Verbena Academy

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔒𝔫𝔢

(Above is an exterior look of what I think Demi's cottage home in Virginia is like)

Good Morning America

It was early morning in Drowning Creek, Virginia as I rolled out of bed, the sun shining through my bedroom window onto the wood floor beneath me. I walked past my bathroom and into my closet, changing out of my pajamas into a pair of jeans and a flowy red t-shirt that came just past my hips.

Walking into my bathroom, I did my morning routine of brushing my hair and teeth, doing some skincare, and putting on a bit of makeup. I moved into my bedroom again and out to my kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. The sun shown through my window in the kitchen, basking me in warm light. The birds outside in the tall pine trees chirped and I could hear the river a mile away if I focused hard enough. My stomach grumbled so I could no longer hear the river or the birds, all I could think about was the blood that was waiting for me in the refrigerator, only a few feet away.

I sped to it, pulling out a bag of blood and ripping it open, pouring it to the now empty coffee mug on the counter. I put it into the microwave, barely even being able to wait the thirty seconds it took for the blood to warm up. I yanked the mug out, taking my first sip of the sticky, sweet redness that ran through my mouth and into my throat. Time seemed to slow as I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling of my body fully being replenished. My skin seemed to become softer, the clothes on my body feeling non existent and my eyesight honed in on everything around me. The dust floating in the air, the ants next to the sink, the mailman closing the door to my box.

Oh! The mailman.

I moved to the front door and out onto the porch, waiving to the man as he drove off. I just stood for a moment before going onto the gravel path that was my driveway. I took the mail and sat on my porch swing, like I do almost everyday.

The swing swayed softly as I panned through the mail in my hands. Bill,s bills, advertisement, bills, letter to me, bills. I sat the bills and ads next to me to carefully look over the letter.

It was in a faded manila envelope with thick black cursive writing stating my full name and address. It had a red wax seal with an embossed "VA" on it in shiny fancy script. I tuned it over in my hands. It smelled like old books and something I couldn't quite put my finger on. I carefully pulled the seal off, pulling the folded paper from within.

Her Highness Demitrieva Chermenci Serveta,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been formally invited to attend Verbena Academy; School for the Exceptionally Gifted. Verbena is home to 5,000 students who come from all walks of life. You have been selected due to your remarkable abilities and skills. Please return the enclosed acceptance form by July 31.

Best Regards,

Headmistress Anna Loren

Verbena...

It was the old palace where I grew up, it was converted to a school after the monarchy collapsed a bit after I died. As far as I knew, Verbena only accepted Witches, Shifters, and Fae.

I was a Vampire.

Dangerous.

Cruel.

Evil.

I read the letter again and again, letting it sink in to my brain. I got off the swing and went back inside, bringing everything with me. I sat on the couch, pen in hand, filling out the form with all of my information. After i was done, I sat it on the coffee table, just staring at it. I decided I was going to call my friend Roxie, she always had good advice, even if it was a little weird. She answered on the first ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey Roxie, I need some advice."

"Absolutely, what's the sitch?"

"First, don't ever say that again, second, I got invited to school, back in Italy."

"What?!" she screeched on the other end of the phone, so loud I had to pull the phone away from my face because of my sensitive hearing.

"Roxie! Breathe, I don't know if I'm gonna go. I've already graduated from high school and I don't overly want to do it again. Plus, it's not an actually college. It's like a trade school, they teach you super specific things."

"Demi,it's just so far away. What do they want you for anyways?"

I sigh, letting a long breath fall from my lips.

"You know Roxie, I do have skills that people might want to... refine?" I giggle out the last part. Roxie doesn't know exactly what I am, but I think she knows something is different with me, she just has never asked. I hear her laugh on the other end.

"Maybe you should go Demi. it might be fun, just to get away for awhile. I looked it up, it's tuition free. You'd be there on scholarship anyways."

"You know Rox, you might be right." I admit to her.

"When was the last time I was wrong?"

Hey, it's Cora! So this chapter is obviously just a fluffy filler. Comment suggestions and tips. I love to hear it all. 

Je T'aime!