Taming Monster High, chapter 7

~Something To Talk About~

~Draculaura~
Fall was here, that was clear. The small vampire tugged her coat tighter around herself and sighed. It seemed that instead of gradually slipping away until it was officially winter, the heat of summer stayed around a little until ripping itself away like a rug under everyone's feet. At least, in the morning. By afternoon it would be more comfortable. That is, if the rain went away. Liquid sprinkled the path in front of her, but if she stood in one spot long enough, the ground beneath her feet would start to dry.

Draculaura looked around from underneath her favorite pink umbrella. The pavement outside of Monster High was spotted with other monsters holding umbrellas, or just standing in the mist and letting themselves get wet. She looked to her left and saw her cousin standing next to her, finger batting one of the skull charms on her macabre umbrella.

The younger girl smiled, imagining it must remind her cousin of her boyfriend(not that they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend....yet.), Even if the taller one would never admit it, or even truly show it out in public like this, Ula knew her cousin was happy and maybe even in love with Lukas. And that made her glad she intervened and got Lukas to ask Dex......Not that Dexter might never have actually asked him herself, but it hadn't seemed likely. No, her cousin could be shy in her own way.

So lost in her thoughts, Laura was nearly startled to the point of dropping her umbrella when someone called out to her. She turned to see Jackson Jekyll slowly making his way toward her in his hesitant manner.

"Hey, Ula!" He shouted again, tugging the hood of his cheap rain poncho back up over his hair. It made her smile in a completely different way. It was just so human of him to not have an umbrella when everyone else did, like he was too cool for one.(Though it would have been preferably to a rain slicker.) He could be such a dork, but it was always endearing.

"Good morning Jackson!" She replied, wondering why he was coming to meet her before school. Not that he needed a reason to come see her anytime, but the slowness of his gait seemed to be less from intimidation from Dexter and more.....something else. It made her curious, since she could only imagine the cause. Of course her imagination was quite the romantic...

He seemed to realize that Dex was distracted, and closed the gap between him and Ula faster. She noted that he still had a pair of sunglasses perched on top of his head despite the fact the clouds were a thick as a textbook.

"Hey..." He began, then paused, as if choosing his words. She waited patiently, though she felt like asking him to get on with it. Good things come to those who wait....."Lovely weather we're having, isn't it?" He tried, coolly swiping his bangs to the side again.

"Lovely indeed, if you are a sea monster." She teased, making him smile adorkably. He nodded then, and inhaled deeply. She wondered if he could smell her shampoo, or if humans senses weren't sharp enough.

"So. You maybe wanna go catch a movie this weekend?" He asked, almost in a rush, adding "During the day?" as quickly after. This caught her off guard. On one hand, she wanted to shout "Yes, I would love too!" at the top of her lungs, but on the other, she was too afraid to even say she'd ask her dad. She knew her father wouldn't agree to it, even if Jackson was a freakin' vampire prince for fang's sake! He and her "mothers" were too ancient, they couldn't see Ula was old enough to date already and that a hundred years wouldn't make that much of a change! Her mind floundered for a way to get around her father without Dexter's help. Cleo was out. After yesterday, she'd would still be mad but she'd be royally pissed later when Ula and her friends didn't sit with the Egyptian princess. Clawdeen? No, she would be too busy getting her new friend Kai acquainted with the rest of Monstraville.....Frankie? Lagoona?

"Just say yes." Dexter's voice shocked both Laura and Jackson. They turned to look at her, Jack with a 'have-you-lost-it' look on his face, Ula with a simply apprehensive one.  The older girl stared back, looking bored to the point of anger. There was no time to argue, as her red eyes told them. The younger girl bit her lip then released her breath.

"I would love too, Jackson." She worked up a smile, and he returned it.

"Awesome! So I'll-" he started to say, but Dex cut him off.

"Meet her there." She decided, the look on her face ending any potential arguments.

"Right....See you Saturday then." He agreed, grinning at Ula once more before walking away. She watched him go, fiddling with the loose thread on her sleeve absently. She turned to face her cousin, who had gone back to finger batting the skull charms.

