Lesson One - A Monster School Fic

Chapter Twenty Eight - Dark Forest Field Trip, Part 1

You emerged from your walk-in closet with your pajamas hung over your arm, and found Silvia sitting in her web and messing with her hair. "Morning," you greeted her, folding your pajamas and setting them on the bed. Silvia glanced up.

"Oh, morning!" She gave you a fanged smile before turning back to her mirror. You stretched your hands above your head with a yawn, glancing out the window to where a light rain was drizzling over the forest. Not good for Fade or Soliel... maybe you weren't going outside today.

It was Saturday morning, which meant field trip day. You were a little apprehensive after how the last two field trips had gone, but you remained hesitantly hopeful that Herobrine had gotten things under control. After all, he'd been doing this for 80 years, hadn't he?

"Hey, Y/N." Silvia caught your attention, and you looked up to meet her eyes. "Do you think I should grow my hair out?" You blinked owlishly in her direction. You were friendly with Silvia, sure, but that was... a little more personal of a question than you were ready for.

"Um." You had to think for a moment. "If you want. But I think your current hair looks really nice on you."

"Oh." Silvia turned back to her mirror with a frown on her face. "Okay. Thank you."

"Do you not like it?" You pressed.

"No..." Silvia trailed off. "...but my boyfriend doesn't really like it."

Your jaw dropped. "You have a boyfriend??"

"Yeah." Silvia blushed, combing her fingers through her hair again. "He's back at my home... I had long hair when I met him, and I cut it at the beginning of the summer. He didn't like that."

"Well it's not his hair, so he doesn't get a say." You plopped down on the edge of her bed, looking up to where she was reclining in her spiderweb. "It's your hair, and if you're happy with it, he should be happy for you 'cause he loves you." Silvia bit her lip.

"My mom told me I should be doing what he says if I want him to marry me."

"That's dumb." You frowned up at her. "Players definitely don't teach that. If he only marries you because you've made yourself into his perfect girl, then he doesn't really love you, does he?"

"I... guess." Silvia's face fell.

"Besides," you went on. "You're only about my age, aren't you? You don't have to figure out who you're going to marry for a while."

"I guess so. But I really like him."

"That's part of it, but if you and him are going to be happy together he needs to like you too," you pointed out.  "For who you really are." Silvia was quiet for a few moments.

"Yeah," she said at last. "You're right." There was a moment of silence. "Have you ever dated anyone?" she finally asked.

"No." You shook your head. "Not yet. But I've seen my classmates date."

"Oh." Silvia swung her legs over the edge of her cobweb hammock, sliding out to drop onto the floor. "Well... thanks, Y/N."

"Sure." You weren't sure if you'd actually been helpful, since Silvia still looked sad, but you stood up and offered her a hand. "Let's go get breakfast."

**

You slid into your chair with a sigh, setting down your backpack beside your desk and glancing around at your classmates. The last few were filtering into the classroom behind you, Silvia sinking down on your right and flicking her hair out of her face. She had cheered up a little bit throughout breakfast, and she shot you a smile when she saw you looking. You returned it and turned back to face forward.