Weird Nadia

“Don't mind them," the girl said softly, not in the least bit noticing the chill coursing through me. "Those girls are notorious bullies. Always picking on someone."

A vampire was talking to me! A vam-fucking-pire was talking to ME! I began to tremble, my brain not doing its job efficiently. I was fumbling with the corner of the towel so clumsily, I could hear Luna laughing at me.

The vampire girl's face morphed into surprise as she noticed my struggle with the towel. "Here, let me help you with that."

Before I could protest, she gently took the towel from me and began dabbing at the orange stain. Her touch was surprisingly light, despite the unnatural chill that emanated from her.

Oh, help me, Moon Goddess! HELP ME!

"So," she continued, her voice still soft, "is it true what they're saying about you and Mr. Kisaragi?"

I stared at her, blinking and thrown off guard. Jin Kisaragi? The rumors had reached even the school weirdos?

Sensing my surprise, the girl added quickly, "Oh, don't take it the wrong way! Everyone's just… well, everyone's buzzing about it." A flash of pink dusted her cheeks. "Honestly, you should feel lucky. Getting that close to Jin Kisaragi? Most girls here would kill for that opportunity."

What the heck?

Lucky? I raised an eyebrow. "Lucky?" Luna chimed in sarcastically inside my head, "Sure, lucky to be the center of some outrageous school gossip."

My confusion must have been evident because she giggled and adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose.

"See, that's the thing," I admitted, feeling lost. "Why would anyone be… fanning over Mr. Kisaragi?"

Umbra, suddenly finding her voice, piped up in my head, "Because he's a rich pretty boy, that's why."

Luna growled in disagreement. “I think Kieran owns that title, Umbra.”

"Well, duh!" the vampire girl exclaimed, her fat nose twitching. "He's the school's icon, practically!"

She then further explained, "We've never had a student like him before. Young billionaire, chosen Beta by the Alpha himself… and let's not forget the good looks, the amazing gothic style, and that body…"

Bewilderment washed over me. "Jin Kisaragi… a student?"

The girl's jaw dropped as if I'd sprouted a second head. "Of course, he's a student! He's a final year, while Kieran's a fourth year. Everyone here idolizes them. They're practically royalty! It's a shame they're sworn enemies, though."

Sworn enemies? My head was spinning with endless questions. The pack's Beta and Lycan were enemies? How could two enemies live under the same roof?

Hell, I never pictured Mr. Jin Kisaragi to still be a student. I mean, he looked every bit young but I had characterized it to him having a look that was younger than his age.

With the way he carried himself like a damn gothic idol. Ugh, what the hell was I saying? I guess I was just having a panic attack from discovering that he was IN the same school as me.

Now, I wouldn't have to worry about Kieran alone but also about Jin!

Moon Goddess, help ME!

I was about to say something… anything when the school bell rang through the halls, cutting the conversation short.

"Oh no, class!" the vampire girl exclaimed, shoving the damp towel back into my hand. "I'm Nadia, by the way. A psychic vampire, at your service." She offered a shy smile, which did little to hide the fear in her eyes. "It was… nice meeting you, the Alpha's new daughter."

What was she afraid of? Class? Me?

The mention of "psychic vampire" sent a jolt of terror down my spine. These were some of the most feared creatures in the supernatural world They could literally drain your emotions along with your blood.

S-she was one. The first person to be nice to me in this school turned out to be a psychic vampire. Great.

Luna, sensing my rising panic, whimpered in my head. “Don't be scared, Nimue. Maybe she can help. “

Umbra, however, growled in warning. “Stay away from her.”

Word and opposite - those two.

I needed to talk, right? It was only right to match her energy and introduce myself.

"Nice to meet you… Nadia," I stammered, the words scratching my dry throat.

Nadia, seemingly oblivious to my fear, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"And you must be Nimue, the infamous Alpha's new daughter."

“A– ah… I– you…” I tried to say whatever came next to my mind but she could even barely notice.

She gave an awkward wave of goodbye and scurried off down the hall, her oversized sweater billowing behind her like a dark cloud.

Left alone, I clutched the damp towel in my hands as though it was the cause of my predicament and my head began to ache. Rumors, bullies, a mysterious vampire, and a rivalry between the Beta and Lycan… This school was already proving to be far more chaotic than I ever imagined.

Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and forced a smile. Maybe there was a normal class waiting for me at the end of this insane hallway.

There should be, right?

No more dramas, please. I shut my eyes and muttered a silent prayer.

I was close to the class I had been able to navigate all thanks to the map when I noticed Nadia was hovering a few feet away. Her back was turned to me and she was fiddling with the strap of her oversized purse. Her shoulders were slumped, and a nervous energy sizzled around her like static electricity.

"Nadia?" I called out tentatively.

She whirled around, her eyes wide with alarm as if she were expecting someone else. For a moment there, fear washed over her face before she plastered on a weak smile.

"Oh, Nimue! I, uh, just forgot something in my locker. Gotta run!"

Before I could question her, she scurried away down the hallway once again, her chunky frame disappearing around the corner.

What was she so afraid of? The more questions I had, the more my head pounded even harder.

“Argh. Damn headache.” I winced, rubbing my temples, and continued my walk when something hit me.

Nadia seemed to be running into my classroom. W-wait… was something up in that place? Moon goddess, please, no.

Let there be at least, some normalcy in the classes even though I kind of doubted it.