"Hi Sonia, it's been a while since you've come over. How's your family?"
As she spoke, my mom gave me a quick look. Maybe I should have told her Sonia was coming over.
"Please excuse the mess," my mom continued. "I didn't know Rin was bring a guest."
"Your house is as clean as ever ma'am," Sonia replied. "They're good actually. Just worried about what's been going on."
My mom's smile almost looked painful.
"We're going to go to my room," I told her.
"Rin, why don't you help me make some snacks?" That was an order.
"Sure." I turned to Sonia. "You know where to go?"
"Yeah."
I followed my mom into the kitchen. She stopped at the center and turned around, her arms crossed. She waited for me to speak.
"I don't know if we're still friends," I admitted, "but we just started talking and we're okay now."
My mom didn't look convinced. "Rin, I just want to make sure that you're doing the right thing."
"I know and you can tell me 'I told you so' if this turns out to be a bad idea."
My mom pulled me into a hug. "You know I wouldn't say that."
"No, but you'd think it."
In response, my mom rubbed my back. "So, how about some slice apples and peanut butter?"
"That sounds good."
Once I was in my room with the snacks, I somehow managed to quietly close the door to my room. I didn't need my mom suddenly overhearing our conversation. Sonia was on the rug, getting off her phone.
"I called my parents," she told me. "I told them I was studying."
I set the plastic tray down on my bed. Neither one of us spoke for a while. What was there to say? To put it simply, I had come crawling back to Sonia. She had made it clear that we weren't friends anymore. But I had no one else to talk to. I didn't want to tell my parents. I had worried them enough with the Prince hanging around. I saw the relief on their faces when the contract ended.
"He must have someone watching you," Sonia finally said. "From what you told before, he shouldn't have found you. Then again, you didn't change your name."
"I went by my first name this time," I reminded her.
"Because that helped."
I gave her a look. Truth be told, I hadn't told Sonia everything. All I told her that I had a bad run in with a vampire and I had to move. She didn't know any of the details but I was sure she had guessed what had happened.
Sonia nibbled on an apple slice. "So? What do you want to do?" she asked. "Honestly, I don't if I'll be able to help. I have some products as you know."
"I know. Thanks."
"What about the Prince?" she asked. "Does he know?"
I swallowed. "You don't have to worry about him," I told her. "We ended the contract."
Her eyes widened. "How did you manage that?"
"We got our own lawyer," I said, shrugging.
"Well, Carlos is still under surveillance."
"I-I'll talk to Mr. Keys."
"Maybe you can talk to him about the note," she said. "Maybe he can start something with the courts. You can get a restraining order or something."
"I doubt that. He was asked to go through counseling as a result. The courts won't do anything."
"You have to tell your parents sooner or later."
I sighed. "I know, it's just that I can't. They'll want to move again. This time, they'll make me change my name or something."
"You'll be safe."
"He probably has people that look for all the information."
Sonia reached into her backpack and pulled out a medium-sized rectangular object and a lipstick.
"You know what the little one does," she said. "The other is like a Taser. Promise me you'll carry it with you at all times, okay? I'll talk to my parents and see what other prototypes they have at the warehouse."
Sonia continued to amazed me. I was a bit scared of her too.
"Alright," I promised her. "Thanks."
Sonia stayed for an hour or so before leaving. She hadn't completed lied to her parents, we did study but, for the most part, we caught up on what had happened in the time we didn't talk. I still hadn't told her about Carlos and the Purists but that wasn't my secret to tell.
"See you tomorrow, I called at Sonia walked out.
She waved at me. I closed the door. My mom walked out of the kitchen.
"Did you guys talk it out?" she asked. "Are you friends again?"
I leaned against the door. "I don't know. We talked but I don't think we get back to the way things were. We said some things."
"And you two started talking just like that? Rin, is there something you wanted to tell me?"
"No," I said. "It's just that I didn't want things to end the way they did. I didn't want to be bitter towards her since we were friends for a long time."
"Alright," she said, "well, I'll have dinner ready soon."
"Okay."
This time when I went into my room, Alexander was sitting at my desk. He swirled around in his chair with a brown bag in one hand. Frowning, I closed the door.
"What are you doing here?" I asked. "Aren't you supposed to be a good heir and keep body guards around?"
His gaze went to the defensive tools Sonia had left on my bed.
"They aren't for you," I said quickly.
"Are those why you talked to your friend?" he asked, "to feel safe?"
"Don't be jealous. And no, that's not the reason. She knows what's going on."
"So you let your friend know about the note but you won't tell me?"
His expression didn't give me any hints as to what he was thinking.
"I told her what happened way before I met you."
I walked over to my bed and sat down. There was a couple of apple slices left. I grabbed one and started nibbling on it.
"If you're hungry don't eat that,"c Alexander suddenly said.
He rose from the chair and handed me the bag. Warily, I grabbed it and opened it. My stomach growled.
"Grilled cheese and cheddar broccoli," he announced.
I closed the bag. "What do you want?" I asked. "You're never nice."
Alexander gave me a lopsided grin. "I don't want anything."
"No."
His face fell. "I haven't said anything yet."
"I haven't said anything yet."
"The answer is still 'no'."
Alexander knelt beside me. "You know I care about you, right?"
"So you keep saying."
"I think it will be in your best interest to have me around."
I raised an eyebrow. "How?"
"I bring you food." He pointed at the brown bag. "I keep you safe and I will turn into Arthur as many times as you want me to."
It was just like him to take advantage of a hungry person.
He leaned closer. "I don't turn into a kitten just for anyone Rin."
My stomach did a flip. "I-I'm not dating you," I stammered out.
Alexander smiled. "We will see about that."
A/N: sorry about the wait.