Nightshade Academy (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 1

"Well is this still such a stupid thing?" My mother teased. I blushed lightly and rolled my eyes.

"Maybe."

"Don't worry son!" My father assured me. "This will be the best four years of your life. Trust me!" I nodded.

"What happened to the dark and scary castle we saw on our way up here? Once we passed through the gates the landscape completely changed."

"Oh yes. You see son, there's a protective barrier around this school to keep the humans out. As a last sort of protective measure against them, the school looks ominous and terrifying from a distance in case any human slips through our defenses. They won't want to go near a scary castle now will they? Once you pass through the gate the veil is lifted and you see how the school really is." My father explained.

"Oh." I nodded in understanding and slipped my backpack over my shoulders. I slung my duffle bag onto my back next and grabbed the remaining few boxes out of the car.

"Do you need any help?" My mother asked.

"No I'm fine." I assured her not wanting to look even lamer than I'm sure I already did gawking at the school like a total newbie.

"Wow it's so big!" I heard a shrill voice call out from beside me. I turned my head to see a small, baby faced boy pointing enthusiastically at the castle. He was surrounded by boxes and bags with a school pamphlet clutched in his hands indicating that he too was a new student and probably a first year in the middle school division. A few feet away a couple of upper class-men mimicked him in a mocking manner, laughing to themselves and shaking their heads. My point exactly.

"Alright sweetie, well take care now!" My mom gushed attempting to plant a kiss on my cheek.

"Ok bye!" I yelled as I dodged out of her way and ran up the front steps of the building. I took a deep breath as I walked through the double doors that were already propped open. Inside was even more breathtaking than the outside. The front entrance doubled as a trophy room. Large, glass cases displayed gold and silver trophies, medals, and plaques. Some held pictures with the confident smiles of past generations. I stopped as I spotted my father in one of them. He was holding the game winning ball from his football days, his team mates had hoisted him up on their shoulders. A large trophy stood beside the framed picture that read State Champions 1987, below it were the names of the players engraved on a small black plaque. I smiled and continued on, stopping again as one of my mother showed up. She was poised gracefully on the shoulders of a young looking man, her cheerleading uniform swaying in the wind as the picture was taken. Beside the picture was another trophy this one rewarding the school's cheerleading team for winning nationals. I guess I understand what they meant before when they said they had a legacy here. My parents were both not only sports enthusiasts but honor graduates as well. I had some pretty big shoes to fill if I ever wanted to measure up to them. Great. I glanced up and admired the huge spacious ceilings. Large banners hung from them with different coat of arms showing on each one. I stopped my gaping before anyone could take notice and make fun of me for it. That's when I realized I had no idea where I was going.

I glanced around and was surprised to see so few students lingering about. The ones I did see were just like me and staring at the trophies and awards lining the walls. Great, more newbies. I remembered my mom saying she put a map of the school in the side pocket of my backpack. I set the boxes occupying my hands down and pulled it out. As I unraveled the neatly folded paper my eyes just about bulged out of my head. This place was enormous! I scanned over the school grounds. The bottom floor held the dinning quarters, main office, gym, and some other athletic buildings. The second floor held the English and history classes, the third science and math, the fourth extracurricular classes. There were more floors and levels with other classes as well but it was hard to tell just looking at the piece of paper in my hands. It also seems like the middle school division occupied the left hand side of the school while the high school division was on the right. I noticed the dorm rooms were separate buildings as well, the girls veering off to the left and the boys to the right. The map also showed all the athletic fields. There was a huge football, soccer, and baseball field surrounding the main building. Both a large indoor and outdoor pool connected to the gym. There was also a track and other locations for outdoor volleyball, lacrosse, and other sports. This place had it all including stables for horseback riding and an area for archery and sword play. I let out a low whistle, this place was impressive. I might actually like it here. Once I located where the main office was I quickly hurried off to find it. I slowed down as I approached its large wooden doors, noticing a strew of students lined outside of it. I sighed and shuffled in line. After about twenty minutes or so I finally got to the front.