Christina wasn't sure what to make of the brightly-colored classroom or the other children who stared at her as she took her seat at the remaining empty desk. As the teacher called roll Christina watched with interest. One by one the kids stood so that everyone knew who they were. The kids smiled at the teacher and the teacher smiled back, however, when it was her turn to stand and smile the teacher gasped which caused everyone to turn to her.
"She has fangs!"
"She's evil!"
"Evil!"
"Evil!"
"Evil!"
The day went downhill from there. Christina found herself shunned by most of her peers and bullied by others. When lunch rolled around the children were allowed to eat outside because of the nice weather. Christina fetched her lunch her bag and raced outside with the other kids. Hoping to make the best of her situation she slowly approached a group of girls seated next to a large oak tree but as soon as they saw her they ran away. So, Christina tried again this time she approached a group near the pond.
"May I sit with you guys?" she asked as sweetly as she could.
"Go away vampire you don't belong here," the boy nearest to her replied.
"But-"
"What's a vampire doing here anyway?" another said.
"I'm-"
"You're an evil monster,"
"Evil"
"Evil"
"Evil"
Christina ran from the hateful group. She ran to the very corner of the schoolyard where no one else was and sat down. Wiping the tears from her face she unpacked her lunch to find her favorite sandwich, an apple, and, her mother's homemade cookies with a note attached to the wrapper.
In case you're having a bad day.
Love,
Mommy.
Christina ate quietly and quickly. She sighed as she folded her mother's note and put it in the pocket of her dress. Why didn't anyone like her?
"They don't like me either,"
Christina looked up surprised to find someone beside her. She had black and purple hair, pale skin and violet eyes. She was in the same class if Christina remembered correctly.
"Or me,"
Christina jumped at the sudden voice turning to find a boy now occupied the once empty spot beside her. The startled girl belatedly realized that it was Apple's twin brother, Arthur.
"Your name's Christina, right?" Arthur asked.
"Yes,"
"My name's Raven and this is my friend Arthur. We'll play with you," Raven said.
"Okay," Christina nodded.
"What do you like to do for fun?" Raven asked.
"Drawing, reading, and I like to play on the swing"
"We can do that, come on!" Arthur said pulling Christina to her feet.
Raven and Arthur guided her to the abandoned swing set. The trio decided to take turns and they agreed that Christina would go first. This made Christina very, very happy. As Raven and Arthur took turns pushing her Christina felt herself relax for the first time that day. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to daydream. She was flying. She was really flying or so it seemed. For a brief moment, she let herself picture it.
You will never fly.
Just like that, the daydream was shattered and Christina hopped off the swing at the first chance. Raven went next followed by Arthur and so it continued until they were called back inside for afternoon classes. When they entered the classroom Christina found her desk had been moved from the front row to the back window.
"Why is my desk back there now?" Christina asked the teacher.
"Well, um.-"
"It's cause you're ugly,"
"And evil"
"And you don't have wings,"
Christina felt the fire pumping through her. This wouldn't end well.
"Leave her alone!" Raven yelled.
"Yeah!" Arthur agreed.
"Wingless, vampire freak!"
"Wingless,"
"Wingless,"
"Vampire,"
"Freak,"
"Wingless,"
"Vampire,"
"Freak,"
Christina closed her eyes and tried to breathe but with every mean word, the fire in her veins grew hotter and hotter. Then the fire erupted, consuming her as the children screamed in fear.
I want out of here, Christina internally screamed.
Everything was quiet save for the screams still ringing in her ears. Christina hesitantly opened her eyes to find that she was no longer in the classroom or near the school for that matter. She found she was standing in The Moors. Christina felt proud. She had done her Grandmother and told her to but how?
She decided to figure it out later right now she wanted a nap. Needed one actually, she was very tired. So, Christina curled up next to the stream and fell asleep.
…...
Alissa arrived at the school a few hours later with Prince as promised. She entered the classroom when her daughter didn't rush to greet her. When the teacher saw Alissa she flushed with embarrassment.
"Where is my daughter?" Alissa questioned noticing that Christina was nowhere to be seen.
"Uh, well, you see-"
"Where is my daughter?" Alissa asked again growing angry.
"She's not here," Raven replied as she and Arthur rushed forward.
"What?" Alissa asked, "Why? Where did she go?"
Raven explained what happened as calmly and clearly as she could. This did not go over well with Alissa who turned to glare at the children and the teacher before storming out of the classroom leaving a trail of flames in her wake. Raven followed after her determined to find her friend. Arthur would have joined in the search if it hadn't been time to go.
"I want to help," Raven said stopping Alissa at the door.
"Raven, your mother would turn me into a frog if I let you come along,"
"How'd you know my name?"
"Your mother was my friend back in school. She still writes me on occasion," Alissa explained gently, "Don't worry I know where Christina is"
"Give her a hug for me?"
"I will,"
…...
Alissa found her daughter exactly where she expected to. After all, this had been her safe place once as well. This was where she had often gone to get away from it all. It was no surprise that Christina did the same. It was no surprise that Maleficent had brought her here as well. She smiled weakly as she sank to the grass and let Prince go. The dragon wasted no time in cuddling next to Christina. Alissa laid a hand to Christina's head causing her to stir for the first time in what felt like hours.
