Chapter 9: THE MYTH WE BELIEVE

V A L E N T I N A

Once upon a time, there was a queen that was loved by all. She was known for her beauty and kindness. She was as mighty as a knight and as brave as a lion. They say her beauty was so bright that whoever saw her became blind. True to her name, Aphrodite; the most beautiful Greek goddess, she was indeed a sight to behold. Women were jealous of her and men lusted after her. Even though she had it all, she was not arrogant.

She was humble and passionate; helping everyone in any way she could. She held the knife like a warrior and fought battles like a true soldier. The people of Vancouver thought she was a blessing to them for she led them like a true queen. Truly, she was one of a kind.

So what made her kill her subjects? What made her became an evil queen? No one truly knows. Some say that she was cursed while others say that her beauty and wealth got to her. Maybe all these are true. Maybe they are just myths. Nevertheless, her mate had to kill her in the end.

"Reading the story of the crazy queen, aren't we?" A voice suddenly interrupted my reading. I looked up to see a brunette chick grinning at me. She was leaning on the shelf with her arms across the chest, her face widening to a smile. She had a long turned-up nose with heart-shaped wide lips. Her hooded eyes were crinkling with amusement. Did I even know her?

"Umm- yeah. It kind of looked intriguing." I quietly whispered as we were in the library.

"It is an interesting book yet confusing." She frowned.

"Why do you think it is confusing? I mean, She killed the people because she was a crazy woman." I scoffed. The damn queen was getting on my nerves.

"Wow! Someone is sensitive." She grinned.

"I am not." I scowled in annoyance.

"Tell me, why do you think she was crazy?" She took a seat next to me and smiled widely. Where did this weird girl come from? I raised my brow in question at her.

"I know, I know." She laughed with a soft voice.

"I promise that I am not a weirdo. I am just curious to see your view on this book. I mean It is rarer to see people read that book." Her words were incessant.

Why should people bother to read this book that was about the woman who killed my people? She was not worthy of it. She reminded me of my mom; who was the just replica of her. What was the difference between her and my mom?

"Well, no one likes to read a stupid book about 'a beautiful woman becoming crazy.'" I remarked with sarcasm. She chuckled lightly and shook her head.

"Man, I don't get why you are reading this book if you hate it."

I tightened my lips. "I was just glancing at it," I replied and closed the book.

"Hmm, okay. So how did you find the reading?" She squinted her and leaned back. This girl was getting on my nerves. Doesn't she realize that I was not interested in talking to her?

"Kind of boring. Reading is not a hobby of mine." I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Welcome to the club, babe." She laughed with a loud voice. Everyone immediately shushed her and she wore a sheepish smile in embarrassment. She was a weirdo and I was kind of starting to like her.

"What club? I thought we can not go to a club till we were twenty-one?" I pursed my lips.

"Oh honey, that was not what I meant." She chortled.

"That's just an expression to say 'welcome on board'." She continued while doing a quotation mark with her fingers. Welcome onboard? What was that supposed to mean? She had to say the word 'club' just to for that expression? Humans were really weird. I frowned.

A fat smile appeared on her face. "It is clear that you are new."

New? What on an alien language was she saying?

I narrowed my eyes at her. "What do you mean by that?"

Her eyes got wide in amusement. "Nevermind. So what are you doing at the library?"

"I am waiting for my friend to be done with her application." I pointed towards Diana who was glaring at the forms, ruffling her hair in confusion. I inwardly laugh at that. Speaking in English was no problem for us but writing and reading was another case. So we had to use our powers to translate which could be difficult at times.

She turned behind. "Ah, I see. So she is also new here?" She raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, she is."

"Miya, isn't time for lunch?" An older looking guy wearing a black suit came out of nowhere.

"Yes, sir." She straightened her back and smiled.

The aura kind of changed upon his arrival. Things were kind of awkward now. The first thing I noticed about him was his smell. Humans have the same kind of smell; fleshy and earthy. They do have some other individuals smell but these two dominated. But this man smelled nothing. I could not detect his smell.

"Oh wow. That's a lovely book you are reading." He narrowed his eyes.

There was something off about this guy but what was it? I could not put my finger on it.

I pursed my lips. "Thank you."

"To know that you do not know is best. To think you know when you do not is a disease. Recognizing this disease as a disease is to be free from it." He blurted out.

Seeing our perplexed face, he broke into a simpering smile. "A quote from Lao Tzu that I wanted you to know."

What the fuck?! What was that supposed to mean? And why would he mention this? So many thoughts were rambling in my mind.

"What was that supposed to mean?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

He chuckled lightly and shook his head. "Nothing. I will leave you girls to enjoy your time." Before he left, he eyed me up and down then continued chuckling to himself.

Was he into us? Diana talked to me through the mind link. I looked back at where she was sitting to see that she was anxious. Yep! She heard everything thanks to our long hearing ability.

Not sure but we will see. I replied and smiled assuringly at her.

