Chapter Text
You stare out the window as the car swiftly drifts toward your destination. Your mother's shrill voice effectively poisons the beautiful mountain scenery.
"You are fortunate that I managed to convince the principal to accept you midterm!" She says in her brassy tone for the millionth time.
"As you stated several times in the last hours," you reply impassively.
She huffs and resumes her lecture, criticizing you for what you did at your former college and warning you that there will be dire consequences if you misstep here.
You grind your teeth when the imposing building comes into view and wonder what sin you have committed in your previous life to be punished so severely. The car stops and you follow your mother outside. The bane of your existence is sitting on the Academy steps giving you a sickly-sweet smile. You clench your fists, your hatred bubbling under your skin.
"Morticia, darling!" Your mother exclaims with exaggerated happiness as she hugs your older sister.
A few months, a scarce number of weeks really, that's how long you have to survive her until she finishes the Academy so you can enjoy the remainder of your college experience.
"Mother" she responds pleasantly, kissing the air near your mother's cheeks "I am so happy to see you!"
You force yourself not to roll your eyes. Even now you wonder how so few people can pick up on how manipulative the brunette is. People are so gullible, and your parents are a prime example. Morticia came close to murdering you, several times in fact, when you were younger, and your parents always believed her lies and crocodile tears when she said it was just an accident.
"Y/n" she hums walking to you with a gait that reminds you of predators "How's my baby sister?" She gives you a mockery of a hug which you don't bother to reciprocate.
You bite your tongue, how you detest when she refers to you like that, especially after your 18th birthday.
You smile forcefully, your teeth poised to bite her nose off if she doesn't back away "Peachy."
A baleful "Hm" leaves her black-painted lips, a promise that she will pull hurtful pranks on you even here. However, you have an advantage. Not long after the school year started, you finally presented and ensured that what type of outcast you were remained a secret. For your safety.
"Morticia, darling, lead us to the principal’s office."
"Of course," she agrees, escorting you through the Academy like it's her property.
You pass several students, and seeing so many outcasts is entirely different compared to your former university. After several twists and turns, you arrive at the office and enter after a deep voice answers your mother's knock.
Principal Charon's skeletal and pale figure greets you when you come inside. He lifts his dark eyes from the papers he was reading and seems almost bored by your presence.
"Ah, yes. The Frumps" he says instead of saluting and waves his emaciated hand dismissively "You may go to class, Ms. Frump."
You are close to hugging the man because it's clear that the brunette is irritated by the principal's decision.
"Yes, sir" she leaves and it's a miracle that she doesn't bang the door in anger.
"Please, have a seat."
You and your mother sit down and the man's emotionless gaze studies you to the point it feels uncomfortable. You make a note to copy his stare because it could be a great advantage, especially when facing your sister.
"Ms. F/n, I do hope that you realize that accepting a student midterm is unheard of."
You nod "Yes, sir."
He drums his fingers against the table "I hope that you won't flounder this unique opportunity."
"I won't, sir" you reply, fully determined to survive Nevermore.
Your gaze must be telling because the corners of the man's thin mouth twitch upward "Good," his eyes jump to the papers in front of him "Did you present yet?"
Your mother pipes in "Yes! She is a psychic just like my darling Morticia."
You quench the laughter that wishes to escape your throat by biting your tongue. How easy it was to pretend to have visions. You should get an Oscar for the performance you put on.
He nods and writes it down just as a knock is heard "Come in."
The door opens and a melodic voice rings in the office "You called me, Principal Charon?"
"Yes, Ms. Weems. We have a new student and, as head of your dorm, I wish you to meet her."
At this information, you turn to see the newcomer. You blink several times in surprise when you see the tall student. Your gaze quickly goes up and down her form and you have to admit that she is beautiful. Never have you seen blond locks styled so perfectly or blue eyes that can make one drown within their depth.
"Ms. F/n, I assigned you to your sister's dorm. Ophelia Hall."
You feel sick and turn to glare at your happy and clapping mother "Refresh my memory. Ophelia’s the one who kills herself after being driven mad by her family, correct?" You ask, knowing full well that that is the case.
Your mother has the decency to stop smiling and look saddened by your remark.
The principal watches the interaction with interest for a few more moments before he speaks again "Ms. Weems, please take Ms. F/n to the registrar’s office to pick up her uniform along with her schedule, and give her a tour along the way, please." He utters in a tone that can be even called fond and you instantly realize he favors the blonde over your sibling.
"Yes, sir" she replies as you get up and follow her out of the office.
You only get a few steps of blissful silence before the tall woman speaks "I'm Larissa, by the way."
