but when I'm with my peeps

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"Clawd had finally figured out what to get Draculaura. Something she couldn't get anywhere else."

Zeraphine leaned casually against the lockers, her friends surrounding her. Cleon had his arm draped possessively around her shoulders, his signature smirk firmly in place. They were mid-conversation when Clawd appeared, carrying a large box in his arms and wearing a proud grin.

"Check it out," Clawd said enthusiastically, presenting the box to the group.

Zeraphine tilted her head curiously while Cleon raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Oh, a box of junk. How thoughtful," Cleon drawled with his usual sarcasm.

Zeraphine leaned forward to peer inside the box, her snakes twitching with interest. "Hmm," she murmured, her fingers brushing over some of the items. There was something peculiar about them, though she couldn't quite place it. Clawdeen stepped up, crossing her arms with a firm expression. "Yeah, Clawd, you can't just give her a bunch of random stuff you dug up from the backyard."

Zeraphine and Frankie exchanged amused glances, both stifling smiles.

Clawd huffed defensively, setting the box down for them to see. "It's not a box of junk, it's—"

Before he could finish, a loud commotion erupted from down the hallway. A throng of ghouls sprinted past, their excitement palpable as they whooped and hollered.

"What's that about?" Cleon asked, narrowing his eyes as he watched the crowd. Then, with mock betrayal, he added, "Is there a sale somewhere? Why wasn't I told?" He turned abruptly, catching sight of Ghoulian, who was shuffling along nearby. "Ghoulian!" Cleon exclaimed, his tone accusatory.

Ghoulian shrugged nonchalantly, clearly uninterested in whatever drama was unfolding.

Spectra suddenly appeared, floating through the hallway in her usual ethereal manner. "Didn't you read my blog?" she asked, her voice brimming with excitement. "A hot new boy just transferred to Monster High!"

With that, she disappeared as quickly as she had arrived, leaving everyone stunned.

Toralei, lounging atop the lockers with her two lackeys flanking her, chimed in with a sly grin. "I heard he's looking for Draculaura," she purred innocently, her tone laced with mischief.

The words hung in the air, making Clawd's brow furrow in worry. Zeraphine, Cleon, and the others exchanged confused looks, while the energy in the hallway grew more electric by the second.

As Valentine confidently strolled down the halls of Monster High, his every step seemed to echo with an air of self-assurance. The ghouls he passed couldn't help but giggle and swoon, their whispers trailing in his wake like an adoring chorus. He didn't even need to look their way; his sharp smile and effortless charm were enough to leave a trail of fluttering hearts in his path. His polished crimson necktie gleamed under the eerie glow of the hallway lights, and his eyes glinted with a mischievous spark that promised trouble—or something far more enticing.

From seemingly nowhere, Toralei slid into step beside him, her movement smooth and calculated, like a tiger stalking its prey. She smirked up at him, her piercing green eyes glittering with mischief. "I'm Toralei," she purred, her voice laced with playful confidence.

"Pleased to meet ya, darlin.' I'm—" Valentine began, his voice smooth as silk, but Toralei cut him off mid-sentence with a flick of her tail and a knowing smile.

"Valentine, yes. I know all about you."

Valentine's grin widened smugly, leaning slightly toward her as if to revel in her acknowledgment. "I see my reputation precedes me," he drawled, his voice carrying that velvety, practiced charm.

Toralei tilted her head, her sly smile deepening. "And I know you're here for Draculaura's heart."

For a moment, Valentine faltered. His confident stride slowed, and his smirk wavered as he glanced around, suddenly more cautious. His voice dropped into a hushed tone, tinged with urgency. "Hush now," he hissed, guiding them into a shadowed, empty hallway. His usual composure cracked, revealing a flicker of panic as he glanced back to ensure no one overheard.

Toralei followed, her arms crossed casually, her sharp claws tapping against her elbow. She watched him squirm, her amusement growing. "Look," Valentine began, his voice low as he leaned closer, "she called me."

