Chapter 17 Study Hall
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Loveless smiled brightly as she stood between Vic and James. "So!" She chirped happily. "Let's get you to the office." Her dark eyes shimmered happily. "Do you think they will give us the same classes?" She smiled sweetly. "I can't wait for you to meet the others!"
"They will," James smirked. "They're starin' again darlin'." His smirk turned into a wide grin as he allowed Loveless to take his hand and drag him in the direction of the office.
She rolled her eyes. "My smile scares people," Loveless replied while waving them off. They would get over it or look at her feet instead. She didn't care which one.
Vic chuckled. "Let's go. I'm too good-looking to stare at for too long - medical issues can arise." His never-fleeing arrogance sifted through the air. Vic smirked at the twin groans that greeted him. "Don't be like that love-bug." He pouted softly.
"What do you mean 'I'm too good-looking'?" James growled playfully. His brows furrowed as he looked at the other man around Loveless. "And why am I the only one being led to the office?"
Loveless shook her head, but couldn't fight the smile playing with her lips. "I think we should take another look at the medical issue thingy - there is some truth to that." Her eyes cut back to James for a moment. "Vic said you get lost easy." Her eyes sparkled at the looks she received.
"Meanies." Vic pouted.
James snorted. "What do you mean I get lost?"
. .
"Hello!" Mrs. Peterson smiled brightly. "You two are new." Her eyes glittered as she glanced from Loveless to them once more. She had made friends. That was good.
Vic and James nodded.
"Class is about to start." She smiled sweetly.
James stepped closer. "We were hoping to sit with our friend." His dark eyes gazed at her, his deep green eyes hypnotizing her. They were going to sit with Loveless. However, it was better if the teacher thought it was her idea.
"Oh," She nodded, a blush staining her cheeks. "O-of course." She twisted around towards the class. "Both of you move to other seats."
"Thanks, darlin'," he whispered as he passed by the teacher before facing the class.
Mrs. Peterson cleared her throat and looked in the opposite direction as she tried to cool her frazzling nerves. "Class, meet our new students." These two were a little dangerous.
Swoons could be heard from the girls, while groans from the guys.
"Hello, James Saintclaire. Originally from Texas . . . moved around a bit." He was tall - 6'3", with a lean firm build. His hair was short - but long enough to fall into his eyes, while short with a fading buzz in the back and sides - a lush midnight black. His skin was a soft golden hue that made his dark green eyes shine vividly.
"Hello, my name is Vicktor Smyrnov. It's spelled S-m-y-r-n-o-v sounds like Smirnoff vodka." He was tall - 6'1", with a lean firm build. His hair was short with the front edges falling in front of his eyes - a lush mocha brown. His skin was a soft golden hue that made his pale leaf-green eyes luminescent.
"Class . . . " She spoke expectantly.
"Hello!" They called out.
"Now please take your seats." Mrs. Peterson smiled but didn't let her eyes linger like she wanted to.
Vic and James sat, one on each side of Loveless.
A smug smile graced her lips as envious eyes glared at her. Loveless giggled softly. If only they knew that James and Vic batted for each other. It wasn't the first time she had received envious glares where these two were concerned.
James smirked. "What'cha gigglin' at darlin'?" His Texan twang shone through with the ever-present darlin' that he drawled out. The fire in him danced. Their princess was happy. Anytime their princess was happy - the fire in the could be felt. Dancing with the flames. That was how his father had described it.
Loveless' icy blue eyes shimmered with glee. "They're envious." She smirked. Her lips thinned as she did her best not to blurt out the obvious. "The usual."
"I see." James smiled at Vic over the top of Loveless' head.
Vic rolled his eyes. "Pay attention you two. I will not do your homework." His lips pursed as he fought away a wide smile. They all knew that as soon as Loveless batted her pretty blue eyes at him, Vic would cave.
Loveless turned towards the other and pouted. She whined, "Not fair!" Her eyes sparkled. She knew what Vic was thinking and it was true.
"Pay attention darlin'," James cooed playfully. He winked at Vic.
Loveless rolled her eyes before beginning to doodle.
. .
"So!" Claire squealed. "Introduce us!" Her eyes were wide, a bright smile covered her supple lips. Her dark brown eyes sparked widely as she stared at the two new guys. These two were special. Very special. She'd never seen Nicole this happy before.
Loveless rolled her eyes. "James and Vicktor." A smile graced her lips as they bowed their heads in acknowledgment. "He usually goes by Vic." She pointed at her new friends. "Claire, Eric, and Angela."
"Nice to meet you," Vic replied, his air of aristocratic hierarchy ever-present. Though, he was willing to tone it done if Loveless cared about the three standing before him. His eyes were cool as he assessed the people standing before him. Were they worthy of their Princess? Loveless had already placed attachments to them. They could see the strands that wove around their Princess.
