~Wake up sleepy head. ~

I moaned barely stirring. The wind blew shaking the open glass window and I groaned. I keep it open so the wind can talk to me.

~Don’t test me we both know what happened last time. ~ Yes I do remember that mini hurricane in my room.

“Please just a few more minutes?” I pleaded.

~Do you want your parents to have to take you to school or me? ~ The wind flew in chilling up my backside.

“I suppose you have a point there.” I said then silently yawned.

~Come on...~

“You’re worse than my mother.” I declared getting myself up out of the comfort of my bed. “Could you get out my clothes?” I asked her. She assured me she’s a female but can be a male if I prefer. I don’t and I never will. She blew open my cupboard and my skinny jeans gusted out as well as my black sleeveless top. They landed on my bed which she magically made herself. While I grabbed my hair brush and combed through my knotted hair. I glared at my dull reflection in the mirror, and sighed. My hair falls into long black curls down to my waist and my skin is as pale as snow. Well not really but it is unnaturally pale during winter. It almost seems like I’m sick. My eyes are blue and sometimes depending on the lighting they can be grey.

~Let’s get going before your parents wake. ~ She whispered and I quickly pulled on my clothes and got out my snow boots. She carried out my big red snow jacket and hand knitted purple scarf.

“I don’t even need these. You know I love the cold.”

~Yes but you don’t want to look suspicious once you get to the bus stop. That boy looked at you weirdly yesterday remember. ~ Yeah and now everyone stares at me strangely when before they never stared at all. I think I prefer to be invisible than seen as a freak. I will wear the jacket once I get to an area full of people; I love the feel of the cold air. It soothes me... Others tremble but I tingle. Ever since the day I woke up almost buried in it. The snow is not cruel to me, it is my inspiration. I absolutely, utterly love winter and miss it when the other seasons come around. Especially since the wind only speaks to me then. Once the season is over she disappears to shed her glorious cold wind elsewhere. I held the jacket in my arms but wrapped the scarf around my neck as I opened my bedroom door. It’s not a large room; this house is more like a cabin or a nice cottage and has the forest as a backyard. My room is the smallest room in the whole house other than the bathroom. The walls are just wood, I have one window and the floor is just white carpet, my bed is queen-sized so it takes up half the space of the room and my cupboard is a clothing nightmare. The wind once joked that this was the closet where clothes come to die. I walked out of my room closing the door quietly behind me then paced lightly to the staircase. I want to walk because it gives me a chance to be outside in the cold and I can quickly stop to get a hot chocolate. Once down I ended up in the living room, old blue couch but luckily sort of new flat screen TV.

“Alicia?” My mother called out from upstairs. I can’t see her so she probably thinks I’m in my room. “Alicia!” I ran through past the kitchen grabbing my schoolbag to the front door. I swung it wide open so cold air hit me forcing my body to tingle. I sighed pleasurably then quickly shut the door. And leaped over the three steps on our porch to run off down to the road then ran left down the path.

~Your mother is going to kill you. ~

“She’s not my real mother anyway.”

~How would you know? ~

“She dies her hair from blond to black so we seem a little alike. And well I found her when I woke up on that mountain.” I said still running till out of sight from the house.

~Actually I led you to her. How did you know they weren’t your real parents? ~ I froze on the spot and she gushed around making snowflakes circle me.

“I think the real question is. Who are my real parents? But I don’t question them about it. They’re better parents than my real ones.”

~You don’t even remember who they are. How can you say such a horrible thing? ~ I looked down at the concrete path feeling my stomach drop and my head hurt from the pain of those thoughts.

“They abandoned me in the cold. They left me to die a frozen death.”

~Now you don’t know that. ~

“Then tell me how I got up on that mountain.” I hissed staring dead ahead. Not looking at anything in particular because one can’t see wind. And the wind went silent and I huffed. I’ve made my point. “I’m so glad I remember nothing of my past. My parents are lucky I don’t remember them.” I snapped venomously starting to speed walk again.

