Thank you for all the reviews! It makes me so happy to see all the great stuff you guys have to say and I love all the feedback as well. So glad to see that my writing interests some people, and to see that many reviews after three chapters is awesome!
I'm not really sure if this story should stay innocent or have more of a realistic feel to it. Do you all want it as more of the MU feel (no cussing) or would you like it to be more like a normal university life with some of the same aura of MU? Please comment/review!
"I'm sorry?" Paige managed to utter to the Dean of Monsters University as the woman continued to wear a bored and uncaring expression. Whispers flew from the mouths of the nearby spectators and they crowded closer to hear the conversation between student and dean. Even Carrie, who was holding the big bowl of monster munchies, assembled with her fellow monster to gossip.
Paige didn't know much about the former HSS member, but she had heard many stories from her mother who described the woman as a fierce monster with a cold demeanor and a hard heart that made her the dean she was. She had the highest test scores, even during her freshman year, and surpassed the many students who had been born from famous scarers. In fact, her mother had confided in her once, Hardscrabble was one of this first monsters to achieve such high scores without actually having any scaring parents or history. It had shocked the entire monster community and of course, the university couldn't let such a promising special student leave their fine intuition. So they hired her as the Dean and Paige's mother told her that she wasn't surprised they had chosen her because she was terrifying in both mind and body. Looking at the woman now, Paige had to agree with her mother as well.
"Your little 'flight' out the window was quite stupid, don't you agree?" Hardscrabble asked and a sneer formed on her lips at the sight of Paige's shaken expression. "What, Miss. Jordan? Did you think that no one would notice a shattered window? Honestly, I would expect more from a Jordan. Your mother would be very disappointed in you."
She was stunned that the dean had remembered her mother from all those years ago and Paige began to wonder if her mother had truly been a smart student or if she was a troublemaker. Or perhaps it was her father? Paige gulped at the memory of their daring escape from the Roar Omega Roar frat that morning and the removal of bloody glass from Molly's precious wings. She was sure that Johnny and his stupid fraternity had immediately run to the Dean and called them out like the little girls they were. She was also sure that Johnny had blamed the whole ordeal on her and forgot to mention that he was bullying her while she was trying to get to class. Paige had been scared before, but now she was terrified of what the Dean could do to her. She could imagine the disappointment painted on her mother's face when she received the call that her daughter had been kicked out of school before anything even began, "I-I, well you see.." Paige tried to begin, but the raised hand of the dean silenced her.
"Stop, Miss. Jordan," she interjected, and turned her back to the young student, "please follow me."
Paige glanced over at the tempting bowl of monster munchies still in Carrie's hold, and the dean rolled her eyes. Before turning to face Carrie who was grouped together with the onlookers, and Carrie's face paled and her eyes widened, "you."
"Y-yes, D-Dean Hardscrabble?" Carried stammered as she stepped forward to greet her superior with a shaking form that even made the munchies tumble from their nest in the bowl.
"Would you mind handing me those for Miss. Jordan? She," the dean sighed in irritated fashion, "can't leave without them." Carrie nodded hastily scurried towards the dean, and handed her the bulky bowl of monster munchies that the Dean nearly ripped the bowl out of her hands before leaving the café. Paige tripped over her own feet to race after the famous scarer who was waiting impatiently for her outside; examining the snacks with sharp fingers. When she saw her, she shoved the bowl into Paige's expectant arms and watched in disgust as Paige took a handful and stuffed them in her mouth. The monster munchies were puffy and light, but tasted like fresh flies with a hint of something spicy. The two females walked side by side, and an uncomfortable silence settled in before the Dean spoke.
"I can't understand what you were thinking," she started with her eyes ahead, "but, I can assure you that it was foolish. You are lucky to not be expelled. Your actions could have endangered the lives of those below you, and I would have to explain to their families why you decided to jump three stories."
Paige remained silent; unsure what to say to defend herself. She couldn't blame it on Molly, who was only trying to help. And to say anything against the dean would only increase her chances of being kicked out of campus. She just nodded and waited for the winged woman to continue.
"I do not tolerate such behavior from any of my students, Miss. Jordan," she continued, and reached a hand over to the bowl before picking out a single piece with her thin claw, "and if anyone else word was to assist the testimony of the RΩR brothers, I would have you expelled without question."
Paige blinked disbelief; was she hearing correctly?
"However," she persisted whipping the crumbs of the monster munchies off her hands, "I am very disappointed in your judgment skills and those of Miss. Perry. You both will be receiving consequences for your reckless actions. Starting with being moved into a class where I expect you to pass with fly and colors or I will send you packing. You will work with the most highly respected and talented students that this school has ever known. Good day, Miss. Jordan." Hardscrabble began to walk away and her tiny feet click clacked on the pavement of the sidewalk before her wings spread to their full length.
