Hello loves! I am back! Here is my second chapter!

Chapter 2: Teachers in Top Hats

A loud, annoying sound was blaring from somewhere nearby as I was slowly awakening. I groaned when I realized it was my alarm clock, reminding me that I needed to get up now. I slapped my hand down on the off button and reluctantly peeled myself from the comfort of my warm bed.

I was soon out the door and walking up the street towards school, meeting up with Haley half way. As we were climbing the stairs of the old school, a wrinkled old man, Snelgrove, was peering down over the students entering the building like a vulture, looking for his next meal. When his eyes landed on us, he gave us the evil eye until we were safely behind the doors. I shuddered at the thought of the past week I spent with him being my substitute English teacher. It was truly a horrible event.

Haley and I walked to our lockers that were right next to each other, and Haley opened her mouth to say something when we hear d loud laughter burst from someone nearby. We both turned to see Mason Brookstone and his friends walking by, hardly noticing me. In that moment, I imagined myself as Mason's girlfriend, one of those pretty, bubbly girls that always wore the perfect clothes, had the perfect hair and the perfect smile that I could flash to him when he told a hilarious joke. I would giggle, my laugh being a sound that you couldn't help but smile when hearing it.

Haley slammed her locker shut, awakening me from my daydream.

"You should just talk to him, you know." Haley commented as we began our walk towards my English class. I promptly gawked at her, astonished by such a suggestion.

"Are you serious Haley? May I remind you of the huuuge social class difference between us? Also, the fact that whenever I try to talk to ANY guy, my words always get jumbled and they always think I'm weird!" I sighed just thinking about what Mason might do or say if I tried to talk to him. Haley simply rolled her eyes. "Plus, it's not like I could just casually walk up to him, flip my hair, and say, 'Hey! What's up?'"

"Whatever. Be stubborn. I just think it's a good idea." Haley said as we arrived at my class. "Anyways, see you at lunch."

"Later." I walked in to English, automatically becoming conscious of the fact that Mason was sitting in his usual spot in the front, in the middle of a group of his friends. Two of the girls looked at me with glaring eyes as I walked between them to get to my seat. One of them scribbled something on a scrap of paper, folded it, and passed it to her friend, who then tossed it onto my desk. I hesitantly unfolded it and read the perfectly round handwriting.

Does Haley like Mason?

I felt like the note had been carrying a heavy weight along with it that had suddenly dropped on my chest. Overwhelmed with infuriation and sadness, I crumpled up the note and threw it in the nearby trashcan. I proceeded to look out the window until the tears that threatened at the edge of my eyes faded back behind my eyes, just as the final bell sounded, signaling to all students remaining in the hallways that they were late, and class was beginning.

A few seconds later, a teacher who was NOT Mr. Craig entered the classroom, a younger looking man that immediately caught my attention. I would have thought him to be just as any other newer teacher, for he wore common attire, except for the fact that there was a dark purple top hat, like the type Abraham Lincoln might have worn, residing upon his head. He cleared his throat, receiving attention from the rest of the class, who obviously thought the teacher's hat just as strange and curious.

"Good Morning class. My name is Otis Otis, and I shall be your substitute teacher until the return of your previous teacher, Mr. Craig. I understand that he was a great English teacher, so I will do my best to live up to his reputation. Some of you may not like me. However, some of you might enjoy me as a teacher." His eyes flashed to two girls, who immediately began blushing. He walked over and snatched a note that was half hidden behind one of their desks. I was astonished- I hadn't even noticed them passing notes. "Some may even quite like me, and think of me possibly as being hot." He smiled as he read the note, which he soon threw in the recycling bin.

"Now, since my first name happens to be the same as my last, you may call me by either, just as long as the proper 'Mr.' precedes it. I believe it is an appropriate time to take attendance." He stated, his eyes taking in the entirety of the classroom. When his gaze fell upon me, it paused, just for a small moment longer than usual. It was then that I noticed a slight pain in my head. I rubbed my head to help soothe it, and it soon went away. I returned my attention to Mr. Otis, who was now taking roll.

"Carrie Anderson?"

"Here."

"Mason Brookstone?"

"Here."

Knowing my name wouldn't be called for some time, I just stared out the window, noticing a blue jay sitting on a tree. It looked over at me, and cocked its head. I gave it a short little wave with my hand. I stared at it for a second, half expecting it to wave back, which I soon realized was a stupid idea. I was about to turn my attention back to Mr. Otis when the bird lifted one of its wings and flapped it once.

I stared in disbelief at the blue jay, who returned my stare until I was jolted back to the classroom.

"Violet Tod?" I looked away just as the bird fluttered away.

"H-Here." I found another strange pain entering my head, and I rubbed once more at my temples until it left. I looked up to see Mr. Otis passing out papers to the class.

