Hi! Wow double digits!!! I didn't think I'd get this far. I realize this one is late since I told some of you it would be posted on Wednesday but I started working and it has become quite hard to write.
I'm not really happy with this chapter, because I'm not personally sure if I got Matthew's character correct after his personal change but I hope its good enough. Any thoughts and critics are welcome. Enjoy!
Mom, Mrs.Velandre and I had so much fun. We spent the whole morning at Victoria Secret, buying clothes, trying random things and buying 'till our heart's content; they had no store policies against Mrs. Velandre (pet policies) or maybe it was just because we were with her, like back at the Mall with Matthew. Around midday, we ate lunch at our hotel's restaurant. Theyhad offered Mrs. Velandre the special menu, though she declined it saying she wasn't hungry but I had the feeling the real reason was that she didn't want to eat in front of us. After eating, Mom parted ways from Mrs. Velandre and I, she had an appointment with Dad concerning the expansions of Luna Hotels (though personally, I don't know how much expandedcould it become seeing as it was already international) while Mrs. Velandre and I headed home, I had school the tomorrow and I had to practice Andri's songs. I arrived home and darted to my room to start practicing. I placed on the CD and started singing, my soprano voice filling the house, though I was unaware of the pair of eyes that watched me from my closet. Andri came over later that afternoon, she got so happy when she saw me singing. We practiced for a little longer before going to the movie room to watchSlumdog Millionaire. Andri left around seven and I decided to get a bath before doing my Pre-Calculus homework. I knew I was unconsciously stalling the inevitable dreaded homework but I couldn't help but to try, I disliked Pre-Calculus or at least the topic we're covering at the moment.
Beth brought up my dinner, seeing as Mom and Dad hadn't arrived yet –I knew they weren't comingfor the night, like they mostly did when they had a meeting of some sort. I was sitting on my desk with my plate of homemade Chinese rice with pepper steak and some egg rolls trying, but failing miserably, to solve the functions of graphics. Normally, I was good in math butthe moment the teacher presented functions, my brain quit the job. From that point on, I have been struggling with the class. That's why lately I try to stall the homework.
I gave out a frustrated sigh as I slammed the bowl on the desk while getting up to call Beth. I wasn't hungry anymore, I was simply frustrated and angry maybe I should get a tutor before the nun back at school plants a permanent F on my forehead along with a free ticket to Purgatoryas she says. As I called for Beth, Matthew came out of the closet (1), I wondered when he had gone in and why was he coming out now for I had no patience for him at the moment. He looked at me strangely before walking over to my bed and throwing himself on it. I gaveBeth the half-eaten food tray apologizing to her for not eating and asking her to pass my apologies to Bella inthe kitchen. I sat on my desk once again, this time feeling the unwavering stare of Matthew on the backof my head making it harder to concentrate.
"What are you doing?" I heard Matthew ask butI didn't turn to him.
"Pre-Calculus homework," I replied shortly continuing to scribble down the equations.
There was a sudden silence in the room, I was curious as to what he was doing because he hadn't turned on the TV or the stereo. I looked up and saw his foggy reflection on the crystals of the window. Matthew was lying on the bed staring up at the ceiling. Shaking my head, I turned back to my homework, twenty-five exercises and I was still at the second one without knowing if the first one was good. I heard shuffling in the room; next thing I knew Matthew was hovering over me, I cringed and instinctively threw my arms over my head. I heard Matthew sigh before picking up my notebook.
"I… can help you… with this…" Matthew struggled to offer, as he surveyed my homework.
I looked at him skeptically, Matthew offering to help a human. There had to be a catch, he just wasn't like that… but I needed help. I weighted it in my mind: the angry nun or the PMSing Matthew. I might just take Matthew cause I didn't have any charm that would shy away nuns.
"O…k… I guess," I replied still eyeing him skeptically, I think he caught my look cause he sighed again while pulling on the second chair. He seemed to be sighing too much.
