I was kept under house arrest the next few days. Somehow, the school agreed to live stream my classes so I wouldn't miss anything and they even sent homework. There were no visitors of any sorts. Alexander's face was still on the news. The police came to check on the house and ask if I'd seen the Prince around.
Alexander said he'd have someone look into it but there had been no progress. His face was still all over the news. The Royals family refused to comment and everywhere I looked, the public was asking for the Prince's arrest.
"How am I supposed to focus?" I muttered to myself.
I nibbled on my pencil. I had read the same passage ten times now and I still couldn't understand what it was saying. Groaning, I fell back on the bed. I hadn't been outside in days. Sure, I was allow to open my window and get a breath of fresh air but it wasn't enough. And sure, I didn't always like going outside but this time I was missing it. I wanted to sit on the grass and feeling the wind against my face. Was that too much to ask?
Sighing, I rolled over and grabbed my phone off the side table by the bed. There were no messages from anybody. Sonia's last message was two days ago. We didn't talk much outside of her explaining material I didn't understand but it wasn't much.
It was eight o'clock in the evening. I hadn't been able to eat much at dinner. How long did it have to be like this? My parents hadn't said anything about Micah or anything. Were they trying not to worry me? Why couldn't they tell me anything? Even Alexander wasn't including me in anything. Whatever they needed to tell me, I could handle it. Why couldn't they trust me?
"Stupid jerk," I muttered. "You should have handled it by now. Why are they still after you?"
What if he suddenly turns himself in? My heart lurched at the thought. I sat up. He couldn't possibly do that. His pride wouldn't let him. How could the Vampire Prince get locked by humans? And yet, it was hard not to notice that he had changed. But would he really go that far?
I shook my head. No, of course he wouldn't. That wouldn't solve anything. He had to have some sort of plan. Was I really untrustworthy that he couldn't tell me?
"Stupid jerk!"
"Take it easy on the insults," said a familiar voice.
I swirled around and found Alexander leaning against the wall. It took every ounce of my will not to run to him. I couldn't easily forgive him for abandoning me these past few days. I crossed my arms.
"Now you decide to drop by," I grumbled.
He gave me an apologetic smile. "I've been busy," he replied.
I opened my mouth then closed. Come to think of it, he was wearing the same clothes I'd seen him before. I didn't it was possible for vampires to look so exhausted. Had he gotten any rest? What about food? I didn't know what vampires needed to do to survive but food and rest were a given, right?
"Have you eaten?" I blurted out.
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Why would you concern yourself over that?" he asked. "It's not like your offering to feed me, right?"
My stomach did a flip. He sure had a way of saying things. "N-no, nothing like that," I stammered. "I just want to make sure you're doing alright. You said it yourself, right? Your dad isn't providing you with any support. The least I can do is ask if you're taking care of yourself."
Alexander flinched. "I'm fine," he said. "I have . . . fed."
I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. Neither of us spoke for a while. Suddenly, I felt the bed dip. I found myself staring down at Alexander's face. His head was resting on my lap. I jumped back and smacked my head on the wall.
"Idiot," Alexander said holding my head.
Ah. There was no pain. I looked up. Alexander was close. His shoulder was just inches away from my face.
"Y-you can't just do that and not expect me to get startled."
Alexander sat. "I promise to move slower."
Feeling embarrassed, I grabbed a pillow and held it against me. He still didn't know the definition of personal space.
Clearing my throat, I asked, "how's it coming along?"
He knew exactly what I meant. This time he did move slower and his head came to lay on my lap again. He pressed his face into the pillow and mumbled something.
"What?"
"It's fine," he said louder. "The progress has been slow but it's fine."
Somehow, looking down at him, I didn't believe him. Hesitating, I ran my fingers through his hair. It was as silky as I had imagined it to be. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Why couldn't my hair feel like this? I sighed. Now really wasn't the time to be thinking about such things.
He was probably having a hard time with this. He had no support from his family whatsoever. I wouldn't know what to do if that ever happened to me.
"It's been quiet," I told him. "Nothing new has shown up. But, I did tell my parents what happened."
At this, I felt Alexander tense but he didn't move.
"They haven't told me what came of it though. So, I'm sure everything is going to be fixed soon. He wasn't supposed to reach out to me the way he did. He broke the agreement with the court."
"So, I'm useless."
Speechless, I looked down at him. "What? No. Where did you get that idea?"
"Seems like I can't do anything on my own," he continued.
"Stop pouting," I snapped. "If anything, I should be apologizing for getting you into this mess. This is happening because of me. You should be blaming me. Don't you see?"
Alexander sat up. "Then, how are you going to make it up to me?"
I swallowed thickly. I couldn't think over the pounding of my heart. "W-well, what do you want?"
Alexander tapped his chin. "Hmm, well, there was one thing I have always wanted," he began.
"You're not having my blood," I blurted out.
He towards me, pouting. My face turned red. How dare he make a face like that? I needed to prepare myself first.
"L-let's go on a date."
At this, he perked up. "Where to?" he asked. "I thought you were under house arrest."
"If I stay here any longer, I'm going to go crazy."
"So, you want to go now?" he asked.
"Might as well," I told him. I gestured to my books. "I can't focus on anything. I need a break."
"I guess that's alright," he said.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "You make it sound like I'm forcing you to do this."
"No, you're not."
"Is this because I asked you on a date and not the other way around?"
"What? No. I don't care about that stuff."
"Right."
Alexander rubbed his face. "Let's not," he suddenly said.
My stomach dropped. "But you just said -"
"I'm not dressed properly," he explained. "If you're going out with the vampire Prince, I need to look the part."
I shook my head. "I don't want to go out with the vampire Prince. I want to go out with Alexander."
He looked at me for a long time. "Alright," he finally said. "But, just so you're aware, the police are looking for me. I guess if we're caught, you can tell them I kidnapped you or something."
"Don't be so dramatic. Meet me on the rooftop in like ten minutes."
He frowned. "What are you going to do?"
"You'll see."
Ten minutes later, we were both sitting on the roof wrapped up in blankets and sharing a gallon of chocolate ice-cream.
"Is this alright?" he asked, scooting closer.
I stared out at the dark houses that stretched out around me. "Yup," I told him.
The air felt nice and fresh. Even if I did have to go back to my room, for now, I was able to enjoy this. I scooped up some ice-cream with a spoon and ate it. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Alexander. His attention seemed somewhere far away.
I placed my head on his shoulder. "Even if no one believes in your innocence," I whispered. "I do. Don't forget that."
"What nonsense are you spouting now?" he asked.
I scooped up more ice-cream and ate it. "You have me. Don't forget that either."
"Eat your ice-cream."
I pulled the blanket tighter around me. Even if he wouldn't admit it, he had to be hurting. Everyone had turned their back on him. He draped his arm across my shoulders.
"I hear it's going to be cold," he said. "Let's stay like this so you won't catch a cold."
I duck my head to hide the smile. "Okay."
It's going to be alright. We're going to get through this.