TRIGGER WARNING! CONTAINS DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, SELF-HARM, AND EATING DISORDER!
Jeff's breathing picked up as they neared the school. He still hated his mother for making him come here. It wasn't fair. It wouldn't cure him. It wouldn't make it better. All the school would do was land him in the hospital...or the morgue. His hands were practically shaking. He was terrified. He swallowed as they drove under the gate that read; "Dalton Academy for Boys"
'More like bloodsuckers.' he thought to himself. He could practically feel his skin getting paler the closer they got to the dreaded building. This was the worst torture his parents had thought of yet.
"Jeff I understand your upset with us..." his mother said playing the part of a parent that actually cared. Jeff knew she didn't though. This was just another form of torture and a way to get him out of her life. He snorted, upset didn't even begin to cover it. He was livid, and at the same time he was absolutely terrified. His mom continued, "But this really is for the best. I promise."
He glared at her. This wasn't for the best. If anything this would get him killed. "This won't fix anything."
"Jeff..." she sighed, trying not to let her real irritation with the boy come through. "Give it a chance sweetheart please." He remained silent. He knew he had no choice. Mrs. Sterling parked the car and got out. Jeff followed, knowing he had to. He looked at the gothic style building. It was huge. Jeff was sure he'd get lost in it. At least he'd get to go home at night. He wouldn't have to worry about figuring out the dorms as well. They headed to the headmaster's office. It was at the top of one of the towers and Jeff honestly thought the stairs were never going to end. Just when he thought they were close they came to another set. They passed others on the stairs as the climbed. Jeff tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible, but it didn't matter. As soon as the scent of his mother's, and his own blood hit the air, all eyes were on them. Jeff felt his heart race faster as the red eyes turned to him. He swallowed thickly and walked a bit faster toward the office. By the time they reached the top his legs were burning. He hoped he never got sent to the headmaster's office again. In his life.
"Hello, we have an appointment with Mr. Darrow." his mom told the receptionist.
"Last name?" she asked. Jeff studied the woman. She was tall. Or she would've been if she was standing. She had long blonde hair that almost reached her waist and blood red eyes.
"Sterling." his mother replied. Jeff sighed. He hated that name. He wished so much that he could change it. He didn't want to be associated with his mother. Or his father. They made his life hell and he had no love for them.
"Go right ahead." the receptionist said. She smiled at Jeff, revealing her fangs. He raced after his mom. He may not like her but at least she was human. He could shove her to the vampires and save himself if he needed to. They walked into the headmaster's office. Jeff looked around. The first thing he noticed was everything was black. No exception. The curtains were closed to tiny slits, and the paintings looked to be originals, and were all very old. It had a very gothic feeling like the rest of the school.
"Ah, Mrs. Sterling, Jeff it's nice to see you." he said. He smiled, his fangs sticking out. His eyes glittered as they landed on Jeff, and he shifted nervously. Picture Dracula in your head. That was what Mr. Darrow looked like. He had that classic vampire look. The slicked back hair. The nice suit. Though he didn't wear a cape. But Jeff could see a black coat with red lining hanging on the coat stand by the door. Talk about old fashioned. This guy looked like he'd just stepped off the set for a horror movie.
"Nice to see you too Mr. Darrow, and might I thank you again, for allowing him to enter the school half way through the year like this." he mom said. Jeff rolled his eyes. Her voice was so fakely sweet. It made Jeff want to puke. He couldn't believe people actually bought the act she fed them. But he guessed she'd had a long time to perfect it.
"Of course. He'll be rooming by himself for now." The headmaster said, catching Jeff's attention.
Jeff nearly choked. She'd promised him he could come home at nights. Not that home was much better than death, but still. "Mom I thought I was driving home for the nights."
"Oh honey don't be silly." she laughed, acting like she didn't know what he was talking about. "That's over an hour drive." In actuality it was probably about 35 minutes. But Jeff knew she was just acting. He clenched his jaw to keep from lashing out. He couldn't. Not here. Not now. "We don't have that kind of gas money. Especially not for your truck." Jeff pouted. That meant his truck wasn't going to come here after all. His dad had probably already sold it as scrap metal so he could buy more drugs and beer. That was all his parents did anyway. Drink and get high. Well it wasn't everything, but it was mostly everything.
