Rejected And Forsaken
Chapter 21

Narrator

“Wake up sleepy head!” Carol’s eyes sprung open as she was woken up rather unexpectedly.

“My goodness!” she exclaimed and put a hand on her chest, trying to calm her pounding heart. She stared at her younger cousin who was covering her mouth while she giggled.

“Very funny Kat.” Carol grunted and wiped her eyes before checking the time. “What? It is just 5pm! What in the world did you wake me up so early? And today is Sunday, the only day of the week I get to sleep in. No training, no classes.” Carol g*****d and slumped back on to her pillow. “You just ruined my beauty sleep.”

“Come on. It’s Evan’s birthday and we have a lot to do.” Kat giggled.

“Right. So that means you already are excited about the makeover.” Carol sighed. Kat was sixteen years old and she always get over excited about parties and celebrations. She had been the closest person Carol had when she grew up and they always got ready for parties together. Tonight, her excitement would double since it is a special night for her elder brother.

“I am up. I’ll be downstairs soon. Ok?” Carol said and went to freshen up. She knew, if she doesn’t go with Kat, she wouldn’t stop nagging about this for the rest of the month.

Carol yawned as she went downstairs. She was still sleepy. But she didn’t have much of a choice. She will have to put up with Kat’s enthusiasm for the night.

“As they had their breakfast, Carol looked around and noticed that David or Evan was nowhere to be seen. She contemplated whether she should ask about them or not.

“Boo!”

“aaaaah” Carol screamed, startled and turned around to face Evan who was grinning at her mischievously.

“Evan!” She retorted. Kat was giggling as she had her food. Carol rolled her eyes. “What is wrong with you two?” she murmured.

“Whatever.” Evan was still smiling mischievously. “Ok. Now listen cuz. Your friend is going to get ready for the party tonight with me. I figured out you girls would want to have your little makeover today. So I’m going to be with David. You can have him after that.” He stated. Carol looked around, hoping to see him, but David was no where to be seen.

“Last night when we went to look for you, you already had gone to sleep. So I spend great time with the guy. He is really cool. I really like him.” Evan told, making Carol smile.

“Where is he now?” she asked.

“In my room with the other guys. Like I said. He is with me. I have borrowed him today. You can have him after the party.” Evan smirked and walked away. Carol bit her inner lips as she felt her insides churn uneasily. Suddenly, she lost her appetite. She pushed her plate of food away and leaned back against her seat.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” Kat asked. Carol sighed and smiled.

“I just….don’t feel like eating.” Carol answered.

“Why? Is it because you miss him?” Kat asked innocently.

Carol chuckled at Kat’s question. “What make you say so?” Carol asked.

Kat shrugged. “Well…. He is your friend. And you like him. So maybe you miss him.”

Carol laughed. “I like him?”

“Yes. Why else would you bring him to live here and place his room right across yours? And it is pretty obvious that you like him when you look at him or talk to him.” Kat answered. It looks like Kat has been observing pretty well.

“Never mind Kat. Let’s go and get ready.” Carol stood up and walked towards her room. She kept thinking about David the whole time. He mind kept flooding with his smile and his gestures. The time they spent together in the forest and in the palace. How he gave her his undivided attention when she spoke. Her heart beat faster and faster with the thoughts of the mysterious human. Her throat tightened and her palms started to sweat. But why? She had never felt like this before. Is it really because she likes him in a special way? She had heard about vampires falling in love with humans they meet in the human world. Though it is frowned on in the vampire society, some vampires choose to love the human. Some humans do accept. Some even want themselves turned.

But is this how it feels? Is falling is love going to make you feel so attached to that person? Does love make you your heat beat pulsate without a good reason? Does it make you feel all sweaty and sometimes hard to breath?

But then, what about her beloved? How could she love, when her heart had already chosen someone to love? She bit her lips as her legs carried her involuntarily towards her room. Before she knew it, she was already at her door.

