MY ABOVE 'the' NORMAL PRINCE

Chapter Seven: Wishful thinking

Tori's POV



The school gates looked the same.

Same rusted arch, same big old tree by the path, same smell of freshly cut grass and new beginnings. But somehow... this year felt different.

Rose practically skipped beside me, her bag bouncing on her shoulder. "New year, new crushes, new chances! Are you ready, Tori?"

I adjusted my strap, giving her a side glance. "Is that your motto for Senior year?"

"It is now. Especially with Ryan in the picture." She wiggled her eyebrows.

I groaned. "Rose, I told you. I'm not—ugh. Never mind."

Inside, the halls buzzed with students reuniting, trading summer stories. Some decorated their lockers with photos, others walked arm-in-arm like nothing had changed. But for me, everything had.

I caught a glimpse of Ryan down the hallway, laughing with a group of classmates. He looked taller. Maybe it was the jacket? Or maybe I was just paying more attention. When his eyes met mine, he gave a small nod and a grin—like we shared a secret no one else knew.

My heart did that thing again. The one where it forgot how to beat normally.

And then, right behind him, Caius walked in.

He didn't smile. Just looked straight at me and then away, walking past like I was part of the wallpaper. Classic.

"Whoa," Rose whispered beside me. "That was cold. Even for him."

"Yeah," I murmured, trying not to care. But I did. A little.

Okay, maybe a lot.

We found our new classroom. Same wooden desks, new seat arrangements. Rose was thrilled to find we were still seatmates. I was still unpacking my bag when—

"Good morning, class," our homeroom teacher announced. "Let's make this year count."

And right as he said it, the door slid open.

Ryan walked in, late, with his hands in his pockets and that calm expression of his.

"Sorry," he said with a small bow. "Got the wrong room."

The teacher waved it off and pointed to an empty seat—right behind me.

My stomach fluttered as he passed by and whispered, "Good to see you again, book girl."

I didn't turn. But I smiled.

Yup. This school year was going to be anything but ordinary.

"Rose, wait up!" I called, trying to catch up with her through the crowd.

She either didn't hear me, or she was too distracted by her latest Ice Prince fantasy to respond. Typical.

Then it happened.

Someone bumped into me from behind—hard—and the books slipped from my arms, scattering across the floor like confetti. People walked around them like they were just obstacles, like my embarrassment wasn't on full display.

"Great," I muttered, kneeling to gather the mess. "This is fine. Totally fine."

One of the books slid farther down the hall, stopping right at someone's feet.

I didn't even look up. "Sorry, can you—?"

A handheld out the book to me.

Caius.

He didn't say a word. Just crouched down, grabbing the other books I hadn't reached yet, placing them one by one into a neat stack beside me. He was quiet, focused.

"Thanks," I mumbled, taking them back quickly. "I can handle it from here."

He stood up, brushing dust off his uniform. "Clearly."

I looked up, annoyed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," he said, turning to walk away.

But then he paused, looked over his shoulder, and added flatly, "Try not to carry half the library next time."

And with that, he was gone.

I sat there for a second, books still in my lap, unsure if I wanted to throw one at his head or... thank him.

But I didn't do either.

I just sighed, stood up, and muttered under my breath, "Could've just said 'you're welcome.'"

I adjusted the strap of my backpack and held my books a little tighter. After last week's embarrassing stumble in the hallway, I'd been avoiding the main stairs like they were cursed. Too many people. Too many chances to be shoved around like some invisible extra in a crowded film.

So, I took the back staircase—the one most student forgot existed. It was quiet. Dim. Echoes clung to the walls like secrets.

I was halfway up when I heard voices just beyond the landing.

I froze.

"Ryan, when are you going to end this already?" Samantha's voice—sharp, familiar—dripped through the silence.

My foot hovered mid-step.

"What do you mean?" Ryan asked, sounding uneasy.

Samantha gave a short, cold laugh. "Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I mean. Tori."

I blinked.

"She's not even your type," Samantha went on, her tone impatient. "This was our plan, remember? Make her fall for you. Break her heart. Simple."

My heart dropped.

"You're supposed to tell her today. I already told half the class that we're official," she continued, like it was nothing. "It's about time she finds out she's been the joke this whole time."

A silence.

Then Ryan's voice—quiet, hesitant. "I didn't think she'd actually... care this much."

"She's obsessed with you," Samantha snapped. "Exactly how we planned it. Now end it. Unless you've caught feelings for her?"

