Chapter 3: Reality and expectations

She locked at the clock and saw that it was 8:21am. This discussion with Jana has made me prepare late for school darn it. That selfish girl. Only thinking about herself. How is it my fault that she turned out to be a mischievous child. Gosh. I’m so mad right now. She thought to herself as she reached the dining hall.

She didn’t see her father seated,but realised that he had eaten his breakfast. She sighed and helped the maid to clear her father’s plates from the table. She entered into the kitchen and scooped some meat sauce into her a bowl,and scooped some rice into a flat plate. She arranged both plates in a tray and took it out to the dining. She sat on the dining table and started to eat. She wondered in sadness what she could do to make Jana understand that she wasn’t in any competition with her. She sighed again and focused on her food.

She finished eating and gulped down a cup of orange Juice,and then took the empty plates and cup to the kitchen. And washed the dishes herself,after dismissing the kitchen maids. Washing the dishes kind of gave some peace,so she washed all the dirty dishes. After washing them,she hurried don the hallway to her room,so that she could get ready for school. She was late alright,but that seemed better than missing school.

She had an important English test to take and a science assignment to turn in. She quickly had her bath and threw on a black leather skirt and a loose collared whit shirt. She used a leather belt to hold it in the middle,So that it was fitted from the top to the middle,and loose at the bottom. She then wore a leather ankle boot and then picked up her backpack,where her phone and notebooks were already arranged inside,motorcycle keys and helmet. She decided against driving with the car,cause she would encounter traffic and that would delay her even more.

“Dad,I’m off to school!” She yelled loudly from the door of the palace,hoping her father would have heard her. Without waiting for a response from her father,She quickly walked to the garage where the motorcycle was and hopped on it. She drove off at minimum speed and arrived at the school within 25 minutes. She turned off her motorbike’s engine,and put her helmet on the handle. She quickly ran up the stair and entered her class slowly.

“You’re late today,Your highness.” Mr Ben,The science teacher said and she nodded awkwardly when all eyes turned to look at her. “I’m sorry,Mr Ben.It was a home emergency.” She said and brought out the notebook that had the science assignment to him.

  She sat down beside Linda,her one and only friend she had ever made at this school,and she wouldn’t have had any friends if not that Linda made the first move. Yep,that’s right. Jewel was a nerd and she was a loner. Lectures had begun in earnest,when suddenly the fragrance of white roses,the flowers Jewel loved so much became so strong in her nose.  “Do you smell the fragrance of roses,Linda? They’re so strong in here. Who brought them.” She whispered to Linda and Linda in turn looked at her like she was crazy.

“There are no White roses in here,Jewel.Your nose is deceiving you big time.” She whispered back and turned her focus t the board. I definitely perceived White roses in here.Or am I being delusional. Jewel asked herself,and tried to focus but instead the fragrance became stronger. Suddenly the door to the class opened and in walked the most beautiful boy Jewel had ever seen. Her wolf leaped for joy,and she realised with a shock what had just happened. “Mate!” She murmured in shock.

The door opened and in walked the most beautiful boy that she had ever set her eyes on. Jewel’s wolf,Juniper,leaped for joy at the sight of the young man that walked in. It seemed that his own wolf recognised that his mate was here in this classroom,because he turned searching eyes and fixed his eyes on Jewel. He smiled at Jewel,and that smile made Jewel’s heart soar. “Mate!” She murmured in shock.

She giggled happily and didn’t notice that Linda was looking at her. “Mate? The transfer student is your mate?” She asked and Jewel turned to face her.  “Oh my wolf,did I say that out loud?” She said covering her mouth,and looked around to see if anybody else had heard her. Everybody was looking at the new boy,and murmured about who he might be. “Don’t worry,nobody else heard you,except me. I thought we don’t get mates till we clock eighteen years. You still have four months before you turn eighteen.” Linda said in wonder and Jewel giggled.

“Well,I guess mine turned out to be different.” Jewel said shrugging. “Wow,the moon goddess really adores you,Princess Thorne. I am jealous of you. You really are one lucky princess.” Linda said and Jewel laughed. “There’s nothing to be jealous of,Linda. Come on now,stop teasing. You would find your own mate really soon. I believe.” She said to Linda and both of them shared a hearty laugh. “Ahem. Listen up students. We have a new student student among us. He is a transfer student from California and he moved down here with his family and he transferred to our school. Please introduce yourself to us,Young man.” Mr Ben said,referring to the new boy.

