prologue probably
Verona sat in the farthest corner of the university’s outdoor courtyard, her large hat shielding her from the afternoon sun. The black veil around it cast a shadow over her face, making her pale skin look even paler. Her heavy black eyeshadow and lipstick made her look ghostly and unapproachable. She rested her chin in her palm, her long sleeves draping over the table, as she quietly watched the lively groups of monster girls around her. They chatted, laughed, and shared snacks, but Verona stayed alone, unsure how to join in.
This school was much bigger than what she was used to. Every other college she had attended had been strictly for vampires—quiet, structured, familiar. But this place? It was loud, full of all kinds of monsters she had never interacted with before. The thought of being surrounded by so many unfamiliar faces had nearly made her turn back on the first day. But she had told herself she needed this, needed to break out of her comfort zone. Even if it made her anxious.
Her new living situation didn’t make things any easier. Verona’s roommate was a zombie girl who barely spoke to her. She had messy black hair with a dog bone hair clip holding back some strands, a large metal screw jutting out from the top side of her head, and a streak of raccoon tail-patterned hair on one side. Stitches lined her face, and she was missing her right arm, her oversized shirt barely clinging to her frame, slipping off her shoulders. She wore neon green striped leggings under black leg warmers, paired with spiked black boots. Despite her chaotic look, she seemed oddly chill, but Verona was too shy to say much, and the zombie girl never started a conversation. So they awkwardly avoided each other, existing in the same space without truly interacting.
She wanted to talk to others, really. But every time she thought about it, her stomach twisted with nerves. Instead, she sat in silence, her fangs peeking slightly over her bottom lip, looking like she didn’t want to be bothered.
Nearby, a ginger harpy girl with large, feathery wings perched on a bench, chatting animatedly with a group of other students. Her sharp eyes flicked around the courtyard, occasionally landing on Verona, though she made no move to approach. Her vibrant feathers and loud voice stood in stark contrast to Verona’s quiet, withdrawn demeanor.
Then, suddenly, a cheerful voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
“Hey, hey! You look so cool!”
Verona blinked in surprise and turned toward the voice. Standing beside her was a pink slime girl with short, drippy hair that bounced as she fidgeted excitedly. Her skin was slightly see-through, and her wide, light pink eyes sparkled with excitement. The darker pink of her sclera made her look like she was always on the verge of tears—which, as Verona would soon learn, wasn’t far from the truth. Instead of legs, her entire lower body was a mass of slime, shifting and moving fluidly beneath her as she slithered forward.
“I’m Alluvia!” the slime girl said. “You don’t talk much, huh?”
Verona opened her mouth, but no words came out. She swallowed and shook her head slightly.
“That’s okay! I talk a lot, so it works out!” Alluvia giggled. “Mind if I sit here? My hands are kinda… y’know.” She lifted her arms, showing the gooey slime pooling in her palms, making it hard for her to hold anything properly.
Verona hesitated before nodding. Alluvia plopped down beside her with a happy wiggle, her slime shifting around her as she settled.
From that moment on, Verona got caught up in the whirlwind that was Alluvia. The slime girl never stopped talking, filling the silence between them with endless chatter. Verona didn’t say much, but she listened, nodding or making small sounds in response.
The first time she helped Alluvia was when the slime girl struggled to hold a fork in the cafeteria. Without a word, Verona reached over, adjusting the utensil in Alluvia’s wobbly grip. The slime girl’s face lit up.
“You’re the best, Verona!” she beamed.
That became a habit. Verona helped Alluvia carry books, open doors, adjust her backpack straps—little things that made her life easier. In return, Alluvia stuck by her side, talking about anything and everything.
“You know,” Alluvia said one day, her gooey fingers fumbling with a loose strap on her bag while Verona reached to fix it, “I think you’re really nice. I dunno why other girls don’t talk to you.”
Verona tensed slightly, then shrugged. “They think I don’t want them to.” Her voice was soft, rarely used, but Alluvia always listened.
“Well, they’re wrong! I’m gonna tell them!” Alluvia said with a determined pout, though Verona had a feeling that would just make her more embarrassed.
Still, she found herself smiling just a little—just enough that Alluvia noticed and grinned even wider.
For the first time in a long while, Verona felt like she wasn’t alone anymore.
..Maybe this school wasn't going to be so bad.