Katerina's POV
The overwhelming need; no, the desire to belong somewhere else-to be someone else. An embodiment of death frequently visited my dreams, and thoughts- filling the smallest crevices of my mind . Incomprehensibly and profoundly descriptive dreams, with every night conjuring a more entangled and convoluted labyrinth. My name is Katerina Thea Petralia, but my friends call me Kat- a seventeen year old Greek-American high school girl, with intensely vivid and frequent nightmares. I try not to let my dreams control who I am, but lately it has been harder to distinguish the difference between dreaming and being awake.
I dreamt of a cold dark wasteland, it was surreal and unquestionably more realistic than my indubitably dull existence. The Huntington Botanical Garden, famously known for its corpse flowers- every dream had that vile stench of rotting flesh.. fields of enormous Corpse flowers.
Throughout these bigger than life itself-dreams, I couldn't help but get an eery feeling of déjà vu. A dark deep undertone buried in the depths of my pseudo-illusive dreams. Preserving this secret served more than one purpose, but heres the Moby Dick- keeping me out of the insane asylum. An entire year scrubbed out of existence, it was unavoidable. Life itself was eluding me, regardless of what little social activities I planned- there was always some preexisting phenomena that fought and prevailed coexisting.
Leaving the train station, awaiting my aunt and cousin in what appears to be the coldest and wettest weather I had ever been in..what a dread, being back in those dreams actually sounds more appealing.
It will be a change of pace, regardless of wether I am running away from the stench of corpses, the embodiment of death itself or even-
Oh, Sweetheart is that you? come here, let me look at you." Aunt Jenny.
I needed a fresh start, as someone else? someone less wrapped up their own head.
I finished my Earl grey and stopped on chapter 5 of the Defilers Coin, stretched my arms out as I let a yawn out. Picking out my outfit for class was simple, I had gone shopping weeks before and separated each outfit into what days they would best fit, but to be honest they were all different shades of the same color "purple". Monday defines my week, so I chose dark blue jeans and dark to light purple flannel top with a black undershirt and Black converses- you know, cause; all sorts of teen magazines spend hours enforcing this..or subconsciously filling your head with these altered precognitive decisions.
I had always maintained a great relationship with my aunt Jenny, she was incredibly supportive- even when I asked her, if I could come live in Ur'Dova with her. My none phone-friendly, parents now swamp me with text messages with unlimited amounts of typos... which reminds me, I need to get an unlimited texting plan for my phone.
The hallways in this house are relatively bland and wide, (everything is the same) i've meaning to paint them, yes I know I've been here less than two whole days. That is if Jenny gives her consent, she has become so accustomed to the empty lifeless walls. Natalie promised that my first day would be a fruitful one, but she wasn't even awake for it?I couldn't blame her though. I would sleep in every single day If it would keep me away from those dreams-not happening. Anyways, her room was on the opposite end of the hallway from my room and she has an obscene fear of closing her door, maybe some sort of mental disorder-phobia?
Wake up! he is here!" I shouted sarcastically, She didn't even move an inch, thats just like me- and unlike her. In that same instance, one of those subconsciously precognitive decision making moments came into play- completely out of character.
Decided to make the ringtone for my number on her phone the same as her crush's ringtone. "Let's see if this wakes you" I muttered with a huge grin.
I sat there on her bouncy varicolored bed, dialing her number with the anticipation eating away at me. "Like a drum baby never stop beating" Gone,Gone,gone starts playing with her volume on high.
Out of nowhere, she flings up like a rubber band ricocheting.
Aaron?!"She screeches without the faintest touch of confidence.
I couldn't help but laugh at her this was priceless, she's always been
the one to play games on others so this was a payback- although fruitless.
"Just me" I muttered and laughed precariously. I was unsure how she would react- although I didn't really care, not that I dislike her . "Elena! don't do that!" she whined as she shook her head and got up.
Natalie was a year older then me although she didn't seem to act like it.
she looked just like a younger version of her mom, long blonde hair and hazel eyes. I wondered If I looked out of place in this family, medium height skinny girl with shoulder length auburn hair and peppermint eyes. I wonder if i'll have to camp outside until she forgets my pranking her.
"Why don't you wait for me downstairs while I get ready" she seemed really irritated, but some would say she had it coming.
I left her there to continue fussing about how I managed to prank her, I had more important things to focus on like-breakfast. These halls really need some fresh decor to give it personality, its so depressing- I think some black would do it justice.. Jenny must be up, I can smell the sweet scents of blueberry waffles and spicy pepper-jack sausages. Ran down the steps as fast as I could,I was starving and the smell of it all was eating away at me. "Good morning Doll, breakfast?"her happiness was contagious- I almost barfed.
