Chapter 8

It's been two weeks since I arrived, and I must say, these past few days have been nothing short of interesting. Alex and I have gotten really close; he took me on a tour of the town, which was informative and eye-opening. I discovered that this place is home to several supernatural creatures besides werewolves, such as lycans, chimeras, vampires, witches, fairies, and many more that I can't recall.

Alex also revealed that our grandfather is a descendant of Zeus, which makes him revered as a god, given that Zeus is a Greek god of lightning, sky, and thunder, like a weather god. Grandfather was blessed with the power of thunder because of the blood of Zeus coursing through his veins. He also told me about his werewolf, who is an alpha, but no one knows for sure. That's why he freaked out when I followed him, but that's a story for another day.

I stood in front of the mirror, combing my hair, feeling nervous. Today was the day I had to attend the school that teaches about all this supernatural stuff. I wasn't thrilled about going to school since I came here to spend my holiday relaxing, not to stress myself with all this stuff. However, I couldn't help but feel curious and excited to learn more about it. I don't even know why I'm feeling this way. Going to a new school, being the only student without powers, it was going to be awkward.

"I wonder how I'm going to cope there?" I let out a disappointed sigh, staring at my reflection.

"You'll do just fine, I'm sure." A voice spoke, and I turned to see grandma standing behind me.

"Good morning, Nana," I greeted her.

"Morning, dear. How was your night?" she asked, smiling at me.

"I didn't really sleep much, but it was okay."

"Why?" She asked, looking concerned.

"Thinking about today," I shrugged.

She smiled reassuringly. "Trust me when I say you'll cope just fine. After all, you're an Aetós, and Aetós are strong-minded people who walk with pride, not caring what others say about them, because they know who they are. So, you'll be just fine."

Although her speech wasn't the most encouraging, it still made me feel better. "Thank you, Nana."

"Well, get dressed, or do you want to wear a towel to school?" She chuckled, and I looked down, realizing that I was only half-dressed.

"When you're done, come downstairs for breakfast," she said, giving me a quick peck on the forehead before walking out.

As I got dressed, I realized that I was indeed excited about going to school. It was a new experience, and I was ready to learn. So, with my nerves in check, I headed downstairs for breakfast, eager to start my day at this supernatural school.

~~•~~

I walked to school since it wasn't that far from my house, and Alex had shown me the way. Grandma convinced grandpa to let me walk, even though he claimed it was dangerous. Ah, the power of a wife.

As I stood in front of the school, I noticed that everything in this town was named after something. The school was named Alhezia High School after the town. "Don't care about what people will say, you are a strong girl," Grandma and Alex had told me.

"I am ready." I released a breath I didn't realize I was holding and walked in, immediately bumping into someone. I hoped they wouldn't be rude.

"I'm sorry." We said simultaneously.

"I'm the one that's supposed to apologize. I wasn't looking, so I'm sorry," she said.

I took my time to look at her. Her chestnut hair was pulled back into an updo, with some strands curled at the front, contrasting her purple eyes. Is she a supernatural being? I've never seen anyone with purple eyes before. They looked so enticing that they could make you forget everything, even yourself.

"I'm so sorry." She apologized again, bringing me back to reality. I wonder what kind of creature she is.

"It's okay." I smiled at her.

"You look new. I haven't seen you around here."

"I am new. I just came to visit my grandpa, and now I find myself attending school here," I told her, chuckling.

"Okay, by the way, I'm Cassie." She said and stretched her hand out to me.

"I'm Alyssa." I took her hand and smiled at her.

"Well, enjoy your stay here," she said.

"Thank you. Uh, sorry, can you show me the way to the director's office?"

"Okay, just wait for me here. I just want to drop this thing off at the store. I'll be back in a jiffy," she said and walked away.

"Okay." She didn't hear me, but as she said, she didn't take long to come back.

"Okay, let's go," she said, and we entered the building. I followed her, and it didn't take long before we reached the office.

"Thank you," I said.

"No problem, it's my pleasure. I'll see you later," she said, smiling.

"Yeah, later." I smiled back and entered the office, where I met a weird-looking woman who looked like the witch who put Snow White to sleep. She might even be the one, considering how weird the town is.

"How can I help you?" She said with a gruff voice. She seemed tired of her job.

"I'm Alyssa."

"Alyssa Aetós?" She raised her eyebrows.

"Well, yeah, but can you change it to Alyssa Piers, please?"

She nodded, not even asking why. I watched as her slender, wrinkled fingers moved on the keyboard, her blonde hair flowing down on her shoulder, and her glasses well placed on her pointy nose.

She gave me a parcel, and I caught sight of her grey eyes. "Enter that door. That is the director's office. You'll see him there," she instructed.

