Maia

13

Word count: 1284

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MAIA'S POV

In the first class, the teacher's piercing glares seemed to be fixed on me, and the weight of the stares from nearly every student in the room made me feel like an outsider. The uncomfortable atmosphere lingered into my second class, where hushed whispers and sideways glances made me feel even more self-conscious. The only source of relief was the teacher, who showed a much warmer demeanour and even offered a genuine smile. I felt a wave of relief knowing that Nikolia was nowhere to be found. His presence would have surely heightened my unease.

I was walking down the dimly lit hall, the sound of my footsteps echoing against the cold, tiled floor as I navigated my way to the library. The map's directions seemed to play tricks on me, but I was managing to find my way there. As the clock struck noon, a steady stream of students flowed in the opposite direction, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they made their way to the inviting aroma of the cafeteria. Despite the tempting scent of food, my hunger seemed to have disappeared, and I couldn't shake the feeling of not quite belonging in the school. The weight of the overwhelming class experience loomed over me.

As I made my way to the library, I could feel the weight of the heavy wooden doors as I pushed them open. The creaking sound echoed through the corridor, indicating their age and history within the school. To my left, I noticed a lady seated at her desk, engrossed in reading the newspaper. Her presence added to the nostalgic atmosphere of the library. As I approached, she briefly glanced at me before returning to her reading.

Taking in the surroundings, I slowly strolled towards the romance section. It was different from my usual choice of educational books, a luxury I hadn't been able to indulge in before. Now that I finally had the opportunity to explore different genres, I felt a sense of liberation and excitement. This was something I always yearned for.

As I strolled through the library, the warm lighting and the comforting scent of old books enveloped me. My eyes eagerly roamed the shelves, scanning the titles and authors. Some were familiar classics, while others were intriguing new releases. I couldn't resist running my fingers along the spines of the books, feeling the texture of each cover and admiring the unique designs.

Amidst the sea of books, one particular title beckoned to me. With a sense of anticipation, I carefully pulled it from its place and examined the cover. The artwork was enchanting, and the summary on the back promised a captivating blend of fantasy and romance, set in a world inhabited by Lycans and werewolves. Intrigued, I found myself drawn to learn more about these mystical creatures, I had never heard of a Lycan before.

Carrying the book to an empty table with a few singular chairs, I settled into a comfortable seat and placed my bag beside me. As I opened the book, I was immediately immersed in a world of vivid characters and captivating storytelling. The author's words painted a rich tapestry of emotions and adventures, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages, eager to uncover the mysteries of the Lycans and their enthralling world.

I was engrossed in a captivating book about a werewolf who faced rejection from her "mate." Fortunately, she found happiness in being mated to a lycan prince. The storyline was so compelling that I lost track of time and didn't even notice when the bell rang. I was already a few chapters in, and the hour flew by without my realization. I found myself drawn to a particular book and wondered if I could borrow it. After a moment of consideration, I carefully placed it back on the shelf and hurried out of the library, making my way toward my next class. As I weaved through the corridors, I realized that I must have passed the class's location on my way toward the library.

I let out a deep sigh of relief as I round the corner and spot my class just in time. A handful of students are already trickling in, so I slowly make my way into the room. I find a vacant seat at the back and carefully settle into it, placing my backpack by my side. With deliberate movements, I retrieve my book and pen from my bag. Thankfully, the teacher hasn't arrived yet, and I'm grateful to have made it in early this time, unlike this morning. As I glance around, I notice a trio of girls entering, engaged in lively conversation and laughter. I can't help but wish for a group of friends like that.

As the girls make their way to the back of the room, their chatter fades as they catch sight of me. I see their expressions turn sour. "Move," the girl in the middle commands. I look at her, puzzled.

"Are you slow? She said move," the girl to her left snapped.

I hurriedly gather my belongings, aware of the disapproving glances from the girls as I make my way to a different seat. Their hushed conversations about me echo in the background as I carefully rearrange my things. A tremor runs through my lip, and I struggle to contain the tears welling up inside me. A few other students observed me with a mix of curiosity and disgust. I quickly lowered my head, longing to be back in the library, immersed in the solitary company of a good book.

Thankfully, the teacher walks in and the attention is drawn away from me. I keep my head down for the rest of the lesson, ignoring the stares and whispers as best I can. I play with my pen the whole time, waiting for the day to be over and to be back home with my brothers. I wish Wiremu was here...

I slowly raise my hand, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on me as I ask to go to the bathroom. Thankfully, the teacher nods and I quietly make my way out of the classroom, trying to avoid any unnecessary attention. As I entered the bathroom, I let out a deep sigh of relief, grateful to be away from the stares and whispers that had been following me all day. I quickly walk into an empty stall and as I'm about to close the door, I hear it open again. I strain to listen and can distinctly hear two voices entering the bathroom.

"Have you seen the new girl?" one inquired of the other.

"Yeah, I did. Quite an ugly thing, huh?" she responded.

"I can't believe how messy her hair looks. I mean, how could you even think about going out in public looking like that?" the other person remarked with a disapproving tone.

"Absolutely, I completely agree! Her makeup looked really cakey and blotchy. It seemed like she had applied too much foundation and concealer, and it didn't blend well at all. It's surprising that she would even bother putting on makeup that looked like that."

I stood there, feeling a mix of emotions as the other girl laughed and they both walked out. The sound of the door slamming shut echoed through the room, and that's when I couldn't hold back anymore. I let out a sob, and quickly covered my mouth with my hand as tears streamed down my face. I found myself leaning against the door, wishing I could just go home. At that moment, I longed to call Wiremu or Alessandro, any of my brothers who could offer comfort.

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A/N: Hey guys, sorry this chapter is rushed I'm posting this like 2 minutes before I'm leaving my house lol! Anyways I kinda referenced one of my favourite books, it's from Wattpad originally can anyone guess what it is?