A gasp left my mouth and Matei instantly glanced over at me.

"What? What's wrong?" he asked immediately.

But just as soon as it happened, in a flash, it was gone and the girl's eyes had turned to a normal brown color. I shook my head, sighing.

"I thought I saw...never mind, it's nothing," I answered him, faking a smile.

I could see he didn't believe me but he didn't push me on the subject. The ginger-haired girl walked over to the table where T.J. and Selina sat and joined them. What in the world was that even?! Her eyes...they had turned yellow... But that's not possible! It couldn't be...

I shook my head as if to shake the thoughts free. Matei and I finished our food and he paid the blonde girl at the counter. He led me through the maze of tables until we reached the front door. As we left the shop, I glanced over my shoulder and saw the girl watching me. Her eyes were still brown but there was an unreadable emotion lurking there I wasn't fond of. Like she disliked me.

And I had done nothing to her. Matei's hand closed around mine and gently, he pulled me outside. The door shut behind us with a muffled jingle from the silver bells on the inside. Night had begun to fall around us and I smiled, feeling happy for the first time since I arrived here. Today had been great. Suddenly, I felt Matei tense up beside me.

His hand tightened over mine briefly before he released it. Turning to me, I saw a look of near-panic in his chocolate-brown eyes.

"What?" I asked him.

"I...didn't know it had gotten so late. My-my sister will be wondering where I am," he answered, stumbling over his words uncharacteristically.

Somehow, I didn't think that was the actual reason but I nodded anyway.

"Okay. Well, I had a great time," I told him and he shot me a small smile.

"I did, too. I...I'll see you around, yeah? Maybe tomorrow at school?" he said, starting to walk away already.

I nodded, faking a smile.

"Yeah, sure." I replied.

He nodded once to me before walking - almost sprinting - down the road. Well, that was...weird. What was up with him? He was acting fine one minute and the next like he didn't want to be near me. Hm...something was going on. And I was going to find out just what it was.

Without a second thought, I followed after him at a distance. The sky grew darker as I made my way down the dimly-lit street until finally, it opened up into a wooded area. Towering trees clawed up into the sky around me, closing me in as I walked further. Just up ahead, I could make out Matei's silhouette as he made his way through the cluster of trees. After a few more minutes, the trees opened up into a clearing near the river. There was a small little tunnel nearby with a grate covering.

Overgrown grass covered the area beside it. Matei glanced behind him then and I sunk down behind a bush. Peeking through the leaves, I saw him scan the area swiftly before slipping through the grate. Seconds later, after I was sure he wouldn't come back out again, I followed after him through the entrance. It was pitch-black inside and it took me a minute for my eyes to adjust to the dimness. When they finally did, I was amazed by what I saw.