"Thank you," I said, bowing my head.

"You're welcome, and welcome to Alhezia High School," she said, smiling.

I smiled back, and she seemed nice. I entered the office and saw a man sitting, but he was facing away from me. I used the opportunity to look around, but there was nothing special about it. The school looked like a normal high school. I knocked at his door to gain his attention, and then he turned, shocking my mind.

~~•~~

As soon as he turned around, I was taken aback by his appearance. He looked so young, like he was seventeen or eighteen. His lips and eyes were red, which was odd, but then again, this was a weird town. I was still checking him out when he spoke, making me stop.

"You can quit drooling, I know I'm too handsome," he said cockily.

I scoffed. "Handsome my foot…"

"But you know it's true," my conscience, whom I call Ly, chirped in.

"Oh, you shut up."

"You know I'm right, after all, I am your conscience," she replied. If she were a person, I'm sure she'd be smirking right now.

"...And I wasn't drooling," I said to him, completing my statement.

"If you say so, I hope you know I am your headmaster," he said, spinning his chair.

"Like, seriously?"

"Yeah, like, seriously."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Don't roll your eyes, I am not your mate."

I wanted to scoff, but I controlled myself. "How old are you?"

"Too old."

"Age?"

He sighed. "I don't even remember."

"Wow, you should go for modeling."

"I know I'm too handsome, but you know I'm an educationist…"

"I don't know you're one," I interrupted him.

"Don't interrupt me. As I was saying, I am an educationist. I love to impart knowledge, you know, breed young leaders. That's my way of contributing to this town."

"Hmm, well, that's nice."

"I am the one who is supposed to interview you, not the other way around. Please sit down," he said, gesturing to the chair in front of him.

I sat down, and we made eye contact. I don't know if it's just me, but his red eyes glowed for a while before it stopped. I felt an aura, and I didn't even know how to explain it, but it felt powerful. I shrugged the thought away.

He put on the glasses that were on the table, which made him look funny. I tried to stifle my laughter, but it came out. He glared at me.

"Sorry."

"Miss Alyssa Aetós?"

"Nope, Alyssa Piers."

"But that's not what's here."

"It was a mistake."

"Why can't she rectify it before forwarding it? Now I don't know the password," he muttered under his breath.

"Huh?"

"What?"

"You said that you don't know the password."

"I said that?"

"Yeah, have you forgotten the password?"

"Why would I forget it? It's just that it's locked?"

"Then open it."

"I should open it?" he nervously laughed.

"Yes," I nodded my head.

"That's what I'm doing now," he said, facing the computer with water dripping from his head.

I wondered why he was sweating when it wasn't hot.

"Aah, silly me. I almost forgot."

"What is that?" he quickly faced me.

"The receptionist said I should give you this," I said as I stretched the parcel to him.

He collected it and looked at it, then sighed in relief. "It looks like she has changed it, so there's no need to do so."

"Uh, okay."

"So, looking at this, it says you attended another school. So why do you want to school here?"

"If you see my grandfather, ask him."

"How do you expect me to know your grandfather?"

"That's your problem," I shrugged.

"Stupid," he cussed under his breath.

I pretended not to hear him and mentally rolled my eyes. "As if he's not the one who's stupid. Maybe the students here are just as stupid as him, who knows?" I thought to myself.

"Did you just insult me?" the headmaster asked.

"Did I say it out loud? Oh, silly me," I replied sarcastically.

"Yes, you did," he said with a chuckle.

I nodded my head and stood up, taking my bag with me. "Okay," I said.

"You're just going to leave like that?" he asked in surprise.

"Is there a problem?" I asked back.

"Well, aren't you supposed to beg or something?" he said.

"You expect me to beg you?" I laughed.

"Your admission is terminated," he said firmly.

"Well, dear sir, I'm supposed to thank you for giving me such good news. Now I can go home and enjoy the comfort of my bed," I replied sarcastically.

"Don't you care if your admission is terminated?" he asked.

"Nope," I said nonchalantly.

"What about your parents? Don't you care what they think?" he pressed.

"Well, they're not here, so they won't know. They don't even know I'm going to school here," I replied.

"What about your grandfather?" he asked.

"He may be angry for a while, but he'll forget it eventually. He can't stay mad at me forever," I said with a shrug.

"What if he heard the news and had a heart attack? What would you do?" the headmaster asked, clearly trying to guilt me.

"I'd call the doctor. At least the family's doctor will be useful for once," I said, not taking his bait.

"What if the doctor comes late and he dies?" he continued.

"Well, I've never attended a funeral before. At least I'll get to attend one," I said with a shrug.

"Are you being serious right now?" he asked in disbelief.

"What? I've always wanted to attend one," I said, trying to hold back a giggle.

