"Silvia! Get up if you don't want to be late for your first day of school!" yelled my brother from the kitchen.
"Ughhhh" I groaned into my pillow, reached for my glasses on the nightstand and slowly slid out of bed.
"And dress warm! Seems like it'll be cold today! Oh and your PopTart is already in the toaster."
"Great, cold weather.." I said to myself as I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth, wash my face and brush my long blonde hair. I then added a small little winged eyeliner that I was sure made my deep blue eyes pop and dabbed on some concealer. Still sleepy I put on a pair of black leggings and a matching black t-shirt. Then I threw on an oversized burgundy knit sweater, and finished the look with my favorite pair of black combat boots. Giving myself a once over in the mirror and feeling pleased with my appearance I grabbed my backpack, rushed out of the room and headed to the kitchen where my strawberry pop tart awaited me. Practically burning my hands as I grabbed my breakfast from the toaster I grabbed my light blue jean jacket from the kitchen counter and rushed outside to the truck where my brother was waiting.
"About time, I thought you'd never show up," my brother joked as we pulled out of the driveway. Shane knew I wasn't extremely eager to be starting a new school.
"Ha, very funny... well I'm pretty sure no other seventeen year old girl has her twenty-six year old brother walk her into school and help her get situated." I said a little bit annoyed that last night before he went to bed he told me that he insists on checking the place out.
"Oh come on I love you, I just want you to be safe."
"Oh I know. But safe from what?" I questioned finally having enough of this 'just wanting you to be safe' crap.
"Nothing, just please bear with me," Shane sighed, clearing his throat. He had a way of making you realize the conversation was over.
"Fine, whatever" I sighed out loud. I knew that once Shane made up his mind there was no changing it. So I resigned to just look out the window and be lost in my thoughts. Shane and I have always been close. We still are. And will always be close. It's just now after mom and dad died it's been tense between each other. It's different. He's been more protective, more alert and aware of our surroundings, more closed off, and sometimes I even feel he is keeping secrets. I don't know it for sure but I know my brother. We have never kept anything from each other and I know when he lies. I know he is hiding something from me and I am determined to figure it out. One way or another.
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"This is so embarrassing!" I whispered looking down at my feet avoiding everyone's stares as we walked up to the school. It's bad enough being a new kid, it's worse when your brother walks you in like you're a child. We went into the school and ofcourse Shane also walked me to the office. The entire time feeling like every eye was on me.
"Hi, this is my sister Silvia Johnston. She's new here." my brother told the lady with a smile.
"Well, hi Silvia. I'm Melissa Williams. Welcome to ShadowShade High. Here is your class schedule. If you have any questions you just let me know. I hope you have an amazing first day."
"Thank you, Mrs. Williams." I smiled, taking my schedule from her.
"Oh please, just call me Melissa." She said smiling.
"Will do." I said with a chuckle looking over my papers.
I started to turn and walk but noticed Shane not moving. Wondering what I was missing I looked up at him to see him looking around and… sniffing the air... Clearly I'm mistaken….?
"Uh, Shane?" I asked, hoping he wasn't going to embarrass me further. I was definitely feeling a little confused but I was also trying not to laugh as I just caught him sniffing the air… what is he a dog? The feeling of embarrassment left as I noticed how nervous he became, almost like he was anticipating something bad happening at any moment. And just like that the door to the office opened and Shane swirled around, eyes set on whoever had walked in.
Curious I turned around and looked over and at first glance saw a very tall, slim figure walking in wearing black shoes, black skinny jeans, and a black hoodie. My eyes finally look up at this mysterious person. My brother seems tense around and, oh my… he has dark brown hair styled up right, the most beautiful green eyes I had ever seen, with these cute freckles that dust over across his nose and under eyes. My breath catches in my throat, I can't stop staring… But strangely neither can he. This mysterious person seems to also be staring straight into me making my heart flutter and stomach fill with butterflies. I feel this pull towards him, like my body is yearning to be in his grasp, to be by his side. He seems like he's that typical popular kid at school, the one all the girls fan over. I might have been uninterested in him knowing that, but he's different. I can't tell how I know, I just do.
Before I even have time to process what just happened, or why I was so drawn to this guy Shane all of a sudden has a tight firm grip on my arm dragging me out of the office.
"Shane! What are you doing?!" I yelled out, shocked and completely embarrassed by his behaviour.
"You stay away from that boy. Do you understand me?" The stern look on his face showed me that he was serious.
"What? What are you talking about?" I question, still in shock that my brother just said that. This was so unlike him.
"You heard me, Silvia. I know guys like him and I want you as far away from him as possible. It is not a good idea to associate with him."
