Page 58 of Dryad, Try Again
“Splendid. You did an excellent job making sure the school grounds looked pristine at the event three weeks ago.” She puts down her parchment and quill and folds her hands. Smiling at me, she continues, “The new human students have seemed to acclimate wonderfully this semester. And judging by your grand entrance at the ball, I know you personally have become amicable with a certain human.”
My cheeks burn and I grin. She wags her finger and says, “I was afraid humans and monsters wouldn’t be able to fraternize. But judging by your obvious interpersonal relationships as well as the various stories on campus, well… I’m proud that Creelin is a safe haven for young adult monsters and humans alike.” She looks up and preens. Then she looks back at me. “And when you join the faculty in two years, we’ll be in even better shape!”
My smile falls. “That was what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“What is it, Mr. Sampath?”
I clear my throat and look down at my hands. “I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. Look, I love this school. And I’m happy to work for you while I’m here. But afterward…”
“Ah.” Her face fills with resignation and understanding. “You…don’t want to work here after graduation.”
“At least not initially!” I raise my hands in a placating gesture. “I just…think right after I get my degree…”
She nods. “You want to go about and try other things. I get it.”
She stands up and hovers on her mortar to the window. Gazing out at the bright November sunshine, she appears lost in thought. “There’s a big world out there, Kovi.”
I gulp. “Ma’am?”
“Monsters of all kinds are popping up every day. Many are being raised in purely shifter environments. I’ve heard rumblings of sea monsters, swamp creatures, and forest beasts not understanding human society. The generation after yourswon’t remember a time with no monsters. That’s why I feel so honored every day I come to work. Creelin U is breaking grounds for human-monster relations.”
I stand up and approach her. Her window overlooks the quad, and I watch as a massive snake creature slithers alongside a human guy in the distance. Guilt drops in my gut. “I won’t…stay away forever,” I mutter.
“It’s fine.” She waves her hand while still looking out the window. “My point being, Kovi, is that the world needs people like you—shifters who can bridge the gap between monsters and humans. And judging by your little display at the ball, I’d say you most certainly connected with a human.”
My cheeks burn and I see the slightest smirk on her face in the reflection. After a beat, she clears her throat and her smile drops. She turns and gives me a look of disappointment and understanding. “I would have loved to have a dryad on staff here, an alumnus no less, but I can’t be selfish. You need to see the world, do what you’d like, and stretch your branches, so to speak.”
We share matching smiles and I nod. “Dean Yaga, Creelin will always have my heart. And I’m more than happy to help out until graduation.”
“Kovi, you needn’t explain a thing.” She puts out both her hands and I grab them. She gives me a squeeze and I nod. “Thank you for your honesty. You’re an asset to the school, and to any organization that might have you.”
She lets go of my hands and I nod. “Thank you, Dean Yaga, for making this a school where monsters as well as humans can find themselves.”
She beams at me and leads me out of her office. “Of course. I don’t know what tomorrow brings, but hopefully monsters and humans can face it together.” She opens the door and smileswarmly at me. “Go on then. I’m looking forward to seeing how your generation changes the world.”
With that, I bid her farewell, feeling lighter than I was twenty minutes ago.
Walkinginto the stands of the indoor Creelin Athletics Center, it takes me ten seconds before I spot my man. His blazing red hair sticks out, but when he catches my gaze and smiles, he’s all I can see. The crowd disappears, and all I see is the guy I’ve been spending almost every night cuddling with. Fortunately, there haven’t been any more late-night freak-outs, and I’ve gotten my night shifting under control. Every moment shared with Tanner is a treasured memory carved into the tree bark of my soul.
I walk up to my favorite person as I cautiously dodge other spiders and scorpions cheering in the front row. “Hey,” I mutter, scratching the back of my ear. He’s so handsome, and still, after dating for over a month, makes me nervous.
“Hey, you!” Tanner says with delight in his eyes.
I give him a quick peck on the lips and resist the urge to climb onto his lap. Sure, we’re together and solid, but public displays of affection are inappropriate, especially at a water polo game. The sounds of splashing and whistling barely cover the crowd murmuring around us. I’m not one for sports, but Tanner’s gotten into the school spirit since it’s his first year at a big university, and I’ll take any excuse to hang out with him.
I’ll attend any event that makes Tanner McGregor happy.“Because you’re in looove,”an inner voice teases.Shut up, voice.
“How’d it go?” Tanner asks. He strokes my palm and it sends shivers up my spine. No one pays us any mind, so I give his hand a squeeze.
“It actually went—”
“WOO!” The crowd around me cheers; apparently our team scored. I don’t care, I’m just here for the vibes. In retrospect, maybe he and I shouldn’t try to have meaningful conversations in the middle of a water polo match. I cringe and wait for the throngs of shifters supporting both teams to be finished clapping their claws and wings.
Once the noise is back to an acceptable volume, I squeeze Tanner’s hands again. “It went well.”
“Really? She’s not mad?” Tanner spent a lot of time talking through my decision with me. Ultimately my heart was set on trying to get a job elsewhere, possibly with the OME, after I graduate next school year.
“No, she was cool with it. Disappointed, maybe, but she understands the need for me to, as she put it, spread my branches.”
