MY ABOVE 'the' NORMAL PRINCE

Chapter Fourteen: A gift

Tori's POV

My body feels so tired, like I could collapse at any moment. I change into the clothes I wore while watching the basketball game earlier.

The day had been hectic, but it was nice getting to know new people and making friends.

Mika and the others kept thanking me for my help. She handed me two paper bags—one with cookies, cakes, and drinks "for me," she said, and the other held the shoes we agreed upon for me to work at her booth.

"Are your members already enough?" I asked.

"More than enough," Mika smiled.

"I'm glad to hear that," I said, waving goodbye. They asked if I could visit again or at least keep in touch. They were all so friendly—we exchanged contacts and added each other on i********:.

I was happily humming a song when Caius suddenly asked, "Done?"

I nodded.

"You're still here? I thought—"

He gave me a small smile.

"Let me take you home."

We walked together, and then he said, "Next time, don't do that."

He kept walking straight ahead and added, "You look so tired."

"It's worth it. I had fun, and on top of that, I got the shoes."

He looked surprised. "You should've told me you wanted shoes. I would've bought you a pair," he said seriously.

I smiled at him. "Sometimes, there are things worth getting tired for."

He just looked at me quietly.

We'd already reached my door.

"You should go back now," I said softly. "It's late, so I won't ask you to come inside."

He nodded and turned his back. Just as he was about to walk away, I called out, "Caius?"

He stopped and turned around. I took a step toward him.

"Congrats earlier. You played really well," I said, then gently held his hand to pass him the paper bag.

"Goodnight," I smiled softly before turning away and walking toward the door.

Thank you for always looking after me, I whispered as I closed the door behind me.

Inside, I placed the other paper bag carefully in the refrigerator.

While we waited for Caius at the gate—he was bringing us our lunch—I told Rose we should join the Otaku club. Just then, Caius arrived, smiling at us, but he looked just as curious about what Rose was about to say.

"There's no room for us there," Rose said with a grin. "It's better if we just stay in the theater club. There'll be plenty of hot boys."

I teased, "So, you don't like princes anymore?"

He rolled her eyes. "I still like princes, but tastes change, you know? Now I want six-pack abs... or eight-pack, if possible." She said it like she was daydreaming about a shirtless guy—or worse.

"Gross!" I said, covering my face.

"Princess Tori, I know you're still dreaming about Prince Charming slaying dragons, but someday you'll find something real—something you can actually touch."

"Oh my god, what happened to you? Did you actually see a man's body and now you're like this?"

Rose shrugged. "Well, last night, I accidentally saw one at a party."

I frowned. "I thought you had dinner with your parents?"

"Yeah, we did. But one of the guests accidentally fell into the pool, and that's when I saw it. Almost—"

"Okay, okay, stop!" I cut him off. As a bookworm, every word he said painted a vivid picture in my mind, and I was already embarrassed just thinking about it.

I could hear Caius give a small laugh beside me.

Rose laughed louder. "Just wait until you see a real one."

I looked at Caius—he was wearing the shoes I gave him. That made me smile. He looked fresh in his basketball jersey, like he belonged right there on the court.

"We have practice today. We'll have a match next week. Will you two come?" he asked.

"Of course we will, my Ice Prince," Rose replied with a grin.

I raised an eyebrow at Rose. "I thought you said you wanted hot boys now?"

"Well, my Ice Prince should be rocking at least an eight-pack, right?" Rose laughed.

I stepped in front of Caius, blocking Rose's eyes with a playful smirk.

"Caius is our friend—he's off limits for your dirty thoughts," I said firmly.

"Alright! Then I'll just keep one prince, and the rest can be hot boys," Rose teased with a wink.

"Stop with the hot boys and bare bodies, I can't take it anymore. I haven't seen one yet, but maybe I'll look for one later," I said, half-joking, half-exasperated.

Rose burst out laughing.

Caius shook his head with a small smile. "I'll go now, and you two should stop that. You should focus on your studies."

We watched until his figure disappeared.

"It's really nice having Caius around," I said softly. "He's way more mature than the two of us, and he's a reliable friend—we don't have to worry about our food with him around."

"Yeah, indeed, we're lucky," Rose agreed, nodding. "Let's go."

