Their first day at Monster High was nearly over. It had been well, rocky to say the least. They had paired off with whoever had the class listed on their schedule which meant a lot of switching back and forth with their guides. Some students were welcoming although most of them preferred the cold-shoulder treatment. Then there were the bullies.

Enter Toralei and her flunkies.

These nasty pranksters were not pleased to have a group of normies in their midst. Their first target was Velma. They cornered her at her new locker.

"Four eyes," Toralei sneered, grabbing Velma's glasses off her face.

Velma was instantly cast into a world of blurry shapes with no clear indication of what she was actually looking at. Toralei laughed cruelly as she and the twins danced circles around Velma as she fumbled for her glasses. Not being able to see, she stumbled and crashed to the ground, her books and papers flying everywhere. Toralei threw the glasses to the ground where they were smashed to pieces by the ongoing foot traffic. The devious werecat sauntered away before she could get caught leaving Velma to fend for herself.

At this moment, Daphne exited the History classroom with Frankie. Seeing her friend's plight she rushed over to help. Pulling Velma to her feet and handing her the spare glasses from her purse while Frankie gathered the books and papers from the floor.

"You okay V?" Daphne asked as Velma wiped her glasses clean.

"I'm fine Daph, thanks," Velma smiled taking her books from Frankie.

"What happened?" Daphne inquired.

"I was ambushed by a trio of werecats,"

"Toralei and her friends," Frankie deduced, "Not surprising, Toralei isn't the nicest monster around,"

"I'll say,"

Velma and Daphne jumped in surprise at the unfamiliar voice. Turning they saw Shaggy and Scooby amble over with a stranger in tow.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," she giggled, "I'm Christina,"

Velma shook Christina's offered hand with a small smile while Daphne did so reluctantly.

"Like, Christina's in our cooking class," Shaggy explained.

"We baked a cake," Scooby added, while Shaggy lifted the leftovers up for the girls to see.

"Save some for me?" Draculaura asked as she, Clawdeen and, Duncan joined the growing group.

"Yeah, there's like a slice for all of you," Shaggy grinned.

Daphne who was ever observant noticed something odd about the cake.

"Are those worms?" she cringed.

"Gummy worms, their idea," Christina clarified pulling the leftover candy from her messenger bag.

"Lunchtime now," Velma said after checking her schedule.

"Let's go!"

…...

When they got to the cafeteria they found Fred already there sitting at a table with Gil and Lagoona eagerly chatting about Physical Education and the sick game of Basketball they'd played.

"So you enjoyed class, Freddie?" Daphne asked sliding into the seat next to her boyfriend.

"Enjoyed it? He made the winning shot!" Gil cried.

Fred smiled bashfully.

"Uh, what are we supposed to eat for lunch?" Daphne asked, warily eyeing the monster food being offered.

"Pizza's on its way here with everything on it, except garlic," Christina grinned, her fangs glinting.

Daphne squirmed uncomfortably in her seat, avoiding eye contact. There was just something off about the vampire before her. Something she didn't like. It was as if warning bells were going off in her head whenever Christina looked at her. Oddly enough the one person Daphne had expected to share her view seemed right at home next to this girl. Shaggy was talking to and laughing with her like she was an old friend.

She's done something to him.

It seemed that way to Daphne given how relaxed Shaggy was/

where Daphne heard alarm bells, however, Clawdeen heard bells of a different sort. It a seemed Duncan had the same idea judging by the knowing smirk he gave his long-time girlfriend.

"So, you like school so far?" Frankie asked Daphne.

"It's interesting,"

"I know it may seem big but just give it time. You'll like it,"

"I'm sure I will," Daphne nodded, with a fake smile.

…...

Later that night as the gang gathered around the table for dinner the conversation naturally drifted to their first day attending Monster High. Velma went on and on about how intriguing the science class had been while Fred happily reenacted his winning shot. Shaggy and Scooby waited until serving the leftover cake to their friends before sharing their day. They spoke about Art class and their free period which they apparently shared with Christina.

"She's like a really good artist. You guys should see her work!" Shaggy explained.

"Can we talk about something other than Christina?" Daphne asked curtly, rolling her eyes.

"What's the matter, Daph did something happen at school?"

"I-I just don't trust her okay?"

"Christina?"

"Yeah, Christina and the rest of them. They're actual monsters guys! Remember last time we ran into actual monsters?"

"That was forever ago, Daphne," Fred reassured her.

