3 — WORLD BUMPING DAY

Song for the Chapter: The Only Thing That Matters by Kevin Levar

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Sometimes, we all need a little push—bump—to get us in the right direction. No matter how uncanny it might seem.

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"So, this is your schedule," the Vice Principal smiled at Violet as she sat behind her opulent desk.

"We know of your injury and would not force you to involve yourself in any physical activities unless you feel well enough to,"

She was a genteel woman who seemed to be in her early 50s, grey streaks highlighting her hair. She appeared to be the kind who didn't flaunt her position as most others in such positions would.

Despite her understanding smile, Violet felt overwhelmed by the many classes she had to take. Due to her fencing, she had always been exempted from classes whenever she needed to.

But this... felt different. She felt like she was going to suffocate under the load of the abrupt changes in her life.

Having already had a trying day, which involved waking up earlier than usual to help prepare breakfast for the family—a rather large one which could probably feed all of Afghanistan.

Violet gathered her equilibrium and willed herself to smile back. She took her tablet which had been loaded with her schedule and everything she needed for her classes and walked out.

This is my fate... God's plan for my life now.

She took in a deep breath, closing her eyes for the briefest moment as she reflected on her elder brother's words.

Everything is going to be alright, she thought to herself. Would it not?

She recalled the previous night's encounter and immediately shook her head. No, she wasn't going to dwell on her encounter with the Ice Prince.

Violet pulled up the school map on her tablet and tried to locate her first class for the day, when the premonition of a presence surrounded by evil hit her like an avalanche.

Since she had first received the Gift of THE SPIRIT, she often had visions and a keen sense of the presence of the spiritual realm wherever she went—and she felt it at that moment.

This time, it was a feeling of someone approaching. And that person had a tormented soul plagued by something she could not quite point out.

Violet always tried to ignore such feelings as much as possible.

Think of something else, Violet.

She was still lost in her musings when someone bumped into her from behind. Swiftly regaining her balance, she felt the sting in her shoulder.

"Ouch," she muttered.

"Don't you know your way around yet, Blue?" A sardonic voice called from behind her.

She whirled around.

Do I know him?

He looked vaguely familiar. Violet then realised where the feeling of the demonic infliction had come from. And, it registered into her spirit all too quickly—to her discomfort.

Turning to fully face the person, she met the mocking glare of a tall green-eyed boy.

You bumped into me and my name is not Blue, her heart screamed out. Where did that nickname even come from?

But from somewhere deep within, a quiet Voice willed her to remain calm. She looked into his eyes and saw a hurting soul behind the mask of indifference.

Violet drew in another breath—it was a habit she had cultivated during her training whilst fencing.

She knew she was going to be using it in this place more often than not.

She gave a brief smile and stepped out of his way, still trying to remember why he looked familiar. She stretched out an arm.

Move on, her gesture implied.

He huffed and moved past her into the main hall. It was only then that Violet noticed the two other boys trailing behind him.

They swaggered with an air of ownership.

"So, that is one posse around here. I see," she muttered to herself after they had passed and she glanced at her watch.

Oh no. I am going to be late for my first class if I don't hurry.

She sped up, trying to recall the location she had read from the map and glancing ever so frequently at her watch.

She soon neared the door which read "R-AP HISTORY",

What-ever is R-AP History?

She slowed down and glanced at her schedule to make sure she was at the right place when she bumped her head into something rock solid—or rather, someone.

Did I miss something? Did someone neglect to inform me today is the World's Bumping Day?

"Ouch," she touched her forehead slightly. She expected the person she had bumped into to give another snarky remark or to berate her.

Gradually with her palm still on her stinging forehead, she raised her eyes to the tall figure in front of her and froze at the icy gaze.

Though she had met him the night before, she hadn't seen his face too clearly. But, the feeling of temperatures beginning to lower was still intact—and that was without exaggeration.

~

The Night Before:

"Did no one tell you this place is off-limits?"

Violet's eyes widened in horror as she jumped, not as much from fright as the iciness that permeated her being from the voice that spoke.

She turned and saw a figure with broad shoulders barely illuminated by the garden lights, sitting with his back turned toward her.

Is that an easel? She noticed despite her fright. She couldn't quite make it out.

The figure turned his face ever so slightly towards her, but the shadows made his features hard to read.

"Or do you lack a sense of direction?"

"I'm... I—," she didn't complete her words when he stood up with—yes, it was an easel—and spoke turning his back towards her again.

"Just watch out next time."

And he was gone before she knew it.

"I'm sorry," she whispered to the wind, finally finding her voice.

Despite not seeing him clearly, she could tell who he was—Prince Vincenzo.

Once more, she felt that feeling of gloom surrounding her. And she knew she had stepped into uncharted territory—again.

Was it ever going to end?

~

She finally saw him clearly in the daylight. His hair was dark brown and his blue eyes were as icy as his voice.

He looks like a sculpture from the Grecian era.

Blame it on my infatuation with Greek history.

Which one will he pass for?

It finally hit Violet like an epiphany.

She knew the boy she had first bumped into had looked familiar!

With features akin to the one who stood before her—except for their different eye colours, of course—he was the youngest son of the Ferraris.

She had seen him in the family painting hanging in their home.

"If you will excuse me, I have a class to get to."

"And here I thought noblesse oblige allowed the lady to enter first," her eyes widened and she clasped a hand over her mouth when the words slipped out without forethought.

The corner of his eyes twitched the slightest bit—a gesture she could not decipher as positive or negative with the rest of his demeanour being so indifferent.

She immediately stepped out the way of this Ferrari—again.

The bell rang just as he walked to the front of the class. Vincenzo gently rolled his sleeves as he took his seat at the teacher's desk, unlocking the tablet set before him.

She felt her body grow numb as she followed through the same entryway and her brain tried to compute it all.

Wait... was he a teacher here and for that matter—hers?

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Hola muchachos! I hope by God's Grace you are all well. What did you think of this chapter? I find myself thinking of cars when I see Ferrari.