Academy of Blood and Magic

6🖤

Two weeks later, I found myself in front of East Haven's Academy of Magic.

I smoothed my sweaty palms over my black, uniform pants and stared up nervously at the huge, gothic building that towered over me. The building was four stories tall, with two other buildings branching off of it.

I was nudged forward, not having enough time to inspect it before I walked through the double entrance doors and was immediately blasted with cool air from the conditioning. I followed the throng of students through the huge lobby and into the long, winding hallway where classrooms were aligned on every side of us.

I held my paper schedule tightly in my hand. We were going to the auditorium for orientation and I followed the huge throng of students down the hallway, assuming that this was the way.

We arrived in a huge room filled with folding chairs and a long stage that spread from left to right of the room, a microphone set up on there, a red, yellow, and white banner with the school's symbol, a long, glowing white star, hanging high above the stage.

Teachers, all of them wearing the same black dres pants and black sweatshirts despite it still being seventy degrees outside with the school's crest stitched in, instructed us to find a seat quickly.

I sat down in the nearest seat I could find and scanned around the room at the other students.

I tensed when I saw Shelbee, Nick, Tristan, and Tristan's little brother sitting together with two rows in front of me. They were huddled close together, probably talking to each other, probably about what had happened at the party two weeks ago. I prayed they wouldn't see me, but if they did, that they would just leave me alone. I didn't want a confrontation on my first day here.

I saw Shelbee turn her head and glanced at me but turn back around. She didn't look at me again.

A guy with shaggy black hair, dark skin, stubble on his jaw sat beside me. His brows were lowered into a scowl and he had his arms crossed over his chest. If looks could kill, then everyone in this auditorium would be buried seven feet under.

I ignored him and pulled my phone out. I smiled, reading the good luck texts my parents, Brandon, and other friends sent me.

U got this, Brandon texted. You're going to do great.

I texted back, feeling the smile widen across my mouth. Thank you, I love you. I'll text you after school is over.

As I quickly texted back my parents and other friends, I felt someone brush against my shoulder. It was the guy beside me, peering down at my text messages, his eyebrow raised, a smirk twisting his mouth.

I frowned and put my phone back in my pocket. "Excuse me, can I help you?"

"That was your boyfriend, right?" he said and flicked his gray eyes towards me before turning his gaze back to the stage. "Brandon?"

"That's really none of your business," I said in irritation. "Why were you looking at my text messages?"

"You're the vampire's girlfriend, aren't you?" he asked instead of answering my question. "Lyric Kain." He said my name as a statement, not a question.

The blood rushed from my face. Obviously, gossip about what had happened at the party was spreading through this school like wildfire. I glared at the back of Shelbee's head. More than likely because of the bitch.

I met the guy's stare steadily. "Yeah, I am." If I was going to have to deal with crap like this, then it was better to let everyone know right now that I wasn't going to put up with it.