Shera turned in the bed, groaning at the light pouring in. After the night under the stars, Gerard brought her up there nearly every night. They'd stay up until late saying nothing unless they were working on Shera's treatment. They had stopped feeling like treatments at that point and more like counseling sessions. He'd talk for a little and then start asking her open ended questions, egging on responses even if they were angry or sarcastic.
She really just wanted to hear about him. The talking wasn't helping her in a sense that she was always beating around the bush. She told him nothing important, nothing that she held close. Those were for her to hold onto, the things that helped her sleep or brought around her worry. She didn't want someone digging into it all, not like how Gerard was digging. He was intent to go deep and she couldn't allow him that close.
Her eyes opened as something softly touched her nose and she scowled at Gerard's gaze. He was touching noses with her, his eyes holding excitement even as he held a straight face. "You slept in," he noted.
"I'm tired," Shera muttered.
"Did you know that you move a lot in your sleep," he asked.
"How kind of you to notice," she muttered. "I hope you know that's creepy that you watched me sleep."
"Just getting information," he shrugged. "Your sleeping patterns tell a lot about you. It's interesting really."
"You're a creep," Shera turned over, pulling the covers over her head. Gerard moves around a bit before there was a weight next to her on the bed and an arm over her waist. "Get off."
"We need to get you to school," Gerard chuckled. "I think you'd like studying space. The way you look at the sky every night is really mystifying."
"Are you trying to flirt this early in the morning," Shera pulled the covers down, turning her head to see the man as he grinned.
"Is it working," he asked.
"No," she sniffed.
"Hey, how about we spend the night up there tonight," he asked. She faced forward, pulling the covers back as he squeezed her. "Little foxy," he sang.
"No. You can't see anything but the main stars. It's boring," she cried.
"So if it wasn't on the roof it'd be okay," he mused. Shera felt her face go red and she sat up, glaring down at him.
"I still don't like you," she stated. "I trust you, but I don't like you." He sniffed and scowled, a sort of pout making his lips pucker as he poked at her.
"That's what this is for. Trust is just the first step," he nodded. Shera blinked and sighed, pulling the pillow over her head after falling back to lay down. She still didn't want to get up.
"Shouldn't you be at work or something," she asked.
"You have school today and I wanted to drive you," he nodded. Shera shot up and out of the bed. She thought he had been joking when he first said it. Did he really go through with signing her on?
"That's today," she asked quickly. "Wait, I don't even remember talking to anyone about getting in."
"Because I talked to them and explained the situation," he nodded. She stared at him and raised an eyebrow. "I told them how you've never been to an actual school. They're actually really excited to have you."
"That's not-"
"They think you have severe BPD so it gives you leeway," he smiled. "So if it gets to be a bit too much you can walk out. I had to use that excuse a few times."
"BPD," Shera frowned and rubbed her head. He smiled and sat on her bed, kicking his feet a bit.
"Bipolar," he shrugged.
"You made me seem like a crazy person," she snapped.
"Yes and no," he chuckled. "You're not crazy, just sheltered."
"This is why husbands die before the wives," Shera muttered.
Gerard leaned over and kissed her head, humming, "You got good at controlling it. I think it's safe for you to go to college now." He smirked and poked her nose after a moment, "Did you just call me your husband, foxy?"
Shera's face turned red, her hands flying up and pushing him back by his face, "No! I didn't!" He hummed and stood up, stretching himself out.
"Well, you need to get up and get ready," he nodded. "You're just on general education for now. You can find what you want to do later on down the road."
Shera stood up when he walked out walking to her closet and changing only to stop, "Damn it. They're all torn." She rubbed her head and frowned, walking to the door and opening it. She didn't want to do anything, didn't want to say anything, but she had a feeling showing up in torn clothes would look bad. "Gerard?"
He was standing right outside, an eyebrow raised at her, "Yes, foxy?"
"I uh," she shifted and frowned, "I can salvage pants but not a shirt." He stared before laughing, walking into her room and looking into her closet.
"I absolutely forgot that your clothes weren't fixed up," he mused. "I can give you one of mine for now but we'll have to go shopping later." Shera sighed as he walked away, sitting on the bed and staring at her hands. Was it even right to start this now? While everything seemed to be going on at once? It didn't feel like the smartest thing to do but it did keep her occupied right?
Maybe that's what she needed; something mundane for her to do so she wouldn't think too long on anything. Gerard walked in, holding out a black button up shirt with a smile, "Here you go. It may be a bit big but it'll still look nice at least."
"Thank you," she took the shirt and stared at him as he stared back. There was a long moment of silence before she sighed. "About the stars thing."
"What about it?"
"Why don't we go to the woods for it? You'd enjoy it more than here," she muttered. He stared and his smile spread as he nodded quickly.
"Sure. I'll have everything packed up for it," he hummed.
She nodded and motioned him out of the room, "I can't change with you in here, you know."
"We've showered together," he laughed softly.
"Please," she tilted her head and he sighed before stepping out and shutting the door behind him. The minute she was dressed and out the door, Gerard was rushing her out of the apartment with a book bag in his grip and keys in his free hand.
"We're going to be late. It's like trying to get kids out for the bus," he laughed.