"You get one freebie. But next time I ask, you better have a yes or no answer." The elder spoke with finality, something that often infuriated the younger. But this time, she nodded, understanding. This would be to get her better acquainted with Jackson and her feelings for him. She watched her cousin walk into the building, letting everything just sink in. Then, it hit her. She was going on a date with Jackson! She practically shot up from the pavement like a rocket ship with her happiness. Instead, she simply floated into school, and huge smile on her face.

~Dexter~
For the first time since I came here, my first period Biteology class was actually entertaining! I smile a little, thinking of the look on the Egyptian bitch's face at the end of it all. It seems she isn't as high and mighty as she seems to think. Which I suppose should make me dislike her less, but we'll see if this experience changes her attitude any.

"Aaaaahhhh~" A voice sings, and my feet start moving towards the source of their own accord. I glance around to see that while I was wrapped up in my thoughts the halls have emptied as the passing period ended. Bollocks, I'm late for Music class....Great, I bet the teacher'll be extra lenient for the girl who never pays attention in class and "stole" his daughter's best friend.....

"Oh! Miss Arkham! What the surprise!" The singing stops suddenly and I look to see my Vocal teacher sitting at an empty desk. She smiles at me, and it hits me that it was her that was singing.

"Why were you singing?" I ask, shaking my feet to make sure I've regained control of them.

"It's a little side-job I do as a service to Headmistress Bloodgood. I usually catch truants...." She adds, as if she doesn't think of me as one.

"Oh...I wasn't skipping, honestly. Was just, thinking...." I say, wishing for a better excuse. But she doesn't frown at my words, and instead stands up.

"Alright, Miss Arkham. Again, I will allow this without punishment this once. But again, I must urge you to be more careful. What class do you have this period?" She starts leading me out of the room and down the hall.

"Music." I sigh.

"With Erik? My condolences." She smiles wryly then shakes her head, "Well, I will vouch for you so you won't get in trouble. But just this once. Erik is not the lenient type I'm afraid."

"Yeah, I'd be crazy to expect that..." I mutter, but grin at her in gratitude, "Thanks though, Miss Ren."

"Not a problem, Miss Arkham."

~Later~
I can't help but pause on my way to the table Clawrissa and I have basically marked as ours. Not only am I surprised to see Lukas there, invitations no longer necessary, but my cousin, most of her friends, and my own all sitting there as if they'd been doing so for years. Clawrissa waves me over to the spot between her and Lukas, so I comply. I raise my eyebrow at 'laura.

"Since when do you guys sit here?" I ask, only a smidge annoyed. She smiles sheepishly, but the succubus across from me rushes in to speak.

"I-I invited th-them.....I h-hope you don't mind....." she lowers her eyes apologetically. I frown then, studying the table. She cocks her head to one side in confusion and furrows her eyebrows.

"Nope. Don't see my name on it, so i guess it's alright." I shrug, and she laughs with relief. "Seriously though, don't worry about it.....Just don't invite any more fear leaders, okay? I can only take so much peppiness." I add, shuddering at the thought.

"I resent that." my cousin huffs, so I smile at her.

"You I can tolerate." I tease. Kali smiles, then takes an impressive bite out of her ginormous sandwich.

"So, Clawdeen. Where's that new friend of yours?" her voice is almost taunting, and makes the older werewolf roll her eyes.

"Different lunch period." she mutters. The blond pouts at this, twirling her hair around one finger.

"You're no fun." she jokes, however, and the other girl laughs.

"Not the one responsible for his schedule."

"What a pity. Bet you'd schedule all his classes to match yours~."

"Puh-leaze. Unless I'm mistaken, we're discussing me and my new bloody Kai. Not Dex and-"

"Hold up, how did I enter this conversation?" I interrupt, instantly annoyed by the direction they are going.

"Never mind." Clawdeen says, rolling her eyes while Kalista avoids mine. I sigh, figuring it's better not to push it.

"Can't believe it's raining again......I hope it clears up soon." Calix mutters, playing with a bone, and offering a better topic.

"Well, you know what they say! The sun'll-" Daphne starts, only to stop thanks to a menacing look from the incubus.

"D, for the love of all that is bad and unholy, I will hit you if you start singing." He growls.

"Everyone's a critic." She huffs indignantly.

"We're not being critical, hon. You know you can't sing." The blonde says as kindly as possible. But the dhamphir shakes her head.

