Run away, Darling 『 MARCO DIAZ 』

1

ADALLENE FIREHEART

In my point of view, I was sentenced into eternal damnation.

I was never the outrageous type though, not the rebellious also. How did I end up in princess prison? Long story short, the royal adviser accused me of theft and my father, the Arcan Pride he is, thought it was just to send me away without knowing the truth. It was like being accused was worse than admitting your fault! My only regret is not exposing our royal adviser's bank account before I left. I should have done that. I'll save that for next time when I become queen. Can't wait to say "Off with his head!".

Olga's was a scary place; scarier than you'll ever imagine it would be. The only reason I survived is that I was in a special ward. I was a proper princess, just misunderstood. And maybe reckless. And maybe a little rude. And maybe heartless. But nevertheless, misunderstood. I spent hours and hours of disciplinary torture and attitude correction while others were, umm, probably screaming? I don't know. But I do have a chance to converse with them at lunch. They seem fine. I'm actually lying. They look terrible.

When the betrothal letter came a month after my admission, I knew for sure that I had to leave the school. Pony head told me that there was this place her bestie was dumped into. The betrothal letter was then rewritten and turned into an order of release by my mother who personally visited the school. My father was not notified of my departure. It was for the better, mom said. She was not in favor of the betrothal and the things that my father was up to. I, for the record, agree even though I don't know half of his plans.

My mom sent some of our emergency jewels for renting a small apartment on earth. She also asked our royal bookworm, which happens to be my close acquaintance, to secretly enroll me in a school in echo creek. Along with that, Madame Glossaria handed me a "Earth for Dummies" book. Wow, facing this new world all alone. Splendid.

That's the story on how I ended up here, glaring at this particular boy who happened to bump into me. My books were sprayed all across the floor and an annoyed look plastered on my face.

"Watch where you--!" I momentarily stopped when I realized he was picking up my stuff while murmuring the words "Sorry" again and again. My glare neutralized into a curious state. He handed me my learning materials while saying a firm "I'm sorry."

His eyes were of a chestnut color, skin sun-kissed and brown locks that were somehow messy-neat. I rolled my tongue and rehearsed my reply in my head.

"Thanks" it sounded too monotonous and dead. I panicked for a second. "I guess...?"

The boy laughed. I furrowed my brows in confusion.

"I'm Marco Diaz. New student, aren't we?" He extended his hand out. I think it was an earth custom to do that when meeting people. I didn't know how to respond so I balled my hand into a fist and presented it in front of him. I kind of remember it this way..?

He looked at me in disbelief. In that second, I was ready to throw myself into the underworld because I messed up. But Marco smiled and mimicked my actions. Then his fist bumps into mine softly.

A small grin played on my lips. "Adallene Fireheart" I added while slowly stepping forward. "from the Land of Eng."

The boy laughed. Arce damn it, I did something wrong again. His laughter ceased and I was left dumbfounded in front of him.

"Do you mean England?" He corrected between shallow breaths.

I gave him a sheepish smile and tried to play it off. "Bad joke, I know."

"You don't really fit the part" Marco continued, moving closer to the lockers so we weren't blocking the path way. I followed his lead, pondering on what he just said. "I mean, you don't have the accent. Don't look british at all..."

My head snapped to his direction, as if I was offended. A look of terror flashed on his face. I continued to speak. "My parents were immigrants and I was homeschooled." It came out rather harshly, so I tried to cope with a sad background story to cover it up. "Just had a bad childhood is all."

The boy raised his hands apologetically. "Well, I shouldn't have pushed you that far." He laughed nervously while fiddling with the hem of his hoodie.

I gave him an arrogant smirk, a signature of mine when it comes to scaring people which I had a hard time hiding at St. O's. Silence floated in the air between us. Arce, I hate being so awkward. I want to punch this guy for asking detailed questions but that wasn't normal here on earth. I also need to lessen my recklessness if I want to survive, hope earthlings aren't as annoying as my father described them to be.

Just as when the conversation was supposed to end, Marco opened another topic. "Yeah, we'll you haven't met-"

"Marrrrcccoooooooo!" I turned my head to the direction of the voice, and there, I saw the famous Star Butterfly.