𝟙.𝟡: 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕎𝕒𝕤 ℍ𝕠𝕡𝕖 𝔻𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕀𝕟 𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞𝕤

—Arabella's perspective—

For my rest of the day, it included Hope trying to helped me stay awake. By her constantly being adorable as always, her pulling me to our room to do something I'd rather not say, her making me tell stories about my past. I also found out that we met Seylah's mother and she shot me right on my shoulder. Well that would explain why I had a bloodstain on my shirt when I woke up from a field.

"Ha, you're falling asleep." I pointed out when I saw Hope blinking out of character. I was too much of an idiot, a very tired idiot, to even dodge the crumpled paper Hope threw my way.

Hope was studying and I was doing what I do best by helping her stay awake. "Oh shut up it's not like you're tired too." She remarked at me making me snort and shrug.

"That pile of knowledge can help you stay awake." I pointed my finger at the stacks of books and papers. "And you studying can totally help me stay awake." I said in a totally not flirting way which made the girl blush in front of me.

"Well, I can think of ways to help us both to stay focused?" She suggested, a hint of something lingering in her tone. It took a second before it was my turn to blush. Damn you Hope.

"Ha, nice try. Unlike me, You actually do need to ace your exams. For your future and all." I said, resisting the urge to jump on her right now before we actually do something we regret. "Besides, Ric will kill me if he finds out I'm the reason why you flunked history." Shuddering, I told her.

Hope laughed and shook her head in dismay. Probably because my supposed pale cheeks are supposed to stay that way instead of red creeping its way. "Well what other suggestion do you have? It's not like learning world war 1 is going to help me stay awake."

"I have no idea but I'm pretty sure you can..." I stopped when I felt a sudden lash of sleepiness hit me. Where did that come from? "... you can manage.."

"You okay?" Hope asked, standing up from her seat and sitting besides me in worry. "You look a little... is it a bad girlfriend move if I say miserable?"

I let out a laugh and postured myself quickly. Probably because I'm tired or something. "I don't think you'd be the bad guy. This tiredness I feel is exhausting." I groaned and laid on bed.

"Nu-uh. You can't just lay in bed without falling asleep." Hope said and started to pull my arms until I was already sitting up again and I groaned in protest. I Didn't even noticed how she was already sitting on my lap.

"Trust me, I would go and face my fears and fight a night hag in my dreams rather than to feel 'miserable' all the time." I emphasised and it sent Hope chuckling looking down on me. "How the hell did you get on my lap?" Now I realised looking at her in disbelief.

"Oh, I'm smooth like that." She answered with a grin and wrapped her arms around my neck making me clear my throat of the sudden tention in the air.

I looked at Hope, more like glare. "Get off my lap."

"Or what? You'll sleep on me?" Hope retorted and undeniably leaned her face closer to mine making me stop breathing at how close we were.

"You have to study." I whispered, seemingly enough to have no ounce of self control when it comes to this tribrid that won't stop teasing the hell out of me.

"Screw studying." She sighed out in defeat. "My head is about to explode if you don't kiss me, Bella."

I clicked my tongue and playfully just looked at her. Waiting for her to do something and I could see the restraint she was holding back. Hope gave in with her eyes rolling and leaned to kiss me softly and heatedly.

Not like I was complaining and this definitely wasn't something I'm proud to do when it comes to distacting myself to stay awake. But ofcourse, I wasn't holding back.

The door rattled making Hope jump in shock and pull away, sitting on the empty space besides me and we watched the door open. I cleared my throat looked at Ric who was about to say something but he noticed our vert mishap of a behaviour.

"I uh... There's something you should see. It's Landon he fell asleep." Ric informed, pointing his thumb outside and eyed us suspiciously.

"Yeah.. w- We'll be right there." Hope said in an innocent smile, praying to god Alaric wouldn't ask. He just nodded and left the room.

I laughed, pinching the bridge of my nose when I heard Hope groan. "Just, let's go." She said and pulled me by my wrist, and now I definitely felt awake.

—Narrator's Perspective—

"The Senior witch faculty has mixed together a batch of energy herbs to help you stay awake. So, for those of you who are not getting on the evacuation bus, for lack of term, please does yourselves responsibly." Alaric finished and dropped the mic, turning to Arabella who was suppressing her laughter. "I'm gonna get sued. Or hexed, at the very least."

"You don't have to be so hard on yourself. At my last school, the gym teacher was deaing coke under the bleachers." Landon said and lets out a small laugh while Hope was tending to his hand that he stabbed.

Alaric scoffed. "Oh, yeah, that only makes me feel marginally better." Arabella smiled, feeling no energy whatsoever to tease him, she is still very much dead inside because of lack of sleep.

"Ow." Landon winced.

"You need to hold still. I'm almost done." Hope informed and kept going on placing some healing herbs to help him.

"Okay. What do you think she meant when she said bring it home?" He asked again to distract himself of the stinging pain on his palm. His question caught Arabella off guard that caused her to cough and luckily, Landon didn't notice of her stranger endeavour.

"I'm guessing she means Malivore." Ric started and Hope looked at him, the secret she was keen on keeping from Landon was eating her inside. "It seems her plan is to torment us until we produce the urn."

Landon nodded. "Right. But if the night hag is a monster that's trapped on the astral plane, then how can she even physically take the urn anywhere?"

"Yeah the book also says the Night Hag can't affect our reality, but... Arabella's neck and your hand seemed to prove that wrong. When your research consists of fairy tales and urban legends, sometimes the story gets twisted."

"Human dragon, anyone?" Hope said nonchalantly, looking over Ric.

"Dorian might be busy with the evacuation, but we'll figure this out. When the Night Hag finds a way to get the urn, we'll be there to stop it." Alaric looked over to the blonde who was staring on the wall, blank mind. "Wake up before you actually go to sleep." He threw her a pencil which she reluctantly caught before the lead hit her eyes.

Arabella gave him an irritated look before tossing the pencil back to him. She crossed her arms and yawned again.

"Well, at least it was a pretty memorable first day." Landon sighed as he was just about to receive bandageds.

"Yeah, and the night Hag is likely getting started. You know, Landon, I really wish you'd just evacuate with the others." Alaric said, looking at the boy who shook his head.

"I worked so hard to get here. If I run at the first sign of trouble, what's the point?" He asked.

Alaric sighed and sat down on the chair near them. "The point, Landon, is that we're trying to look after you."

"Honestly, you three are taking better care of me than anyone in my life ever has." He said and looked at Arabella thankfully as well, she gave him a guilt ridden smile and turned away.

"You know, we're all good here. Bella." Hope called and stood up, exiting the room with no turn backs. The Blonde shook away the tiredness of her eyes and soon followed her in pursuit. "Can you actually help me? I'm in desperate need to stay awake and I need a sparring partner."

Arabella chuckled. "Just don't enjoy breaking my bones too much. I may be a vampire but it doesn't make the pain less." Hope rolled her eyes and stiffled a laugh.

"I guess we'll have to see." She gave a wink before entering their room to change into something more comfortable than sweats.

"A child." Arabella whispered unknowingly with a smile under her lips. She chuckled and shook her head, getting inside their room to change.

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