~You shouldn’t think such things. ~ She said then snow started to fall. ~I’m sure your parents loved you. ~ Loved? What they grew bored of me so they dumped on a snowy mountain. She blew my hair in my face so I had to tuck it back behind my ear. And because I feel so frustrated I stopped again. I pointed my head up at the cloudy sky and closed my eyes just to listen. I took a deep breath in and held it. The sound of her whooshing throughout the neighbourhood calmed me. The trees moved with her, the snow I could feel falling onto my face and the bad thoughts just blasted away. I exhaled moving my head down then opened my eyes. Mr Dickerson an old grumpy man walked out in his big black furry coat and underneath I could see his striped pyjamas. I stood in place knowing he doesn’t like me or anyone as a matter of fact. And he walked down to the front of his snow covered lawn to pick up his newspaper.

“So bloody cold....” He mumbled then looked up to scowl at me. “You! What are you doing out here half naked!?” He growled and I mentally rolled my eyes at his comment.

“I could ask you the same thing.” I stated smiling ever so innocently which only made him scrunch up his wrinkly face more. I know he’s not naked but he might as well be with those thin material pyjamas.

“Shut up!” He bellowed turning around and walking back to his house. From behind you might mistake him for the hunchback.

“Have a pleasant day!” I shouted sweetly then whispered “You rotting old goat.” He turned around and glared at me mumbling words which I can only read as. “Humbug.” Then he shouted. “Cover up you little mole!” I gawked at him and he smiled wickedly before walking to his house again. That rude bastard! I waved my hand at him pretending to be slapping him upside his bald head. But then ice appeared beneath his feet and he fell over onto his back. I gasped covering my mouth with both my hands as he groaned.

“Did you do that?” I asked her.

~No, that wasn’t me. ~ She said then I heard her giggle I’ve never heard her voice before.

“You liar.” I whispered then ran over to him to help him. He smacked my hands away and I felt the wind gust around me blowing my hair in my face again. I wish she would stop doing that.

“Keep away from me!” He yelled and I just gave up with stubborn old man. Alright then... fine!

~I swear that wasn’t me. ~ She but then she giggled again.

“Oh shut up.” I teased and Mr Dickerson gasped.

“Well I never.”

“Never what?”

“Never had someone say that to me before.”

“Well with your rude attitude you can guarantee I’ll be doing it a lot.” I said then grabbed his arms to help him up. I picked up his newspaper as well which it protected with plastic and passed it to him. He strange enough kindly accepted it.

“Thank you girl....” He said which surprised so I smiled at him. But he didn’t smile back he just frowned. “Now go get some clothes on.” He snapped then stormed through his front door and slammed it shut.

~At least he said thank you. ~

“Yes but please no more tripping over old people.”

~That wasn’t my doing! ~

“Sure, sure.” I slipped on my coat but kept my hood down and walked off his ‘territory’. Wouldn’t want to get old man cooties.

~It’s 8 o’clock. You have 45 minutes before school starts. ~

“Ok I just want to quickly stop at a coffee shop.”

~You don’t drink coffee. ~

“But I love hot chocolate.” I responded jogging down the street to find the nearest bus stop. When I turned the corner the bus was already there and students from other schools were piling on. “Shit!”

~Don’t swear. ~

“I said ship.” I whispered then started charging towards it. My feet padding hard on the concrete but I wasn’t fast enough. “Little boost?” I asked and suddenly my feet were floating just above the ground. She’s never done this before. Wow I’m literally hovering over the ground. And it is way faster than running because within seconds I had accidentally crashed into someone. “Thanks a lot...” I muttered standing myself straight and the boy I crashed into looked at funny. I simply smiled then stared at the graffiti on the bus. I heard her giggle at my embarrassment and took all my might not to snap at her. The line moved quickly and I pulled out my ticket scanning myself in. Smiling sweetly at the bus driver then looked throughout the bus for a seat. People my age took the back seats and so the only spot was next to a little old woman who clutched her pink purse tightly. And tapped her index finger on it impatiently. I checked the back seats again and I notice a boy move his schoolbag onto his lap then head gestured for me to sit next to him. The old woman has a crazy look in her eye but I don’t know what to do when it comes to guys. I nodded my thanks but then sat next to her shaking a bit of my hair to hide my face from him. And between the hairs I could see him keep his bag on his lap. He’s kind of cute... brown hair that sort of spiked up to the side in that kind of supermodel way, even under his uniform I can tell he’s buff. And I noticed that he is wearing knee high shorts as if it were warm outside. Someone who can’t feel the cold like I can’t. I trailed my eyes away and started looking at the bus stops. But then I couldn’t help but gaze back at him again. That’s when I noticed he was staring back at me intensely. Out of surprise I felt myself flush but didn’t look away. I only gazed deeper into his warm brown eyes and he shuffled in his seat his mouth parting. Our eyes were fixed and it almost seems like he’s, he’s... happy. The corners of his mouth turned up into a smile and I felt myself shiver. My mind was trying to place his face on a memory, as if I’ve met him from another life. That face...

