Lost In Purple
Chapter 38: Rivalry Reignition
Melanie's POV
"Now that we've gone over everything you've learned last semester, let's begin applying it to advanced more scaring techniques. Normally in Scaring 102, we would not get into all of this, but as a Professor who has taught the upper level classes many times before, I believe that learning about sneaking, vocalizations, hiding, and other things like that will prove useful. Not only will you be ahead in the Scaring curriculum, but you'll have more practice performing realistic scares," Professor Knight instructs.
Too bad a fourth of the people in here dropped this class. They'll probably be in trouble once they start taking the harder classes in the program, that is if they end up taking them. As for me, I'm thrilled because all of this supposed knowledge will help me in my Vocal Study class, and my Scare Appearance class. The lecture becomes fairly complex, and Professor King explains how different things are going to start feeling once we go beyond the basic Seasonal Creep and Crawls, or Crackle Hollers. He even adds in things regarding Door Technology and the inner workings of it which reminds me of my Dad every step of the way.
"Now one last thing I would like to mention, I have decided that it's in the best interest for you all that I teach techniques considered niche or obsolete. Scarers will sometimes have to switch up their game plan by changing scare techniques on the fly. This can be due to unforeseen consequences, meaning you will have to get creative by making your own kinds of scares. These techniques include Alien Noises, Puppet Movements, Witch Cackles, and even…" Professor King explains before pointing to me, "Paranormal Scares."
Everyone looks over to me, and get somewhat eager since all of this is something they've never learned about before. I can't say that I don't feel the same way. The lecture continues on until we're dismissed a couple minutes early. As I put all of my supplies away, Professor King walks up the aisle and over to me. "I apologize for singling you out today Miss Everett. After being given the chance to teach this class, I figured it would be good to actually teach the things you needed to be taught. Fortunately for you there are a couple of students in here who are in the same predicament as you, so it was a golden opportunity."
"Oh that's alright Professor, I appreciate you trying to help me figure out who I am and what I can do," I reply with a nervous smile.
"Well then, since there's no problem, I'd like to ask if I can have you demonstrate to the class some Paranormal Scares every now and again. Considering that your also in Vocal Study and Sneaking, I know that everyone would benefit seeing you in action," Professor King proposes.
They would? I barely even know how to scare though. I wouldn't want to just walk up in front of everyone while not knowing what to do. "Oh…um. I don't know, I wouldn't really know what I would be doing," I reply while putting my right hand to the back of my neck.
"I'm not expecting you to know. In fact, this is supposed to be a way for you to learn yourself. I would instruct you on what to do and how to do it," Professor King soothes.
I think it over a little bit. If that's the case then it's probably a good idea since nobody in the Monster World would technically be able to help me. I just don't want to embarrass myself anymore this semester.
Professor King seems to beat me to my hesitation. "I know you're a very timid monster Miss Everett, and I can assure you that if anyone even attempts to make fun of you or degrade you in anyway, I will personally kick them out of class. Additionally, everyone else will be called upon to demonstrate as well. You're just a special case."
"Oh, um…alright then. As long as I won't be expected to know what I'm doing," I finally agree with a chuckle.
He bows to me. "Thank you Miss Everett. I'll be sure to give you a couple points of extra credit over the course of the semester." He then turns around emotionlessly and starts heading back down to the front of the classroom with his hands still behind him.
"Oh no no no, you don't need to do that," I spout before watching him turn back towards me.
"But I do. Why would I not compensate you for doing something that stresses you out?" He responds, "Oh by the way, you should get Mr. Worthington to teach you some more Undead Scares. That might make things more fun." He heads back down, letting me go about my day.
I find my way out of the classroom, and continue walking down the hallways towards Johnny's class like yesterday. As the crowds thin and the hallways grow eerie, I hear the door of his classroom open. Low and behold it's Johnny who looks like he's about to fall asleep. He sees me and gives me that smile that I've come to love. "Hey Princess."
I cross my arms. "Why are you leaving class? How do you expect to ace your class if you're not there?"
He hugs me, picking me up as he continues walking further away from his class. "If you need to know that badly, it's because I already knew everything being taught. Professor King is one hell of an intellectual, and unintentionally prepared me for everything."
He swings me backwards and starts carrying me as if he had just saved me from the highest room in the tallest tower. "John!" I panic, afraid that I'm going to plummet to the floor.
He sneakily steals a kiss and then princely chuckles. "I wouldn't dare drop you. You know that."
