Hollow Mate: The Roma Academy

Chapter 5

-Tinsley POV-

Yesterday, I decided to give this school a shot. After talking with Marco and Daniel, I took the day to calm myself and to try and make sense of what I had just learned.

(Werewolves are real... and I am one.)

I woke up today and for the first time in a long time, I willingly stopped taking my pills. After much thinking, I decided that if I am not crazy, I should embrace this. For the first time in my life, I have people telling me that hearing voices in your head is normal.

Yesterday night, the thought of me having a psychotic episode crossed my mind. I thought that maybe I was having one but then I came to the conclusion that this was so out there, so paranormal.

I mean, I thought that if I ever had a psychotic episode, I would go on a killing spree like Andrew Cunanan or since I have a history with arson, maybe Bruce George Peter Lee.

Not something I ever want to do because I really don’t ever want to hurt anyone but I do enjoy watching serial killer documentaries, so I thought that maybe that’s how they start, and having already killed two people, it kind of made sense.

But this is horror supernatural movie stuff, something I am not completely familiar with. So I am sure it has to be real... right?

I decided that it was best to just go with the flow and see what happens. If I wake up strapped to a bed in a mental hospital and this was all in my head, then so be it. Nothing I can do about it now but just go on for the ride.

I decided to go explore a little.

I am now heading downstairs to see if I can find my way to the back of the school. I want to get some fresh air. Every time I pass by people, I can’t help stare at them wearily, with the knowledge that they are werewolves.

I see the doors that leads outside and quickly head out. The cold crisp air hits me and it feels refreshing. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, letting the sun hit my skin. After the blizzard, white snow covers everything and everything is so bright right now.

“You are new?” A voice startles me because it is very close to me.

I look to my side to find that good-looking blond guy I saw the first time I came here. 

(The f**k-boy. I probably should stop calling him that because it might just slip out.)

I nod.

“Hi, I’m Cole.” He says as he leans on the wall next to me.

“Tinsley.”

He gives a low laugh.

(Is he laughing at me?) I narrow my eyes at him.

“Your name is just as cute as you are.” He says.

“Oh.”

(I almost went off on him thinking that he was making fun of me.)

“So... what is it with you?” He asks.

“What do you mean?” I sit on the cemented veranda at the top of the stairs that lead down to the backyard.

“You probably know that this is no ordinary school.” He says.

I nod.

“So that means that you are not ordinary. But you smell... normal.” He says. “Though judging by your beauty, I'd say you are definitely a supernatural.”

(This guy has game!)

“I, apparently am a werewolf. But don’t ask, it’s a long story.”

He chuckles. “Okay. I won’t pry.”

He has a beautiful smile and it makes me smile back at him.

He and that guy I met yesterday, Leon, have a similar build but Leon is about an inch taller and they are both gorgeous, there is no denying that.

He suddenly gets closer and the guy kisses me on the cheek. I am stunned.

He smiles and gives me a wink as he backs away. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you, Tin.”

Before I can react, he goes through the doors.

(What... the hell was that?!)

If I wouldn’t have been so stunned, I would have yelled at him because who does that when they have just met someone?

I go down the stairs and go to the side. I lean my back on the wall of the stairs and sigh.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere—when just a second ago I was by myself— I stand in front of Leon, the gorgeous guy I met yesterday, but this time he bumped into me... or rather almost fell on me.

“s**t! Sorry I-” His eyes go wide when he meets my eyes. “Wait... it’s you!” He says.

I am shocked that he literally, fell from the sky. I nod. I open my mouth to say something but then I am shocked again, but this time, I am shocked at the balls of this guy. He covers my mouth with his hand and pushes me towards the cold wall.

“Shhh.” He says. His eyes dart up towards the top of the stairs and then back at me where he gives me a wink.

“LEON!” Someone shouts. “LEON BLACK!”

Leon looks at me and puts a finger across his mouth motioning me to be quiet. I stay quiet but narrow my eyes at him and he gives me a lopsided smile that makes my stomach turn to knots.

(I knew he was a trouble maker... God! Why is he so... gorgeous?!)

As he looks up again, I take this time to take his face in, and somehow, I notice a pattern. Most guys in this school are very good-looking. I have noticed a few other guys that have a similar built as Leon, like Cole.

(Are werewolves just automatically ridiculously good-looking?)

We both quietly listen to the conversation that starts with another person that just walked out.

“Marco!” The male voice that was calling for Leon says.

“Gorge, how can I help you?” Marco asks.

“That nephew of yours! He put- well... look. He scattered these all over my classroom!”

(Leon is his nephew?) I feel stupid now. Of course they are. They have the same color of eyes. I have seen amber eyes before but nothing like theirs. They are so bright and beautiful, almost yellow. I continue to listen but I am also taking in his eyes.

“Um... and why would he do that?” Marco asks.

“Because he... he is always doing these kinds of thing.”

“It could have easily been another student.” Marco says.

“You- no, I am sure it was him.”

“Do you have solid proof?” Marco asks.

“No... I never do.”

“Then there is not much we can do.”

The man grunts and stomps away, cursing under his breath.

When the man is out of reach, Leon lets me go. “Hey, pretty lady.” He whispers with a smile.

Fire, I feel like I am on fire because of the way he says that.

“Hi.” I say and though I don’t tend to be shy around guys, I feel really shy right now.

