"We are unique and different in appearance, but present a good attitude towards others within our heart peaceful love."

~Jan Jansen.

* * *

I slowly backed away hiding my face with the book I was reading, 'War and peace' by the well known writer or must I say essayist Leo Tolstoy, I know war and peace is something you would be given at school to read but I like to go further and read more on biographies and others. Closing the wooden doors that led out to the balcony I let out a sigh of relief.

"Ah, what were you doing?" A little voice echoed in the large bedroom.

"Holy mother of marshmallows you scared me!" I jumped back hitting my head against the wall.

"Sorry I didn't mean to startle you, Nana said Amalia and you had arrived so I came to check." Dorothy smiled at me.

"Nice to see you too Dorothy," I said walking over to her and embracing her in a tight squeeze. "Is Wyatt here?" I asked, releasing her small body from my grip.

"No, he's at a friend's house across the street. He should be back before dinner," she said with a shrug.

"Oh okay, " I said. We headed out the room as Dorothy began to show me around, this house was lovely. Seven bedrooms; each self contained, a game and movie room, two living rooms, a dining room, a study room, grandma's office, and a pool in the backyard. I was mesmerized at how she could possibly remember every room not to mention how big this house is and in her words its 'pretty much nothing'.

"And finally this is Toby, our butler he can help you with anything else," she concluded our tour, flashing me a warming smile.

"Hi, i'm Dominika Nicolette," I said with a genuine smile plastered on my face, reaching my hand out to greet him.

"Pleasure to meet you madam Dominika," he bowed shaking my hand in the most elegant way, by elegant I mean Queen Elizabeth elegant if that makes any sense.

. . .

I've currently been pacing around in my room, rushing for the first day of school because i'm exactly an hour late. I snoozed the alarm clock almost a dozen times and now I won't have any extra time to head to the library. This is really unlike me.

"Fudgeballs!" I muttered once my toe came in contact with the dressing table.

I wore a simple black shirt that read 'School rules' imprinted in white, some black skinny jeans, my white converses. I french braided my hair in a record of three minutes which obviously looks like a pile of trash. I took my bag and searched the room before leaving, making sure I had everything.

"Good morning Toby," I politely greeted our butler with a smile.

"Ah, madam Dominika goodmorning to you," he answered, bowing his head in response.

"I would mind if you just call me Dominika and please don't bow, I feel like its disrespectful for me towards you. I mean because you're older than me and... "

"It's no problem at all," he smiled.

"So where is everybody? Aren't they supposed to be here getting ready for school?" I asked, gladly receiving a plate full of pancakes from the chef with a smile plastered on my face.

"You are actually the first one to wake up, they are still in bed. Don't worry about it though Clara will sort that out," he replied.

"Who is Clara?" I asked, completely unaware of her.

"She's their Nanny and Teacher, they are home schooled," he says, sending me a brief smile.

"Oh, I must head out now," I said, standing from my seat.

"The car is outside. Good luck on your first day." He waved me off as I entered the car and it soon drove off till the house was out of sight.

Once we reached the beauty surrounding of Naywood high, I took a deep breath containing my self. "Keep it together, Dominika you got this." I murmured out, trying to calm my nerves.

"Goodbye ma'am." The driver said as I walked out the car.

"Hello, welcome to Naywood high were your future is guaranteed to succeed. May I offer you a flier of our cheerleader try outs?" A blonde girl asked.

"Uh, no thanks but i'm-" before I could politely decline her offer, I was interrupted by the same girl.

"Whatever," she strolled away over to the next person arriving. I rolled my eyes making my way towards the main entrance. The first door on the left said secretary. I slowly knocked and heard a faint 'come in' before I entered.

"Hi, my name is Dominika Nicolette. I'm new," I said with a nervous smile.

"Ok, let me check for your name," she said, opening some folders. "Ah, here we are. Here is your schedule, locker number and combination. Good luck on your first day." She smiled finally taking a glance towards me.

"Thanks." I returned the gesture, hurrying out of the office. I searched around the hallways looking for my locker and found it with some teenagers sucking each others faces. Great. Am I in some kind of movie where the nerd always has to encounter this situation.

"Umm, excuse me you are leaning on my locker." I chimed in, though they where to busy to focus on there surroundings. Pushing my way into them I manage to stuff my bag in and get my Math book which was the first subject on my timetable.

I managed to reach the classroom ten minutes early and took a seat in the front. It was quite surprising that I wasn't even late at all, I guess I just have this tendency of punctuality.

"Hey, I'm Natalie and you are?" A voice spoke from besides me. A pretty girl with piercings and all black smiled at me. She was beautiful, her brown curly hair was tied in two pigtails. She stood at about 5'7 feet tall, most probably mounting excessively over my small height.

"Dominika." I returned the gesture.

'"First day yeah?" She quirked a brow, taking the sit next to me.

"Yep," I replied popping the p. The day went by in a blur, the lessons were interesting and surprisingly most people actually cooperated in the sermon. It was the last period of the day and I had it free, so did Natalie. We decided on going to the library as it was the only option rather than dodging school like most people would do.

"So you moved here from strylsville?" She asked referring to the small local part of Naywood where I grew up in.

"Yeah, I applied for school here. How long have you been here for?" I asked as we sat down.

"I came last week actually." She giggled.

"Oh, that's interesting," I said before joining her.

Minutes within our session I spotted a familiar face looking for some books in they novel section. "Who's he?" I asked pointing at the brown haired boy.

"That's Dominic Rhodes," she said with sympathy, "he's the smartest boy in school, doesn't talk much and stays out of trouble but rumour has it that he's the schools' vandaliser."

"Vandaliser?" I repeated.

"Yes. Every Friday night the school gets vandalised. Last time, all the frogs were set on leash around the school and the pool was filled with green paint."

"He did all that?" I asked still keeping my gaze on him.

"I'm not sure but I highly doubt it." She shrugged.

"I'll be right back," Iexcused myself. I walked over to the other side of the tall book shelf, following his every move. Ok I know this screams major stalker or creep but I just need a clear view of his face. He abruptly stopped and I ducked now, I heard muffling until footsteps continued again. I followed every trace until he went into a room.

Don't go in there you freak, hes probably trying to kill you.

The little voice in my head spoke. Is he?

Ofcourse you idiot, your feet are too loud.

Shut up little voice.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

I know it's pathetic and ironic to be talking to myself but am I right? Better now or never.

I pushed open the door to the dark room and struggled to find the light switch, once I did my waist was embraced in a large pair of arms, my left hand collided with my back and my mouth was held with an arm. Before I let out a scream it spoke.

"I got you now."

I turned my head to the source when like the twinkling stars in the sky, my eyes bore into his as they glistened like the midnight sky.

My voice hitched under my breath.

. . .

Cliffhanger!

The picture above is of Natalie, isn't she pretty😊