stripped of posters and all of the other things that made my school special. When I finally came to the bathroom, I opened the door and Emery came out. She smiled at me and gave me small wave. I did the same and went in.
Before all this happened toilets were always full, especially ones for girls. Now they were empty almost all the time.
I went to the sink and let the water running. I closed my eyes and just thought about my screwed up life. It was never perfect, but at least before I knew what I want. Everything is so complicated now.
I sighed and put my hands under cold water.
"How is it that I always find you here?"- someone said. I jumped surprised and put my cold hand on my moth to stop a scream from coming out. I turned around and saw Adrian smirking.
"You need to stop doing this"- I said angrily as my heart started slowing down. My anger seemed to entertain him as always.
"What?"
"This ninja thing you always do", I said and made a pause searching for a right word, "Stop sneaking up on me; I could get a heart attack you know. My heart is not as strong as yours"
He laughed and I glared at him.
He stopped and just looked at me with grin on his face. His dark blonde hair was messy and he was leaning on the door with his hands crossed. His forest green eyes were mysterious and he was biting his lower lip.
What would I give to know about what was he thinking about...
"Do you believe in love?"- he asked suddenly breaking the silence.
He coughed me off guard with that question. I stared at him for few seconds not knowing what to say.
"I don't know"- I said finally.
"How can you not know?"
"Easy... it's something I never had and probably never will have, but it doesn't mean it doesn't exist"- I said honestly.
"You seemed like pro-love girl"
"It's more Layla's thing", I said and stopped for a moment, "What about you?"
"What about me?"- he asked back. I knew he understood perfectly what I wanted to ask him.
"Do you believe in it?"
He looked down and pressed his lips tight together for some time not saying anything.
"I don't believe in fairytales"- he said as he looked up and left using his super-speed.
I was left alone in empty bathroom confused. I should get used to it. He does it every time; playing that hot-and-cold game. I rolled my eyes and turned the water off.
Maybe I got tired of it; being indecisive, uncertain of what I have and what I want.
I had a lot in my plate, but I decided that I will at least find an answer to one of my questions.