Jessica needed to use the restroom by the first break in the three-hour lecture. It was not cool for a six-foot-something guy to follow her to the ladies. Jessica felt Hugo and her understood one other a little better after their previous talk, so when Jessica said she needed the restroom, Jessica made sure to mention the ladies room was right adjacent to the lecture theater.
I will actually move three feet to the left of that door, and I won't require an escort to take me the ten steps to my right," stated Jessica.
Hugo took a long breath, not knowing what to do "Jess, I'm under tight orders. I must safeguard you."
"You will, too. I'll scream at the top of my lungs if anything occurs, and you'll be nearby to save me "Jessica spoke logically.
Hugo finally said, "Okay, you can go to the restroom by yourself being that it is just next door," after a little moment of thought.
Jessica stood up and said, "Thank you, Hugo." Hugo said menacingly, "Jess, you better not do anything."
Before hurriedly leaving the row of seats and the lecture hall, Jessica made a cross over her heart and mouthed the words "I promise" to him. There was a sizable line outside in the hallway for the women's restroom. This was typical at break time, and Jessica knew the restroom would be empty if she took the stairs to the top floor.
Jessica knew this went against their agreement, but she reasoned that if Hugo didn't know, it couldn't affect him. Jessica quickly climbed the stairs to the bathroom to get herself together. Jessica left the room after she was done and entered the hallway on the top floor. Jessica felt at home here. Jessica could see the sprawling town and the far-off woodlands and mountains from the top level. Jessica took a moment to enjoy the scenery before moving over to a glass window that was floor to ceiling long.
The sky should be alive with birds at this time of day, but Jessica knew why it was completely empty right now. Dark storm clouds were forming outside.
Odd, Jessica thought to herself, because it was supposed to be sunny. Jessica had the strange impression that a supernatural force was behind the storm's eerie weather change. Rain started to fall, and then a huge crack of thunder filled the hallway with light as a flash of lightning split the gray sky. Jessica retreated from the window out of instinct as ice started to seep into her veins.
'Jess?' Felix's voice suddenly rang in Jessica head, "What is wrong?"
Jessica's body had an unnatural, unyielding feeling. Jessica was unable to think. Jessica was devoid of any logic and reason. Felix was trying to reach Jessica mentally, but the adrenaline and pure panic were keeping him from entering her mind.
Jessica has a terrible fear of storms.
Shaking Jessica stumbled as she made her way down the hallway in an effort to escape the terrible thunderclaps. Along the vacant corridor, Jessica entered the first unoccupied seminar room and hid behind a desk. Jessica rocked back and forth while hugging her knees in an effort to deal with the overwhelming terror.
Thunder and lightning continued to erupt above Jessica, filling the sky with frightful flashes and bangs. Jessica heard people vacating the upstairs rooms and exiting the building as she stood outside the seminar room. Jessica wants to yell at them, but every time she gathers enough power, another crack of thunder makes her feel much more anxious.
The storm persisted as the time went by. Twilight started to take the place of daylight. The janitor peeks his head through the door of the seminar room where Jessica was hiding in to inspect the space before locking the room for the evening.
He misses Jessica hiding under the table, frozen with terror. Hot tears flow down her cheeks as she tightly closes her eyes. Jessica was now confined inside and no one knew where she was. Jessica tried to block out the sound of the thunder by covering her ears, but it was unsuccessful.
Jessica sobbed more ferociously.
Then, a huge explosion blasts across the atmosphere. Jessica cried out in a loud voice and covered her ears with her hands. She stiffened every muscle in her body. Jessica suddenly felt a protective shield of strong, warm arms around her, pressing her up against a solid wall of muscle.
"Jess!" Felix's voice seemed familiar to Jessica, but she is immobile. He screams obscenities and quickly snatches her up before leaving the hallway. Jessica opens her eyes to discover that they are traveling quickly down the hallway and that every door on the top floor has been torn off its hinges.
Felix had to be looking for her. Jessica burrowed her face into his shoulder while cuddling up against his chest. Jessica let go of her grip on her arms and them around his neck. He makes a sudden turn kicks open a door, and descends several stairs to the college basement.
Gently Felix hurriedly drapes an old blanket around Jessica after Felix has placed her on a gym mat. Underground, the storm's sound is hardly heard. Felix encircles her with his arm.
Jessica succeeded in whispering. "Sorry," feeling humiliated by her senseless phobia. Jessica casts a quick glance at Felix and can see the stress and concern written all over his face.
