There was a 2 weeks break before the exam. Impromptu fix for reasons they weren't told. Kara knocked on Principal Hartridge's door and let herself in. His brows were furrowed as he perused through a big book.
"Yes Kara?" He asked, his voice lacking patience. "Is there something you wish to tell me?"
"Not tell, more like ask." She tapped her thigh and cleared her throat. "Am I allowed to go home for the break? Everyone is going it seems."
He just stared at her.
She moved forward and gripped the chair in front of him slightly.
"Okay not home home, I've never been there so I don't know. But what better time to know than now?" She rambled. "The pack I mean."
Hartridge pulled off his glasses and cleared his throat.
"Kara..." He started slowly.
"Does my father want to see me?" She asked, knowing the answer.
It pained him to do it but he shook his head.
"Now is not that best time..."
Kara nodded and stepped back. "Hmm okay. No big deal. Good talk."
She turned and walked out. She collided with Liv.
Everyone was packing and leaving already.
"Hey Kara. Was planning to look for you after I said my goodbyes to father." Liv said and smiled.
Kara cocked her head and reigned in her emotions. "What's up?"
"I know we haven't really been on the best terms and it was so sudden..."
They were on the way so Liv pulled her to the side.
"But watching you provoke Ezra made me realise that I am not good enough just yet. I am not powerful enough. I can't defend you. I'm not strong. I still find it hard to speak to my father telepathically at times and it all just downed on me and I avoided you." She admitted sheepishly. Releasing a breath, she continued. "What I mean is, we are still friends. I just got stuck in my head for a bit but I'm going to fix it okay. I'm going to become powerful enough to stand beside you."
Kara felt guilt. She had never really had friends, at least that was the excuse she told herself when she asked why she hadn't reached out to Liv or why she had treated the other girl in a mean way.
"You are awesome as you are but I understand. How are you going to achieve that?" She said, willing her tone to sound supportive.
Liv beamed. "Adrian's mom. She's the most powerful mind weaver and after a lot of persuasion, she decided to take me in for the two weeks. Whatever it is I can learn."
Liv was leaving also.
"Ohhh that is good. You can do it." Kara grinned and rubbed her arm. "I'm proud of you."
Liv nodded and hugged her. "See you in two weeks."
Some minutes later, Kara was on the roof, watching them all go. Nothing had changed. This was the same way she watched people in school then, running to their parents and families. Klaus hadn't come for her and she didn't want it to be awkward if she looked for him so she didn't.
"Knew I'd find you here."
Ezra closed the door behind him and came to stand beside her, hands in his pocket.
"See how excited they all look." He commented.
Kara sighed. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be going home?" She saw Liv get in a car with Adrian. They didn't see her.
Ezra shrugged. "It's just two weeks. Besides, the only family I have is my cousin and the chief maid. My cousin is coming in tonight, Hartridge says he can stay for two weeks."
Kara frowned. "Your parents?"
"Murdered."
Her head snapped to him but he didn't look sad. Just like a normal person starting a fact.
"My cousin and I got closer cause it was both our parents." He told her and turned away, walking to the door that led back in.
Kara hurried after him and settled into his pace.
"Were the murderers caught?" She asked.
"That's a story for another day."
The hall was empty, everyone had gone.
"Let me introduce you to him." He said and led her to the boy's dormitory.
"I thought you said tonight." It wasn't night yet.
Ezra shrugged. "He arrived earlier."
"And you know this how?"
He pointed to his shadow.
"My shadow is mine."
Kara frowned in confusion but was distracted when her nose picked something. All her senses seemed to tune in. It was the same feeling she'd felt the day before by the dark hallway. Someone was watching her, only this time, she could see the person.
Her heart skipped and her tummy flipped. He was devastatingly gorgeous. With black long hair and eyes filled with stars, Kara felt breathless.
"Your detecting skills are slow. I got here yesterday." The gorgeous man boy said to Ezra as he stopped in front of them.
Ezra scoffed. " You just wanted to prove how good you were at concealing yourself."
"Not good enough, she noticed me." He gestured to her, making her clear her throat.
She didn't know what to say so she smiled.
Ezra chuckled. "This is my cousin, Ryker. Ryker, Kara Cahill."
Ryker put his hand out with amusement written on his face. "Ryker Starlight."
"Ah nice to meet you. I'm Kara." She took his hand.
He stroked the back of her hand, making her pull away nervously. Things were doing flips in her tummy.
She cleared her throat again. "Is this your first time at Oakley?"
"Surprisingly, yes." He answered, staring at her.
His eyes. She couldn't look away. She remembered her science class where they showed them pictures of the galaxy. His eyes held the galaxy. His pupils were dark but filled with colour a playing around.
"Your eyes..." She started.
He blinked and laughed. "Unique right?"
She blushed. She had meant to say "your eyes hold the galaxy" but how dumb and cliche was that. Guys were the ones who said eyes held galaxies.
"Napa misses you. She said you should come home." Ryker said to Ezra.
Ezra snorted. "Misses me my ass. She has something up her sleeves. Who is she trying to set me up with again?"
"Set you up with?" Kara smiled, confused.
Ryker beamed when he turned back to her. He made her want to be a weed on the wall, his attention was a bit overwhelming.
"Napa loves trying to fix us up with a 'decent' shadow girl. But she gave up on me recently and has her attention on Ezra boy here." He explained, patting Ezra's head and ruffling his hair.
"The hell man, you are just a inch taller." Ezra growled and pushed him away.
Ryker launched at him and they felt to the ground, wrestling. It was fun to watch them. She liked the chemistry between them.
"Boys."
They all jumped and turned to Reginald. He was leaning on a cane, a look of disapproval on his face.
"He started it." Ezra whined.
Ryker shoved him. "Did not. You just like acting like a big baby."
Kara couldn't hold back her laughter. They were both like big babies.
"I see we've cheered you up." Ryker commented, dusting his clothes as he got up.
"What?" She asked in between laughter.
He moved close to her and bopped her nose with his index. A soft look on his face.
"You looked down. We had to turn that frown upside down." He grinned.
She hoped he couldn't hear her heartbeat. What were shadows good at again?
"Really smooth. You've won her heart." Ezra smirked.
Ryker looked like a dear caught in headlights. His eyes got round and his lips patted. He was too adorable.
Pitying him, Kara placed her palm on his arm and winked. "Don't worry, you actually have."