Untitled for now...

Chapter 4 - Awakening

I shut the door quietly and creep down the hallway past my brother's room into the kitchen running smack into my father's back. I must have jumped a foot but quickly covered my mouth so no sound could escape.

"Well hello to you too October, grab a juice box so you can be well prepared for your day; you don't need to add thirst to your list of problems." I went to the fridge and grabbed some A positive, my favorite, as my father continued to speak. "Your brother is not happy with you so be prepared for that, we both know of his temper but you will have to manage. Also, I suggest you wake up the Servile, she is your responsibility and shall be by your side constantly, that includes school. I spoke with her before I brought her home last night so she will not argue and I will tend to your teachers and administrative staff by the time you all arrive on the bus. Do you understand?"

"Yes father" I nod and agree, I did not want to babysit this Servile, just save her life. She did not deserve to die but I think this is a little much. I finish my juice box and walk back towards my room as my brother is coming out of his, he does not even acknowledge my existence but I suppose this treatment is better than getting my butt kicked. There will be plenty of time to get lashings after the rest of our race sees me with a Servile. I walk in my room and the servile is awake sitting on the bed. "Get up and ready for school." I snap but my voice instantly softens as I see the sadness come across her face, not fear like I expected, but sadness. "What I meant to say was... hello, we have school soon, so you'd best get ready."

I turn to walk away but am caught off guard as she speaks... "What is your name?"

I snap back around and look at her "October, my name is October." She nods and gets off of the bed as I hesitate to continue the conversation, "What is your name?" She tells me her name is Melanie, Melanie Gright. "Stay away from my brother, he is not your biggest fan, nor mine. And get ready, our lives are pretty much going to suck from here on out." I warn her as I leave the room. At this point I have no idea how true my words are, or any idea how much I am going to love it in the end, but all in good time.

Father left shortly after our talk, I assume to get to the school and "talk to the staff" about my situation. Leighton still isn't talking to me but I am not going to complain, I know far too well that when he does speak it will not be anything I want to hear. As the three of us get onto the bus it goes silent, the vampires are looking at me like I am insane and the Serviles are looking at Melanie the same way. We sit next to each other while Leighton goes all the way to the back of the bus to sit with his best pal Luther. I can feel both of them staring holes in the back of my head but I try to ignore it and endure the bus ride in silence as I stare out the window.

We get to the school and Father is waiting by the door, he gives Melanie her class schedule and leaves without a word. As we walk down the hall the girl decides to attempt conversation again; "Why does your father and brother hate me?"

"That question requires a long complicated answer that I do not wish to give at the moment."

She nods then comes back again, "why don't you?"

As we reach the door to my... our... classroom I look at her in all seriousness and respond, "Do not take for granted that I don't hate you, I am not sure how I feel about you yet, but honestly at the rate things are going you will have probably ruined my life by the end of the week, if not the day. You did not deserve to die and that is the only reason I stood between you and my father. We are not friends and I would appreciate it if you kept the conversation to a minimum." I don't feel like waiting for some dumb Servile response so I grab her by her wrist and lead her to our seats in the back of the class, thankful that I have never been a teacher's pet like my brother and have always stuck to the back of a room.