My Haunted Fairytale - Book 2 (The Enchanted Castle Series) Page 6

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “We got caught in the rainstorm, and—”

  “Obviously,” she said, looking at the mess we’d made of the marble floor. She looked sternly at me, then at Hunter. “You are allowed to explore the castle grounds, but if you abuse these privileges, we will take them away from you. There’s no reason for any of you to be wandering around before class. Save your extracurricular activities for after school. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, Miss Shila,” Hunter said.

  She looked at me, eyeing me up and down. “Yes, Miss Shila,” I assured her. “It won’t happen again.”

  “Now, if you will all turn to Page 210, we will continue with our science lesson,” she said.

  My gaze was drawn to Hunter. I’d never had it so bad for any guy, but I was crushing on him, big time. It was so hard to study when all I could do was think about him.

  Pam softly kicked my chair. When I glanced over my shoulder, she mouthed, “You and Hunter make out yet?”

  Heat rose in my cheeks, and I shook my head.

  She frowned, and I smiled back at her.

  I glanced up and caught Hunter looking at me. I smiled, and he smiled back. At that exact moment, some of the girls began whispering and pointing at me. Again, I was the outcast, but at least I had Hunter, Pam, and Eric.

  After the lesson, Miss Shila left us for a few minutes so we could work on our homework assignments. When I glanced over my shoulder, I saw the girls to the left and right of me, pointing and giggling again.

  “They’re laughing at me,” I whispered under my breath.

  “They’re just jealous,” Pam said in a loud voice. “You’ve got the second hottest guy in school.”

  “Who is the first?” one of the girls asked.

  I giggled inwardly. Not this again. Pam and her ridiculous slogans.

  Pam turned to face the bullies. “I’m glad you asked. That’d be my boyfriend, Eric.”

  “What?” another girl gasped. “You’re dating Eric?”

  “Yep, the hottest guy in school.”

  By the giant smile on Eric’s face, everyone could tell Pam wasn’t lying, and Pam loved the shock factor.

  “He’s off limits, ladies,” Pam said, “and so is Hunter.”

  Could she be any louder? I thought. When Hunter glanced over at me, my face turned eight shades of red. Technically, he wasn’t mine yet. We were just friends getting to know each other.

  Shantel shot me a glance and smiled. “You and Hunter are official? Really?”

  “Um…” I hesitated, having no idea what to say. It wasn’t as if we were etched in stone.

  “I think it’s great.”

  I grinned. “Thanks, Shantel, but we’re just friends.” For now.

  Miss Shila walked back in and took her seat at the desk. When she gazed up at me, my jaw dropped. Her eyes were red—as red as burning coals! I blinked, but when I opened my eyes again, hers were still ablaze. I waited until the teacher wasn’t looking, then reached for my phone and texted Pam: “What’s with the teacher’s eyes?”

  Within a minute, she texted back, “Huh? They’re just brown. Why?”

  “They look red 2 me.”

  “Weird. U think she’s mad @ you 4 being late?”

  Miss Shila stood over me and cleared her throat. “Please give that to me, young lady,” she demanded.

  I sucked in a deep breath as she snatched the phone from my hands. Her eyes were still bright red, and it was freaking me out. I fidgeted with my hands, trying to figure out what the heck was going on.

  “Hmm,” she said. “Red eyes? Why didn’t you tell her about the horns on my head?”

  I didn’t say so, but horns would have been the perfect complement to those devilish eyes of hers. I couldn’t believe it when they suddenly turned back to normal.

  She handed my phone back to me. “Never bring that to class again.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Zoey, I was angry at you for being late, but you mustn’t make me out to be some kind of raving monster. That is entirely disrespectful and unwarranted, and so that you’ll learn your lesson, you and Pam will be doing the lunch dishes.”

  “Yes, Miss Shila.”

  “That’s so not fair,” Pam said. “I loathe dishes.”

  “If you prefer, the toilets need scrubbing,” the teacher said in a firm tone.

  Pam smiled. “Now that I think about it, I love dirty dishes! The more, the merrier.”

  “Mm-hmm. I thought so,” the teacher said.