"Morning, yes please I'm famished!" Couldn't help but reply with excitement, I was eyeballing the sausages and waffles.
Jenny got my plate ready as I poured pomegranate juice for everyone, I always mixed mine with a tiny bit of kiwi. Natalie finally came down the steps and as you could expect she dressed for a runway show. "You realize we're going to school right?" I couldn't have said that with any more sarcasm than that.
She flashed a glance my way and looked away. "Really getting on my bad side to day Elena" wasn't sure if she was joking or threatening.
Jenny couldn't help but look at us both puzzled. "Enough already, both of you need to get going. Oh and please remember I won't be home tonight so take both your keys with you." Good thing she remembered cause we sure didn't.
The Clouds laid waste to Ur'Dova reigning down rain for the past two days- gross.
I'm hardly ever as tired as I am now, fatigued- observing the rain droplets dripping down the glass door, reminiscing; all those stormy dreams. Natalie: "Elena, we're going to have to share my umbrella, until we get in the car. "
Natalie, resembled an energetic-upbeat puppy. Me: "Okay, i'm ready, lets run for it!"
I flashed her a glimpse of my smile, reassuring her that I too was delighted to start the school year. We sprinted like Olympic finalists across the front lawn, water splashing all over our jeans- reminded me of blood splatter. I walked her to the drivers door, then rushed over to the passengers seat- carefully closing the umbrella on my way in.
Natalie- "First day of school, well here we go tiny, I have got some hip tunes for us." She couldn't help but smile- ear to ear. The smell of rain and pine trees gave the car a refreshing mood, so I started singing along to "I'd be lying by Greg Laswell". The Contrast between the gray sky and the song really set the vibe for the morning. Deja-vu, these surroundings, Im almost certain-that I've been here recently; pine trees as far as the eye can see.
Knowing her I would expect her to be bummed out about the rain washing all that dust she had collected on her old beetle, couldn't help but smile. Me: "No more dust." I muttered, she turns to look at me briefly. Natalie: "You say something?" she seemed distracted. Me: "No, but what is it- or who is it, that has been running laps on your mind?" I asked as sarcastic as possible. She ran her ring filled fingers through her hair. "It's a new school year, I have a good feeling about it." She seemed truly hopeful.
Moments later
Ur'Dova High's, parking lot was just starting to fill up-so we managed to park near the front row. The sun was finally coming through, my anticipation was over flowing. The whole world seemed to be gearing up slowly for the start of day, we managed to arrive early. The crows danced on the grey skies and disappeared behind the clouds. We looked at each other, both of us holding back our nervous smiles- mine was brought on by my inability to be social. it was a new beginning and it was all ours- will I seize the day or burrow my face in a book? She seems to be texting someone, I wonder if its Aaron. Natalie: "Kat, why don't you go in without me." she said, without even making eye contact. Me: "Yeah sure, will catch up later."
I left her there and made my way through the parking lot. There really wasn't that many people here yet; there were a couple guys sitting on the steps talking and creepily staring at me - think. There was also a small group of girls walking towards the entrance, just a couple feet behind me- they looked just as excited as Natalie. The entrance was small and chic, they must have had this recently added the architectural style is vibrant and new looking- unlike the rest of the school.
The entrance looked like a Vincent Van Gogh painting, someone should check the contractors who did it-ears. The front desk was right around the corner, didn't take much effort to find luckily. A cheerful elderly lady stood there with a thick white binder. Me: "Good morning, my name is Katerina Thea Petralia."I muttered cheerfully.
She looked at me, over her thick brown glasses. Receptionist: "Good morning Katerina-that name sure is a mouthful hun." she said, while shuffling papers. Receptionist: "Here is your schedule, locker combination-have a great first day hun."She said. She seemed like a genuinely nice lady, now lets see what my first class is. Physics with Mr. Ziegler, room 125 on the left wing. The hallways here reminded me of the ones back home so bland, the only thing giving it life were the mediocre school spirit posters and announcements scattered throughout the walls.
Looks like I am the first to show up, the great thing about being a couple minutes early is that I get to choose where I want to sit. I chose a seat on the third row closest to the window. Mr. Ziegler is a tall bald man, he looked pretty serious- well as serious as a tall bald man in an old brown polo that probably smells like black coffee.
Mr.Ziegler: "Morning, who might you be?"He said grinning. Kind of took me by surprise there. Me: "Good morning- you must be Mr.Ziegler I assume? my name is Katerina Thea Petralia"I replied gaily. He looked me up and down, then walked back to the chalkboard.
