Chapter Text
(no pov)
Claire was running through the school hallways, trying to get away from ∆LICE. It all started when the school bullies dropped her into a void-like pit. As she got back up and started her trek back to find her friends, she would run into Miss Bloomie who held a paper with a big red F on it. It was Claire’s test paper. After that, she started running, eventually running into Miss Thavel and Miss Circle who also joined the chase.
This all lead up to numerous events, such as her being chased around the entire school, Engel-one of her friends-saving her from the trio of teachers, finding the horrifically mutilated bodies of Abbie and Lana, being attacked again by Miss Circle, and running for a door that was labeled “Exit”. As she got into the room, she started to catch her breath, feeling that she could finally relax.
As she was catching her breath, however, she saw an ominous figure in the colorful yet empty void that was the room, which brings us back to now:Claire being chased down the hallway by the otherworldly woman who was slashing and teleporting after Claire. She felt like she could only see through one of her eyes at the moment. She couldn’t tell though, as she was more focused on her fear of getting caught. She finally reached the door and started pulling at it, but it wouldn’t budge.
“Come on, come on! Why isn’t it opening!?!?”
As Claire was pulling at the door futilely, she heard the sound of ∆LICE’S footsteps and tendrils flailing around. As ∆LICE got closer, Claire realized she couldn’t escape. All she could do was look at the woman who was seconds away from killing her. As ∆LICE brought her claw down, ready to seal the students fate-
(ANNOYING ALARM CLOCK)
Claire jolted awake, breathing heavily as she realizes that she was just having a nightmare about her school…again.
Claire:(groans in annoyance) Damn it, not again. That’s the 5th time this month.
For a while, Claire had been a student at Paper School. At the time, she had no reason to assume that there was anything wrong with the school, but she would learn how wrong she was to believe that. Murderous teachers(not all of them, but one’s a cannibal, so it’s not all that much better) obnoxious bullies, and a demon(?) in a room that no one is allowed in(due to the aforementioned demon).
You may be wondering ‘Why not tell anyone then? Why not call the cops?’, which would be a reasonable thing to do(at least for the teachers. Not sure what they would do about the reality-warping entity that lives in the school), but they would have been dealt with a long while ago if it were that easy. Even when students go missing(are murdered), there is never any proof leftover to prove it was because of the school faculty. Anytime someone tried to get proof, they were either unable to find anything, or they were the next to fall.
Deciding it would be better to just get the day over with, Claire rolled out of bed, and got ready for school, putting on her uniform, brushing her hair, eating breakfast, said goodbye to her parents, and started her walk to school.
The walk to school was what she was used to:calm and quiet, which helped a little whenever she got worried about failing any exams(though, as mentioned before, not for the reason students at any other school would be). Though, it seems it wasn’t helping that much today.
Claire:(sighs)’Why does the school have to have teachers that are psychotic murderers? I’d like to be able to actually get a good night’s sleep without having nightmares about being murdered by failure intolerant teachers or a demon that for some reason lives in the school.’
After the usual walk, she finally saw the school come into view. She started looking around, seeing if she can find her friends:Engel and Bubble. As she looked around, however, she saw someone unfamiliar. A teenager with (hair length), (hair color) hair, (eye color) eyes, and (skin tone) skin.
(I know it’s all in black and white, but just act like color matters, even if it barely gets mentioned)
Seeing the teen look around curiously, she decided to approach them to see what they’re here for.
Claire:Uhhh hello there.
Hearing Claire’s voice break their thoughts, the stranger turns around to see the girl.
???:Oh, hello there.
Now that they turned around, Claire now knew for a fact that she hadn’t seen them before. Though, something about them caught her attention compared to others, but she didn’t know what. Shaking the thoughts aside, she focused on learning who this teen was.
Claire:Is there a reason your just standing around outside the school?
???: oh, yeah actually. I’m a new student. My family and I just moved recently and my mom got me enrolled here. Oh, and you can call me (Name).
Claire looks at (Name) curiously. Now that she thought about it, she recalls some of the teachers talking about a new kid joining the school, but she didn’t think much of it at the time. Not like she enjoyed thinking about school that much.
(Name):Ummm excuse me miss, are you doin’ ok?
Claire snaps out of her thoughts, realizing that she had been silently staring at them.
Claire: U-uhh yeah, of course! Just…got lost in my thoughts, don’t worry about it. ‘Oh my gosh, way to make a good first impression with the new kid, Claire.’
After berating herself, she composed herself and focused her attention back on the teenager in front of her, giving them a warm smile.
Claire:Since you’re new here, I’m assuming you don’t know where to go or what classes you have, right?
(Name): You would be assuming correctly, yes.
Claire: Well, would you like me to show you around the school?
(Name):Really? I mean, if you’re cool with it.
Claire:Of course, don’t worry. Follow me.
The two students now start making their way through the school, seeing the many lockers and rooms in the halls, eventually making it to the Principals office. Claire led (Name) inside, catching the attention of Miss Grace as the door opened.
Miss Grace:Well, good morning Claire. It there something you need?(notices (Name)) Oh, is that the new student?
Claire:That’s what they said, right (Name)?
(Name):(nods in confirmation) Yep.
Miss Grace:Yes, (Full Name). I heard all about you from your mother. You will call me Miss Grace
As Miss Grace talked, she started looking through her desk drawers, looking through some papers.
Miss Grace:I’ve already organized your schedule for your classes. You will be going to these classes in this order for the year, got it?(holds out the schedule)
(Name):(nods and takes the schedule) Got it Miss Grace.
Miss Grace:(smiles lightly, but keeps a stern expression) Good. (turns her attention to Claire)And Claire, can you show them around the school?
Claire: Oh, don’t worry. I already did that.
Miss Grace: (shrugs) Alright, then I better not hear about them getting lost, understand?
Miss Grace’s expression seems to get more stern as she looked at Claire. Even though the teachers scared her more, Claire still got nervous around the principal. Even though she was kinder than some of the teachers, she still got nervous around Miss Grace
(Name):It’s ok, like Claire said: she already showed me around. I mean, mayyybe not all of the classrooms, but I know where most things are now.
Miss Grace’s gaze turns back to the new student, her expression softening at the confirmation.
Miss Grace: If you’re certain. Claire, finish showing them around and get to your classes.
Claire:(composes herself) Y-yes Mu-Miss Grace.
Understanding what Miss Grace told them, she grabbed (Name)’s hand and pulled them out of her office, with neither of them catching the principal’s lingering gaze on (Name)(not like she stared for long, but still).
Claire:Alright…so, what is the order your classes are in?
(Name):Well, let’s see. (holds up the sheet)
1st period:Language with Miss Thavel
2nd period:Science with Miss Bloomie
3rd period:Math with Miss Circle
As (Name) read through the schedule, Claire shivered while reading the names. Just thinking about them gives her anxiety.
Free period:eat and do whatever(that doesn’t cause problems for me or the other teachers)
4th period:Music with Mister Demi
5th period:History with Miss Emily
6th(Final)period:Art with Miss Sasha
(Name):So, I got language first. Where was that again?
Claire:(snaps back to reality) o-oh, right…f-follow me
As Claire and (Name) walk through the hallway, Claire can’t help but wonder if they’ll last long, but hopes that they won’t perish like the many others students who used to attend Paper School.