His face...

The bus suddenly pulled to a stop and I got up seeing that it’s my time to get off. I sort of rushed out ignoring his gaze and I felt the winds comfort immediately as soon as I stepped out.

~Who’s the boy? ~

“I don’t know.” I said suddenly getting a huge headache.

~Come on let’s get you some hot chocolate. ~ She said brushing my hair tenderly as I walked over to a little café. I walked in smelling the bitter smell of strong coffee and I winced. She can’t talk to me while I’m in here unfortunately. And I really need her cold air to cool my head. Even though I’m confused on why I’m reacting this way. I don’t know him. I’ve never met him before I’m just tired from a late night. I rubbed my eyes then started for the counter. Barely anyone is inside, just a man and woman sitting at different tables. Pretending to be busy with their newspapers and magazines but I saw them glance up at each other every ten seconds. I chuckled then stopped to look at the cashier girl behind the counter. She didn’t bother smiling and just flipped her brown hair back waiting for my order.

“Large hot chocolate and some raisin toast please.” I said smiling politely and she nodded getting it ready for me. And I slipped my bag off my shoulder checking the front pocket to find my wallet. That’s strange I always leave it in there. I checked the second pocket where I keep my sketch book and pencil case but didn’t find it in there either. So I checked the main part of my bag where all my school stuff is kept but it’s not there either. “What?” I muttered to myself. Let me think where did I leave it last? Oh no... I left it on the kitchen counter, next to the bowl where we keep our keys. “Stop, sorry I don’t have the money to pay for it.”
“I’ll pay.” A deep masculine voice said which made me shiver. Then I saw an outstretched arm appear from behind me holding out a five dollar note. My eyes trailed up from his hand slowly to his large biceps then I saw his face. The guy from the bus... he followed me in here? He stared directly at the girl and I noticed her blush then smile flirtatiously. Her eyes checking him out and if I could I would laugh but probably not the best time.

“You don’t need to. But thank you...” I said awkwardly and he smiled down at me.

“It’s ok. I don’t mind.” He said and I feel like I should protest but he wouldn’t let me. He just paid the girl also ordering one for himself and then we just stood there waiting. He seemed completely cool while I’m a fit of nerves.

“Did you follow me in here?” I questioned and he chuckled crossing his arms over.

“I come here every morning actually.” He said and I nodded mouthing ‘o’. He chuckled again then stared at me with his chocolate brown eyes. I recognise his face, his lips, his jaw line and his most importantly his eyes. I know that face but I can’t pinpoint exactly where I’ve seen it. “You don’t remember me do you?” He said out of the blue and my mouth fell open.

“Uh... I’m sorry I really feel like I should remember you but I...”

“I wouldn’t expect you to.” He interrupted and picked up both of our hot chocolates and I picked up my plate with the toast. I followed him to a table in the corner and he set the drinks on opposite sides of the table. Uh... ok so I guess I’m sitting with him... I sat on one side while he sat on the other much closer to the exit while I sat more in the corner of the room. I sat there unsure of what I’m meant to be feeling while he leaned forward in his seat cupping his drink. He stared at me in almost wonder while I kept glancing around the room trying to find somewhere else to look other than him. “I’m Harry.” He finally said and my mind whirled.

“I’m Alicia.” I responded then curled my lips in.

“I know.” He stated showing off his pearly whites.

“How do you know...? I mean where have we met before?” He was silent for awhile and I looked at him expectantly.

“We used to play together when we were little. But we haven’t seen each other since.”

“Oh...” I said then took a sip from my cup. Wait. We met when we were children. That must mean... “You knew my parents...”

“Oh no we actually just met a camp.” He said quickly then took another sip.

“I went to camp?” I repeated unbelievably.

“You hated it.” He smirked.

