Fluttery Feelings

2

Lucinda Nightshade groaned as her phone played an annoying melody, signaling it's time for her to get ready for her first day of sophomore year. She slapped the screen until it shut up, and groggily floated out of bed, her spiderweb patterned blanket falling to the floor. Her room was, to put it lightly, an absolute disaster. Her guitar was in the middle of the floor, art supplies scattered about, sketchbooks and cd cases in a messy pile against the wall. Lucinda felt disgusting looking at her room, but didn't have the energy to do anything about it. She hardly had energy for anything these days. One of the only things that keeps her going is ballet. It always made her feel energized, no matter how tiring it can get.

Her head throbbed. She regretted staying up all night. What was she supposed to do, though? She was naturally nocturnal, only being able to sleep at night from heavy amounts of sleeping medicine, and stay awake in the day with her adhd medicine and gallons of coffee. She had followed her natural sleeping schedule all summer, so that certainly didn't help either. She hated that Aphrodite academy didn't have night classes for nocturnal beings such as herself. You were welcome to stay until 6 pm to get extra practice in, but that was about it.

The sleepy vampire dug through her messy closet, looking for a comfortable, yet stylish outfit. She settled on a black hoodie with red splatters, black shorts with chains and bat wings on the hips,and black platform boots with cross buckles. She also slipped on some skeleton fingerless gloves, as it was a bit chilly out.

As she looked into the mirror to brush her teeth, she noticed the deep color of the dark circles under her eyes. She sighed and grabbed her pale concealer, dabbing it on and blending it.

After that, Lucinda floated down to the kitchen, a cup of coffee in her favorite mug sat on the table with a note. Five drops of pig's blood, two teaspoons of dried lavender, just how you always make it. Love, Dad 🦇🖤

She smiled. Her dad works all night and sleeps all day, so she doesn't see him much, but he always makes an effort to remind her that he loves her. Her father worked very hard the past 3,000 years to get them where they are. Lucinda was only 16 herself, but 3,000 years worth of adventures, sleepless days, travel, and more have been told to her all her un-life. She hopes she can do the same for her partner and C̶h̶i̶l̶d̶r̶e̶n̶ pets when she gets older. Lucinda admires her dad greatly, but she wishes he would take a break on the weekend or something to spend time with her.

She shook herself out of her thoughts and sipped her coffee. It tasted way better when her dad made it for her. She smiled as the warmth took over, feeling like a hug.

After her coffee, she packed her lunch, rare steak salad with dried blood flakes, and prepared her school bag. She made sure the essentials, like her leotard, pointe shoes, and sketchbook were in the bag. After that, she was all ready.

Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she gave her cat, Misfortune, a pat and a kiss before heading out the door. Putting her headphones on, she turned on her favorite band and started her float to school. She smiled as autumn leaves fell from the trees, lightly kissing her skin every once in a while. She waved at a group of young fairies playing in the leaves.

As Lucinda approached Aphrodite Academy, she saw students of many different species around her. Flying or walking, they were all heading to the front gates, ready for their first days of the new school year.