"You're cool!" Eric blurted out before he could stop himself.
James smirked, a soft chuckle falling from his lips. "So where are we headed now?"
Loveless and Angela grinned. "Study Hall!" they chimed together in melody. And that was why everyone liked Wednesday. Every Wednesday the 'homeroom' classes had third period free.
"And you two are happy why?" Vic questioned with an arched eyebrow. Something was up. The look in Loveless' eyes was mischievous.
Loveless shrugged. "The librarian is hot."
Angela giggled and nodded. A gentle blush stained her softly tinted caramel-colored skin. Dark thick eyelashes framed shimmering chocolate orbs. "So hot!" Her eyes connected with Loveless, it was one of the things that had helped them bond with their budding friendship.
James chuckled once. "Then, by all means, let's not dally." He winked at Vic before ushering Loveless forward.
Vic smirked as he followed the group, letting them lead the way. His leaf-green orbs followed Loveless' movements with skilled precision. He smirked as he glanced to his right. Leeches. Vic tilted his head to the side, bowing in acknowledgment. Vic liked to play with his prey. James wasn't too fond, but Vic had always found a poetic justice in the predator becoming the prey.
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Edward frowned. 'He knows something.'
Devon barely moved as he nodded in agreement. 'They both do. They are like Damon and I.' His brows ever so slightly twitched as he frowned with inhuman speed. 'My observation was right.' Devon licked his lips, a human aspect he had picked up. 'They are more powerful apart than Damon and I together.'
Which means together . . . Edward trailed off as he consciously breathed in and out. That was not good.
Devon nodded softly. "Yes."
"What are you talking about?" Bella questioned. Her head tilted to the side as her doe eyes widened innocently. They were doing that mind link thingy. Edward's eyes always glazed over when he was reading someone's thoughts.
Edward smiled softly. "Nothing important my love. Are you ready for study hall?"
Bella nodded. "So do you know anything about the two new students?" She placed her hand in the crook of Edward's offered arm.
"No, my love. Just that it is the same James and Vicktor that Paul was talking about." Edward replied. She'd been upset when they had been told to leave. And even more so when the others refused to tell her what had gone on. There was a block, Devon and Jasper had put up a block and didn't bring it forward with Edward around. Maybe I am getting weaker.
Bella nodded. "The one we met at the diner." A pout marred her lips. "That's all?"
"It is." Edward nodded. "Yes, my love."
She heaved a small sigh and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Well then, let's go. Maybe we can make friends with them in study hall." A bounce in her step as she moved forward with Edward.
"Bella," Rosalie heaved an audible sigh. "They don't want to be your friend."
Bella pouted, before whining, "Why is she so mean to me, Edward?" She blinked innocently.
'Seriously', She heaved a sigh as Edward glared at her. Rosalie rolled her eyes. 'You were thinking it. Don't be a little shit simply because you wouldn't say it out loud.' Her words were sharp as she spoke with vampiric speed.
His glare intensified. He didn't like that she was right. Edward frowned and blocked Rosalie from his mind. He had learned to block and ignore those thoughts he didn't want. Passing thoughts. His eyes narrowed as he realized where Bella was leading him. "Bella," Edward whispered. His ears would have reddened if he was still human as he picked up on the conversation from the table.
Angela groaned. "Bella's coming over."
"Lovely," He heaved a soft sigh. James' nose crinkled ever so slightly. He had already warned Vic about the doctor's niece.
Loveless grinned and turned towards Vic. "Did James tell you she tried to hit on him?" She smiled a sweet innocent smile as she looked at the brunette. And Vic could play the jealous card when he wanted amusement.
"Oh," Vic arched a perfect eyebrow. "Did she?"
James had the audacity to blush. A chuckle fell from his lips. "Darlin' . . ." He shook his head and heaved a sigh. "You are starting something for no reason, Lovely."
"James?" Vic tilted his head. "Hmm?" His eyelashes fluttered as a smile covered his lips. "What is it, James?"
James turned to glare at Loveless. He pointed at the smirking brunette. "I blame you." James shook his head as he stared at Vic over Loveless' head. "You know me better."
Loveless giggled.
He nodded. "I do know you," 'Very well .' Vic winked. "You don't like skinny bitches. I'm not worried."
"Vic," Loveless held up a hand. "Let's be honest. He doesn't like bitches." She blinked a few times before flashing a pretty smile.
Vicktor laughed out loud at the shocked look on James' face.