“I bet I did.” This was before I woke up from the snow. I remember him... But I definitely don’t remember any camp.

“Yeah we only met that one time there.”

“Which camp?”

“Uh... I.... you know what I don’t remember.” He said staring at his cup and scratching the back of his head. “How have you been anyway these past few years?”

“Um, the past few years...” I emphasised few. “Have been alright...” I said. Yes I am living with completely different parents, I talk to the wind to seek comfort and I have amnesia.

“Good. You know I always wondered if I’d ever see you again.” He said and I smiled warmly at him.

“But I only met you that once at that camp?” I asked trying to make this clear.

“Yes. And those few times I’ve actually been to your place to mow your lawn and check out your dad’s car.” I froze in confusion. He’s been to my house... My dad knows him? “You were always upstairs in your room or busy with your drawings. I only ever got one wave from you but you were facing away from me.” Oh my god... He’s the guy? No, I would have noticed someone as cute as him mowing my lawn. Then again when I’m drawing I’m always oblivious with the world around me.

“So you wouldn’t know much about my childhood would you?” I asked him kind of praying for a good answer. But the expression on his face read that he didn’t. I sighed in disappointment. “That would make two of us.” I said knowing that I probably shouldn’t have said it. For all I know he could be lying to me. But how would he know I have amnesia? No one except my parents knows. And they just don’t talk about it.

“It’s better to live in the now anyway.” He said.

“I guess that’s true.” I took a big bite from my toast then checked my watch. Still have half an hour. “So Harry what’s been happening with you since our long lost encounter and few other encounters where I am a bitch and ignore you?” He laughed before answering.

“Not much. Just surviving my brothers on going wraths.” I remember something about them...

“How many brothers do you have again?”

“Five.”

“Five! Oh no you...”

“I know you poor thing.”

“Not you. Screw you. I’m talking about your poor mother.” I said as a joke and he smiled.

“Well actually my mother doesn’t have to deal with us.” I mentally winced. His mother’s dead and I am incredibly stupid to bring her up just like that without knowing anything about her.

“I’m sorry.” I said and he moved his head to the side confused then smiled in realisation.

“Oh no, she’s not dead.” He said holding his hands up in front of him. “She’s... uh... on a... business trip.” He said then yanked my toast to take a bite.

“Hey! Get your own toast.” I snapped playfully snatching it back but not before he took a bite.

“Who paid for your toast?” He said with his mouth full and I rolled my eyes.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.” I smirked then took another bite. Aw he took a huge chunk out of it. I glared at him over the toast and he grinned holding in his laughter.

“Being the sort of middle child it’s hard to get some grub at home.”

“Well here’s a crazy thought. Buy yourself one. And seeing your buffness and how huge you are I highly doubt your ill fed.” I uttered and he laughed silently.

“So you noticed.”

“It’s almost impossible not to. You’re Hercules with better hair.” I said and he through his head back laughing but I noticed his hand sneak to towards plate. I slapped it and he whipped it back in surprise. “Don’t even think about it.” Then I ripped it in half in a retarded way giving him the half that he munched which is barely anything. “Scraps for the poor.”

“You’ve changed.” He acknowledged.

“Is that bad?” I questioned him which made look even more strangely at me.

“No... It has made you funnier.” He affirmed and I grinned brightly at him.

“I’m sorry I don’t really remember you.”

“Eh. Don’t worry we’ll get to know each other more now.”

“I guess.” I flinched when I saw the wind shake the glass. “I still have half an hour.” I whined loudly without realising.

“What?” He asked.

“What?” I responded and he looked at me a little lost then shook it off by smiling again. “Uh... I have half an hour before school starts.”

“Do you have to leave now?” He asked and it almost seems like he’s bewildered.

“Well no...” The glass rattled again and I looked outside the window strangely. “But then I’ll be late.” And that really isn’t a way to start the second day of school. I started standing up and then he started standing up as well.

“It was good seeing you again.”

“Uh you too maybe we could catch up again.” I suggested hanging my bag over my shoulder. He grinned almost blinding me with his smile but then he hesitated. This made me turn my smile into a straight line.

“Yeah...” He whispered. “Yeah we should.” He said a little louder but he seemed like he was assuring himself. The window rattled again and a crack appeared on the glass.

