KELANI POV
"You should totally skip orientation," groaned Riley, helping me arrange my clothes in the wardrobe she made available.An hour had passed since I stepped into the room, and we were unpacking my things. Riley volunteered to help, but she also took the opportunity to talk my ears off.I guess I should be grateful; at least, she shared some information about the school's traditions and off-limits areas, although not in much detail.Unlike Lia, who might smother me with a pillow while I slept, I was lucky to have Riley as a roommate.The room Riley and I shared was more spacious than the one back home. Combining my room with the one my dad shared with my stepmother would barely match it.On the wall near Riley's bed hung a painting of a starry night, featuring a woman holding a torch with a wreath around her neck and a crescent moon-shaped crown on her hair.My side of the room was devoid of paintings; maybe Riley left it that way- she might have assumed I would flip if she touched it, which I wouldn't have minded. Her choice was unique, emitting a strange vibe that suited her well."Lani," Riley nudged me, and I let my gaze leave the computer that sat on her desk."Yes?" I raised a brow."You're not even listening to me," she pouted, sitting on my bed."Why should I skip orientation? It's how I'll get to know the school. I'm not great with locations, and I don't want to miss it," I said.Riley snorted. "You're just like everyone else.""Who are 'everyone else'?" I creased my brows, placing my last belongings on top of the wardrobe before sitting on the swivel chair near the desk beside my bedside."The goody-two-shoes, the 'do everything the headmaster wants' kind of people, the annoying nerds, and, might I add, the highest hypocrites," Riley wrinkled her nose."Are they bad?" The only description she got right about me was the goody-two-shoes and doing everything the headmaster wants. I wasn't a rebel by nature, and I didn't want to be.Riley rolled her eyes, scoffing. "Please, don't get me started."She then came towards me, squatted, and gripped my hand, saying, "I can be your tour guide. I'll take you to places Mrs. Anna will never show you, and trust me, I'm the best at this.""If I'm skipping orientation, where will I be?" I didn't know exactly where she wanted me to be, but it seemed better than orientation."Cafeteria," her dark brown eyes twinkled, highlighting the excitement."Just to go to the cafeteria, I need to skip orientation?" I asked in disbelief."Anywhere but orientation, and there's nothing 'just' about the cafeteria," she said. "You should freshen up; I'll pick out some clothes for you."Riley pulled me up and shoved me into the bathroom. I stepped out a while later, wrapped in only a towel, to find Riley had changed her clothing.Instead of the mini grey tartan skirt, fishnet stockings, white packet shirt, and high boots she had worn earlier, she was now in a floral print knee-length A-shaped gown with spaghetti-thin straps. Her hair was curled, and she had subtle makeup on her face. She grabbed a varsity jacket from her bed and put it on.I frowned as she swirled, "Is that legal? I mean, it's the cafeteria. Aren't you supposed to abide by the rules of wearing the uniform in a school environment?""Perks of being from one of the founding families. I can bend the rules whichever way I desire," Riley shrugged.It didn't look like it was her first time doing so, and I guessed she broke the rules a lot."I picked that out for you; you should change." She pointed to blue skinny jeans and a polka-dot top she had laid aside for me."I'm not one of the founders," I started shaking my head, but she cut me off."Hey, you're with me. Let's call it a roommate benefit. No one is going to trouble you unless they want to get on my bad side," Riley said, and I nodded.It wasn't like I had many choices anyway. I was sure if I didn't wear it, she was going to force me into it.After I finished dressing up, Riley practically dragged me out of the room towards the cafeteria. When we reached the entrance, I halted, suddenly nervous."Why are we here again?" I asked her."Are you kidding me?" Riley snorted."What?" I asked her. If she had told me the reason we came here, I believe I wouldn't have asked again."It's the Mystic Delights. You wouldn't want to miss it for anything in the world, and it only happens quarterly," she said."What is that?" I asked her, confused."That's all the more reason you shouldn't miss it. Come on," she grasped my hand, pulling me inside.The cafeteria was near the residential hall, not on the school grounds. I wondered why it wasn't placed within the school premises. Even though the walk from the residential hall to the school grounds took no