First Day Of School. Blood. Out of Control

Lilith POV

The next morning, at precisely 7:40, I climbed the steps leading to the principal's office, feeling the weight of my first day as a senior at Riverview Academy. To be honest, my stomach was in knots. I hadn't really talked to anyone in a while, and the thought of facing a new environment made me want to turn around and head back home. Yet, I knew I had to put on a brave face and act like I belonged here, just like everyone else.

"Welcome to Riverview Academy, Miss Throne. We're thrilled to have you join us," the principal greeted me with a warm smile from behind her desk. She was quite tall, especially with those heels on, and her black blazer looked impeccably sharp. Her hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and she adjusted her glasses as she spoke, exuding an air of professionalism that both intimidated and reassured me. "I'm Principal Taylor," she introduced herself, and I could feel the weight of her gaze.

"I appreciate the warm welcome. It's exciting to be here and to study in such a prestigious school alongside so many accomplished scholars," I replied, my throat feeling dry as I spoke. I could feel the nerves bubbling up inside me, but I tried to keep my composure.

"If there's anything I can do to help you settle in, just let me know," she said, her tone friendly and encouraging. It was nice to hear, and I felt a flicker of hope that maybe this year wouldn't be so daunting after all.

I gave her a slight nod and flashed a small smile in her direction.

The hallway was packed with students chatting and catching up with one another. The atmosphere was electric with whispers and rumors swirling around about the new girl who had just arrived. As I made my way through the throng of people, I felt a bit lost in the vastness of the school. My eyes darted around, searching for my locker amidst the sea of faces. Just then, I noticed a tall boy with dark hair who caught my attention-not just because he was good-looking, but because he was already looking right at me. It was a strange feeling, being noticed by someone I didn't even know.

I quickly blinked and looked away, feeling a bit flustered. My locker was just a short distance away, so I hurried over to locker 61 and swung it open to stow my books. As I organized my things, I couldn't help but glance back to see if he was still watching. To my surprise, he was, but then a group of rowdy boys approached him, tossing footballs around and laughing. He joined in their laughter for a moment before shutting his locker and blending back into the bustling crowd, leaving me with curiosity.

I redirected my attention to my locker once more, trying to shake off the unease that had settled in. Just then, two girls stepped into my view, halting right next to me. The first girl, who had spoken, was tall and striking, with long, flowing blonde hair that caught the light. She was dressed in a daring pink leather skirt and stylish ankle boots that made her stand out even more. The second girl, shorter and almost at my height, had a bold look with her neck-length black hair and multiple piercings adorning her earlobes. They both exuded confidence and beauty, which piqued my curiosity despite the warning my mom had given me about trusting humans.

"So, you must be the new girl," the blonde said with a playful smirk, and I couldn't help but smile back. "Yeah, that's me," I replied, trying to keep my tone light. The compliment that followed caught me off guard. "You are very pretty," she said, her eyes glinting with mischief. I felt a mix of flattery and suspicion; my mom's words echoed in my mind, reminding me to be cautious. Even though I was wary of their intentions, I played along, not wanting to seem unfriendly or standoffish.

As I turned to close my locker, I glanced back at them, but to my surprise, they had vanished. I scanned the hallway, searching for any sign of the two girls, but they were nowhere in sight. It was as if they had melted into thin air, leaving me with a strange feeling of intrigue and unease. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their sudden appearance and disappearance than met the eye, and I was left wondering what their true intentions might be.

As I turned to my locker, another girl made her way over to me. Great, just what I needed, I thought to myself. She had this stunning long black hair that made me feel a twinge of envy at how effortlessly beautiful she looked.

"That's Camilla, the captain of the cheerleading squad," someone whispered nearby. I turned to see who it was, and there she was, smiling at me. "Hi, I'm Elena," she said, flashing a bright smile that showcased her perfect white teeth.

I felt a wave of relief wash over me; she seemed genuinely friendly. "I'm Li..." I started, but she jumped in before I could finish. "Lilith Throne, right? You're the talk of the school today!" she said, catching me off guard. "So, what's the deal with the name Lillith? It's definitely not something you hear every day."

I chuckled a bit. "Witches really liked that name. If I remember right, she was linked to Lucifer in some way."

Elena burst into laughter. "Ah, that's where I've heard it before! Hold on a second, are you telling me you're a witch?"

