Issues

3

"Am telling you, Chelsea, something is not right about all this," Topaz said to Chelsea as they sat in the college cafe. Chelsea looked not at all stressed out Topaz accusatory tone. In fact, she looked relaxed instead of panicking, "Tara, I think you're taking this too far," she chided as she shrugged, "so you woke up this morning in your apartment with a glass of water and avail on your bedside table. It doesn't mean a thing. It was probably left over by the guy you met at the club," she answered swirling her straw in her milkshake.

But I saw HIM, Topaz mind protested.

Chelsea saw the worried look across her best friend's features. Tara always looks beautiful like a b***h and was fearless with her curt manners but now, she looked scared and terrified. Maybe someone was actually after her! "Maybe you have a stalker," Chelsea added.

Topaz frowned, "not helping, Chels."

"What else is there? Or do you happen to be run away from a horrible boyfriend and his after you now?

Lucas' face flashed in her mind and unconsciously, she flushed a little remembering how she had crushed on Lucas all her life but he ignored her and would parade around the gossip columns with girls in tow.

Topaz heart broke every time she'd come across it. 'Am I not too good enough for you?' She would scream inside her chest and the tears would erupt.

Lucas Deegriffin was among the many reasons she ran away. She tried to be strong and failed...woefully.

"No, no ex-boyfriends to be worried about," she said, closing the door to everything about his majesty, Lucas Deegriffin shut.

Chelsea raised an eyebrow, "you sure? Cause for a minute back you looked like you were thinking about someone special, do tell?"

It's nothing. It just the weather," she said but Chelsea didn't look one ounce convinced with her lies, "I mean look at the sky, the wind is so loud in here," she said in between fake chuckles.

Chelsea gave a sigh. She really tried to understand her friend, she really did but Tara was hell as secretive as the next person that Chelsea always sense there was a far hidden secret and one day Tara would share but now, she was thinking she was never going to hear it from Tara herself but from somebody else.

"Tara," she called and Topaz ignored her, "I have a class right now. I'll see you later and you can tell me all about your mystery man," Topaz said then blew a kiss before stalking off.

Immediately she walked away. Chelsea noticed a silhouette of a tall muscled man dressed in all black move out—more like ran out of the building to a car and followed the same direction Tara walked through.

In a flash, she picked up her bag swinging it over her shoulder, deserting her remaining milkshake. She had to find Tara quickly and besides her best friend was more important than sweet delicious drinks.

Breathing hard, Topaz sat down on a longue seat in one of the school's courtyards and the stone building a walk away was her next class. She collapses on the seat as her breathing settled. Chelsea was getting suspicious of her. She could see the way Chelsea's eyes twitched when Topaz always gave a negative answer. She had to think of a plan—a new plan at that.

You could always tell her the truth, a small voice babbled in her head.

Topaz smiled. It was really a nice plan. Then Chelsea would know all about her twisted life, running away from royalty heritage. But everything wouldn't be fine when there would be no more invites to clubs and everyone starts to curtsey when she enters a room or the addition of 'your Majesty' after every sentence.

No way that's going to happen.

Chelsea would just have to stay in the dark about her.

She looked around glumly before searching her bag for her notes for the next class when her hand barely touch a firm, smooth seal.

Alex's letter!!! It was bound to lift her spirits.

She peered around before starting to open the seal. Satisfied there was no one around except a deserted car, she began to read.

Tops,

How are school and your new friend Chelsea?

I hope everything is fine?

Time is running out Topaz, Mum and Dad are already planning for my coronation as the next in line to the throne. The crowned King to be.

Smiling, she blinked back tears. Years ago, she had been cooing him after his birth and now he was eighteen, a fine young guy ready to be crowned future king.

She continued reading.

By the speed the decorations and the plans are going, I say the coronation would take place in November, that's two months from now. I'm hoping you can make it.

Some gossip columns already say your dead and am sad to tell you this but I think our parents are starting to believe it.

By the way, I love your new hair color, it suits you

Topaz jerked so quickly and put the letter inside the bag when a voice rang out, "what are you doing?"

"Err, nothing. Just skimming through my next class notes. You never know when you could get hit with a pop quiz," I laughed nervously but stopped when Chelsea's stayed rigid with a frown.

"So why did you follow me?" Topaz said clearly trying to change the subject and it worked. Chelsea was studying to be a linguist pretty much different from me.

Chels face turned serious, "I saw something as you left the cafe. A bucky man racing down your path with a car—a black sleek—to be sure. I believe what you said, I think you are being followed," she whispered the last words slowly and Topaz eyes widen.

The bell rang and Topaz got up from her seat, "that's the bell. Love you, see you later," Topaz said as she ran towards the building then disappeared inside.

Chelsea sat for a few minutes before a guy appeared in front of her, towering her. "Excuse me, Miss, can we talk?" He said politely grinning.

Chelsea didn't appear the least interested, an eyebrow arched up with curiosity, "and who are you exactly?"

"Lucas. Lucas Deegriffin."