“Shit.” I muttered. “I’ll see you some other time.” I said walking right around him straight out of the café and she hit me like a speeding bus. “Oh.” I yelped before falling straight on my back and then Harry appeared next to me helping me up.

“What was that?” He questioned while I glared around.

“I’m just really clumsy.” I said dusting myself off.

“You didn’t give me your number.”

“I didn’t?” She gust my hair in my face again and even Harry stumbled back. What is she doing?

~Just go Alicia. ~ She hissed and this is the first time I could actually hear her voice.

“You know I don’t know my number off by heart so how about we meet tomorrow morning back here?” I said feeling tense.

~Alicia. ~ She said warningly and I found it so difficult to concentrate on Harry when she kept blowing all these negative thoughts in my head. Why won’t she let me see him again what’s her issue?

“Yeah let’s do that.” He said and noticed his jaw tense.

“Hey if you don’t want to it’s ok...”

“What? No why wouldn’t I want to? Of course I do.”

“Oh I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Yeah.”

~You’re going to be late. ~ Is that the whole issue? What’s the big deal? I’ll be late for the first time in my life. ~Move now! ~

“Bye.” I said then started speed walking away from him. As soon as I felt I was out of earshot I snapped at her. “What was that about? I have twenty-five minutes left.”

~The bus that you take from here has broken down. You’re going to have to run to just make it after the bell. ~

“You could have just said!” And I started bolting.

~Don’t blame me for your girlish hormones. ~

“Oh shut up and give me a boost.” Instead she made me slip on my ass. Jeez thanks...

~ (O) ~

I managed to collect my things for history and move myself soundlessly through the crowd reaching class. I missed homeroom but that doesn’t matter. Far out I’m puffed out from that run. The wind helped me for halfway then expected me to run on my own. And disappointedly this area of town is further away from the mountains so it doesn’t snow. But it does rain. Which I do like also, the sound from it is nice and peaceful. Everyone shoved people over to get what they think is the best desk but all avoided one near the back corner. And I know why...

Roman, Drake Valdymar. However he uses his middle name and there’s a possibility that I’m the only one that knows his first name. No one ever talks to him or calls him anything because of that one time a guy picked on his last name calling him Voldemort. We haven’t seen him since. He’s so mysterious and puts out a negative fearless vibe that creep people out. And I think that’s how he prefers it. Just to be alone all day and everyday. I’ve never really taken notice of him because we were never in the same class. And throughout summer and some of spring he’s gone on holidays with his family. It’s amazing how he catches up with all the schoolwork he misses out on. I’ve never spoken to him or even shared a gaze with him before. But right now my innocent eyes are stuck on his ice cold blue ones. He just stared at me from across the room and I felt locked on the spot. His skin is deathly pale and he has natural black curly hair. No one can say that he is definitely not godly looking. Plenty of girls drool at his feet but are too afraid to say even a simple hello. And I don’t blame them. I took off my big red jacket and hanged on the stand at the door, and then placed my scarf on top of it.

“How are you not cold?” Some girl asked me while she sat behind her desk and that’s when I remembered I was just in a black sleeveless top.

“I ran to school today.” I said and then started for the only seat at the back. Right next to Drake... Oh god I’ll be sitting next to him for the rest of the year. He stiffened as I walked closer then looked away from me with a sour expression on his face. I haven’t even gotten within one meter of him what the hell? He doesn’t know me and already he’s what? Repulsed by me? I reluctantly sat next to him my mood swing gone from ok to rile. I stared dead ahead at the board but I noticed from the corner of my eye his hands grip the end of his desk. He acted like he was in pain. I want to say something, to see what his problem is but I just held myself back. A few other students I caught staring at us and one girl looked at me sympathetically. I just avoided their gazes then gave a sideways glance to Drake. Surprisingly he sat there leaning back on his seat sort of relaxed but his posture was weird. One of his long legs was sticking from the side of desk like he was ready to run. And with his intense glare on me I have a weird feeling he’s about to run and attack me. Then thankfully our teacher Mr Morgan walked in holding his hand a DVD.

“Aw Mr Morgan are we watching a movie!”

“Yep first day of history class and I’ve got a long documentary on WW1.” He emphasised long and everyone groaned apart from Drake and me. I just sat quietly while he stared at me. “First off let’s do the roll. Alicia Angel?” Before I could answer someone snickered then said “AA.” And everyone chuckled except Drake, he didn’t seem to care what people said. However I sighed and rolled my eyes before saying I was here.

