Apollo chewed at his fingernails anxiously which irritated Kyra so much that she swatted at his hands.
"Calm down, it'll be fine. I'll be with you."
"Fine? How will it be fine? I know barely anything about this world, I'm an outsider, and I have the social skills of a god damn egg."
For the past few days Apollo had been crashing at Kyra's place, which happened to be a big Dracula like mansion with a wrought iron fence, squeaky staircases, and absolutely no mirrors, so basically how you would imagine a vampire's house to look like. Her parents, thankfully were out most of the time and when they weren't out they were sleeping in their coffins so he was able to crash there virtually un-noticed. Over the weekend Kyra and him had gotten all the necessary school supplies like notebooks, pencils, high lighters, and your average 10 pound talking spell book. And now it was finally Monday, their first day at Lumeria Academy.
"So what? You're not the only one who feels that way. There's not very many Daywalkers going to the school I bet."
"Daywalkers?"
"Vampires that can be out in the sun, it's kind of a rare trait that only purebloods can have."
"Oh... Well if we're both weird then why aren't you freaking out with me?"
"Because I'm not alone, loser. I've got you, and you've got me. We'll be weirdos together."
Kyra looked over her shoulder sporting a confident smile, this made Apollo smile and roll his eyes a bit. Nearly losing his balance Apollo felt his stomach lurch as he practically clawed onto Kyra's coat. Currently the duo was flying via broomstick to the school. Apollo had asked for the school given bus ride but Kyra insisted that flying on the broom would be much better and less crowded. This fear of falling into the ocean and dying was momentarily subsided though once the school came into view. Built into a mountain the school was a large golden castle which reminded Apollo of what he would think an Asgardian school would look like. Looming on the sides of the school, poking out like they were guarding the golden castle was the rest of the mountain which was shaped into multiple dragon heads, their eyes lit up with large bonfires. Beneath the golden school was more mountain with giant waterfalls spilling out into the ocean and green forests. A bright large grin covered Apollo's face, his eyes lighting up as he looked at the academy.
"It-Its..."
"Beautiful, yes it is."
Kyra finished for him as she landed the broom in front of the school. Buses flying in, landing as students started rushing out and into the school. All of the students sported the same gold and black uniforms, plaid skirts or pants, and black blazers outlined in gold with a golden crescent moon embroidered on the left chest pocket. Apollo felt a bit uncomfortable in the uniforms, they were nice, too nice and he was deathly afraid of ruining them as he often found himself doing to his clothes. Pacing his steps carefully Kyra linked their arms and took the lead.
The first thing Apollo noticed when they walked through the doors was the alarming number of cats. Just like in Maple Brooke the entire place was crawling with them and everyone seemed to walk right past them as if they weren't there. Apollo's jaw dropped as his eyes took in the copious amounts of gold and marble, this was by the far the fanciest school he had ever gone too with all kinds of artifacts and vases just standing in the halls for students to look at and adore. Large winding staircases connected the dozen or so floors and big golden doors led into the front office. Fancy cursive signs were above every important place marker so students never got lost.
As Apollo was gaping he noticed the strew of looks he was getting. People were watching him closely, curiously as if he were a new act in town for the circus.
Kyra yanked Apollo into the front office where he noticed the counselor's office which seemed to have the biggest fish tank known to man in it with an aqua geode desk in the middle. On the desk was a nameplate that said Leville. Apollo didn't have more time to gawk as Kyra shoved his schedule into his hands.
"Seems as though we have two classes together."
"Huh? Oh, which classes?"
"Herbology and Strange, Dangerous, Yet Common Creatures."
"Huh, that sounds... intriguing."
"Doesn't it?"
Kyra beamed as they both left the office and wandered through the halls looking for their first period. His classroom seemed to be room number 212 and his first fantasy class ever was going to be a history course. He turned to Kyra who gave him a small hug as he patted her on the back awkwardly.
"See you later, good luck!"
She waved and sped off, literally as he stepped into the classroom. He picked a seat in the back of the class away from everyone else, the only other person in the back was a boy with cleanly cut gelled to the side hair that reminded Apollo of someone from the 60's, with light gray skin and pointed elf ears. He already had one of his textbooks open and was reading through it nonchalantly. He sat next to him and pulled out a notebook and a pencil, his knees already bobbing nervously as he looked around the classroom. Before he had time to examine the class the teacher entered the room just as the bell rung.
