Heart of Ice

Chapter 2 - Fire Prince and Ice Princess

September 2, 2013, the first day of school.

I breathed in the morning air to calm myself. The presence of too many people overwhelmed me. The warmth they exude is a foreign entity to me. Warmth - not just heat - in the way they talk and mingle with each other without suppressing any emotion or opinion. It makes me feel envious of them, for I can't and don't know how to express my feelings and thoughts.

RIIINNNNGGGGGGG!!!!

"Xy," said Meredith,"I know you can do it."

"I'm okay," I lied. I feel insecure about my sister, but I love and idolize her. Every time she smiles, her cold eyes light up - like the winter sun that gives warmth to the freezing plants. She always says I'm more beautiful than her, ethereal even, but she always manages to express herself freely, her emotions unchained.

All of us moved with the large crowd to prevent unwanted attention. Jared fixed his stare on us before walking with the other seniors to their classrooms. Meredith gave us encouragements that I hadn't even listened to as she went to the Third Year's classrooms. Meanwhile, Erik and I stood before the door of our classroom, too scared and too excited (Erik only) to go inside.Then, the door opened right on cue.

A kind-looking, middle-aged woman greeted us and ushered us in. She introduced herself as Mrs. Williams and she is our class adviser. She told us to introduce ourselves since everyone already knows each other.

"I'm Erik Lawrence Frostier. 14 years old. Nice to meet you," said Erik while smiling.

"I am Xyrene Jade Frostier. 14 years old. I am Erik's twin sister. Nice to meet you all," I said in my usual cold tone.

"Dear, you're too pretty to be shy. Do you have any talents?" asked Mrs. Williams.

"I like to sing," I replied flatly.

"Could you please sing a few lines for us?"

"Romeo, take me somewhere we could be alone

I'll be waiting, all that's left to do is run

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess

It's a love story, baby, just say yes."

"Wonderful!" she said and almost everyone in the room applauded.

"Because our seating arrangement is alphabetical and by two's, one boy and one girl, you'll be sitting with Gabriel and your brother will be with Shereena."

My brother gasped at the girl's name and murmured 'Why is she here?'

"Is there any problem, Mr. Frostier?"

"Nothing, ma'am," he breathed.

"Okay. Gabriel is the boy sleeping near the window while Shereena is the one that wears Gothic dresses."

I walked toward him while taking in the surroundings. Every boy is looking at me. I hurried to my chair and stared at the floor to avoid their gazes. Then the boy beside me, Gabriel, yawned and looked at me.

God! He's the one who winked at me earlier!

"I'm Gabriel Josh Firenze, nice to meet you," he said sleepily as he reached out his hand. His name sounds familiar!

"I'm Xyrene," I shook his hand reluctantly and I felt a searing pain. I immediately pulled back as steam appeared on my palm, and I saw him wearing that shocked expression again when he heard my name.

"What's your problem?" I asked him. Then he suddenly grabbed my scarf, revealing my snowflake birthmark.

"You're Xyrene Jade Frostier, the Frostier Clan's princess," he gasped.