than usual, as if delaying the inevitable goodbye. The school had a strict policy

Leah said, pulling Aur

," Aurelia replied softl

llowed 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

ocket. She waved goodbye, watching Leah's car pul

y, there were no classes scheduled. Most of the students, including A

at the dorms would look like and how spacious they were, she followed the school's

was already inside. The door to the common parlor was

ed her the moment she stepped in. The girl's bright smile

Aurelia," she replied, he

," Sheila said, gesturing with a nod of he

he easy arrangement. She noticed a key hanging

, its sheets crisp and inviting. She sat on it for a second and was pleasantly surprised by how soft the mattress fel

head popped around the doorframe. "Do you need

small smile. "No, th

disappeared back

e and the simple dressing table. As she folded her clothes and placed her toiletries nea

ther w

had never met her mother. All these years, she had believed

d for her phone and scrolled through her playlist. She tapped on a song and let the mu

on the second floor. It belonged to Aurelia. Her room faced the woods an expanse of tall, swaying trees at

errain that posed a threat. It was what lurked within. Supernatural beings roamed these

window, especially he made a mental note to warn her. She needed to

in thought when a

l greeted, steppi

ward her. "Hi, Raya," he

d be too boring for you," he added, ra

enrolled in this school, just like you. Since you love being h

etermination. "I'll never give up on my

or a beat... and the

me? What a speech," he said between c

ramatically as he did. "I'll never give up on my love for you...

co. He was always like this aloof, sarcastic, impossible to pin down. Still, she watched him

ally. They were best friends, practically inseparable... and they were vampires too. The s

nder them, as they fantasized about the one boy

e," Ginny sighed dramatically, her

with a wistful smil

he cafeteria for dinner. The hallway outside passed right by the parlor

it behind her hand, while Aurel

ing, "he is the hottest kid in school. I c

, her expressi

a little, "I also know you're the firs

said quickly, brushing it off. "I'm sure every

ice interrupted from behind. "And

oan as Nico stepped toward them, his

more complicated than it is. There's not

"I'm really sorry," he said gently, "but

s talking to her. Directly. She nodded quickly almost to

earshot, Aurelia turned to

ween us," Nico said, his tone more serious now. "You

r head. "Because

do you?" Nico mutte

his gaze but

afeteria together,

ant to go

there, and I'm sure that would be harder t

nd hard and final

beside her. "You're one little f

nored him.

he didn't stop