Hey y'all! Welcome back to A Rose By Any Other Name! Yep, another super soon chapter :3. Hey, when you have two days off close to each other, why not do something with them? Anyways, in this chapter I will be introducing a new character to the story. Of course, you guys might already be able to tell who it is ;3. But I figured this chapter was the best place to bring him into the story, so have fun with it!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story idea!

Jackson slowly walked into the school, keeping his head down and his hood up. It was raining again, so he was somewhat soaked by the heavy downpour. He didn't mind though. In his mind, it didn't really make a difference what the weather was, seeing as he wouldn't have to worry about it anymore if his plan went without a hitch.

He slowly made his way to his locker and opened it, gathering his books as if everything was fine. He looked up when he heard someone approaching. "Jackson, there you are!" said Frankie, smiling. Jackson forced a smile onto his face despite knowing that his plan would not allow him to see her anymore. "I texted you over the weekend, but you never respond to me or the ghouls..." Frankie said, frowning.

Jackson rubbed the back of his head. "S-Sorry Frankie... I-I had been hurt pretty bad, s-s-so Mom made me rest over the weekend... which sadly meant no icoffin..." he lied, shrugging slightly and hoping she wouldn't be able to see through him. To his relief, the ghoul took the bait. "Oh, that makes so much sense! Of course you should've been resting... next time the ghouls and I will make sure not to panic so much and spam your icoffin..." she said, giggling.

Jackson nodded, though in his mind he told himself there wouldn't be a next time. After talking for a bit they went their separate ways to class, Jackson to Dead Languages and Frankie to Home Ick. Jackson carefully made his way into the classroom and to his seat, avoiding looking at Manny. The minotaur watched him, a smug look on his face. Jackson ignored him and sat down, going over his plan in his mind.

As the classroom filled up Jackson scratched at his bandaged right arm. After he had made the video note he had gone and, seeing as the razor and pocket knife were hidden, used his own nails to add to his collection of scars on his arms. It had hurt terribly, seeing as his nails were a bit dull despite being a bit longer than the average male's, but he had managed to get a couple of cuts on each arm before cleaning and bandaging them.

Jackson was snapped out of his thoughts when Mr. Rotter walked in and began to teach the lesson of the day. The half-normie tried his best to pretend to pay attention, but the lesson was falling on deaf ears as other thoughts occupied his mind. He wondered if anyone besides his mother would miss him, or if they would simply move on. He figured it would be the latter, since it seemed they cared about Holt more than Jackson himself.

He sighed as the lesson ended and he proceeded to his next class almost on autopilot, wanting to seem as if nothing was out of the ordinary. After a couple more classes it was lunch time, so he headed to his locker to put some books away. "I'm surprised you're still here normie..." said a voice behind him, and he didn't need to turn around to know who it belonged to. "Leave me alone Manny..." he said absently to the minotaur, his voice quiet and slightly monotone.

"Why?" asked Manny, raising an eyebrow. He may not have been as smart as some of the other students, but Manny had definitely noticed something off about the teen in front of him for the last couple of classes. Jackson didn't answer, but merely put most of his books and his Icoffin into his locker, closing the door and walking away. "Hey! Get back here!" shouted Manny, but the other teen simply continued walking.

Jackson grabbed only a couple of things to eat, sitting at a table by himself. Normally he would've sat with Frankie and them, but he didn't want to begin second guessing himself in his decision. Looking over at them he saw the group laughing and joking around. The tiniest of smiles came to his face. I hope they continue to have fun when I'm gone... he thought, slowly eating.

He suddenly felt he was being watched and looked around, but it seemed nobody was paying attention to him so he went back to eating. What he failed to see was a figure sitting at a corner table watching him through a pair of what looked like sunglasses, three other figures floating beside him. "Whatcha thinkin' bossman?'" asked one of the figures, turning to the main figure.

The main figure hummed, a frown on his face. "The boy's heart is so broken... so empty..." he said, his voice having a southern drawl to it. His hands clenched into fists as he looked in the direction of Manny and the boys who had hurt Jackson, the sclera of his eyes turning black while the irises turned blood red behind the lenses of his sunglasses. "Those boys had no right to do what they did... we follow the boy and make sure he's safe..." The other three figures nodded in agreement.

Soon it was back to taking classes, and before Jackson knew it the final bell had rung to signal the end of school. He opened his locker and tossed his books in, but didn't take anything out. Instead, he closed it and began walking. "Jackson? The exit is the other way..." said Clawd, noticing the shorter male's odd behavior. "I know... I have something I have to do..." Jackson automatically replied, not missing the concerned looks on the faces of his friends. He quickly made his way to a door and opened it, climbing the stairs to the schools belfry.

Once in the belfry he walked over to a railing, which had been put in after Hoodude had accidentally tripped and fell over the edge. The living voodoo doll had of course survived, but the school felt it would be safer to have the railing. Jackson breathed deeply, allowing the rain to hit his face as he stood there. He looked down, seeing the other students below him heading home. He hoped none of them would look up and see what he was about to do.

Slowly and carefully, he climbed over the railing so he was on the other side, holding on as the wind whipped around him. He closed his eyes and thought of all the good times he had had, wanting them to be his last thoughts before he jumped. Tears slowly fell down his face, mixing with the rain as he took a shaky breath. I'm sorry everyone... I hope you remember me...

Suddenly, the trapdoor to the belfry burst open and Jackson heard someone rush through it. "What the hell do you think you're doin'!?" shouted a voice. Jackson spun around to face the newcomer, though perhaps he did so a little too fast for the rain slicked ledge. His foot slipped and then everything felt like it was happening in slow motion. He tried to keep hold of the railing, but lost his grip due to the rain and ended up bashing his head against said railing, falling straight down. The last thing he saw was a figure jumping after him, reaching for him. Then his world went black.

Jackson groaned, his eyes fluttering open. He found himself covered in several blankets in a large fancy red and black four-poster canopy bed. He unconsciously snuggled deeper into the blankets and closed his eyes again, only for them to fly back open and he shot into a sitting position, which he immediately regretted when a massive headache hit him while doing so. However, for him, the headache was the least of his worries.

H-How am I alive? A-And where am I? He asked himself, looking around as the room he was in was definitely NOT his own room. He took note of the bed, then of the matching black finished wooden furniture and red accents such as the pillows on the bed and window seat. The walls were painted red and had portraits on them. By and large the room was quite fancy and had a strange Victorian feel to it.

Suddenly he heard the door to the room open. "Well now, glad to see you're awake darlin'... I was afraid that nasty bump to the head knocked you out for good..." came a smooth voice with a southern drawl. Jackson slowly turned to look at the figure, his amethyst blue eyes locking with a pair of rose pink eyes outlined in eyeliner.

"Forgive me, where are my manners?" said the figure, who Jackson took note of being a vampire upon noticing his fangs. "Allow me to properly introduce myself..." the vampire bowed, flashing a smile that would make any ghoul swoon. "The name's Valentine, and allow me to welcome you into my humble home..."

And everyone's favorite emotional vampire has appeared! XD Come on, y'all knew this was coming. Anywho, hope you liked it!

Until next time, Icy is out!