"I was so worried that I was losing it." Jessica drew nearer to Felix as he confessed. Jessica couldn't help but put her head on Felix's shoulder because he was so close.
Jessica muttered, "Sorry."
Jessica could hardly hear the storm above in the pitch-black cellar. Felix attempted to rub some warmth into Jessica's arms while she was seated on the exercise mat and leaned against him. Felix took a moment to remove his black jacket and put it over Jessica's shoulders before he started eagerly running his warm hands up and down Jessica's icy cold arms.
"Aren't vampires supposed to be cold?" Jessica questioned, between trembling teeth.
Felix replied after muttering an expletive: "Jess, everything is relative.
Despite being colder than humans, vampires are susceptible to the effects of the cold, especially when they are shocked."
"Am I shocked?" Uncertain, Jessica questioned.
Felix made a muttered threat to kill Hugo for letting him lose sight of Jessica.
Hugo was promptly defended by Jessica, who also accepted responsibility for her actions.
Felix was informed by Jessica that she had informed Hugo that she was simply going to the restroom next door and that there was no purpose in escorting her there as she would only be a short distance away.
Felix was very quiet the entire time Jessica was telling him the tale. Jessica feared that Felix would yell at her or lose it, but after she finished recounting how she found herself crying behind a table in a confined room, Felix was unexpectedly kind.
Felix apologized to Jess, saying that he would have stayed with her all afternoon if he had known she was afraid of thunderstorms.
Jessica found it hard to accept Felix's apology. How could someone who is so haughty and cruel have such a kind and compassionate side?
"It's a pretty ridiculous phobia," Jessica gave an open response.
Because of the whole episode, Jessica felt incredibly ashamed. Thunderstorms have always made her anxious. Jessica would have stayed at home, secure and sound in bed, listening to loud music, if she had checked the forecasts. Jessica glances up and notices how close Felix's face is to hers. Felix made sure Jessica was safe and sound by carefully scanning her with his eyes. Jessica's mind was yet again turning to mush. When he was acting like a complete jerk, it was simple to hate him. Avoiding the topic, Jessica enquired. " What did you want to discuss with me?"
After college, Felix had been itching to speak with Jessica about something, and Jessica had a terrible feeling it would be about more ridiculous vampire tales. Felix, however, caught Jessica off guard when he momentarily shifted and reached into his pocket, removing a black velvet box that curiously resembled a ring box.
Felix wrapped his arms around Jessica's waist and gently turned her around in his lap so she was facing away from him, holding the enigmatic velvet box in his hands.
Jessica anticipatedly lowered her gaze to the box and enquired, "What is it?" "It's my wedding gift to you," Felix said while placed his head on Jessica's shoulder.
Felix then opened the box to find a sizable brilliant green emerald mounted on a ring of whirling silver and encircled by clusters of magnificent white diamonds. Felix presented Jessica with the ring after taking it out of the box.
Felix added, "My mother was an Irish Princess who was taken to America to marry my father. This was my mother's ring, and it is now yours. My father made this ring particularly for her so that it would serve as a reminder of the beautiful green vistas of her native Ireland because she was so heartbroken about leaving her beloved Ireland."
Jessica tried to be cordial as she said, "I believe you have the wrong girl, Felix."
Felix sighed and took Jessica's left hand in his while also taking the ring. Felix next put the ring on Jessica's ring finger before giving her a soft kiss on the temple.
Felix claimed, "I don't make mistakes."
Jessica moved her finger while gazing down at the enormous emerald on her hand and watching the diamonds twinkle in the light. Jessica mutely muttered, "This is insane." Well, Felix grinned, "That ring has a matching emerald tiara waiting for you back at court. I was planning to say that later."
"Woah-what? Is there also a tiara?" said Jessica.
Felix confirmed, "Yes, I considered bringing it along, but I figured the tiara might be too much to wear on campus.
Jessica raised her hand and nodded at the ring "A little bit much is this ring. I just have worn-out hoodies and vintage t-shirts to wear with it." Felix made fun of Jess, saying that having swag was essential to becoming a princess.
For the first time ever, Jessica's smile appeared, and even though their chat was about the crown jewels, it felt like Jessica and Felix were simply having a normal conversation. Jessica wondered what Sarah Turner would say if she showed her ring to her. It was weird to consider that a Vampire Queen once wore such a lovely ring. Jessica strangely began to consider what Felix's mother was like. For her to give birth to a son with such wonderful looks, she must be really attractive.