Toralei raised an eyebrow, her smirk returning full force. "She didn't call you. I did."

Valentine's frown deepened, confusion flashing in his crimson eyes. "You did? Why?"

Toralei's grin widened as she reached out, grabbing his chin and gently turning his face forward. Her claws lightly grazed his skin, enough to send a shiver down his spine. "To help you get past her guard dog," she said, her voice dripping with mischief.

Valentine followed her gesture, his gaze landing on Clawd talking to Draculaura. Beside them stood Zeraphine, exuding an air of quiet confidence. She wore a sleek black turtleneck paired with a striking green plaid skirt adorned with silver chains that gleamed faintly in the dim hallway light. Thigh-high black socks with black heeled platforms with chains on it, giving her an edgy elegance. Her polished presence radiated authority, a protective energy that matched Clawd's looming stature.

Valentine raised an eyebrow, studying them. His sharp eye caught the warmth in Zeraphine's demeanour—a kindness almost as captivating as Draculaura's. "The furry friend... and her snake friend?" he asked sceptically, his tone laced with disbelief. Toralei chuckled, leaning against the wall with effortless grace. "Her boyfriend, and that's Zeraphine, the protective snake."

Valentine's confident mask crumbled further, his face twisting into disbelief. "Boyfriend?" he echoed, his voice almost cracking. He leaned back against the wall, pressing himself into the shadows as if it would make him invisible.

"Relax," Toralei purred, her tail swishing lazily behind her. "Clawd doesn't have a romantic tuft of fur on his whole body. He's no threat."

Valentine squinted at Clawd, his frown deepening. "He sure is big," he muttered, unconvinced.

Toralei chuckled, stepping closer until her face was inches from his. Her finger brushed his cheek, her touch both teasing and mocking. "Aw... it's okay, fraidy cat. The big, bad wolf and snake are leaving."

Valentine cautiously peeked out from the shadows as Clawd and Zeraphine walked away, their conversation with Draculaura over. His gaze lingered on Zeraphine for a moment, drawn to the quiet strength in her aura. But Toralei's sharp voice snapped him back to reality. "Now, get over there and do what you do best," she said with a mischievous grin, giving him a nudge.

Straightening his tie and regaining his composure, Valentine smirked. "Alright, now we're talking. Why are you doing this, anyway, pretty kitty?"

Toralei's grin turned wicked as she leaned in close. "Let's just call it a birthday present from the heart."

Humming in satisfaction, Valentine stepped out of the shadows, his confidence fully restored. "Draculaura," he called, his voice smooth and magnetic. Draculaura turned toward him, her initial confusion melting into wide-eyed delight. Her face lit up with excitement and adoration as she recognized him. "Draculaura," Valentine repeated, his voice softening, his eyes locking onto hers. With a dramatic flourish, he conjured a bouquet of deep red roses from thin air, holding it out to her with a charming smile.

"My Valentine," Draculaura breathed, her voice tinged with awe and love as she clasped her hands together, utterly smitten. The hallway seemed to glow with her excitement, the moment charged with sweet, dramatic tension. The days passed, and Draculaura's blossoming connection with Valentine had become the talk of Monster High. Whispers followed them down the halls like ghosts, and their time together hadn't gone unnoticed by anyone—including Zeraphine.

This particular morning, Zeraphine was at Cleon's locker, slipping a small handwritten letter through the slits. It was their ritual, a quiet and tender exchange that had become a cornerstone of their bond. The faintest smile tugged at her lips as she imagined him finding the letter later, his face lighting up the way it always did when he read her words.

Lost in the simplicity of the moment, Zeraphine was startled when a honeyed voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Hello, darlin'."

The saccharine tone sent a shiver of unease down her spine. She turned slowly, her piercing green eyes narrowing as they met Valentine's smug expression. He leaned casually against the locker beside her, every movement calculated to exude confidence.