"I sing fine. You two just never let me."

"I think seven chances is enough to prove us right. You have the voice of a gutted cat." Cal says, his voice almost teasing under all that audible boredom.

"Calix!" his sister shouts, but Daph just cuffs him on the head.

"Too mean, you jerk!" She laughs, so I allow a grin. "Bet you wouldn't mind if Dex was singing." She adds, her voice confusingly vengeful.

"How many times must this be explained to you, D? We haven't heard the girl sing! You know how "reliable" these gossip mongers are!" Calix sighs with exasperation, "For all we know, she could be worse than you!"

"Hey!" I shout, then frown. Something smells off, but it's too faint for me to tell. Almost a familiar scent....And a feeling, like more eyes are on me then it appears....

"Well, what do you think, Dexter?" The dhamphir asks, crossing her arms in a gesture that would be adorable under other circumstances.

"I don't know, I haven't heard anyone here sing outside of my vocal class!" I say, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. The scent seems to have grown, yet is still too elusive.

"Fine! You've heard them both sing, what do you think Lukas?" Daphne turns to the blond, and I almost yell at her to leave him out of this. But I also want to hear his answer, so I casually turn to look at him.

"Oh, well you see," he shifts a bit uneasily, clearly uncomfortable with the question. "While Dexter here has a very lovely and enchanting voice, I've but heard her sing once. While I have been an ear to Operetta's tune for several years. Operetta has had many a more year training her voice than most have at her age, and she has had much more experience I would imagine as well. But even with that being said, it be not right to compare the two like this, it is not fair to either. Each are magnificent in sound, yet the twain are very different. Operetta has been classically trained, and to the best of my knowledge has achieved quite the highest of soprano notes. While Dexter, again to the best of my knowledge, are of a more contemporary sound are sing at a lower octave than Operetta. It would be like comparing gold dust to silver dust; both are most beautiful and precious, but they are not the same thing. To truly be able to compare their vocal talents, you would have to hear them both sing in similar styles, and again I've but heard Dexter sing once, and even after my several years of knowing Operetta, I've only heard her sing in a more contemporary style while not acting but once, and that was on pure accident. So really in truth, I am no better a judge than any of you, nor would I be able to choose, for I find both to be very talented in their own ways." 

Awkwardly, the dhamphir coughs at the silence left by Lukas's speech. She then sighs, "So pretty much that's a fancy way of declaring your, uh, neutrality?" and goes back to eating. Cal smirks and shakes his head, while his sister sighs as well but less from disappointment. She mouths a word-"Lucky", I think-then turns away from the conversation as well. Personally, I try to focus on the positive.

"Enchanting, huh?" I smile at him. He nods, but is cut-off from any response by a eruption of laughter from Ula's side of the table. "Well, I should have you know I've been singing since I was human...." I add, shrugging.

"Ah, well that is not something I hath knowledge of before now." He replies, finishing just in time to avoid being interrupted by another burst of laughter.

"'S almost voyeuristic." I mumble under my breath.

"What dost thou speak of?" He asks with a raised eyebrow. I shake my head. 

"Nothing. Just thinking out loud." I shrug, playing with one of the safety pins on my shirt, "Really should stop doing that so much....."

"Dost thou mean to stop thinking? Why would thee desire such a thing?" He asks, half-teasing, half-serious.

"No, silly......I meant just stop getting deep in thought when I should be doing things like talking." I smile, gently pushing on his shoulder.

"I see. That could be quite the problem."

"I guess, sometimes zoning out's not s'bad."

"I suppose, when would thou consider optimal for 'zoning out'?"

"Well not right now, I can tell you that." I smile again, leaning closer. The idea of asking him out dances in the back of my mind. But to do what still escapes me so I don't vocalize it.

"That be good to hear." He grins, and I let myself blush.

"Um, Dexter?" Clawrissa's mouse-small voice breaks through the imaginary shield blocking us off from the real world, and I turn to look at her without anger.

"Yeah, Rissie?" I ask, and she looks away as if deciding against whatever she'd planned to say.

"I know you said you had plans for the week but do you think we could hang out this weekend?" she mutters.

