A witch from Hades

KELANI POV

Today was my official class day. After the cafeteria incident yesterday, Riley took me on a tour of the school.

Despite her promise to continue over the weekend, I doubted it would happen, given my busy weekends filled with activities. However, I thought I could learn about the school surroundings on my own while going about my day.

But then, that would only be possible if I didn't get lost on my first trial.

Headmaster Kendrick had taken it upon himself to tutor me in things I needed to know. The first time I received my schedule, my weekends were free, but he sent me a revised one this morning. He also referred to himself as my tutor, a role I didn't mind.

Among all the staff present, he was the only familiar face I recognized, even though we had only met for two days.

Entering my locker code, I opened it, putting some textbooks I had gotten earlier from the bookstore inside my crossbody bag that had been in the locker. I found the crossbody bag there, it was a gift to every students in the school except you didn't want it.

I noticed Riley had one; she hung it in the room but used a different backpack to carry her things around.

Once finished, Riley strolled towards me. I could now recognize her approach by her distinct scent, reminiscent of sweet, yellow mangoes.

"I hate this," Riley pouted, waving her schedule in my face.

"Why?" I asked.

Riley turned around, glancing at the hall as if she had just noticed it for the first time.

"Your locker looks plain. You should totally redecorate it," Riley suggested, wrinkling her nose and shifting from the previous subject.

She was right. Maybe not ugly, but it was plain. Everyone had their picture and some insightful words on their locker to make it unique. Also, I had noticed that some had written where they belonged on the locker.

"It's my first day in class. I might redo it when I have more time," I said.

"I'll help you," Riley offered, and I nodded.

I didn't trust my artistic skills, and Riley seemed better in that area than me. She had mentioned painting her side of the room herself and drawing what I saw.

"Why don't you like your schedule?" I asked, returning to our earlier discussion.

"Because I don't like it," she replied, rolling her eyes.

I noticed she did that a lot.

"Even though I can't change the way I was born, it doesn't mean I want to spend half the day meditating." she mumbled.

"It shouldn't be that bad," I smiled at her as she continued to pout.

"It's awful, Kelani. I barely get to enjoy myself. I thought junior year would be better after spending ages in this school, but it's worse," she sighed.

"I think my parents and Hecate are hellbent on punishing me. But I have always done what is right by them. I don't even disobey them!" Riley muttered.

Riley had mentioned she'd been in this school since she was a toddler, just like some other students. Although she named a few, their names barely stuck with me.

"It's Vesper Thorne."

"It's Vesper Thorne!"

"What's that?" I asked as the noises from some students grabbed my attention.

"Oh dear," Riley sighed dramatically.

Curious, I wanted to know who Vesper Thorne was and why the students were continuously chanting his name.

"If you're that curious, I bet you want to take a peek at his hideous face." Riley clutched my hand, pulling me towards the crowd that had gathered.

It was tough to get into the crowd, and my height added to the disadvantage. If only I were as tall as those in front of me, I wouldn't have to stretch my neck to see him.

After a few seconds, I managed to push myself forward, catching a clear glimpse of him.

Riley had described him as hideous. She must have been joking, I believe so because the person I was currently staring at was anything but hideous.

Also, he was the hot mysterious stranger I had bumped into yesterday.

I had noticed him at the center table in the cafeteria yesterday, and he vanished when the chimerachronus arrived in the hall.

He looked grumpy as fuck, yet undeniably attractive.

"I didn't say anything about him yesterday because there was no reason to, but here's a quick info about him," Riley said, and I nodded, listening.

"Golden boy of Mystic Academy, captain of the hockey team, won many trophies for the team, walking red flags, and one of the few boys you need to stay away from after Lia," she said.

Involuntarily, my eyes wandered away from Riley to Vesper. As our gaze locked, he snarled at me.

Or maybe I was imagining it, but I could have sworn he did exactly that.

Vesper turned on his heel, walking away from everyone who had come to greet him without saying a word to them.

Was he furious with me? I mulled over. Perhaps I didn't apologize well enough yesterday, and I definitely burned his chest.

I hadn't asked him how he felt; I had only started rubbing his chest, which still seemed stupid whenever I thought of it.

Apologizing again might be a good idea to make him stop glaring at me, but I doubted he was interested in speaking to me.

"Listen up, everyone!"

"Goodness, who let the banshee out of her cage?" Riley groaned loudly.

I saw Lia by the entrance. She clapped her hands to get everyone's attention, which she did successfully.

"I see some of you tiny mutts and sluts looking at Vesper. Do I need to remind you all that he is mine? Vesper is off-limits. No one should stare at him. I can be cruel when I wish to be, and I don't think anyone wants to get on my bad side now. Do we?"

Lia's eyes and mine locked.

Partly, I knew her words were directed at me. I wasn't even interested in Vesper. All I wanted was to get to know who I was and how to stay out of trouble successfully.

I wasn't thinking of some boy who seemed like he would wriggle my neck if he stayed one more minute in my presence.

I definitely wasn't interested in getting to know him better or looking at him more than I should.

Still, I doubted Lia cared about all that. She only wanted to assume the worst about me because she didn't like me, and likewise, I didn't like her.

"Some of you newbies need to be put in your place. Gaining the headmaster's favor doesn't make you a queen. I am." Lia flipped her hair before walking away.

"A witch from Hades," Riley said to herself.

Since yesterday, with Riley helping me and telling Lia off, with her always countering Lia, I presumed there was some bad blood between them.

And Lia was extending the anger she felt towards Riley to me. But then again, she never knew Riley and I were roommates until she saw us together.

I desired to know what had happened between them since Riley had told me they were in the same coven. It must be some sort of rivalry thing.

"I'll see you later," Riley said as we returned to the locker room. "I don't want to be late."

"Bye," I waved her off, watching as she dashed down the hallway. I picked up my belongings, leaving for mine.