"Yeah, Shane, I know, they are popular jerks, and I had some at school back home!" I yelled out struggling to get my arm free.
"This is different Silvia! You stay away from him, do you understand? This is for your own protection! And his! So please do as I say and just stay away from him…" my brother's voice trailed off, whispering the last part with his head down. There was a sternness in his voice I had never heard before. Even though he stands at a good six feet four inches to my five feet six inches he still manages to hide his face with his hair being pushed in front to hide it. He looks stressed looking like this, as if he's aged so many years with all that was unfolding. It hurts to know that I'm the cause for this added stress. I sigh as I do the only thing that'll help this situation right now.
"Shane…" I say knowing he's probably fighting back tears. "I will be ok, he's probably the popular kid which means I won't even be in his group of people. He probably only looked at me because I'm the new girl. Forget about it," I said in the most comforting way possible, attempting to de-escalate the situation.
Shane nods his head, sniffles a little, then stands upright, chin held high. Taking in a deep breath he finally says, "Just please promise me, he goes near you or tries to get to know you, you run, and call me right away."
Knowing the only way to end this conversation and to not be late for class is to agree with him, I nod my head. Knowing damn well if he talks to me I'm not running away like some scared girl.
"I promise." I said softly and hugged my brother. I wanted to keep my promise but I wasn't sure this was going to be a promise I could keep.
"Thank you. Now have a good first day, I will be back at exactly three!" my brother yelled heading towards the doors.
"Phew! Daddy problems huh?" A girl asks from behind me.
I turn around to see a girl a few inches taller than me with long silky black hair, with piercing blue eyes and pale skin. This girl is beautiful.
"What?" I asked, very confused by what she said.
"Your dad, very protective huh?"
"Ooh," I couldn't control my laughter. "No, no, that's my brother. My father passed away, not too long ago." Suddenly, I didn't feel like laughing anymore as I pushed some hair behind my ear.
"Oh even better, and I am sorry for your loss."
"Even better?" I was extremely confused by this girl.
"Yeah, your brother is hot."
I choked on my own spit thinking how utterly honest this girl was and how grossed out she had just made me.
"Um, well, he is twenty-six…" I said hoping to get off this topic of how hot my brother is...yuck. Just enough to make you want to puke.
"And? I will be eighteen in three months, April twentieth to be exact…" I looked at this girl completely and totally shocked and grossed out. She must have noticed because now she was the one laughing.
"I'm just playing with ya, new girl… well kind of…" She said with a wink as she held out her hand. "Anyways, I'm Piper Moore."
"Umm, nice to meet ya." I said with a smile and chuckled to myself. She seemed a bit quirky but my first impression was that this girl and I were going to be quick BFF's for sure. "I'm Silvia Johnston."
"Nice to meet you Silvia, what's your first class?"
"Umm, I'm not sure. Let me check" I said looking at my papers. "Math?" I said more as a question than anything.
"Perfect! Same here, come on!" Piper said with a smile walking off towards the classrooms. I was more than willing to follow as this school was proving to be nothing like the one back home.
It was now lunch time, Piper and I had figured out we had all of our classes together except History and Science. So except for those classes we were inseperable. She is actually pretty cool, even more quirky than I originally thought and really smart. A little weird at times but that just makes her, well her and seriously, who isn't?
"Oh my gosh! I can't believe you have been here for just a few hours and you already have Asher's attention!" Piper gushed out.
"Who?" I asked, looking around the cafeteria and sitting down in the seat next to Piper at the table in the farthest corner. I had no idea who she could even be talking about. Quickly scanning the room I locked eyes with these piercing green eyes. Eyes that looked like they could look right into my soul if they wanted to. They belonged to the same guy from the office earlier. The same guy my brother warned me about. I still couldn't wrap my mind around him being dangerous as he was just so beautiful. I smiled an awkward half smile trying not to appear like the weird new girl as I could feel my cheeks instantly blushing. I swear there was this weird pull I felt towards him. I just couldn't explain it. It was like nothing I had ever felt before. He had been in my math class earlier, it took all I had to focus. I longed to be in his warm embrace. To feel his breath on my neck. Even just to stand next to him. Ugh, Silvia stop it, I scolded myself. My thoughts and gaze were thankfully interrupted by Piper as I turned my attention to my tray of food; which consisted of a salad, piece of pizza and an apple.
"Asher Reyes! You know the super hot, athletic, kinda popular guy of the school! You know, the guy looking at you right now!"
"Omg, no. I don't associate with popular kids, or even date them. They are not worth my time." I said feeling my heart ache at those words. I returned my focus back to my plate and tried to eat without thinking about Asher. Which was not an easy thing to do as Piper kept bringing him up.
