Chapter 5 Not just classmates

Leah helped Aurelia unload her belongings from the car booth, her movements slower than usual, as if delaying the inevitable goodbye. The school had a strict policy parents and guardians weren't allowed beyond the gates or into the boarding rooms.

"I'm gonna miss you," Leah said, pulling Aurelia into a tight hug.

"I'll miss you too, Aunt," Aurelia replied softly, returning the embrace.

"Be good, okay? And call me if you need anything. On the bright side," Leah added with a small smile, trying to lighten the moment, "you guys are allowed to have your phones and gadgets. Oh and here's your room key." She pressed a small silver key into Aurelia's palm. "It's two people per room. Actually, it's two separate rooms, each with its own bathroom and toilet, but you'll share the parlor. Your meals will be prepared by the school."

Aurelia nodded, tucking the key safely into her pocket. She waved goodbye, watching Leah's car pull away before turning toward the school building.

Since students were expected to settle into their dormitories that day, there were no classes scheduled. Most of the students, including Aurelia, were dressed in casual clothes instead of the school uniform.

She looked down at the room key again, 250 was etched on the tag. Curious about what the dorms would look like and how spacious they were, she followed the school's directional signs, clutching her bag tightly and trying to keep her nerves at bay.

When Aurelia reached room 250, she noticed that someone was already inside. The door to the common parlor was slightly ajar, and the sound of soft humming drifted out.

"Hi! I'm Sheila, nice to meet you!" a cheerful voice greeted her the moment she stepped in. The girl's bright smile and unexpected enthusiasm caught Aurelia a little off guard.

"Nice to meet you too. I'm Aurelia," she replied, her voice polite but reserved.

"Well, I already took the room on the left," Sheila said, gesturing with a nod of her head. "You can have the one on the right."

"Sure, thank you," Aurelia said, grateful for the easy arrangement. She noticed a key hanging on the doorknob and used it to unlock her room.

The space was modest not as large as her bedroom back home, but comfortable. A neatly made bed stood against the wall, its sheets crisp and inviting. She sat on it for a second and was pleasantly surprised by how soft the mattress felt. The attached bathroom and toilet were clean and well-kept, with a faint scent of disinfectant lingering in the air.

Just as she began to take in the space, Sheila's head popped around the doorframe. "Do you need help unpacking? I'm already done with my stuff."

Aurelia offered her a small smile. "No, thank you. I can manage."

Sheila nodded and disappeared back into her own room.

Aurelia sat down and slowly began arranging her belongings in the small provided wardrobe and the simple dressing table. As she folded her clothes and placed her toiletries neatly on the shelves, her mind drifted to the day before when her aunt told her the truth.

Her mother was dead.

The words still echoed in her head, heavy and unwelcome. She had never met her mother. All these years, she had believed she'd been abandoned... but the truth was even more painful.

The sting of that revelation pulled at her chest. Taking a deep breath, Aurelia reached for her phone and scrolled through her playlist. She tapped on a song and let the music fill the room, hoping the melody would be enough to drown out the ache inside her.

From a quiet corner of the school grounds, Nico stood in the shadows, his eyes fixed on a particular window on the second floor. It belonged to Aurelia. Her room faced the woods an expanse of tall, swaying trees at the edge of the school property. During the day, they looked harmless, even peaceful. But Nico knew better.

The forest wasn't dangerous unless you wandered too deep. And even then, it wasn't the terrain that posed a threat. It was what lurked within. Supernatural beings roamed these parts, hidden beneath enchantments and shadows. Most of them were students of this school.

Nico didn't like the idea of Aurelia being so close to the edge. Her window, especially he made a mental note to warn her. She needed to keep it locked at night. That was the hour of the most vulnerability.

He was still lost in thought when a voice broke through.

"Hi, Nico," a girl greeted, stepping into his view.

He blinked and turned toward her. "Hi, Raya," he replied, his voice cool.

"I figured this part of the world would be too boring for you," he added, raising a brow. "So... why are you here?"

Raya chuckled, flipping her sleek hair over her shoulder. "I've enrolled in this school, just like you. Since you love being here so much, I decided to come too. I want to be with you, Nico."

She stepped closer, eyes gleaming with determination. "I'll never give up on my love for you not until you love me back."

Nico stared at her for a beat... and then burst into laughter.

"You'll never give up on your love for me? What a speech," he said between chuckles. "Well, good luck to you, then."

Still laughing, he turned and walked away, mimicking her voice dramatically as he did. "I'll never give up on my love for you..." he repeated mockingly to himself, shaking his head in amusement.

Raya stood there, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. But she didn't let it show. She knew Nico. He was always like this aloof, sarcastic, impossible to pin down. Still, she watched him go with a quiet determination in her eyes before turning to head in the opposite direction.

Mia and Ginny had lucked out they were assigned the same dorm room. It was no surprise, really. They were best friends, practically inseparable... and they were vampires too. The shared parlor of their dorm suite was dimly lit, cozy, and currently filled with daydreams.

Both girls sat on the small sofa, legs tucked under them, as they fantasized about the one boy who had captured nearly every girl's attention.

"Oh, how I wish he'd just notice me," Ginny sighed dramatically, her crimson eyes gleaming with longing.

"Me too," Mia agreed with a wistful smile. "Nico is so hot."

At that moment, Aurelia and Sheila happened to walk by, heading toward the cafeteria for dinner. The hallway outside passed right by the parlor entrance, and the girls couldn't help but overhear the lovesick swooning.

Sheila stifled a laugh, muffling it behind her hand, while Aurelia remained quiet, gaze forward.

"Well," Sheila said as they continued walking, "he is the hottest kid in school. I came a week before you, So trust me I know."

Aurelia nodded, her expression unreadable.

"And," Sheila added, lowering her voice a little, "I also know you're the first girl he's ever taken to the cafeteria."

Aurelia blinked. "That was really nothing," she said quickly, brushing it off. "I'm sure everyone's just being paranoid. Nico and I are just"

"Just not friends," a familiar voice interrupted from behind. "And definitely not just classmates."

Aurelia turned around with a small groan as Nico stepped toward them, his tone playful but his eyes fixed on her.

She rolled her eyes. "Don't make this any more complicated than it is. There's nothing going on between us," she said firmly.

Nico only smiled, then looked at Sheila. "I'm really sorry," he said gently, "but can you go to the cafeteria without her?"

Sheila froze, her breath catching in her throat. Nico was talking to her. Directly. She nodded quickly almost too quickly and turned to leave, practically sprinting away.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Aurelia turned to him. "What was that for?"

"You have to stop saying there's nothing going on between us," Nico said, his tone more serious now. "You said it yesterday to those girls, and now to her. Why?"

Aurelia shook her head. "Because... there isn't."

"You don't get it, do you?" Nico muttered, staring at her.

Aurelia met his gaze but said nothing.

"Let's go to the cafeteria together," he said at last.

"I don't want to go with you."

"Aurelia, please. I can very well carry you there, and I'm sure that would be harder to explain than you just walking beside me."

She sighed long and hard and finally started walking.

Nico grinned as he fell into step beside her. "You're one little feisty girl," he said with a laugh.

Aurelia ignored him. Completely.

But still... she didn't stop walking either.