“Alright everyone shut up.” Mr Morgan said and we all laughed then let him get on with the rest of the roll.

“Are you wearing perfume?” Drake asked me and I was stunned he was speaking to me.

“Uh... No.” I said back quietly and he inhaled deeply closing his then he opened them again and they looked a little dark. Oh wait no the lights have just been turned off.

“You should start wearing some.” He said and I scoffed. Did he seriously just say that to me? I looked away from him so offended then I smelt under my arm. What a jerk! I smell fine... I think. Who does he think he is? He then ignored me and I’m too shocked to say anything so I got my sketch book out from my folder. I got out my pencil and let my hand flow along the page. The movie played and I drew the wind, but in my own way. I formed her into a woman with long breezy hair, her feet just simple mist and her hand covering her sneaky grin trying to hide away her cheeky giggles, I made her body unnaturally slender then drew snowflakes around her. Then my sketch book was snatched from me. Drake took it, closed it and hid on his lap underneath his desk. I was about to call him out on it but then I saw Mr Morgan walk towards me.

“Miss Angel.” He whispered. “I don’t want you drawing in class...”

“She wasn’t.” Drake said then gazed back at the screen. He’s helping me... I can’t help but feel suspicious by that after all he did tell me I stink.

“Then what were you doing Miss Angel?” I half expected Drake to have an answer but when I realised he wasn’t I just said. “I thought I could take notes. To help for future assignments... on this topic.”

“This is what brings me joy, when a student actually cares for my class.” He said sardonically then he said aloud. “I want everyone to take notes!” Everyone groaned as he walked back to his desk and I looked over to Drake who was going through my sketch book.

“Nice work.” He complimented staring at my drawing of a sinister female vampire.

“Thank you.” I responded and he looked up at me with a blank expression.

“Oh no I mean about now how you’ve gotten all of us to take notes. Thanks a lot Ali.” He said meaning to be insulting or curt again but I just cringed at the name he used.

“Please don’t call me that.”

“Since you said please... Ali.” He said boorishly and I really started to get aggravated by him. “This is your representation of vampires huh? Blood thirsty monsters?”

“Give me back my book.” I bid but the corner of his lip quirked up a bit.

“You didn’t answer my question. Do you think vampires are blood thirsty monsters?”

“Well they’re blood thirsty and are technically monsters but I don’t believe all would be bad.”

“Really?” He asked as if he was generally interested.

“Well like there are bad humans and good humans, I would think that there would be bad vampires and good vampires.” He turned the page to a woman leaning out through a window kissing the ghost of her dead husband. Not my best piece and I’m really getting anxious, only the wind ever sees my art.

“What do you think good vampires are like?” He asked and a normal person would find this conversation really weird but I... am not normal.

“I’m mainly basing this from films and books so I would think that the good vampires are... more sophisticated and would either drink blood from animals or perhaps drink from humans but not so much as to kill them. And then use their power to wipe away the memory of that victim.” I said and then I realised how silly I must sound. So I quickly added. “You know if they exist.” He nodded at my answer then flipped to the last page of my wind girl.

“Interesting... nice work.” He said passing the book back to me. “And keep a better watch for Mr Morgan so you don’t get caught again.”

“Thank you for helping me.” I said but he ignored me and stared back at the screen. So for the rest of that class I continued to draw, but I hid this one from his eyes...

~ (O) ~

“Hey Alicia!” Chris called out for me while I packed my stuff away in my locker. Chris is one of my... friends? Well he’s more of one of the people I just hang out with. He’s got light brown hair and wears his pants down low so his ass hangs out. With him were the rest of the... other people... I hang out with. They’re nice I’m just not too sure I have anything much in common with them. Staci is a cute blonde-brown head girl who is a little shorter than the rest. And I’ve noticed the wandering eyes she gives Chris. Then there’s Arnica, dark hair, olive skin and she wears big geeky glasses. The three walked over to me and I smiled brightly at them as I slammed my locker shut.

“Hey guys, where’s Tom?” I asked them and Chris frowned a bit but then quickly smiled again.