"Hello class, my name is Allister Melody, I will be teaching you all about the history of our extraordinary world, open your textbooks to page 8 and we shall begin."
Apollo did as told like a good little boy and read the first chapter's title. The Founding of the Sun and Moon Kingdoms: How Two Great Nations Came to Be.
"As you all know there are two Gods of this world, Nelle the Moon Goddess, our Goddess and the Sun God Sol, who resides over the Sun Kingdom. Named characteristically by how they were sacrificed, Nelle by water and Sol by fire, they rose to Godship in the year three hundred and one. After that they created the sun and moon kingdoms."
Mr. Melody then stopped and turned to the class squinting his dark blue eyes he asked.
"Can anyone tell me about the Trials of Ascension?"
A few people raised their hands up excitedly and Apollo did his best to lower his head and hope that he wouldn't be called on. Mr. Melody pointed, thankfully to the guy next to him who still had his nose inside of a book. The boy rose to his feet, sighing heavily as he boredly spoke aloud.
"The Trails refer to the different tasks and tribulations that the Gods had to take to ascend such as killing a dragon and taking it's eye. These trials usually involved them fighting a dangerous beast or going through dungeons, they were very difficult to complete and most often resulted in death before the final trial which is why the Gods ruled it as forbidden. Now most of the artifacts that were required are hidden away in vaults or in museums."
"Good, very good."
One of the students raised their hands and Mr. Melody happily called on her.
"Are the rumors about someone new trying to ascend true?"
After that single question the entire class erupted with whispers. Mr. Melody seemed frantic for a second, clearing his throat as he hurriedly added.
"No, no, of course not. As Mr. Knox said the trails are strictly forbidden."
Mr. Melody then quickly changed the subject going on and on, speaking dramatically and passionately about the Gods without looking down at the textbook once, reciting it like it was poetry. Class went by like you would expect any normal history class to, with the exception of chalk that wrote itself on the board and students with tails and fins. Once the bell rang Apollo hardly registered it, becoming so engrossed with the way the teacher spoke that he was trapped in a sort of trance. Blinking he rose to his feet, grabbing his things as he left the classroom.
As Apollo scurried to his next class he was practically body slammed by another student. Apollo hardly did anything to the boy but the boy knocked Apollo a good two feet from his original position. The boy gave out a hardy laugh and held out a hand.
"Sorry about that, didn't see you there."
Apollo took the hand that was given to him, which was quite warm as he was yanked to his feet effortlessly. The person who just knocked Apollo over was a tall boy, over six feet with Mocha colored skin and dark dreads tied into a loose bun. The boy had pools of honey for eyes and a bright dimpled smile that made Apollo's heart tweak a bit. He wore the usual school uniform but rather than the normal blazer he had on a letterman's jacket with the number ten on it and the last name Erikson on the back. Another thing Apollo noticed about the boy was that he was beyond handsome, strong jawline, high cheekbones, lots of muscles, the simple sight of him made Apollo's knees turn to jelly.
"Are you alright? I didn't give you a concussion did I?"
"Uh- No, no! I'm fine, sorry. Thank you."
Apollo said quickly already looking down to his feet.
"You sure? I can carry you to the nurse if I have to."
"No... I'm fine, thank you. Sorry about running into you."
"It's alright, I don't mind people running into me, especially if they're as cute as you."
Apollo could feel his face burn as the boy winked and strode off. Shaking his head he rushed off to his next class. The looks followed him which made Apollo wish he had a hood or something to hide himself with but alas the uniform did not come with one. He rushed to class and sat in the back, greeted once again by the tall boy who was being surrounded by a group of students. Upon seeing Apollo the boy smiled and waved.
"Hey there cutie, come sit over here by me."
Apollo fidgeted a bit, asking quietly.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. Come on."
Apollo sat down in the seat next to the boy, the students watched him wearily. Finally one of them spoke up.
"Are you... a human?"
"Um, yes? Do they not exist in this world?"
"Of course they don't."
Another person from the group piped up.
"So you're an Other Worlder?"
"Yeah, I am."
A whole string of questions began after that asking him about human customs and what Texas was, it was very strange for Apollo, normally people weren't this invested in him. He was being surrounded by people hounding him and for once in his life it wasn't so that they could tease him or push him into mud.
"Do all humans have eyes like yours?"
"No, it's not very common to have Heterochromia."
"What about cat eyes?"
