Chapter 1: Hickey or Bite Tats? Part 1
Dear Diary
I am going to that new school, that papa and mama enrolled me in, after receiving that enrollment scholarship letter in the mail last month. I understand that the scholarship offers financial aid to our family low income, a secure full-ride scholarship books, room and board, supplies, and living expenses. But, the school far away from home and I won't get to see my family and friends into after graduation. What that's about anyway? Plus I have this uneased feeling in my gut about today. Maybe have something to do with that weird dream last night. The one I'm walking through the forest and someone ran into me with a bicycle. And the next thing I know the person bites me. Like if they were a wild animal. Or vampire?
Aono Tsubaki stopped writing. She stared at the last line she had written and with a sudden gesture, she lifted her head and threw the pen and journal into her leather satchel bag. Tsubaki leans her forehead against the bus window, not once glance at her reflection. She knew what she'd see. Aono Tsubaki, a fifteen-year-old with mahogany hair that hung down her back in waves and doe brown eyes. Dressed in the school academy policy uniform, white button-down blouse, short benign plaid skirt, and green blaze jacket with the school crested. Instead, she admires the beautiful neighborhoods that the bus drove past.
"Excuse me, young lady are you that scholarship student enrolling at yokai academy? A deep monotone voice spoke from the front of the bus.
"Uh, yes sir that should be me, Aono Tsubaki," she replied wearily. "Not to be rude but why you asked?"
"Interesting, here some advice from your friendly neighborhood bus driver. Keep yourself, on guard, keep your foes close and friends closer. And remember who you was before you step off this bus," The bus driver ignored her question and spoke again. " Oh and stay open-minded. things are not always what they seem to be."
" Wait, what? what do you mean and are you trying to tell me that violence happens at the school?" Tsubaki asked anxiety. The same uneased gut feeling from earlier came back ten times stronger.
"I guess you can say something like that. Oh, look at that we almost at our destination. Once we come out of this long tunnel, we'll stop at the entrance of the academy, and keep in mind what I said." He said. He then put the bus in gear and open the bus doors for her.
Tsubaki sigh wearily and nodded. Grabs her personal belongs and step off the bus, watching it drove away.
Tsubaki lifts her leather satchel and suitcase and proceeds to the school. She realizes the path to the school was through a forest. And inhale sharply when she notices scattered skeletons on the ground, spider's webs in the corners and bats on top of the dead trees.
But what caught her attention was a scarecrow with a pumpkin head attached to a sign that says "Yokai Academy" the forest gives Tsubaki horror movies vibes like the ones her cousin and their friends watch.
clattering wheels were heard from behind like a fast and steady click, click, click sound. Follow by a muscular shout. Next, then Tsubaki knew she was hit by a bike, the impact causes them both to land together on the grass, a foot away from the upside-down bicycle.
"Ugh, seriously, the first day of school and I get, hit from a bicycle, " Tsubaki grunt. She tried to sit up only to realize that someone was lay on top of her. It was the bicycle rider who had his head on her breast and hand on her upper thigh.
The small action causes her to squeak and blush in embarrassment. But did sober the bicycle rider from his minor conscious. "Shit, my head hurts, I apologize about that," He said, lift himself off of Tsubaki and squat on the grass in front of her. "The brakes for some reason wasn't working and I lose control. But are you okay?"
"Um, yeah I'm fine, but you should try to have a look at those brakes. So you won't run into anyone else." sheepish, Tsubaki replied.
"Yeah you might be right, but who says if I ever get this opportunity again running into beautiful girls like yourself." Bicycle rider, tease said, and he offered her what felt like a boyish, sheepish smile.
Tsubaki flicks her hair over her face to hide the softest flush of pink color her cheeks. " I wonder how many ladies you use that line on." She said with astonishment tone.
"Hmm, apparently this the first time I ran my bicycle into anyone. So just you." He response cheekily. "Well, this has been an awkward introduction. where my manners, my name is Akashiya Moko."
"I can agree with you on that," she extended her hand to him. "My name is Aono Tsubaki."
"Hmm, like the term of the camellia flower," he said, smiling to himself. " Great choice for someone beautiful as herself." He shook her hand and took a closer look at her.
"Oh! You have a little cut on your cheek!" Moko took a handkerchief from one of his jacket pockets. " Here let me."
Tsubaki responded with a nod.
Despite the way he had run into her he seemed generous enough and cute. He dabbed his cloth gently against the side of her face; He then stopped and stared.
"Is, there something wrong?" Tsubaki asked.
"Your scent," He whispered. "It's..."
"What about my scent?
" Delectable!"
without any sort of warning his mouth was pressed against her neck and felt sharp sudden pain.
"Ow! what are you doing? That hurts! She tried to push him away but he wouldn't budge. As she was yelling the only sound that came from him was slurping.
At last, he let go of her and she jumped back clutching at her throat. She examines the wound, which to her surprise look like a hickey.
"Shit, I can explain-"
"Did... did you just bite me? Did you... did you drink my blood?"
"Eh, just a little bit. But I can explain-"
"Creep! Pyscho!" She yelled at the top of her lungs. she snatched up her suitcase and took off running as fast as her legs would carry her.
"Wait! I can explain!" He called after her. "You see I'm a..."
He stopped as she was out of earshot and was still running.
"Damn it, nice one,baka, you scared her away, I wonder if I'll get to see her again?"
Picking up his bicycle he set off down the road.