AWAITING IN THE DARK

Chapter 4

I skip into the coven schoolhouse, feeling ecstatic to learn something new. The invisible spell was pretty cool, but I am disappointed my teacher wasn't as hands-on with the learning. She just sat at her desk mumbling to herself. It was strange to watch to say the least. I spent most of my time wandering if she was alright instead of reading about the spell. 

   I make my way into room three and sit in the same spot I did yesterday. I made sure to arrive early so I am not the last one here. I look behind me and see Noah is sitting in the same spot as yesterday as well. I think everyone is starting to develop a routine already on the second day.

When everyone has arrived, the teacher claps her hands. She walks to the front of the room and smiles. Her whole demeanor is different from yesterday's experience. She appears to be happy to be at her job today. 

"Hi everyone. I am Mrs. Smith. Over there in the corner is our classroom protector Mr. Walter. Today we will be practicing working with protectors. As you know, there have been talks of every family having their own assigned protectors. To get you used to the idea and give our future protectors some practice, we decided to assign you each your protector for school. " Mrs. Smith announces

"I don't need no damn protection. Especially from a vampire or werewolf that's just a volunteer. " Noah groans. 

"Okay Noah, please say this spell for me. " The teacher responds by handing Noah a paper. 

Sighing, Noah grabs the paper and recites the spell. Noah says the spell and looks up at her expectantly.

  

The teacher looks to be in shock. She then proceeds to fumble on her desk and grabs another piece of paper handing it to him to recite. 

He does.

Mrs. Smith gawks at Noah and asks "Are you not tired?"

"Not one bit. " Noah declares smugly. 

With a huff, Mrs. Smith walks to the front of the room and announces, "Regardless of how you feel, you will be assigned a protector. "

"That's bullshit!" Noah voices with anger. 

The lights in the room start to flicker on and off. 

"Calm down Noah!" Mrs. Smith shouts. 

Within seconds Mr. Walter is standing over Noah with his hands over Noah's hands and is yelling at him to calm down. Noah is shaking in a rage. His fangs protrude from his mouth. He is clamping his mouth shut so tightly he causes himself to bleed. Blood begins to trickle down his chin and on to the floor. 

Noah starts to whisper words, and within seconds, Mr. Walter is screaming in pain. Mr. Walter holds his hands up in the air and begins to blow on them as if his life depended on it. His hands are now blistered and red. It is not a pretty sight to see. 

Mrs. Smith stands there in shock, unsure of what to do. 

Noah is still not calming down and the whole class is scared. You can see the fear on their faces. Everyone is glancing at the door and back to Noah. Trying to figure out if it would be safe to run, I assume. 

I don't know why but I feel as if I must do something. I have to get him to calm down. Why me? I'm not so sure but I don't see anyone else volunteering. I quickly recite the invisible spell I learned yesterday under my breath and turn to push Noah. 

"You!" Noah hisses. 

I got him distracted but now what do I do? I run , trying to avoid his thunderous steps as he walks around the room, grabbing at the air in search of me.

"Juliet, I know you're here. Stop hiding and face me. You coward! " He says seething. 

"Why is he so temperamental?" I ask in a squeaky voice from the corner. 

Noah turns in my direction and marches towards me.

Running to the other side of the room, I hear Mrs. Smith's words. 

"He's only half warlock. I guess this is his vampire nature. " Mrs. SmIth whispers in my direction. 

Great. I pissed off a vampire.

"Keep my family lineage out of your mouth" Noah hisses.

Got it. Don't talk about Noah's vampire ancestors. 

Coming up with a plan, I ran to the blinds on the window. I slowly open them. That should be a little painful. 

"Try again," Noah mocks. "Only part vampire. "

Darn! 

"C'mon Juliet. I am growing bored. Where are you?" Noah growls, marching around the room and throwing chairs in every direction.

The rest of the students have already left the classroom. I had thought about that, but unfortunately, Noah was blocking my path. 

"I came here to learn. I didn't expect to be chased down by a halfbreed!" I exclaim. 

Hearing my voice, Noah storms in my direction. He stands in front of me fuming. 

"What did you just call me?" Noah sees

"Nothing." I squeaked.  

"That's what I thought. " Noah declares. He begins to whisper a spell in my ear. 

I am suddenly visible again. 

Oh no.  

Noah grabs me by the hand and marches towards our teacher. 

"I am her protector. " Noah announces without hesitation. 

That was a quick change in emotion. How can he go from being so angry to wanting to be my protector? It made no sense to me. Wasn't he just in a rage? 

"You can't be her protector Noah." Mrs. Smith says. 

"You said it yourself. I am part vampire. I can and will be her protector. " Noah declares in a tone I don't think anyone wants to argue with. 

Great. Just great. 

Noah walks back towards the back of the room holding my hand. He clears the books off the spot beside him and gestures for me to sit there. I take my seat without saying a word. What is there to say? I feel like I didn't get a choice in the matter but if I say something, Noah might go into a rage. If today is any indication of his temper. I do my assigned work. As I am writing down answers on my worksheet, I notice Noah has already completed his. Noah catches my gaze and slides the paper towards me to copy off of. It's not that I couldn't eventually find these answers because I could. Copying off of Noah was much faster. 

I close my books and hand in my paper. I am ready to make my daily walk home when Noah stops me grabbing my arm. . 

“Do you want your  protector to walk you home?” He asks. 

“No. I think I can manage. “ I say with a slight smile, choosing to be friendly. I don't want a repeat of earlier. 

“If you say so.” He responds walking away towards the opposite direction of my home.