I couldn't help but laugh even harder. "No way! Not even close. That's definitely not my scene."

After a brief chat, she invited me to a match happening at 3:30 pm on the field, saying it would be a great time with everyone there. With no plans after school, I gladly accepted, and just like that, Elena blended back into the bustling crowd.

It was around 3:40 when I stepped onto the field, and the atmosphere was electric. The crowd was buzzing with excitement, clapping and cheering as the cheerleaders executed their impressive flips and routines, all aimed at rallying the players. As I scanned the scene, I spotted Elena waving enthusiastically at me. I made my way over to her and took a seat beside her, both of us turning our attention to the field just as the cheer captain wrapped up her final performance.

Just then, I caught sight of a dark-haired guy who seemed to be fixated on me for a moment before he pulled his helmet down over his head. He dashed off to join the other players, who were huddled together, likely discussing strategies or sharing a quick prayer, as they often did before a game. The energy was palpable, and I could feel the anticipation building as the players prepared for the action ahead.

"That's Alaric Vale, their captain," Elena chimed in, breaking my focus. "He's also the son of the wealthiest guy in town. The girls are all over him, and he used to date Cam." She could see the look on my face so she cleared it out, "Camilla." she added. Then she glanced at me with a curious expression. "So, what do you think? Do you find him good-looking?" she asked, clearly eager to hear my thoughts on the local heartthrob.

"You don't think so?" I remarked, not really seeking an answer but more so making an observation that hung in the air. It was one of those moments where the statement felt more impactful than a simple inquiry.

"Who wouldn't?" she shot back, turning my comment into a playful question. "He's basically the quintessential dreamboat that every girl fantasizes about," she continued, her enthusiasm evident as she described him.

"So, what do you call this?" I inquired, genuinely curious. In the world I came from, we didn't engage in such activities; instead, we were more accustomed to children playing with the remains of their ancestors.

Her expression shifted to one of disbelief. "Wait, you really don't know what football is?" she asked, clearly taken aback.

I tried to clarify, "The football Dad was watching last night involved feet, but this one seems to be all about hands, and they wear helmets, which is just odd."

"Alright, Lilly. Can I call you Lilly?"

"Sure."

"This is American football, or gridiron football, and trust me, it has its own set of rules," she explained.

"What rules?" I asked, my attention drawn to Alaric as he dashed down the field with the ball.

"When a team successfully kicks a field goal, the opposing team takes over the ball. However, if they manage to score a touchdown, they clinch the victory right then and there. In the event that the score is tied after a field goal, the next team to score will determine the winner. If the team that starts with the ball fails to score and turns it over, then the first team to put points on the board will come out on top. Are you following along?"

"I think I get it, but the team they're up against looks pretty tough."

"Well, they've got a solid reputation and have been known to give other teams a run for their money. It's definitely going to be a challenge for Alaric's squad but Alaric's team has a track record of being even better. They've been on a winning streak and have really made a name for themselves at this school. It's exciting to see them perform so well and bring pride to their community."

"Whoa," I exclaimed as we zeroed in on the intense struggle between the opposing team and Alaric's squad. The other team was relentless, pushing hard to gain control of the ball. In a split second, one of their players charged in, using his helmet as a weapon in the fray, and the sharp edge of the metal caught one of Alaric's teammates right on the shoulder. The impact was brutal, and he crumpled to the ground, blood seeping from the wound. The lively cheers from the crowd faded into an eerie silence, replaced by the urgent calls for medical assistance as trainers rushed to the scene.

As the trainers hurriedly carried him off the field, I couldn't help but notice the crimson stain spreading on the ground, a sight that made my stomach churn. My eyes were glued to the gruesome scene, even though I desperately wanted to look away. It was a familiar feeling, one that I had hoped to avoid, but there it was again-my instincts kicking in. I could feel my fangs beginning to push through, and this time, they were emerging with alarming speed, a reminder of the darker side of my nature that I tried so hard to keep at bay.

I glanced over at Elena, who looked just as shaken as I felt, and without thinking, I bolted away from the chaos. I needed to escape the sight of the blood, to distance myself from the overwhelming urge that was rising within me. The last thing I wanted was to lose control in front of everyone, especially not now. As I sprinted away, I focused on putting as much distance between myself and the scene as possible, hoping to regain my composure before it was too late.