"Say what you want but the Oakhaven visit still haunts me,"

"Hey, it's not like we could have predicted the future,"

"Whatever guys," Daphne replied standing from the table and walking away.

Figuring Daphne just needed time to adjust they left her alone. She'd feel better soon.

…...

Meanwhile in the Dracula household.

"Can I go for a test drive yet? Please, please, please?" Christina was begging Dracula as they surveyed the track.

Dracula looked up from his clipboard with a small smile.

"I suppose so,"

Christina eagerly raced to the garage with Draculaura trailing behind her. It was a little hard to keep up with her cousin while wearing heels but she managed. She arrived at the garage just in time to see Christina pull the tarp off her prized ride. A gleaming black and purple motorcycle with large bat-like wings on either side. Beside the bike's space in the garage was a shelf lined with Christina's racing trophies. She smiled at them as she mounted her ride and brought the engine to life.

Placing the helmet on her head and pulling on her racing gloves Christina revved the engine before giving the thumbs up to Draculaura to start the timer. The petite vampire barely had time to do so before Christina tore out of the garage engine roaring as she attacked the track with gusto.

There was something magical about tearing down the specially prepared track with its hidden tricks and mysterious pitfalls. She expertly navigated around the winding track. Avoiding the tacks, spiderwebs, tar puddles and quicksand before coming to flying over the finish line with a joyful yell.

"Nice work, Christy," Draculaura applauded, "That was your best time yet!"

"Great, let me get this baby back to the garage then we can hit the mall to celebrate,"

"You mean it?"

"Sure do!"

"Awesome!"

…...

Anyone with eyes could see just how different the two cousins were. While Draculaura bound ahead pulling several dresses, tops, bottoms, and skirts off the racks, Christina lagged behind only picking up one or two things here and there. She didn't often come to the mall because she was mistaken for a human girl most of the time and therefore pushed around by the shoppers. Where Draculaura could start a pleasant conversation with just about anyone Christina kept to herself.

"Come on, Christina loosen up!" Draculaura urged.

"Easy for you to say, Laura, you've always been a social butterfly,"

"And you've always been a wallflower,"

"I like blending in so sue me,"

"Yeah, you like blending in. a little too much,"

…...

Tuesday at Monster High.

Toralei's chosen victim was Daphne who she cornered in the girl's bathroom. At first, Daphne paid the werecat no mind. It wasn't until Toralei grabbed her cell phone off the counter and threaten to throw into the toilet did Daphne react. Lunging for her phone in its bedazzled case.

"Just because you're well off doesn't give you the right to invade my school," Toralei snapped as she danced circles around Daphne, too far away for Daphne to use any of her karate moves but just close enough to tease the frustrated redhead.

"Give me my phone," she growled her patience wearing thin.

"No,"

"Enough Toralei!"

Christina now stood in the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest as she glared daggers at her long-time bully.

Instantly, Toralei's focus changed. Tossing Daphne's phone to the floor with a sickening crack Toralei sauntered to where Christina stood now just a tiny bit shaken up.

"What are you going to do about it, Freak,"

"Don't call me that,"

"Or what? You'll go to Bloodgood, please! You're too scared!"

"I'm not scared,"

"Yes, you are. Just remember," Toralei growled as she leaned in close, "I know your secret!"

With that, she pushed Christina to the floor and sauntered away. Daphne scrambled for her phone which had slid under one of the stall doors before bolting past Christina without a second glace.

"Oh! Christy, what happened!" Howleen asked as she entered the restroom only to see her friend struggling to her feet.

"Toralei happened,"

"Here, let me help,"

Howleen pulled Christina to her feet, picked up her fallen bag and checked her over for bruises and scrapes.

"Thanks, Howleen,"

"No problem, Christy, let's get to class,"

…...

"Like, you're only half vampire?" Shaggy asked later in class as they made pasta.

"Yeah,"

"So does that like, mean you can go out in sunlight?"

"Yes, but then again most vampires can like my younger cousin, Sibella,"

Shaggy's eyes grew wide, "Like, Sibella's your cousin?"

"Yep," Christina nodded.

"I was her coach a few years back,"

"Now, why didn't I put that together sooner?" Christina laughed to herself.

"Can you like, not say anything to my friends though? They'd like, lose their heads,"

"My lips are sealed,"

As the class continued Scooby watched the pair with a knowing smile. They worked well together in the kitchen it seemed. They worked well together period.

