Bitten

Ch 7: Like Cannibalism

Hazel POV

Apparently this academy is a boarding school.

Something that upsets Isabella immensely. But she keeps stating that its for my future and she can always come visit and Ill be back for all the school holidays.

I think shes made it a mantra more for her sanity than anyone else's.

Still. When the uniforms came...

There was a lot of excited noises as she made me try them on. "Oh, sweetheart..." she sighed out as I stood in front of her toying with the blazer, "its so cute with those hairstyles you have been trying, we should get you some matching hair accessories and some extra shoes that match. This will totally work with your look."

I smiled a bit as she seemed to make a mental 'to buy' list, "you think so?"

"Please," she scoffed, "you will be the prettiest girl on campus... oh!" She clapped her hands together again, "speaking of which, we got the results for your tests! Such a smart girl that you are I'm hardly surprised, you're lower sixth!"

"Huh?" I asked, "American, remember?"

At least we think I'm American based on accent.

"Oh, right, i believe thats a highschool junior! Year 12 out of 13 sweetheart. Thankfully you won't be gone more."

"Only two years of school?" I can totally do that.

"You could always go to college I suppose although charles and I would prefer you waited, especially if you want to go to a non vampire college."

"Okay." I consented, "I can do that."

She straightened my uniform bowtie, "I'm so proud of you. I know you're not really sure of it all, but this school? Its the very best in our society."

"Did you or dad go?" I murmured.

"Well when I was your age it wasn't exactly common for a woman to be educated. Especially not a commoner much less a girl of my profession."

"Oh." Right, "I forget your age sometimes, sorry."

She waves it off, "its okay sweetheart. Your father on the other hand. He did go there back when he was a marquis."

I struggled for what that meant, realizing that Charles once had a much bigger title, "he was a marquis? But now he's a Lord? Why?"

Her eyes grew a bit sad, "he married a girl like me and had his title revoked."

"But... thats not fair you're amazing."

She smiled,  brushing back a lock of  my hair, "times were different then, and vampires can be so very old fashioned. I wish he could have kept his title but your father? He told them all it wasn't worth a damn thing if he didn't have me. We didn't need all the ostentatiousness of being a marquis and marquise anyways." She did frown now, "although that title would have opened up a more advanced dating pool for you, perhaps a duke"  She giggled a bit, "although I'm sure one conversation with you and a duke would fall to his knees."

I rolled my eyes a bit, "does title still matter that much to vampires?"

"Yes." She sighed, "but you will learn that when you debut next season. Everyone likes to hover in their circle. Hopefully since you are all mixed up in school that wont be the case. No one less than a knights family is allowed at the Academy though unfortunately, I would like you to know some common folk if you could as well."

"Maybe on holiday?" I suggested.

She nodded. "Now change back into your clothes and lets go shop for school accessories. Oh! And an adorable school bag, my daughter can't have just any backpack. Maybe a saddle bag? A messenger bag? Oh! I know the cutest messenger bags that looks like vintage briefcases! You need it in at least three colors. Variety is important when you are always wearing the same outfit."

I laughed a bit, "okay mom, if you say so."

"I know so." She replied with a wink as I walked back into my closet to change.

~~

Charles was smiling when we walked back inside with our packages, "good news ladies!" He waves a stack of papers in front of us, "Hazels got her dorm assignment in."

Isabella practically ripped the papers out of his hands, grinning, "this is great sweetheart?" Her head snapped to her husband, "I don't understand what any of this means but its great right?"

Charles chuckled a bit, taking back the papers and showing us a map of the school, "thats the main school building."

By that he means main castle.

He pointed to a building not far off, "that is the dorm Hazel is in. Its the closest to school and the dining hall."

Isabella squeezed my hand, "thats makes me feel better, you won't have to walk too far to late or too early."

I murmured my agreement.

"And," Charles continued, "she has her own room."

Isabella gasped, "no roommate?!"

"Nope, her own little place. So she will have her privacy. We got lucky with that, normally only upper nobles have their own rooms. Its not all that large mind you but it's private."

I looked over the papers, a little confused, "how did I end up with that."

"You're father was top of his class." Isabella stated proudly, "that could be part of it."

"And I'm sure they thought you could use your space seeing as you are new to society, it was kind of them really." Charles stated with a smile.

I fought my confused frown.

A kindness? Or a segregation from a changeling?

The maids didn't want to be in the same space as me, somehow I doubt a noble would be kinder.

But I kept that to myself.

I didn't need to worry Charles and Isabella anymore than they already worried, and either way, I'm grateful for everything.

Besides I like the idea of not having a roommate, privacy is a valuable thing.

One I'm sure is more so in a boarding school.

"Still..." Isabella tittered, "before we send you off we really aught to explain more about society. And..." she cleared her throat, "the workings between girls and boys with fangs."

Oh lord.

Charles made a quicker exit that I thought possible.

"So..." Isabella clasped her hand as she sank into a nearby chair, "boys at this age are very interesting, handsome to your young mind."

"Oh my god." I blurted.

"But they are idiots." She stated bluntly, "all of them. Rarely do they know how to use their parts at that age, so don't bother with them unless you actually like them."

I burst out laughing.

"Im serious! They have no concept of female anatomy," she giggled, "seriously though sweetheart, vampires can get pregnant. Thats a lot of science I'm sure you will learn about but you are a living being, just not a human one. You may not need to breathe often, and consume blood to keep up our slow heartbeats but you are indeed alive hormones at all. Don't buy cheap condoms if you meet someone who catches your fancy and if you ever want birth control tell me, ill pay for it. I am the last woman to judge you. But he better be nice to you."

I nodded, unsure if this was hilarious or embarrassing.

"And remember no means no. And these boys can be tricky especially if they think you are new to this world." She suddenly turned very serious, "under no circumstance should another vampire ever drink from you."

Isn't that like cannibalism?

Why would anyone wanna do that?

Ew.

"It's illegal so if anyone tries, report them."

Obviously its illegal, someone would be trying to eat me. "Okay."

"Good!" She grinned, "and if you catch yourself a boyfriend, no hiding it! I want to meet my daughters special man and Charles will feel very manly if he can threaten him a little."