Partners

My crystal alarm clock chimes to inform me morning has come. Not just any morning, Monday morning of a school week. Heather (my mentor/guardian of this world is also a teacher) signed me up for school a month ago when it started back up for the winter. I did not want to go to school in this world. The boring lectures, homework and test taking... test taking just needs to be band all together. I will say this school is nicer though. Yes, we learn basic math and literature but we get to learn about all the supernatural creatures, the paranormal and so much more. I'm not in a combat class this semester but I did sign up for them next term.

I was both excited and scared to be free from the human world. My parents did not treat me well so I found love else where. Yet he treated me worse and I could not get away.

When I got here three months ago it was a rescue from that place. I'm forever grateful for Heather and Aba for bringing me here. I admit I do grumble when going to school only because it starts too early. I found out there are night classes but those are for the docile vampires and other night time creatures. The only way I could take the classes is if Heather signed me up as a nocturnal creature not a human. Plus there was no way I could pass that entrance exam.

"Hazel if you fell back asleep again I will drag you out of there by your toe nails!" Heather yells from the kitchen.

Bringing the covers with me, I roll out of bed making a thud sound when I hit the floor. Then I inch worm over to the closet not ready to give up my warm bedding.

"Glad to hear you're alive in there." Heather is now outside my door. "I'm leaving for the school since I have to prep for today's lesson. Your lunch is on the counter and breakfast is on the table. You better hurry before Rufus gets it."

"Thank you!" I yell bolting from my bedding and rushing to get my uniform on. 

The white blouse goes on easy but the dark blue skirt and jacket give me trouble. My thigh high socks and pink bow are in my hand. I open my bedroom door only seconds after I heard the front door click shut. What do I see on the table shoving half a banana down his throat? No other than Rufus the fruit bat also known as a flying fox. Standing nearly as tall as my torso, he smacks his banana filled mouth happily and offers me the other half of the banana.

Thank you Heather for leaving decoy food.

"No thank you Rufus. You can have it." I tell him. He starts shoving his mouth full of more banana.

I ate my breakfast of fruit and oatmeal. More oatmeal than anything since I kept giving Rufus pieces of fruit to keep him from nose diving into my bowl. After we were full he flaps to his hanging corner to sleep and I clean up the table. 

"Keep the house safe Rufus. We will be back later." I tell the sleeping bat as I leave for school.

○●○●   -(=~=)-   ●○●○

The school front looks like a mix of a regular cement brick school building from my world and a less than impressive castle. The hustle and bustle of students fills the air along with that one kid's BO. I make my way to class avoiding the "popular" girls. I might not filter any comebacks this early in the morning if they comment on my makeup choices.

I quietly make my way to my class and to my black granite topped desk. I look around and most of the witches have cats with them. I see miss popular with a hamster. The one blonde blacksmith girl has a huge dog or is that a wolf? The emo kids had reptiles or snakes. I think Heather said they are necromancers. 

I feel like I'm forgetting something.

"Oh yea! Looking good James!" Squaks a beautiful white parrot.

Then my ears explode from the "James is so hot" fan girls squeals. Sure he is attractive with his dark hair and eyes but I can spot a player when I see one.

"Oh Cloud. You're embarrassing me in front of these... beautiful ladies." James says without a hint of embarrassment in his voice. Then they squeal again.

"Looking good for the ladies." Squaks Cloud bobbing up and down. 

More ear piercing squeals.

Really? That's what you trained it to say?

"Girls take your seat. Class has begun." Heather says walking into the room. She looks around at everyone after setting a small box down. "Hazel, did you forget to bring a familiar?"

"I don't have a familiar." I say nervously.

I hate being called on in general. And I don't want them to know my connection to Heather. No one knows she is my guardian since I begged her to keep it a secret at school.

"You don't have any pet at home?" She asks.

"I, um, there is a flying fox." I stammer.

"That will do. After we pick partners for this project, you are free to go get him." Heather states. She moves on ignoring the whispers of a few girls. She opens the box and pulls out a red stone. "Today you will pair up and help each other keep these good luck talismans on your familiar. Cellia since you're talking do you wish to teach the class today?"

One of the popular girls looks at Heather with a bit of fright in her eyes. "N-no ma'am."

"Then quiet please." Heather waits for a nod. "Now pair up. I will hand out stones once you have a partner."

Everyone started pairing up and Heather handed out stones. James stopped the fan girls from fighting over him by picking the blacksmith girl. I was stuck alone til I saw this one girl sitting alone. Her dark maroon hood was up on her robe and she had her head propped up on her hand. I walked over to her. I think her name is Matilda.

"Do you want to be partners? I think we are the last two left." I ask her.

"... Hmm." Matilda mumbles.

"Ooooookay." I say sitting at the desk beside her.

Heather finishes with the stones and goes to the front of the room. "If you paid attention to Friday's lesson you will know the stones go on their forheads with a simple press til they hold in place on their own. To pass, the talisman needs to stay on for a total of 24 hours. Once 24 hours is up the talisman will turn black. Just like this one." She holds up a black stone. "You have till the end of the week since these are animals and they will pry them off. Now have fun."

The room is abuzz with people saying how easy this project is. Some asked why five days are given. Cellia screamed that her hamster ate the talisman. Heather only sighed and rang a small bell from her desk. Not long and Mrs. Emily burst down the door. Her long dark curly hair flowed behind her and her bright green eyes scanned the room.

"Oh Matilda dear! Mama's here!" Mrs. Emily calls out with a big smile and wave.

Matilda's head slips from her hand as she jerks awake. It takes her a second to process her surroundings.

She was asleep this whole time?!

"You stayed up working on a brew again. Didn't you young lady?" Mrs. Emily wags a finger at Matilda.

Matilda groans and puts her head down on the desk. Her cat familiar stretches on her lap before getting down.

"I will talk to you later. Now Ms. Heather, what can I assist you with?" She smiles at Heather.

"Cellia's hamster ate the talisman and I don't have another small one." Heather states.

"Hmmmm. It would take me two days to make a new stone. The fastest way would be to search the droppings..."

"I CAN WAIT TWO DAYS!" Cellia shouts.

"I should add, the last one to complete this task has to clean the monster paddock at the training grounds." Heather states.

"What!?" The class shouts.

"And since you're in pairs. Don't let your partner drag you down." Heather has a sinister smile on her face.

Lots of groans and frantic talk explodes in the class room. While Mrs. Emily is laughing at Heather's comment.

"May I go home?" I ask raising my hand.

"Yes." Says Heather.

I get up to get my things til a hand is clenching my wrist. I turn to see Matilda holding onto it. Her hood just shows her crimson lips.

"Take my with you." She whispers.

*Internal swearing from being scared.*