《Jess' Journey》Chapter Seven: Waking Up (Day One)

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Jess' eyes snapped open the moment her alarm went off. She decided to wake up at six in the morning to walk around a bit before her first class with whoever Professor Pittman was. She yawned and stretched as she sat up, rolling her shoulders a bit. The floor was cold once she stood up, but it was a nice change overall. The feeling shot up her legs and to her brain it felt like, and suddenly she was more awake.

With a quick shower and getting dressed later, Jess awoke the slumbering Cheez-It, and man, was he a beast. Not only was he hard to wake up, but he just tossed and turned, growling and swatting at her hand when he slept. Sighing and giving up, Jess went to check herself out in the mirror. She would say she had an eventful day yesterday. After all, she is surrounded by adults her age, minus the professors of course. Still, though, she had never been flirted with like that by someone she had just met. It made her feel all giddy and cute and nice, but also really concerned. Jess had only heard about these things in movies. She wasn't naive enough to expect a night fling from Bri or anything, but the idea of dating someone during a time like this was a lot. Like she wanted to go through and let things progress naturally, but what if she finds someone else after she commits to the first person she knows? And what was up with Ana? Jess had never fully caught someone looking her up and down unless it was a creep on the street... or some dick at her school. She didn't know how to feel about it, and frankly? She didn't really have the time to worry about it. Yes she wanted to experience and work through her emotions, but bigger things were at stake. No, that's not the best way to think about her emotions, or is it?

Jess scanned her body and the curves she hid with the sweater. She made sure she had her swimsuit ready in her messenger bag for class later. Did she really want to show off like that? She couldn't get the way Ana smirked at her out of her head. She's just a power hungry demon... she'd just use you. Groaning, Jess held her face in her hands. This is not what she wanted to deal with as an outcast at her school. Once an outcast, always an outcast it seemed. Wherever she went, she was the last one hanging alone. She was used to it, almost enjoyed it, and now everyone will be looking out for her. Fuck! This isn't what she wanted, or was it?

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With one big deep breath, Jess decided it was best to just... let things play out. Her emotions will process with time, right? Her decisions will fall naturally, right? I know I'm an adult. I've waited my whole life to be an adult. I'm here now. So why don't I know what to do right now? No, I can't worry about that. Think about what you've decided! Her eyes flicked to the clock. It was already six forty-eight. She had to go soon if she wanted to eat.

Jess rolled her eyes at the sleeping Cheez-It and decided to just carry him out to breakfast. This better not be an everyday thing, buddy. She gently scooped him up in her arms after putting her bag on. With a flick of her wrist, she opened her glasses and set them on her nose. One final pat to her pocket to see her wand and key, and she was ready to go.

She stepped outside of her room to find a couple of students walking down the hall and towards the Great Hall, but not many. With a breath of confidence... or something Jess thought, she stepped forward into her new life, starting with the first day.

She made her way down the stairs, catching looks from the species flying down the middle. Should she ignore it, or embrace it and try to say "hi?" Jess stared at the steps as she trotted down them. She felt a woosh near her ear, and instinctively faced it. What she saw was nothing short of an angel... because, well, it was an angel. Jess could only assume she was a girl, obviously would ask for pronouns later in class, wait, did she really have the confidence to ask an angel for pronouns? Nevermind that. She noticed all three of the angel's golden eyes staring at her. She had hair that reminded her of Merida from Brave, but fluffier looking, and much larger. Her orange hair was just under a floating halo, and her winged, avian ears fluttered slightly as she stumbled in the air, trying to keep afloat. She had glasses that fit her two main eyes perfectly. Not too narrow, but not too wide.

"Ahem," she cleared her throat. Jess had been caught staring.

"Oh man, I'm sorry. I do that to everyone I meet. I didn't mean-" Jess was cut off by the angel's laugh. It was more of a chuckle, really, and the angel didn't open her mouth to laugh out loud.

"So you're Jessica?" The angel tilted her head slightly.

