Two for tragedy. Volume 1 - стр. 25

"Can't make it today. Tomorrow at five, same place," the note said, written in beautiful, firm handwriting. Brief and indifferent.

"Does he seriously think I want to meet him again? He's also overconfident as a donkey!" – I thought grudgingly, crumpling the note and smiling mockingly.

No, Cedric. We'll never see each other again. You will never hurt me again.

I texted Julia a message: tomorrow at five, desk number 8.

At five o'clock I was in the library. My new "friend" turned out to be a nice smart girl from the sixth year – Marit. She was a little surprised to see that I sat at her desk instead of Julia, but I convinced her that it was the will of the management. Marit gave me a friendly smile and we started the class.

How different the class with Marit was from yesterday's class with Cedric! This sweet and friendly girl tried to help me as much as she could. Also, unlike Morgan, she didn't push me or treat me like a silly little girl. With Morgan, all I felt was discomfort, anxiety and excitement. And that's not to mention the icy, contemptuous look he gave me! But with Marit, I was interested, comfortable and relaxed. I was extremely pleased that I was able to get through it all. I was not afraid for Julia, because she was so charming and beautiful that she could melt even Morgan's icy heart.

After class, I headed home. Strangely enough, I was very tired, but the joy of being rid of the bastard I hated lifted my spirits and warmed my soul, and I walked cheerfully to the bus stop.

Farewell forever, Cedric Morgan!

I don't know what came over me yesterday. Why did I get so mad and take it out on Viper? I didn't have the slightest reason. But the fact remains that I took out my anger on the girl, insulted and humiliated her. Why did I get so worked up? Because she asked me about a book I was reading? That's ridiculous! For such a small thing, which was not even a hint of mockery or insult to me, I began to behave like an ill-mannered brute. I could see the confusion, surprise, even pain in her eyes when the rude words against her came out of my lips. My voice was icy and callous. Normally, I only speak so harshly and coldly to mortals, wanting to scare them away. Apparently, this behaviour had become such a habit that I couldn't behave any other way.

The whole day was spent thinking about what had happened.

Why had I behaved like a real bastard? Wishing to push Viper away?

"I must need to apologise," I came to a thought. But suddenly, out of nowhere, came a disgruntled voice, "Apologise? To some mortal? I have to apologise to that stupid girl? No. Why would I do that. Where did this softness come from? Where does such an idea come from? She's only a mortal!"

Damn… Stop! What was that harsh thought? Where did it come from? As soon as I started to think something kind about Viper, my vampire pride would immediately rise up in me. This time I wished my pride would obey the command of reason: I should have kept my temper in check and done the decent thing. Yes, I will apologise to Viper for my piggish behaviour… No, there will be no apology! What am I thinking? People don't deserve any involvement or sympathy!

Oh, here we go again! What's happening to me? Am I having a split personality? Or is it my vampire nature fighting my conscience? But how do I suddenly have a conscience? Me, who has never apologised to anyone in my life (parents and Markus don't count) and treated mortals with the disdain that is inherent in higher creatures over lower ones? Why do I care about Viper's feelings and opinions? After all, what is she? A mortal girl I've only seen a few times in my life! Just a speck of dust in my eternal universe.