"Sure!" I grin, remembering this morning. Her face lights up and she rushes to ask when so hurriedly, I have to put up a hand to quiet her. "Saturday. We'll go to the Maul. Sound good?" Her head practically breaks off her neck with the force of her nodding.

"Thanks so much, Dexter. You have no idea how much I need this!" She smiles, and I return it.

"Hon, you're my best friend. There's no need to thank me." I laugh, hoping I don't sound mean. But she just nods again in appreciation.

"It'll be fun. Like, shopping therapy." she grabs her tray and walks away. I let out a sigh, feeling prematurely knackered.

"Dear lord, what did I just agree too?"

~Draculaura~
The sight of her cousin waiting outside the gymnauseum doors shouldn't've been a suprise to Ula D. After all, her cousin hadn't been in class at the beginning of the unit where it was announced that every three classes would be dedicated to a different physical activity and this was the first swim class. But hadn't it been up to Laura to tell Dexter that? It had, and it slipped her mind completely until now.

"Wassup, Ula? We not in the gym today?" Dex asked, but something in her voice
gave pause to the shorter vampire.

"No, we're in the pool." She replied carefully. This made the other sigh. "Well, thanks for letting me know ahead of time."

"I'm sorry Dex, I totally forgot." She frowned, but Dexter smiled at her.

"It's fine, petite. I already knew we are in the pool." she said plainly, tugging off her jersey to reveal most of a one piece bathing suit.

".........You really suck, Dexter." Laura shook her head then walked past her grinning cousin to the locker rooms.

~

After changing, Draculaura made her way to the spot on the indoor pool's edge where her best friend sat. From her perch, she could see almost the whole area. At the other end, Kalista and Calix were waiting behind a fully dressed Alexavier as he talked to Coach Igor.

"I have a witch doctor's note, I can't even go near the water." He said, waving said note in the air. The creature took it from him and begrudgingly read it.

"Alright, go sit on the bleachers." He sighed. The pale green-skinned boy smiled gratefully, then made his way over and was very careful to avoid any water. The fraternal twins stepped up, and held up a similar piece of paper.

"W-we can't p-participate either, c-Coach Igor....." Kalista began nervously.

"This is a note from your parents. You need one from the doctor to be excused." he replied, making the succubus frown.

"I-I know, b-but we st-still-" She tried, but the coach spoke again as if she hadn't said a word. "You two can not be excused unless you have a medical reason." So upset, the succubus lost her human form then ran for the lockers in embarrassment.

"Now look what you've done." Calix snapped before following his sister. Not that the conversation was going anywhere, it had been explained on the note why the pair couldn't stand swimming.

"Don't you think Ula?" Clawdeen asked, making her realize she hadn't been paying attention to them.

"Hmmm?" She asked, looking from her best friend to her bestie's little sister. The older wereolf sighed in exasperation.

"Rissie here's thinking of joining the school's math team!" She repeated, shaking her head. The vampire just smiled.

"I think that's great! Go for it, Clawrissa!" She grinned, and the young werewolf returned the gesture.

"Thanks,  Laura...." She mumbled, shy as always. But it was obvious that she felt a lot better than she probably had when she first mentioned it, which was what really mattered.

~Kairos~
I found my way to English fairly fast so I have time to reflect on my day. I scan the room, wondering if I will have another class with Clawdeen or not. I think back to my second period dead languages class with a smile since I had it with her and she aided me when ever the teacher's accent bested my understanding. Then I remember she walked me with me to the creepeteria and told me she had Physical Deaducation after. It was apparently amusing that I didn't understand what Phys. Dead. was. I stand by my conviction that the name is very misleading and confusing.

Speaking of confusing, she also found it amusing that I was happy about having a class with the pretty brunette from Drama Club......Operetta...... She mentioned something about my naïveté.........She also seemed sad as well...... Mortals are a hard race to understand, I have no doubt about that.

I am disturbed from my reverie by a pair of mortals entering the classroom. One a blue skinned female wearing an inordinate amount of fur, the other a tan male with-by Zeus, are my eyes deceiving me?-snakes for hair. Green snakes, like the hair of the woman's head on Aunt Athena's shield!

"Uh, hello?" The boy inquires, made uncomfortably by my slack-jawed shock staring.