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"Uh, Jess, really, but yes. And you are?" Jess held out her hand to shake.

"Oh a human handshake! I've always wanted one of those!" The angel forcefully took Jess' hand and vigorously shook it. It caused Jess to burst out laughing either out of relief or fear. The angel immediately stopped to listen to it. "I'm Lizzie, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Lizzie." Jess tried to pry her hand away.

"Your hands are so small! How can you do anything with them?" Jess felt a heat rise to her cheeks after hearing that. With a firm yank, she got her hand back. Cheez yawned and twisted slightly.

"Magic?" Jess offered a joke answer, to which Lizzie nodded furiously.

"Has to be, right?" Jess felt a little uncomfortable under the intense gaze Lizzie was giving her.

"Uh, no, not for real. I was just joking, haha." All three of her eyes widened.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't know. I'm bad with jokes like that." Jess nodded.

"Noted. Headed to breakfast?" Her eyes widened.

"Oh snap! I have a meeting with Professor Pittman in ten minutes! I gotta go. I'll see you in class, okay?" And with that, she sped off, bumping into species on the way down. Jess couldn't help but let a little smile form at the thought of making a new friend. Maybe I can make others?

Cheez-It was still asleep when Jess sat down next to Bri with a plate of food.

"So, uh... how did you sleep?" Bri asked with a small smile, her voice still dainty and breathy.

"I suppose it was nice, thank you for asking," Jess smiled at her and Bri looked away slightly, her smile larger. "What about you?"

"Oh, I guess it was the same as it always was." She shrugged and Jess nodded.

"And that means it was good, right?" Jess looked at her over the glass of water. Bri laughed in a nervous manner.

"Oh, no one's ever made sure of that... I guess I should be honest. It wasn't good at all." Jess set the cup down.

"And it's always like that? May I ask why?" Bri nodded, looking like she might implode slightly.

"Just... nightmares..." Jess nodded in understanding.

"Yeah, definitely not a fan of those... If you ever need to send me a letter when you're up at night, feel free to. I can't guarantee I'll be up, but I'll always respond when I can." At that, Bri smiled again.

"That sounds nice... I think I will."

Jess felt that glare on the back of her head again, getting closer, and-

"Miss Brown. Why are you sitting at the ghost table?" A baritone voice rumbled behind her. With a small prayer to Cheez-It, she turned to face Lykman.

"I was told there wasn't a table for humans, and a friend offered me a place to sit," Jess admitted. She watched as the demon's eyes shifted ever so slightly over to Bri. Bri herself looked petrified.

"I see. It makes sense, you two would be friends..." He trailed off and shifted his gaze back to Jess. What's that supposed to mean? Her expression didn't change in fear of seeming disrespectful. "Tsk. Anyway, I have been sent to give you your own table. Follow me." With that, he started walking off. Shooting an apologetic nod to Bri, Jess picked up Cheez-It and followed the professor.

"Sir, may I ask why I need a table? Or were you not told?" She could've sworn he would've rolled his eyes, but alas, he was facing away from her. She really came to realize just how tall he was, and his shoulders were rather broad. Crazy, man. How similar yet different the species are from each other. You heard a grumble that cut off.

"I cannot say for certain," his voice was much clearer now, "but I can tell you that Principal Willow requested this."

"I see... Thank you for telling me." He stopped in front of a slightly beat-up wooden table and turned around.

"Well, here you are. I will see you in class, Miss Brown." With a curious glance at Cheez-It, the demon walked off.

Jess hesitantly sat down and laid Cheez boy onto the table, where he was still asleep. Surely yesterday wasn't too draining for him... Jess had already finished eating anyway. She looked at the table. It had scratches and dents and wow. Someone did not like this table. Jess smiled at her imagines of what could've been done to this table. No matter. She had to go explore. After all, she only had like twenty minutes to go and see the Angel Tower.

Scooping up the fat and happy familiar, she made her way out of the Great Hall, feeling a familiar gaze land on her shoulders.

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