Chapter 2

[19 years later]

“Hey, Damien, come down quickly! Max is waiting, and you guys are already late!” Tricia called out to her son.

“Just give me a sec,” he replied.

“You have been saying that for over 30 minutes now. You’re gonna be late.”

“Okay, okay, here I am now,” the teen replied, coming down the staircase.

“Yo, man! You take longer in the dressing room than a lady. I have been waiting for like forever. You have forgotten we have a pop quiz this morning in Miss Spencer’s class.”

“Oh shit! I totally forgot. Let’s hurry!”

Damien quickly picked up his car keys from the table and dashed out, with Max trailing behind him.

“You forgot your lunch, dear!” Tricia shouted as soon as he stepped outside.

“C’mon, Mom, I am too old to take a packed lunch to school. I will get something from the school cafeteria.”

“Alright, how about a goodbye kiss?”

“Mooooom…”

Nevertheless, he gave her a goodbye kiss, hopped in his car, and drove to school.

***

“You are late!” was the first thing Damien heard as he stepped into the class. He slowly turned around and saw Miss Spencer’s deep blue eyes staring directly at him.

“Miss Spencer… my favorite history teacher, how are you doing this bright morning?”

“I am well, Damien. Now, would you care to explain to your favorite and only history teacher why you are late to class?”

“Ma’am, it’s a long story, and I don’t want to bore you with it. Please just let this one slide.”

The already stressed-out teacher smiled at him and sighed. “Alright, go to your seat and bring out your notebook. Max, I guess your story is the same as his. So, go on. But I would not tolerate this next time. Now, the pop quiz has been canceled. I will reschedule it another time. You are all dismissed.” With that, she went out of the classroom.

“Damn. You always find a way out. What kind of superpower do you possess, dude?” Max asked immediately as the teacher stepped outside.

“The superpower of a charming personality and handsome physique.”

“You’re so vain, dude.”

“C’mon, how am I?”

“You tell me.”

***

The duo went to the cafeteria, and as usual, a bevy of ladies surrounded them.

“Hey, Damy, I came to your house last week, but I wasn’t let in. I was so embarrassed. Like, your mere butler totally ignored me even when I told him I was the daughter of the assistant chairperson of the school board of directors. He simply said in his fake British accent, ‘Master Damien is having his time alone and needs no disturbance from anyone.’ It made me feel like an embodiment of disturbance,” Candice lamented.

Candice was the richest girl in school, and since middle school, she had a heavy crush on Damien, despite the fact that he ignored her totally. She went about telling all who cared to listen, “I have been engaged to Damien since we were kids in kindergarten.”

“Candice, please let me be. My day has been stressful. I ain’t got time for this; I just wanna eat.”

“Damy boo, I understand. Uhh, let’s eat together.”

“No! Today I’m eating with my guys. Let me be!”

“Arrgh, you’re frustrating!” With that, she sashayed out of the cafeteria.

“That girl is a pain in the ass. She is always around,” he lamented to Max. “I heard recently she told some girls that I’m her betrothed. Can you imagine? Even if I were blind, I wouldn’t go for someone like her. She’s too vain.”

“Speaking of girls,” Max stated, “I heard a new girl is coming to school. She’s gonna start tomorrow.”

“Wow, a new chick? What’s she like?” Damien asked.

“Really, you’re asking me like I have seen her,” Max answered sarcastically.

“Dude, you’re the worst.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Suit yourself.”

***

“Do I really have to change schools? I am fine being home-schooled. I hate people, and you know that.” That was Cassandra speaking.

“Too late, Cassie. I have called the school, and they anticipate your arrival tomorrow. You see, we have been hidden for too long. We have got to socialize with people who are not of our kind. It’s the fastest way to grow—at least, that’s what your mother said before she passed away. And trust me, I don’t like associating with people either. But just think of the benefits we tend to achieve when we are in their midst.”

“Arrgh, Dad, you always seem to win in any argument. I’m gonna agree, but then you aren’t dropping me off. I would rather go alone.”

“Fine, fine. Just abide by the rules and never reveal your identity. Besides, you are not the only werewolf in that school; there are tons. You just need to blend in despite your misanthropic attitude.”

Cassandra then turned around to face her father. She stared into his eyes, grimaced, and then walked upstairs to her new room. They had moved from their previous house in Heddington to this environment, which looked totally strange to her. The estate was filled with both humans and wolves.

The werewolves here were only the ones who worked for her father. No one was close enough to be called her friend. They were always following the rules of her father and carrying out his orders. She really missed her mom.

She went out to her room’s balcony and looked outside toward the supposed direction of the new school, whose name she couldn’t even remember. She could see traces of a building and knew it was really big. Obviously, her father had something to gain by sending her there. But then, the feeling of nervousness was building; what if they hated her? What if they discovered her true identity?

Humans were not nice; that had always been her father’s watchword, and it was surprising when he said they had to move to the human world. Well, tomorrow shall speak for itself, she concluded.