"Oh come onnn Silvia, he is totally into you, plus he isn't that popular, just super hot."
"Yeah? Well I am not into him. He isn't even my type." I said lying to Piper hoping she would get the hint and just drop it.
"Is this because of your brother? Because he said to stay away?" Piper asked, biting into her apple.
Wanting to avoid her question I looked over at whom I guessed was Asher, he is no longer looking at me but I can almost swear he is listening. Could he be listening? No, that's ridiculous, he's too far away. But at least now I get to see how amazing his biceps are… 'Dang it, Silvia! Stop!' I thought, scolding myself yet again for going there.
"Ok, yes it is. He and I have had it rough these last few months. It's a long story but if my brother senses danger with Asher then I'm going to listen to him and stay away. My brother just has a sick sense about people."
"Well, you have to admit though, he IS pretty cute!"
"Yeah, I'll give him that."
The bell rings which means the end of lunch and hopefully this conversation. I look away from Piper to steal one more glimpse of Asher to find him already looking at me with a smirk as he turns and walks out of the cafeteria. My heart skips a beat seeing that, did hear me? and how? If he did, then maybe he really is dangerous, there is no way anyone could have heard that, Piper and I were all by ourselves in a corner of the cafeteria. But the way he looked at me. I just know he was listening.
Almost as if Piper understood my questioning look, "Silvia? It's ok. It's just Asher, he practically always wears that smirk on him. I said he's hot, doesn't mean he's not cocky. He can probably tell you are not interested so now he's gonna try harder to get you interested. It's what he does." Piper said with a smile getting up from the table and slinging her bag over her shoulders.
"Yeah, you're right. Just that typical popular kid attitude. Definitely not interested." I said, more to myself for reassurance.
Ignoring the ache in my heart as I no longer wanted anything to do with Asher. And ignoring that something deep inside me- as strange as it may seem, and as much as I didn't want to admit it even to myself was that I wanted Asher Reyes all to myself.
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After school Shane was already parked outside waiting for me watching everything that's going on outside. Of course, I knew that he would be.
"Wow, your bro really is protective." Piper whispered from beside me as I started to walk to his truck.
"Yep. It has only doubled after my parents passed." I said, sighing.
"Damn, I am sorry."
"It's fine…. Hey Shane, this is Piper. Piper my brother Shane."
"Hi." Piper smiled with a slight blush. I think this is the first time I had ever seen her tongue tied and awkwardly silent. She is totally crushing on him. Gross.
"Hey.." Shane said, being skeptical of her.
"I was wondering if I could have her over for a bit??" I asked, hoping he wouldn't say no. Piper wanted to come over and hang out for a bit, and watch some movies as we got to know each other.
"Yeah sure, she can come over." My brother said starting up the car.
"Sweet!" Piper exclaimed, jumping into the back seat with a huge smile.
"So have you lived here your whole life?" I asked Piper as we sat around my room painting our nails.
"Yeah, I have, it's nice. The winters can sometimes be brutal but I don't mind them."
"Ugh, I hate the cold." I complained
"Really it's not that bad! And hey maybe Asher can keep you warm…" She smirked, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Piper!" I yelled blushing, not wanting my brother to hear his name.
"Hehehe sorry I had to, I couldn't help it." She laughed blowing on her nails so they'd dry faster.
Just then there was a knock on the door. "Hey, can I come in?" Asked Shane.
"Yeah, come on in." I sneak a look at Piper who is already blushing.
"I was thinking I could make some Spaghetti for dinner, is that alright for you both?"
"Yeah! I love spaghetti!" exclaimed Piper.
"Alright then." chuckled Shane as he looked at me with a ' how did you become friends with this hyper girl?' look. The look caused me to laugh as I shrugged my shoulders and smiled.
"Alright, thanks Shane, we will be out in a bit."
"Alright, and Piper you got a ride home, right?"
"Yeah, my mom will pick me up." she smiled with a faint blush across her face.
"Got it…" replied Shane as he shot me a weirded out face as he closed the door.
"I think I totally just creeped your bro out." whined Piper.
"Maybe just a little." I teased with a chuckle, but added, "Don't worry about it. It's fine."
"Ugh!" she whined, flopping onto the ground defeated.
"Hey it's ok, there are way better looking dudes out there."
"Yeah I guess you're right, like Asher's friends, Eric and Bradley, ugh they're dorks but sooo cute!" She gushed going on and on, but my mind went straight to Asher. Wondering what he was doing, where he was and who he was with. As I stared out my window, I could almost swear I could make out someone standing off in the distance by the woods watching me. Squinting my eyes the shape seems to dissolve into the woods. Did I really see someone? Or was it just my imagination?