"Will you slow down," Shera chuckled softly as she nearly fell down the stairs. By the time her got her to the school and left her alone in her class room, she was nervous and quiet, staring at all the people talking to one another like old friends.
"Shera," the woman jumped as Bernard put his arm over her, a large grin on his face. "Damn girl, you look like you just woke up! You feeling okay?"
"Hi-hi," she squeaked.
He stared for a minute before tapping her nose, "Mister alpha said you'd be with me for the duration you're in classes. Something about trying to keep you safe and what not. You have any idea what that's about? Or are you just as in the dark."
Shera relaxed a bit, glancing around the room one more time, "There's just a lot going on in the packs. He might just be worried for no reason."
"That man never worries for no reason, sweetheart," Bernard lead her to a set of chairs, sitting her down and sitting next to her. "I didn't get to properly introduce myself and I few bad. I'm Bernard Villa. I'm the pack's witch."
"Aren't witches supposed to be women," Shera frowned a bit, sifting through the bag to see what Gerard has packed.
"Hell no," Bernard snorted. "Who gave you that idea? I want to sock that guy right where it counts!" Shera blinked and stared at him as he started muttering to himself. Why was everyone involved with Gerard's pack so violent? It didn't say much about her now either though, the concept was still mind boggling.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you or anything," she nodded.
"You didn't. I'm used to that stereotype by now. It's just frustrating. You'd think after centuries of doing what you're good at people would accept that witches aren't just women," Bernard sighed.
"Maybe it's because those are the ones that reach out more," Shera questioned. Bernard stared and she rubbed the back of her neck, "The witches that my dad used to tell me about had always come to the pack themselves. I just thought-"
"They're moochers," Bernard rolled his eyes, sighing. "The ones that reach our can't support themselves or their own craft. The pack needs to reach out to get a good one. A common mistake, believe me." Shera blinked and nodded a bit. Maybe she'd be able to get answers from him.
"You said centuries like you've lived that long," she set down a binder, opening it and glaring at the note inside from Gerard. She tore it out and crumpled it, sighing as Bernard eyed her.
"I have," he shrugged. Shera stopped moving, staring at him with wide eyes. "What? You always end up with the young ones or something?"
"No I just- my pack didn't have a witch," she marveled. She leaned forward as he laughed loudly.
"Sweetheart, witches aren't the run of the mill humans. The big shots like myself learned how to connect with the land before learning anything else," he chuckled. "As long as the earth has green we'll live as long as we see fit." Shera went to ask another question, stopping when an older gentleman stood in front of the class and began speaking. This wasn't what she had expected when attending a human school.
In the pack, the children would ask questions based off of whatever they'd read, see, or hear and that's how they learned. Here they gave you the information forward and asked you questions. It was as if they wanted you to memorize the information instead of know it and there was a big difference. The students, even though they were adults, were rude in their own way. Some wouldn't stop talking quietly to one another, a few had their phones out and there was a constant vibration throughout the room.
Her first thought was to nip them in the ears, to get them to pay attention, but then what would happen? She'd be labeled a weirdo, some freak; not to mention the possibility of being found out. She grit her teeth and closed her eyes, rubbing her temple and wishing for the extra noise to stop. Shera stared at her hands, sliding them under the table as she watched her nails pulse into claws. Gerard has worked on her for weeks and now her body wanted to act up? Why was this so much harder than being around Gerard when he felt like being annoying?
By the end of it, Shera had a headache and a few pages of notes, her hands rubbing her ears as Bernard stared at her. "Now that I know Gerard, he had the same issue the first couple of weeks," he snickered. "Poor man couldn't focus long enough without glaring at people."
"Why are humans like this? There was important information," Shera muttered.
"Humans get taught this stuff every year in their younger stages. It's all old news," Bernard nodded. "Man, I'm probably going to have to help you with your homework too aren't I?"
"If I need it, I'll ask," Shera sighed.
"Well, how about you, Shera," Bernard stood up after packing his bag, holding the strap that was over his shoulder.
"What about me," she asked.
"You're from a different pack. I'm kind of curious how it was," he nodded. "It has been a while before I hopped on board with Gerard's. I don't know much about modern pack life."
"Oh," Shera scowled was she stood up, stopping as the teacher stepped forward.
"Ms. Pillar, correct," he asked.
"Hello," she nodded.
"I'm Mr. Hughs," he smiled and held his hand out, Shera shaking it. "I'm your English professor and I've been told that you're still unsure of what you want to do." Was everyone going to be in her business? Gerard talked to everyone it seemed and he wasn't keeping any secrets.
Shera grit her teeth and smiled, "Yeah. I've never been taught outside of homeschool so I don't know what's available."
"Your test scores were average for the most part so you have room to improve," Hughs nodded.
"That means a lot, professor," Shera smiled and bounced on her feet a bit. There was a strange smell around the man and she couldn't put her finger on it. "I hope we can work well-"
"Hughs, stop being a butt," Bernard laughed, "Just tell her about your extra tutoring. That's what you wanted to give her right?" Shera stared at
"Right," Hughs sighed. "You have the mouthy type of friends unlike Gerard."
"He's actually an acquaintance I have through Gerard," Shera chuckled lightly.