Chapter Text
Heading out of her place, once she closed the door, Kelly took a moment to breathe and collect herself. She could feel her heart rate accelerating at the thought of the gymnasium filling up with tons of people, but she realized that if she arrived super early, she could just ease herself in. She could recall one time during her high school days of arriving 15 minutes late to class. The sudden silence, everyone in the room staring at her along with silent whispers and tittering and the teacher calling her out and to give a reason as to why she showed up late to class. She made a vow to herself to be nothing, but punctual and early upon arrive from here on out.
“Okay, orientation doesn’t start for about… 45 minutes. Plenty of time to just go and find a good seat. Let’s do this shiz…” Kelly says to herself and heads off.
Walking throughout campus, Kelly could really take a moment to enjoy the overall look of the campus—especially during this time of the day. The landscape looked well taken care off, there even a lovely array of flowers varying from bright and vivid tulips to some exotic looking lilies. Some of the other students walking among campus looked as if they kept among them selves with idle chitchat about what they’ll do for dinner or dorm parties. Others just sit around along the benches on their phones or laying out in the grass, reading a book. I guess it’s something about it getting later in the day that just makes people calmer.
Arriving once again to the Welcome Center, Kelly looked at her phone once more to check the location where the orientation would take place and headed down the hall, pushing open the big door to the impossibly large gym, which was… Thankfully empty. Kelly looked around the classroom and saw that the bleachers were pulled out to accomodate the amount of fellow classmates she had, it looked like not too many, which was just fine in her book. She climbed to the top and sat down in the middle of the row.
Managed to make it to orientation ahead of schedule. So far, so good, but still nervous. Will keep you updated.
With another update and having a while before orientation started, she decided to check her dailies. Ooh! An update in a juicy fanfic! She immediately bookmarked it. She chuckled to herself as she immersed herself in her guilty pleasure.
‘Oohmygosh, I hope this is the chapter they finally do it! This slow burn has been going on since forever! Hopefully he’ll just take the chance! O-or maybe… She’ll just try to drag him away somewhere and confess?’ She thought to herself as her eyes skimmed left and right.
She must of lost track of time because the bleachers were slowly being filled with students and what looked to be with several teachers intermingled. Kelly was amazed that there were so many different monsters of varying shapes and sizes! …Even that slime monster doing a rather sexy wiggle as they come in.
Oh?
O-Oh…
It seems as though there are more skeleton monsters, though Blue did tell her that he had a brother. Kelly fidgets with her phone nervously seeing the classroom fill up more and more and tried to keep her anxiety internal as the seats next to her was filled.
Keep calm, Kelly. It took a lot of nerve to just arrive to college on campus instead of wussing out and just doing things online. This will be the experience you need to just try and be socially act— A slamming of the door boomed throughout the room and everyone grew quiet.
“Oh! Whoopsie me, slammed that darn door a bit too harshly,” a soft voice mumbled over the louspeakers. It was a rather short monster that looked like a hybrid between a rabbit and cat. They wore small frames fitted nicely on their muzzle and a small black dressed that looked as if they were trying to pull off a goth Lolita look. “Ahem! Uh, anywhosie, WELCOME STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS TO THE BEST COLLEGE, EVER!! Er, uhm, I mean—“ Was she looking at cue cards? “Welcome everyone to being at the most ‘pre…sti-gi-ous—prestigious! And world renown college! We hope that your experience here will not only be filled with wonderful memories, but with extensive knowledge you shall use in your day to day life. …Make sure you be professional this time and you’re not allowed to have a t-shirt cannon—” She gave a nervous cough, sidling into the middle of the boxes set up for presentation. “Uhh, formalities asiiiide, this college is really awesome because mankind and monster kind are able to coexist with one another in harmony! And if anyone decides to cause discord and break any rules, corrective action will be taken!” The monster chirped as she tore up the cue cards and tossed them in the garbage with an aggressive flourish.
Kelly could feel a chill down her spine on that last part. She may look small, but she also looks like the last person you’d want to be on their bad side.
“Anywhosie, I’m an advisor here and my name is Miss Xirbaba Lexington Fluffers, uh, but to be real with you guys, please just call me ‘Lexi’? Hearing my full name makes me think I’m in trouble with the Dean. Again. But he totally loves me! We’re like BFFs and stuff… But enough about me! This orientation is all about getting to know the school more, but more importantly, getting to know each other more! So… Socialize and walk about and stuff!” Lexi gives a big grin and hopped to sit down on the box.
