Somehow, a year passed. The world moved on.
But me? No.
My wounds still bled like the first day. Still stung like open flame.
Watching me slowly dissolve into nothing, Mom made a choice, one she thought might save me.
She sent me back to where it all began.
Back to *Duskhaven.*
Duskhaven, a quiet town wrapped in mist and trees, was once full of wonder and warmth. At least, that's how I remembered it from when we lived there… back when Aunt Lisa's porch smelled like cinnamon and the woods didn't whisper like they do now.
Mom said I needed nature.
I think I just needed to run. From the house that still echoed with my father's voice.
From the brother who once knew me better than anyone…
…and now won't even look me in the eye.
---
"Hey!"
A voice cut through the hum of the plane. I was somewhere between sleep and sorrow.
"I can't stand here forever, you know?"
I forced my eyes open. Blurry. Shapes. Motion.
Then she came into focus, two high black ponytails streaked red, a black crop jacket, red skirt, tall boots, and a raven tattoo peeking out from behind the headphones around her neck.
She didn't look like she belonged on a flight to Duskhaven. Hell, she didn't look like she belonged on Earth.
Where the hell did she come from? I didn't see her board.
"Sorry," I mumbled, sliding my legs aside so she could sit.
She dropped into the seat like it belonged to her, like *everything* else.
Regret hit me the moment she started chewing her gum, loud, obnoxious, like it was her mission to snap every nerve I had left.
I clenched my jaw, trying to hold it together. I haven't been good at that… not since Dad died.
I'm not who I used to be. But I stayed quiet.
Until she spoke.
"Blackridge student," she said, oozing sarcasm.
I turned to her. "How do you know?"
She tilted her head, eyes scanning me like I was some exhibit. "Who selected you?"
"Excuse me?" I arched a brow. "I applied. I got accepted. That's how it works."
"You shouldn't have come here."
Then the gum again, chewing louder, messier. If her questions didn't break me, that sound would.
"Is that a threat?" I asked, my tone flat.
She smirked, slipped on her headphones, and vanished into her music—like that was the end of the conversation.
But something in her smile stuck with me.
---
The plane landed, finally.
Aunt Lisa was already waiting at the gate, arms open, eyes soft. She hugged me tightly.
On the drive home, she talked, probably trying to fill the silence. I stared out the window, not really hearing a word. I don't mean to zone out… but lately, that's all I do.
At the house, she offered food. I shook my head. "No, thanks."
She didn't push. Just smiled gently and led me to my room.
I dropped onto the bed, eyes tracing the ceiling.
The glow-in-the-dark moons and stars were still there, faded, but clinging.
Aunt Lisa had helped me stick them up when I was little.
For a moment, I felt like I was back in that old world…
Before everything broke.
A faint smile crept onto my face… and within moments, sleep pulled me under.
Morning came like a slap. I jolted awake, heart racing, and I hadn't unpacked a thing. Panic surged as I grabbed whatever outfit I could and sprinted to the shower. No time to think. Just move.
"Eat something, honey!" Aunt Lisa called out from the kitchen.
"Sorry, I'm late!" I shouted back, already halfway out the door.
The school wasn't far, just a few minutes away. But as I arrived, I was met with a crowd. Students clustered near the entrance, gathered around someone.
As I got closer, I saw why.
He was tall, striking. Golden waves of hair, golden eyes, a face so chiseled he looked like he stepped out of a dream, or a warning. He didn't just stand out. He *commanded* the space.
"I'm Dorian," he said, voice smooth and confident. "I'll be your guide for today. But first—" He handed out papers and keys, his smile practiced but magnetic. "These are your timetables, locker numbers, and keys."
Then he reached me.
That same smile, but this time, it landed differently. It sent a chill slithering down my spine, our eyes met for a brief moment, and I instinctively looked away, nervously, scanning the crowd.
And then I saw her.
Burgundy bangs, taller than me, still had that same fierce spark in her golden eyes—Crystal.
My childhood best friend.
Back when I lived here, she was just across the street. We'd been inseparable. But after her parents' brutal split, she'd moved in with her grandmother, vanishing from Duskhaven. Still, distance hadn't broken us. We kept the friendship alive - calls, texts, long rants at midnight.
Now here she was. Real. Right when I needed someone most, I don't know why she came back, but she was there, and that's what matters.
"It's *so* good to see you!" I threw my arms around Crystal, hugging her tightly, though I could still feel Dorian's gaze glued to me like I owed him answers.
Before we could say more, a voice boomed behind the crowd.
"HELLOOO, peasants!" A guy with mischievous eyes slid into view, throwing one arm around Dorian and the other around Crystal. "I'm Shawn—Don's better half and your *other* prefect!" He ran his fingers through his dark brown hair like he was posing for a magazine cover.
Crystal slipped out of his grip like a pro. Dorian chuckled and nudged him off.
"Correction: he's *not* a prefect," Dorian said, deadpan. "And remember how I said there are so many things to love about this school? I forgot to mention one thing you'll definitely hate... Shawn's sense of humor."
Everyone laughed. Including Shawn.
"Ouch. *Harsh.* But I'll let that slide," he said, hands on his hips, bobbing his head like a cartoon character. "Forgiveness looks good on me."
Then he turned to me, rubbing his jaw like some old-time detective. "And how might *you* be?"
Before I could answer, another guy pushed through the crowd like he owned the place. Tall, broad shoulders, long ginger hair, and a grin sharp enough to cut glass.
"Well, well, well... if it isn't the self-proclaimed Mr. Bean," he jabbed, slapping Shawn on the back.
Dorian rolled his eyes. "Everyone, meet Frederick. Captain of our beloved football team."
"You can call me Freddy," he said with a mock bow, hand to chest like he was royalty.
Then his eyes locked on me. "And *who might you be*?"
Seriously? There were at least fifty students here, *why me*?
"Is that some secret greeting around here?" I raised an eyebrow and threw my hands up. "Because in that case, *Who might you be* to all of you?"
Laughter bubbled in the group, then, suddenly, two firm hands gripped my shoulders and spun me around.
"Excuse me!" Crystal yanked my hand, eyes drilling into mine. "What are you doing? He's the captain," she hissed through clenched teeth.
"It's fine," Frederick cut in smoothly. "She's just being friendly, aren't you?" His eyes found mine, and I gave the slightest nod, like a guilty kid caught mid-prank.
Since it was just an orientation day, there were no classes, just the grand tour. By the end, Dorian stopped in front of me. He looked like he wanted to say something, but before a single word escaped, Frederick slid between us like it was choreographed.
"You free this evening?" he asked, all casual charm. "Thought I'd show you around a bit."
Sure, Frederick was handsome, dangerously so. But he wasn't my type, and something about his timing irked me. I gave him a skeptical look. "You're seriously asking me out on the first day?"
"No! No, of course not," he said quickly, but his fake confidence cracked. He scratched the back of his neck and added, "I just figured... new in town, might want a tour. Friendly, you know?"
"I'd love to, really, but I haven't even unpacked yet," I started, trying to soften the blow.
He held up both hands, backing off. "Totally fine! Just trying to be nice," he said with a tight smile, then turned and walked away.
Dorian bit his lower lip and gave a hesitant smile. "So… see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah," I nodded, then slowly turned to leave.
There was something about them that mesmerized me, and I feared that.