"Oh! My apologies, my name is Kairos. What might yours be?" I respond, as he lowers himself into the chair beside mine. The snakes twist around each other and hiss fitfully.

"Deuce. Deuce Gorgon." He offers a hand to shake and I grasp it, or rather his wrist. Instead of being put off by this gesture, he returns it.

"Gorgon? As in Medusa who was slain by the hero Perseus?" I ask, not thinking of how this might offend him. But the one called "Deuce" simply nods. "Great Zeus! How can that be?" I frown then, worrying that all the stories I was told are lies.

"Well he didn't actually kill her......don't know the full story cause Mom won't tell me but yeah....." he shrugs his shoulders, unfazed.

"Inconceivable......." I whisper, a hundred questions forming in my head. But the time to ask them passes as the teacher walks in and calls us all to order.

When the bell rings, both Deuce and myself stand up to leave. I smile sheepishly, hoping to continue my conversation with him. I follow him out the door, thinking of the best place to start before passing him by accidentally.

"Strange stuff they give us to read, huh?" He begins, making me pause.

"Beg pardon?" I frown, looking over my shoulder at him. He waves the book, that our teacher bestowed upon us all, in the air.

"This mocking bird book," he clarifies, catching up to me, "I got nothing against humans, since I'm friends with one and I might even be part human, but I don't get why we need to read a human book to better understand them........" I look at the book in my own hands, re-reading the inscriptions.

"I'm afraid I'm as lost as you.....The teacher mentioned that there are parallels of the situation in the book with today's....."monster society"?" I mutter, saying the thought aloud doing nothing to better my understanding.

"I guess......Should probably read the book before trying to make a connection though." He shrugs, flipping the cover open.

"I believe that would be the proper approach." I nod.

"So......you're Kai?" He asks suddenly, so I nod again.

"Yeah. My father is Eros." I say, prompting an odd reaction from the gorgon.

"Huh..... Well it's nice to meet you, Kairos." He says, holding out his hand again. I grab his forearm again and shake it firmly as I was taught.

"The same to you, Deuce." I say, deciding that it would be best to avoid questioning him on his knowledge of his own family, "Til we meet again, then."

"Yeah, til next English class." He adds, then goes his separate way.

~Draculaura~
Heath Burns was a known jerk. He was rude, full of himself, and prone to flirting with any girl, even if she was visibly uninterested. So his appearance by Laura's locker that afternoon was unfortunate, but not unexpected. The only good sense the boy seemed to have was avoiding her cousin. He started in on the pink vampire like he did dozens of times before, and didn't stop when she chatted with Daphne instead.

"C'mon D! Why don't you like me?" he asked finally, and she sighed. She looked at him, almost wishing for her cousin's intimidating aura so he would avoid her too.

"I have my reasons. I've got a date this weekend is one." she said, closing her locker. The dhamphir rose up on her toes at the news, but the flame monster didn't do the opposite.

"Oh, y'mean that human boy? You're really going to go out with him?" he scoffed, making Ula actually pay attention.

"Yeah, what's wrong with him?" she pursed her lips skeptically. Daph leaned closer by degrees.

"He's a human! Don't you know? They're notorious for their unreliability. But, hey, go ahead anyway if you wanna be stood up." Heath laughed, making the younger girl's eyes turn red.

"Jackson's not like that....." The vampire scowled, once again wishing she could be her cousin for however long it would take to punch the manster at least once.

"Sure he isn't. It isn't like all humans are the same, after all." He shook his head, as if in pity.

"Will you shut up?!" Daphne snapped, shocking the pair. She pushed Draculaura out of the way and stared Heath down as best she could with her smaller build. "Honestly, what gives you the right to judge an entire species like that?! Just cause your dad ran off doesn't mean all humans are jerks! You don't see me dissing vampires, do ya?!" she growled, making the boy step back in shock.

"How......how do you know about my dad?" he stumbled to ask. She rolled her eyes at that.

"My mom is friends with Odell who knows your mom. They talk about their shared problems sometimes, and my mom will tell me in turn." She spelled it out, for an added insult. He stared at her, incredulous, then slinked away before the half-human could yell at him any more. After minutes of silence passed, the vampire finally spoke: "I'm sorry about that."

