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The lights flicker above her with a soft buzz and Juliette was ready to snap.
She was going on months of the pills not being enough. Every sound was echoing in her brain like the horn of a freight train. The sound of the pencil scratching next to her nails on a chalkboard. The sniffle of the girl behind her a full-on scream. The buzz from above an obnoxious howl.
She twisted in her seat, trying to find a position that didn’t make her collar touch her neck. Or her jeans press against the back of her knees.
She tried to turn from the harsh fluorescents above so they didn’t catch her eye. She tried to ignore the perfume that was just sprayed three seats over that destroyed her nose and stole her breath.
She tried. Tried. Tried.
But her hands shook and the pencil in her hand snapped, and she broke with it.
She shoved herself out of her seat and away from the desk. She stuttered her way through an excuse about a migraine before throwing herself out the door.
When she reached the hall, the lights seemed even brighter and she stumbled into the wall.
She kept her hand against it as she struggled to the bathroom four doors down.
When she pulled the door open, she almost broke it with her strength. She stumbled a few steps in and collapsed on the floor.
God she was a mess.
The door behind her opened and she hissed, actually hissed, at the poor girl who tried to enter.
She shook her head and buried it in her hands. Blood tears broke free from her eyes, and she sobbed. Why couldn’t she just be normal?
The door opened again, and she curled in on herself. The last thing she needed was someone else to try and help her.
“Jules?”
Her head whipped up so fast she almost gave herself whiplash. Cal stood over her with a look of concern on her face.
“Cal,” she breathed out.
“Bad day,” Cal asked, sinking to her knees in front of her.
Juliette could only nod. Her focus was now fixated on the thrum of blood beneath Calliope’s neck.
“Jules?” Cal asked, breaking her out of her reverie.
“What…oh…yeah, yeah.” Jules said, her eyes moving to hold Cal’s. “Yeah, the noise, the lights…I…everything is just…” She trailed off.
Juliette wiped her eyes and shook her head at the blood. “I need to…” she mumbled pulling herself and away from Cal, only to stumble and end up half on top of her.
“Whoa…whoa” Cal said steadying her, making sure not to touch the blood.
She wrapped her arm around Juliette’s waist and pulled her up. She led her to the sink and wet a paper towel and gently wiped away the blood.
Juliette watched her as she stroked her cheek. Her eyes trailing the movement and then catching her own. After she was cleaned up, her eyes slipped to Cal’s lips. She caught her breath as she noticed the way Cal was looking at her. She leaned in, her lips grazed Cal’s when the bell rang.
Juliette jumped and cried out. Her hands went to her head and she fought to keep her fangs in.
Cal reached out and pulled her in, pushing her head into her chest and wrapping her hands around Juliette’s own over her ears.
“Shhh, it’s okay.” Cal whispered softly.
She held Juliette through the rest of the bell and the stumble of kids through the halls. When all was quiet and everyone was back in their next classes, she finally released her.
“You need to feed,” she said.
“I can’t,” Juliette whimpered. “I won’t kill.”
“Then don’t. Feed from me,” Cal said.
Juliette’s eyes widened and she shook her head frantically. “No! No way.”
Cal stepped closer. “Come on. You need it. I trust you.”
Juliette tried to pull herself away, but Cal held firm. She tilted her neck to the side and leaned in closer.
“Please,” Juliette begged weakly.
Cal just shushed her and leaned even closer.
Juliette couldn’t fight it any longer. She was so tired of fighting every moment of her life.
She leaned in and kissed Cal’s neck softly before her fangs extended and she bit into the flesh. Cal moaned at the bite but stayed still. Juliette drank greedily, pulling in huge gulps of the honey and mint tasting blood.
After a few minutes, Cal felt her head spin and tapped Juliette on the arm. It took another few seconds before she pulled away, her mouth covered in blood.
“Good?” Cal asked.
“Perfect,” Juliette answered.
Cal nodded, happy to help before she stumbled a bit at the blood loss.
“Cal?”
“I think I need to sit,” Cal said.
Juliette helped ease her down to sitting. “I’m so sorry!” Juliette said frantically.
Cal shook her head. “I’m okay. Just need a minute.”
Juliette nodded, but the look of concern didn’t leave her eyes.
After a few minutes she checked in again. Cal reassured her one more. “Anything for my princess,” she cooed.
She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and swiped her finger over the blood around her mouth. She chuckled. “You need to clean up.”
“And you need to rest,” Juliette countered.
“I say we ditch,” Cal suggested.
Juliette nodded and helped pull Cal up. She let her lean on her as they snuck out the back. Before they could reach the door, Juliette pulled them to a stop.
“Oooh snacks!” She said happily.
“You’re seriously still hungry?” Cal asked.
“No, for you silly.” Juliette answered while putting money into the machine.
After getting the snacks and making their way to the car, Juliette made sure Cal ate and drank a bit before driving off.
“Thanks for today,” Juliette said, reaching over and grabbing Cal’s hand.
“Of course,” Cal replied, as she squeezed her hand. “Anything for you.”