The Half-Blood Giant

Chapter 20: First Day of School

When Hunter walked into his first class, the other students, humans and giants alike, were already seated. He was perturbed by the multitude of eyes burning into him, judging him. There was only one seat available, right at the front of the class near the human desks that were against the wall, so Hunter hastily sat down. The teacher, a stern-looking giantess, realized that Hunter was a new student, so she didn't reprimand him. She started her lesson on biology, scribbling on the chalkboard behind her and shouting at the class in an authoritative tone.

Hunter sat quietly in his seat, feeling very out of place. He was significantly taller and broader than the other students, even the giants. He had never been in a classroom environment before, outside of homeschooling. He could hardly focus on the lesson as he became hyperaware of his unfamiliar surroundings. Even though he knew rationally that nobody would hurt him, he was apprehensive being around so many other people. He just wasn't used to it.

The overpowering human scent was very distracting as well. Hunter glanced down, out of the corner of his eye, at the tiny people near the floor seated in neat little rows. Due to his emotional turmoil, he hadn't been able to stomach much for breakfast that morning, and now he felt empty and hollow inside. He imagined reaching down and closing his hand around a handful of the little students, lifting them up and shoving them into his mouth, desks and clothes and all. His guts grumbled with longing. Hunter was disturbed by the intrusiveness of these thoughts. He had imagined such fantasies before, but never so potently as they surfaced now, commanding his attention. Even the slightest movements from his prey made his heart pound. He forced those images out of his mind. They'd go away once he ate lunch—he hoped.

His skin prickled all over with unease until finally the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Hunter jumped out of his chair as if electrocuted and hustled out of that suffocating room, desperate to get out. He went to his next class, disoriented by the swarm of students around him. He was jostled by other giants, yet had to watch his feet to make sure he didn't stomp into the bike lanes painted on the floor as small bikes whizzed past. He made his way over to his next class, which blessedly wasn't far. This time, he was early, and he snagged a seat in the back corner of the room, as far away from the human desks as he could get. He exhaled a breath of relief and settled in.

"Hi, I don't think I've seen you before," one of the giant students addressed him. Hunter looked at him with uncertainty, not responding. He was a lanky boy with freckles and curly brown hair. The student shuffled his feet at the strained silence and offered his hand to shake. "I'm Jeremy. It's nice to meet you."

Hunter stared at his hand with painfully long indecision before finally reaching out his own. Before he clasped the other kid's hand, Jeremy blurted out thoughtlessly, "What happened to your finger?"

Hunter recoiled his hand as if stung and glared at him. "None of your business," he snapped harshly, tightening his mutilated hand into a fist. Being reminded of that horrific incident filled him with endless rage and despair. Jeremy froze up, mortified by his social gaffe.

"S-sorry, I meant no offense," he apologized, but Hunter refused to talk to him any more. Jeremy hunched his shoulders and picked a seat far away from Hunter, avoiding his gaze. A few other students who had observed the uncomfortable interaction shot curious glances Hunter's way, but he didn't acknowledge them. He slumped in his seat and stubbornly crossed his arms with a scowl. The rest of the students filtered in, along with the teacher who promptly began his lesson.

Math was never Hunter's strength, but Jackie had taught him surprisingly well despite her limited resources. Hunter was able to grasp the concepts without issue, and his isolation had encouraged him to focus on his studies, so his education had been fruitful. He still had trouble concentrating with the smell of so many humans in the same room, but at least they weren't within visual range, or close enough to grab. Hunter's belly complained for food. Lunch was next; he could make it.