The Blue Blood Concealed

Trying to gasp for breath as deep fear gripped her heart and soul as she ran in the dark dense forest. She ignored the sharp thorny leaves that pierced her pale frail skin, giving way for her blood to mix with her sweat as she only desired to escape the foggy darkness and the scary giant creature that kept pursuing her. As she fled for her life, she could feel ferocious anger and raging hatred exuding from the ominous creature, but she didn't dare to look back, not even for a brief glimpse to see the monstrous creature that relentlessly pursued her. "Run, Attima, run!" She whispered to herself, exhausted. ***** A loud foot bang on Attima's bedroom door Jolted her back to life. She sat up quickly, breathing heavily as fear etched on her face. She wiped off the beads of sweat from her forehead running down her face with the back of her left hand. She pushed the strands of her long golden brown hair out of her eyes and noticed the haughty smirk on her Mother's face, Mrs Jasmine Jhones. Attima ignored the look on her mother's face as she grunted under her breath," This nightmare again." "Isn't it time for you to prepare for school, or should I keep being your alarm clock every weekday?" her mother's loud harsh words snapped her out of her thoughts. At that moment, her alarm clock rang, sitting on the round table beside her bed, showing 6 a:m. She reached out to stop the alarm from screaming into her ears and noticed Nova staring at her with pity. She turned off the alarm and picked up Nova, her fox-like dog, while her mother stormed out of the room as she slammed the door hard with a loud hiss. Grumpily, she got out of her bed with Nova in her hands and kissed her gray and brown fur as a way of greeting her in the morning. Attima walked to school in her uniform with her brown backpack bag resting on her left shoulder, as she swung her right arm and inhaled the moist earthy scent of the early morning breeze, a refreshing contrast from the choking smell that comes from her mum's cigarettes and the Italian coffee she takes for breakfast every day Her face became livelier as the heaviness in her heart lifted with each breath. A honk from a black Chevrolet Silverado car driving into her school snapped her out of her deep thoughts. She realized she was walking in the middle of the highway leading to her school; Greeve Field High School. One of the few prestigious schools in the Middle East of Land Watt, North America was built only for the rich and wealthy. Attima was privileged to attend the school on a scholarship due to the fact that she studied hard last year to be among the ten International students that would be awarded the scholarship, which happens every three years. She has a strong interest in science and a love for swimming, a sport she has enjoyed since childhood. **** "Some historical creatures have evolved and some are already in extinction. Some are believed to live among us but rare in this part of America"… Mr Scot, the biology teacher said. He continued; "Research has shown that they are human like us but transform into monsters and devour whoever they detest." A faint murmur spread across the class, but Attima was interested in knowing more if she could find a clue about the monster in her nightmare. "These creatures are said to be different from V…" "Hello Mr Scot, may I have a few minutes of your lecture time to introduce the remaining two new scholarship students of this class," the principal, Mrs Williamson, interrupted. The tension in the air subsided but Attima was not pleased by the distraction. "Take your time, Mrs Williamson," Mr Scot replied. " Thank you, Mr Scot," the Principal responded. " These are the last two scholarship students for this session that were offered admission last year September but are starting late this February because their families had delays in relocating from their respective countries," she explained. " I urge the class representative to guide them so they can catch up with the rest of the class," she concluded. "Will do that, Mrs Williamson." Samantha, the class representative, responded from her seat. "I am Goblett Lutarri from the Philippines" one of the new students said with a bright smile that lit up her tanned oval face, her full long black hair packed in a ponytail just like Attima's. Attima looked straight into Goblett's eyes, their gaze met and the warmth in Goblett's eyes, accompanied by her bright smile, melted Attima's heart. At that moment, Attima knew the universe had blessed her with another true friend besides Nova and a pile of books she buried her head in during lunch periods to avoid being abused or bullied by her wealthy classmates. "I am Lucas Fredner from southern Italy," the tall, athletic second student introduced himself bluntly and looked about two years older than Attima. "He looks rich and wealthy from the white Louis Vuitton Trainer Maxi Sneakers and the Louis Vuitton Metallic Gold Wrist Watch showing beneath his neatly pressed, rolled-up white T-Shirt Uniform" Attima said to herself as she observed him. "But why exactly did they both use scholarships to attend this school, as wealthy as they look?" Attima asked herself. Goblett and Lucas made themselves comfortable as they took the two empty seats in the back row directly behind Attima's seat. As Mrs Williamson turned to leave for her office, the bell for lunchtime rang. Mr Scot sighed in despair, knowing that he had to continue his lecture in the next class. Attima contemplated either standing up from her chair and introducing herself to Goblet, or she should just turn around and say hi, as Goblet was sitting right behind her. "Hi, can we be friends?" a hand stretched out to Attima, interrupting her confused, deep thoughts. Attima was surprised when she realized it was Goblet standing beside her offering her hand in friendship. Her face lit up with a big grin as she shook Goblett's hand and screamed," Yes! " They both chuckled, held hands and jumped in a circle before bursting into laughter. "I turned fourteen last December and I love swimming. What about you, my friend?" Attima asked, her voice filled with joy and a smile tugging at her lips with a hint of shyness. " I am three months older than you nenè" Goblett said with a playful wink, laughing out loud. "What does the word...né…neh…mean?" Attima asked, puzzled. Goblett laughed even harder, as if she had just heard the funniest joke. “My dear, it means little girl.” "Then we are both little" Attima squealed and they both burst into big wild laughs. "Let us go to the dining room to eat," Goblett suggested. For the first time in five months of Attima's stay in that school, she would be leaving the classroom during lunchtime to join others in the dining room. She had always munched on her cold soggy caramelized pancakes and read her books to distract herself from feeling alone in the big empty classroom. As they jumped out of the classroom excitedly, Attima noticed Lucas sitting alone with his phone and wireless bluetooth headphones plugged into his ears across his head and his eyes shot, leaning his head against the green classroom wall. She turned back intending to walk towards him, but Goblet gently pushed her forward. "Lunch might be over soon", Goblett said, and they both left.