The headmaster ran his fingers through his luscious red hair, feeling frustrated. I couldn't help but giggle at his expense, but at the same time, I didn't want to be blamed for anyone's death.

"Okay, I'm sorry. Please don't cancel my admission," I said, feeling defeated.

He let out a sigh of relief. "Only on one condition," he said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "And what is that?"

"You see that bookshelf over there?" he pointed to the corner of his office.

I turned to look at the bookshelf, and sure enough, the books were scattered. "What do you want me to do there?" I asked.

"Well, you're going to arrange it, and it must be according to their titles," he said, clearly enjoying himself.

"Why can't you employ someone to do it?" I asked, trying to reason with him.

"Don't ask me questions, and just do what I ask you to do," he said with authority.

"And if I don't do it?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Your admission will be canceled," he said, spinning his chair.

"Foolish headmaster," I muttered under my breath.

"Did you say something?" he asked.

"Nope," I said, gritting my teeth.

"Okay, then get to work," he said with a smirk.

I grumbled and went to the bookshelf. There were like thousands of books there, and I spent a good thirty minutes arranging them. Those thirty minutes were stressful, to say the least.

"I'm done," I sighed in relief.

"You're done?" the young man asked.

"Yes, so is my admission safe?" I responded.

"Not yet," he replied.

"What do you mean by that?!" I yelled in frustration.

"Don't shout, just do one more thing," he said calmly.

If looks could kill, he'd be buried six feet under. "You only said one condition," I reminded him.

"I changed my mind," he shrugged, pulling out a pair of shoes.

"Clean these shoes, make sure they sparkle, and I will consider whether to admit you or not," he ordered.

"You've got to be kidding me, can't you clean them yourself? Do I look like a maid to you?" I retorted.

"I didn't say so, but if you feel like one, it's your problem. There is a napkin on that shelf, use it and clean the shoes," he said, unfazed.

I glared at him and begrudgingly went to grab the napkin. Just as I was about to start cleaning the shoes, a voice spoke.

"Kenzie, I hope you're through with what I told you to do," a man walked in, his head buried in some paperwork.

I wondered who he was referring to as Kenzie, but when I looked up, I realized it was the man in front of me. The headmaster seemed to be in trouble; he was sweating and behaving like someone caught doing something wrong.

"Is it really hot in here?" I thought to myself.

The man finally looked up and noticed me. "Hey, who are you? And Kenzie, why are you sweating?"

"I'm not sweating," Kenzie said nervously, touching his forehead.

The man smirked. "Now I know why."

"You don't know, Uncle. You're just assuming things," Kenzie laughed uneasily.

I couldn't help but wonder why Kenzie was so nervous. As the man's uncle, maybe he could help me with my admission.

"Hmm, I'm just assuming things or maybe you've finally lost your virginity. You guys are doing that stuff here," the man wiggled his eyebrows.

Kenzie's face turned crimson at his uncle's words, and I coughed to hide my discomfort. "Uncle, how could you say something like that?" he whined.

"Am I not right?"

"No, sir. I only came to finish my admission process, but the headmaster here..." I glared at Kenzie, causing him to shift uncomfortably.

"...wants to cancel my admission, so please plead with him. I'm tired. I arranged those books, and now he wants me to clean his shoes."

"That's nice, Uncle. Is that the parcel you wanted me to give Dad?" Kenzie collected the parcel from his uncle. "I'll be on my way now. Bye!" he said, walking towards the door.

"Kenzie! Don't you dare step out! You know what I can do!" the man said angrily.

Then it dawned on me: I had been played. "He's not the headmaster, is he?"

"I never said I was the headmaster," he retorted.

"And who did the work that I assigned you, Kenzie ?" The real headmaster asked, pushing his hair backwards.

"She offered to help. I told her not to, but she refused, so I let her," he lied through his teeth.

"So I did this work, which was meant for you, for nothing?" I yelled.

"No, for charity," he chuckled.

I glared at him, feeling like I wanted to strangle him.

"Ouch!" His uncle hit him on the head and turned to me. "I'm really sorry for what my nephew did to you. He can be naughty sometimes. Please accept my apologies."

"It's okay," I said, trying to be polite, but I was fuming inside.

"Thank you," the man said, turning to Kenzie. "Well, you're going to show her around the school for the same charity she did."

"Uncle!" Kenzie whined.

"Don't 'uncle' me. You're going to do it. Since you've made her miss two classes today, she won't be attending any lessons. So, my dear, start school tomorrow, but Kenzie will still be your tour guide."

"Aargh!" Kenzie groaned.

"Okay, sir."

"Yeah, and thank you. Also, welcome to Alhezia High School."

"Thank you, sir," I smiled at him.