1 || I'd Rather Marry A Cockroach

"I'm sorry," she whispered out of breath.

The dark trees blurred past us, the moonlight casting a faint glow on the crest of the cloak she wore. Her face was covered by the hood of it, only her lips were visible as she spoke again, "I'm so sorry," she whispered again, her voice cracking a little.

An ear piercing howl filled the cold dead forest. Her grip around me tightened as she ran faster. Harsh cold winds brushed my face but she quickly enveloped me in my soft blanket.

Eventually, little drops of water fell from the sky which led to an unforgivable thunderstorm.

Her left hand covered my face before a drop could touch it. She ran while holding me close to her, and finally entered a dark cave.

She looked around and then looked at me. Her hood dropped from her head revealing her face. My mom was the most beautiful person I ever saw. She had hazel eyes which looked like two pools of honey in the dark. They burned with rage. Her dark coal hair reached till her shoulder. Her skin was flawless but all her features were twisted with rage and sadness.

She closed her eyes and muttered something under her breath. When she opened them, they were deep black. She lightly placed her hand on my chest, the veins on her hand glowing bright amber under her skin as they flowed towards my chest.

My eyelids felt heavy, she leaned and whispered softly, "I love you so much, Adriana."and pressed a soft kiss on my little forehead.

She gently tucked me in my blanket, glancing back every second and placed me on the cold hard floor. Bright yellow strips raised from the ground and covered us. I could see my mom was in tears but she quickly pulled on her hood.

Darkness overcame me as I fell into deep sleep. I heard her walking away and away from me.

I gasped, bolting from my bed and fluttering my eyes open.

Not again.

I moved away the strands of my hair which stuck to my forehead from all the sweat. I groaned and laid back, wiping my tears which were streaming down my cheeks. I turned on my side only for my gaze to land on a bottle of prescription pills sitting on the bedside table my doctor had prescribed me for these dreams. They aren't your memories, he says, just made up imagination.

But I believed it to be a memory, a memory long lost, the only thing that reminds me of my mother.

Shaking the thoughts away, I freshened up and picked a cloudy grey sweater which matched my eyes and dark jeans. heading downstairs, only to purse my lips at the restless shuffling of feet and clinking of utensils. "Ah you're awake." my adoptive dad sighed, over the his shoulder, "Third murder case reported."

"In the same forest?" I asked, uninterested. I hate to have breakfast alone.

"In the same forest." he confirmed, fixing his walkie talkie on his blue police uniform. He walked over to me to plant a kiss over my forehead, "I hate to leave, you know it too-

"I know, I know, dad." I smiled, taking my lunchbox from his hand, and fixing his shiny new badge, "Go before they kick you out of your sheriff's position."

His face split into a grin, his crystal blue eyes crinkling at the corners, "Thank you for understanding, see you after school."

Since the news about the Royal Galle broke out- no we are not ruled by an insane Empire- it's about our neighbors. There have been crazy murders. At first we thought it was nothing to be afraid about but two people- young people have died in that same forest. It isn't haunted either, I'm sure because I kinda sneaked out last night and found nothing.

I nodded and the door closed behind him. I jumped as I saw the time and grabbed a banana before stepping out of the house and locking it.

“And here I was wondering, when did my star best friend turn into an undercover secret agent overnight.” a familiar voice greeted me, I turned to meet pitch black eyes, narrowed at me for explanation, “Gosh, the way you climbed back to your window was awful.”

This is Vivi, my best friend. Also known as my beloved trash can.

I winced, “Don't tell me you saw.”

“Huh, I live beside your house, remember?” she said pushing back a dark curl behind her ear as looked down at her phone, , “And i took a pic too- ”

“You wouldn't dare!” i reached to grab her phone, but she quickly moved it away, grinning back at me.

I pouted at her, my mood shifted when I noticed the cup she held, “Is that hot chocolate?” I asked, working at a coffee shop has its own advantages. She smacked my head, “Hey!”

“Yes, and where did you go last night, Miss Mclane?”