"Since I have no idea how long I will be filling in for Mr. Craig, I have taken the liberty to plan out the rest of our year. As you might have noticed, a lot of these items have to do with mythology. As it happens to be, I previously taught mythology at Stokerton High, and I would like to incorporate it in to this curriculum. As you can see on the plan, you are all going to be required to research, submit a report and give an oral presentation on a mythological creature." At this point, Mr. Otis had removed his hat and put several slips of paper inside of it. "You will choose one of these slips of paper, each of which have the name of a mythological creature written on it. Whichever creature you receive is the creature you will do you report on- there will be no switching or changing." I watched as Mr. Otis slowly made his way around the loop of desks, each student cautiously dipping their hand inside the top hat, excitedly picking a piece of paper and telling others what creature they got. When he reached my desk, I reached my hand in, shuffled the remaining slips about until I plucked one from the pile. I withdrew it, unfolded it, and read the careful handwriting.

Werewolf.

I exhaled a breath I had not realized I was holding in, due to the fear of receiving vampire. I looked up at Mr. Otis, who remained next to my desk, frowning at my paper. Confused, I looked back down at my paper. I watched as the letters faded away, only to replaced with new ones. I read the new word on my paper, my stomach lurching.

Vampire.

Bewildered with what had just happened, I looked up to Mr. Otis, who was reading my slip. "Mr. Otis, my paper said 'werewolf'!" With another quick glance at my paper, Mr. Otis responded.

"As a matter of fact,, Mrs. Tod, your paper says 'Vampire', which is obviously what you drew from my hat. I expect to see a report on vampires, or you will not receive any credit." After a slight pause, he looked me straight in the eyes. "Actually, I find vampires rather fascinating, and am quite looking forward to your presentation." With that, he moved on to the next student, leaving me shocked and dreading my presentation. I groaned inwardly at just the thought. After a little while longer of introductory speeches and information, the bell rang, and I immediately got up and left the classroom, on to my next class.

After suffering through a painfully long class of History, I jumped out the door as soon as the bell rang. I walked to my locker and found Haley there, waiting for me. I grabbed my packed lunch, then shut my locker.

"So, how was the new teacher?" She asked me as we walked in to the cafeteria.

"He's pretty cool I guess. He's a little strange though. Did you see that top hat he was wearing?" I asked her. I didn't get the chance to hear her answer because a felt a strong shove from behind hit me square in my back, making me topple over right on my lunch. I heard obnoxious laughter come from behind me, confirming my assumption that Belle and Tina were the ones that pushed me. I groaned when I found that my lunch had not only been crushed, but smeared across my favorite shirt. I threw my ruined lunch away in the trash and proceeded to storm out of the cafeteria, Haley close on my heels. I was stopped by the monotone voice sounding behind me.

"Where do you think you're going, Ms. Tod?" I rolled my eyes internally as I turned around to find Snelgrove standing behind me, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. I showed him the food stains on my shirt.

"I fell on my lunch. I'm going to the office to call my aunt to bring me a new one."

"No need for that. You'll charge a hot lunch today." My stomach tightened with hatred for this man.

"What about my shirt?"

"There's only twenty minutes in lunch left. I suggest you hurry." I stared at him incredulously before going back in to the cafeteria to sit down as Haley went to get her lunch.

"I can't believe he's not letting you call Nelly! That's so stupid!" Haley exclaimed as she sat down.

"I know." I grumbled. I was so infuriated by this fact, that when someone offered me a bag of chips, I didn't recognize its owner. "You know that won't help."

"Hey, you can have these, if you want." I looked up to see Mason standing there offering me a bag of chips, one hand stuck in his pocket. I was at loss for words, feeling myself taking in the sight of him, tanned and muscular and gorgeous. I couldn't help but notice that while he stood there, he looked like a model, posing for his next picture.

Haley piped up for me. "Thanks Mason." She said, accepting the chips. This made Mason smile, a cute half smile that just made you want to melt. I immediately boiled over. As soon as Mason left, I slapped Haley on the arm.

"What was that?" I asked, making my anger clear.

"Well, it's called being polite. I figure someone should accept them, so we didn't look like a bunch of freaks, and your mouth was obviously filled with drool….." I could only gape at her.

"I would have said something…. I just needed a minute." I grumbled. Haley offered me the chips, as if for consolation, but I just waved them away. The rest of the day was fairly difficult; I grew progressively hungrier by the minute. I felt a wave of relief when the final bell rang, allowing me to leave the classroom to go to my locker. I was just about to open my locker when I felt someone shove me in to my locker from behind. Anger boiled up in me as I whipped around to find Belle and Tina standing behind me. I felt my fists clench.

"Oh, look Belle, she's angry. Well, what are you waiting for? Come at me Goth girl!" With this, Tina shoved me. I wished I could punch them so hard.

"I'm not Goth." I snapped. I could feel the anger spreading through me, seeping through my veins and contaminating my blood.

"You Goth sack of crap! You don't even know your Goth!" Tina sneered, shoving me to the ground. She laughed with Belle as they walked away. I glared after them as I picked myself up, got my stuff from my locker and left the school, feeling the anger inside of me cool with each step forward I took.

SOOOOOO? What did you think? WAIT, DON'T SAY IT ALOUD- write it in a review! I seriously appreciate them, both praise and advice! I shall try and post a new chapter ASAP!