He didn't answer right away.

That silence was louder than anything.

I took a step back, the wooden stair creaking beneath my foot.

It was soft, but enough.

Ryan turned. "Did you hear that?"

I didn't wait.

Clutching my books, I ran. Down the stairs. Out the hall. Anywhere.

My chest ached. My vision blurred. The pages of the book I'd loved so much just yesterday felt like lies now. Every word he ever said—every smile, every moment—I replayed it all, and now it felt like part of some cruel story I never asked to be in.

I wasn't part of a romance.

I was part of a game.

I didn't know where I was running. The hallways blurred, and the sting in my eyes grew hotter with every step. My chest was tight, like my heart was trying to escape, to scream its pain out loud.

And then—

Thud!

I crashed into someone.

Books slipped from my arms and scattered on the floor. I staggered back, tears blinding me.

"I—I'm sorry," I gasped, trying to wipe my face.

"Tori?" a familiar voice. Steady. Calm. "What's wrong?"

Caius.

Of all people.

And yet... somehow, seeing him felt like grabbing hold of something solid while drowning.

I didn't even think. "Can you take me home?" I whispered, barely holding myself together.

He looked startled, but only for a moment. Then he simply nodded. No questions. No judgment.

Behind me, I heard footsteps.

"Tori, wait!" Ryan's voice echoed down the hallway.

My breath hitched. Panic rose like a wave crashing over me again. I couldn't look at him. I couldn't bear to.

I turned my back to the sound, shaking my head.

Caius stepped forward, subtly placing himself between us.

Ryan stopped.

"Let's go," Caius said quietly.

He bent down and gathered my books without a word. I didn't ask him to, but he did it anyway.

He held them in one hand, offered me the other. I took it with trembling fingers.

And together, we walked away—me, barely breathing, him silently shielding me like some quiet storm.

I didn't speak the entire ride home.

The silence inside the car felt heavy, like it was absorbing all the words I couldn't say. Caius didn't press me. He just drove—calm, steady, quiet. That made it easier, somehow.

When we pulled up in front of my house, I still hadn't said a word. I opened the door slowly, clutching my bag to my chest.

I finally found my voice. "Thank you," I whispered, not quite able to meet his eyes.

Caius got out and walked around the car. Then, without saying anything, he pulled me into a gentle hug. His arms weren't tight or demanding. They were just... there. Safe.

He gently patted the top of my head.

"It's alright," he said, voice soft. "You'll be okay."

And with that, the last bit of control I had crumbled.

Tears rolled down again, but this time I didn't hide them. I cried into his shoulder—not because I wanted to, but because I needed to. Because he didn't ask why. Because he didn't tell me to stop.

He didn't let go until I started to calm down.

I stepped back, wiped my eyes, and nodded quietly before walking to the front door.

I didn't greet my parents. I couldn't. I didn't even look up. I kept my eyes on the floor and rushed straight to my room.

Once inside, I shut the door and leaned against it, sliding down until I was sitting on the floor—feeling heavy, hollow, and tired.

My first heart break

I must have stayed on the floor for a while, curled up with my knees to my chest, because by the time I looked up, the light outside had dimmed.

A soft knock echoed from my door.

I didn't answer.

The door creaked open slowly, and Mom stepped in, holding a mug with steam rising from it.

"Sweetheart?" she called gently, her voice the kind that could break you with kindness.

I didn't move.

She came closer and sat down beside me on the floor, placing the mug on my bedside table.

"I made you some tea."

I nodded faintly, not trusting my voice. My eyes were puffy and sore, and my chest still ached from crying.

Mom didn't push. She just leaned her shoulder against mine, offering quiet company.

"I saw Caius leave earlier," she said softly. "He looked worried."

I closed my eyes, a new wave of emotion threatening to rise.

She placed a hand over mine. "You don't have to tell me what happened... but I want you to know you're not alone. Whatever it is, we'll get through it."

"I feel so stupid," I whispered, barely audible. "I let myself believe something that wasn't real."

Mom let out a small sigh, not of frustration but of understanding. "That's not stupid. That's human. It means you have a heart... a brave one."

I finally leaned my head on her shoulder.

"I really liked him, Mom."

"I know, baby."

We stayed like that for a while, not speaking, not needing to. Just two people sitting on the floor—one heartbroken, the other holding the pieces quietly until they could be stitched back together.

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

Hi-Yu