more than ten minutes, it still struck me as weird.Not many students would want to make such a long trek when they get hungryWalking around several tables to find a suitable place to sit, Riley finally stopped at a table just before the largest one. Many students were already seated, and their eyes turned to me."Hi, everyone. This is Kelani, my roommate. Be nice to her," Riley said, stressing the last sentence."Hi, Kelani.""Can I call you Lani?""Yes, hi," I smiled, waving back. I let out a breath. I had thought I was going to get rejected, as they seemed very intimidating, but then again, it wasn't okay to judge a book by its cover."Is she a part of the coven?" a girl with pigtails and chubby cheeks asked."Oh, no, she's not one of us. She's a wolf girl. But that doesn't matter. Does it?" Riley raised a brow."It doesn't," the girl said, glancing at my side. "We are one after all.""We are," Riley agreed.I let my eyes wander around the cafeteria. It was a large hall that could house thousands of people. I wondered how many people were present here.The cafeteria was a simple yet welcoming space, had large windows that let in ample natural light. The aroma of various foods filled the air, creating an inviting atmosphere. I saw many of the food served but I didn't recognize any. I guess that was what Riley meant as the Mystic Delight.Also, I noticed the seating arrangement was kind of clique-like. At the center of the room was a large, fashionable round table with very few people gathering around.Unlike the table I was currently sitting at, where a few students were in uniform, like the others, I believed because they weren't part of the founding families as Riley had said, the people at the center table were all in casual clothes, fashionable, and, might I add, extraordinarily beautiful.I saw Lia there as well, and the boy from earlier."Who are they?" I whispered as Riley leaned into me."The Mystic Elites," she said, her voice matching mine."Are they like the popular kids?" I asked. It seemed like it, but then again, the vibes they gave off were different.Riley had the same vibe, and I wondered why she wasn't sitting with them."They are much more popular than the popular kids. Think about royalty popular, kids from old money, and members of the founding families," Riley explained."Amazing," I muttered, "Why are you not with them?""I am my person, and I can sit wherever I please," she said.I opened my mouth to speak further but was cut off by a loud voice.Wincing, I gazed at the speakers around the whole cafeteria as the voice continued."Everyone sticks together, and no one should venture far away from the school ground. A creature infiltrated the school grounds, and we are currently investigating." The voice said, then added, "I repeat, stick together."The warning was evident, and I wondered who wouldn't want to abide by the rules."You'd think the number of layers of protection covering the school is enough to hold any monster; they keep coming in. Jokes on them," a girl from a table near us said."Stupid she-wolf," Riley hissed.I guessed the jibes were for her.No sooner had she said that, a shriek erupted from one of the students and filled the air."What's going on?" Riley muttered."What is happening to me?""I am aging. Is this some sort of a joke?""What happened to my pasta?!"Several people were talking at once, and the confusion went on for a few seconds."Riley..." I turned to my side, hoping to see her near me, but I saw Lia instead.Confused, I saw Riley was at the far end of the room. I guessed whatever was happening had something to do with us swapping positions."You are doing this, are you not, freak?" Lia narrowed her eyes on me."What, no!" I shook my head."Barrius Luminara, protego hoc locus ab Chimerachronus potentia," Riley yelled, strutting from where she was, with her hands stretched out and her eyes narrowed. (Barrier luminous, protect this place from the power of the Chimerachronus)"I should be the one doing that!" Lia complained, stomping her feet.Ignoring her, I concentrated on Riley as she spoke the words again, this time powerfully.At first, I didn't see the creature. I guess that was what caused the confusion in everyone, but as soon as Riley finished speaking, it became visible.The most hideous creature I had seen was Krampus - a blend of goat-like features, malevolent aura. But this, I couldn't quite describe it.From its massive, dragon-like wings to the serpentine tail that trailed behind, it wasn't anything like I had seen before. Its large body was a pattern of intertwining scales, feathers, and fur, reflecting fusions of creatures from different eras.Sparks of temporal energy crackled along its form. Roaring, it slammed its body