𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞

Oh, you give me the chills

𓋹𓂀

𝕋ℍ𝔼 sun cast a golden glow over Monster High, its rays illuminating the school's gothic architecture and eerie gargoyles with an unusual warmth. Outside on the stone staircase, Zeraphine waited, her gaze sweeping the crowd of ghouls and monsters pouring through the entrance. The daughter of Medusa had a distinct punk edge to her style—her dark, wavy hair tumbled over her shoulders, with streaks of black and green peeking through, and her snakes wriggled playfully around her head, their bright green scales catching the sunlight. Zeraphine wore a pair of black sunglasses, stylish yet practical for keeping her gaze in check. Her outfit—a fashionable fusion of black and green with edgy, punk-inspired details like chains and studs—showed off her bold style and confidence.

Then she spotted a familiar face in the crowd. "Frankie, over here!" Zeraphine called out, waving, her snakes bobbing in excitement as she spotted her friend. Frankie Stein's face lit up when she saw Zeraphine, her silvery hair bouncing with each step as she made her way over, her smile wide and welcoming. "Zeraphine!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around her friend in a warm hug, carefully minding the snakes, which wiggled curiously at the newcomer.

"Hey, Frankie! I couldn't wait to see you," Zeraphine said, hugging her back with a grin. "Are you ready to dive into the halls of Monster High? There's a lot to see... and, well, a lot to dodge too!"

Frankie's stitched-up smile brightened as she looked around at all the students, each unique in their own way. "This place is incredible! I already feel like I'm where I belong."

Zeraphine chuckled, the tips of her snakes giving friendly nods as if they agreed. "You totally do. And don't worry, I'm your official Monster High guide." She gave Frankie's hand a supportive squeeze, her own excitement sparkling in her smile, though her eyes stayed hidden behind her shades. With the grand entrance ahead and her best friend by her side, Frankie felt the excitement bubble up, turning her nerves into pure joy. Today was already off to a perfect start.

As they walked through the crowded hallway, Zeraphine noticed the slight nervousness in Frankie's expression. And who could blame her? New school, new faces—plus the fact that Frankie was technically only 15 days old, almost 16. Zeraphine's heart warmed with empathy, knowing exactly how intimidating it could feel to walk these halls on your first day. But before she could offer a comforting word, Frankie took a deep breath and faced the crowd, determined.

"Hey, what's up, Monster High!" Frankie exclaimed, trying her best to make a strong first impression. Heads turned, and a few students paused, staring at her in silence. A heavy quietness settled around them, and Zeraphine could feel the thick tension in the air. She chuckled softly, giving Frankie a little nudge of reassurance. "I'm Frankie—Frankie Stein," Frankie added, smiling and giving a small wave, though her enthusiasm had dulled into nervousness. After a beat, the students turned away, resuming their conversations as if nothing had happened.

"Well... that was something," Frankie mumbled, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Zeraphine smiled warmly and placed a comforting hand on Frankie's shoulder. "Hey, don't worry about it," she said softly, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly. But just as Frankie began to relax, another student brushed past, accidentally knocking Frankie's books from her arms. She sighed as her confidence seemed to waver.

Zeraphine immediately knelt down, helping Frankie gather her books. "Frankie, it's okay. First days are tough for everyone," she said, looking up at her friend with a gentle, encouraging smile. "But I know you're going to do amazing. Just take a deep breath. You've got everything it takes to shine here. Confidence is all you need—and remember, no one can make you feel less than you are unless you let them." She handed Frankie her books, her snakes giving Frankie approving nods as if they were cheering her on too. "I believe in you," Zeraphine continued. "Just be yourself. That's all anyone could ask for."

Frankie's face softened, and a grateful smile broke through as she hugged Zeraphine tightly. "Thank you," she whispered, feeling a little stronger already.

With her friend by her side, Frankie felt ready to give this first day another try, her confidence growing with every step.

The next day arrived, and Zeraphine walked into Monster High's towering halls with Frankie by her side. She could see that her friend was still downcast after yesterday's rough first impression, but Zeraphine kept close, sticking up for her friend and offering gentle words of encouragement whenever Frankie's nerves showed through. They finally reached their class, which Zeraphine was dreading since she knew it meant dealing with Mr. Lou Zaar—affectionately dubbed "Mr. Loser" by most of the students. He was notorious for his boring lectures, not to mention that awkward time he'd dared Zeraphine to take off her sunglasses, turning to stone for weeks after.