I dig my claws into his sweater, making sure that he won't fake me out or something scary like that. "Yeah right! You're always messing with me!" I quake.
We reach the door to the Scaring School and he turns around to push it open with his back. The day is sunny and clear, but is still too cold for my liking. All the students seem to be in better moods now that they've gotten the feeling that they've never left school in the first place, and that the Scare Games are starting up tonight. I'm hoping Johnny and the rest of the RORs will get through them with ease.
"I won't deny that I mess with you, but I would hate myself more than anybody else if I ended up hurting you," Johnny says looking out towards the horizon.
That's sweet. I still don't trust him though, he's way too sly for there to be one hundred percent trust in this situation. "Here," he says while putting me on his back while leaning down onto his four limbs the moment we're off the stairs, "I know you're more comfortable like this."
"You do know I can just walk normally, I'm not injured or anything," I jest.
He strolls down the walkways with ease, taking each step cautiously, keeping any kind of sway he has to a minimum so that I can hold on to him. "I know…I just like it when you're close," He purrs.
I mean yeah, I like it when he's close to me as well. I'll admit that when he lets me do this, it gives me ample opportunity to feel every muscle that hides beneath his fur, which sends shivers down my spine every time I involuntarily feel one flex on his back. I simply rest my head into the back of his neck, accepting that what he said was true, that there's no valid argument against it. I hear him exhale out of happiness, feeling all tenseness fade away. I can hear each breath he makes, intense yet calm. His heartbeat is abnormally fast, and it increases when he begins taking longer strides towards the ROR House. The environment around us is drowned in near silence, with there only being a couple of students' voices breaking it every now and again. The trees rustle while small twigs start breaking off from a couple of birds and squirrels taking residence on them. I don't know why but everything feels serene.
I can tell that Johnny becomes wary when he slows down. I look up to the back of his head and see him staring ahead of us, to the JOX who are most likely heading to their classes. "You're going to ignore them and keep walking alright," Johnny directs.
I shake my head in disagreement. "Wha- but John-"
"I'll meet you at the house in a couple of minutes," He growls.
"No! They're going to try to start something! What if I'm not there to help?!" I counter.
"They won't start anything. They know very well to not mess with me. I put one of their old members in a coma my sophomore year…you had might as well know that," Johnny remarks.
My right hand is grabbed and pulled, forcing me off his back and in front of Johnny. He firmly pushes me off to the side, yet still in the direction of the ROR house. I trust Johnny enough to handle himself, so I continue acting natural, keeping a somewhat close eye on the seven members with my peripheral vision as they look at me pass them by. I can tell that they aren't looking at my eyes either.
Johnny's POV
I have to keep myself from starting a brawl with all of them when they look at Melanie like she's some sort of object to have fun with. It's almost blatant that they don't care about her in any capacity whatsoever. I can see Baboso whisper some derogatory comment to Percy after they all choose to leave her alone. I thank the gods above that they did that…leaving her alone that is.
"Ah, so that's why the screaming dog is here. The amaaaazing Jonathan Worthington," Red mocks.
"Call her a name again and you die," I snarl.
Red's six lackeys all recoil in surprise. They clearly weren't expecting that obvious response to such a comment. "Woah, calm down there Jaws. Can't there just be some friendly banter between old friends?" Red asks.
No. There can't. Not when it's pointless and useless. All that banter will just lead to him implying that the JOX are still the best around, even though it has been proven that ROR is the best several times. Not to mention that he'll try to convince me to betray my brothers and even try to get me to do unspeakable things to women, like they do.
"What do you want Growlihan?" I sigh while crossing my arms.
He copies me and crosses his arms as well. "I wanted to ask why you've let such an attractive young lady into your fraternity. I thought you knew that only men could be a part of fraternities."
Here we go again with the misogynistic shit. You know, it's not surprising that he doesn't know that women can be a part of ROR, and other fraternities for that matter, as long as they're comfortable with it. I mean… Monsters University is co-educational after all.
"Yeah I'm not going to answer that," I respond aggressively before attempting to walk off. However, Percy starts stepping towards me, rolling up his sleeves and eyes narrowed.
I come to a halt and stare directly into his massive eyeball. "You got a problem there cyclops?" I bark.
Red puts his arm out in front of him and pushes him away. Percy rolls his eye, taking his position next to Baboso like he usually does. "Now now, let's save that for another day," Red insinuates, "We're here to ask about Everett and her interests anyways."