"Darlin'! That's not something you just blurt out." James did his best to fight the smile forming on his lips. She had been around Vic a little too much. He could see it more easily when they put the two in a room together. They seemed to feed off of the bluntness that each had. James was still deciding if it was a good thing. Their Princess needed the bluntness. She needed to be ready for everything that would eventually be hurdled her way - and she needed to handle it with a fleeting glance and measured grace.
Eric snorted and waved them off. "We already knew."
"Really?" Vic arched a brow in amusement. "How so?"
Claire pointed at James. "He keeps checking you out. And you have glanced at him quite a few times." A blush rose to the apple of her cheeks. "And not in the friend kind of glance."
"Not to mention, we think Eric is secretly in the closet." Angela supplied. A smirk on her supple lips as the said male protested. "What Nerd? What'cha gonna do?" She cackled high at the look she received. "Though, Eric does have a nice bubble butt - so I understand why one might stare in general."
The group broke out into laughter.
James smiled as he watched Loveless smile jovially at the shocked-looking Eric. 'She has made good friends.'
Vicktor nodded. 'Our Princess has done good without us here. She definitely has.'
"Hi!"
"Go away," Loveless snapped. She didn't feel like being nice. A cold burn started at the base of her sternum.
The tall pale boy beside the brunette frowned. "It's not polite to be rude," Edward replied calmly. He stood beside Bella. Why couldn't his Bella see they were not good enough to be friends with?
Loveless rolled her eyes. "It's not polite to butt into a conversation. But, somehow that never stops you." She arched an eyebrow in question. That street went two ways. "You have been told repeatedly that no one is interested in being friends with you." She pointed at Bella. "You have ignored that statement each time. That's also rude." She fluttered her eyebrows at the couple before her.
"My name is Isabella. Friends just call me Bella." She smiled brightly. Her eyes zeroed in on James and Vicktor. "It's great to see you again." She ignored the brunette and her harsh words. If she waited long enough, Nicole would give in. Just like Jacob had. She just needed to be patient.
James glanced up at the mahogany-haired girl. "We've met?" He cocked his head to the side while blanketing the group surrounding him - keeping their thoughts silent. It was a talent. One only his kind possessed, let alone perfected. What others didn't need to know; they wouldn't see, hear, or know.
What? Edward frowned and glanced at Devon. 'Do you feel that wall?' His lips barely moved - unseen to human eyes - as he spoke to his vampiric family.
Devon shrugged with his inhuman speed. 'I can feel their power. But I cannot tell you who is using it at this moment. They are blocking all of my senses off.' Devon shook his head and pushed towards Edward through his mind. He let his eyes fall on James and Vic as he reached out with his own gift. Devon swallowed a hiss jerking back slightly. His senses were numbed, leaving him lost and cold.
'Who?' Edward glanced back and forth between Vicktor and James. Which one? His brows furrowed as he used his gift to push into Devon's thoughts.
Bella pouted. "Aw, that's not nice." She ran her hand through her hair once more. "I know you remember me."
James blinked. "We've met?" His brows furrowed dramatically. "Are you sure?"
"Of course, we met at the diner." Bella smiled as she blinked, eyeing the male specimen before her. She stepped closer. "Don't you remember," she purred.
"Bella," Edward warned softly. What is she doing?
Rosalie snorted softly, she didn't need a mind link to guess what her brother was thinking. She's hitting on him in front of you. Rosalie made sure the thought stayed in the front so Edward could read it. She might not share a mind link - but it was easy for her to tell when he saw it.
Edward growled. No, she isn't. She loves me.
Rosalie smirked, she knew that look too. Are you sure?
"Bells," His teeth gnashed together, jaw tightening. "Let's go find a seat."
Bella glanced at her boyfriend before turning back to James. "How can you not remember me?"
"Not everyone wants to remember you." Loveless snorted. "First of all, you aren't that special. Secondly, your master just gave you a direct order. I would listen." She blinked innocently. "Bye-bye." She cooed softly, batting her eyelashes.
Bella held her glare in as Edward curved his arm around her waist and directed her toward an empty table.
"Ugh! She is so annoying!" Eric declared, his eyes on the Cullens as they floated away. "How can anyone be that daft?" he questioned while turning back to the group. "That type of blatant stupidity should be studied so it can be fixed." HIs nose scrunched up.
The edges of James' lips quirked. 'He's a character.'
Vicktor smiled and fussed with Loveless' hair. 'They all are. Our Princess chose well.'
'That she did, that she did.' James smiled fondly at the two. 'Just like mother and daughter.' They had done their best. Vicktor had taken the part of her mother, and he had taken the part of her father. They had done the best they could given all of their respective ages.
"Stop messing with my hair, Vicki," Loveless cajoled playfully.