into the barrier Riley had created several times, its eyes gleaming with malicious intent."Everyone snap out of your thoughts; we need to contain it more. I don't think the spell I did can hold it for much longer," Riley yelled, and that seemed to snap everyone from the daze they were in.Everyone started working together. I could only watch because I didn't know what to do.I had only defeated one monster, and I doubted I could stand a chance with this. Besides, the other students looked even more skilled than I was. Also, I guess the fact that I was still trying to find out who I was exactly contributed to it.Soon enough, everything returned to normal. The creature wasn't defeated; I wondered why."It was returned to the sender. The chimerachronus is a special creature that only comes for certain students. It isn't the first time, and I doubt it is the last time. But now, we have no idea who is special amongst us. Perhaps we will later," Riley said."A lot of things happen here," I said."It surely does. Also, it is the best place anyone of us can ever be because it is even more dangerous in the outside world," she said.My ears perked up as I listened to some of the jokes the students were making. It was over, but then, it didn't feel as though it was to me.Everything felt off. Lia was watching me. From the corner of my eyes, I saw her glancing towards me at intervals. But she wasn't the only one watching me. Something else, or was it someone else? I couldn't tell, but I felt their eyes on me.KELANI POVToday was my official class day. After the cafeteria incident yesterday, Riley took me on a tour of the school.Despite her promise to continue over the weekend, I doubted it would happen, given my busy weekends filled with activities. However, I thought I could learn about the school surroundings on my own while going about my day.But then, that would only be possible if I didn't get lost on my first trial.Headmaster Kendrick had taken it upon himself to tutor me in things I needed to know. The first time I received my schedule, my weekends were free, but he sent me a revised one this morning. He also referred to himself as my tutor, a role I didn't mind.Among all the staff present, he was the only familiar face I recognized, even though we had only met for two days.Entering my locker code, I opened it, putting some textbooks I had gotten earlier from the bookstore inside my crossbody bag that had been in the locker. I found the crossbody bag there, it was a gift to ev
KELANI POVI stood at the front of the class for a few more seconds, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on me. I didn't mind the attention, but being stared at wasn't exactly my favorite.Making eye contact with a few classmates, I then turned toward the teacher, who was busy scribbling on the board."I'm Chase Westerfield," he introduced himself. "I'll be teaching Werewolf 101, an introductory class covering fundamental aspects of being a werewolf. This includes basic anatomy, heightened senses, and the importance of pack dynamics."He paused briefly before continuing, his gaze briefly meeting mine. "But before we dive into that, let's get to know each other a bit better. We also have a new student joining us."He nodded towards me, and I reciprocated. "I'm Kelani Redwood, and I'm eager to learn a lot here. I hope you all treat me well," I said."Of course, you're in the right school," Chase replied, adding, "Make yourself comfortable."Glancing around, I struggled to find an avai
KELANI POVThe murmur of voices snapped me back to reality. My eyes stung as I struggled to open them, and my head throbbed. They felt heavy, as though I was lugging around an extra head. My hands were unresponsive; I couldn't budge them. I wondered if they were frozen in place or if it was me struggling to move them.I was in the infirmary, no doubt about that. I didn't need to see it to confirm it. The scent of antiseptic and bleach hung in the air, mingling with the hum of machines."Will she be okay?" Riley voiced out. She was here.My eyes snapped open, only to quickly shut again due to the harsh lighting. Wincing, I shielded them with one hand as I used the other to prop myself up."Kelani," Riley murmured, hurrying to my side.Frowning, I looked at her. Mascara streaked down her face, and dried tears still marked her cheeks. Her nose was somewhat puffy, making me wonder how long she had been crying for."Were you crying?" I asked.Riley shook her head. "I was just upset.""You