  I shook my head at my friend; she was quite the character, and I was so glad she’d given me a chance and put up with me when I’d tried to push everyone away. Pam was a gem, and even though we were complete opposites, I knew we were going to be the best of friends for a good, long while.

  Chapter 6

  After lunch, Pam and I went to work in the kitchen. It was a large, modernized room with a vaulted ceiling supported by three pillars. A few cooks were busy cleaning up their workspace and putting food away. The shelves and cabinets along the walls were made of stone, stained glass, and wrought iron. Pots and dishes hung from a low beam in the middle of the room.

  “Ugh! I hate this!” Pam said, scrubbing a layer of filth off of a glass. “This place might look like it’s out of the Stone Ages, but that doesn’t mean we have to live in them. Surely there’s a Ye Olde Dishwasher Shoppe around here somewhere.”

  I sighed. “Sorry about the text and everything. I didn’t mean to get you into trouble.”

  “It’s all right, but since the teacher separated us during lunch, I never got the chance to ask you about the red-eyed thing.”

  “I swear, Pam, they were really red—actually glowing.”

  She laughed. “Funny, but quit pulling my leg.”

  I threw the sponge into the soapy water. “I know it sounds a bit farfetched, but I saw it,” I said, letting out an exasperated sigh. “I wouldn’t expect you to believe me.”

  She stopped and looked at me. “You’re for real, aren’t you?”

  “You know I wouldn’t lie to you.”

  “I know, Zoey.”

  “What do you think it means?”

  “I don’t know, but let’s keep an eye on her. Maybe it’s some kind of sign.”

  I swallowed. “Do you think Princess Isabella is trying to warn me about her?”

  “I’ve been talking to some of the other students, and some of them have been having weird experiences too. We should all meet and compare notes.”

  “No, I can’t talk about this with anyone. I’m still trying to process it myself.”

  “We can all try and process it together. I know some of the girls have gone to Miss Shila and Mrs. Duball, but they just passed it off as overactive imaginations.”

  “That’s why I didn’t bother telling them, but maybe we should talk to Mr. Rowens.”

  “If the teachers didn’t believe us, why would the principal?”

  “I don’t know. It was just an idea.”

  “Did you notice that some of the housekeepers and cooks are gone?”

  “Yeah. What’s up with that?”

  “They quit.”

  “Why?”

  “They said the castle is haunted.”

  “Then you believe me?” I asked.

  She blew a strand of blonde hair from her eyes. “Yes. What choice do I have? You’re my friend, and I know you wouldn’t lie to me. If you say the place is in dire need of Bill Murray and a proton pack, I’ve gotta believe you. Besides, you’re not the only one who’s been seeing all this freaky stuff.”

  I gripped her arm. “What about the vision I saw where the castle was being attacked back in 1296?”

  “I believe every word. I saw those orbs with my own eyes, too, didn’t I?”

  I looked away, pondering.

  “Don’t go packing your bags, calling your parents, and leaving me here all by my lonesome self with all these ghouls and, even worse, those bullies.”

  “I never said I�
�m leaving.”

  “I know, but I can tell you’re really freaked out by that vision you had. Promise me you won’t leave, Zoey.”

  “Are you telling me you’re going to stick around too? You’re the biggest scaredy-cat I know, Pam.”

  “Maybe, but Casper and his phantomly cohorts aren’t exactly screwing with me, are they?”

  I splashed water at her. “Right. Just me.”

  “Do you know how good this is going to look on our college application? You’re not in danger. You just saw some orbs, some red eyes, and a vision.”

  “The vision was a nightmare!” I said. “If you’d have experienced that, you’d already be long gone.”

  “Maybe, but you’ve also gotta consider that the love of your life is here.”

  “Don’t throw Hunter into this. Besides, I’m not sure where we exactly stand. He likes me, but is that enough?”

  “Likes you? He’s crazy about you. I can tell by that dreamy look in his eyes when he stares at you in class, when he thinks you’re not looking.”

  I smiled. “Really?”

  “Really. What would Hunter do without you? Shannon would be all over him the second you left.”

