Zore

First Impressions

I remember running. There was a forest and I just kept running, going forward but somehow not moving fast enough. Fear creeping up my spine. Then there was this skin-prickling growl and an unbearable pain as claws sunk into my back. The incoming impact was inescapable and as I fell to the-

Beep Beep Beep!

I groaned, the startling noise becoming more pronounced by the second, as was my growing headache. I quickly shut the dreadful thing off and dragged myself zombie-style to the bathroom. I showered, got dressed and tried to do something about my dampening mood. Why the fudge was I angry anyway? This was all my idea!

I made my way down to the kitchen and saw my breakfast and lunch already packed. I felt my lips lift at the corner. Aunt Saraphina, always the thoughtful one. "Where was she anyway?" I pondered as I left for my first day of high school. Wouldn't wanna miss my big day! I stepped outside, immediately having to shield my eyes from the blinding glare the sunlight projected.

"Good morning dear," came a cheerful greeting. I turned towards the voice and I halted in my tracks. There stood my aunt over a giant CAULDRON stirring its contents with a warm smile etched on her features.

"Okaaay," I became hesitant, how does one respond to a scene such as this? "So I'm gonna go. Just wanted to know if you wanted to wish me luc-"

"What on earth are you doing?!"

"Oh funny you should ask. Do you remember dear old Mrs Whittaker down the street? Well, the poor thing is sick, suffering from hypothermia and I thought I'd just mix one of my world-famous potions for her."

That entire revelation was voiced without the simplest bit of emotion. In fact, she said it with untold nonchalance. It really never ceased to amaze me how she spoke about the most mind-boggling things, as if we were discussing the weather.

I sighed, already resigned at the thought of holding a normal conversation with my aunt. I glanced around at the place I called home and I almost laughed at the scene. A cabin in the woods near a swamp and my aunt and her equally striking figure, stirring her 'potion' in a cauldron I didn't even know existed. I turned towards the direction of my school, a destination in mind.

"Azora." The voice was monotonous, serious even, I turned towards it with my eyebrows knitted, the look on my aunt's face causing confusion to overtake mine. "Azora, venit tempus, puer."

I blinked once, twice, my aunt's words sinking in, the tension making me uncomfortable. Then realization dawned on me and I sighed.

"Aunt Saraphina, I've told you before. I don't speak Latin."

************************************************************************

I got there late! My first day of school and I'm already off to a bad start. They say first impressions are lasting and one look at the Dean's face told me she was none too pleased.

"Azora Asneriis?" She asked, looking up from her paper, her 40s-themed glasses falling to her nose.

"Yes?" I mentally groaned. Why did that come out as a question?

"You're late. Here at Northern Heights we don't appreciate tardiness. You managed to miss half of first period and your welcoming committee." She gave me a once over, finally deciding I was too insignificant and didn't deserve anymore of her time. "Here's your schedule, now get to class." I hurriedly got to my feet, scrambling for the door.

"Oh and Miss Asneriis." I turned slowly, prepared for another snobbish attack.

"Yes?" It seemed that my vocabulary had been minimized to that one syllable.

"Don't let this situation repeat itself. I trust you won't become a troublemaker at our school. You may leave." I stood there like a gaping fish, my pride and dignity in tatters and, after finally deciding to salvage the rest of my self-esteem, I fled like a refugee.

When I felt safe, I glanced at my schedule and, just my luck, I had French first. Finding the class was not as distressing as they make it look on TV. I took a deep breath and entered the class and believe me, the reception was one thing Hollywood got spot on!

"Ms Asneriis, you are late for my class and tardiness will certainly not be accepted," I stared dumbfounded at her. Was I ever going to catch a break?! I should have just stayed home, curiosity did kill the cat, not even a full day and I was already branded as a delinquent.

"I-" She cut me off by a simple wave of the hand. I sighed, I really was getting annoyed, there was only so much disrespect I could take and everyone would surely lose if I were to speak my mind.

"Have a seat, you've already wasted enough time." I cast a sneer in her direction and headed for one of the two vacant seats remaining. I hadn't been sitting for two minutes and I was already everyone's favorite topic. No, I didn't have freakish werewolf hearing, but I wasn't blind and I certainly wasn't stupid.

"She's hot." I bristled at the comment. Really, couldn't they keep their voices down? The situation was already cliché enough. At this point, I surveyed my options and found only one alternative to this cheesy MTV movie. Sleeping. So I slept, only to be reprieved by the bell a few moments later. Great! It was lunchtime, and for the second time that day I visibly face-palmed.

*********************************************************************

Somewhere above the Atlantic

"I don't care how it's done Demetris! I don't have time for this crap! I'm on a plane to the middle of nowhere because of your and my father's shortcomings and inability to steer clear of these goddamn witches!" I listened impatiently to the man who served as my father's right hand and I was honestly finished with this conversation, so, most ungraciously, I threw the phone to the floor no doubt breaking it; the third one since that she-devil paid me a visit. I looked out the window and groaned. I had a sixth sense when it came to these things and it was telling me to just get my a*s back to Parma.

*************************************************************************

A cafeteria in Arizona

Lunch, for the most part, was peaceful. I had found a conveniently empty table and was quite content to stuff my face... alone. I was reflecting on a picture that had caught my attention in one of my aunt's books the day before. While doing this, I had closed my eyes and was unaware I had company.

"You're the new girl?" I stared into the cerulean blue eyes of the enquirer, a bit annoyed and non-too pleased by the interruption.

"Obviously," I was way past trying to act nice, and to be honest, I don't think I have it in me to be, how do you say...... well, pleasant.

"Excuse me?!" My God, if she kept on shrieking like that I would have no problem ignoring her. It was quite disappointing to discover, however, that she wasn't blonde as Hollywood would've made me believe, but her freakishly fire-colored hair was threatening to send me to the optician.

"Listen, Ann of Green Gables, I can only please one person per day and, frankly speaking, today is not your day," I held up my hand to silence the oncoming screech she would most definitely assault me with, "Tomorrow doesn't look good either." With that, I left her there with a smirk etched on my features.

Sorry, Hollywood maybe I'll bite tomorrow.