Vic stuck his tongue out. "I'll have you know, anyone would be happy if I played with them." He wiggled his eyebrows. A prideful smirk settled on his lips. Vic was good looking and he knew it.
James snorted.
"I'm single, honey. You can play with me anytime." A smooth voice quipped from behind Vicktor.
The group turned.
Vicktor arched an eyebrow in amusement. He let his pale leaf-green eyes slide over the small, supple frame. A slow smile spread across his supple lips as his eyes met the others.
"I'm Lauren." She moved closer while flipping her blonde.
A predator's smile covered his lips. His eyes gleamed dangerously. "No thanks, I'm clean." He eyed the girl before him as the words he spoke sunk in. There seemed to be no special awareness - maybe it was a small-town thing. It would be good to get into a more anonymous setting once Loveless graduated. Vic's smile turned sweet as he looked at his princess. He'd missed Italy - he couldn't wait to show her the beautiful side of it, of his home.
Lauren's eyes widened as her jaw dropped. "What?" she screeched in anger. No one had talked to her like that. Her eyes narrowed as they caught Nicole giggling. Her again. Her lips pursed. First, Nicole had wedged her way between Paul and her, and now this? Lauren was going to need to deal with that little twat if this kept up.
"Well," Vic cocked his head to the side cutely. "I said, 'I'm clean.' Did you not understand?" Sure, it was catty. But Lauren had been rude to his princess. This meant you were fair game.
Lauren growled once more before stalking away.
"Okay, you are officially my hero!" Eric squealed.
Loveless rolled her eyes and wrapped her arms around Vic. "Nope, I saw him first."
"Sharing is caring!" Eric sang.
Mmmm, she made a show of thinking as she hummed. Loveless shook her head and smirked. "He's mine." Loveless snapped sweetly. She didn't share Vic or James with anyone. Unless James and Vic needed James and Vic time, she was so not getting in the way of that.
Vic wrapped his arms around her shoulders while patting her arm. "Now now, there's enough to go around." He winked at James.
"Yes, but I'm special." Loveless smiled and purred softly as she nestled closer. "So warm."
Vic squeezed her closer while rubbing her arms.
"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask about that." Claire started. "How come you're so cold? I mean like frigid cold?" Her head tilted to the side in blatant curiosity.
Loveless shrugged.
"Not sure," James murmured. "I even took her to the doctor one time for a check-up - just to make sure." That wasn't completely true. Yes, he had taken her to the doctor but it was so they could get a sample of her blood. They had to be sure. They knew as soon as they saw her, that she was the princess. But they had to be sure before getting too close. James smiled softly at the two before answering. "She's been like this since birth. It's genetic." And it was. It was a gift from her mother, it would be the only way she could withstand the heat during her Ashen.
Claire nodded.
"Oh!" Angela perked up brightly. "Tomorrow is Claire's birthday!" She smiled brightly, and her eyes shimmered cheerfully. "We are going to First Beach."
Claire giggled cutely and flashed a peace sign as all eyes turned to her.
"All three of you are invited." Angela glanced at Claire, a devious sly-ness crossed her face. "I was hoping you would invite the guys."
Loveless groaned. "Why," she whined.
"Quil," Angela replied while smirking. She batted her lashes at Claire.
Claire perked, if possible, even more. "Really?" Her eyes shimmered with hope.
Damn it . . . just like a puppy - though Paul loo-. "Can't I, I don't know . . . Just invite Quil?" Loveless bargained. Did she have to invite all of them?
Angela shook her head. "Nope, that will be suspicious." She pointed at Loveless. "Waay too suspicious."
"Ugh," Loveless groaned once more and burrowed closer. "Fine, but I'm going to word it differently." Her nose wrinkled, now she had to talk to them. She did much better when she could ignore them.
Claire pouted. "Why?"
"Do they know you?"
Claire shook her head. "Nope." A pout marred her lips. That was why she hadn't been able to date Quil . . . yet.
"Right, so if I invite them to your birthday, they might realize something is up." Loveless shrugged. "Letting them tag along . . . will make it seem less suspicious." She pointed at Claire. "And since tomorrow is your birthday - short notice much? - my present to you will be Quil's arrival."
Claire beamed and nodded. "Of course! Best present ever!"
Loveless giggled.
Angela held out a slip of paper. "Okay, all of our numbers are on here, text us later if they are!" She stood and tucked a couple strands of the brown hair behind her ear. "Bells about to ring," her cheeks tinged red. "I need to check out a book."
James smirked. "Check out the book, or check out the bookkeeper?" Loveless questioned slyly while picking up the paper.
"I thought you liked my ass?" Alex replied, looking heartbroken.
Angela rolled her eyes. "Can't I have the best of both hot guys?"
The group laughed and watched as she sashayed off.