Glass

Chapter 1

I lay awake— cocooned under my blanket, as I stare at the shadows across my floor. I watch as they dance as the sun rises in the sky. I watch as a measly house spider scurries across the hardwood. I lie there and wonder if it, too, doesn't really have a place to call home.

I shift underneath my blanket— turning to the window. My eyes catch as the sunlight shines onto my bed through the blinds— wiggling my fingers through the light— wanting desperately for it to be warm outside. I will myself to sit up— and slowly, I do.

I listen as the floorboards creak when the two love birds come waltzing out of their room. Making a racket everywhere they go. My bedroom door swings open and in walks Dohwan and Hajoon. They go straight to my wardrobe— not needing the light to see.

Dohwan picks out my bra and socks as Hajoon grabs me a pair of sweatpants. They both set the garments on the edge of my bed. I made my way out of bed— guessing it was time to get dressed. I stripped out of my pajamas and slipped on my bra, pants, and socks.

"Arms up", Dohwan instructs as he peels off his own long sleeve sweater and drapes it on me. It's long sleeves leaving me with sweater paws.

"That should keep them away", he beams down at me— triumphant.

"Now let's get you all brushed and ready to go, shall we?" Hajoon nodded towards the door. He takes my covered hand in his as he walks us out and down to the bathroom.

I start brushing my teeth as Hajoon brushes my hair. His soothing fingers make me relax as he plays with the thick, cream colored strands he's finished brushing. Dohwan stands to the side watching us after getting a new shirt. A small— content smile graces his lips.

I bend down to rise my mouth and when I stand back up I see that Hajoon has my backpack in his hands as Dohwan has my shoes in his. They must have used their vampire speed to get them and come back. I wipe my mouth off and walk out of the bathroom.

I stop at the door as Dohwan sets my shoes down. I slip them on then bend down to tie them tightly. I grab my red coat off the hook and slip it on over my sweater. Hajoon then came behind me and placed my backpack over my shoulders. I wait as Hajoon and Dohwan place their shoes on and they walk me out.

It was a cold, short walk to the college. Hajoon and Dohwan giving me the dos and don'ts while in school. The dos include making friends and the don'ts include letting vampires feed on me. I don't have that habit anymore.

"The sweater will let vampires know you belong to our coven so nobody should mess with you", Dohwan tells me.

"I understand." I look into their warm brown eyes as they nod down at me with small smiles.

"That's our girl", Hajoon teases— patting my head.

"I'll let you guys know how today goes", I go to walk off when Hajoon stops me by grabbing my sleeve.

"Before we forget, here's your phone. I know you say you don't need it", he says rolling his eyes with a sigh as he holds it out to me. "But you're really going to need it— honestly".

——

I stare down at the device that sits atop my desk. My phone I've never used. They got me a neon pink case since I haven't figured out what my favorite color is. It's not a bad color. The color just doesn't speak to me.

I look up from the phone when the professor walks in. He goes to the light switch and turns it off and back on— trying to get everyone's attention. Then he seems to disappear and reappear at the podium.

Some of the humans down in the front row flinch away from him— seemingly scared. I grab my phone and go to slip it into my pocket. I thought I had it in until I saw it slip out and tumble towards the floor. I doubt anything could happen to it with how thick the case is, but I'm surprised when I'm looking at a pale hand beside me gripping the device.

I look up to meet the eyes of a vampire. He smiles out a friendly smile— his pearly white fangs poking through along with his deep dimples. If I was normal, I'd flinch away from the sight. I'm not normal though, nor will I ever be.

"Thank you", I deadpan— bowing my head to him in thanks. I reach my hand out to take it back— making sure my arms are covered.

"No problem", he replies— looking over me. He can probably smell Dohwan's scent on me— making him confused. He hands the phone over and this time I safely put it in my pocket and zip it up.

"I'm Namjoon", he tells me— a small smile on his lips. I was going to ignore him until I remembered the dos of college included making friends.

"Sana", I reply— nodding my head in acknowledgment.

"Alright, we're going to have a quiz to test your knowledge of English", the professor tells the class. My shoulders slump. English was my first language, but I haven't spoken it in so very long. I don't even know if I can read it anymore.

There's a collective of groans. The professor puts his index finger up to his lips in a silent gesture to quiet them down. Out of the corner of my eye I can see the guy who caught my phone— Namjoon— studying me.

His eyes rake across my features and then they eye my hands. I look down to see my sweater paws pulled through and hanging out of the jacket. People would think I looked silly, but for me it was necessary. People are nosy and if they get a peek at my scars— on my body or my heart, then I'd be vulnerable again, and I hate vulnerability.

I hate the girl I used to be. Someone who thought what happened to her was normal, when that was so far from the truth. Someone who obeyed even when it hurt. The searing— burning pain they all inflicted upon me will forever haunt me. Just a phantom waiting— plaguing my mind— my dreams, and my body.

I pull myself out of the horrible memory when a packet is placed right in front of me. I look up to see the professor— smiling a toothy grin. His razor sharp canines on full display, and for some reason they make my insides churn. I nod at him to acknowledge him— my absence of a smile not bothering him.

I look down at the packet and the first question asks for my name. That one I can answer— Sana Shin. Dohwan gave me my first name and  his last since I didn't come with one, but if I did then I don't remember it. The rest of the questions look like jumbled blobs to me and there's just no way I can pass this class.

I read at the top of the packet to not leave answers blank so I just say 'fuck it' and I jot down question marks onto the paper. At least I didn't leave it blank.

Thirty minutes or so I'm guessing— pass by and the teacher comes by to collect them. He uses his speed to get to each row— seemingly not breaking a sweat. I'm tired just looking at him.

Once he gets to me and picks up my packet— he pauses, but then continues like nothing happened. It's probably a shock that the foreign girl doesn't understand English. It's not my fault I didn't get the chance to speak it or learn more of it.

I want to be angry, but I can't. It's not his fault. It's not even my fault. The people who hurt me are gone— but they left behind an empty shell. I feel like I'm living, but I'm not alive. I'm just there with everyone else.

I feel a tap on my right shoulder and I look up. I see Namjoon smiling down at me with a smile that somehow puts me at ease. His fangs that slip out doesn't make my stomach churn, but soothes a burn I didn't know I had—instead.

"Are you coming?" He asks. I look around the room to see it almost empty. I'm guessing the class was dismissed and I was too into my own head to notice.

"Yes, thank you", I reply— standing up and placing my bag onto my shoulder. I follow Namjoon down the steps and out the door— him walking beside me down the hallway. 

"What class do you have next?" He questioned me. I quirk a brow and look up at him— wondering why he wanted to know.

"Sorry if I'm coming off as weird. I just saw you struggling in there and didn't know if you wanted to chat and see if you needed any help", he offered.

Ahh, he noticed that. I duck my head down and take my left hand and go to stroke my hair behind my ear, but then I pause, and remember that I shouldn't do that. I look up at Namjoon and speak to try to save myself. My first day and I was almost careless.

"I have a free period right now".

"Great, so do I. Coffee shop?" He beams down at me— seeming to not notice my predicament I almost put myself in.

"Coffee shop", I affirm