"He is so weird sometimes." Miya voiced out. She was still looking at his back.

"Agree with that. What's is he again?"

"A teacher."

Damn! He was hot for a teacher though.

" I know right. That's why he has so many girls in his class." She chuckled and shook her head in amusement. Did I say that aloud?

"Can't blame them." I whistled and grinned.

"I know right! You know, you are annoying but I like you." She winked and broke out to a grin.

"Mutual feeling. The name is Valentina." I took out my hand for a shake.

". Nice to meet you, Valentina. I am known as Miya" She smiled and shook my hand with a firm.

"Likewise."

"So who was that girl you were talking to?" Diana grinned. We were on our way to the Cafeteria following the secretary who was leading us. Miya immediately left after a girl came for her. She was fun to chat with.

"Just some girl who was interesting." I shrugged.

"She is cute." She wiggled her eyebrows.

"I know right but her personality wasn't. She seemed to be the type of person who won't be afraid to say what's on their mind." I smiled as I remembered our earlier conversation.

"Okay girls, we are in the Cafeteria now. Mike is over there and he will take you home after lunch." She smiled and went on her way.

Immediately there were eyes on us. Luckily being a princess, I was used to this. Eyes were on me all the time and I could care less about it. I turned to look Diana to see that she was rubbing her arms up and down. She was nervous.

I held her hand to calm her down and led us to Mike's table.

"Oh hello, guys." We both smiled.

They all turned to us. Mike was smiling warmly while Ryan was eyeing me in shock. David was smirking and the girl sitting with them was glaring at me. Wait, what?

Why is she eyeing you like that? Diana tightened her hold.

How was I fucking supposed to know? I groaned.

I noticed her features and I can't deny that she was pretty but I couldn't fathom the reason on why she glaring at me.

"Welcome, Val and Di. You already know these guys." Mike stood up to make way for us. The booth was huge and It fitted all of us. I sat near David and Diana sat on my left.

"Yes, I know them." I smiled in acknowledge. Ryan kept on looking at me and when I caught him, he turned away and a nervous smile broke out on his face.

"And this is Catherine." He pointed at the girl who was still eyeing me with a skepful look.

Okay, the fuck did I do to this bitch?

"Hi, I am Valentina," I smirked at her and shook her hand with a firm to assess dominance over her.

"Nice to meet you, Valentina." She had a strained smile on her face. Dumb, ho. Who do you think you were fooling?

"And this is my best friend, Diana." I pointed towards Diana who was busy doing some eye flirting with David. What the fuck? I could smell both of their scents; they were turned on. Oh, Lord Vino! I can't believe I was between these horny idiots.

"Hi, Diana!" She cheered with fake enthusiasm.

"Hi, Catherine," Diana replied with callousness. She made herself clear that she didn't like her.

David clapped his hands together and grinned. "Alright girls! Welcome to this crazy school."

Mike laughed, throwing his head back at that. "Haha, yeah. At times you are going to hate it and at times, you are going to love it."

"So what grade are you guys in?" Ryan glanced at us. Finally! I was wondering when would he stop looking down.

"I believe eleventh." I pursed my lips in my thoughts.

"Nice. So what do you think about our school so far?" He beamed and pushed his specs up.

Why was he so cute?! I couldn't help but gush.

"Well, It is alright for now." I winked at him and he blushed.

I turned to see Catherine who was giving me a sneering look. Ooh, someone was jealous and I was enjoying it.

"So Ryan, I heard that you are good at math. Is there any way that you could help me?" She pouted her lips and widened her eyes. Such a smart bitch. She was using an excuse to get closer to him. As if I would let her win. The challenge was on!

"I thought I just saw some lovely tutors up there in the library." I gave her a grin.

Her smile immediately disappeared and a frown appeared in return.

"I didn't find any." She sneered.

"I can teach. Besides, I work as a tutor for the library." Mike voiced out, raising his hand.

"Yes, In fact, he is better than me." Ryan patted on his shoulder.

"Oh, okay." She forced a smile on her face.

Ha! Take that! I had a victory smile on my face which earned me a stingy look from her.

Ring ring

I guess lunch was finally over. Finally, I can go home to rest. Those forms took a toll on me.

"Alright guys, I will see all of you later." David stood up and gave a fist bump to his friends. He then gave a wink to Diana. These two together would be a nightmare to be dealt with.

"I have to go too before I get late for class." Ryan also stood up. Before he left, he smiled at me and walked away.

Catherine just went away with no words. Yep! A win for Val. I mentally patted my shoulders.

"Now the three of us left. Come on, let me drop off you guys." He wiped his mouth with a tissue and stood up.

Diana raised her brow. "Don't you have classes to go?"

"Nope! That's the advantage of being a senior with high grades." He grinned and opened the door for us. A true gentleman.

"My God! I can't wait to become one." Diana cheered like a kid in a candy store.

Yeah, me too. Note the sarcasm, please.