"What?"

Said Cleodarel, setting her bag to the side of her desk as her gaze softly fell on me. I could feel her eyes sympathizing me with just her glance.

"Yes, Cleo. I crashed my brothers car. Again."

I repeated to her as I hung my head in shame, sitting on my desk with my head on the table. This was the third time I had borrowed my brothers car to run errands. After falling into my unfortunate hands the car had being scarred with a dent in the front, a broken mirror, and now a beautiful scratch mark near the door.

"Oh my goodness Hannah… were you okay though? How did it happen?"

She asked me quietly, her soft voice comforting my guilt.

"That couldn't be the least of my problems, right now I need to cover the costs. And guess the fun part? I'm grounded!"

I said, pouting a little to squeeze some more sympathy from her.

Before I could blabber further, Cleodarel glanced toward the entrance of the room and her gaze suddenly shifted into coldness. I turned my head around to see what ever could made a sweetheart like her give that mood.

There near the door stood someone familiar, a man with sharp features and a smug look. I thought I'd seen his pearly white hair somewhere… it feels familiar.

"Oh Cleodarel is that really you?"

Said the man, making his way over to my friend with a rather friendly smile. They knew each other? No way, my Cleodarel was too shy of a human to socialize.

If looks could kill, the man would have been dead by now under Cleodarel's gaze. He stood there and smiled nonchalantly at the glaring girl.

Finally Cleo spoke up.

"What do you want."

Did I tremble at the scary way she said it? Yes. Did I find her scary voice attractive? Also yes.

The man in front of her smiled again, running a hand through his hair.

"What a rude way to greet a good friend after a long time. Well nice to meet you too."

He said, grinning and turning to gaze at me with that smile of his. I felt an uneasy shiver run down my spine. What was this dude's problem?

Finally, Cleo sighs and turns to me with that small pouty face of hers that etched in concern.

"Hannah, pay him no mind. He's Collin… my brother."

"Ah…"

I said, I had no idea how to react.

I grew up with Cleo my whole life, even went to the same elementary school as her. I wonder why she's never told me she had a brother. I've even been over to her house times more than one. This was new.

I pushed my chair back along with myself and pretended to be busy by unpacking my books. The tension I felt between them was too much I couldn't bear it. Something made me feel suspicious. Something wasn't right.

Lecture started and everything hushed down. Cleo had not spoken to me since the guy made an appearance. To be honest, I kind of saw little to no similarities in the two.

Cleodarel was this sweet, kind and shy girl who loved animals to insects to what not. Always spoke little and always respected others. But this Collin was something else, his hair looks like it had not been combed for years. He had a lazy smug face, and looked reckless. He probably even stank if you were in close proximity.

"…"

I slowly turn to look at Cleo sitting in her spot in the classroom, across from where I sit. Her mood seemed a bit better than before. She was taking notes diligently like a good girl, her small hand and soft fingers gently gripping the pen with much care. She was completely focused and silent. Sometimes she reminded me of a little mouse.

I sigh and turn my head away, unable to concentrate on the class. Had I ever seen my best friend this upset? She'd either have a small pout, a normal face, or a small smile. I have never seen her make that face. It was kind of adorable coming from someone like her, not gonna lie.

I was exhausted by these thoughts. I wanted to go home already.

"…"

I yawned as I opened my eyes hours later. The classroom looked darkened out and empty. I lazily stretched out and look around, slowly regaining my consciousness. It seemed fairly suspicious on how no one was around.

I grabbed my bag and got up from my desk, slowly making my way toward the exit of the class room. Now that I notice it, the entire floor seemed empty. It gave an eerie chill down my spine. The once cheerful hallways that bustled with students chatter in the mornings now were dark unfamiliar corridors that had signs of life bustling in them.