Worlds in-between

Chapter 1

Pearl in my late teens, currently in college, cannot wait to be free and stop wearing the damn uniform. There is nothing wrong with it anyways, but the kind of feeling, wearing it for years, makes her tired of it. Not as if they are not allowed to wear other clothes to school, but damn it.

Who wants to wear mufti when everyone else is in uniform?

She always loves her hair falling behind her, swinging it makes every eyes turn toward her. She has brown eyes and soft small lips. Her nose fit in place.

Pearl lives alone with workers around her. She gets bored sometimes watching them feed her.

Geez, she has her hands, and has become spoiled that she has gotten too lazy to put the food into my mouth.

Her parents live far away, very far. Not in the same country with her. She doesn't know what they are up to, and would not want to know as long as the money for her upkeep is sent regularly and she doesn't have to wait for hours on end before she gets their attention on the phone.

She stumbled around to pick her ringing phone

'Oh Lilly'.

'You are late for school, or are you taking a break today?' A voice said at the other end.

'Of course I will come, just preparing'. Pearl said lazily.

'Bryan is here already'. She said softly.

She covered my hand with her mouth.

'I will be there right away'. She ended the call and hurriedly put on her clothes.

Bryan is the richest kid in the school. No one knows much about him, Pearl found out she had a crush on him.

He has golden hair that always glitters at the reflection of the sun, small lips and pointed nose. His blue eyes search for the truth in anyone and geez, they are captivating!

He has caught her several times staring at him, she wonders if he knows already.

What?

That she has a crush on him. She shook her head at the thought, he must not know.

He is jovial, smiles easily and he jokes a lot. He would never discriminate, at least he has never done, have fun when he wants plus he has got a brain. He is intelligent. Even after studying for hours, Pearl finds it hard to compete with him and win.

Rarely reads in class, would not take notes, but he is the best.

She couldn't believe she was blushing already.

Bryan's face keeps on appearing in her head, but she has got to finish schooling first before thinking about funny stuff.

She placed her headphones on and walked to the car, got in and stared out through the window as the car sped to school. 'Cha would ever listen to her'. She thought. Even after telling him to drive slowly he wouldn't do it. She hopes he doesn't get into an accident some day.

'Hey Pearl, it's nice having you here'. Lilly said immediately she saw her.

'Don't tell me you are missing me already'.

'Omoh! Who would not miss you?' She gave Pearl a slight push and giggled.

He was sitting in the midst of some students, his head moving back and forth as he laughed.

Today he wore a jacket, a bandana on his head. And oh! She shouldn't have noticed but could not help it. The black earring on his left ear. She had better sit down before she gets caught up in his trap. He looks cute everyday.

Lilly tapped her, smiled and went to her seat.

The first teacher came, did the normal teaching, boring. She was just staring at him.

Teachers troop in and out of the class.

It was soon time for a break, Peal and Lilly walked to the cafeteria.

'I can't eat much, I am on a diet'. She whispered to Lilly.

'Remember you should not get thin'.

'I won't'.

'I forgot to ask, how has the training been for the past few days?'

'Tedious but interesting. Guess what!'

'Your Mom is coming to see you?'

'Far from that. I can now split!'

'Wow, calls for celebration. You will show me'. She clapped.

'My Pearl is going to be the best ballerina ever seen'.

'You are exaggerating it. I only need to be like Charlet'.

'She is the best, if you want to be like her, you should be the best too'. She patted her back and smiled.

Charlet is Pearl's role model, she wants to be just like her. She can dance ballet well, starting when she was two. Although she started a little too late, she had promised herself to give anything it takes to be like her role model.

'What about your novel? I will be the first to read it when you are done'.

'I have been busy lately, holding a pen is difficult'.

'What are you up to?' She asked curiously.

'Nothing much, just the normal kid's thing. Feed them, play with them and make them sleep'.

Lilly has two younger siblings, her parents are divorced. At least that is how it seems, maybe it would hurt less to say they are separated. While her mom is away to work, she has to take care of the twins.

She writes stories, sometimes Pearl get caught up in her world, her mind wondering if it was real. Of course, they are just her imaginations.

She loves to read novels, most of the time reading it more than she should.

'Hey wait'. She picked a juice and threw it to her. Pearl caught it and nodded.

'This would do'.

With the juice in her right hand, Pearl held the headphone with the other hand. They soon found a table to sit beside each other.

'It's cool'. She muttered as she sipped the juice.

'Can I sit here?' A husky voice asked.

Even before they could reply he sat opposite Pearl.

She stared at the figure in front of her.

Bryan!

He was sitting directly opposite her. Gosh! Their legs met.

