You're drop dead gorgeous

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ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕆ℕ'𝕊 arm brushed against Zeraphine's as they stood together, her presence grounding him as much as it delighted him. He couldn't help but glance down at her from time to time, her snake-like braids resting gracefully on her shoulders, the soft light catching the warm tones in her skin. Her laugh was the kind of sound that lingered in his chest, and he made a mental note to keep that laugh coming, no matter what.

Clawdeen perked up suddenly, her ears twitching as her nose caught a familiar scent. She smiled and nudged Zeraphine, "Looks like my big bro's coming this way."

Sure enough, Clawd strolled toward them with an air of excitement, something hidden behind his back. He had that signature wolfish grin, the one that made you feel like you were in on a secret.

"What you got there, big bro?" Clawdeen teased, crossing her arms as she eyed her brother suspiciously.

Clawd puffed out his chest, clearly proud of himself. "Oh, just a little something-something for Draculaura," he said, his tone dripping with confidence.

Draculaura, standing nearby with Frankie and Abby, swooned, clasping her hands together. "Oh! You shouldn't have," she giggled, her voice as sweet as the cupcakes Cleon always sneaked to Zeraphine during lunch.

Frankie's bolts sparked faintly as she chimed in, "I bet it's way romantic!"

Clawdeen smirked, throwing out her guess. "Black roses?"

Cleon joined in, his lips twitching with amusement. "Candy skulls?"

Zeraphine tapped her chin, her expression softening as she thought aloud. "A heartfelt note tucked into a locket? Maybe something that glows in the dark to match her style?" Her voice had a dreamy quality, and Cleon couldn't help but smile down at her.

That's it, he thought, mentally filing the idea away for the next time he surprised her. She was always so thoughtful—it only made sense to return the favour.

Abby, however, broke the tender moment by speaking up in her usual matter-of-fact tone. "Bowl of yak meat?"

The group turned to stare at her, jaws dropping slightly in unison.

"What? Yak meat is delicacy," Abby said with a shrug, her frosty breath punctuating the statement like a period. Cleon laughed under his breath while Clawd revealed what he had been hiding. "It's a study guide for her driver's ed test!" he announced proudly, holding up the booklet like it was a priceless treasure.

Draculaura's expression shifted from eager anticipation to something resembling polite disappointment. "Oh. You shouldn't have," she said flatly, her voice lacking its usual charm.

The group collectively groaned. "Really?" they chorused, their voices laced with disbelief.

Draculaura forced a smile, clutching the book tightly as though it were a lifeline. "I guess I'd better go study right now," she muttered, her fangs barely visible as she turned on her heel and walked off.

The group watched her retreating figure with sympathy, until Clawdeen turned sharply to her brother, magazine in hand. "You got a ghoul like Draculaura a practical gift?" she said, her tone incredulous. Without waiting for an answer, she smacked his nose with the rolled-up paper. "Bad Wolfie!"

"Ow! What?" Clawd protested, rubbing his nose.

Cleon stepped forward, crossing his arms. "Her hopes for her Sweet 1600 are higher than the pyramids. Now those would've been a great gift!"

Zeraphine chuckled softly, her green eyes sparkling with amusement as she looked up at Cleon. "You're setting a pretty high bar for yourself, Cleon. Careful, or I might start expecting pyramids too," she teased, nudging him gently with her elbow. Then, turning to Clawd, she added with a grin, "Next time, maybe go for something that says, 'I adore you,' not 'Ace your test.' Like... oh, I don't know, a vampire bat plushie that hugs her back when she squeezes it?"

Clawd sighed dramatically, but a smile crept onto his face as he reached into his pocket. "Nah, I got her something that'll make her howl at the moon!"

He pulled out a necklace adorned with a gargoyle's head. The small, stone-like face smirked before winking at the group.

The collective reaction was immediate. "Ugh!"

Clawd's ears drooped as he looked around, baffled. "You don't like it? No way!"

Zeraphine couldn't help but laugh, leaning into Cleon's side as the group descended into a mix of playful teasing and exaggerated groans. Cleon slid an arm around her shoulders, giving her an affectionate squeeze.

"We had to tell Clawd that the necklace was nice, but he was going to have to think of something that would knock her bolts off. Pressure was way intense."

Zeraphine stood by her locker, the soft hum of the hallway fading into the background as she held two small gifts in her hands. Her fingers brushed against the delicate wrapping of one, and a nervous smile tugged at her lips. One of her snakes slithered closer, nudging her cheek affectionately, coaxing a light laugh out of her. It was a gentle reminder to stay grounded, even though her thoughts were swirling like a storm.

From the radio clipped to her locker, Cupid's melodic voice filled the air, offering advice to another lovestruck caller. "Caller number five, you're on with Cupid, Goddess of Love. Tell me, what matters to your heart?"

Zeraphine's mind, however, wasn't on the radio anymore. Her thoughts were a tidal wave of possibilities, hopes, and dreams. The image of Cleon's smile, the way his laughter lit up her world, and the warmth of his hand in hers consumed her. She wondered if the gifts she had picked were enough if they could ever truly express how much he meant to her.

