(Unknown POV)
The day's events weighed heavily on my mind, or rather the over pressing guilt my heart was plagued with. I thought I was doing the right thing, well that's a lie, how could I be doing the right thing. I was doing the wrong things for the right reasons but still... did that make it better? Or was I just making up excuses to ease my troubled heart?
I had been going in circles since the day I got the letter. He was gone, taken in the middle of the night and it was my fault. If I had stayed home, my brother would be safe and I could spend my last year as a simple university student... but I didn't.
The quad was bubbling with excitement, eager monsters running here and there as everyone struggled to get ready for the party of the century that would make The Great Gatsby himself green with jealousy. Despite my lack of enthusiasm, everyone was too caught up in their happiness to notice my misery, a point only proven as one of the students ran up to me, a freshman. Her neon clothing and face paints were clear evidence of that and her personality, a bubble of joy as the alcohol and drugs took effect.
Flashback (eight hours earlier.)
I'd forgotten it. For a brief second and let myself slip into happiness but like always I was reminded of the harsh reality. This reality bit me in the ass of the form of a phone call. The buzzing in my back pocket as I set down the last few boxes of supplies for freshman welcome week. I pull my phone from my pants and look at the I.D.
Grandpa Frank.
I swallowed back nausea, sending the others to grab the last box from the car and lock up. I toss my keys on the table and turn, not even staying to see where they land before I'm out. Wiping my sweating palms on my skirt I answer the phone.
"Hello, Grandpa Frank. Did you remember to take your medication?"
I say the code words without emotion. I was feeling so much at once I had to shut it all off just to talk. Focusing on what he was saying and what I was tasked with. The line pauses for a moment, making sure I said the right words.
"What is your status?" a male voice asks, I pause, looking around once, pulling my hair up over my ear to make sure my friends weren't around.
"I'm clear," I state and grab onto the railing, bracing myself for whatever happened next.
It helped, just the slightest.
"Go to your locker. Inside you'll find a package with instructions. I want visual and physical confirmation of the target. Failure to do so will result in the death of your brother."
..
..
Just like he said the bottles were there, wrapped up in a small white box and protected by soft padding.
Slipping that liquid in her drink was easy. The freshman was so absorbed in the tour it would only be easier if she were blindfolded. Within the hour, just like the paper said, it worked. Bringing on fever and other problems within minutes, once inside the nurse's office it was laughably easy. I was able to swipe a sample of her blood in seconds, slipping the vial into my purse and grabbing the second vial.
The antidote.
Within a few hours, the onslaught of symptoms seemed to lessen, her blood pressure levelling out.
I smile softly when her eyes open "Hey, it's okay." I touch her head softly "you're going to be okay..."
I slipped out of the house, following my friends down the road to frat row as I tried and failed to get this day out of my head.
I only hoped a strong drink would help.
(Sophia's POV)
I placed the finishing touches on my cake.
Watching the sides and top I clip the locks into place, double-checking the cake wasn't going anywhere and jump back in shock.
Randell turned around a tray of iced cupcakes in his hands, all but shoving the iced treats in my face "What do you think?!"
'Be my pal' stared back at me.
At first, I thought this was a joke, but the look of pride on Randell's lips had me fighting the urge to swear in five different languages. Randell paused, slightly confused by my lack of excitement.
"What?" the purple-skinned monster asks, tilting his head to the cupcakes "Too much?"
"Uh..." I trail off, my mouth open as I thought of a way to say it nicely "... a little?"
His reaction was instant. The complete and utter deflation of his earlier excitement. I stood there flabbergasted, taking a moment, maybe two to settle myself. Randell was like a broken child, looking down at the cupcakes like they'd betrayed him.
Oh, my dear sweet boy.
I take the tray from Randall, half in fear that he'd toss the cupcakes on the floor in anger and place them on the counter. I flip the cold metal spatula in the air, catching it with ease and get to work. Randell whines as I scraped off his hard work but looks over my shoulder intently like a child watching his mother. I let out a small chuckle at his actions, adding 'MU' on the top instead.
"There." I finish, tapping the last U a bit more, swerving the icing bag with grace. Making sure no imperfections made it through I set down the icing.
Randell looks at the cupcakes for a moment, pausing like he's about to say something but doesn't. Most likely assuming that I had more experience in this sort of thing and takes the cupcakes with a smile.
..
..