She could feel her cheek slowly turning red. He was going to notice it. That was the last thing she wanted.

'Excuse me'. She stood up and ran, just anywhere, away from him.

Chapter 2.

Bryan looked at Lilly searchingly, he was worried something was wrong with Pearl.

'What is wrong with her?' He nodded in the direction she had left.

'I should go check'. Lilly stood up and walked away.

With a sigh, Bryan brought out his phone, checked the time and realized the break was over already. He stood up and hurriedly went back to class.

He made a funny face at the door, groaned when the teacher came in. Sat down, but not before looking in Pearl's direction. She appeared okay. Girls were really something. He thought.

'It is going to be an interactive class today, I am not the only one born to talk. It is boring to speak for hours on end when some ones would not listen'. The teacher's voice cut out, his face scanned almost everyone's eyes.

'Just let's see'. He said almost to himself and walked to a table, just as he had predicted, some were not listening. He tapped the table for some seconds before he could get the boy's attention. He appeared to be reading something.

'Let's have a look'. He stretched out his hand, the other one went to his back to scratch it. The movement caused an uproar of laughter in the class.

'Shhh'. He put a finger to his mouth. 'Am I the only one curious to know what had held his attention for so long?' He rolled his eyes.

There were shouts of 'No, we wanna know' from everyone.

The boy fiddled with the book and cursed softly before giving it out.

The teacher held out the book in front of him for everyone to see, made a funny expression while reading the magazine, flipped through it and showed everyone.

He dropped the magazine and leaned on the table in front of the class.

'I am teacher Frank, and would be in charge of this class for the next few months'.

They all clapped excitedly.

'I am single, no one wants to marry me, probably because I am too cute'. He touched his face childishly.

'How do you cope?' Someone asked.

'With?'

'Living alone and all'.

'If you want to know, come to my office. And remember, you should not come without anything. For instance, you can bring me a magazine like this'. He held up the magazine he had collected.

Everyone laughed.

All the while, Pearl was staring at Bryan, his every move fascinated her. Sometimes he would smile to reveal silver teeth, and when he laughed, his teeth would shine more brightly, his hand adjusting the bandana on his head unconsciously.

A chalk found its way into her mouth. She looked up and noticed all heads turned to get direction, she wished the ground would open and swallow her. Her burning cheeks too weren't helping matters. She held unto them to make it oblivious, but damn it, it wouldn't bulge.

'Hello everyone'. Lilly's voice cut out. She gave a wink in Pearl's direction.

'Let's do something'. 'Catch me if you can'

She ran outside.

As sheep to the slaughter, they ran after her.

Bryan came to her, raised her head to look at him and frowned.

'Are you okay?'

'Sure, why not?' She forced herself to look into his eyes.

'Stare at me if that would make you happy'. He leaned towards her, their faces only a few inches apart. She could feel his warm breath on her. Her heart was beating fast, more than she could have ever imagined.

The rushing feets made him release her. He went back to his seat, a smirk at the corner of his face. Pearl wondered how easily he could get close to her without being the least affected.

'Are you made of bones?' Frank said panting.

'Guess you were not fast enough'. Lilly shrugged.

'Enough of that'. Frank held out his hand.

'Pearl, I need my chalk back'.

'Oh yeah'. She walked stupidly and gave him.

The rest of the lesson was interesting, with Frank making funny expressions to make the class as interactive as he could.

Pearl put her head on the table with her headphones on her head.

'Thanks for saving me'. She texted Lilly.

'What are friends for?' She messaged back.

She raised her head and looked in Lilly's direction, gave her a thumb up.

'But, you really need to be careful before everyone knows'. She texted again.

'Yes, sure I will. And I have to find a solution to this face of my'. She dropped her phone in her bag and laid her head on the table again.

Someone tapped her, she raised her head expecting to see Lilly, but was disappointed when she saw Beth. She showed her disgust and continued what she was doing.

Beth's parents own the school, that might explain how rich they were. She is a spoiled brat who gets everything she wants to herself. The only thing she has failed to get lately is Bryan, she is often disappointed at how equally he treats everyone. Her long hair was dangling behind her, almost touching her waist.

She folded her arms across her chest.

'We need to talk'. She said softly, and didn't hide the fact that she hated speaking with Pearl.

'Now? I am busy'. Pearl said carelessly.

'Then we might as well spill everything here'.

'What?'

'That thing with your face when you look in Bryan's direction'.

'It sounds absurd'. She tried to make it sound like she intended.

'Do you by any chance have any feelings for him?' She bent as if trying to get the truth from her.

'I don't know what you are talking about, and would appreciate it if you just stop it'. She turned her glance away from Beth.