    “Hi,My name’s Asher Driskel. I’m about to clock 18 soon,in three months to be exact. I’m hoping to have a wonderful Senior year,and make new friends. And to find love. And I swear,I’m not kidding about finding love.” He said and the girls giggled. Jewel felt his gaze rest on her,and then he continued. “Please take care of me,an lets all have a wonderful senior year together.” He said and pumped his fist in the air. The students clapped their hands at his introduction and Mr Ben smiled. “Kids these days. Any-ways,If you need any information about the past stuff we have been doing at school,Please meet our Class representative and our top student,Miss Jewel Thorne.  Oh and one more thing,You have to address  her as Your royal highness. She is the daughter of the Alpha of the Dark Band Pack.” Mr Ben said and I rolled my eyes and smacked her forehead.

“You don’t have to introduce me as a royal.” She complained and everybody laughed. “Well,I can’t have someone address without your title,especially if your Father is there. We understand your humility,Princess,but it is common protocol. Alright people,let’s get back to class.” Mr Ben said and turned his attention to the board. Asher walked over ad picked a chair that was near Jewel’s seat. She shifted uneasily and sat straight,trying to ignore the mischievous smile of Asher’s face.  She turned sideways,an met his eyes,and she blushed hardly. She struggled to focus on the topic that Mr Ben was teaching.

Soon enough,It was Lunch hour and classes was dismissed. Jewel and Linda started to walk towards the Cafeteria. They both ordered Salad and a pack of Yoghurt. They both walked towards an empty tale and started to eat. “Did you understand that formula that Miss Sam taught? I didn’t get anything.” Linda asked as soon as they both sat to have Lunch. “Yes I do.You can come by the palace any time so that I can put you through. Are you prepared for the English test we have later?” Jewel asked and Linda nodded. “Can I seat with you?” Jewel heard and turned and her eyes met Asher’s.

She felt butterflies turn up in her stomach and she felt like her tongue got tied,so she just nodded. “Thank you.” He said and gave her a wide smile. He dropped his tray on the table and dropped his backpack on the floor beside the chair he was sitting on. “So what school are you coming from?” Linda asked trying to break the awkward silence that was passing through the three of them.  Linda totally understood what Jewel’s issue was. This was her mate,but it was the first time she’d ever be dating. It was kind of new for her,and Jewel wasn’t that very good of a conversation starter,especially with a stranger. “Stonewall high.” He said still fixing his gaze on Jewel.She didn’t even blink at him,but focused on scrolling on her phone and eating her salad.

“Tell us about yourself.” Linda said,jabbing Jewel with her knee. Linda brought out her phone and started to text. “For pete’s sake,if this is your mate,you should at least try to give him a little bit of attention.” The message said and she hit the send button. Jewel looked up from her phone and gave Linda a stare.  Linda motioned for her to talk to Asher,but she shook her head shyly. “Seems like you don’t talk a lot,Princess. Or are you a snob?” He teased and Jewel looked at him with her eyebrows raised. “Snob?” She asked,a little bit annoyed. “Oh I have your attention now. I wonder if you are bad at starting conversations,seeing that your best friend is trying to assist you and you’re trying to avoid the whole conversation.” Asher said and gave her a one sided smile. “I see no reason to talk,and that is why I speak not. If you have an issue with that,bounce.” Jewel said,even though Juniper was annoyed at her.

“Oh,Feisty. Oh well,since you see no reason to talk,I’ll do a proper introduction. Like my name is Asher,as you already know. My wolf’s name is Ares. My parents are both Doctors. I hope to study Engineering. You’ll get to know more about me later as we get to know each other.” He said and Jewel decided that playing hard to get wasn’t going to work,so she decided to return to her normal nice self,since he was trying to make a conversation. “Well,  I am Jewel Thorne. I am one half of the Thorne twins,but my twin Jana isn’t here at school.My father is the Alpha of this pack.  Hope to study Medicine,and make my father proud. I’m an A student. I would be eighteen years old in four months. My wolf’s name is Juniper.” She said finally breaking the awkward silence that had rested before and Asher smiled. “Its really nice to meet you,Princess Jewel.” He said dramatically.

“No don’t call me Princess,please. Just address me as Jewel.” She said with smile,And he smiled and nodded. They continued to eat as they chattered on about the things that normally happened in California and here in New York City. Recess was over and three of them headed to the class for the English test.The English tutor came in and shared out test papers. The test was for ten minutes so Jewel focused on the paper,trying hard to ignore the wonderful fragrance that she was getting from Asher.  They turned in the test papers and waited for the next lecture,but it seemed like the teacher wasn’t around.