First Day

"So, what does a class president do? Besides being a tour guide." I ask Ryker as he walks me to my first class. We ate our breakfast quickly and took our coffees to go so we could spend time walking the grounds. While Alpine Crescent Academy is built into the mountain, there is also a courtyard area that is between the Academy and the cliff side. This way we aren't always stuck inside the mountain, but can also spend time outdoors on a flatter area. The courtyard is elongated and surrounded by the Academy and mountain on one side, and a rock wall that was built onto the cliff. During the tour, Headmistress Nacht explained that the rock wall is for the student's safety.

It was early, so the air was chillier and was thick with morning dew. The land around us is vibrant with plant life, and the moisture and the low light makes it look dark green.

The path we are walking on is made of grey stone with silver flecks of mica and other minerals. The walkway follows the side of the mountain.

With the warm mocha in my hands, it is a beautiful morning.

I feel peaceful, and awake. I glance at Ryker and smile. I haven't had any unwelcome feelings of anger yet, and I bet that Ryker has something to do with that. It just feels good to be around him.

Ryker shrugs his shoulders. "I don't usually give tours. Most nippers go through orientation and are given a tour then, usually by one of the professors. You're a special case though. Besides the fact that how you became a werewolf is nearly unheard of nowadays...I also wanted to give you a tour so I offered it to the Headmistress". He smiles at me and I am filled with warmth for this man. "Being class president is not as exciting as it sounds, I'm sure. I meet with the Headmistress once a week to discuss student life and we discuss how to keep an eye on their wellbeing. If there are improvements to be made, I want to do what I can for those who need it, may not have a voice, or are too scared to do something on their own. But with this title also comes extra responsibility. I am in charge of overseeing student events and their expenditures, so at times I have a little more homework than others". He winks in my direction.

I look him over in thoughtfulness.

"What?" he asks.

I tap my finger on my lips for a few moments before I answer.

"You care about people," I tell him.

He barks out a quick laugh. "Yes, I'm not a sociopath".

I laugh with him and push him playfully.

"No, you care more than I expect. And you probably care more than others know."

His smile slips and his eyes flash with surprise before understanding.

Ryker takes his arm and puts it around my shoulder and then pulls me close to his side. He unexpectedly kisses my forehead, and then tucks my head under his chin while we walk side by side.

"Yeah, that's true." He says quietly.

I look up towards his face and I look at him with a soft expression. I don't know what it is about him, but I feel better with Ryker by my side.

He clears his throat and glances to the side before letting me go and putting a little distance between us.

"Don't go telling anyone though. I have a reputation to keep, afterall".

My eyebrows raise in question. "What reputation would that be?"

He winks at me and gives me a delicious grin.

"Wouldn't you like to know..."

I snort at his ridiculousness.

"Uh huh" I tell him and pick up my pace.

He catches up and joins my steps easily. Before I know it, we have reached double sided doors that have a fountain in front of it. It's made of a pure onyx stone, without any blemishes to mar the perfectly black surface. The color is so dark, it looks like it absorbs the light around it. The base of the fountain is circular, but in the center is an abstract shape with no obvious features. I pause and stare at the stone, hoping the answer will come to me if I look at it long enough. It's pretty, for a dark blob looking thing.

"You're looking, but you're not seeing". Ryker states ambiguously.

"That's unhelpful" I tell him with a frown. He chuckles and steps behind me. Over my shoulder, Ryker points towards the ground in front of me where I find a shadow coming from the fountain.

I gasp in surprise.

The shadow is in the shape of a bird. I can make out what looks like a break, feathers at its neck and wings that are outstretched. The wings don't look like they're covered in feathers, though. They are angular and have a defined outline.

"The wings..." I mumble, loud enough for Ryker to hear me from how close he still is.

"Yes, those aren't bird wings. That's not all though, keep looking."

My eye continues down the body of the creature and I see that it has a long, slender tail that would almost look snake-like if it wasn't for the pointed end.

"What is it?"

"It's called a Belvedere," he tells me. "A white and scarlet fire-breathing rooster that has the wings and tail of a dragon. It rouses Mythical Beasts with its fire and cry in the morning, bringing the promise of prosperity and a new Good Mythical Morning."

"A dragon...rooster?" I ask in disbelief.

He pats my shoulders before letting go. "Yes, you will learn about them in addition to several of the other species of supernatural that you can find in this world during this first class."

"You're not coming with me?"

"No, since I am starting my second year, I have different courses."

I tried to hide the disappointment in my face. I tried, and I apparently failed, because his features softened as he took in my expression.

Ryker runs the back of his knuckles softly down my cheek and looks into my eyes. I can feel a connection between us spark to life. It had been there before, since the first time I saw him and he had stormed through my bedroom door, but it was subtle. And with everything else going on, I had chosen to ignore it. After what happened with Javier, I don't feel ready for a relationship, especially with someone who I felt such a strong and sudden attraction to.

Even though that attraction has faded, I can still feel a connection, one that has grown over the last couple of days. I already feel close to him, and I could use a really good friend to get me through this.

"You can do this," he tells me with confidence. "I'll be with you every step of the way."

I look back into his eyes, and I don't see any doubt or deceit. Instead, I see affection and honesty.

I give him a nod, and he steps away and looks farther down the courtyard to where another pair of wooden double sided doors lie.

"Your second course will be held in that classroom. I'll be outside after your class to walk you lunch." He looks back at the fountain. "Make sure when you walk to your next class that you look at the fountain again," he adds.

"Why?"

"You'll see," he says with a smirk.