I woke with a start; I was back in bed, and in my apartment.

What the fuck happened? Was that man a dream?

The small amount of remaining vomit that was crusted onto my discarded shirt said otherwise. I feel like crying. I turn to my phone and groan when the red battery sign appears. I find my charger and struggle to get it into the outlet. I wait for it to charge, and my head pounds from the illumination of my phone finally turning back on in my hands. The light makes me squint and hold the phone away. 6:45am flashes across the screen.

Fuck.

How was it the morning already?

I saunter to the kitchen, when I suddenly realize I have class in a couple hours. I replay the events of last night in my head. It's like an investigation as I try to piece everything together.

Okay. Firstly, I went for a walk and I met that man. That beautiful man. And then I vomited on his shoes. The next moments are where my memory fail. I vaguely remember Isaac appearing from almost out nowhere and dragging me home. Did he know that man?

I think to myself as I sit with my hands in my lap. He and Lenna must have finished soon after I left, to have been walking past.

Lenna.

I exit my apartment after grabbing a quick robe to throw on. I knock on her door to make sure she is okay, and of course I'm greeted with a bright smile. I'm completely astounded by her ability to be not.... hungover. She assures me she's fine and that her and Isaac were just having fun.

"Yeah it sounded like you were having a lot of fun," I giggle at her. She instantly starts gushing at me.

"It was so much fun, just wait until you have sex with a wer—''

"With a what?" I ask, as she had stopped her sentence suddenly.

"A football player," She snaps quickly. "They have amazing stamina from all that practice." She laughs before claiming she has to go get ready, and turning back around into her apartment. I shrug it off, and return back to my apartment to do the exact same thing.

~

The hot water runs down my back as I stand in the shower. I hope I never have to see that man again, despite him being so attractive. Embarrassment courses through me. My cheeks heat up even though there is no one there to witness this horror. I quickly shove off the water by turning the handle, and step out of the shower. I would do anything to remove all traces of last night from my mind.

~

The kettle rings in my ear and I snap it off. I really don't have the capacity to listen to that annoying ringing. I sit down with my fresh cup of green tea, after I had managed to shower. Even after I gulp down the cup, my throat feels coarse from throwing up.

Yuck.

The clock indicates its 8:47am. Shit. I was in the shower for way longer than I thought. I have ancient history at 9:15am. I curse that I chose an elective with such an early start time.

I trudge to campus in sweats because I have no time to change. Lenna was right when she said everything is in walking distance, so I don't even bother taking the bus.

Finding my class takes a lot of concentration. The sea of people quickly becomes disorienting, and I pass what seems like hundreds of doors before I find room 103A. Finally. I choose a seat near the front of the class, as I always have been a bit of a teacher's pet and that wasn't going to stop now just because I was in University.

Someone abruptly sits down beside me and I'm a little shocked due to the emptiness of the room. They could have chosen anywhere else to sit. They turn to face me.

"Hi, I'm Maya."

I smile, glad someone is already being friendly. Maya has the same sharp features that a lot of people in this small town have.

"Addy," I retort casually. Her eyes scan my face and quickly drop to my chest. She looks at the pendant on my neck and lowly questions me.

"Are you one of them?"

I blink, unknowing how to respond. My eyebrows furrow together in confusion. I try to wipe the stupid look off my face. "I'm sorry, one of what?"

"Never mind," Maya quickly dismisses and then picks up her stuff, moving to the back of the classroom.

For some reason, tears threaten to spill out of my eyes. I am reminded of last night when someone called me a human. I shiver and try to choke my feelings down. I convince myself that it's because this town isn't used to newcomers.

I flip through my laptop. I read the syllabus online and find out this course is thought by Professor Allan; the University's youngest teacher. As the classroom fills, everyone is chatting and distracted until a sudden silence fills the room.

From the back door, in walks the Professor. His presence brings almost an aura of power surrounding him. Everyone in the class almost seems to bow their heads to him, before continuing on with their conversations in a more hushed manner. I shake it off and blame it on the slightly blurry vision my hangover has given me.

When Professor Allan turns around, I almost choke on my own spit. It's the same man from last night. Horror strikes me. I cower into my seat.

Why did I choose to sit in the front?

I curse myself under my breath. I need to apologize. I stand up, my legs shaking. I have to wipe the sweat from my hands off onto my pants. I tuck my hair behind my ears as I approach him. He sees me as soon as I stand up.

His eye pierce into me. He looked almost as shell shocked as I was, although quickly hides it. I get close enough so that no one else in the room could hear my sob apology. I open my mouth and I am cut off.

"Glad to see you're dressed appropriately today."

My mouth gapes open.

"I-I am so sorry," I flush anxiously. The heat travels from my cheeks to my entire body. I have never been more ashamed in my entire life. I had almost forgotten that last night I only had a t-shirt barely covering me. The alcohol had made me feel warm.

"I was at a party sir, and I just needed fresh air. I didn't know where I was going..." I ramble until a hand comes up, indicating me to be silent.

"It is time for class to begin Miss. Hayes."

I sit back down in my seat like a robot. He knew my name. I don't remember telling him my name last night but a lot of last night is blurry. I hardly listen to anything he says in class because I am more mesmerized by the way his lips move when he speaks. The odd time our eyes meet and it feels like time has stopped. I only catch the last bit of the lecture when he is telling us about an assignment. The slide on the board reads...

1500 Word Essay on Lycanthrope Local History

Due: September 14th.

My first assignment was due a week from today. I guess I really did pick a hell of an elective. I run through the syllabus as Professor Allan talks about the specifics of the assignment. There is no unit on mythical creatures mentioned.

The class is dismissed, and I get the courage to go up to him again.

"Professor?" It is the quickest moment, but I see the slightest hint of annoyance on his face caused by what I have said.

"You can call me Klayton," he replies.

I squirm a little bit, as I feel a bit uncomfortable. I don't like to refer to teachers by their first names, but I guess he is awfully young to be a professor. Maybe he doesn't like being so formal.

"I really am sorry about last night... and I also have a question about the assignment," I say with as must confidence I could muster in our awkward and particular situation. His silence is taken as an indication I should continue. He is packing his things up while I talk. "I looked through the syllabus and there is no unit on mythical creatures, so I was just wondering what the relevance this assignment has to an ancient history class?" I stop talking when his head snaps up at my words.

He walks towards me but abruptly stops. His face grimaces as if he is restraining himself. His face then turns hard; impassive.

"Werewolves have much more to do with history than you think. Just do the assignment and don't question me again," He starts to leave and right before the door closes behind him, he stops it with his hand and turns back.

"Miss Hayes, I wouldn't get drunk like that again I was you," His face is soft, but none of that softness can be detected in his voice. His tone is hard and almost threatening.

I am left alone in the classroom stunned. It is only when other kids start filling in for the next class that I realize I hadn't moved. I grab my stuff and walk out my brain going a thousand miles per hour.

🖤🖤