Matthew took a paper and began explaining functions. He was really good at it, but I guess that was to be expected for he had probably lived far longer than I. He explained me the process, why it was that way and their uses in daily life. I was amazed surprised even. It wasn't until he verified all my homework that he allowed me to get up and stretch. I think he should take the position of Sister Esther as Math teacher. I laughed at the thought of Matthew as teacher –I even imagined him with a long sleeved flannel button up shirt, geeky glasses, a scapular and the nun's coif and veil–I fell down on the bed laughing, earning a questioning glare from the vampire.
"What are you laughing at?" he asked me still glaring at me.
Holding my stomach in pain, I looked at him with tear-filled eyes stifling my giggles,
"Nothing."
Matthew glared at me again before getting up from my desk to move and sit at the bottom of my bed. I turned on my TV; it was currently nine-thirty. Searching the guide, I decided to watch Animal Planet. Matthew almost precautious, laid back to watch the program as well,
"You should eat something…"
I twisted my face in both curiosity and skepticism. He was being too concern and too nice too fast, and it worried me.
"Uhm, I ate, remember?" I replied without looking at him.
"No, I saw you move the food inside the bowl and then call your human servant to pick it up without eating it," Matthew replied smartly.
"Yeah, well, it doesn't matter I wasn't hungry," I replied getting aggravated by his nagging and I admit that my tone was a tab bit angry.
Matthew growled lowly before getting up and exiting my room. I sighed in discontent, first time he was being at least trying to be nice and I had to mess it up by being rude. I pondered on the possibility of being just defensive over the nightmare I had. Suddenly, though, Matthew barged inside again, carrying a tray of food. Confusedly, I sat up to look at him better.
Matthew placed the tray in front of me anything but kindly. I unconsciously smiled, I wasn't sure if it was because of the concern his actions showed or because of the strange array of food in the tray. He had brought me: three egg rolls, a warm cookie, an apple, a muffin, a pepperoni Hot Pocket, a box of Oreos and Ice Cream. He placed a glass of water on the tray and looked at me expectantly. If he expected me to eat all this, he was wrong.
I took the Hot Pocket and bit down a bit to see if it was too hot or too cold –it was just right. I ate it, watching my show fully aware of Matthew's unwavering stare. It felt weird, the fact that someone was staring as I ate. Next, I grabbed the cookie and munched at it, this time he took his stare away and sat at the bottom of the bed once more.
"See, you were hungry," Matthew commented without looking back at me.
I glared at the back of his head –I hated the fact that he was right and now he was shoving it at my face –before answering,
"No, I had to eat it because somehow the look you were giving me told me that if I didn't you would've shoved it down my throat."
Matthew staid quiet making me smirk in triumph but I should've known that the previous Prince of Vampires wasn't going to lose. Matthew twisted his torso to look at me with a smug look,
"Yet alas I didn't shove it, you ate it on your own, besides I never said anything about forcing you."
Glaring at him playfully, I gulped down the glass of water just as the show ended, signaling that it was now ten, time for me to go to bed.
"Matthew, could you please take the tray to the kitchen?" I asked him nicely, if he declined, I could always call Beth or Lisa.
Without answering me, he got up, took the tray and left. Taking advantage of the time alone, I got up and entered my bathroom, to do my nightly routine. Once out, I noticed Matthew was lying in my bed but not only that, my surround sound was on and playing Andri's first CD (piano music) and the bed covers were pulled down. I tilted my head in confusion; if this was Matthew's behavior change then it is far beyond the worry state. I fell asleep fairly quickly, but thinking only on Mathew's sudden kindness… even if it was only a little.
At six o' clock, Beth, Lisa and Clarissa entered my room; going through the process of opening my windows to the upcoming sunshine, powering off my music and bringing me my breakfast. Today's breakfast consisted of, Strawberry and kiwi scones, scrambled eggs with bacon and cheese and grapes with orange juice and coffee. Unlike weekends where I took my time enjoying my food, reading the newspaper and watching TV, on weekdays I had to eat fast to get ready.
Without questioning Matthew's location, I finished my breakfast, taking only half an hour to eat, and got up to all my things. Around an hour later, I was dressed in my school uniform –a black plaited skirt to my knees, a white button up shirt and a black blazer all topped with a red tie –had done my make-up and my hair and was currently walking down the stairs with my messenger bag right at my side.