"I'm not your darlin'," Zeraphine snapped, her voice cool and steady as her snake, coiled protectively around her shoulders, reared its head, and hissed.

Valentine chuckled, undeterred by the venomous warning. "Fiery, aren't we? I like that about you."

Zeraphine rolled her eyes, adjusting her glasses as she turned on her heel to leave. "I don't care what you like," she muttered under her breath, her patience already wearing thin. But Valentine wasn't finished. His voice followed her, dripping with faux sincerity. "You certainly have a big heart, darlin'."

Zeraphine froze mid-step, her spine straightening. Slowly, she turned back to face him, her expression sharp and unyielding. Her snake mirrored her intensity, its eyes locked on Valentine.

"It definitely doesn't have space for you," she said, her words slicing through the air like a blade. Her voice was calm, but there was no mistaking the steel behind it. "I already have a pharoh to my heart. I don't need a fake."

For a moment, Valentine's cocky grin faltered, the weight of her words hitting their mark. Zeraphine didn't wait for a reply. With a final glare, she adjusted her bag over her shoulder and strode down the hall, her confidence radiating like an impenetrable shield.

Students who had witnessed the exchange whispered to one another, a mixture of admiration and amusement in their voices. Zeraphine's unwavering composure in the face of Valentine's charm had only solidified her reputation as someone not to be trifled with.

When she was far enough from the commotion, her fingers brushed against her chest, where a small pendant hung—a gift from Cleon. The thought of him brought a genuine smile to her lips, softening her expression.

"The attention Draculaura was getting from Val was making her batty with glee. 'Course, that much glee is hard to hide."

As Draculaura descended the grand staircase in the foyer, a radiant smile graced her face. She held her books close to her chest, her steps light and carefree. The warm buzz of her thoughts about Valentine lingered in her mind—until a low growl broke through her reverie.

"What's going on with you and Valentine?" Clawdeen's voice was stern, almost accusatory, causing Draculaura to flinch.

Draculaura froze mid-step, her eyes wide as she noticed her friends gathered below. Clawdeen stood in front of Draculaura, her arms crossed, while Cleon leaned casually against the railing, clearly invested. Even Zeraphine was there, her piercing gaze locked on Draculaura like a snake ready to strike. "What? What are you talking about?" Draculaura tried to play it off, her tone light and innocent.

Clawdeen wasn't buying it. "Everybody knows you guys have been hanging out. It's all over school."

Cleon chimed in with a raised brow. "It's even on Spectra's blog."

As if summoned, Spectra swooped down from above, her ghostly camera flashing as she snapped a picture of Draculaura before zipping away.

"Okay, okay!" Draculaura threw up her hands in surrender, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "We've been spending a little time together. So?"

Zeraphine stepped forward, her tone sharp and cutting. "So? Are you forgetting that you already have a boyfriend?"

Draculaura opened her mouth to respond, but Abby cut in, her icy voice capturing everyone's attention. "In my village, they have name for this: Problustravitch."

The group turned to Abby, confused.

"Not cool," she added firmly, crossing her arms with a judgmental huff.

Clawdeen didn't give Draculaura a chance to recover. She stepped closer, her golden eyes fierce but filled with a protective undertone. "Do not tell him I said this, but my brother's a great guy. And he cares about you so much."

"I know, I know." Draculaura sighed, the weight of the conversation beginning to press down on her. "And I care about him too. But Val is just... dreamy, and romantic, and amazing." Her voice turned wistful, her expression softening into a lovesick daze.

Clawdeen groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Clawd may be smelly and annoying, but he's not stupid."

Cleon nodded in agreement. "He's going to find out about this."

Clawdeen placed a firm hand on Draculaura's shoulder, her expression softening just enough to show her concern. "I'm telling you this as your best ghoulfriend. You can't have it both ways. You gotta make a choice."

The group silently nodded, their expressions a mixture of disappointment and understanding. Without another word, they turned and walked away, leaving Draculaura alone at the staircase.

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By: SilverMist707