I severely doubt that they're actually interested. I wish I was the type of person to just charm my way out from all this and forget about it, but there's always that voice in the back of my head that says to tear this big red dunce to shreds.
"Might I ask why you let her join? Faust here thinks it was a mutual agreement between you two. You know… you let her in the fraternity she has no chance with for…certain favors," Red questions while raising his brow.
I've never been so furious hearing such lies. I look over to Faust who has this gross smirk across his face, that may or may not need to be wiped off his face. I lean forward at point at him. "Some words of wisdom: If you start spreading those lies, you'll be feasted on by flies."
Faust's smile disappears and is replaced by confusion, as is everyone else. They clearly need to go back to elementary school English class and learn how to properly analyze the language, because that was in fact a threat.
"Will you ever stop speaking in riddles?" Baboso groans.
"Oh, no entiendes cabrón?" I reply with the intent to confuse them even more.
They look at each other scratching their heads. God they're the dumbest of the dumb!
"You should stop hanging around that Rios guy. You do know he's some dirty criminal from Hexico right?" Red says breaking the silence.
I nearly take a swing after hearing that slanderous, and racist remark. But like Red said, we should save it for another day. I'm able to think of a good comeback anyways. "Says the guy who's sexually assaulted and or drugged half of this schools female population. Like seriously, how do people not hate you?"
That one strikes a nerve, causing him to step forward and push me backwards. I was prepared for it and catch myself before I fall into my back. The other six members also take offensive stances, especially Faust. He looks blood hungry enough to initiate my second bloodbath.
"Watch yourself Worthington, wouldn't want to tarnish that good name of yours by ending up in jail," Red snarls.
I take a couple breaths, feeling my blood pressure settle. "Wow, that's the first time you've ever looked out for me, I appreciate it. But to answer your original question, Melanie aced her final by scoring a full Scream Canister on the scare simulator, which was more than what any of you can get in general. Anything else you simpletons need to know before I go be spend my times with people who are actually worth talking to?"
Faust begins throwing a mini temper tantrum, baring his teeth and growling an unnecessary amount. He stomps his feet in anger, roaring at the sky. "Are we really just going to sit here and take it from this narcissistic prick?!"
At this point I've had enough of this indecisive back and forth 'banter' and decide that it's best to leave. "Yeah, no, I'm done. If you ever want to talk to me again, ensure that you all won't act like literal children and immediately resort to violence when others think differently from you."
They all watch as I leave them behind me. I can hear Faust seething when more growls drown out the silence and flow into my eardrums, followed by a couple of unintelligible screams directed at Red.
"Hey Worthington!" Red screams.
"What?! Did you finally grow up?!" I ask while turning around and seeing them still grouped up with furrowed brows.
However, I never really get that answered when Red screams, "You'd better watch yourself at the event tonight, I hear it's one that hurts!"
I finally make it to the Amphitheater, hoping that Melanie found her way to the house alright. Who am I kidding, she's fine. Even though she's a nervous wreck, she's one tough monster and can handle whatever life throws her way. Now that all of Red's idiotic bumbling is over, I can relax for the next few hours before the first event of the Scare Games. Hopefully I won't let Melanie down.
"John!"
Speak of the devil. It figures that she would wait for me to finish that confrontation and make sure I didn't die or something. Even so, I couldn't ask for a better girlfriend.
"Are you ok?!" She asks frantically while running up to me, pulling my head down with her claws and inspecting every square inch of my body.
I love it when I can just look into her eyes and know that I won't ever see anything more beautiful even if I tried. I keep myself from staring off into space, however, and reply, "Yeah, I'm perfect."
"…Ok I can't tell if you're being vain or actually answering my question," She jests.
I laugh. "I'm doing both. You would have a reason to think something's wrong if I'm not full of myself."
She sighs and traps me within a somewhat tight hug. "I saw what Red did to you. Are you sure they didn't get all get too physical with you or something?"
"No, if anything I was the one about to physical," I respond while scratching the top of her head.
I feel a weak punch ripple through my stomach. Even when I'm trying not to mess with her, I make her angry. I'm such a good partner.
"Will you ever learn to be nice?" Melanie asks.
"We'll see, but for now, you and I have somewhere we need to be," I smile.
I pull her close like I usually do and walk with her to the ROR House like we did yesterday. She's surprised to hear that and gives me a somewhat confused look. "But don't we have to be at the event tonight? Wouldn't it be better to just stay home and prepare?"
I keep my gaze at the many bare trees ahead of us, feeling calm once again. "We do have the first event yes, but there's something I want to do with you before then."