"Zera?" Clawdeen's voice snapped her out of her reverie. She blinked, realizing her friend had appeared beside her, an inquisitive brow raised. "You okay? You looked like you were in another dimension."

Zeraphine smiled sheepishly, tucking one of the gifts back into her locker. "Yeah, just... listening to Cupid," she said, gesturing to the radio.

Clawdeen's sharp eyes flicked to the small gift box still in Zeraphine's hands. "What you got there? A gift from Cleon?"

Zeraphine's cheeks flushed a soft pink as she shook her head. "Actually, it's a gift from me to Cleon," she admitted, opening the box to reveal a sleek pair of sunglasses with yellow-tinted lenses.

Clawdeen tilted her head, confused but intrigued. "Sunglasses? For him?"

Zeraphine laughed softly, "No, they're for me to wear," she explained, gently running a finger over the edge of the glasses. "Cleon's always wondered what my eyes look like. Even though these won't show their colour, they'll show the shape of them when I open them. I thought it'd be a nice surprise. Also, I already tested on them on the cashier, my brother and mother, they didn't turn into stone."

Clawdeen's expression softened as she watched Zeraphine's adoration shine through. "That's actually really sweet," she said, a grin spreading across her face. "What's the other gift?"

Zeraphine's laugh deepened as she tucked the glasses back into the box. "Oh, that one made me spend way too much money," she admitted, shutting her locker with a gentle click. "Cleon's the kind of monster who already has everything... but he also deserves everything. I just wanted to get him something that felt special, something that shows him how much he means to me."

Her gaze lingered on the closed locker for a moment before she turned back to Clawdeen, her smile glowing with a love so pure and sincere it was almost tangible. "He's... he's my everything," she added softly.

Clawdeen chuckled, patting Zeraphine's shoulder. "Girl, he's lucky to have you. You've got it bad."

Zeraphine didn't even deny it. Her snakes, sensing her joy, swayed gently as she allowed herself to bask in the thought of Cleon's reaction. "Yeah," she murmured, her voice light with happiness. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

Clawdeen leaned against the lockers, crossing her arms as she looked at Zeraphine with a teasing smirk. "You know," she said, her tone light and playful, "you've got this whole 'lovebird' thing down, but don't think for a second I'm gonna let you and Cleon steal all the spotlight. This party's gonna be as much about friendship as it is about romance."

Zeraphine laughed, her snakes mimicking her amusement with tiny sways. "Oh, please. I've seen the way you and Frankie light up a room with your ideas. If anyone's stealing the spotlight, it's you."

Clawdeen rolled her eyes dramatically, but her grin widened. "Okay, fine. We do have a killer sense of style. But don't sell yourself short, Zera. You've got more charm and brains than half the monsters in this school put together."

Touched, Zeraphine bumped her shoulder against Clawdeen's playfully. "Thanks, Clawdeen. You're not so bad yourself. I don't know what I'd do without your pep talks... and your ability to keep me from overthinking everything."

Clawdeen winked. "That's what friends are for. Now, c'mon! We've got a party to plan, and it's gonna be fang-tastic."

Zeraphine linked her arm with Clawdeen's, her spirits lifted. "Lead the way, party queen."

As they walked down the hall together, the laughter and camaraderie between them were as bright as the sun streaming through the windows, a reminder of the unbreakable bond they shared.

The group strolled down the hallway, the buzz of Monster High filling the air as students milled about. Zeraphine walked beside Clawdeen, the two chatting animatedly until their conversation paused at the sight ahead. Draculaura, Cleon, and Frankie stopped as they noticed Clawd in front of Draculaura's locker. He was hammering something together, a look of concentration on his face.

"Clawd?" Draculaura sang out sweetly, waving to get his attention.

Clawd straightened up, flashing a wide grin as he stepped aside to reveal his handiwork. "Hey, babe! Check it out." He gestured proudly at a set of small stairs he had built leading up to her locker. "Now you can get up to your locker, no prob. See?" He climbed the stairs with exaggerated enthusiasm to demonstrate. "I wanted to prove that—"

But his explanation was cut off when Draculaura's expression shifted from surprise to disbelief, her voice trembling. "That's what you think of me? You think I'm short?" Her eyes welled up with tears, and before Clawd could respond, she turned away, her sobs echoing softly in the hallway.

Frankie and Zeraphine immediately rushed to her side. Frankie gently placed a hand on Draculaura's shoulder, whispering soothing words, while Zeraphine shot Clawd a glare that made even her snakes hiss in disapproval. Together, they guided Draculaura away, Frankie holding her books and Zeraphine offering quiet comfort as they disappeared down the hall.

Clawd stood frozen in place, blinking in confusion as Cleon and Clawdeen exchanged unimpressed glances.

Clawdeen strode up to him, rolling up a magazine she had tucked under her arm. With a swift motion, she smacked him lightly on the nose.

"Ow!" Clawd exclaimed, rubbing his snout.

Without another word, the two turned and followed after Draculaura and the others, leaving Clawd standing whining after Draculaura.

"Clawd found out the hard way that expectations can be a real bop on the nose."

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By: SilverMist707

I hope you are enjoying the story so far.