Maya was waiting in her room for Amayra to return. She hated that Amayra was spending time with Carter.. Her Carter. Maya had a massive crush on Carter Willis ever since she could remember. They knew each other since 8th grade. They were neighbours for two years and friends for the most of that time. But then the 'incident' happened and everything changed. Carter no more talked to her. He started ignoring her like a plague. Maya was heartbroken that he didn't feel anything for her other than platonic friendship but the fact that he wasn't interested in anyone was a consolation for her weeping heart, until now. Carter was friends with the 90% female population of Hope academy but she never had a problem with them because she knew that he was just being friendly and the other girls were too scared of her to try anything with Carter.
But this new girl Amayra wasn't scared of her.She wasn't even pretty. Sure she seems like someone with good grades, a brain and a good heart, but that's not enough. Right? Your looks matter, Right? Maya already knew that Amayra wasn't rich, hell anyone would take a look at her and tell that she isn't rich. She practically dressed like a hobo. Not that Maya was a billionaires herself, but she still had a decent amount of fortune to her name that her parents left before they died.
The annoying sound of screeching of door pulled Maya out of her thoughts. She watched from the corner of her eyes as Amayra entered the room, gave her a small smile and went to her side of the room after closing the curtain separating their portion of the room.
Amayra didn't look happy. In fact, she looked a little tense. And boy, did Maya like it. She liked that Amayra spent time with Carter but came back not so happy. She liked that very much. Maya slept through the night peacefully after a long time.
*****
Amayra didn't get a wink of sleep that night. She was frustrated with herself for letting this affect her so much.
Well, who was she kidding?
Of course she knew this would affect her. The thought of encountering the people that played an important role in ruining her life sent chills down her spine. But she also knew that she couldn't avoid them forever.. Every person that you avoid at any point in your life comes back knocking at your door, ready to bite your ass.
She looked at the alarm clock on her bedside table. It was 4:00 am already. She pushed her blanket down and decided to start her day early. After quickly finishing her morning routine Amayra silently moved out of the room. She decided to take a morning walk. The sky was still very much dark and the air cool. Amayra took a deep breath and felt at peace in that moment. She kept walking towards the building where the "upperclass" resided. She knew that they all were asleep. They always were. Behind the massive building, lay the never ending forest. There were many stories about this forest. Some horror, some adventurous. However, Amayra knew the truth behind those stories. This forest has been the witness to all that has ever happened in the Hope Academy; be it good or bad. The students of Hope academy were forbidden from crossing the wall separating them from the dark forest. Amayra gazed longingly at the tall trees. She wanted to wander in that forest alone, just with herself.
The sound of whispering pulled Amayra out of her dream. Her heart pounded against her chest loudly at the thought of someone seeing her there. She looked around frantically and quietly shuffled to the back of the building. She leaned back so that she was standing flat against the wall. Her breaths coming in short puffs and hands trembling.
"What are you doing here?" A quiet voice rumbles in the darkness.
Her neck straightens, her heart threatening to jump out of her chest and a silent gasp leaves her mouth.
" I should be asking the same?" Another voice speaks up. Amayra knows this voice. It's Carter. Amayra takes a long breath and squeezes her eyes shut in relief when she realizes that they weren't talking to her.
A million questions run through her mind. Who is the other person talking to Carter? What is Carter doing here? What are they both doing here? Taking her chance, she leans away from the wall to peak in the area from where she heard the them.
It's too dark to see them. All she can see is their dark silhouettes. No one speaks for the next 2 minutes, or may be it is just a minute. To Amayra it feels like an hour full of eerie silence until she hears them walking away; both in different directions. Amayra waits behind the wall till she can no longer hear their footsteps. Coming out of her hiding spot, she looks around cautiously as if waiting for someone to come out of the corner and yell boo in her ear. What she doesn't expect is him watching her every move.
***
Carter was tying his shoelace when his watch blinked notifying him that Amayra was out of her dorm building. He cursed under his breath. That girl was strange as fuck. He didn't know any other girl who went around roaming in the dark.
He hurriedly left his room to shadow Amayra and keep her safe from the danger lurking in the dark.He knew she was moving towards the forest and the concrete wall, but she had no idea that someone else was following her too.
Carter felt him even before he saw him. His ex- best friend was walking behind Amayra like it was perfectly normal for him to stalk a girl at this hour of the day. Carter knew he wasn't any better than him but atleast he was trying to protect her. Him on the other hand, was doing anything but that.
Carter rushed forward quietly, his heart beating in his chest with the thought of Amayra being caught. He can't let that happen. He cannot let Him reach her. He just wished that Amayra comes out of her daydream sooner and realises that someone is following her and decides to hide before he catches her. But no....Amayra was still oblivious of the danger following her.
Carter exhaled loudly and decided that it was time to make his presence known to both Amayra and his ex-best friend for his and Amayra's sake. He purposely stomped his foot while walking forward so that they know he was there. As expected, it took only a second for Storm to realise he wasn't alone in his quest to follow Amayra.
*****