“Basketball practice.” Arnica answered and I gave her quick hug. Out of all of them I love her best.

“We heard about history.” Staci began and I looked at her lost.

“What the subject?”

“Yeah we heard that you and Drake were like talking and stuff.”

“You were what?” Chris started and Staci just gazed up at him. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

“Well I do have to sit next to him for the rest of the year.” I said then I saw Tom jump out scaring all three of them and I laughed. Then he sort of shoved Chris out of the way so he could give me a hug. He’s tall which is good for the sport he plays, died black hair and misty grey eyes.

“Hello sexy thang.” He whispered taking my hand and spinning me around on the spot before pulling me in towards his body. Locking me by using one of his arms to wrap around my waist. I stared up at him incredulously when his face was right at mine. “You know what you need Alicia? A man.”
“Do you know what you need Tom?”

“What?” He smirked.

“A breath mint.” I started fake coughing and pulling myself away as he checked his breath.

“Yeah Tom.” Chris mocked and then Staci added. “Not to mention deodorant.” And Arnica gave her a high five.

“Yeah ha-ha laugh at the stink bomb.” He said.

“We will.” Arnica declared and I chuckled. “Anyway lets go eat I’m starved.”

“Um... Well I have got to go...” I said awkwardly. “I have a meeting...” I lied clutching my sketch book to my chest as well as my pencil case.

“We’ll see you at lunch then.” Staci dismissed smiling a little too brightly but I don’t care.

“Again?” Chris intervened and then Staci added. “Yeah do you like have issues or something?”

“Staci!” Arnica snapped.

“What I was just asking.”

“Where do you disappear to?” Tom questioned.

“Nowhere and everywhere.” I responded innocently.

“We’ll see you later Alicia.” Staci pushed trying to get this all over with and quite frankly so do I.

“See you guys later.” I said then turned around and tried to calmly walk off. Don’t seem suspicious I kept telling myself as I walked down hallways to the exit. I just can’t be bothered handling them at the moment they’re... they’re just so... I opened the doors and she hit me. Swirling through my hair and I had to close my eyes to just enjoy it for a few seconds.

~Your friends are dumb. ~ I giggled walking down the concrete steps out in the cold and I ran over to my favourite old oak tree while it started drizzling a little. No one is outside. The cafeteria is further away from here and no one comes outside when it rains.

“No they’re not. They’re just simple minded.”

~Which is another word for dumb. ~

“Closed minded?”

~Give up, although I do like that Arnica girl. She has some true potential. ~

“She’s great.”

~That Staci has an evil eye on you. ~

“What?” I said sitting down and leaning against the tree. “Staci? No... I doubt she cares much for me.”

~Maybe but she is running desperate chasing after Chris. ~

“Can’t argue there. She’s a beautiful girl she doesn’t need to try so hard.” I opened up the sketch book to show her my drawing of her.

~No you’re a beautiful girl Alicia, Staci can be with make up, but that won’t hide her horrid imperfections on the inside... Hang on someone’s coming. ~ She said. ~Is that meant to be me? ~ I nodded while searching around to find a person. ~It’s about to rain close your book. ~ I closed my sketch book starting to worry a little.

“Is someone here?” I whisper-asked her then right next to me a pair of long black jean covered legs appeared.

“What are you doing out here? You’ll catch a death.” Drake said his ice blue eyes piercing into me, almost scaring me. And then took off his red leather jacket.

“I don’t want your jacket.” I quickly said.

“You’re going to freeze.”

“I love the cold.” I said feeling a few cold drops falling through the leaves onto my head.

~Who is this? ~

“You love the cold. So you ditched your acquaintances to draw in the rain.” Acquaintances? What is he talking about? Sure I’m not close to them as such but who is he to say that?

“They’re my friends and well I just needed some time alone.” I shrugged and then it really started pouring so I hunched over my book and case.

“Friends... not all of them feel like that.” He said sitting down beside me holding his jacket in his arms. I moved over a little and admired his now dampened hair.

“What do you mean?” I questioned.

“It’s obvious.”

“What is?” I asked confused and I watched his tongue lip lick his bottom lip as he shook his head unbelievably.

“Your stupidness.” He insulted but he smiled at me while I stared at him wide eyed.