KELANI POVI had flat feet, and while that might not be a valid excuse to avoid PE, I secretly wished I could skip it because of that. Unlike my previous school, where I had the freedom to choose, here it felt like an obligation. Doubt lingered in my mind, questioning if half the students truly wanted to run around the track or play handball."Does everyone do this?" I asked Riley as we approached the expansive gymnasium a short distance from the main school building.The gymnasium, the largest on campus, housed various sports facilities, including the basketball and handball courts, even futsal."Split into two teams," instructed the coach, a brunette with her hair pulled back in an elastic band. Before I could react, everyone hurriedly formed teams. By the time I looked around, Riley's team was full, leaving me no choice but to join the other team.Unfortunately, Lia led the team I found myself in. She scowled, arms crossed, and approached me with disdain. "We don't want a scrawny-l
KELANI POVYesterday, I had a close call – nearly knocked out by a 16-ounce handball and narrowly avoiding a mauling by Williams. Today, things seemed promising. After stowing the remaining books in my handbag, I slung it over my shoulder.Glancing at Riley's bed, I shook my head; she was nowhere in sight since I woke up.Not usually a deep sleeper, but yesterday's events and Dr. Kaden's examination left me drained. He discharged me, advising a return only if I felt dizzy or had a headache.After a final check to ensure I hadn't forgotten anything, I headed to the door, closing it behind me."Hey, Roomie."I spun around, eyes widening. "Oh my fucking goodness, Riley! You scared the fuck out of me!""You never struck me as a girl who curses. I like your potty mouth," she giggled, then frowned. "Where are you headed?""To class, obviously," I replied, wondering if it wasn't clear enough. I noticed she wasn't in uniform, not even dressed for class. Denim shorts, a pink sports bra, and run
VESPER POVHockey meant everything to me, and I'd go to any length to come out on top. At least, that was what I kept telling myself. However, it didn't seem like things were going well.Don't get me wrong; I was still the star player at Mystic Height Academy, something I was grateful for. However, failing classes could soon jeopardize that position.To stay at the pinnacle and maintain my spot on the ice rink, excelling academically was crucial.I couldn't fathom why grades mattered when I could just focus on playing Hockey, racking awards – something I excelled at – and forget about subjects like arithmetic and chemistry, which happened to be my weakest."You need to put in more effort. Or maybe I should talk to Coach Jensen about benching you more so you can take this as seriously as I do," remarked Headmaster Kendrick."What's the point?" I shrugged, glancing around the office, a large space with bland wallpaper and a floating bookshelf near the entrance. The headmaster sat behind
VESPER POVAfter practicing a bit with Nathan, I headed to my last class – a general one that all seniors and juniors had to attend.Otherwise, I wouldn't be stuck in the same class with these sore losers. The classroom was vast, easily accommodating a thousand students without anyone feeling crowded.It lacked furniture, and for some reason, I had a bad feeling about the supposed project we were going to engage in. Even though I didn't know what it might be, a sense of unease lingered.The project supervisors, Mr. Randall, and Mrs. Periwinkle, entered the room, each holding a placard under their arms with poker faces.Both were in their mid-sixties. Despite her age, Mrs. Periwinkle carried herself gracefully, appearing barely aged. She shared the greying hair characteristic with Mr. Randall and had very dark eyes. Wrinkles adorned her face, concealed by heavy makeup. In contrast, Mr. Randall didn't bother hiding his wrinkles, opting for a more natural look. After all, he couldn't use
KELANI POVThe Mystic Harmony Championship program seemed like a big deal, judging by the excitement on the students' faces and the teachers. Despite the apparent thrill for everyone, it was the opposite for me. My partner didn't want me, and I didn't particularly want to be with him either, but I had no choice.Headmaster Kendrick made it clear that I didn't have a say in the matter, and he had warned me earlier never to reject my partner. I had even laughed and assured him I wouldn't. I had assumed I would be paired with Riley until Mrs. Periwinkle made the unexpected announcement.Now, I would prefer Lia's partner over mine. Despite his habit of doing disgusting things like picking snorts out of his nose, I would still prefer him over Vesper. I could feel the anger radiating off him, even though I hadn't done anything to provoke it. It seemed like the mere sight of me made him furious.Perhaps he would erase me from existence if given the chance without hesitation.Clutching the pa