“I have called Morgan. She will be here soon. Let’s wear our pretty gowns.” Kat, who was following her , squealed in excitement. Carol gave a small smile. The party and the make over was not exciting to Carol anymore. She stood at one side of the room when Kat ran in and out of the closet where their gowns were kept. She was constantly thinking about David and her feelings for him.

She can’t stop thinking about him. It is true. She liked him. She liked him more than she should. She felt things for him which only she should feel for her beloved. Kat’s actions and whatever she said was a blur to her. She stood frozen on her spot as she made peace with her feelings. Yes. She liked him. She liked him more than just a friend.

“Come on. Wear it. You would like stunning in this gown.” Kat’s voice took Carol out of her thoughts. She stared at the red gown that was placed on the bed. It indeed was a beautiful gown. The satin skirt glimmered in the lights. The top was decorated with black and red beads and the high collar of the gown only meant that the person wearing it was a royal.

Carol sighed. She had never wished that she didn’t belong to the royal family. But tonight, she couldn’t help but wish that she was not the crown Princess. Perhaps then, she could have a chance with David. She traced the lacy top with her cold pale fingers.

“You don’t look happy Carol.” Kat said. Carol looked at Kat who was staring at her intensely with a frown on a her face. It was too obvious. Kat could read her like an open book. Kat knew that Carol was missing him. She knew she will be feeling conflicted with her feelings. She knew, that it most probably would be hurting her cousin.

Carol smiled and took her gown. “Let’s just get ready. Morgan would be here any minute.” Carol pushed her feelings away. She quickly walked in to the closet to change, as she tried her best to hide the tears that were gathering in her eyes. She closed her eyes and let the tears flow down as soon as she was able to hide from Kat’s sight. For how long would she be able to ignore her feelings.

Soon enough Morgan arrived to do their makeup and by the time clock struck nine, both ladies were all prepared to attend the ceremony.

“My my. Your highnesses look stunning.” Morgan gasped over dramatically and covered her mouth. “I pity the boys out there.” She said and bowed down before she left the girls alone.

By this time Carol was feeling a little better. The gloomy mood was somehow uplifted by Morgan’s jovial personality. And soon the escort came to take the ladies to the ceremony. Kat held on Carol’s hand as they entered the ball room, where everyone was gathered. Everyone was invited to the ceremony, in the hopes of increasing the chance of replaceing Evan’s beloved. So the place was pretty much crowded.

“Soon it will be your turn. Just a few more months and you will turn eighteen.” Kat whispered. Carol sighed. She wanted to feel excited about it. But there was an unexplainable discomfort in her heart. She scanned the crowd until her eyes fell on her heart throb. There in the centre of the ball room, David Evan and their trainer were joking and laughing. They seemed to be having a great time.

Carol smiled. David looked great. In fact, all of them looked good, but her eyes were on him. They approached the girls as soon as they noticed them. Carol just kept on smiling. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t know what to say. When it was time for the dance, Carol wanted to dance with David, but David was asked for a dance by some other girl.

Carol glared as the girl put her hands on David’s shoulder. David had his arms on her waist when they swayed to and fro. She envied her. It should be her in his arms, not some random girl. The feeling of jealousy and anger only confirmed that she indeed had feelings for him.

“Excuse me. I need to go to the restroom.” She said and walked away.

“Should I come.” Kat asked, but Carol shook her head. She just wanted to be alone.

She almost ran towards the restroom, which was empty as she wanted it to be. She looked at her reflection and fought against her tears.

“Damn it.” She hissed as she balled her fists and punched the wall. Soon, the tears she had been fighting, escaped her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. The tears had won. She put her forehead on the cold marbled wall and once again tried to compose herself. Once she was able to control her tears she wiped her face and chuckled sadly at her reflection.

“You are stupid Carol.” She whispered. She was about to leave when she noticed a dark figure with his face covered silently watching her at the corner. She gasped and ran towards the door but then, she felt two strong hands grab her from behind. She growled in anger and quickly transformed. She was about to fight back but he beat her to it. The attacker gave a quick sharp blow at the back of her head, and the young heir to the throne dropped on to the cold floor, unconscious.