I ghoul you ❤️

Parents. Who needs them.

The next morning was quieter than the one before, I woke up well before we needed to be at breakfast and had enough time to use my charm to contact dad. It was only Thursday but I wanted to tell him all about my new friends.

I opened the holo screen and scrolled through my contacts until I reach Dad's. I opened a holo call with him and waited for him to answer. Only, he didn't answer. I waited for half an hour for him to pick up the call and he just didn't answer.

Instead, 20 minutes after I had stopped trying to call him and my friends and I were eating breakfast, he sends me a message.

DAD🖤-

Sorry sweetie, I didn't see your call. I've been busy as of late. We've had a lot of meetings in the office regarding new laws and movements that the council wants to put in place. I'll call you later tonight.

I scoff at the message and continue eating the steak I had been given this morning.

"What's the wrong Lyss?"

I shake my head, "Parents not answering their calls. You know the usual."

Sienna pulls me into a hug and begins to run her fingers through my hair.

"Aw, I'm sorry girlie. Did they at least tell you why they didn't pick up?"

Burying myself into Sienna's shirt a groan, "He's been busy at work. Apparently, they are passing a bunch of new laws."

Everyone looked at each other confused, "What do you mean? What for?"

I sit up and rub my eyes clear of tears, "I have no clue. He didn't tell me but when I find out I'll let you know."

She pats my head a couple of times before turning to the others. 

"So what class is first up?"

Mason rolls his eyes, "You've had a whole semester to memorize your timetable and you still haven't?"

Dean laughs, "That's because she's got you to tell her what class she has."

The rest of us laugh at the horrified look on Mason's face. He picks up his tray and stomps off towards the hallway we walked down yesterday.

"We should probably be following him."

Sienna laughs and nods her head, "Yeah we should. I really don't know what class we have first."

I shake my head and pick up my tray to quickly follow after the upset Mason. We waved goodbye to Dean and Cooper before the three of us scurry off to our first class.

I look back at the girls, "Is this the earliest you've been to class?"

They look puffed and nod their heads. Guess we're all experiencing firsts because I've never chased down a boy before.

We finally made it to class, what looked to be history. The three of us sat towards the back in the discoloured desks and textbooks in the corner of each table. The teacher sat in a creaky chair behind the front desk with a tired look on their face. 
Once the classroom began to fill up with students she directed us towards the textbook, images of Britain and the black plague along with covid-19, Spanish flu, and Ebola virus decorating most of its pages. An array of natural and medical remedies were written out like witch's spells and diagrams showed the death toll of each. Putridum was not the first disease that humanity had to face, just the one that had the biggest impact to date.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, as the virus has evolved, we have luckily been able to remain a part of this new society because of its lessened effects on the brain of the patient. Unlike the original virus, we remain aware of our conscious and subconscious minds as well as our humanity. This allows us to remain the well-rounded citizens we were before being turned." 

The teacher continues to drone on about various pandemics across earth's history while I lean over to Tiana who sits next to me.

"Why does she sound half dead?"

Tiana giggles and points at the teacher's leg, the flesh had been completely ripped off leaving a skeletal foot covered in red string-like muscles.

"Lyss, she technically is half dead."

"It doesn't mean I am half deaf though. Girls, if you're going to point out my naked foot then I can give you one of your own unless you be quiet and get to work. I already asked the class to write an essay on disease in history. I want yours finished by the end of the lesson. HURRY UP!"

With our red faces from embarrassment, Ti and I got to work on our essays as the rest of the class giggled at our scolding. 

Sneaking a peek at Dean, I can see a small smirk on his face as he watches me from across the room. He gives me a little wave before turning back to his own work which sets my face ablaze.

When the lesson was over Dean came over and gave me a little nudge, "Now you know to never point out Mrs Deviling's missing leg. She's quite defensive about it."

I chuckle, "Yeah well that was pretty embarrassing."

He laughs and spins around to face me, walking backward towards our next class, "For you, it may have been embarrassing. But for me? Well, it was bloody hilarious."

I look towards the ground and shake my head only to be slammed straight into Dean's chest. I look up to find that fallen onto Mason's chest who stands tall above the both of us, a cheeky smile blazing down at us. Dean looks down at me with a goofy smile.

We both laugh awkwardly before separating, "Sorry about that Lyss."

"I-its ok, it happens sometimes."

We all laugh and head toward our next class, my mind has completely forgotten what had happened this morning.