  I pondered as I rinsed a big pan under hot water. “Well, it doesn’t matter. I’m not going anywhere.”

  She squealed, then hugged me, dripping soapy dishwater everywhere. “This is the best news ever! I couldn’t survive here without my new BFF.”

  “Um…you won’t have one long if…I can’t breathe, Pam!”

  She loosened her grip. “Sorry.”

  We both burst out in laughter.

  “Whew, I’m beat. After school, I’m heading back up to my room for a nap.”

  “Seriously? A nap?”

  She blinked, as if trying to stay awake. “I’m so tired. I keep having that dream I told you about. I’m just building sculptures all night long, these beautiful pieces of art, and we both know I’m not that talented. Weird, huh?” She let out a soft laugh. “How about you? Are you having that weird piano dream?”

  “The one where I’m playing a masterpiece, yet I can’t really play one note to save my life?”

  She laughed. “Yeah, that one, Liberace.”

  “Not lately.”

  “At least one of us is getting some beauty sleep.”

  After drying off my hands, I reached for my phone. I smiled as I read Hunter’s text: “I had a gr8 time this morning. C U soon.” I texted him back telling him I had a great time too.

  “Lover boy?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Eric texts me all the time too.”

  “What’s up with you and him anyway? Should I be saving a date for the wedding or what?” I asked.

  “Well, when he kisses me, it feels like I’m doing a double front flip for the first time.” She grabbed my arm. “Only, it’s a million more times exhilarating.”

  I scrubbed a nasty bowl that had something crusted on the edges. “I know the feeling.”

  We talked about Hunter and Eric as we finished up the dishes, then went our separate ways. Hunter had invited me to a study group, but knowing I did a lot better on my own, I decided I’d do my homework alone in my room.

  * * *

  I took a long walk outside by myself. The cold breeze blew across my face. It was nice to have that time to myself, just to think. I sat on an iron-wrought bench and stared at the mysterious castle that was bathed in moonlight. It held so many secrets, and I longed to know what they were. I wondered if I’d figure them out before I left in June.

  It was around seven p.m., and I thought I’d better get back. I decided to grab a drink before I went up to study for our test the next day. I walked into the kitchen and saw Shannon twirling her long, black hair, standing way too close to Hunter for my comfort. When he laughed, and she pushed a strand of hair behind his ear.

  Shannon glanced at me. “Uh-oh. We’re busted. Isn’t that your wannabe girlfriend?”

  “Zoey,” Hunter said.

  We hadn’t officially been declared a couple, but I still felt the sting of jealousy. I hated feeling so clingy and needy. I blew out a huff and turned to walk away.

  Hunter called my name once again, this time with more urgency. “Zoey!”

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” I said, glancing over my shoulder. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

  “Wait,” he said. “Don’t go. I’ve been looking all over the place for you.”

  I placed my hands on my hips. “That’s funny. It sure doesn’t look like you’re hunting very hard.”

  “Gosh, how rude,” Shannon said. “Why don’t you just go? Hunter deserves a young woman, not some mousy little girl with a chip on her shoulder.”

  I glared. “No!” I said. “Why should I leave? You leave!”

  She playfully nudged Hunter. “If you tell her to go, I promise I’ll make it worth your while,” she tempted, winking seductively at him and looking him up and down. “She’s not your girlfriend or anything, is she?”

  “No,” I interrupted calmly. “We’re just friends.”

  “Zoey,” Hunter said, “you know we’re more than that.”

  “Are you scared to tell her the truth?” Shannon asked. “That if you dump her, her mommy might put a hex on you?”

  My blood began to boil at her mention of my mother. “You know what, Hunter?” I said. “I’ll see you later. Have fun.”

  Just as I turned to walk out, Shantel walked into the kitchen. She grabbed my arm and pulled me back in. “Are you gonna let her talk to you like that? Let her take Hunter away from you when you both obviously want to be together?”

  I shrugged.

  Shantel pushed lightly on Shannon’s shoulder. “Hey, I think it’s best you leave right now. Zoey and Hunter like each other, and the last thing they need is you screwing it up.”