The room erupted with chatter and people immediately stood to start wandering about and chatting with their peers. Kelly remained frozen in her seat. Oh boy, her time had come. Who would she even talk to? Wait… Ah, hey! That’s a familiar face! That adorable skeleton monster she helped! Ah, but it looks like he’s also talking to another skeleton monster who looked similar to Blue. He was a rather big guy—kinda scary even. Red intimidating eye… lights? And very sharp teeth with a gold fang. This guy just gives a “don’t fuck with me” vibe. Wait, is that a spiked collar?! That’s… pretty openly hot, to be honest, but… FOCUS, KELLY! Just… Screw it, walk down and try to talk to Blue.
Kelly stood up, making sure her skirt was straightened enough to be modest and walked down the stairs to meet Blue. He was animatedly chattering with the other skeleton until she crossed his line of sight. He turned to wave her over, bouncing on his feet.
“HELLO, HUMAN! I SEE EVEN AT SOCIAL GATHERINGS YOU ARE DRAWN TO MY MAGNIFICENT CHARM!” He struck a pose, hands on his hips and skull tilted to the ceiling as if he was some sort of hero in a comic book.
“well, well, well.” The other skeleton drawled in a smooth baritone. “you sure caught a nice piece’a work, blue.”
Blue sputtered and whipped to face him. “SHE IS NOT A ‘PIECE OF WORK’! SHE IS A HUMAN AND SHE ALSO HAPPENS TO BE MY FRIEND!” Kelly wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or just a poor defense from the comment. The skeleton didn’t seem to mind.
“name’s red.” He held out his hand for a shake, and upon taking the bony hand she gave a startled squeak as he smoothly yanked her body close to his. “but you can call me ‘daddy’.” With a wink, he released her hand. Whew, was it hot in here or was it just her? Someone needed to open a window. She could feel the color burning her cheeks.
“Uh. K-Kelly. My name is Kelly.” Blue cocked a brow at her strange change in demeanor.
“NOW THAT YOU TWO ARE ACQUAINTED, CAN WE GET ON WITH THE SOCIALIZING? I HAVE FRIENDS THAT MUST MEET HER!”
Kelly gulped and stepped back a small bit. “Hey um, I’m not too important, haha! I’m sure you guys’ll be fine withouuu-okay I guess I’ll go?” Blue had already slipped his arm around her waist and carted her off none too slowly, much to Red’s disgruntled expression.
“SORRY ABOUT THAT. RED NEEDS TO KEEP A FILTER ON HIS MOUTH.” Blue grumbled disapprovingly.
“It’s okay, Blue.” She mumbled in response, drowned out by the humdrum of everyone else bustling about and socializing. She wasn’t too used to being flirted with, let alone being pursued for friendship or conversation. It was…nice. Yeah. She nodded to herself, the tugging on her arm stopping as Blue planted himself right in front of her. Kelly dared a peek out from behind her friend.
A tall skeleton stood before him (were skeletons just attracted to her or—?), clad in a crisp pinstripe suit and dress pants to boot. His teeth were filed to points, and it sounded like his words were about as sharp as they were—
“PROFESSOR FALL! THIS IS THAT HUMAN FRIEND I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT!” Blue gestured up and down, showing Kelly off. She resisted the urge to shrink in on herself. Being presented as if she were a prize or a work of art, it was embarrassing. She wanted to hide, if she were being honest with herself. Blue’s words registered in her brain and she had to hide a snort. Professor Fall? Seriously?
“FELL.” He huffed, folding his arms and staring her down with a glare. Kelly gulped, wishing she had the power to dissolve into the floorboards. She felt like she was shrinking with each moment that passed by, his gaze fierce and full of fire.
“N-nice to meet you. Kelly.” She stammered, thrusting her hand out for a handshake. The taller skeleton glowered at her outstretched hand, slowly reaching out to take it and shake it. It was brief, and he ended it quickly to rest his hand on his hip. Stars, he had a hard grip! Her hand would be sore for the rest of the day if anyone else shook like that.
“LIKEWISE, COLLIE.” Blue grunted in disapproval, surprisingly loud above the chatter of the other students. “I’D BEST BE ON MY WAY, I HAVE PAPERS TO GRADE AND MATTERS TO ATTEND TO.”
“But it’s orientation! Classes haven’t even started yet!” Kelly blurted out before she could stop herself. Seriously? Was this guy nuts, starting homework before the semester even began?
The professor only smirked, amusement gleaming in his eyes. “IF YOU’D CHECK YOUR SYLLABUS SENT TO YOUR EMAIL, YOU’D KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.”
She could only watch him as he turned heel and made his way to the exit. She could vaguely remember an email she skimmed, but she’d shrugged it off since it was from her school email and school hadn’t even technically begun yet…
Well, shit. So that’s how this year was gonna go.