Born Between Two Worlds

Chapter One “I’m going to be late!” I rushed down the stairs, nearly missing the last step as I grabbed my school bag from the couch. “Mom!” I called toward the kitchen. “Please hurry up so we can catch the bus to school!” “I’m coming, Liora!” Mom called back. I glanced at the clock and groaned. “You said that five minutes ago!” “I've heard you. I'm coming.” A few seconds later, Mom finally appeared, adjusting the strap of her handbag over her shoulder. She looked completely calm, which only made me more impatient. “You woke up late,” she said. “I did not.” She raised an eyebrow. “You spent twenty minutes in front of the mirror.” “I was checking my uniform.” “You were fixing your hair.” I frowned. “Those are two completely different things.” Mom laughed as she walked toward the door. “Come on.” I followed her outside, still holding my bag tightly against my side. Today was my first day at my new school, and the last thing I wanted was to arrive late. I didn't know anyone there yet. I didn't know what my teachers would be like, where my classroom would be, or whether I would even like the place. All I knew was that I wanted my first day to go smoothly. Was that too much to ask? Apparently, it was. By the time we reached the academy, students were already everywhere. Groups of them moved through the large entrance, laughing and talking among themselves. Some were rushing toward their classrooms, while others stood around as though they had all the time in the world. I looked up at the enormous building in front of me. “This place is huge.” “It is,” Mom replied. “Where's the dean's office again?” “Somewhere in the middle.” I turned to her. “Somewhere?” “You'll find it.” “That is not very helpful.” She smiled. “Just keep walking.” I sighed and started toward the entrance. “Come on, Mom.” “Liora, slow down.” “I don't want to be late.” “We're already inside the school.” “That doesn't mean I'm not late.” I barely paid attention to the signs around me as I walked. I was too focused on finding the dean's office and getting my registration over with. What I didn't notice was the large sign above the hallway I had entered. WEREWOLF WING → Mom didn't notice it either. She simply followed behind me. The farther we walked, the more the atmosphere seemed to change. The students here appeared louder and more energetic than the ones we'd passed near the entrance. Groups of them stood together, talking and laughing. A few glanced at me as I passed. I wondered if they could tell I was new. I probably looked new. Eventually, I spotted a large wooden door with a plaque beside it. DEAN'S OFFICE I stopped. “Finally.” Mom smiled. “Go ahead.” I pushed the door open. A woman sitting behind a large desk looked up immediately. “Liora Vale?” I straightened. “Yes, ma'am.” “Your registration file?” I quickly pulled it from my bag and handed it to her. She opened it and began looking through the pages. “Liora Vale. Seventeen years old.” “Yes, ma'am.” “Transferred into the senior class?” “Yes.” She nodded and checked something on her computer before reaching for another file. “This is your student file. It contains your class information, timetable, identification details, and everything else you'll need.” She handed it to me. “Thank you.” “Your homeroom teacher will explain the rest when you get there. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the school rules.” “Yes, ma'am.” She gave me a small smile. “And don't be afraid to ask questions if you get confused. Starting at a new school can be difficult.” “I'll try.” “Good.” I turned toward the door. “Liora?” I looked back. “Welcome to the academy.” I smiled. “Thank you.” I stepped outside and found Mom waiting for me. “So?” she asked. “I got my file.” “Good. Let's see where your class is.” I opened the file and scanned the page. My eyebrows slowly pulled together. “Mom…” “What?” “Why does it say I'm assigned to the werewolf wing?” Her expression changed immediately. “What?” I turned the file toward her. “The werewolf wing.” She stared at the page for a moment before looking down the hallway. “That can't be right.” “That's what I thought.” She took the file from me and looked through it again. “Maybe they've made a mistake.” “Obviously.” I turned around. “I'm going back.” Mom followed me into the office. The dean looked up when we entered. “Is there a problem?” “Yes,” I said politely. “I think there's been a mistake with my placement.” “What kind of mistake?” “My file says I'm assigned to the werewolf wing.” The dean glanced at the file. Then she looked at me. “Oh.” I blinked. “Oh? “That's all?” The dean sighed. “I understand why you're concerned.” “I'm a vampire.” “I know.” “So shouldn't I be on the vampire side?” “You normally would be.” “Then why am I on the werewolf side?” She leaned back in her chair. “Because the vampire section is full.” I stared at her. “Full?” “Yes.” “The entire section?” “Every available classroom.” I looked at Mom. She clearly wasn't happy with the answer either. “But surely there is another class,” she said. “There isn't.” “Another room?” “Not currently.” “So what are we supposed to do?” The dean folded her hands on the desk. “Liora will have to attend classes in the werewolf wing.” My mouth fell open. “But…” “I understand.” “But I'm a vampire.” “And they