I vaguely wondered how my catholic school would deal with the new vampire pet thing, I mean after all, even after their existence was proved, Christians still didn't approve of them and claimed them both evil and demonic. I arrived at the entrance where Mrs. Velandre, Laurent, Solomon and Matthew waited for me; a vampire committee, poor Laurent. I giggled lightly at my thoughts.
"Good morning, Miss. Sarytza. How do you do?" asked Laurent smiling kindly to me.
"I'm very good, thank you. Happy to have slept better than yesterday," I replied smiling at all four, but didn't notice Matthew's eye slit just a second.
"Well, little Miss. Sarytza, I shall be taking you to school today, so why don't we set on our way before you end up being late?" beckoned Solomon as he opened the door for me.
"Yes, of course!" I exclaimed, giving my goodbyes to the resting three.
I entered the blue BMW and waved goodbye as the car sped away. In a matter of minutes, we were in the front of my school, many other students gathering up to the insides of the building. I exited my car bidding my goodbyes to Solomon and headed inside the gates. I stopped in my tracks.
Many students –all dispersed in the wide greenery of the school's front garden – walked with beautiful people dressed in a different school uniform with collars at their neck. Calculatingly I watched them before starting my walk back inside the building. Andri ran up to me eyes wide and shock filled face,
"Sary, can you see this? Most of the students have vamp pets!"
I looked at her, nodding slowly, I couldn't believe they could bring them just like that to a Catholic School.
"And you haven't seen anything… Mother Superior Catherine has one too!" informed me Andri pulling on me to drag me, probably, to Mother Superior Catherine.
I was shocked that Mother Superior Catherine would have a vampire; I mean, a weekend ago, she was blabbering on about how vile vampires were, demonic evil and any other degrading word she could find to bestow on them. Passing by the hallways, being pulled by Andri but able to see the growing quantity of students with pets, I was growing edgy making me for a fleeting moment wish to have Matthew at my side but I knew he wouldn't come and second I hadn't bought the apparent new vampire pet uniform.
Andri and I arrived to the Office of Mother Superior and though we didn't enter –first cause she didn't like me, second, because it would be rude –we both watched her through the glass of the door. Next to Mother Superior Catherine, who was sitting on her grand chair behind her desk –was a young red headed girl no older than thirteen. The girl, beautiful in an unspeakable way, stood next to her with the new vampire uniform and a coif and veil characteristic of a nun, her face held an expression of void emotion. Andri pulled me away, I felt so sad seeing that girl, tied to Mother Superior by an impalpable force. The bell rang making us run to our class on the fourth floor.
We arrived just as Sister Maryanne was standing to begin. Andri and I apologized for arriving late before taking our seats. Sister Maryanne gave us History, but she always took it to the next level making us do plays on historical moments and debating on the views of different political influences. Being such a dynamical class made the hour flow down quickly, making the next bell ring faster. Andri and I separated, as I went to Chemistry and she went to French.
Chemistry was a class I didn't enjoy, the only bright side was that I could see my other friend Millie. Millie was completely different to Andri; while the second was overly cheerful and girlie; the first was darker and more gothic. I met up with her on the way to the classroom. We entered and took our seats on the very back.
"Quite a party on Friday, huh?" she asked me bemused as she took out the stuff from her bag.
"Yeah," I replied absentmindedly, eyeing the vampire pets in the pale colored classroom. They were all standing next to their owner a solemn look on their face, barely looking at their fellow vampires.
"Quite a present too, huh?" she asked me once again her bemusement much higher, "A miracle that you didn't bring him. Don't want to brag?"
I glared at her slightly; she noticed my look and gave me a questioning glance,
"Matthew isn't a thing and mostly nothing to brag about. He is a living breathing rational creature, who got everything ripped away."
Millie gave me a look of understanding, that's one thing a liked about her. She always understood, no matter how strange or how doubtful, you could always count on Millie.
Sister Eileen entered, greeting her class. She scribbled on the blackboard the laboratory that would be taking place today before addressing the classroom,
"Well, children, your assignment is worth 300 points. I need to leave to speak to Mother Superior Catherine, I expect to see all done by the time I arrive. No misbehavior children."
