Vampire Heart 4

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Scroll 05: The New Student
"Sweetie, you've got to be kidding me," Rose bolstered against the wall as Naoko drooled over the boy she met the day before. "He was polite and handsome?"
"You know I don't blush..." Naoko waited for the agreement of her friends with their nods, "He kept making me blush...and I couldn't keep my eyes off him..."
Carly twirled the gentle curls in her ebony locks as she spoke, "I think you've got it bad for a guy you've just met."
Jasmine shook her head in disbelief, "I think you need to look behind you, Naoko," Jasmine nodded toward the back of the room where the only entrance to the room was.
Naoko turned slowly and was bewitched again by Vicente. He met her eyes and smiled as he passed her desk. Naoko stared at him and whispered to her friends, "That's him..." She watched him hand a slip of paper to the teacher and the teacher point to the empty chair at their table. "Vicente..." Naoko whispered as he sat beside her.
"Naoko," he replied.
"I didn't think-" Naoko trailed off her thought.
"You didn't think I'd take your suggestion to heart?" he asked. Naoko nodded. "You're right, this place is beautiful and the curriculum is so extensive that I think my parents will be pleased with my choice of high schools."
"Glad I could help," she replied before she kept drooling over him. "Oh, Vicente, this is Rose, Carly and Jasmine," Naoko motioned toward each girl as she spoke their name.
"Lovely to make your acquaintance," Vicente kissed each of their hands. Rose, Carly and Jasmine all smiled at Naoko as they took their seats.
Carly spoke first, "So, what is your schedule, Vicente?"
Vicente unfolded the piece of paper and handed it to Carly,"I have a rather fun schedule. Nothing too meticulous, I hope," his eyes fell to Naoko's as he finished speaking.
"You're taking all classes that are for geniuses and smarter!" Rose commented, appalled.
"I think he's at least as smart as you, Naoko," Jasmine muttered.
"What makes you say that?" Naoko asked. Her eyes searched Vicente's face as she waited for her friend's reply.
"I'm just going out on a limb here...since you two have the exact same schedule," Jasmine replied.
Naoko's jaw dropped as his boyish smirk charmed her again, "Really?"
"What do you know?" Vicente asked coyly. "I get to stare at my favorite girl all day long."
Naoko flushed and her friends did as well. They all exchanged glances before staring at his charming confidence as he stared into Naoko's eyes. Naoko finally managed to speak, "That depends on where you're seated."
"Don't make me get us both in trouble," he replied smoothly. "Are you going to let me make up for my rudeness and klutziness today?"
"How do you plan on doing that?" Naoko asked.
"Would you accept my invitation to lunch?" Vicente asked.
"Definitely," Naoko replied.
"It's a date, then," Vicente smirked and kissed her hand.
The morning was a blur as Naoko came to realize that she sat next to all of the empty seats of the classes that she had, and they were filled by the adorable new student. She drooled over him in every class and was glad that he didn't catch her.
The last class came to an end before she knew it. Naoko stood and exited the classroom and was shocked when she felt her hand slip into Vicente's hand. "Hey, there," Vicente grinned.
"What's with the forward gesture?" Naoko asked.
Vicente blushed, "You didn't seem to mind it yesterday. Do you mind it today?"
Naoko flushed, "No, not particularly..."
"And I did promise you lunch, right?" Vicente asked.
"Yes, and we have an hour," Naoko replied as they stepped into the cloudy day.
"Excellent, just enough time," Vicente commented as he led her downtown.
"This is the most expensive side of town," Naoko muttered.
"And we're getting a grab and go lunch since I ordered ahead of time," Vicente said quietly.
Naoko glanced up at him and she was instantly lost in his icy eyes again, "Wow."
Vicente met her gaze, "What is it?"
"You amaze me..." Naoko replied.
"Huh?" Vicente asked.
"You just do...I can't explain why..." Naoko replied with a shrug.
Vicente accepted her reply and led her into a restaurant and addressed the hostess, "A to-go order for Vicente Moon." Naoko took note of his last name since she hadn't bothered or even thought to ask before. The woman nodded and returned with a baggie. Vicente pulled out a member’s card and let her scan it, "Just add this to my tab."
"Yes sir. Have a good day," the hostess replied.
"You too, miss," Vicente said meekly. He led Naoko back to the school and sat her beneath the large tree that shaded the front yard of the high school.
"How do you know what I'll like?" Naoko asked.
"Basic psychology," Vicente shrugged. "You're healthy and energetic as well as a morning person. You clearly eat from every food group."
"You're good," Naoko replied. She opened the bag and pulled out a slice of cheese cake. "You're real good..." Naoko took a bite out of it and swallowed. "What food do you prefer?"
Vicente smirked, "I'll let you figure that out in time."
Naoko quirked her eyebrow, "Whatever you say, mister."
"Mister?" Vicente asked.
"You're always proper, so I figure that I should try it, too...I mean all of my friends are practically eating from the palm of your hand," Naoko remarked.
"But, I only want you," Vicente replied coolly.
Naoko met his gaze and she could barely hold back the urge to kiss him. The way he was made her want him that much more. She knew that she needed to grip reality. She clutched the only thing that she could find: the pendant that was hidden beneath her school uniform.
"What's wrong?" Vicente asked. He placed his hand on Naoko's and Naoko fidgeted, startled from what seemed to be a pulse that originated from the necklace.
"N-nothing..." Naoko replied. "I'm just thinking."
"About me?" Vicente's tone sounded hopeful.
"Mostly," Naoko replied before taking another bite of cheese cake.

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Vampire Heart 6