eight

Anybody could see that Nicolai’s mood had changed significantly, while still struggling the boy was happier, brighter, cheerier, etc. His grades had been improving, he was active and outspoken in class, especially Mr.Izaz’s. 

 

No one could identify why but the vampire felt drawn to that Professor more than anything. Their relationship bordering on parental, and his admiration for the man growing each class. He had hear of Mr.Izaz from his Mama, but this was different. He truly saw the professor as a role model. He felt as if a red string had hooked them together. 

 

 Theo’s eyebags had lessened, his obsidian eyes always searching for his opposite counterpart. His wings glistened with a glow they never had before. He twinkled and shined looking for that vampire, looking for the white eyes and the dark hair. His love growing, and his night creatures lessening. Some say love is blinding, to Theo, being blind was being free. The lack of deathly visions, made him feel as light as a fae is meant to be. 

Everything seemed too good to be true. The vampire thought as he sat between Iden and Chulo at lunch. He had seven lovely friends, and a short little fae he adored by his side. What had he done to deserve such grace? 

 

If his Mama or Kali were here they’d pull something out of their asses about how he deserves nothing less, how he was an amazing brother and man, how the moon knew him. His smile grew at the thought of them spilling out bullshit reasons to him. He had both broken and mended his family. One may call that growth. One may call that deterioration. It’s really up

to you. 

 

“Nick?” Chulo called, lightly nudging the boy. “Coffee or Tea?” 

 

“Tea, Ruby. Obviously Tea, It’s clearly the superior choice-” He started, easily jumping into the debate happening around him. 

Theo smiled. There’s his boy. Arguing about Tea with a Freshman. What more could you ask for? 

 

But deep down, Theo was worried, concerned, curious. As he watched his boy, he played Jenga with Ryo. Watching him throughout class and in the stone hallways. His aura no-longer the light white of the ‘old-him.’ now a stark black, like smoke screaming from behind him. 

 

Something was coming. Theo wanted to warn the boy he cared so deeply for, but he knew that wouldn’t change anything. Ignorance was bliss. (Ignorance was a risk.) 

Saturday, free day. Ask any student of Wixorth Academy- F**k, ask the professors too- it was the best day of the week. As always, Haziel was helping Nicolai slide in his brown contacts. The much taller boy complained as he sat on the bus floor, legs stretched out. “You need to get taller, Hazi.” 

 

“You need to learn how to put contacts in. Which of these two is easier, Nicky?” She sighed, plopping the contact into the elders eye. 

 

“Shut up.” Nicolai grumbled, rapidly blinking his eyes. 

 

“You’re welcome, Nick.” Haziel laughed, sharing an exasperated look with Theo and Yenci who were sitting across from them. 

Coffee, of course, was the first spot on the agenda. Mr. Izaz accompanied the boys and other groups to pick up all the professor’s drinks. The bitchy old barista was still there, but she had seemingly forgotten which of the 9 boys was the ‘freak.’ 

 

“What do you want?” She grumbled, pulling out her notepad and obnoxious glitter pen. 

 

Begrudgingly the boys (+ Mr. Izaz) placed their orders, tips harshly clinking and clanking in the jar. Their orders one after the other are more complicated. 

 

Finally, it was time to sit down. Mr.Izaz standing next to the table, talking to the boys about the importance of understanding metamorphosis. As the teacher spoke, Nicolai studied him carefully. 

 

The way his eyes twitch, slightly shifting those brown contacts back and forth. How his well calloused hands tremble when he motions towards something. Mannerisms are strict and tight, always facing the entire room, the wall the only thing behind him. 

 

Vigilant. That was the word Nicolai would use, watching the intriguing man more and more. What was he hiding? Was he hiding from something? Someone? Mr. Izaz was an open book, at least to his boys. They knew everything from the way he organizes his lessons and schedule (He doesn't.) to the details of his divorce ten-some-years ago. Why would he hide this? Does he not trust them? 

 

Or is he protecting them? Protecting himself?  

 

Unbeknownst to Nicolai. The answer was right in front of him. Coming back to reality from his speculations, He looked at his professor. The other boys are all drawn back to individual conversations, he and Theo the only ones still there. 

 

Mr. Izaz’s contact got stuck, his eye moving but his contact hooked grossly on his eyelid. Nicolai let out a small gasp in the few seconds it took for Mr. Izaz to blink it back to place. 

 

He was called back to his first Saturday in the small bigoted town and this small bigoted coffee shop, what that bitchy waitress had said to him.

 Mr. Izaz, Professor Izaz, ‘Papa’ Izaz. The man had many names, but now Nicolai knew the one name Mr. Izaz didn't want him to. 

 

Druthur Izaz. Freak. Monster. “ One of you people .” For a few brief seconds, Nicolai knew his secret. Now he understood. 

 

Nicolai hid too, but he was a kid. What had happened for Mr. Izaz to hide his pearly white eyes after all these years? 

 

Nicolai was going to find out. (Maybe he’s not the only one with ghosts in this town.)