"Hello, Butterfly," Alissa whispered as Christina climbed into her lap with a sob.
"They-they were so-so mean to me, Mommy. I-I don't wanna go back!"
"Were they all mean?"
"No, but, the others were and the teacher doesn't like me. She flinches when I look at her and she doesn't make the other kids stop when they-"
"When they what?"
"They call me a bad word,"
"What word?"
"Ugly,"
Prince climbed on top of Christina as she broke down in tears. He tried to lick the tears away before burrowing under Christina's arm and purring like a kitten. This simple action made Christina's tears stop. She looked down at the dragon as he butted his head against her.
Alissa had an idea.
…...
"Do I have to?" Christina asked fearfully standing outside the classroom.
"Yes, Sweetie but this time you have Prince to help you," Alissa reassured her.
It had taken a week and a half to set everything up but Alissa with the help of her mother had gotten the papers needed to allow Prince to accompany Christina. They had also switched her classes and sent the new teacher a letter detailing Christina's differences. The cherry on top? Arthur and Raven switched classes with Christina so that she would have friends with her.
"I don't want to go, Mommy," Christina whispered clutching Prince desperately.
Alissa rook Christina's hand and led her into the classroom. Just as before the other children turned to stare at Christina who was unlike anything they'd ever seen but this time Christina was reassured to see familiar faces. Raven and Arthur. Even Faybelle who was trying not to be seen.
"Go find a seat, Butterfly," Alissa coaxed.
"Christina, sit with us," Raven prompted.
Christina hesitantly walked over to where Raven was excitedly waiting. Christina took her seat between Raven and Arthur before making sure Prince was settled.
"You brought your dragon to school?" Faybelle scoffed.
"She has to Faybelle," Alissa replied firmly.
Faybelle shut her mouth and shrunk into her seat.
…...
The school year flew by after that. To Christina, it seemed she has only blinked and the year was nearly over. Aside from the occasional bully, Christina didn't have much to complain about. Every school day was as pleasant as it could be. One day as the snows of winter was melting away the class received a surprise. A new student and so late in the year.
Christina looked at the new girl with interest. She had piercing blue eyes and thick black hair that fell down her back slick and straight. She was tall and thin with tanned skin.
"Class, this is Melinda West. She just arrived from Oz," the teacher explained as she led Melinda to the desk next to Christina.
"Witch"
"Witch"
"Witch"
The children whispered and Melinda who was very embarrassed turned lavender. It started in her face and flowed down her skin like water. Christina who knew had hard it must be smiled as Melinda glanced at her.
"Hi," Christina whispered.
"Hi,"
The bell chimed the start of class and so the two were forced to be quiet. Throughout the day the two girls stole curious glances at each other. When lunch came around and the other kids ran outside with their caps and gloves on Christina stayed indoors with Melinda. After all, Christina didn't want to be alone either.
"What's your name?" Melinda asked quietly.
"Christina," the young hybrid grinned, "And this is Prince," she said as the dragon hopped on her desk.
"You're a fairy?"
"Yep,"
"The others don't seem to like us,"
"Well, that's because their heads are full of straw,"
Melinda gasped, "You know my story,"
"Mommy reads it to me all the time,"
Melinda seemed to relax and as she did the lavender color drained from her skin.
"How can you do that?"
"It's my family curse,"
"Oh, I'm sorry,"
"It's okay, Why didn't you follow the others outside?"
"My friends aren't here today to play with me,"
"Can I be your friend?"
"I'd like that very much,"
"Look, everyone! Loser one is making friends with loser two!"
Christina turned towards the window angrily.
"Oh Go eat a sock Sparrow!" Christina ordered.
"Make me Half-Breed!"
Christina stomped over to the window where Sparrow stood with his smug grin when Christina reached out to push him away he smacked her wrists with an iron chain he had found. Christina fell on her backside with a yelp.
Upon seeing this, Melinda turned green. A sign that she was angry.
"Leave her alone!: Melinda ordered harshly.
"Make-"
Sparrow didn't get a chance to finish his sentence as he was yanked backward by Faybelle.
"Leave her alone," Faybelle growled pushing the school bully to the ground, pinning him in place with her foot.
Sparrow promptly had an accident and as soon as Faybelle let him get up he ran away.
"Thank you-"
"Don't thank me! I DON'T like you, Christina. But you're my cousin, nobody messes with you but ME!" Faybelle declared before flying away.
Christina laughed.
Aunt Lucinda wouldn't take this well.
…...
"YOU STOOD UP FOR YOUR WINGLESS COUSIN?" Lucinda shrieked as she walked Faybelle home that day.
"I don't wanna share MY fun with ANYONE, Mommy! I'M the only one that gets to mess with her! After all, I'M family, and that's gotta sting even worse, right?"
"It would. If you actually managed to upset her," Lucinda snarled.
And it was on that day that Faybelle vowed to please her mother.
One way or the other.
…...
Okay, that ends that. Now, that I feel I have covered everything I need in order to set the story up we're moving on to high school next chapter. As a reminder, Arthur White is not my OC. He rightfully belongs to my friend, DRAGONDAVE45.
Anyway, please review while I get to work on Legacy Day (I must not take the spotlight from Raven because that would be bad but I need to write Christina into this crucial moment, UGH)