While no directions were given about the party, let alone a time, everyone started migrating towards frat row around 9. The freshman followed the seniors' lead. Most monsters were buzzing about the party of the century, while I, was happily conversing with Randell about the idea of scare classes. For all his shyness Randell was showing an abundance of excitement, wanting nothing more than to become a successful omega scarer. I pulled a smile on my face and showed encouragement for the thought but the idea like everything before had stirred me the wrong way.
Almost every scarer in monster history was an Alpha, each proud family name scrawled in the history books. The scare class would be filled with legacies and Randell even thinking about the class was a huge insult to their family pride.
But as my mother once said, I could do little more than be there when he falls.
..
..
Thankfully, we got to the party in one piece. Randell almost lost his cupcakes as an already drunk senior ran by. My hand shot out, pulling him upright. His surprise turns into a blush as my arm loops in between his, gently pulling the young monster to my side. Yet any thanks die on his lips, our eyes widening in surprise as we took in the sight before us.
Frat Row!
The first few steps were hell, the large houses were intimidating, to say the least, and Randell was subconsciously tightening his grip every few steps.
The air itself seemed to be buzzing with electricity.
The leaders of each house, male and female wandered down the street, pulling any lost or lonely monster into a friendly conversation about whatever came to mind.
It was cute. Watching the freshman stutter their way through a conversation with the seniors. The blushes on their faces and nervous shaking hands constantly ringing and un-ringing and the cheers and laughter of old friends catching up.
The music was next, the different songs blasting from each house. Despite all the genres, the beat mixed. Blending into one large song that had everyone at ease, bobbing their heads to the beat as they talked. The red cups were next, it seemed every monster had one, that little red cup filled with god knows what and then some, as flasks of all shapes and sizes were pulled out. Randell and I had turned down more than a few offers.
As we ventured further into frat Row my stomach turns. I wasn't sure but it felt like everyone was watching us, the way people's eyes lingered, or the small smirks or giggles before they turn. I wasn't the only one that noticed this, as Randell slides a little closer to me, his hands tightening around the tray.
"Is it just me... or is everyone staring at you?"
For the second time today, I didn't have an answer.
(Javier's POV)
Like Johnny had predicted, all the girls were fighting for my attention, more than a few catfights had broken out and forty-five minutes into the party I was ready to call it quits.
I was tired of retelling the same stupid story to the same stupid faces, the wide eyes and over-exaggerated gasps, it was all so fake.
It got so bad our president pulled me aside, having a 'heart to heart' of sorts, to pull me out of the funk and back into the game. I was drowning, but not enough to completely shut down, so we went, pushing the girls onto others, playing with their emotions and smiling when they broke. Most would leave, hanging in the towel after a few minutes but like the brave gladiators of the Colosseum this warrior, the PNK female who sat on my lap, currently undressing me with her eyes and occasionally, her hands, proved victorious.
To make matters worse I could feel Johnny's questioning gaze.
He was searching for answers, answers that I didn't have.
Thankfully Johnny relents, slapping on a winning smile and seducing eyes for any female close enough to witness them. Drawing slow circles into the hips of his two trophy girls, the one on my lap started whispering dirty things in my ear, nails gently scraping down my hard exoskeleton in a sad attempt to turn me on.
Fucking hell, was this thing over yet?
..
..
We had boxed ourselves off from the party, the ROR reserving this room. Hopeful eyes peered in, but one look deterred any that tried to join. Johnny liked this space, often spending most nights in here, party or not. It was close enough to hear the music but it also gave us a perfect view of the people passing by.
Or it would be, if it had been any other day than freshman welcome week.
Our other members were voicing their options about potential members with gusto. Chet points out yet another terrifying monster. Our most enthusiastic of the bunch has been eyeing up the monsters like a kid in a candy store. He's picked so many people I doubt Chet remembered half of them. The candidate had the looks, his larger body and long fangs but also like Chet, this monster seemed to be lacking in the brains and was soon sought out by the OH. The leader of Omega Howl pulled the monster to the left as they engaged in whatever they were talking about. I hated being this way, picking and judging people only based on test marks and scaring skills but Roar Omega Roar wasn't the best for nothing. And people from all over the world wanted the best that meant looks, skill, and brains.
Johnny, usually the bloodhound of the group, out in the public, kissing hands and sniffing out the best of the best, was in here. Quiet as a mouse. Besides the occasional answer or comment for Chet to stop yelling our leader remained silent. His eyes fell on the monsters like he was looking for someone important.
"Where are you going?" Johnny asks as I stand, the female dumped unceremoniously on the floor.
