Daisy stepped into her new classroom.
Sunlight poured through the wide windows, washing the room in warm gold. Rows of desks stretched before her, filled with curious faces—girls whispering behind hands, eyes darting openly toward the newcomer standing at the door.
Her heart pounded.
She could feel it.
The weight of being seen.
The class teacher smiled gently and placed a reassuring hand on Daisy's shoulder, introducing her to the class. Her voice echoed softly through the room, but Daisy barely heard it over the whispers swelling around her like a tide.
"She is so tall and thin…" "She is so pretty…"
The words floated toward her, light yet overwhelming.
Daisy's fingers curled nervously at her sides.
"Daisy, take your seat," the teacher said kindly.
She walked down the aisle, her steps careful, and sat beside a girl with round glasses and soft eyes—someone who looked as shy as she felt.
Ava sat stiffly at her desk, shoulders slightly hunched, fingers twisting nervously in the fabric of her oversized hoodie.
She was eighteen—yet she carried herself like someone trying to disappear.
Her face was called ugly by others.
Her features lacked symmetry.
Her skin was dull.She was over weight.
Her glasses hid eyes that were always lowered, as if apologizing for existing.
She knew what people thought of her.
She had heard the whispers before.
She had read the looks.
Ava was shy.
Awkward.
Cowardly, as she often called herself in the silence of her room.
She was an average student—nothing remarkable—but she studied relentlessly, as if effort could compensate for what nature had denied her.
Yet beneath that unremarkable exterior lived a heart unbearably gentle.
And a secret.
A dangerous one.
At night, when no one could see her, Ava fantasized about pale, cold-hearted vampires—beautiful monsters who only loved what was rare, what was precious.
Never girls like her.
So when Daisy entered the classroom—
Tall.
Thin.
Radiant.
Ava's chest tightened painfully.
She is so pretty…
The thought hurt more than envy.
It felt like truth confirming what Ava already believed about herself.
Still, when Daisy smiled at her and spoke—
"Hi, I'm Daisy. Nice to meet you."
Ava froze.
Someone like her was talking to someone like me?
"I… I am Ava," she replied, voice trembling.
"Nice to meet you too."
Her heart fluttered—not with hope.
But with fear.
Because standing beside beauty like Daisy only made Ava's ugliness feel louder.
To Ava, Daisy looked unreal—graceful, luminous, almost fragile.
She is so pretty… Ava thought, her heart fluttering with admiration and insecurity all at once.
Some Time Ago — The Principal's Room
The air inside the principal's office was heavy with unspoken fear.
Raphael stood tall before the elderly man, his posture rigid, his jaw tight.
"Please take special care of my sister," Raphael said, his voice controlled but urgent.
"You know how special she is… right?"
The principal nodded slowly.
"Yes, young man. You don't have to worry about her at all."
"I will take care of her like my own daughter," he added solemnly.
His expression darkened.
"The vampires nowadays are getting out of control."
Raphael's fists clenched.
"I have known your father for a long time," the principal continued.
"He is my best friend. I will definitely protect his daughter like my own."
Then, in a lower voice—grave, knowing—
"I know how precious her blood is."
Raphael's breath hitched.
"I know vampires are crazy for drinking her blood," the principal said.
"Even if they are within a hundred meters, they will smell it… that sweetness… and lose their minds."
Raphael's throat went dry.
His heart began to race violently.
"She is the one with the sweetest blood in our family," Raphael said hoarsely.
"No… I must correct myself. She has the sweetest blood among all humans."
His voice trembled.
"She inherited it from Mother. God-gifted. No vampire can resist it."
Anger flashed across his face.
"Those bastards."
His breathing grew uneven.
His eyes burned with unshed tears.
"I don't want to lose her… like I lost Mother."
The principal stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on Raphael's shoulder.
"Oh, my boy… don't be sad."
"I know how much you loved your mother," he said gently.
"And I also know how deeply you love her."
He squeezed Raphael's shoulder firmly.
"You will always protect her. Nothing will happen to her."
Raphael closed his eyes.
He nodded once.
A silent vow burning in his chest.
---
After the First Class
The final bell rang, and the classroom exhaled.
Chairs scraped against the tiled floor. Laughter burst into the warm afternoon air. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, painting golden rectangles across desks cluttered with notebooks and half-zipped bags. Students gathered in little groups, talking, teasing, stretching after the long lesson.
Daisy remained seated for a moment.
She tucked a strand of silky hair behind her ear, still adjusting to the unfamiliar space, the unfamiliar faces. The transfer from Arcane Falls had been sudden, but she wore her composure like a soft veil—calm, gentle, luminous.
A short girl with chestnut hair and lively brown eyes approached first.
"Hey, Daisy. Nice to meet you," she said brightly.
Daisy looked up and offered a polite smile. "Hi."
The girl clasped her hands together. "I'm Julia. My name means youthful, by the way."
Daisy's lips curved a little wider. "Nice to meet you, Julia."
She smiled warmly, and something about that smile made Julia's expression soften.
Before the moment could settle, a thin girl stepped forward.
She had long ash-brown hair —her some hair neatly tied in a bun above her head, and other hair flowing down and she had delicate features.
"I am Helena," she said calmly. "It means shining light."
Daisy tilted her head slightly. "That's beautiful."
Helena studied her carefully before asking, "You transferred from Arcane Falls, right?"
There was something curious—almost probing—in her gaze.
"Yes," Daisy replied gently.
"Isn't that place really beautiful?" Helena asked, her eyes lighting up. "I've seen pictures—especially during autumn."
Daisy's voice softened, nostalgic. "Yes… it is really beautiful."
She paused, then added with innocent sweetness, "But less than you."
Helena blinked.
For a split second, she seemed stunned—then a pleased smile spread across her face. She loved praise; it was written all over her expression.
"Thank you," she said, unable to hide her satisfaction.
A quiet voice nearby muttered a smirk.
"At least someone praises your ugly face."
The words cut through the air like a blade.
Helena's head snapped toward Julia.
"What did you just say?"
Julia shrugged, though the corner of her lips curled upward. "You heard me."
Helena's cheeks flushed red—not from embarrassment, but anger. "You bitch!"
The tension rose instantly. A few students turned to watch.
Daisy stood up quickly, hands raised slightly as if calming frightened birds.
"Hey, hey… calm down," she said softly. "I don't want anyone to fight."
Her voice wasn't loud—but it carried.
"I love peace and harmony," she added with a shy smile.
Something about her sincerity dissolved the sharpest edges of the moment.
Julia looked at Daisy again, and this time there was no mockery in her eyes.
"You're not only pretty," she said quietly, "but also good inside your heart."
Helena crossed her arms but nodded reluctantly. "Yes… you are perfect."
Daisy's cheeks turned pink.
"Please don't praise me that much," she said bashfully, lowering her gaze.
But the compliments didn't stop.
"You even have an hourglass figure," Helena chimed in with admiration. "Many girls dream of that."
Julia added confidently, "You're the prettiest in our class."
Daisy shifted awkwardly under the attention. "Thank you…" she murmured, almost hiding behind her own shyness.
Suddenly a voice echoed.
"Who do you say is prettier than me?"