As the two walked into the classroom, Zeraphine's brother Deuce passed by, flashing them a quick smile. "What's up," he said, shooting Zeraphine a thumbs-up before heading to his seat.

But before Frankie could reply, Slomo stumbled right into her, sending her books scattering to the floor. Zeraphine immediately bent down to help her, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation. "These boys and their clumsy feet..." she muttered, handing Frankie her books just as two other figures stepped up—Ghoulian, a zombie boy with an endearingly blank expression, and Cleon De Nile, a tall, confident Egyptian mummy with the trademark De Nile swagger.

"Meet at 2:00 at the cap that is type of negative," Cleon said cryptically, turning to Ghoulian, who responded with a low groan.

"No, no, no. I couldn't possibly..." Cleon started to answer, but before he could finish, he tripped over Frankie's foot. He quickly found his balance, turning back around with a sharp, almost suspicious gaze. "New girl, are you among the living?"

Flustered, Frankie stood up. "I'm... I'm sorry," she stammered, looking embarrassed.

Cleon stepped forward, lifting her chin gently with his fingers, making Frankie look up at him. "Yes, yes, you are." He glanced over at Ghoulian. "Ghoulian, add..." He paused, staring at Frankie, and then asked, "Name?"

"Frankie Stein," she replied, looking down.

Cleon smirked. "Frankie Stein... into the lowest rung of the popularity database."

Zeraphine sighed and stood up, stepping between Frankie and Cleon with a sly smile as she locked eyes with her boyfriend. "Come now, my desert flower. Is that any way to treat someone on their first day?" Her voice was playful, with just a hint of a tease that softened her words.

Cleon turned, his signature smirk still in place, and moved closer to her, taking her hand and kissing her knuckle in a courtly gesture. "Well, isn't it my desert cobra, looking as striking as ever." Zeraphine tilted her head, her snakes flickering their tongues in Cleon's direction. She arched an eyebrow, her teasing smile widening. "Flattery, huh? Maybe try adding 'sorry' to your charm list. Or would you like to spend your day at the 'lowest rung of the popularity database'?"

Cleon's confident smirk faltered ever so slightly, and with a half-chuckled sigh, he turned back to Frankie. "Apologies... Frankie Stein," he said, offering a polite nod. Frankie's eyes widened in surprise as Cleon shot Zeraphine a grateful look. She responded by giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before he headed to his seat, Ghoulian loyally following behind.

As they sat down, Frankie turned to Zeraphine, still a little dazed. "Who was that?"

"That, Frankie," Zeraphine said with a smile, "is Cleon De Nile. Don't let his attitude fool you—he may come off a little rough, but he's got a golden heart." She winked, sliding into her seat beside Frankie just as Mr. Lou Zaar began droning on at the front.

As Mr. Lou Zaar droned on in his monotonous voice, the classroom began to feel more like a battlefield against sleep than a place of learning. Zeraphine struggled to keep her eyes open, glancing around at her fellow students who were all in various stages of defeat. A ghoul at the front dramatically held a flower to her chest before "passing out," her head slumping forward as though she'd fainted from pure boredom. Cleon, meanwhile, sat completely relaxed, barely pretending to pay attention as Ghoulian diligently scribbled down notes beside him, clearly used to covering for his friend.

Even Zeraphine's snakes had fallen asleep, their little heads drooping under her dark hair. She almost succumbed to the temptation to close her eyes, but a sight caught her attention—Frankie sneaking a magazine behind her schoolbook, flipping to a page with intense concentration. Zeraphine couldn't help but chuckle softly when she saw what Frankie was reading: The Oracle. On the page, a headline read, "Finding friends can be a challenge; be a joiner!"

Before she could nudge Frankie with a playful comment, her phone buzzed with a message. Curious, Zeraphine glanced at the screen, a smile blooming as she read the words from Cleon:

"My desert rose, even in a room as dull as this, you're all I see. The stars may light the night sky, but you are the light in mine. If boredom were to take me, I would gladly spend my last breath thinking of you. Meet me by the fountain after class. Forever yours, Cleon."

Zeraphine's heart fluttered, and she couldn't help the loving smile that spread across her face as she read and reread his message, the dull class around her fading into the background.

As Zeraphine typed her reply to Cleon, explaining that she wouldn't be able to meet him because she'd promised to help Frankie, a sudden, high-pitched squeal made her jump in her seat. She turned quickly to see Frankie's wide-eyed expression—and just above them, hanging upside down and peering over Frankie's shoulder, was Draculaura.

𓋹𓂀

By: SilverMist707

I missed these movies and the dolls I used to have. :,)