"To get a drink..."
I make it about thirty steps, most of the way into the kitchen when I'm stopped. Taylor Holbrook, leader of PNK, her hips swinging side to side as she stands in front of me.
"Hey Hero,"
"Fuck off Taylor." I swipe a cup off the counter.
"Well someones is in a bad mood." she muses.
"Yeah, well you're making it worse." I snap back, hoping she'd take a hint and leave. It wasn't a big secret that Taylor and I had history, bad history.
"And here I was going to be nice." I roll my eyes, already done with her shit when her next words stop me "A little birdy told me your princess is here." her grin only grows as I turn "Outside in the quad."
..
..
I'm out of the house before I could stop myself, eyes scanning the many heads when I see her, walking up the street with a small purple reptile on her arm. They were laughing, clearly enjoying each other's company. My feet move again, heading down the steps and as more monsters move I freeze.
She had striking beauty, the kind that hits you like a ton of bricks. Leaving you on the ground gasping for air and before you can complain it softens the longer you looked at her. And yet, to all of her beauty and grace, there was a hint of danger, like a Venus flytrap.
Small yellow horns sat on soft, rich shoulder-length brown hair. Two toned legs now accentuated in the skinny jeans she was wearing. A skin-tight purple shirt that pushed out her chest and a smaller jean jacket for modesty stopped just above small clawed hands. A soft look on her face, cute nose, soft pink lips covered in a clear gloss and small horns on her head.
I couldn't help the subtle flush of pride when her eyes fell on me, her course now set as she maneuvers in and out of people's way.
Her boots clicked lightly on the steps and we stopped, somewhere in the middle.
"Well well well if it isn't my prince charming..." she states in a tone that had me questioning her motives. If she despised me then why was she here?
"While the story was grossly over-exaggerated," now it was her turn to roll her eyes "parts of it were true and I never got to thank you for what you did, so here." she places a container in my hand "consider this my thank you."
"What's this?" The container felt warm, freshly made.
My mouth watered instantly, the sweet aromas of spices leaking through the lid were heavenly.
"It's one of my legendary cakes." She states that with a bit of emphasis, clearly confident in her creation "For you to eat by yourself or to share I don't care." Her tone goes serious "but a word to the wise... once you eat my cakes you'll never go back." I raise an eyebrow at her words and she only smiles, like she was thrilled at the thought of me suffering. A look that is gone as quickly as it came "Consider this... my unofficial kiss."
Only when she turns to leave do I realize how quiet the quad had gotten.
Everyone was frozen in place, a few phones out as people took photos. She turned to me, like somehow I had the power to fix this sudden fascination.
"All right people, back to your own business. Let these two have their peace."
I turn to see Johnny, walking down the steps like he owned the world. Ignoring his smugness, I was grateful for the save. People turned away from us as they went back to their previous conversations.
"And where do you think you're going?" he grasps the freshman's hand, spinning her around to face him. "We haven't been properly-"
'Introduced' should have been the last part of that sentence. A line he's all but perfected over the last for years. Adding on a charming smile and a devilish look he'd have any monster in his arms but Johnny stops. His eye-widening as sudden realization struck him.
(Sophia's POV)
I wanted to deliver the cake and leave, not dwindle on pointless chit-chat but a strong hand pulled me into a firm chest. followed by an arm snaking its way around my lower back as I fight the urge to roll my eyes in disgust.
"Now where do you think you're going?"
I had to admit that the president of Roar Omega Roar was a catch. Strong eyes, soft purple fur that was well-groomed. An ironed gold shirt caused the red sweater to pop in the light and strong arms that practically rippled with each movement.
"We haven't been properly-"
All his confidence broke the second he takes in my face. His words faulting like a person running face-first into a wall, and gravity fell, taking the rest of our thoughts with it.
It was HIM. HIM.
It had been nine years since THAT day...
The screams of fear and pain echoed through my mind but I pushed them down faster than he did. His face was frozen as he dove deeper into the memories instead of ignoring them.
"Johnny..." I wanted to let him take his time but his hands fell to my arms, his strength increasing as the fear set in and I wince Johnny's grip. My arms were going numb "Johnny you need to let go!"
Thankfully the bug-like insect moves down the steps,
"Johnny," his hands grab Johnny's "Hey Amigo, wake up." his other hands shake Johnny's shoulders "Johnny, hey, look at me." his head turns "let her go, Amigo, let her go."