“To check on yesterdays murder,” i said, rubbing my head. Even though Aiden wasn't my biological father, somehow I had got his investigating traits.

Her dark eyebrows raised, “That was scandalous.”

“Indeed.” I agreed, grabbing hold of her cup and sniffing it. Thank the heavens it wasn't coffee. I sipped her hot chocolate, savouring the chocolate goodness, yum yum, “Did you know the twins have finally turned nineteen?”

“The royal kids?” she asked with a raised brow.

“Uh huh, they are keeping the Royal Galle next week.”

The Royal Galle is being held as the twins of the Aldridge Empire had just turned nineteen, according to the tradition they will be now seen by the world. All of Wayford is in chaos, people asking each other to be their date, shopping to grab the latest ball gowns and tuxedos- you could say we don't really get to attend Balls very often.

“Yeah I have heard of it, the entire school is in chaos.” she spoke, kicking a rock on her way, “And in no way in hell am i wearing a gown, that's for sure.”

“Not even for Eugene?” I asked, with puppy eyes.

Eugene Sandros is a mutual friend of ours. He is the school's infamous bad boy and all. With the way he looks at her and annoys her, I believe he has a crush on her, but she doesn't want any of it.

Vivi stopped dead on her tracks, her dark eyes hardening, “You-”

I threw my head back to laugh before breaking into a sprint towards the school. People are rushing in, talking nonstop- no doubt about who they are going to ask to be their date for the Galle.

I stop to catch my breath, just as a hand grabs my arm, “AHA!” Vivi laughs hysterically like she is the villain who trapped the hero.

People around us, silent down as the figure passes down the corridor, drinking in all the attention she’s been given. Her stilettos clicking against the floor, a huge smile plastered on her glossy lips as her gaze fixed ahead, to be more specific at me.

Kingsley stops in front of us, tilting her head to her side to make most of the guys stop gawking at her and resume talking to their mates. She suddenly held my shoulders, rather too excitedly.

"Oh my god!" she exclaims, "Where have you been?"

"Uh... home?" I said. She glances at Vivi with a disgusted look before turning her attention back at me.

"And how's your dad doing?" she asks with fake eagerness, completely ignoring my best friend.

"He should be doing good, shouldn't he?"

"Oh, how sweet." she says while fluttering her fake eyelashes, I suppress the urge to throw up on her face.

“What do you want now, Queen B?” Vivi cut in, glaring down at her. Kingsley stuck her nose up, as if there was something foul smelling. You could say Vivi doesn't go well with the Queen B of the school. Last time she almost gave her a black eye, and she’s not even sorry.

"I have some amazing news for you!" she clasps her hands together, ignoring her again, "You know Tyler Wane, right?"

I know no Tyler. Is she on drugs?

"Oh! I'm so excited for you!" she says, "He decided that you are going to be his date!" one of her followers squeaks with excitement from behind. Her smile twitches as her head snaps towards her, glaring at her. Ah, someone’s jealous.

"Aren't you excited!" she exclaims back at me with her fake smile.

"I'd rather marry a cockroach." I muttered.

The bell rings indicating the start of the first class, "Anyways-" she flips her long light brown hair over her shoulder which hits on the face of one of her minions, "-I'd love to show you how to dress for the Galle, but you know exams coming soon and I gotta study." she pouts with her overly glossy red lips. She definitely ate a rock while coming to school.

Kingsley turned on her heels and strutted away, leaving me to wonder who’s Tyler Wane in our school.

Vivi slapped her forehead, “You seriously don't know Tyler freaking Wane?”

I shook my head with a frown, “Remember that kid in seventh grade who used to dig his nose every morning in class?” she said, to which I slowly nodded, my lips parting at the revolting memory of reaching school only to find him digging his nose in class, searching for some treasure, I wonder if he did.

But now this kid has become one of the popular guys in school, with his athletic body and sharp jawline, girls literally throw themselves at him.

I’d really appreciate it if he left my little soul alone.