I walked toward the building where the theater club was. We needed to join the others because there would be a play next month. Since we were new, it was only right to be there and help out. Rose would be coming late—he was still tied up in the other building trying to get his project approved.

When I entered the theater room, I saw everyone was already busy. Some were practicing their lines while others were working on costumes or setting up props. The place buzzed with energy and excitement.

I made my way toward the person who seemed to be in charge. He looked up and gave me a warm smile.

"Hi! Tori," I introduced myself. "I'm a new member—my friend and I just joined the club."

"Drake," he replied, offering a hand. "I'm the president of the club."

"Nice to meet you," I said, shaking his hand. "I came here to help. Since we're new, I hope you can guide us."

"Sure," Drake said with a friendly nod, then guided me toward the stage where several other members were gathered. He introduced me to the group, and everyone seemed nice and welcoming.

Well... everyone except Samantha.

She was there too, laughing and chatting with others. When her eyes met mine, she gave me a mocking look. But it didn't bother me—not even a little.

"We'll be having a play next month. It's Sleeping Beauty. Unfortunately, there are no more slots for cast roles, but I hope you'd be willing to help in other ways."

"Of course," I replied.

He led me to a group working on costumes and dresses. They were all kind and creative, tossing out ideas and collaborating smoothly. I quickly found myself enjoying their company.

A while later, Rose messaged me saying she wouldn't be able to come and asked me to head home without her.

By the time we wrapped up, the sun had already set. I was about to leave when I suddenly felt the urge to use the bathroom—my bladder was full of holding it in all afternoons.

I let out a sigh of relief as I finished. I was just about to open the cubicle door when I realized—I couldn't. The lock wouldn't budge.

I jiggled the handle harder. Nothing.

Then I heard footsteps. And... giggling.

"Hello?" I called out. "Who's there? Can you please open the door?" I started banging on it, louder and louder.

No response. Just a faint, mocking laugh.

Then suddenly—splash!

A cold rush of water poured down on me from above. I gasped, drenched from head to toe, my clothes sticking to my skin.

I heard her voice—clear, cruel, unmistakable.

"Oh look, the little princess is trapped. Guess that's what you get!" Samantha said, snickering.

"Samantha! Open this door!" I yelled, my voice echoing off the bathroom walls.

She just laughed louder. "Hmm... should I? Nah. I don't feel like it." And then came the sound of retreating footsteps, followed by the heavy slam of the bathroom door closing behind her and her friends.

"Open this door!" I screamed again, desperation lacing every word. But no one answered.

I frantically pulled out my phone from my pocket, but it was soaked—completely ruined by the water. The screen was black, unresponsive.

My hands were shaking. I banged on the door again. "Hello?! Anyone there?! Please!" But the building was too empty. No one seemed to hear me.

My voice grew hoarse. My teeth were starting to chatter. I was cold—so cold. My soaked clothes clung to me, and the silence around me only made the panic worse.

I had lost track of time. Cold and shivering, I curled up like a ball in the corner of the cubicle, hugging my knees tightly to my chest.

Then—I heard it.

Voices. Distant, panicked.

"Tori!"

It was Rose.

Then another voice—deeper, sharper. "Tori!"

Caius.

I tried to stand, but my legs wouldn't listen. My body felt numb, my fingers tingling from the cold. I dragged myself toward the door, crawling slowly, trying to create even the faintest sound to let them know I was there. But I was too weak. My palms barely made a thud against the floor.

Still, I hoped.

"Tori! Where are you?" Rose's voice echoed again, closer this time.

"TORI!" Caius was yelling now. He was near.

I crawled back into the corner, the cold biting through me. My head spun. My vision blurred at the edges.

Then—BANG!

The door shook. Someone was slamming into it.

BANG!

Another hit.

And then—CRASH!

The cubicle door flew open.

"Caius..." I whispered, tears slipping silently from my eyes as I saw him rush in.

He knelt beside me, cradling my face gently with his hands. "You're burning up," he murmured, voice tight with worry. "Tori, you're so hot—how long have you been in here?"

I wanted to answer. I really did. But my lips trembled too much to form the words. I just leaned into his warmth and closed my eyes.

.........................................

Hi-Yu