Twelve

First Day of Fall Semester

As I standin Dr. Palmer"s office, my stomach churns with nerves, and I think I might puke. The email I sent seemed like a brilliant idea at the time, a chance to make an impact on the hybrid program, but now that Lucius is gone, the reality of facing the monsters feels overwhelming. What if there is another centaur? What if any of the new students ask about Luci?

Dr. Palmer"s stern voice breaks through my anxious thoughts. "You will treat each and every student with respect. If I hear otherwise, you will be immediately expelled from the University. You are the welcoming committee, the first line of acceptance for the hybrid program. There will be no lenience since you signed up for this. Are we all in agreement?"

His speech only amplifies my already clammy palms and wobbly legs.

"Yes, sir," we echo in unison before dispersing from his office.

We met multiple times last week to prepare us for this moment, to align our actions with Dr. Palmer"s expectations, and to ensure a warm welcome for the newcomers. With a clipboard and welcome packets in hand, I suck in a deep breath and make my way toward the stairs.

We"re to meet the monsters in the quad, where we will then split into groups and give them a tour of the school. I'm to answer any and all questions as best I can and if, for some reason, I can't, I'm to send them to Dr. Palmer.

I only hope they like me and know that I'm here to be an ally.

Before I head outside, I stop in the bathroom. I do my business and step up to the sink, washing my hands. Looking in the mirror and telling myself out loud. "You can do this Marley. You're a bad bitch. You will make new monster friends and show them that this school is ready to accept them." Dragon braids adjusted, dress smoothed, I steel myself for the task ahead and step outside to meet my group.

Walking toward the quad, I mentally repeat my mantra, attempting to calm the raging storm of nerves inside of me. But just as I reach the meeting spot, my skin prickles with goosebumps and I feel like an electric current is pulsing through me. Looking around to see what has me so on edge, my eyes lock with a familiar, piercing gaze, and my breath catches in my throat.

"Lucius," I whisper, disbelief coloring my voice.

There'ssomething unsettling in his expression—not shock, but rather glee. He looks thrilled to see me.

Instantly, I shift into defense mode. Why is he here, after ignoring all my attempts to reach out? Why did he leave without a word? And why does he look so happy to see me?

He may be a monster, but I was raised to stand up for myself and others, and to face challenges head-on. While I may have lost my way momentarily earlier this summer, I refuse to allow myself to be blindsided again.

So, if he came here to make me a fool or get revenge, Iwon"t take it lying down.

"Come on, guys. I found our guide." His voice carries, drawing attention to me. I try to steady myself as a group of monsters surrounds him, their curious glances weighing heavily on me.

He"s here, and he"s brought his friends, catching me completely off guard.

"Hi, Marley." His lip twitches with a hint of a smile and he takes a step closer, holding his arms out like he's going to hug me.

I step back, eyes narrowing, trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

"Don't ‘hi, Marley' me. How dare you try to act like nothing"s wrong. I don't know what you're up to, Lucius, but I am not the one," I warn him, and a girl next to him, who looks like she's part lion but with wings, laughs.

"Looks like you're going to have to work a little harder there, idiot."

What is she? It's on the tip of my tongue…. A sphinx!

How dare he return without a word, thrusting us into this awkward reunion?

Trying to keep my professional composure since my whole college career hinges on this program, I blow out a breath and begin to distribute welcome packets.

"Everything you need should be in these folders," I start. "They have a copy of the campus map, the cafeteria menu and schedule, and clubs and sports you can join, if interested. And most importantly, the logins for your University profile. You can use the site or download the app to your phone. It will have your schedule and where your classes are located. It is also where you will get any communications from the dean, Dr. Palmer, or any of your professors outside of class hours."

I hand the last packet to a man who looks to be made of stone; he has a tail, wings, and two little horns on his forehead. He's easy to identify–gargoyle.

"My name is Marley and I will be your tour guide and your point of contact if you have any trouble or questions. I did go ahead and put a little something extra in your folders. Nothing crazy. Just a cheat sheet per se of what are the best things to eat in the cafe. What professors are easy or any who have quirks you need to know about."

"I like her," the girl says, stepping forward and reaching out a hand. "Hi! I'm Sawyer."