When the class ended Christina sent the boys on their way saying she needed to stop at her locker first. Once she made sure the coast was clear she grabbed what she needed and ducked into the girl's bathroom where she yet again, ran into Daphne.

"What's a vampire need a leg brace for?" Daphne asked cooly.

"I'd rather not say," Christina mumbled before slipping into the nearest stall.

She could make it most days without her leg brace but there were some really bad days. With a sigh, Christina rolled up her pants leg, strapped the brace on, corrected her clothes making sure to hide the brace as well as she could before stepping out of the bathroom had shuffling to lunch while avoiding Daphne's cold glare.

…...

Lunch was a lively affair for most involved but Daphne remained quiet trying to figure out Christina's so-called secret. Whatever it was, Daphne was certain it had something to do with the downright goofy way Shaggy was acting at the current moment. He seemed totally invested in whatever Christina was saying, Daphne didn't really care to listen. She just needed to get Shaggy alone so that she could tell him what she had learned but every time she made a move to get his attention he was seemingly oblivious to it.

What kind of Vampire mind control magic did Christina use on him?

And worse yet, no one seemed to notice but her!

Fred and Velma were to busy chatting with their newfound friends. Fred was happily telling the guys about his traps while Velma was passing notes back and forth with Ghoulia discussing some sort of scientific thing Daphne didn't understand.

"You okay, Daphne?"

Daphne startled. She belatedly realized she had idly been poking at her meal the entire time. Looking up she found Clawdeen waiting for a response.

"Yeah, I'm okay,"

"You want somethin' else to eat? Duncan can make you something,"

"You know how to make human food?"

"Yeah, my Mom's human. You want something?"

"No, i'm okay,"

Daphne made a show of eating her sandwich so the others would leave her alone. As soon as she was done she excused herself from the table, threw away her trash and disappeared outside leaving the remaining members of Mystery Inc both confused and worried for their friend. This was totally unlike Daphne and that was saying something given that Velma was usually the skeptic but there she was conversing with Ghoulia in notes.

"Should I go after her?" Fred asked Velma.

"Maybe just let her be right now, Fred. When Daphne's ready to talk she'll talk,"

"If you say so,"

…...

Free period for Shaggy and Scooby was spent in the music room watching Christina play the piano. It was mesmerizing to watch her play. She seemed so relaxed as her fingers glided over the keys. She acted like she was the only one in the room and maybe while she played she was.

"Like, is there anything you can't do?" Shaggy asked her as her song wrapped up.

"Skateboarding, math, fear leading, gymnastics, basketball, ice skating, ballet. Do I need to go on?"

"I take it your not a people person,"

"Not really, I'd much rather spend my time with a book or drawing,"

"When did you learn to play the piano?"

"My uncle hired someone to teach me when I was little. Said I needed to focus my boundless energy into something, he tried doing the same for Laura but it didn't work out. She would go on playdates and to sleepovers, I would stay home and keep to myself. I liked to learn new things so it worked out,"

"Like, I understand,"

"You do?"

"Yeah, my sister and I are like, total opposites, she likes to plan things out and I'm more of a go with the flow kind of guy,"

"I guess you could say i'm in the middle of that spectrum. I like to know what's going on but I'm open to change,"

"Play another song?"

"Gladly,"

What they didn't notice, however, was Daphne spying.

…...

Again at dinner that night, the conversation drifted to Monster High. Velma eagerly talked about that day's science experiments. Fred told about the laps they had to run and Shaggy spoke solely about Christina.

"I think you should keep your distance from her, Shaggy," Daphne warned.

"Like, why Daphne?"

"as I said before there's something off about her. I ran into her today a few times and she gives me serious bad vibes,"

"Are you sure you're not overreacting?"

"I'm serious! Why don't you believe me?"

"Because I've like spent more time with her in the two days at school than you have. You've barely said three words to her!"

"He's right. You've been giving everyone the cold shoulder," Velma pointed out.

"I just don't trust them!"

"Why?"

"They're monsters! They're the stuff of nightmares!"

"Just give them a chance Daphne they're not all bad," Fred gently urged.

Just as before Daphne stormed off to her room.

She really didn't trust them. She knew to trust her instincts and right now her instincts were telling her to uncover the truth about Christina and her group of friends. Then once she did that her friends would see that she had been right all along.

Tomorrow she would start with Christina.

…...

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