Paige attempted to remain calm, and failed, "t-that's wonderful! Thank you, thank you! I will not let you down!" The older female turned around to face the sophomore with a detached eye, and she smirked in reply.
"No, you will not," she answered finally, "because if you do, Miss. Perry will also be kicked out of this school too. For now, try to avoid jumping out into anymore windows." Paige realized that the woman had a dry sense of humor and in an instant she took off the skies; disappearing from view. Paige looked around for any monsters, before jumping in the air and squealing like a scared child. She could kiss the ground where the woman walked if it meant she and Molly were still at the school.
Speaking of Molly, Paige frowned, how come she hadn't been put into a higher class? Was it because Hardscrabble expected her to do well in the higher class, or because Johnny had snitched only her out to the dean? Paige decided it didn't really matter; the other would still be in trouble if the other failed. Paige stuck her hand in the bowl again, and indulged in the monster munchies once again then walked back to her spot at the café.
Eventually the day rolled by and it was Paige's turn to go to her first class of the day in the 'advanced studies.' She had hoped to catch Molly leaving the building and fill her in on what the dean had disclosed to her, but she hadn't seen Molly in the jumble of monsters. She had raced over to the building just to make sure that she had time to get a good seat in the back of the room, and be all by her lonesome for privacy. She bounded up the snow colored steps to the double mahogany doors, but before she could open them, Molly opened the doors from the other side.
The two girls shared a silent dialogue and collided together for a hug that was worth a thousand words. "Paige, I'm sorry. I know why you're in that class, and it's not fair!" Molly whispered into the jacket of the sophomore and clutched it tightly like her life depended on it. Both girls's also ignored the curious stares of passing monsters and just whispered comforting words to ease the other's worry and anxiety of ever being kicked out of school.
Paige broke away from the hug and looked at the tear stained face of her new friend, "I'll be okay. I'm a Jordan; I guess it mean something here."
Molly let out a hoarse laugh and swept away the tears off her fur, "o-okay. Promise that you'll pass, and prove that stupid dean! I…I think you'll do fine though."
Paige placed her hands on her hips and offered the girl a confident pose and assertive smile, "of course, leave it to me. I won't fail, and will definitely prove that damn dean wrong." Molly covered her mouth to suppress a giggle at the language of the university student, who didn't look like the type to cuss whatsoever. Molly waved goodbye to her friend as she stepped down the stairs, still facing her and Paige waved after her.
Paige continued to wave until Molly dashed madly off to her next class leaving her with strange looks from other students and Paige blended in with the oncoming crowd of eager students. Paige walked at a brisk pace in order to find a good spot for her to enjoy privacy and solitude. She passed by the crowd and was directed by Professor Knight into the same room the freshmen had exited from. She saw Mike and Randy walk out with nervous looks plastered on their faces, and being herself, Paige asked what troubled them.
"W-We have an end of the semester exam!" Randy exclaimed fearfully, "wh-what if I fail?! I don't want to be kicked out of the scare program.
Paige placed at maroon hand on his purple shoulder, "don't stress. You'll do fine, if you doubt yourself you'll only make it worse."
Randy nodded, but it was Mikey who spoke up next, "I won't fail. I've read every book about scare theory and I'm certainly not going to fail." Paige was glad that Mike had so much self-confidence, but she worried for him greatly. She could tell by his excited personality and bright eyes that he this was his ultimate goal and the only thing he wanted. Paige worried that if he had failed, that he would be crushed along with his dreams. He had his own hat and everything; if they didn't let him pass she would be upset as well.
Paige snapped her fingers, "ah, Mike you dropped your hat on the floor." She removed the hat from her binder and handed it to the green monster who accepted the hat with a confused expression. He placed the hat tentatively on his head, and adjusted it. Randy blinked in surprise, and Paige noticed he looked at his binder before looking back at them with the same innocent face. This only increased Paige's suspiciousness of the monster, but she assured herself that he was a good person and had a kind heart.
"Funny, I didn't bring it with me," Mike frowned, and Paige was tempted to suggest the lizard snatched it from him, but remained silent, "well thanks anyways, Paige! See you around!" The two monsters walked off, and Paige observed quietly before turning her back to them. She walked among the students and was ready to finally see the inside of the room her mother and father learned in.