She left the room, making it suddenly silent before Sheila turned around to face Millie and me. Sheila had black locks and sapphire blue eyes, a very nice friend a very nasty enemy.
"Well, well, Sarytza… or should I call you Ms. Moonlight?" she mocked me, I simply glared back at her lightly –I wasn't one to start a fight, "They say you held quite a party on Friday, and you didn't have the heart to invite us…" she continued talking on her overly mocking sad voice as she turned to her lab partner and best friend, who only nodded.
Sheila's comments made the classroom stop their assignment to turn to look at us. I was feeling queasy with all the eyes on me, including those of the vampire pets. Their gazes were the ones that scared me the most; some looked at me angrily other looked at me amazingly but those angry ones made shiver come down my spine for they made me remember my awful nightmare.
Sheila stood up and walked to the front of my desk, her blue eyed blond haired vampire boy following her his eyes widening slightly as he caught a glimpse of the charms on my neck –today I carried both Mrs. Velandre's gift and my pentagram.
"So, enlighten me, have you gone to the emo look?" she asked pointing at my bangs that covered my scar, "Never mind that's not important is it? I have heard so much of this amazing fifty-five million dollar sweet sixteen birthday present but I have yet to see it. Tell me witch, where is your pet?" she asked once she was in front of my desk, her voice dripping with venom as she spit out the word witch.
I glared at her but remained silent, Millie and I getting our stuff to begin the 300 points assignment. Sheila glared at me, her smile turning grim. She pushed the items I was holding in my hands to gain my attention.
"Look here, witch, I know you're excited of brewing your potion but I am asking you a question, where is your pet? Did you lose him already or did he just asked to be changed of owner when he found out what you were?" Sheila's voice were sugar coated venom and I knew it, she then turned to our classmates that were still watching, "I mean, I'm not sure what's more dangerous our pets (to which she pointed rudely at the vampire next to her) or the scary Wiccan witch?"
Many laughed while others look at me sadly; this was the reason why I hated Chemistry. This was the only class I had with Sheila and she always found a way to make fun of me or mock me. I defended myself most of the time, in fact there was once where we actually got to fight. We both ended in detention, Sheila with a black eye and me with a bruised lip –not pretty.
"Look here, Sheila, I want no problem. So, why don't you run along and go back to your assignment before this scary Wiccan witch turns you into a frog and I'll make it an especially nasty one to make sure no prince kisses you," I replied nicely; I knew my threat had no backup for I couldn't turn her into anything and if I could I would be breaking the Wiccan Rede (2).
Some of the students laughed again, especially at the ugly face Sheila gave me. She grabbed one of the flask set on my desk with force before addressing me,
"You look here Sarytza, your daddy might have a lot of money but mine does too so you're nothing special, you are just a freak –a silly little girl that beliefs in witchcraft. But, you see, there's a problem witch, witches are ugly but you… you are so pretty, a flawless face and beautiful eyes… I guess we're going to have to change that."
That said, I stood up to gain distance between her and me, Millie following my movement, but tougher (Millie is a fighter and she truly defends her friends). Sheila smiled still holding the flask in her hand; she began walking towards us glaring at Millie,
"Get away Goth girl this has nothing to do with you."
Millie glared at her, Shelia moved her head and her vampire boy moved towards Millie. I was sure my friend could take Sheila but a vampire… Sheila got closer, and I stopped moving backwards. My eyes shone with determination, this girl was not going to overpower me. I was ready to make a spell; even though I could not harm her, I could protect myself. As my mouth opened, to speak the words, so did the door. In a split second, the flask was back the desk and Sheila's vampire boy next to her. All eyes turned to the now open door, myself included.
I smirked to myself as Matthew entered the classroom in all his glory. He came wearing the vampire school uniform consisting in light gray dress pants, a button up shirt and a light gray blazer with a black tie. He entered the room, looking around until his eyes found mine. He definitely cleaned up good, then again, didn't all vampires? All the vampires in the classroom bowed their head. Matthew made his way to the back desk –mine –his head held up high and looking as royal as ever… he was such a show off. Once in front of my desk, Sheila's vampire bowed his head. She looked at him angrily before cursing at him,
"Nate what are you doing?"
