Enid walked ahead with her usual light, bouncy stride—almost a hop, really—glancing over her shoulder every few steps as if to confirm Ethan hadn't vanished into the floorboards. At Nevermore, that was always a possibility.
"So, you're new-new?" she asked, smile wide and warm. "Like—arrived-today new?"
"Yeah," Ethan said. "Just got here."
"Nice! Welcome to Nevermore." She threw her arms out theatrically. "It looks terrifying at first, but once you get used to it… it's only mildly terrifying."
They passed beneath a row of stained-glass windows depicting nevermore ravens in flight. Sunlight filtered through in sharp blues and reds, painting shifting patterns across the hallway like moving sigils.
Ethan adjusted the strap of his bag. "I wasn't expecting the place to look this… accurate."
"Accurate to what?" Enid asked, eyebrows lifting curiously.
"Uh—just pictures I saw online," he said smoothly.
"Ohh," Enid nodded. "Yeah, online photos make the school look super creepy, but honestly? It's not that bad. Unless you run into someone brooding in a dark corner. We have a few professional brooders around here."
They turned into another corridor—this one dominated by portraits whose eyes followed them with lifelike focus. One painting of Edgar Allan Poe seemed particularly judgmental today.
Nevermore was nothing if not dramatic.
Enid bounded up a short staircase, taking the last two steps in a single energetic hop. Ethan followed at a much more human pace.
"So what are you?" she asked abruptly—then immediately cringed. "I mean your… classification? Species? If that's okay. Most people get asked eventually, so I figured I'd save you the awkward moment."
"Vampire," Ethan said.
Enid blinked. "Oh! Cool. Neat. But, uh… why aren't you wearing sunglasses?"
It was a reasonable question.
In Nevermore Academy, vampires were easy to spot: all black clothing, the occasional fang flash, and sunglasses—always sunglasses. The halls were full of them, like a convention of fashion models who refused eye contact.
Even indoors, even during Dracula-themed school events… the shades stayed on.
Unlike Hollywood's dramatic combustions, real vampires didn't burst into flames under the sun, but their eyes were so sensitive that exposed irises usually meant they'd be blind for a week.
So seeing a vampire walking casually through daylight with bare eyes…
Almost unheard of.
"Nah, I don't need those. I'm fine as is," Ethan said.
Honestly, sunglasses indoors were for pretentious people or patients with eye problems—he was neither. So no glasses.
Enid opened her mouth as if to question that, but decided to trust the confident vampire instead.
They walked only a few more steps before she suddenly gasped, clutching her chest dramatically.
"Oh my gosh— I totally forgot to ask your name! That's, like, day-one basic manners. Sorry."
"Ethan," he said.
"Enid," she replied with a bright smile, offering a little wave even though she was already walking beside him. "Nice to officially meet you."
Before he could answer, she'd already launched into rapid-fire mode, the speed of someone who drank iced coffee instead of water.
"So, do you have Snapchat? TikTok? Insta? Because if you don't, I can help set it up! We can swap usernames, and I can introduce you to people here and—"
She looked seconds away from physically grabbing his hand and forcing him to install five apps on the spot.
But—
"Enid."
Principal Weems' voice sliced cleanly through the corridor like a perfectly sharpened knife.
Both of them turned. Weems stood a few steps away, posture perfect, expression composed as always.
"I'll take it from here. You may return to class—it's almost time."
Enid deflated instantly. "Aww, seriously?"
She'd clearly been seconds away from securing his entire social media profile.
In a school filled with brooding werewolves, eccentric psychics, sirens with superiority complexes, and general chaos gremlins, finding a handsome normal-ish guy was basically a cosmic blessing. And she had almost lost her chance.
Ethan offered her a polite nod. "Thanks for guiding me."
Enid managed a small, reluctant smile. "Yeah… anytime."
Then she turned and jogged back down the hall, glancing over her shoulder twice—maybe three times—before disappearing around the corner.
Weems motioned for Ethan to follow and pushed open her office door.
"Please, have a seat," she said, moving behind her desk .
Ethan sat on the chair opposite her, placing his bag quietly at his feet.
Weems folded her hands, expression composed. "Now then, Mr. Corvin. Your enrollment may be… unique, but your responsibilities as a student remain the same."
Here it comes, Ethan thought.
She began listing the standard school rules—attendance expectations, curfew, uniform requirements, safety guidelines regarding outcast abilities, and the ever-popular "no dueling in school corridors."
He listened quietly, already knowing he'd break at least three of those rules within the first week.
"We also expect respectful conduct toward staff and fellow students," she continued. "Nevermore is a place for growth, not conflict."
Ethan nodded. "I understand."
"Good." She opened a drawer and pulled out a file. "Now, regarding your accommodations…"
She handed him a slip of paper with a room number neatly written on it.
"You've been assigned to Caliban Hall. It's one of the more stable dormitories—quiet, well-maintained, "
He pocketed the slip. "Any roommates?"
"No. Given your status—and your… particular circumstances—you'll have a room to yourself."
Perfect.
"If you need assistance settling in, the resident advisor for Caliban Hall can help."
Ethan stood as Weems rose from her chair. "Thank you, Principal."
She nodded approvingly. "Welcome to Nevermore, Mr. Corvin. I trust you'll make your mark here—hopefully for the right reasons."
He gave a faint smirk. "No promises."
For the first time, she actually looked amused.
"You may go. Classes begin tomorrow. I suggest you use today to get familiar with the campus."
Ethan stepped out of the office, the door clicking shut behind him.
*****
A/N: If you enjoy my work, you might also like my other novel, "Wicked Grimoire". Feel free to check it out!