Mr.Ziegler: "Well it's good to have you here Katerina."Students began to flood the room.
All the seats around me began to fill, I can feel all of their eyes focusing on me- probably wondering "who's this girl?"
Katerina's POV
Everyone seemed to know each other, I sat there talking to myself in my head waiting for the class to begin. Someone was poking my shoulder with what feels like a pencil. I turned around, "Um, why are you poking me?" Couldn't help but look surprised. He was gorgeous, "Yeah,they passed you the sign in sheet can you pass it back to me?"he said, grinning ear to ear. I must look like a tomato right now,my face is red hot. "Yeah, here." keep it cool, you got this he doesn't suspect a thing. "Thanks, I'm Hayden by the way." he said.
I sat there for a micro second remembering how to breathe. "Kat" I said.
I think that rolled off my tongue with confidence, I honestly don't
know why I'm having trouble talking to this guy.
:Time stood still as the demons within came to life:
I sat there scribbling on my notebook waiting for the class to begin, everyone was silent. I turned to give Hayden a second glance, almost fell out of my seat. "Whats going on?"I was shocked, could barely breathe. His eyes were solid black veins surrounding his eyes and black blood ran down his nostrils. I looked around the classroom, all of the students were disfigured, disgusting creatures.
The walls slowly got darker as their faces started turning until they faced me.
The room was Black, neither Natalie or her mother Jenny could save....
All was black: A pact long made sprung to life
Everything was back to normal, I couldn't grasp exactly what happened.
Did I fall asleep? there was still blood running down Haydens nose, oh no.
"Hayden, you're bleeding." I said, with shock written all over my face.
That brief moment of desolation wounded me, dark bitter vibes lingered.
"I'll be okay." He hid his face from me. Nobody seemed to notice, how is that I was the only one to see it. Ziegler began the lesson, and his voice drowned in my head.
Hours Later
I didn't see much of Hayden for the rest of the day, although I do have him in physical education also. He seemed to avoid eye contact all throughout class.
Lunch will have to wait on me today, I needed to figure out where my locker was located. The school had areas that looked like a dungeon, large stone walls and florescent lights taking the place of the medieval torches. Large open areas with great views, a swarm of redbirds blanketed the sky above the schools garden.
It looked incredibly beautiful, couldn't help myself from taking a picture of it.
"This is going on pinterest", I thought to myself. I left the windows and continued onward my quest : locating my locker. The lockers were a dark green colour with blue number tags over the small message slots. My locker was number 45, strangely my locker wasn't green..it was gray "Maybe they haven't painted this one yet" I thought to myself. I managed to open it open, it was stuffed with school propaganda and events for the following weeks.
Hayden's POV
First day of school and i'm already running a couple minutes late, I can't be the only one. It looked just the same as it did last year and the other 2 years before that, besides the new entrance. The parking lot was overflowing with cars and mopeds, I wonder how much the parking badge replacements are? I just got my car and I'm a really forgetful guy, so i'm sure thats going to be an issue. Hilda looks as ancient as ever, "Hey Hilda, you got my schedule?"I said, hoping she heard me. "Good morning, Hayden I sure do." Hilda replied, extremely nice lady.
Looks like Physics with the lecherous Ziegler is my first class of the day, ecstatic.
The class was pretty full, so I just picked the seat next to the windows on the fourth row. "Good Morning class, my name is Mr. Ziegler I'll be your physics teacher for the year. I'm going to give you an attendance sheet to pass around, I need you all to write down your names, thank you." Ziegler said, as he buried his face behind his computer. I sat there waiting for the girl infront of me to pass me the attendance sheet, but it seemed like she was daydreaming. I decided to poke her with a pencil to get her attention. She turned around to face me, she was absolutely beautiful. She looked at me surprised, "Um, why are you poking me?"She said, couldn't take my eyes off her face. "Yeah,they passed you the sign in sheet can you pass it back to me?" I tried keeping my cool. "Yeah here." Even her words sent shivers down my spine. "Thanks, I'm Hayden by the way." I said flirtatiously. She sat there staring at me without moving, "kat." she replied, confidently. There was something different about her, she had such a strong aura around her it was beautiful and terrifying. I couldn't help it I had to keep looking at her, she made my heart jump. She suddenly turned around with disgust on face, "Hayden, you're bleeding!"She muttered. Just then I felt a stream of blood running down my face, how embarrassing. "I'll be okay." I never wanted to be invisible until now. I stayed away from her, Hoping that she will forget all about it before tomorrow.