  “I’m not going anywhere unless Hunter tells me to,” Shannon said, rolling her eyes. “You don’t care if I stay, do you, Hunter?” she purred sickeningly. When he didn’t answer, she turned back to Shantel and smirked. “See? Hunter likes me.”

  “He does, does he? Well, let’s quit playing games and find out.” Shantel looked at Hunter, meeting his gaze straight on. “Well? Who’s it gonna be?”

  He didn’t even flinch as he looked into my eyes. “Zoey, I choose you. I’ll always choose you.”

  Shantel smiled victoriously. “That’s your cue to go, Shannon. Why don’t you go crawl back under the rock you came from?”

  In utter disbelief, Shannon looked at Hunter, then shook her head. “Hunter?”

  “Shannon, you know I’m crazy about Zoey. Everyone in this castle knows how much I like her.”

  “But, Hunter, why would you settle for that when you can have me?”

  “I don’t consider it settling,” he said, “and you’re not the one I want.” He put his arm around me and kissed my cheek. “Zoey is really something special, and she rocks my world.”

  I smiled.

  Shannon huffed as she turned to leave.

  “Now that’s how you do it,” Shantel said, smiling proudly. She looked up at Hunter. “Mind if I to talk to Zoey alone for a minute? I won’t steal your girl for long.”

  Hunter shot me a look, and I nodded. “It’s okay. I’ll meet you back here in ten minutes or so.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” I said, and he nodded and walked away.

  Once he was out of sight and earshot, Shantel motioned me outside, and we sat on the huge granite steps. “What’s wrong with you, Zoey?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  She shook her head. “What am I talking about? We all know you’re crazy about him. Why won’t you fight for your man?”

  “Who says I’m crazy about him?”

  “Everyone, that’s who. Going for walks, staring, flirting. It’s so obvious, and there’s no use trying to hide it.”

  “Well, I, uh…”

  “Look, I’m just here to give you some advice. You gotta fight for the man
you want. When you saw Shannon flirting with Hunter, you were willing to walk away without even challenging her.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend. I’m not a dog. I don’t go around marking my territory.”

  Her brown eyes sparkled. “True, but you need to let everyone know he’s off limits.”

  I smirked, getting her point.

  “Next time, just grab his arm gently and say, ‘Ready to go for that walk we talked about earlier?’”

  “Okay, I get where you’re coming from. A polite way to say he’s taken. There’s no way Hunter would have turned that down. It’s just…well, I guess I got all jealous seeing him smiling at her like that. It caught me off guard, that’s all.”

  “Hunter’s a nice guy. He smiles at everybody. But you can’t just walk away like that. When another chick’s digging her claws into your guy, you’ve gotta scratch her eyes out if that’s what it takes! You can’t let the enemy win without a fight.”

  “It won’t happen again,” I said.

  “I kind of get you, but then I kind of don’t. It’s like you’ll do anything to stay away from us.”

  I blew out a breath. “I’ve been dealing with so much. It’s just hard to come out and socialize. I don’t mean to act like a loner, because that’s really not me.”

  “Hunter’s hot, wild, and crazy popular. He’s got those bad-boy good looks with this crazy sweetness underneath, a real gentleman. Do you know how many girls would kill to have a guy like that? What’s your secret magic trick to snagging him?”

  I shrugged. “I’m not really sure what he sees in me. I guess we just connect at a deeper level. I’m not sure I even understand myself.”

  “If that’s true—if you really do connect at this deep level—that’s all the more reason you shouldn’t be afraid to show the girls that he’s all yours.” She scrambled to her feet, smiling. “You two make a fantastic couple. I hope it all works out.”

  “Me too.”

  “We’ll chat soon,” she said, walking off.

  * * *

  I paced around one of the dozen living rooms in the castle. I didn’t understand why there were so many, but this one was my very favorite. One entire wall was covered from top to bottom in sheer lace and silk, with giant, oversized mauve curtains. A glass chandelier hung low in the center of the room. A big, white antique couch stood in the center, with eight throw pillows all in different shades, from lavender to pink. The two side tables were huge, with oversized vases at least two or three feet tall.