Blood Thirsty #Wattys2024

Chapter 9 (Jasper POV)

Art. The only class in this stupid school that I enjoy. Yesterday was hell. I must say though - I held my end of Freya's bargain and she so far, seems to be holding up. Thank god! I sigh, my pencil dropping to the desk. I run my hands through my hair, my head slowly making it's way to the desk. I sit there, hands still entangled in my curly brown locks, head against the cold table. I feel a hand on my shoulder and jolt up. Alumit Malvolia, the art teacher. I force a smile - most likely failing -

"Miss Malvolia. Sorry," I look at my paper, I've done the requirements but I wanted to shade everything and make it look as good as everything else I've turned in. "do I need to turn this in at the moment?"

When I turn my head back up to her, I have to squint, the bloody lights are so bright. She smiles, "No Andrew honey, you've got another 15 minutes, I've just been noticing you've been..."

She searches for words, as she struggles for a good 30 seconds I take in her appearance. Big wide brown eyes, ginger wavy short hair. Her lips the perfect shade of pale pink. One of the youngest professors- 24. "off. At least, more off than usual. You okay?"

I don't like people that think they have to care about literally everyone. I hate having all this attention on me. Ugh. "I'm fine. Just personal stuff at home - not getting any sleep."

"I see." She smiles at me again before returning to pacing the classroom. We were told to draw an iconic piece of history. Somehow I ended up with the caption being the poem, "Mary, Mary, quite contrary" under that was a pretty impressive drawing of queen Mary I, "Bloody Mary" and her line of "little maids" and a graveyard as the background. I start sketching out fog with the graves and try to sooth my mind a bit. 

I still haven't gotten any remotely closer to finding Samantha. Velma made it very clear that I was not to enter Lisa's property without invitation from Samantha or proof that it was her. Although I think it'd be much quicker to stalk her house and simply wait to see her daughter walk out. It'd be much easier to find a face I know. So far I haven't seen anyone that resembles Lisa. Not even remotely. I am wired up so tightly. I want justice to be rightfully served.

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Besides math and science classes which always drag because I know everything already- the day seems to be warming up to me. I open the doors to the hall, and sprint down the stairs. I speed walk up to my locker and dial the code.

"Hey Andrew!" I hear Eve from behind me. I wanted to ignore her because of what happened with Freya, but after our little walk up to the nurses - I've decided to try and warm up to her. Besides - Will says she's not that bad. One thing is for certain, I can trust William and if he says she's alright then I will heed. I turn my head towards her as I shut my locker, not locking though.

She spins her lock and after opening her door, she double tasks, shuffling books and chatting at the same time. "So, you any better today? Sorry I didn't see you this morning, my schedule's been packed lately." She looks at me to flash a smile before continuing her movements.

"Honesty? Not really. I mean - besides the fact I'm not already bubbling with fury, I'm pretty much in the same state."

She shuts her locker, she seems to be thinking. "Hmm, maybe you and Jake should go out?"

I smirk as she turns to me, "Like on a date? Well gee, didn't know I was that type of guy!"

She rolls her eyes, a smile appearing. We both start laughing. Will comes up to us, I greet him, "Hey Jake."

"Whats so funny? I can hear you two laughing," He gives us a fake cringe, "All the way over there!" He gestures to the other side of the hall near the exit. Mmm, the exit. Dear god, I cannot wait until I can walk back out the doors of this prison.

"Andrew was gonna ask you to prom." Eve snickers, trying not to laugh and talk at the same time. I smile, "Oh yeah, and then after that I'm going to propose and everything!" I pipe. Will's eyes widen, then he starts laughing,, between everyone around me dying of laughter, I can't help but join in. We eventually catch our breaths and make our way to fourth period. Charlotte and Eve talking, me and Will cracking gay jokes until we all reach history class.

History goes as it always does, I pretend to read the lesson but I'm really doodling and listening to music. Then I get done with my test within the first 2 or 3 minutes of it given to us, then I doze in and out until Eve shakes me awake. The rest of the day goes some what smoothly.

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My days seem to blend together, somehow I make it back around to Monday. I fed last night and I've dropped the headache and sorrow of the past few days. Instead I jump in the shower and throw on my leather jeans, a gold shirt, and a crisp pair of boots. I'm lacing up my boots when a knock comes to the door. I grab my towel of the floor, and open the door. "Hey." I greet Will with an odd grin - where did that come from? Pff, who cares. I am in the mood for action, for release.

I hang up the towel, brush past Will and head down the steps, he rushes down the stairs with me, and plops into a bar chair. Our apartment here is much different than our mansion. Full of modern things and touches of bright color against the monochrome black and white space. Natural light floods the kitchen and living room spaces. I grab a glass of Orange Juice and sit next to him. He's been staring at me since I said hi, and still hasn't said anything, "So...?"

He smiles, "Sorry it's just yesterday you were screaming in your sleep and today your all jumpy. Clearly something or someone has got you up."

"Wanna run to school?" I ignore his sideway question. I owe no one any explanation- not that I even have one.

"Dude. It's like 5 miles."

"So?"

"So, I don't wanna run that far, besides that's gonna look weird to the other students." I sigh. I get up and put my glass in the sink.  As we grab our backpacks I call out to Mel. She tumbles down the steps, reminding of clumsy Eve.

"Someones in a good mood! Yay. I won't have to deal with your shit."

I frown, I catch my reflection briefly, my eyes shifting from their bright blue to a golden brown; I hope something interesting happens today, I need some action.

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