"Don't be." the dhamphir shrugged, "I woulda done that sooner or, um, later with the......uh, lies he spreads."

"Alright.....but still, I feel bad." Laura said, fixing her shirt with discomfort. But the other girl shook her head and smiled.

"Seriously, chiquita. I'm......glad I said that." she nodded, then waved goodbye and walked away before Ula could respond.


~Clawrissa~
I hum to myself while sitting in the backseat of Clawd's car, happy for the second time today. Out of everything, there was one thing my problem could not touch. My ballet class. Dancing with Everett is the farthest thing from my mind........I wish....I lean my head back on the seat and try to block the thoughts out, wanting to avoid something that might spark Rissa to want to help.....I don't need her.....I can still be confident even while dancing with a cute boy.....I can..........I don't need her.....I can still be confident even while dancing with a cute boy.....I can..........I don't need her.....I can still be confident even while dancing with a cute boy.....I can.............

"Clawrissa! Wake up, we're here." Clawd calls, snapping me out of my catnap. My cheeks burn with embarrassment as he helps me out, asking if I'm too tired and want to skip class tonight.

"I'm okay, Clawd. I wanna go." I mumble, running a paw through my hair. He frowns, and I can tell he's debating whether he should insist I skip or let me go.

"Are you completely sure? After what happened last time, Mom and Dad wouldn't be very mad if you took a week off.....I could take you to the libury instead." He drops his voice with this last sentence and he gives me a conspiratory smile.

"Claawwwd~......" I whine halfheartedly, almost wanting to give in to the side of me that's too nervous to go inside and dance with Everett. But I can't risk getting in trouble with my parents anymore than I have to and beside I love ballet class.

"Fine. But if you change your mind, I'll be in that Fearbucks. Shoot me a text and I'll be right over." He nods, walking back to the driver's side. I wave to him as he drives off, then turn and walk through the door of the dance studio. My resolve wavers even more when I see my dance partner stretching in the spot I usually am.

".....Oh, Hey Clawrissa! You excited to start working on our routine?" He grins when he notices me.

"Uhh.....I suppose. Might I ask why you are in my spot?" I ask, mentally kicking myself for not going with Clawd.

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean.....I just figured I might as well since we'll be practicing together until the "Christmas" recital...." He mumbles, looking ashamed. 

"Jeez, I'm not mad or anything! Sorry, was just confused..." I rush to say, and he smiles at me.

"Naw, I'm the sorry one. I shouldn't have assumed either way...." He nods, and I feel my blush spread with my embarrassment. he mock bows, and takes my hand. "I should know better than to forget my manners when dealing with a lovely girl such as yourself." He jokes, and I actually loosen up thanks his humor.

"Well still......It's not like I'm that mad....." I giggle breezily, returning his smile. I spend the rest of the lesson, still anxious but find myself half-way able to forget the fast beating of my heart.

~Dexter~
I don't pause in arranging the new additions to my room when I hear my cousin come to the door. I fuss with straightening the animal print rug, and brace myself for the inevitable.

"What are you doing?" She finally asks, stepping inside the door closing it behind her as the scent of Theresa grows.

"Fixing the rug." I reply, not looking up.

"Where'd you find it?"

"..........Maul*mart." The word hangs in the air as she thinks it through.

"You mean........you're planning on staying then?" She asks, as if there was ever any doubt that i would eventually stop acting like this was so temporary.

"Yeah. For a few years....." I mutter, getting up, and taking a uniquely styled soap dish out of a bag. When i look over at Ula, she's smiling at me sadly. I shrug it off and walk past her.

"Will you quit acting like it's such a bad thing?" she huffs, following behind me. I shake my head.

"You know......you really got to get out of here Ula. Get your own place for a century or two...... Stop, stop relying on your dad like a kid......You're going to be sixteen hundred years old, Laura. That's all I'm saying." I say, turning to put a hand on her shoulder. She shrugs it off however and fixes me with a look that's half-way between angry and sad.

"Cousin......We are not alike, you and I........I am fine living the way I do now......" she mumbles, so i tug her in for a hug.

"Still. I think it would do you some good.......Can't stay Peter Pan forever......."

"You're probably right Dex, I just......don't know....."