Paige ambled away into the class while other monsters preferred to sit together, but Paige was content to sit alone. The room was large and grand with dark brown curtains draping over the large windows that only let a small amount of sunlight dance on the cold tile floor. A large auburn stage sat on the other side and was covered with a dark red drape. Various busts sitting around in a curved line with a scream can posted in front of them, and Paige recognized the one at the end to be the cold face of Dean Hardscrabble. Near the top of the room was a balcony below large circular windows where one was wide open, and Paige could imagine the dean swooping in on them. Paige shivered at the memory of the Dean's promise and cold gaze that seemed to judge her or say you're unworthy to be at this school.
Paige climbed up the stairs to the very back of the rows of seats, and dumped her things on the small table offered to them. Soon the last of the students had gathered in the large room and found spots with their friends to still study at the same time. Paige was feeling pretty confident about this class, until she saw them. She had hoped her eyes were playing tricks on her, but she would recognize those pointy horns anywhere and the familiar annoying voice of Chet asking Johnny about his summer.
Of course! Just her luck, her luck would put her in that class and worst of all, with the RΩR brothers. They all chatted side by side with Chet walking next to Johnny with an expression of pure admiration on his features, while the bug, green monster, and horned beast talked beside another. Paige groaned; damn dean! I swear if I see her again, Paige thought with fury. The monster brother's climbed up the stairs and she wished with all her heart that they wouldn't notice her sitting all alone. However, quite the opposite.
"Bones, I think you're in the wrong class," Johnny smirked as Chet grumbled angrily when he saw her again. The bug looked amused, and the green monster began to grumble something she couldn't understand, but she was sure that it was nothing to nice.
"Sorry, Johnny, I'm in this class," Paige snapped back, "so I guess I'm going to have to get used to seeing your ugly face every single day." Other students, mostly females, had seen the RΩR frat walk in and immediately they all stared at them with adoring gazes and love-struck gawks. The females had chatted amongst another on Johnny Worthington and Javier Rios, who could have been any of three unnamed RΩR brothers. She figured it was maybe the bug, considering he was slightly attractive.
Did I really just think one of those jerks was attractive?
Johnny glared hatefully at her, she could tell that the third time was the charm with him, and was tired of looking like a fool in front of his frat. "I would shut that stupid mouth of yours, Bones, or else I'll shut it for you. And while I'm at it, I might rip that ugly mask off too." The students gasped and then erupted into laughter. Paige paled as Johnny's ego seemed to make him glow from across the room; she hadn't known what it was like to be on the butt end of a burn. He opened his mouth to spew out more trash talk, but another monster, the professor she guessed, saved her from any more embrassement.
"That's enough, Mr. Worthington," another professor ordered sternly, "Miss. Jordan is in this class, and that is final. If you feel the need to bother her so much, I could put you two next to each other." Both monsters' faces twisted in disgust at the very idea of sitting next to the other, and the other students snickered besides the girls who proposed their interest of sitting with Johnny.
"No thanks, Professor Knight," Johnny replied in a somewhat innocent tone, when Paige was used to hearing his arrogant one. What a brownnoser. Johnny and his group settled in the fourth row to the bottom and the professor began as soon as Chet discovered how to sit in the seat.
"Welcome back students. For those who are new or don't know me, my name is Professor Derek Knight," the professor greeted, "and for those of you who are asking, my brother is the other professor. But I'm quite different from him as you can see."
Paige leaned in closer, but in all honesty she could barely see the difference between the two brothers. Sure, Derek looked slightly taller since he wasn't hunched over, and he had a friendly and interested aura unlike his brother's that radiated firmness and boredom. He also had a red skin contrasting from Professor Knight's orange skin, and Derek's build was leaner and to some extent in shape. He had a black jacket differing from his brother's white jacket and tie. Instead, Derek wore a bow tie. "I'm excited to begin this year with all of you…with a project."
A choir of groans and angry complaints echoed throughout the room. Paige wasn't shocked at all; it was only normal for the best class to receive the project the soonest and she prayed she was paired up with someone who would actually work and be different from the females from Fear Tech. Even in her slightly more advanced classes, the girl's only concentrated on who was the scariest of them. One girl in particular even destroyed the project when her name wasn't listed on it, because Paige had done all the work. Chet had already looked ecstatic and grabbed for Johnny, who looked slightly disturbed that the crab had grabbed him so quickly. The bug snickered and the horned monster nodded at him; they were partners. The green monster frowned, but waved to a monster in the front row who awkwardly waved back before looking at anyone else as a partner, but the turned away.
Professor Derek saw their reactions, and grinned mischievously in response, "did I mention that I would be picking partners?" The monsters turned towards their teacher with looks of horror etched onto their features, and Chet was the first to cry out with frustration. The other's groaned in frustration as well, but the females spoke of working with Johnny and suddenly they weren't so angry anymore, "Now the—"
Suddenly, a figure swooped in from the circular windows and flew around the room without making a sound, but drawing the drapes as it passed them. With a loud crash, Hardscrabble drew in her wings and the click clack of her feet echoed in the room. The students tensed, even Johnny seemed to straighten out and pay more attention, "Pardon my interruption, Professor, but if you don't mind I would like to explain this quarter's project."