"F/n."
"So, you are Morticia's sister." Your frown isn't overlooked by the blonde "I am her roommate, you know," she tells you conversationally.
You tilt your head toward her to be greeted by a soft smile "And you survived until now with your sanity intact? Impressive."
Her smile falters for a moment and an elegant eyebrow climbs on her forehead "Is it my imagination or you don’t seem particularly fond of Morticia?" She probes as you arrive at the registrar’s office.
You place your hand over your chest and gasp in mock shock "Only 'seem'?! I was aiming for 'bluntly obvious'."
Her blue eyes search your own for a few moments "You are actually serious."
You take from the man your schedule and uniform. You eye the clothes with a critical eye " What if I mentioned that I have an allergy to color?" You ask the blonde, disregarding what she said previously.
Her arched eyebrows raise up in surprise "Allergic?" Her blue gaze focuses on the colored stripes on the uniform "What happens if you come in contact?" She inquires focusing back on you.
"I break out into hives and then the flesh peels off my bones," you say flatly.
She stares in absolute horror until she notices the amusement twinkling in your eyes "That was a joke made in poor taste. You had me truly worried."
"Hm. If you say so," you breathe out distractedly as you study your schedule "Where's my room?"
She seems offended by the question "I haven’t shown you the Academy yet!" She starts walking and you, reluctantly trail after her "Nevermore was founded in 1791 to educate people like us. Outcasts, freaks, monsters, fill in your favorite marginalized group here."
You roll your eyes "You can save the sanitized sales pitch. I'm already enrolled here."
She gives you a disapproving glare before waving elegantly with her hand "Welcome to the quad."
"It’s a pentagon" you deadpan.
A displeased glance is bestowed on you "The whole snarky attitude won't get you friends here."
"What gave you the impression I want friends?"
Your sister’s words ring in your mind “No one likes you.”
She purses her lips, but quickly twists her mouth into a smile "Maybe Morticia already told you, but let me give you a presentation of Nevermore’s social scene. You can use it to fill your obviously bottomless pit of disdain."
Bewilderment overcomes you at her comment and her smile widens in satisfaction at your astonished reaction.
"The four main ones are Fangs, Furs, Stoners, and Scales."
"Vampires, werewolves, sirens, and..." you pause puzzlement contorting your face "... I don't know what Stoner is."
"Gorgons" she pauses briefly "Didn't Morticia tell you?" She questions with curiosity tainting her dulcet voice.
"We aren't close enough to braid our hair and gossip about school."
“I hate you! I wish you were dead!”
"Huh," she strolls with you unhurriedly much to your annoyance "If I'm honest, she rarely talked about you."
"I'm surprised she even mentioned me."
“I refuse to call you my sister!”
She doesn't comment further on the aspect "I'm curious, what did you do at normie collage to be expelled?"
"I do believe that that detail is none of your business," you say lightly, throwing her one of the sickly sweet smiles your older sister perfected.
You notice her clenching her fists, but she has more dignity than you and doesn't snap back. You watch the blonde as she takes a deep breath to center herself before smiling pleasantly at you.
"This is your room." She opens a door and even a prison cell doesn't look as lifeless and gloomy as your new dormitory does.
"Did your interior decorator also design Alcatraz?"
Her lips twist up slightly in lenient amusement "You can decorate it as you want. You have no roommate for the time being so the whole room is yours."
You step further into the chamber "How delightful," you utter as you plan the design of your room strategically just like you did at home.
"I will leave you to unpack. If you need me, my room is the last one on the right."
"I would rather die than go willingly where my sister is" you respond without missing a beat.
“Come near me and I will kill you.”
She tilts her head to the side, and you size up one another like opponents on a battlefield. For a brief moment, your eyes drift from her spellbinding blue eyes to her long neck before focusing back on her. You are human, after all, and can admire something beautiful when presented.
"I didn't tell you to seek your sister out, did I?"
Your mouth twists in a sardonic grin "You've been Morticia's roommate for four years. Birds of a feather flock together, don't they?"
She bristles "I am nothing like Morticia."
You scoff "Sure you aren't. Thank you for showing me around. Your services are no longer required." You quickly dismiss her and turn to your luggage which was brought to your room the moment you arrived at Nevermore.
You feel her gaze on you for a few more seconds before a sigh reverberates in the room and soft footfalls walk to the door.
"You will see that I am different."
"I shan’t hold my breath."
The door closes with a light click and you are left alone. With great difficulty, you manage to subdue the hollow feeling that takes over you.
“No one will ever love you.”