My Ice Prince

«Will it really be like this? Will I turn into a monster like my mom and sisters?» – I thought wistfully.

But it was all so far away and unreal that I just couldn't believe that the day would come when I would hate the sun and it would hate me.

– Sometimes I think you're not of this world, that you're not human» Mary said suddenly.

I opened my eyes and sat up, surprised by her words.

«Does she really know that I'm a vampire?» – I thought with horror, but I smiled falsely and asked cheerfully: – Why do you think that?

Mary sat up too.

– You seem to glow from within: you are beautiful not only outwardly, but you also have a beautiful soul. I don't know how to talk about these things: I need to use metaphors, and I'm not good with them» she said, looking at me. – I knew from the first time I saw you that you were a good person. Period.

I hesitated, not knowing how to respond to her statement, and not knowing what to say to her.

It is very difficult to find words when you are undeservedly praised: such praise is disconcerting.

I couldn't find the words. I didn't say a word.

– Well? Have you thought about it? – Mary asked.

– About what? – I didn't understand.

– About the haircut.

I smiled involuntarily: she'd remembered little things I'd never even considered.

– No, I hadn't. I never cut my hair.

– It's a shame, of course, but on the other hand, it's just fine.

The contradiction in Mary's words amused me.

– How so? – I gri

– I love doing hairstyles and learning to do new ones, so if you don't want to cut your hair, you can be my guinea pig. There's a reason you grew that ponytail» she said.

– That's great! Why didn't you tell me this before? You have no idea how tired I am of ponytails and knots on the back of my head! – I exclaimed. – Well, go ahead, show your skills.

– Right now?

– Are you afraid?

– No way! Release your horrible ponytail!

I pulled the rubber band off my hair, and it fell down my back.

– Well, you're in trouble! – Mary said seriously, sitting down behind me and combing my hair with her fingers. – If it hurts, feel free to scream.

– Okay. – Thankfully, I didn't feel any pain.

I was a perfect ma

Mary braided my hair, and I felt the pleasure of her fingers touching my head, and closed my eyes.

– Your hair is a godsend for a hairdresser» Mary said. – But unfortunately, I'm not a professional. You know, it's really beautiful, though, it's so thick… Can I ask you something?

– What? – I asked.

– If you don't know how to do your hair or braid it, then you should walk around with it loose, but don't do that stupid, ugly ponytail. Phew! I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time! I haven't had the courage.

– You don't like my ponytail?

– That's gross! I was tempted to cut all your hair bands! – Mary said and pulled one of my strands hard. – Oh, I'm sorry… Does it hurt?

– It's okay, it's bearable. And since you're so concerned about my hair, I'm making you, Mary Smith, my personal hairdresser: from now on, my hair is your responsibility.

– Good, at least you'll be human!

«I'll be human. No, Mary, that's impossible! Alas» went through my mind.

– By the way, there's a bunch of Playboys to our right» Mary said quietly, almost in my ear. – And one of them is staring at you. Look, but don't let him see you.

– You're a spy» I gri

«There's that flatterer again!» – I thought with a chuckle when I saw among the girls and guys the very same Playboy.

– I know this guy: he's been hitting on me since the begi

– I don't like him either: he's kind of slick. And his hair is awful. The guy who hit you by a car is much handsomer, and his hair is marvelous. I've never seen such great hair on a guy. And his hairstyle is cool, and that slick guy's hair looks like it's greased up» Mary said.

I'd forgotten all about Frederik Haraldson. Luckily, he was very unobtrusive.

– By the way, what's the name of the guy? – Mary asked.

– What guy?

– The one who hit you by a car. That's it! The masterpiece is over!

Mary clapped her hands, and I ran my palm through my hair and found that it was now in an oddly braided braid.

– Mary, you're a talent! – I admired you sincerely.

– And let me make you another hairstyle? Would you like to? – Mary asked, immediately grasping my hair.

I didn't want to interrupt her euphoria.

– Come on, I'm curious» I replied.

She started to unravel my braid.

– What's his name?

– Why do you want to know?

– Maybe I like him, okay?

– Is it that serious? – I played along with my friend.

– No, of course not: I've been hopelessly in love with Andrew for a long time.

– Then why did you break up?! – I asked, startled by the news.

– I was a fool, and I didn't like the fact that he was so clever, and I was just a dummy next to him» Mary said.

– But that's a good thing: he's older and wiser, he can teach you a lot, and if he dated you, he didn't care about the difference in your education. Isn't that right? – I suggested with a laugh.

– Why are you laughing? – Mary asked, laughing too.

– I just think you're terribly contradictory!

– I am not!

– I am.

– No, I'm not!

– Okay, I'll shut up! – I gri

She was a pleasure to fool around with: Mary was always easy to wind up. And so was I.

She sighed and began to braid a new braid for me.

– What's his name?

– Oh, God, Mary! You're doing it again, aren't you?

– Yeah, and I'm not getting off on you.

– His name is Frederik Haraldson! – I finally gave in.

– I think he has a Scandinavian surname. Don't you think? – Mary remarked.

– I don't know, I never thought about it.

– So you think I should call him?

– Why would you call Frederik? – I wondered.

– What does that Swede have to do with it? – She grumbled unhappily.

– What makes you think he's Swedish?

– I don't know but let him be Swedish. I was talking about Andrew!

– Then what's Frederik got to do with it?

– Who's Frederik?!

– You started it! – I reminded you with a laugh. – You were trying so hard to find out his name.

– To hell with him!

– Then why did you ask?

– I don't know, I was just curious. Okay, can we be serious? – Mary sounded a

– Seriously, call your Andrew.

– I mean, let's say. What am I go

– Ask him out. – I started thinking of all the things I'd seen in the movies.

– Out? Are you crazy? No, I'm not go

– Then why are you asking my advice if you've already made up your mind? – I laughed involuntarily.

– Because you're my friend, and I want your opinion! – Mary pulled my hair. – Stop laughing already! Do you think it's fu

– If you have any more questions or advice about relationships, I'll warn you right away: I'm a total zero in this area! – I warned honestly.

– You'll be nineteen in a month, and you haven't dated anyone yet? – Mary exclaimed. – You're a spinster!

***

«So she is nineteen! Just as I suspected. Of course, she's still very naive and stupid!» – I was astonished. I felt ashamed that not so long ago thoughts of admiration for her had been ru