The sun cast its golden rays over Redwood High, illuminating the sprawling campus bustling with activity. Students of all shapes, sizes, and species filled the halls, chatting, laughing, and occasionally shoving past each other. The day was just beginning, but for Vari Parks, it felt like another obstacle to endure.
Vari adjusted his red-rimmed glasses, his albino scales gleaming faintly under the fluorescent lights. His tall frame hunched slightly as he walked through the corridors, clutching a stack of books close to his chest. The occasional snicker or whisper followed him, but he ignored it. He was used to being a target.
As he entered his homeroom, the usual sight greeted him: his desk was a mess. Papers were crumpled and scattered, a soda can lay crushed atop his books, and someone had scribbled "LOSER" in red marker across his notebook. Vari sighed inwardly, a flicker of irritation crossing his face, but he quickly masked it with a neutral expression.
"Guess I've got some cleaning to do," he muttered to himself, carefully picking up the soda can and tossing it into the trash.
He had just started wiping off the marker with a tissue when a heavy slap landed on the back of his head. His glasses nearly slipped off, but he caught them in time.
"Morning, nerd," a smug voice drawled.
Vari turned to see Cole Maverick, the school's golden boy—literally and figuratively. The lion stood tall and broad-shouldered, his mane perfectly groomed, and his trademark cocky grin firmly in place. Behind him, a small group of his cronies chuckled, enjoying the spectacle.
Vari straightened his glasses and gave Cole a small, polite smile. "Nice to see you too, Cole."
Cole's grin widened, clearly annoyed by Vari's lack of reaction. He leaned in, his amber eyes glinting with mischief. "You think you're funny, huh?"
Before he could continue, the shrill sound of the bell echoed through the room. Vari let out a quiet breath of relief as Cole's father, Mr. Henry Maverick the Buffalo, strode into the classroom.
"All right, everyone, take your seats," Mr. Maverick said, his deep, commanding voice silencing the room instantly.
Cole shot Vari a parting glare before slumping into his seat near the back. Vari quietly returned to his desk, finishing the last of his cleanup before sitting down. The room settled as Mr. Maverick placed his papers on the desk and adjusted his glasses.
"We have a new student joining us today," he announced, looking toward the door. "Pennie Williams, come on in."
The door opened, and a small, nervous raccoon stepped inside. She clutched her bag tightly, her wide eyes darting around the room before landing on Vari. Her breath hitched.
It was him.
Her mind spiraled back to that night—the screams, the blood, the glowing red eyes of a predator in the darkness. Vari Parks. The murderer who had taken everything from her friend's family.
Pennie's heart raced, and she froze under the weight of the memory.
"Pennie?" Mr. Maverick prompted gently.
She blinked, snapping back to the present. "Y-Yes!" she stammered, her voice trembling. "I-I'm Pennie Williams. It's nice to meet you all."
Her gaze flicked back to Vari, who was watching her with a puzzled but harmless expression. He had no idea who she was—or what she had seen.
"Go ahead and take the empty seat," Mr. Maverick said, gesturing to the only available spot—between Vari and Cole.
Pennie hesitated but nodded, shuffling to the desk and sitting down quickly. She could feel Vari's presence beside her, calm and unassuming, and Cole's smirk from the other side.
As Mr. Maverick launched into the day's lesson, Pennie kept her head down, her hands shaking slightly. Sitting between a bully and a monster, she wondered if she had made the worst decision of her life by coming to Redwood High.
Vari, oblivious to her fear, opened his notebook and began taking notes, as if this was just another ordinary day.
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I hope you all like this and hopefully I'll continue to make this a series (The cover is what Vari looks like.)