Page 48 of Beasts

“Because even though they're trying to humiliate me in public,” I answer, “, I wouldn't want to sink low enough to be on the same level as them.” I look over to Seth and he nods, but comes a bit closer to me to whisper.

“Ivan is also inside making mischief with the electrical equipment, which means I would assume most of their storage devices are going to go blank.” Which means that picture of me will be gone.

“Thank you.”

“Don't thank me yet. I still don't think it was enough.”

“Why?”

“Amelia, you insulted those girls the moment you left the house. That being said, I know their kind and they would have completely torn you apart. Worse than a demon possibly could. The only reason Tyson asked you out that day is because one of them told him to. They knew exactly what was going to happen that night. Trust me, they're going to keep retaliating for your entire college life. You have another option. You can go back to the other college that you got a second admission for. You don't have to tolerate them.”

“If I chose the other college and I left, it would literally mean leaving San Francisco. It would also mean leaving you guys.”

“I'm really happy you're staying.”

“Me too, cuz.” He offers me a fist and I bump it gladly.

“Well, that certainly jumpstarted our day.” Nolan acknowledges rubbing the back of his head. I thought all the screaming and yelling had stopped, but then all of a sudden I hear several go all at once.

“Reyes,” Seth groans, looking at his friend, “, when I said get a spider, I didn't mean several of them.”

Aside from seeing my parents off at the airport around lunchtime, the rest of the day was particularly uneventful. But I haven't walked into the drama hall yet. As I push open the doors, I can see that people have already started to arrive. Mr. Fasoli is assisting everyone with their choreography for certain dance routines on stage. I don't know at which point it switched from a regular theater play into a musical, but hey, I enjoy dance anyway. I'm instructed on one of the particular dance routines, but I picked it up quite quickly. Back in L.A. I was part of a drama club that was outside of school. It was quite a brutal place to be, but I just loved it so much. Even so, they taught me how to pick up dance moves quickly. Although I wasn't taught how to pay attention when there was a boy staring at me. As Oliver entered the hall, he merely sat down and started watching me. I know we have our own routine during the play as well, but it's not something we've rehearsed yet. I know it, and I think he knows it too, but we haven't done it together. He can barely kiss me for a moment, how we supposed to dance together?

“Miss Weaver, feel free to jump down and rehearse with Mr. Pierce.” I thank the stars that he doesn't make me practice on stage with Oliver when we haven't prepared. As I take the steps down the side of the stage, I go over towards where Oliver is sitting, pulling up one of the rickety wooden chairs beside him.

“A full rehearsal is due the day of the play. We're gonna have to make sure our parts are perfect so that we don't have to repeat it too many times. That's the only way I think we'll get through the day.” I say to him. He doesn't respond, he just stares and smiles at me. “What do I have something in my teeth?”

“No.”

“So why are you looking at me like that?”

“I can't just stare at a pretty girl?” If he was trying to turn me into a beetroot, he probably succeeded.

“Lovely turn, Amanda.” I hear Mr Fasoli clap. After learning what Seth told me this morning, I can't really stare at her without getting really angry.

“Thanks Mr Fasoli. Can I ask you something?” The music ceases as everyone turns to hear what she has to say. “I just wanted to confirm who the understudies were for the main roles, just in case. We wouldn't want a Snow White and Prince Charming to get sick and have to cancel.”

“You are absolutely right, Amanda. Perhaps you and Alex would be the best choice for our backups for our main roles. You did perform quite well at a previous theater piece.” She smiles evilly as if she just got exactly what she wanted. I have a terrible feeling she's got way more planned than this. I look over to Oliver and I think he's thinking the exact same thing.

“Come on,” He says to me, “, we still have a duet to finish.” As we walk away, I can feel Amanda’s eyes on us, her gaze sharp and calculating.

Chapter twenty-seven

The Fallen One

Most of the week, Oliver and I spent practicing every evening our roles for the play. Difficult for him to get used to touching me while we were dancing so close. Regardless, something Seth said just kept playing in my mind. Perhaps Oliver was meant to bite me before the play, because then it would stop him from doing it during the play itself. I hadn't been able to get him to budge otherwise. The boy is just completely against the idea of hurting me. Even giving me a bit of a pinprick. Not that I know exactly what a vampire bite feels like, but I imagine it feels like any other regular bite. As Saturday rolls round, I jump out of bed quite quickly and I take a shower, brushing my hair and waving it out. I'm really excited to meet my aunt and uncle. I have a lot of questions and perhaps they will be the only people that will give me answers.

Seth arrives, and we pull up outside a quaint house that radiates warmth and nostalgia. The white paint contrasts starkly with the dark grey roof, and the elegant pillars at the front are adorned with intricate designs. A cobblestone path invites us to the welcoming front door. I follow Seth inside, my heart thumping in anticipation. Standing in the doorway are a woman and a man. The woman, Clarice, is striking with her dark grey hair gracefully thinning, exuding an air of elegance in her simple, yet chic attire. Beside her, a man whose smile mirrors mine captures my attention. He stands tall, his youthful appearance belying his age.

“Amelia,” The woman says, reaching out to me. I accept her hug without any hesitance. “You are so gorgeous. You look just like Amiee.” Amiee? A shiver rolls up my spine. Is that my mother's name? The man ends up also grabbing onto both of us and giving us both a huge hug. As they pull apart, they stare at me and I'm starting to feel a little bit awkward. “I'm Clarice. And this is my husband John. Your father, James, was his twin brother.”

“Twin?” I ask. That means this man standing here before me looks exactly like what my father would have.

“Yes, and I understand you have a lot of questions, so let's take a seat, shall we? I've got some brunch nibbles ready for us.” As she ushers me towards a plumpy and cosy white floral living room, Seth takes a seat in one of the armchairs and his father in the one opposite while his mother sits down right next to me on the large couch. On the small coffee table in front of me, I can see several items. I'm a little surprised to see cream cheese crackers and things similar to it. “I think I've got most of your favorites.” She smiles.

“I'm sorry, how did-”

“Oh honey, you think Seth is psychic? You haven't seen anything yet.” I look over at Seth with a bit of a glare.

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