EIRA POV:
"Is anyone there?" I called out, my voice trembling with fear as the eerie sound echoed back to me, now louder and more menacing.
"Anyone here?"
Silence engulfed my question, prompting me to call out again, again, and again!
The trees loomed around me, their branches intertwining like gnarled fingers, tightening their grip. A cold wave of panic surged through me. I can't stay here!
Just as I turned to flee, a sight froze the blood in my veins.
A black snake coiled before me, its gaze unblinking. I stumbled backward.
"Help! Help! Help!" I screamed, my voice quaking with terror.
It slithered closer, and my legs wobbled beneath me. Just as I braced for the worst, a strong hand clasped my waist, lifting me slightly off the ground. Looking up, I was met with a pair of inky black eyes, the rest of his face obscured by a dark cloth. How could someone's eyes be so profoundly dark? In that moment, my fear faded, replaced by an inexplicable connection.
But then—fear! The snake was poised to strike! I lifted my gaze just in time to see a hand hurl it away. I gasped, inhaling deeply, but when I looked around, the savior had vanished.
Where did he go? Was it all a dream? I glanced around, but the clearing was empty, and an unsettling silence filled the air. I should head back to college.
"Where were you?"
"Why can't you stay where I told you?"
I stayed silent, staring at the ground. Later, my father helped me organize the room, kissed me goodnight, and left. Sleep came quickly; tomorrow was my first day of college.
I jolted awake at 7 a.m., rushing to the washroom, heart racing because my lecture started at 8:30. After a quick shower and a frantic morning routine, I found myself staring at a jumbled map, desperately trying to locate my class.
"Looking for something?" A voice broke through my confusion. I looked up to see a tall girl with stunning brown hair.
"Yes! I'm lost. Can you help?" I replied, handing her the map.
"New girl, right?" she said, nodding with a smile.
She pointed. "Second floor, upstairs, to the right. Hurry! You're going to be late!"
I thanked her and dashed toward my physics class, my heart racing. As I entered, I spotted a woman with brown hair at the front. The entire class turned to stare at me, their expressions as if I were an alien who had just landed.
"You must be Ms. Eira," she said, her tone firm.
"You're late! Take your seat quickly," she instructed, and I hurried to an empty desk.
"My name is Mrs. Raivina. Now, dear, introduce yourself."
Panic bubbled inside me. I had hoped she might change her mind, but her expectant gaze made it clear I had no choice.
"Hi, everyone," I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I looked down at my shoes. A few voices responded with half-hearted hellos and stifled giggles.
"I… am Eira Banes," I managed to murmur, feeling the weight of their stares.
"I hope you enjoy your time here," Mrs. Raivina said with a warm smile.
"Any questions?" she asked, but the room remained silent.
Just then, a girl with heavy makeup and straight hair leaned in, whispering, "Hello, garbage," as laughter erupted from her friends nearby.
After an hour of lectures...
With my next class still an hour away, I found a spot in the canteen to gather my thoughts. Suddenly, the girl who had helped me find my class appeared.
"Hi! I'm Tessy."
"Hi! I'm Eira," I replied, relieved to see a friendly face.
"Mind if I sit here?" she asked.
"Of course," I said.
Tessy shared stories about college life and how kind and understanding our principal was.
Then, the atmosphere in the canteen shifted; a hush fell over the crowd.
I turned to see a strikingly attractive boy enter. Everyone's attention was riveted on him. He wore a black coat, and as he walked past, I caught a glimpse of his eyes—those hauntingly familiar eyes. My mind raced back to the snake incident, and I felt a surge of gratitude. I had to thank him.
"What happened?" Tessy asked, breaking my concentration.
"Can you give me five minutes? I'll be right back," I replied, determination propelling me forward.
"Of course."
I steeled myself and walked toward him.
"Hi!" I said, my voice slightly shaky.
He stared at me, his expression unreadable. Maybe he didn't even remember me.
"Yesterday in the woods, you saved me," I continued, hoping to jog his memory.
Suddenly, Tessy chimed in from behind, "That's Adrian Blake!"
"If you want to sleep with me, just say so. No need for these silly games—get out of my way," he shot back, a smirk curling on his lips.
The girl who had called me "garbage" earlier nudged my shoulder and sneered, "You don't belong here, Garbage!"
My vision blurred as tears threatened to spill, but I swallowed hard and grabbed my bag, turning away to head to my next class.
I hate him!!!...
''She is a bitch! Ignore her and that Adrain. He is an arrogant jerk.''-Tessy said, gritting her teeth in anger.
"He thinks his wealth makes him superior, as if everyone else is just his servant."
"I hate him."
I spotted Adrian in my class, but I kept silent, taking my seat directly in front of him. As time passed, I felt his gaze on me, a weight that made my skin prickle. Whenever I turned to look, he seemed to be staring off into space. Was I imagining things? Why would he pay attention to me? He was in every class, and with each lecture, the sensation of being watched only intensified.
After classes, I headed back to the hostel, fumbling with my keys as I approached my door. That's when I noticed her—a girl with porcelain skin, radiant and captivating. Her door was right next to mine.
"What's your name?" I asked, curious.
"I'm Andy," she replied, a smile lighting up her face.
"You're really beautiful," I blurted out, surprised by my own boldness.
"I know! You're beautiful too," she said, stepping closer, her presence almost magnetic.
"See you soon!" she added with a cheerful wave before darting inside, closing her door with a definitive thud. There was something strange about her, but in a way that intrigued me.
ADRAIN POV:
I leaned back against the cool wall of my room, my mind swirling with thoughts of Eira. I had pushed her away with my careless words, yet something about her lingered in my mind. Why did I react that way? I could feel the weight of her gaze, the confusion in her eyes, and it gnawed at me.
Every encounter with her felt like a puzzle I couldn't solve. I told myself I needed to keep my distance, to shield her from whatever darkness I carried. But why did the idea of her being close make me feel so alive? I hated the way she crept under my skin, igniting a fire I couldn't control.
Just then, a knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. Drek stood there, concern etched on his face.
"Hey, buddy," he said, stepping in without waiting for an invitation.
"Hey," I replied, forcing a casual tone.
"What's up? You look like you've seen a ghost," he remarked, crossing his arms.
"Nothing," I snapped, but the truth was, I felt haunted.
He raised an eyebrow, not buying it. "I know you well enough to see when you're hiding something."
"I don't have time for your nonsense," I shot back, trying to sound firm.
"Fine. Where are Elisa and Mike?" he asked, changing the subject.
"They're not coming today—might be a few days," I said, my tone flat.
"Okay, but don't think I'll drop this," he warned, eyes narrowing. "I won't leave until you spill."
"Just leave!" I yelled, frustration spilling over. He shot me a knowing look but finally backed away, leaving me alone with my turmoil.
As the door closed, I sank back into my thoughts, the silence amplifying the chaos inside me. I didn't want to admit it, but I was spiraling. The harder I tried to distance myself from Eira, the more I felt drawn to her—a force pulling me in, refusing to let go.