Nate didn't respond and merely kept his head bowed not daring to look up at his Prince. Sheila gave out an aggravated growl,
"You moron! He's not the prince anymore; he's a pet just like you, worth nothing but money. Now stand straight!"
The command made Nate shoot his head up but to glare at her –a glare that made her cringe back for just a moment. He gave out a growl, the rest of the vampire pets in the room following suit and growled defending the honor of their prince. Those growls were followed by the beeping warning of the collars, owners smirking and vampires least of worried. It amazed me to see their loyalty. They were willing to be filled with unimaginable pain just to defend their Prince… a prince that was dethroned, a prince that now is no more that a pet just like them and they weren't scared of it.
Matthew turned to them, giving me his back, with one stern look they all quieted making their collars quiet as well. Sheila looked at him angrily before turning to Nate to give him a worse heated glare. Matthew turned back at me looking at me straight into the eye, I wondered what he would say. If he acted as his usual jerk self, he would make me look bad and Sheila would be mocking me for the rest of the year; and yet if he acted as an educated droned pet, as all the others, he would look weak in front of his followers. The question now was, what would he say? What part would he play? I was worried for his actions and as he opened my mouth to speak, my heart rate quickened. Everyone seemed to stare in expectation, the vampires, my classmates, Millie and Sheila. His stare… it was identical to the stare he gave me back on Sunday morning after my nightmare making my heart go quicker.
"Ms. Sarytza, I have been retained due to the matter of the new uniform," he informed me his regal look never fading. I smiled flabbergasted. Matthew had managed to sound both obedient and royal at the same time, voicing an educated apology with a tone that held not one drop of sorry.
"It's alright Matthew," I replied smiling friendly trying to sound just as him, commanding yet friendly, "Matthew I would like to meet my friend Millie."
I pointed to Millie, who looked at him dazzled. He glanced at her giving her the smallest of nods before turning back to me and giving me a smirk, I smirked back lightly only visible by him.
"Ms. Sarytza and who might be the individual causing you trouble before my arrival? I believe I have heard you speak of your dislike of this subject due to troubles said individual has caused you," spoke Matthew, I had never heard him talk so formally and it left me trying to remember how to breathe. His voice was I could say was bathed in seduction, powdered in authority and dipped in the most delectable honey.
Sheila looked at me expectantly and so did everybody else. I smiled,
"Oh, yes of course, I had promised you to meet both friends and foes. Matthew, then, I would like you to meet Sheila Lavender, my classmate since childhood."
Matthew looked at her over his shoulder, giving everyone a clear signal that she was nothing worthy of him turning to look straight in the eye,
"I see."
"Well, Sarytza it seems your pet really doesn't know manners. Maybe you should get him a trainer since you don't seem adequate, witch," Sheila huffed eyeing Matthew in a scrutinizing way.
Matthew turned to her glaring at her with his cold stare. Sheila looked at me before turning around and walking back to her desk. Matthew and I didn't move until every single vampire and human stare turned to their work. I chuckled lightly before we sat at my desk. Of course, there were only two seats, after all pets either stay standing or sit on the floor.
"Matthew there is no other seat," I whispered to him knowing that at the moment the walls had ears and Millie was staring at us intently.
He nodded in understanding,
"I know, don't worry about it. I know you have a lot of questions but we'll talk at the house."
I nodded smiling at him, our eye contact straight and unwavering. Unbroken until Millie cleared her throat, reminding me of my 300 point assignment that had only 45 minutes to finish.
I tried to make my job, but my mind kept going back to Matthew. I just couldn't believe he was here, at school and the spectacle he just did. Millie threw me a knowing look before returning to the 'potion brewing'.
Matthew came out of the closet – I laughed when I wrote this. I could only imagine telling Sarytza he was gay.
The Wiccan Rede – an it harm none, do what thou wilt. Basically its eight words that state that you can do whatever you want without harming anyone.