"That's not really a thing at all at least as far as I know."
"Cool!"
The group said in unison, inching forward to peer into Apollo's eyes. This made Apollo's skin crawl and his nerves shoot up a million times more than normal, he wanted to shrink away and disappear. It was better than being called a freak for his eyes but it still just felt like he was some sort of weird exhibit at the zoo.
"Come on guys, give the poor guy some space."
With that simple suggestion the group dispersed. The handsome boy smiled again and held a hand out to Apollo.
"I'm Maxwell but everyone just calls me Max. What's your name?"
"Apollo. Thanks for that, it was getting a bit claustrophobic."
"Yeah, I bet. Don't worry they don't mean any harm, they're just curious is all. It's not everyday you get to meet an Other Worlder."
"So it really isn't that common."
Max shook his head.
"Most of the time souls end up where they're supposed to, in the reapers bag but sometimes like with you they get stuck in limbo and another God from another world snatches them up."
Their conversation was cut short as their next teacher came in. This teacher was decked out in all black, a high spider web collar stood up behind her swan like neck. She wore a long velvet dress, that made her look bigger than she actually was. With what body you could see you could tell she was petite, with pale perfect skin that reminded Apollo of Kyra but without the bubbliness or life that came with it. Her eyes were also a golden color but much darker, meaner. She had rose gold hair tied up into a tight bun and very angular sharp features, she looked ancient and yet not a day over twenty. Just like Kyra every time she spoke little fangs popped out, glistening against the light.
"We will begin today's class with a test, I expect all of you read the necessary material as you were given access to your books well before the start of the semester."
The class groaned once she turned her back, she turned to face them once more and they quieted, sitting straight and still in their seats as her golden eyes scanned their faces. One second she was at the front grabbing papers and the next thing they knew there was a test about an inch thick on each of their desks. In that same second the blank chalkboard now had the name Miss. Petrovia. She then took a seat in her chair and opened a worn dusty book that looked to be as ancient as she was.
Apollo looked down at the test, in the mere days that he had been in this world he had only gotten the chance to skim his textbooks. He whined internally, he was going to be the only one in the class to get a big fat zero. At least, that's what he thought until he rose his head to find everyone else in the class just as confused as he was. He would be lying if he didn't say that made him feel better about his situation. Going full ham on guessing the hell out of the test he still found that it took the entire class period to finish, even with him quickly and randomly filling in answer bubbles. He plopped the test down on Miss. Petrovia's desk with a loud thunk and left the room. In the halls on his way to herbology he ran into Kyra once more. She linked their arms and began ranting about her first two classes.
"So what about you? Like the fantasy magical school so far?"
"I like the history class, the curses class not so much."
"Ah, you have Miss. Petrovia. Yeah, I hear she's the strictest teacher in the school. To be fair learning about curses is very important and hard, if you mess up it could cause a whole bunch of problems."
"How about we switch then, sounds like you had fun in broom riding class."
"It was, but it was also terribly easy. I've been riding a broom since before I could walk."
As the two walked and talked Kyra was very obviously purposefully bumped into.
"Watch where you're going, Nocturne. I know it's hard to squeeze your fat ass through these halls but other people have to walk through here too you know."
Kyra turned, she looked pissed but then she breathed through her nose and plastered on a smile.
"Sorry about that, Victoria. I'll be more careful next time."
Apollo blinked rapidly, mouth agape as looked to Kyra as she dragged him along.
"Why did you let her talk to you like that? I mean that seems like something I would do, I'm a coward, you on the other hand I thought for sure you were gonna throw hands with her."
Kyra now had the confused look on her face as she asked.
"Throw hands?"
"Oh, it's an expression. It means fight, I thought you were going to fight her."
"Oh..."
Kyra let out a deflated sigh.
"There's no use, she and a whole bunch of other vampires like her like to flaunt their perfect beautiful bodies around and act like I'm less of a vampire because I'm a little bit curvier. If I were to fight her that wouldn't stop it, she's not the only one who does it."
"Then why don't you tell like the school office or something?"
Kyra shook her head.
"It's really not that big of the deal, she's a bitch. No use in getting my family and the school involved."
Apollo pursed his lips as the two entered the gardening area of the school.
"We-Well at least promise me that you'll tell if it gets worse. Like physical worse."
Kyra smiled and squeezed the boy.
"I promise, thanks, I appreciate you caring."
"Of course I care, we're friends now. Remember?"