Kayla regretted what happened almost immediately, the weight of her impulsiveness sinking in as she climbed back into the room through the same window she had used to get onto the roof. her boots scraped softly against the sill, the chill from the outside still clinging to her.
she shouldn't have messed with that vampire. It had been reckless, letting her frustration spill out onto him. She could still hear his
laughter echoing in her mind, mocking and amused, as if he'd found her threat entertaining rather than threatening.
Dropping onto the bed, she rubbed her temples, trying to piece together the situation. What was he even doing on top of her dorm roof? As far as she knew, the vampire dorms were on the opposite side of the academy grounds, far from where she is. Vampires weren't known to wander without purpose, especially not into areas that weren't their territory.
The thought unsettled her. Had he been there by coincidence, or was it something more deliberate?
kayla exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. "Great," she muttered to herself. "First day, and I'm already drawing the attention of a vampire with too much time on his hands."
The memory of his smirk and the glint in his eyes made her skin prickle. He'd enjoyed the interaction, that much was clear. And while she wanted to dismiss him as a nuisance, something about his presence felt calculated, like he'd been observing her long before she noticed him.
she was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Whatever his reason for being there, one thing was certain: she'd have to tread carefully from now on. Vampires didn't just forget things—or people—that push them off a roof.
In the orientation hall, the students had already filled more than half the seats, their chatter and murmurs creating a low hum that echoed off the grand stone walls. There were no clear signs or instructions about where to sit, yet a natural order had formed nonetheless.
The students instinctively gravitated toward their own kind, forming groups that reflected the species they belonged to. Vampires occupied one side of the hall, their pale, elegant faces and predatory gazes giving them an air of otherworldly allure. Werewolves stuck together in a row nearby, their casual postures and confident demeanor marking them as a pack even without words.
The divide wasn't enforced, but it was stark. It wasn't just about species; it was about comfort, familiarity, and unspoken alliances.
Kayla found myself observing them all, noting the dynamics and silently cataloging faces. These weren't just fellow students—they were potential allies, rivals, or obstacles in the days to come.
"Kayla," a familiar voice called, soon followed by the only person who remained friends with Kayla after what happened two years ago at the party. While everyone treated her like madness had consumed her and treated her like a pariah, Violet was the only one who wasn't affected by what happened, and treated her like a normal human being.
Violet appeared at her side; she was the only real ally to her in this new place besides Charles. "Did you know someone pushed a vampire off a roof?" she asked casually, his tone light, as though he were discussing the weather. She was always good at collecting information and gossip.
Kayla's mind went blank, her eyes going wide. "How did you know?" She asked, turning to Violet, her voice barely above a whisper.
She was in a comfortable knitted sweater and slacks, looking every bit the relaxed student—a sharp contrast to the turmoil brewing inside her.
"I think everyone knows about it," she said, gesturing subtly toward two girls walking past us.
"I was there," one of them was saying to the other, her voice filled with excitement. "He landed perfectly, like it was nothing."
The other girl frowned, "I wish I was there," she said. "Drama--"
Kayla closed her eyes, frustration and regret washing over her like a tidal wave. Of course, the spectacle hadn't gone unnoticed. Vampires were already the center of attention at the academy, and her impulsiveness had only added fuel to the fire.
"Isn't that her?" a student whispered, stopping a few feet away from Kayla. Their gaze lingered a little too long; curiosity etched across their face, giving her away to violet.
Kayla turned, fixing them with a glare that was sharp enough to make them flinch. Without a word, they scurried off, their footsteps quick and nervous as they disappeared into the crowd.
Violet raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting from confusion to curiosity. "What was that about? Did you do something?" She asked, still clueless.
"What could I possibly have done?" Kayla replied casually, brushing past her and walking away before she could press further. Her tone was light, but her mind raced; it never occurred to her that this would become such a spectacle.
Violet's footsteps trailed after her, her persistence as sharp as the edge in her voice. "Kayla?" She said, my name slipping through gritted teeth, each syllable weighted with suspicion. "Did you push someone off a roof?"