With a smile, I take her hand. "Nice to meet you."

I see the other groups starting to move on to the tour so I guess we should follow suit to stay on schedule.

"Alright, let's get the tour started shall we?"

Trying to ignore the fact that Lucius is here, right behind me and close enough I could touch him if I tried, we walk with me in the lead. I show them the cafeteria, the administration building, Dr. Palmer's office, and each hall and what types of classes they hold.

His friends stare and whisper about me and it pricks at my resolve, but I refuse to let it define me. I'm sure he painted me out to be a bitch, and maybe that's his right, but he should have let me explain. We"re in college, for Christ's sake, we could have talked it out and moved past it.

Pressing on, determined to fulfill my duties and leave behind the past, I check my clipboard, double-checking what dormitory they're in. Seems the guys are all in Beechwood Hall and Sawyer is in Seaside.

I escort them to their dorms, but as we walk I can feel Luci's eyes on my back and my skin begins to prickle as my core dampens.

Suddenly he's right beside me.

"Marley, can we talk? Please." I don't miss the torment in his voice.

Is he for real right now? He wants to talk? Now?

"No."

"No? Bu–" he starts.

I whirl around to face him, making him take a step back. "There are no buts, Luci. I don't know how you thought this was going to go," I hiss, making sure no one else can hear us as we walk toward Beechwood. "I hurt you and I know that. I was willing to take ownership of my actions and words and work things out. But it's clear this summer really meant nothing to you since you so easily left without a word. Then you just show up here like, ‘Hey, babe, sorry I ghosted you, but now I"m back. Let's kiss and make up.' It's not that simple now."

"I understand," he whispers. "But that doesn't mean I'm giving up. I made mistakes too, Marley, and I'm here to fix them."

I stop in front of the large building and whirl around to face the group.

"This is Beechwood Hall. If you have a penis, at least for this group you are in this dormitory."

Sawyer and a few others laugh, but it's the only thing I could think of. They're not boys, it feels weird calling monsters men, and male is too scientific, so penis it is.

"It is co-ed, but Dr. Palmer and the resident staff tried to keep monsters together so you weren't alone. If you have any issues with your roommates or questions, no matter how big, little, or silly they seem, I have attached my number to the folder. Text or call." I head up the steps and open the door, allowing the guys to head inside to find their rooms and get settled.

Luci is the last to step through. He stops in the doorway and looks at me, his intense gaze making me shiver.

"I'm going to fix this, Marley. If it's the last thing I do." His voice is low, but loud enough for me to hear him.

"K," is all I say, doing my best to act like his words don't send a tingle down my spine before I head down the steps to a waiting Sawyer.

I grab her hand, leading her to Seaside which is where my dorm is as well.

"He has to fix it on his own, but just know he was miserable when he came home. He's back to make it right. He's a fucking idiot but he's a good guy," Sawyer tells me as we walk along the path.

"I'll keep that in mind," I mumble my reply.

When we get to Seaside, I open the door and follow Sawyer inside.

"I can't remember, what number are you?" I ask.

"Ummm." She opens her folder. "Two eleven."

My stomach flips at her words. How could the rooming committee put her in that room? I quickly hide my unease at her rooming with my ex-friend, the one who made it very clear that non-humans aren"t welcome.

"Okay, that's up on floor two, easy enough." I start up the stairs to the second floor and find her door with ease.

"This is you. Same as the guys. If you need anything, call or text. I'm up a few floors in six-oh-nine."

"Thanks, Marley. I'm gonna message you for other things too. I've decided we're going to be friends." She smiles as she opens her door. "See you around."

Her words have me pause in surprise, taking me a little off guard.

"Okay." I nod slowly. "See you around, Sawyer."

As I head up to my room, I can't help but feel a twinge of unease. Sawyer"s friendliness is refreshing, but she has no idea what she"s getting into. Sawyer"s going to have a rough time when that wench sees her new roomie isn't human.

The thought makes me feel bad for Sawyer, knowing the kind of animosity she's about to face. Dahlia hates anything and anyone different from her perfect little human world, and she's not shy about showing it.

I close the door behind me and flop onto my bed, closing my eyes and willing the fucking lady boner I'm rocking to go away.

It's going to be a long fucking year.