Johnny gasps, releasing my arms so quick you'd swear I burned him as the other senior looks between the two of us in confusion.
Johnny was nowhere near okay, not in the slightest and I knew his brother was looking at me for some sort of explanation.
Before I could start the loud screaming of a male echoed down the road, a blur of orange and green dashes into the JOX's house, crashes could be heard as whatever was running was causing a ruckus. My eyes quickly calculated the nearest exit and my eyes widened. I run towards the problem but I'm too far away to do anything. And like watching a cup full of sludge falling off the counter in slow motion, the blur of orange bursts through the door, swerving to the right to miss the table and running straight under Randell.
Randal goes into the air, the look of shock in his eyes as he hits the ground. Hitting his head once and raises on instinct, only to go down as the cupcakes hit his face. His head snaps back, hitting the ground once again. I was up the steps by then, grasping Randell's head as the reptile could do little but lay on the ground in pain.
"Oh god, Randall, just stay still okay?" I say, reaching into my bag to grab the wet wipes.
I start wiping the icing off his eyes as I turned, glancing at the scene playing out before me. I finally realized that the orange blur is the Fear-Teck's mascot and the green blur was Randall's roommate Michael. I had to push myself forwards, shielding Randall as another body bursts from the door. The person in question, the source of all this mayhem was none other than my idiot older brother. When he vanished this afternoon it seemed he made the 10 mile hike to Fear-Teck and kidnapped the mascot, thinking that this act would somehow make everything okay.
God, when I got my hands on that monster he'd be sorry.
I watch the pig toss Mike, his grip slipping as he rolls across the grass. My brother than runs past, tripping over Mike and chuckling as he too rolls on the grass before he's back on his feet. I knew my brother would never catch him, but Mike, the ever so clever calculated the scene and reacted, grasping a football and tossing it through the air. For such small arms, the ball performed a perfect spiral and hit the line of bicycles.
"Randy, just breathe, I got you," I say and smile when I hear the garbage can roll across the ground and the crash as Archie runs into it.
"Sophia?" Randy wheezes.
"Yes," I wiped the last of the icing off, I turn as the crowd cheers, Sully hoisting an Archie clutching Mike into the air.
The cheering was frightening at first but Mike quickly adjusted. I tossed the cupcakes into the ground and slide an arm under Randy's body and lift the reptile off the ground, pulling his weight onto me. I couldn't leave him and knowing my brother, this wouldn't end well. We had made it down the steps when I caught the last of the conversation.
"Why don't you go for someone a little more your speed?" Johnny says, looking around the room and zoning in on one fraternity "There, they look your speed."
I glance at Oozma Kappa, a group of diverse monsters, some old and some young. The group of misfits, most likely monsters not "scary" enough for the other groups. At first glance Johnny was right, OK wasn't the scariest or most talented group on the Greek System but that didn't give Johnny the right to make fun of them or Mike for that matter. Mother had always told me not to judge a book by its cover. Even Earl 'the terror' Thompson, a legend in the scare institute wasn't that scary and was often teased during his time at MU but he showed them all. I bet with a bit of guidance these monsters could perform beautifully under pressure.
"Is that a joke?"
Johnny sighs "Sully, talk to your friend."
"You heard him, this is a scare party for scare students only."
"But I AM a scare student." Mike tries
"You know, scare students, that actually have a chance..."
My hand grips his wrist, stopping the finger from swinging in Johnny's face and the laughter of the group above us.
"W-what?" Mike stutters, every head turning to me in shock "Sophia?"
My eyes move from Johnny to Sully, my brother now standing in the middle of ROR with an all too happy smile on his face. It happened every time! Sully would do none of the work and sweep in to take the credit.
"Relax Mike," I say venomously, my eyes glare daggers at my brother "if they're dumb enough to take Sulley as a member then their not worth your time or your anger."
Sulley's eyes widen, my words hitting him deep as I'd done nothing but support him his whole life. Johnny's face is no better, eyes sliding left and right as he takes in the scene and the curious eyes around us. And he shifts, placing on his famous mask of confidence and after adjusting the collar of his shirt he turns. A smile on his face but his eye flashed the look of a broken man, a look that I only caught for a second before I turned, grabbing Mike as well and walking down the street.
"Hey!" Mike yells, his feet dragging on the sidewalk, clearly not ready to leave the fight.
"Not now Michael!" I snap my tone that of a pissed-off mother. Mike cranked his head back to see me "We need to take Randall to the doctor."
Okay read and review people! Peace