He smiles. “Must be fate.”

Before I can react—and I mean before I can blush—Marco’s head suddenly appears over us. He holds something for Leon to take.

“You are never going to stop, are you?” He asks.

Leon smiles wide and takes a... TAMPON!... from Marco’s hands.

“Nope. He’s an asshole and he treats his students as if they were the dirt under his feet. I hate the guy.”

Marco raises an eyebrow and looks at me. “You are just starting in this school and you are already hanging out with the number one trouble maker?”

I shake my head. “No, I am not. I don’t know him.”

“But you want to.” Leon says with a grin.

(Yes.)

“No! I don’t need your kind of trouble.” I cross my arms.

Leon looks at me and I am surprised to see his fake wounded face.

He then smiles and leans in. “I am just a little bit bad. Promise... the good kind of bad.”

And of course, I get flustered.

Leon then looks up at Marco. “And uncle, I'm pretty sure you are not supposed to talk like that about family.”

Marco now narrows his eyes at Leon. “Family my ass. The only reason you haven't been expelled is because I don’t want your mother to come here and raise hell. That woman is one scare away from killing me.”

Leon starts laughing but also nods.

I am confused at their conversation but then Marco brings his attention to me.

“I guess this will do. Just don’t let his trouble-making side influence you.” He says.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Leon, give her a tour. She’ll be starting soon and she needs someone to get her used to everything.”

“She will?!” Leon is surprised. “But... isn't she... you know...” He stops and mumbles the last part. “...human.”

“She smells like a human for now...” Marco walks down the stairs with a sigh and comes close to us. “She is actually a werewolf.”

Leon’s face contorts into a more confused expression and then Marco starts explaining everything.

When Marco is finished, Leon looks at me and his smile widens. “So, you are staying here?”

I slowly nod.

He looks too happy about this. My “Spot a bad boy sixth sense” is tingling and alarms are fully blearing in my head.

“We, pretty lady, are going to be more than best friends.” Leon says, his smile getting wider by the second.

Marco takes a deep breath and pinches the bridge of his nose and then whispers under his breath. “I feel like this semester is going to be the worst one.”

"Don't be so pessimistic. She'll be fine." Leon says putting his arm around me.

I take his hand off but then he quickly takes me by the wrist and starts to lead me away. I am about to pull away from this guy who thinks he can be so familiar with me but Marco stops us before I can.

"Wait, before I forget."

He walks over to us and extends his hand towards me. "The allowance that is provided by the school."

I pull away from Leon and look into Marco’s hand. He holds a debit card. "Money will be provided every month." He says.

"I know this is part of the whole scholarship thing but..." I shake my head. "It doesn't feel right."

Marco thinks about it for a few seconds. "Because it's free... it is not. You have to maintain your grades so think of it as a job."

"I am not a child, Marco." I say now irritated because he thinks that will work on me.

"You are a stubborn one." He mumbles. "Just take it." He shoves it into my hand.

I sigh as he starts to walk away. "Now I have to go and deal with... Abigail."

"Good luck." Leon says. Marco just waves an annoyed hand at him.

Leon brings his attention to me. “Let’s first go to the forest an-”

“The forest! Are you crazy? It’s freezing right now. I only came here for a short walk.” I say.

He stares at me up and down and I am not hating it at all but I look ugly as hell. I have a pink puffy jacket and it is the epitome of ugly but it is all I have to keep the cold away.

“You are wearing a lot of clothes. Those pills really suppress all your wolf abilities, don’t they?” He says.

“Yea but I fail to see why me wearing so many clothes-”

I stop now noticing that he only has a thin t-shirt on and jeans with sneakers.

“Can we resist the cold or something like that?” I ask.

“Yep. We emanate more heat.” He says.

“That... is useful. I really hate the cold.” I mumble.

“Alright, so not outside right now... how about the cafeteria? Are you hungry yet? Did anyone show you where the cafeteria is at?"

"No.- I mean yes I am hungry and no, no one has shown me around yet." I say.

He smiles and extends his hand towards me. I look at it for a bit... and then... continue to look at it.

"If you expect me to hold your hand when I just met you, it's not happening." I cross my arms.

He lifts his hand up in surrender. "Alright, I get it. You don't trust others easily."

He motions for me to walk with him and I do. I can’t help notice how big he is next to me. The top of my head reaches his shoulders, I have to really look up to talk to him and I’ve always considered myself to be of normal height but now, I am not so sure.

I’ve always found tall men sexy and now that I know that werewolves exist, I can definitely see him being one. In some way, it starts to excite me. The only thing I know about werewolves is that they turn on a full moon—though I know now that that is untrue, now that I saw Daniel shift in pure daylight—and that they are a bit wild... and that is the part that excites me the most.

(Damn it! Stop it, Tinsley!)

We both start walking back up the stairs while I try to keep my thoughts at a PG level.

"Nope, and with good reason." I say answering his previous comment of not trusting people easily.

"And what reason do you have to not trust people?" He asks.

I stare at him again and that lets him know that I am not sharing.

He smiles. "Alright, alright."

"Can you at least tell me what is Marco's plan with you? I mean, they are taking you off those medications he mentioned, right?"

I nod.

"And then what?" He asks.

"I don't really know. I think they are just going to wait and see what happens."

(As I think this in my head, it now seems a bit reckless.)