"Of course…Abigail," he responded in an amused tone and the dean shot him a look that silenced him.
"I believe it is important for each student to learn about the past scarers and perhaps learn something from them. When I was your age, I idolized many monsters and I feel like you all should find that one monster that inspires you to become great," she explained as if she was telling a story to young children, "that is why, you and a partner will research a monster of your choice and find as much information as you can about them. Where they went to school, when, how old were they when they aspired to be a scarer, what is their blood line and so on and so forth. I would appreciate a timeline of their life being created and brought to school by the end of this quarter."
Paige nervously twisted her hair in a maroon finger as the dean looked up at her and smirked, "If you fail this project, I can promise you this. You will not be able to continue in this program and I will personally see that your parents are contacted so they can be informed of your failure."
The horned monster raised his hand and the dean glared at him, "yes, Mr. Goff?"
The horned monster put his hand down, "if we can't choose our partners, how will we know if they will pull their own weight?"
The dean sighed in exasperation, "an excellent question, Mr. Goff. I and your professor have already discussed the strength and weaknesses of each and every one of you. We have chosen your partner and if you do not work well together, then you will fail together as well. I am to receive no grief from our choices and if I do points will be deducted off your project. Anyone else?"
No one else raised their hands, but the horned monster was going to before the bug pushed his arm down with a pair of his own before hissing 'knock it off, Chip.' Paige scrunched her nose, who would name their child such a name? Weren't chips food that humans often enjoyed? "Good. Professor, you may read off the pairs."
The professor stepped forward and adjusted his bow tie before pulling out a sheet of paper. He stuck a nail on the first name and began to read off the list. Many of the monsters that he called seemed generally happy with their partner and a few exclaimed happily when the names of their friends were chosen. "Javier Rios and Carrie Williams." The bug tensed up from his spot and the horned monster placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder, but he just glared at the girl in front who waved back to him happily. The frat brothers laughed silently and offered Javier their apologies for being paired up with one of the 'gossip girls.' Chet seemed the happiest of them all, because apparently the others had already had partners, besides him and Johnny.
"Maybe will be partners, Johnny!" Chet exclaimed excitedly, and Paige covered her mouth to keep from laughing aloud. The look on Johnny's face was priceless and she couldn't wait to hear their names together.
"Johnny Worthington and Paige Jordan."
Take that Johnny! Wait…what? Paige felt her eyes widen and she heard Johnny stammer in front of her and Chet scream in anger again. She shook her head trying to wake up from the nightmare that was this class, but no luck. "And lastly, Chet Alexander and Rosie Levin." Chet gasped in horror and looked over at a large shape in the front of the class that groaned in annoyance.
"No! No!" Chet groaned aloud to his brothers, "Johnny's stuck with that witch and I'm with her. It can't get any worse than that!" Paige, for once, agreed with the red crab and wanted so desperately to complain.
"Did you not hear correctly, Mr. Alexander?" Hardscrabble interjected fiercely, and silenced the crab's irritating protests, "if you have any issues with your partner you must solve them as adults. You are a senior, Mr. Alexander, and it's about time you begin to behave like one."
Chet shut his mouth and lowered his head in embrassement, but Johnny wasn't done. "Yes, Mr. Worthington?"
"My 'partner'," Johnny air quoted, "and I will not, cannot, get along. She's threatened me and my fraternity. There is ju—
The Dean glared up at Johnny who became rigid in his seat, "silence, Mr. Worthington. But you should be quite honored to be working with a Jordan; their family line consists of many proud and notable scarers. I am sure that Miss. Jordan had plenty of information about her bloodline which should give you a head start. In other words, you're very lucky."
Johnny growled around his breath, but didn't murmur another word of protest against her wishes. She smiled, before spreading her wings, "thank you for your time, students. And good luck." She sprung into the air before shooting through the open window and vanishing from sight. Paige slumped back into her chair and crossed her arms across her chest. She knew that she had planned it all along; she had seen the angry looks they sent one another and paired them. Paige was distraught; she didn't want to work with Johnny, but if she didn't she would fail herself and Molly, and the latter wasn't an option.
"Take out your AP Scaring Textbooks to chapter one," Professor Derek ordered and the room filled with the sound of books opening and zippers, "we will be reviewing how to hide from various lights in a child's room or how to use them to your advantage. Miss. Levin will you…"
Paige droned out the voice of Professor Derek and how a certain night light could make you appear more ominous to the child.
This year is going to suck.