'You had better not have any feelings for him'. Beth's voice was loud.

Some heads turned in their direction. Some busy bodies came to them. A crowd was forming already, that was the last thing she wanted.

'What is up with you two?' Adrian leaned over to Beth.

He has always tried to get her attention, but often fails. Even when he managed to, he would become her servant. Do her assignments for her, help her get into the car. Lots of boring things.

'You should move a little further away while talking, your mouth will sink'. Beth said before walking away. Her followers went with her. What rich spoiled kid would not have one anyways?

Pearl raised her head and saw the hurt in Adrian's face.

'I am sorry Adrian'. She found herself saying.

He rolled her eyes at her and stormed off.

Cha was waiting for her already. He opened the door and let her in. School had been nothing close to fun. If other days turned out to be like this, she doubted she would survive it.

Once home, she took off her clothes and jumped on the bed, and off, she journeyed to dreamland.

★★★

Bryan's eyes scanned the room for sight of anyone. He was damn hungry, his fang were getting longer as seconds passed. He ran madly to the door, got hold of a maid and set his teeth into her neck, plunge deep and sighed in satisfaction. He tapped her shoulder and let her fall unconsciously. It was better for her to be unconscious than feel the pain.

Bryan walked to his room. He hated himself for being a vampire, for being one who would depend on humans to feed.

He lay weakly on the bed, tried to remember something that would make him smile, but nothing came to his mind. Home was different. Nothing compared to school.

He finds it difficult to believe he is the same person both in school and at home. He rarely laughs at home, maybe there was nothing funny to laugh at, watching the maids work is boring on its own.

He tried drumming but gave up the idea when he couldn't find a piece to stick to.

He brought gum from his pocket and worked on it.

Somehow it helped him keep his attention away from his horrible self.

Chapter 3

The damn thing wouldn't stop. Pearl made a blind eye for the alarm and turned it off. Closed her eyes to get back to sleep. After trying without success, she checked the time. It was almost time to train.She took her training kit and walked out.

After training for two hours, she took off the clothes and wore a loose robe, peeped out through the window. It was cool outside, Pearl thought a walk would make her mind feel more comfortable. Someone was coming behind her, she turned and came face to face with Adrian, their face a few inches apart. His lips curved in a dry smile, head surged forward and his mouth fell on her cheek.

For some seconds, Pearl didn't understand what was happening until she felt something cold on her cheeks. She pushed him away, wiping furiously at her face, she glanced at him in horror.

'You stinking son of a bitch.... Just what were you thinking?'

'It was a mistake. I kind of got pushed from the back and almost fell thanks to you'. He demonstrated as he said the words.

'Or thanks to my cheek that got kissed because of you'. Pearl said carelessly.

He glanced around and covered her mouth.

'You are shouting, everyone will hear'.

Pearl struggled to wiggle herself free from him, but gave up when she hurt her arm. After succeeding to drag her to a quiet place he released her.

'I should smack your head for this'. She said when she caught her breath. Tried to turn her head and it seemed stiff from his grip.

'Then do that. I hate it when I am not punished for what I did wrong'. He turned his back to her as if telling her to hit him in the back.

His body was drenched in sweat, his wet hair covering his face, scattered around.

Just before she got lost looking at him, she turned her glance to another direction.

'I will reserve it till another time, I hate to waste my energy when it is not needed'

'Suite yourself'. He shrugged.

Adrian has an oval shaped face, a curly hair, pink small lips and moderate nose that fit in place.

'Do you live around here?' Pearl asked curiously.

'No. I exercise in the evening and come here often'. He wiped the sweat on his forehead.

'I see'. She nodded thoughtfully.

'You are alone?' He glanced around.

'Yes. Why?'

'Just surprised. Used to think you are a momma's pet'. Adrian rubbed his palm together.

'Actually, I am. But does it matter'.

'No'. He waved his hand. Suddenly raised his head in admiration. 'Want to join me in a party?'

'Me?' She asked with surprise written all over her face.

Just then, her phone rang, she glanced at it, waved at Adrian before walking briskly home.

'How was school today?' Her mom's voice said at the other end.

'Momma I miss you'.

'I didn't ask you if you did'. She said with a chuckle.

'Today was interesting, boring, sad, joyful... And everything'. Pearl giggled.

'You must have memorized those words'. Pearl could hear her laughter.

'Momma loves you'. Pearl could tell her mom was pretty busy.

'Love you too'. She blew her a kiss.

Pearl hugged her phone before jogging home. She would definitely enjoy a nice night's rest.

★★★

The evening was longer than Pearl had expected, maybe because it was going to be her first time spending the night away from home. She was anxious.

'Are you sure about this?' She asked Lilly for the hundredth time.