know that.” “That doesn't make me feel any better.” The dean gave me an apologetic smile. “You'll be fine.” I wasn't convinced. “The two sections are still part of the same academy,” she continued. “You'll follow the same school rules and have the same protection. You're not being sent to another school.” I looked down at my file. “But they're werewolves.” “Yes.” “And I'm supposed to just walk into their section?” “Yes.” I stared at her. She smiled. “Think of it as an opportunity to experience something different.” I didn't want to experience something different. I wanted a normal first day. I wanted to find my classroom, sit down, meet my teachers, and maybe make a friend or two. Instead, I was apparently going to spend my first day surrounded by werewolves. Mom placed a hand on my shoulder. “Come on.” I looked at her. “Mom…” “We don't have much choice.” I sighed. The dean pointed toward the file. “Your classroom is Room 204. Second floor. Eastern corridor.” I looked down at the page. Room 204. Werewolf wing. Perfect. Just perfect. We thanked the dean and stepped outside. Mom stopped me before I could walk away. “Listen to me.” I looked at her. Her expression was serious. “You need to be careful.” “Mom…” “I mean it.” “I'll be fine.” “Don't get too comfortable.” I frowned. “Why?” She hesitated for a moment. “Because you don't know these people.” I looked toward the corridor. Students were walking past us, some glancing in my direction. “They're just students.” “They're werewolves.” “And?” Mom lowered her voice. “Stay away from unnecessary trouble.” I nodded. “Okay.” “Don't go looking for friends.” I frowned. “I'm not.” “Good.” She placed both hands on my shoulders. “I want you to focus on your classes. Keep to yourself. Don't get involved in their problems. And if anyone bothers you, walk away.” I stared at her. “You're making it sound like I'm walking into a battlefield.” Her expression softened. “I'm just trying to protect you.” “I know.” She pulled me into a hug. “Take care of yourself.” “I will.” “And call me if anything happens.” “I promise.” She kissed my forehead. “Good luck.” I watched her walk away before turning toward the corridor. For a moment, I just stood there. Then I adjusted my bag. “First day.” I took a deep breath and started walking. --- Room 204 was already filled with students when I arrived. I stopped outside the door for a moment, listening to the voices inside. My heart began beating faster. Just walk in. I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The classroom didn't become completely silent, but the noise dropped considerably as several students turned toward me. I immediately felt self-conscious. Some looked curious. Others whispered to one another. I tried not to let it bother me. The teacher standing at the front of the classroom noticed me and smiled. “Ah, our new student has arrived.” I stood awkwardly near the doorway. “Come in, dear.” I stepped inside. The teacher turned toward the class. “Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to your new classmate.” The whispers grew a little louder. “This is Liora Vale.” I gave a small, nervous smile. The teacher continued, “She's a vampire, so I expect everyone to treat her well. She's harmless.” A few students exchanged looks. Someone chuckled quietly. My cheeks warmed. Harmless? I wasn't sure whether that was supposed to make me feel better. The teacher gestured toward the seats. “Liora, you may take any available seat.” I looked around. Almost every seat was occupied. Then I noticed an empty one near the middle of the classroom. Beside a girl with dark hair who was sitting quietly and watching me. I walked toward it. As I passed between the desks, I could feel several eyes following me. I tried not to look at anyone. When I reached the seat, I placed my bag down and sat. The girl beside me turned toward me. For a moment, we simply looked at each other. Then she smiled. “Hi.” I blinked. “Hi.” She held out her hand. “I'm Nina.” I shook it. “Liora.” “I know.” I laughed softly. “Right.” Nina smiled. “Welcome to the class.” Something about her simple greeting made me relax a little. “Thanks.” At the front of the room, the teacher picked up a marker. “Alright, everyone. Now that our new student has settled in, let's begin.” I opened my notebook. For the first time since entering the school, I allowed myself to breathe normally. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Maybe I had worried for nothing. The teacher turned toward the board. “Today, we're going to—” The classroom door opened. The teacher stopped. I looked up. A boy walked into the classroom. Nothing about him seemed threatening. In fact, there was an easy confidence in the way he carried himself, and a friendly expression rested on his face. Yet the moment he stepped inside, almost everyone noticed. Conversations faded. Several students turned toward him. Even the teacher paused for a brief moment before continuing. The boy gave the class a small smile as he walked farther inside. I watched him curiously. I didn't know who he was. But judging by the way the entire room seemed to acknowledge his presence without him saying a single word, I had a feeling he wasn't just another student. And somehow, I had the strangest feeling that I was about to find out exactly who he was.