Bloodlust

Chapter 18

Serephina tried not to flinch as Nicolas offered her a hand. The screaming were driving her crazy. It was like everyone who lived near or had a child on the Academy had come by to presence their first entrance as Rumions. Serephina almost heaved back her breakfast, her stomach fluttered with nerves which only got worst when she heard Gias' squeaky, ecstatic voice cheering from the balconies on the second floor of the Academy. Serephina wandered what the hell the cheering squad—her squad—were doing here, cheering her on when she clearly had told Hera not to. 

 "Your cheerleaders have quite a performance," Nicolas whispered close to Serephina's ear. She looked just in time to see Tara be thrown into the air with silnaliors bombs wrapped around her wrist and ankles. With each turn she gave arks of colors and lights dazzled all over them, causing the people to chant "oooh's" and "aaah's" in chorus. 

 "Yeah well I told them not to do this," she grumbled back, feigning a smile for every child and elderly people that called her name. 

The Academy's white-marble statues, the wards of the school, ranked around the crowd--which seemed to be getting bigger and bigger--protecting them. Students gathered at the school's entrance some held up banners with words such as 'We knew this day would come' others only held pictures of them. 

Were they that famous? she wondered.

 Some girls, the most popular ones and the richest only glared at Serephina while others were too faking a smile just like she was. Suddenly she felt ridiculous. 

This was ridiculous, she thought. 

 "Nicolas, I don't—" Serephina's words were cut short when the crowd opened a path and a shadow of black silk hair appeared running with such speed that Serephina couldn't see her face. But she knew who it was. Serephina didn't have to see or be told that it was Juliet who now flung her arms around Nicolas, giggling with pure joy. Serephina felt like she had been pushed aside as Nicolas took in Juliet's face smiling at her, but not kissing her. Boundaries where to be set in public appearances. Juliet leaned for a kiss, but Nicolas only kissed her cheek whispering something into her ear. Juliet pouted but nodded turning to Serephina and offering her a tight hug. Serephina didn't hug back for she was too stunned to do anything. But was more stunned when the press wanted a picture of the three of them together. Serephina wanted to crawl into a hole.   

"Oh Nicolas, I've missed you," Juliet cried out once they entered the private parlor Great Willa had rented for them on their first few weeks. 

Thank gods, she thought, we would definitely need some privacy. 

Serephina rolled her eyes as Juliet kissed Nicolas this time, indeed, in the mouth. 

 Nicolas pulled back first, fast. "Juliet, let me introduce to you—" 

"I know her, Nicolas," Juliet pointed out, turning to Serephina with a grin. "Serephina Rose, captain of the cheerleading squad, beautiful rose of the school, and quite smart chick in class. How could I not know her?" She walked over to Serephina placing a hand on her shoulder. "We'll be good friends, Nick. Don't worry." 

 Nicolas tensed, his eyes jumping from her's to Juliet's. "I have no doubt." 

 Serephina sighed, gently and politely pulling away from Juliet's grip, and walking over to the couch. She reached for the champagne glass served upon the coffee table. "Okay, lets just get this straight. I'll be allowed to date someone, and you guys will continue this relationship for the Bloodlust ritual says nothing of being a close relationship. I won't mess in your love-life and you guys won't meddle in mine." Serephina drank the entire glass of champagne in one quick gulp. She set the glass down and got to her feet, fixing her skirt. "I think that set things straight, doesn't it?" 

 Nicolas made to reach for her, but Serephina barely looked at him as she made it out of the room. Yet that didn't stop him from going after her. He pulled her back hard against his chest. "What was that?" 

 Serephina breathed him in before pushing herself away from him, not rudely; she didn't want to make a scene for whoever was watching. Because in this academy someone was always watching. 

"I just wanted to set things straight," she admitted.

 "You didn't even allowed Juliet to get to know you." 

 "Get to know what?" Nicolas eyed motioned to hers as if answering. "Me?" She scoffed. "She had all the year to get to know me she never did. Why would she want to do so now?"

 "Butterphina—" 

"Don't call me that in public," she warned, walking away. "See you at lunch."

"Girl! I hate you for not inviting me to the ceremony, you know that, don't you?" Hera squeaked, hugging Serephina just a bit tighter. Hera was one of Serephina's oldest friends. They had been in middle school together long before it came to light that she was the chosen. You see that had always been something everyone knew but kids at such young age didn't quite understand that, Hera being one of them. Her mother had known, yes, and maybe Hera had been encouraged to be Serephina's friend, but if so they had become good friends. 

Hera had long silver hair that cascaded around her round-shaped face and wondrous blue eyes. She had a silver, ring nose-piercing on her thin nose that had hurt more Serephina's hand than her when she had it done. Hera's grip that day had been iron-fist, and Serephina still regretted to this day holding her hand. When Hera had planned on getting another one, for her slightly pointed ears, Serephina had down-right refused aware that Hera's mother would kill both of them if Hera damaged her ears, a trace of her heritage led back to wizards and elf's. 

 "You know I couldn't invite anyone," Serephina said latching her arm around Hera as they walked side by side down the Academy's crowded halls. All eyes were on them. Some guys cat-called and whistled, and for the first time Serephina a feeling they were meant for her and not Hera. 

Odd, she thought. Yes, Serephina was indeed beautiful but she had never been called upon it. No one had ever asked her out, but she knew she was admired from afar. She was not blind. But having been promised to Nicolas, they had never neared her. Which that made her plan much more complicated. But like her Aunt Rohana liked to say, Men only want what other man have. Which meant that now that she was with Nicolas others would try to come forward. And she was hoping they would.

                                                           ***

Thank you so much to everyone whose kept reading! I really appreciate it and makes me more excited for people to get to know these characters and this story. 

When I wrote this chapter I was driven by the anger and annoyance Serephina had felt and as I edited I couldn't bring myself to change it. I even felt that sorta sting you feel when your heart hurts because the man/or woman, who is supposed to be the love interest, is being stupid. Yes, that one. 

Let me know in the comments guys if you think Serephina had been just a tiny bit too rude...

 And what would you do or feel in Serephina's case?