'Chill, no one will bite you'. She applied a red lipstick to her lips, looking at her reflection in the mirror before nodding her head in satisfaction.

'How was your first time like?' She asked again.

'You are making this sound weird. It's just a party for crying out loud!' She turned to look at her.

'It was just like any other party. I went with my mom. Everywhere was blaring with music, you would not dare miss the fun'. She smiled as though she was seeing herself in the party.

'And what's that?' She pointed to Pearl's clothes.

'Clothes of course, is there something wrong with it?' She frowned.

'Everything is wrong. How can you wear something like this to a party? You look like those women already in their 80s'. She formed a ugly expression.

'Geez. I am not sure about this again'. She stood up and went to her wardrobe and brought out a cloth, Lilly shook her head.

She repeated the process until she got tired of it. She lay on her bed lazily.

Lilly dressed in a tight fitting trouser and a top that stopped below her navel stood up and searched the wardrobe for a cloth.

She soon saw one and threw it to her.

Reluctantly, Pearl wore it and sat down, allowing Lilly to make her hair for her.

'Tada!' She said when she was done.

Pearl opened her eyes slowly and almost gasped at her reflection in the mirror. It was certainly not the Pearl she knew.

Her hair was packed in a ponytail. She was dressed in a short gown that gave her the appearance of a kid.

Her phone rang, she checked it and covered her mouth with her hand in a grasp.

'Adrian is waiting already'.

'Here, take this'. She offered her sunglasses.

Pearl sighed, she wasn't sure she would enjoy it. She could only hope for the best.

'Your Mom knows about this?' Pearl couldn't help but ask as they walked out.

'Yeah, I told her. That's my reward for taking care of the kid, I guess'. She beamed a smile.

Adrian opened the door and allowed them in. He sat at the back between the two, talked until they got to the party.

'I hope you enjoy yourselves'. He nodded in Pearl's direction.

'You are not going to leave us here are you?' Fear written on her face.

'Of course...' he had barely finished talking when a red-haired girl winked at him. He gave her a smile before walking toward her, leaving the two behind.

'That is bad'. Pearl groaned.

'You are not a kid, and this is his friend's party. He has got to enjoy himself'. Lilly said, while also searching with her eyes for a table where they could sit.

The bar man came to them as soon as they were seated. Winked in Lilly's direction before asking what they wanted.

'Soda would do'.

The man was long gone before Pearl could protest.

'You should try something new'.

'Geez, this is overwhelming'. Pearl looked around. Her eyes fell on two people, they were dancing aggressively, it was obvious that they were drunk. She shook her head.

'Can I have a dance?' A soft voice said. She was forced to turn to the direction the voice was coming from.

'Me?' She pointed at herself when she noticed him staring at her intently.

He gave her a nod.

'Yes'. Lilly answered for her and gave her a reassuring smile.

She stood up slowly.

The guy's hair was dyed white, Pearl couldn't help noticing his blue eyes, they seemed like an ocean. He held her hand and led her to the dance floor.

'I am Loire'. He said softly.

She could feel her cheek starting to burn under his glance.

'I am Pearl'. She managed to say, looking away.

'And, what is up with this?' He took off the sunglasses from her face.

Pearl realized she had been putting it on all the while.

She reached out her hand to collect it. Instead of giving it to her, Loire dragged her closer to himself.

'You are cool'. He muttered huskily.

'I am not used to this'. She said the words before realizing it.

'I know'. He said softly.

Pearl found out she was getting influenced by his voice. She tried to pull away, but found out to her dismay how difficult it was. Her body was acting against her wish. She closed her eyes.

He bent slowly toward her. She suddenly opened her eyes, what was he thinking?

She noticed something, his canines were getting longer. A grasp escaped from her mouth. Was he going to bite her? She shook her head at the thought.

Loire pulled her to a corner, placed his mouth on her neck and proceeded to feed on her.

Without warning, he pushed her away and reached for another girl who was standing some meters away from them, watching with fascination.

Pearl tried to close her eyes, it seemed to her like a nightmare which she would love to wake up from as fast as she could.

The girl fell unconscious on the floor.

Loire licked his lips and turned to face her. She could notice the smell of blood on him.

'It is nice meeting you'. He opened his arms to pull her in a hug, she shook her head and broke into a run. Stopped at the table, Lilly wasn't there. She couldn't afford to wait for her.

She tried calling her, but lily didn't pick up the call.

Once home, she took off her clothes and dumped them in the toilet. Got into the bathtub.

Even after staying in the bathtub for hours, she could still feel his hot breath on her.

She closed her eyes and screamed.

No one heard her, because her room had a soundproof door.