Chapter 3

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆

°. ⋆༺♱༻⋆. °

The lessons were long and tiresome.

Mrs Jenkins, the English teacher, rambled about Greek mythology, since we were doing Aristotle’s “The Frogs”, specifically the empousai. They were these freaky monsters that shape-shifted from beautiful women to demons and haunted crossroads, often devouring their victims like vampires.

It sent chills down my spine. They sounded disturbing.

Half the class was sleeping or chewing gum loudly. What caught my attention was that Jennifer —I still hadn’t gotten over the fact that we shared a class. It made my heart do a somersault when I first locked eyes with her. And she waved at me. Waved— was sitting at the edge of her seat, her head titled and drinking in Mrs. Jenkins’ words. She looked so… enraptured. It was lovely to see.

Though, why she would find a conversation about demons enchanting was beyond me.

Maybe she was just a Greek mythology geek. She had mentioned a Greek name before, at my locker. That must explain it, I thought.

I also thought that there was a good explanation for the fact that she was licking her lips slowly, her eyes gaining an almost manic glint, before switching back to normal as though nothing had happened and immediately her expression shifted to one of immense boredom.

“Lilith,” I heard her distinctive voice whisper. My cheeks flushed and I swallowed. I turned to face her, glancing briefly at Mrs. Jenkins. She didn’t seem to notice us.

“What?” I whispered back.

She did not respond immediately. She smirked again, as if she had suddenly remembered a very funny joke.

I touched my face instinctively. Gosh, it would be so embarrassing if I had drool running down my cheek or something.

“Your name, you know. Lilith, in the Bible, was Adam’s first wife. She was just like an empousa.” She licked her lips slowly, toying with her necklace again.

“Really?” I process the information, “was she a demon, then?”

“Oh, yes,” Jennifer nodded, giggling quietly, as if the thought thrilled her, “she was quite the rebel. She refused to submit to Adam and left the Garden of Eden. She was rumored to be wicked, plaguing women and kidnapping children. Some, however, see her as a feminist icon. What do you think?”

She seemed very interested in what I had to say.

“I don’t know, honestly…” I whispered, “demons give me the chills. I hope she was not a kidnapper. But I like the feminist perspective.”

“Fascinating,” Jennifer’s smile widened, “but why don’t you like demons? I think they’re super cool. And perhaps a bit misunderstood, too. Take Lilith, for example. Banished and shamed because she wanted to pave her own path, free from a husband. I don’t think that makes her a monster. But, honestly? Even if she is a demon, I think she has every right to be. Better evil than submissive.”

I was in awe. I did not expect that from Jennifer. I must confess, shamefully so, that initially she had seemed to me like an ordinary popular girl, spoiled and bratty and shallow. I thought that maybe our conversation back at my locker was just a dare, or a joke. But, in that moment, she seemed very serious. Vulnerable, even. I couldn’t quite understand why demons impressed her so much, but I found myself wanting to know more about her.

“You’re right,” I said eventually. “I suppose when everyone hears the word ‘demon’, myself included, they envision some hideous beast, some villainous entity with bad intentions only. But, maybe, you have a point. Maybe the villains are just misunderstood, like the rest of us.”

Jennifer’s smile faded and she stared at me. I worried, momentarily, that I’d said something wrong, that she would suddenly burst out laughing and turn to her friends and look at them like ‘Seriously? This idiot thought I was being for real? Look at her being all emotional over some fictional monstrosity.’

Instead, she ripped a page from her notebook and wrote something on it. She folded it in half. She stared at Mrs. Jenkins, who was now occupied with confiscating Alan Jordan’s phone, and then Jennifer slipped the note to me.

She put a finger on her lips and mouthed ‘read it when the bell rings.’

As if agreed upon, the bell rang deafeningly, signaling the end of our classes, at last. Jennifer stared at me, with her head tilted as usual, as if daring me to pack my things and leave. Unsure of what to do, and seeing as even Mrs. Jenkins, who typically walked like a sloth, seemed to be in a rush to leave, I decided to grab my bag and get up. It would be totally humiliating if I got locked in and left behind in class on my first day.

As I was ready to leave, I felt Jennifer’s arm grab me. “Walk with me,” she said casually, as if we were old friends, but with an undertone of command.

We reached the exit and stepped outside. The sky was cloudy. Great. Rain in September. My Californian self was not accustomed to it.

On the other hand, Jennifer seemed delighted. Of course she would. I should have known. One day by her side and already I knew that she was fond of the oddest things. It was sexy as fuck.

“Read the note, Lilith,” she smiled sweetly.

I unfolded the paper. The ink was pink and sparkly. This girl. On one hand, demons and rain and murderers for ex-best friends. On the other, glittery pens and velvet pink jackets with cute hearts on them. And a smile that glowed with those pink, glossy lips.

‘Specter Hill 104. 8pm. Slumber party. Don’t be late. P.S: Wear something cute, XOXO.’

A slumber party? With the Jennifer Check? I couldn’t believe my eyes. Why me? She hardly knew me. Is that something that she did with everyone or was I special? No, surely not the latter. The thought made my heart drop, but I should not have had high expectations just because she flattered me with her attention and flashed me those warm, sweet smiles. She clearly did that with everyone. My blood boiled with jealousy and hurt. How was I supposed to compete? Me, the new girl in town, the girl who stood out terribly in this miserable, twisted place.

Still, I was curious. She might never invite me again. I could not pass down such an opportunity.

“Cat got your tongue, Lils?”

Her voice made me flinch. I had forgotten all about her standing there, scrutinising me with those dreamy blue eyes. And she had called me Lils. A nickname. For me.

But, no, I scolded myself, stopping the thought as quickly as it had come. I was not special, remember? Girls like her were dangerous, acting all lovey-dovey upon meeting you only to rip your heart out later.

I was so fucked.

“Yes,” I distantly heard myself replying.

“Wonderful!” she squealed and hugged me. Her warm body pressing against mine made my breath hitch.

“I will see you at 8pm sharp!” she pulled away just as quickly as she’d hugged me. I found myself craving her warmth.

Before I could say something that would perhaps make me a little more special, she had left.

I was left standing there, the cold wind freezing me, the note threatening to slip from my hands. I crumbled it and slid it in my pocket. I headed home before I froze to death.

It was sure as hell going to be an eventful night.