"Anyway." Mr. Darrow continued. It was obvious he was trying to not to acknowledge the awkward moment that had just passed. "He'll have a single room for now and here is your schedule." he handed the piece of paper to Jeff. Jeff took it, being sure to take it as far away from the vampire's hand as possible. "It also has your room number on it. I hope you are very happy here at Dalton." he said. He gave Jeff that creepy smile again as they stood. Jeff swallowed thickly as he realized how tall the man was. Jeff stood at six foot even, but the principal was probably about six six when he stood at full height. He shook hands with Mrs. Sterling and Jeff. They left the office and went back down the many flights of stairs. Jeff sighed when they reached the landing.
"Alright, we need to go get your stuff from the car, and then find your dorm. Your father will bring the rest of your stuff in your truck tomorrow." she said, as they walked back through the now empty hall ways. He was sure that his father probably wouldn't bring the rest of his things in the truck tomorrow. Which was why he was glad he'd put everything he really loved in his three suitcases he brought with him today. He now realized he should've seen that he'd be living at the dorms. However, usually the week before school started back up after break he stayed with his aunt so he just assumed they were for that. How wrong he'd been. When he got home...if he got home Jeff knew his belongings would be long gone. It was just how his parents were. They passed more vampires in the parking lot as they headed for the car. They're red eyes following there movements, as if calculating how to kill them. Jeff was trying not to pass out, from thinking about what could possibly happen now that he was staying at Dalton. There were so many things. So many, terrible, awful, painful things. He made a mental note to double check window and door locks and possibly move his dresser in front of the door. It wouldn't do that much against a vampire, but at least he'd feel a little safer.
"Jeff?" Mrs. Sterling barked, pulling him out of his thoughts.
"Yeah mom?" he asked, blinking in shock. They'd reached the car.
"Get your bags." she asked pointing to the suitcases still in the boot of the car. Jeff nodded and grabbed the suitcases. He struggled to manage them all. He finally got them situated and turned to his mother. He and his mom took his stuff to his dorm and he started to unpack.
"It's a nice room." his mom said in a voice that suggested he didn't deserve such a nice room. Which in her mind was true. Jeff didn't.
"I guess." Jeff said. He really wished she would just leave. It wasn't like she cared anyway and he really just wanted to be alone.
"It's got it's own bathroom. That'll be good for you. You spend forever in the bathroom." she said. She shook her head. She never understood why he took so long in there. It wasn't like anybody loved him enough to warrant looking nice.
Jeff traced the scars on his wrists. Some of them were only a few hours old, and he winced a bit as his fingers brushed over them. "Yeah I guess I do."
After a few minutes his mom left, and Jeff was alone at Dalton. He didn't know whether he felt more relieved or terrified. He didn't go down for supper. He didn't need to eat. He was too fat as it was. The fact that there were a ton of vampires down there didn't hurt his reasoning either.
"You stupid fat whore." the words rang in his ears, tears stung his eyes as he looked in the mirror. He had his shirt off and was looking at himself from the front. He shook his head. Still too fat. In reality Jeff was practically skin and bones, but he saw a too fat, ugly boy no one would ever love. He sniffled. He craved a little affection. Something. He knew he'd never get it, but he wanted it so badly. Lots of other people were so happy in relationships, but Jeff knew he wasn't cute enough to catch a guy. He was too fat. His hair looked horrible. His eyes weren't brown but they weren't green or blue either. They were their own color and that made them horrible. He'd been told that many times. That his eyes were the ugliest part of him beside his fat stomach. He took his razor blade from his bathroom sink and cut the word 'worthless' open again on his stomach. This was probably about the fifth time he'd recarved that word. He cut it open again everytime he truly felt that way. He went and laid down on the bed, still shirtless 'Maybe I'll never wake up.' he thought. He settled into the extremely soft and comfortable bed, and fell asleep.
