I sat down next to a plump girl with fiery red hair, thinking she appeared friendly. But the moment I glanced her way, she looked positively horrified. I smiled, trying to calm her uneasiness, but I no longer had the ability to look innocent. I cringed as she got up and scurried to the next available seat, leaving me to my new status as a social pariah.
I spent the next thirty minutes distracted as Professor Nightingale prattled on about class policies and procedures. Thanks to my heightened hearing, I overheard every mean conversation whispered between classmates, all discussing yours truly. My classmates believed I was a freak, a monster, unnatural, and evil. I tried to stay calm, breathing in and out steadily and silently chanting, “Don’t cry. Don’t cry,” over and over.
I hadn’t been especially liked at my old high school, but at least no one thought I was a monster.
The hateful conversations halted as a voice boomed from above, filling the chamber. “Gabrielle Fiori, please report to the principal’s office.” It took me a minute to realize the message was meant for me; I was busy looking for the nonexistent intercom. I guess they’re useless if you have magic.
Once I realized that I was the student getting publicly humiliated, my gut filled with dread. Apparently this horrible day was going to get worse.
I packed up my notebook, listening to the chorus of whispers, and held my head high as I walked out of room, knowing thirty separate sets of eyes were staring at me.
It was a relief to step into the empty hallway, but now I had to face my own worries. Why was I being called to the principal’s office?
***
Inside the office, Mr. Hazard, Peel’s principal, sat behind a huge desk, intently reading and scribbling on the paper in front of him. I knocked on the opened door, not wanting to startle him.
He looked up, and when he saw me, he rubbed a hand over his face, as though simply thinking of the task at hand made him weary.
“Hello Miss Fiori.”
“Um, hi,” I said nervously. I walked into his office and tentatively perched on one of the two dark leather seats across from him. I still couldn’t possibly fathom why I was in here.
“A young woman came in this morning claiming you threatened her.”
Doris. My shame at the previous night’s events and the oncoming punishment made me feel feverish.
He continued. “Now normally, as a supernatural academy, we don’t deal with these juvenile spats. We understand that it can be difficult for students to deal with their newly Awoken abilities, but we expect all our students to act as mature young adults.
“However, Miss Fiori, threats are taken very seriously. Do you understand?”
I nodded.
“I must impress upon you that your actions could—should—get you expelled.”
I held my breath. Was I about to get kicked out of Peel Academy on my first day?
“I’m glad you look concerned.” Mr. Hazard eyed my countenance. “It means my decision to let this event slide was not in vain.” For the first time since entering his office, he gave a small smile. I let out the breath I was holding.
“But,” he stressed, “there are many who are, frankly, disturbed by your presence here. Traditionally, we have never accepted vampires into our school. To put it bluntly, had anyone known this was to happen, Peel would not have sought your attendance.
“However, we cannot undo what has been done, and the academy takes full responsibility for your current state. The best thing that we can do now is to teach you the high morals of the supernatural community.”
I was reeling from his words. Peel would not have accepted me had they known? Was being a vampire really that bad?
Was I a bad person? I mean, I did scare Doris, and I once bumped a parked car and didn’t leave my insurance information.
I shook myself of my doubts. Having a few extra superpowers didn’t change who I was.
“How can you say that?” I whispered. “I’m still human.”
Principal Hazard looked hard at me. Instead of sympathy, instead of pity, his gaze was flinty. He was one of them. For some unknown reason, he was appalled by my existence. The only surprise was why he hadn’t jumped on the opportunity to expel me.
“Human?” he replied. “Only temporarily.”
Chapter 11
After my meeting with Principal Hazard, I went back to class, but I wasn’t mentally present for the rest of the day. Everywhere students whispered about me—in class, in the halls, at lunch. Even fourth period, which should’ve been bearable because Oliver was in the same class, was soured as soon as I saw Doris’s blonde hair and her mean little smile. By the time the final bell rang, I couldn’t get out of class fast enough.
My eyes stung as I clumsily jabbed my key a few times into the doorknob. It finally slid through, and I pushed into my room. Thankfully, Leanne hadn’t arrived yet. My confident veneer crumbled, and I swiped away a couple rebellious tears.
I remembered some girls hating me in high school, mistakenly believing I was a threat to their relationships. Now I realized that my siren genes were likely to blame for their boyfriends’ wandering eyes and their own insecurities.