NINE: THE DRAGON PRINCESS

It's darker now and I become more conscious of my environment, what if those girls came out of the shadows again?

Thankfully we safely made it to the end of the halls and unto the stairs.

“Thank you sir” I said with a curt nod and he stared at me, then turned to look at the top stairs before walking away, not saying anything.

My eyes darted to look in his direction to find the headmistress standing on the stairs.. 

“All students should be at the dining hall. Are you looking to start trouble, Miss Martins?” She asked, giving me a grim look.

“No…no, of course not” I fumbled my words, if there was someone I was completely scared of, it was the headmistress.

“To the dining room” she commands and I run downstairs heading towards the dining.

I enter the doors and look towards the line, it's very short. I quickly join up, trying to gather my thoughts.

“Three feet back” a voice said in front of me and I looked up confused and saw Raphael glaring down at me.

“Three feets back” he repeats looking irked.

I say nothing but move back, I was starting to get annoyed by his behaviour, treating me like I was a weed or something.

It gets to his turn and the lady serves him his food, cold. I stare at the odd boy as he walks away and takes his spot. 

The serving lady gives me an odd look and serves me roasted potatoes with sausages and beef. I give her a brief smile before walking away.

I'm about to walk to where I see my roommates sitting, but Ember waves at me, she's sitting alone.

I walked up to her. “Hey” I greet but she only gives me her creepy smile.

“How was your first day?” She asked, sipping on a juice box which I found odd for a dragon.

“It was alright” I shrugged and began to dive into my food.

“Why do people avoid you?” I asked, stating the obvious, I closed my eyes as I cautioned myself about being nosy.

“My father is the dragon King, I'm his first child” she smiled again but I still stared at her confused.

“I've been a trained killer from birth” she smiled again and I felt a chill go down my spine.

“Shall I tell you more, no one really cares to ask” she asked, poking her roasted beef.

“Sure” I smile trying to reassure her.

“I have a younger brother, he's in this school as well— he didn't have to go through the cruel training I went through, so I started school later than he did, I'm in my second year” she explains and I nodded eagerly to hear more.

“I was trained to lose my empathy, but also smile cause I'm a lady, do you like my smile?” She asked and I stared at her, not knowing if I should be honest or lie.

“I know it's creepy, I just don't know how to smile, but I have to” she chuckled a bit, stuffing her mouth again.

“So where do you come from,tell me about yourself” She smiled and I tensed. I only knew I was a Dhampir, how was I going to lie about my background?

“I…um…it's personal” I began and I noticed her smile falter, she told me her story and now I was hiding mine.

“Well, I…..

“Avery!” A familiar voice called and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I noticed Daphne walk up to me and she glared at Amber before helping me to my feet.

“Stay away from her” Daphne said through gritted teeth to Ember who just smiled back. Avery pulled me away, grabbing my tray in her other hand.

“Stop hanging out with her” Daphne warned glaring at me as we arrived at her and Phoebe's table.

“Why?” I questioned raising my tone, I was getting tired of her telling me what to do.

“You don't understand Avery, do you want to get killed?” She asked, her ice grey eyes wide.

“She was hanging out with Ember, speak sense to her!” Daphne tells Phoebe, who turns to frown at me.

“Ember is no good news Avery, it's best you stay away” Phoebe sighed resuming eating, I turned to Daphne who had turned back to her food as well.

I didn't like the way they judged and condemned her, from the way she spoke, she seemed misunderstood.

“How was your lesson with Mr Alister?” Phoebe winked in my direction.

“He's a really good teacher" I replied and Avery squealed.

“Tell me everything that happened” she squealed, scooting closer as I sipped my water.

“Math?” I asked and she scoffed.

“You're no fun Avery, wait….. are you a virgin?” She asked out of the blue and I spilled my water.

“Oh my goodness, you totally are” Phoebe cracks up in a louder laughter and Daphne shushes her while I blush embarrassed.

Once again, I feel like I'm being watched and I turn, this time Daphne turns with me.

“I feel like someone is watching us” she stated and my eyes widened. It wasn't my imagination. I looked around, some people were staring at us, but that look felt different.

“Hi girls!” A chirpy voice called. It was Jenna.

The weird girl from the bathroom that had laughed at me in class.

Daphne ignores her but Phoebe entertainers her welcome.

“Do you still have your beauty potion?” Phoebe asked as Jenna sits with us.

“Of course, I never run out of those” Jenna cackled.

“Avery right?” Jenna turns to me and I nod.

“You seem to be drawing the attention of young gentlemen, something about you being fresh?” She smiled wickedly.

“I have no idea what you're talking about?” I replied as I took the last bite of my meal.

“You're like a prey honey, and all the predators are watching, waiting for when to take a bite”