Starlit Bonds

XVI

Chapter 16: Heated Exchanges
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The principal's voice reverberated throughout the assembly hall, commanding attention from the gathered students. Minji's eyes remained fixed on her feet, where an unexpected furry companion lay beside her. It hadn't been her choice; that morning, she'd awakened with the cat perched on her chest, its bright green eyes staring into her soul. She'd even attempted to confine it within her dorm, but the feline always managed to escape. The girl standing next to her kept her distance, wary of the cat that had hissed and scratched her, creating an unexpected inconvenience. Apologizing for a pet she didn't want was hardly how Minji had planned to start her day.

As the principal continued her impassioned speech about the prohibition of using magic to harm fellow students, Minji couldn't help but ponder the state of her own life. Rising from her seat as instructed, Karina stood at the podium to lead the anthem. She placed a hand over her heart, a patriotic gesture that Minji couldn't help but appreciate. She wondered if Karina was faring better than she was at the moment, especially since dealing with Winter was undoubtedly a handful. Observing Haerin, who stood gracefully with her hand over her non-beating heart, Minji felt a pang of jealousy. Any relationship, she mused, had to be better than hers right now.

After the assembly, Minji found herself waiting in the lengthy breakfast line. Yunjin, concerned, stared at the teacher now guarding the doors. She leaned in to share her worries with the group. "What was that announcement about?" Minji inquired, urging them forward as they moved together like a young posse.

Danielle furrowed her brows, seeking more information. "Oh that?" she questioned. Hyein's reply caused her heart to race. "The Heartless," she muttered. Minji's chest tightened as she inquired further, "You mean vampires?" Hyein nodded, and Minji struggled to accept the gravity of the situation. "Word's going around that some are coming to Earth, maybe even to our school," Hyein explained. Minji shook her head in disbelief, hoping for reassurance from Dani, who usually had inside information. But Dani could only shrug, leaving Minji deflated.

She gathered a tray and slid it down the counter, selecting a bit of everything. All this talk of vampires had certainly stirred her appetite.

They all settled at their table to eat, and Hyein inquired, "Where's Hanni?" Minji responded with a casual shrug, "Somewhere sleeping." Suddenly, Hanni stormed through the large dining hall doors, scanning for her table and charging toward the group. Yunjin whispered, "Uh oh," and shrank back as Hanni sat down with a slam, causing Dani's toast to jump, which she promptly retrieved. Hyein tried to offer a greeting, saying, "Good morning," but Hanni seethed, "A cat! There was a cat in the bathtub!" Her incredulous tone left the group speechless.

Minji looked away, her guilt evident. Hanni turned her gaze toward Minji, displaying her scratched arm with a heart-shaped bite mark. Minji winced, admitting, "I'm sorry, okay. I don't know how it got there, and if it makes you feel any better, it bit me too." Minji lied about the biting part, as the cat had been clingy and gentle with her. Hanni rolled her eyes and muttered, "I guess it does."

They continued eating, and Minji's curiosity about the current events got the better of her. She asked in hushed tones, "So, wait, if vampires are coming, why are our kind fighting?" Danielle hummed in response, seemingly knowing the answer, but her mouth was full. She held her hand out until she swallowed and explained, "Because apparently, there's one already here." Minji's eyes widened in shock. Hyein asked, "Seriously?" and Dani nodded. "The two kids fighting? Yeah, they both thought each other was the vampire." The revelation filled Minji with a sense of dread.

"So what, everyone's going around trying to unmask a vampire now, isn't that stupid?" Hanni asked. Dani shrugged nonchalantly. "Considering it's our school? Then, yeah, pretty much." As they discussed the situation, Minji stared down at her waffles, pondering how things had come to this point and wondering how Haerin was faring.