“Admiring the cynical words.” I stated staring off at the rain. I can feel our frozen shoulders touching and I am a little surprised Drake Valdymar is speaking to me. He never has taken noticed of me before and I’ve never really cared much for him either, suspicious of him yeah at times but never cared.

“Why do you love the cold?” He asked curiously and I’ve been noticing him asking a lot of questions of me today. I can’t help think, ‘why the sudden interest?’ Is he just bored? Or would he consider me as a loyal... acquaintance?

“Would you believe me if I said I was born in the snow?” I said as a joke even though that’s exactly what happened.

“There’s a ring of truth to that.” He said gazing at me while I stared at him blankly. Why would he think that? “What did your mother give birth on some ski trip?” I’m not sure if he’s trying to be funny or if he’s serious so I just stared off into the rain again.

~Alicia? ~ She breezed then whispered calm nice thoughts in my mind. But which I ignored and glared at Drake. My parents whoever they were are a touchy subject for me.

“What’s your deal?” I grilled tucking some of my wet hair behind my ear.

“You’re making me sit out here in the rain.”

“I didn’t force you to come and talk to me Drake that was all you. I’m just sort of suspicious by the fact that you are here especially since you’ve insulted more than once. So enlighten me... Why talk to me when you spend your time alone?”

“What if I said I got a different vibe from you compared to all the other dumb students here?”

“So I’m a dumb student but with a different vibe.” I said nodding and he chuckled. “We have never spoken before so why do you insist on insulting me?”

“Because your reaction is refreshing.” He said strangely and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Refreshing?” I giggled. “God you’re weird.”

“Did you just call me weird?” He looked at me incredulously as if I had said some unbelievable.

“You called me stupid.” I reminded and he laughed. I just made Drake Valdymar laugh. I licked my bottom wet lips and smiled at him. “And you also said I stink.”

“When did I say that?” He asked confused.

“Are you kidding? That’s the first thing you said to me when I sat down next to you.”

“No.”

“Uh... yes.”

“No. I never said you stunk.” I was about to protest but he held his index finger up to shush me. “I asked if you wore perfume.”

“And when I said I didn’t you said, ‘You should start wearing some.’”

“I didn’t mean it that way.” He said then his face seemed strained, and he looked away exhaling dramatically. His eyes seemed to darken a little but then he shook his head as if to wake himself up.

“Are you ok?” I asked him attempting to touch his shoulder.

“Don’t.” He begged and I let my hand fall away.

~Alicia. I don’t like this one... get away from him. ~ There she goes again keeping me away from boys. I just ignored her and I felt her gust at us.

“If you’re cold out here you can go inside.” I said and he gazed back at me his eyes almost black.

“Just me? What about you Alicia?”

“I can handle the rain.”

“And you think I can’t?”

“I don’t know, I used to run outside in the snow in clothing you’d wear in the summer.” I joked but I should try that.

“But you’re just human.”

“I’m special.” I said and his eyes got so much darker... “What’s up with your eyes?” He looked at me strangely. “They were ice blue before now they look black.”

“Um... it’s just a thing they do...” He said then stood up on the spot. “I think I better get going.”

“Oh... If I hurt your feelings I’m sorry.” I said just in case and he stared down at me his mouth forming into a smile again.

“My eyes change colour and you apologise for pointing it out?” I just shrugged and he huffed. “The only reason I told you to wear perfume is not because you smell bad. You smell too good.” He said then disappeared around the tree. I stood up and looked around the tree but Drake was nowhere in sight.

~Predator. ~

“What?” I asked her lost and then the rain started to stop.

~He is odd. ~

“He’s a little strange but I don’t get that predator term.”

~He looked at you like a piece of meat. ~

“What?” I said then laughed. “Please I highly doubt...” I stopped really thinking about the way he looked at me. “Do you think he’s what... a... I don’t know.”

~Abnormal, peculiar, unusual, anomalously handsome. ~

“They all mean the same thing. Except for that handsome part.”

~Well he’s strange. ~ She said then the bell rang for next class. ~Be careful around him ok? ~

“He honestly doesn’t seem harmful. I think it’s just all an act.”

~Alicia... ~

“I have English literature to get to.” I said running back inside. And I couldn’t but smile at his weird comment. ‘You smell too good.’

What kind of sicko says that? I asked myself playfully.

~I worry when you smile like that... ~