"Ms.Valentino? Are you listening?"

I stare at the clock on the wall,my schedule a wad of meaningless words in my fist.

"You were saying,Headmistress?"

She sighs and says quietly,nearly a hiss,"I was saying you are going to be staying in Bradley Hall under the guidance of Ms. Graystone and your roommate is Ms. Andrews.She will be waiting for you after first period.If you have any further questions,feel free to ask Ms.Bane.You are dismissed."

Damn.Lucky me.

Ever since Maze and I...

I blush.

Maze..

His hands.His eyes.His mouth..

I've been very distracted ever since Maze kissed me...

Not even Marcie can faze me!

He's mine.

There's no doubt now.

And I'm his...

"Ms.Valentino! You are dismissed."

"Of course,Headmistress."

I bow at the waist and crinkle the paper in a more ball like shape once I'm outside.

"Hello there,dear."

I jump as my grayish-blue eyes meet a pair of green ones under a waterfall of reddish brown curls dressed in a black pantsuit,sitting contently at her desk,reading a novel I know very well by one of my favorite authors.

The Host!!

I sneak a peek to see she's at the part where Jared finally believes Wanda about Melanie.

I hide a smile as she bookmarks a stopping point and gives me her full attention,her odor of Witch with a splash of wolf assaults my senses.

"Something you needed,dear?"

"Well I was-"

I clear my throat as a tall,about 6'2,boy reeking of Vamp stink,with dark gray eyes and dark,curly brown hair,walks in,his nose in a book as he waits patiently in one of the chairs in front of the desk next to me.

(A/N: My Vamps' eyes only turn red when overcome with blood lust or super pissed. Other than,they keep the color they were born with.Black for thirst.Gold,of course,for Vamps who drink from animals.That goes for both born and newborns.Our friend here was born one.Both still have a heartbeat,can blush,eat,sleep and such, but Born or Turned vamps still bleed red.Newborns blood is black and poisonous.Both have a reflection and show up on camera.And they can shift into any animal they choose.)

She ruffles some papers in front of her,muttering under her breath,"Take your time."

Finally,I blurt out on impulse,"Why the hell does the bell ring so early? When's breakfast around here?"

She smiles as if I'm not the first idiot to ask that question.

The boy chuckles.

Ms.Bane sighs and gives him a stern scowl before answering.

"To answer your questions,no matter how rudely phrased,the bell rings early so that students can arrive early and the end of worship services at The Temple for those who wish for The Goddess's guidance or mercy or in some cases,wisdom. It's really beautiful when the dawn hits the glass windows just right and the statue shines like an ivory diamond..Breakfast is served soon after for Healer kids because the poor dears get up so early before first period.They're practically dead by the time classes start,which is around 7:24 so they can sleep till then.We don't wanna be late on our first day, now do we? Everyone calls me Tiffany or Tif. or Ms.Bane,rarely.You might as well too.Have a good day,Vanessa!"

I glance once more at the boy and smile at her.

"I'll try."

He catches my eye and I shiver and bolt. 

The Vamps at my old school were Hell and they would star in my best nightmares.

I am racing blindly down the hallway,my wings white with black specks.

I skid to a halt as The Boy runs into me.

"Watch where you're going,idiot!"

He snarls in a sharp,British accent,"The name's Justin,princess,not idiot.Remember that next time."

He starts to walk away,but I grab his arm and punch him in the face.

Hey,Mom did say to make friends.

He holds his bloody,already healing, nose and I smile.

"Mine's Vanessa.Pleased to meet you."

He laughs.Really laughs.

Like I just told the funniest joke in the world kinda laugh.

The "I think I just peed a little" laugh.

Perhaps my first unspoken impression as a potential serial killer wasn't too far off the mark.

He holds out a hand and I shake it.

"Justin Erin Willow,Ma'am.From Finchfoot,just west London in England.Met The Queen once back in the 40's when I was 10.What a nice lady,indeed. Serviced in her Guard for sixteen years and just made seventeen last month(can someone calculate his REAL age?).Transferred here this morning with my Mum and my little brother and sister,Jack and Amy. What's your first class?"

I unhappily unfold the wad and flat it out.

"History.You?"

He gives me a crooked smile."History.Shall we walk together,Miss Valentino?"

He's not going to kill me!

"Okay."

We walk,arm in arm,chatting like we've known each other for years.

A few girls give Justin flirty looks and me disapproving glares.

Guys whistle and catcall at both of us until Just told them to piss off.

Once we reach Mrs. Nightscar's class,Room 709, in the north wing and take our seats near the window,the other students file in.whispering...

Freak.

Half-Breed.

Abomination.

Twisted Blood.

Mongrel.

But I tune them out.

Haters gonna hate.

"Ms. Valentino.Mr.Willow.Come to my desk,please."

Students hiss as we walk by to the front of the room.

"Somebody's in trouble."

"Look at the butt! If New Girl wasn't clinging to him like a burr,I'd totally..."

"New Girl's s hot..If she was mine..."

"But I hear she's Maze's girl.Stuck-up little prick..."

Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!!!

"Yes,Mrs. Nightscar?" I say sweetly,giving a fake smile. Justin squeezes my shoulder in warning.

Damn mind reader.

The Elder Witch dressed in a black blouse and white pants and flats, removes her reading glasses and sighs,her hazel eyes gleaming,her shiny black hair in waves.

I can see why her name is Nightscar.

There is a scar running from her temple to the curve of her jaw,nearly missing her right eye.

Clearly a claw mark from a Wolf or maybe a Cat shifter with huge claws or maybe a  machete....

"You are new students,yes?" she inquires with a slight German-Brit accent.

We nod and I force myself to meet her eyes again.

"Here in my class,I expect three things: order,excellence and full attendance.If you do not reach these requirements,you will be escorted out of class to Headmistress Moonfeather in chains.Do you understand? "

"Yes,Mrs. Nightscar." we say in unison.

She smiles and we return to our seats as she begins our first lesson on our contribution to Society through time.

"Hi." a tiny voice whispers behind me,across from Justin,who gives me a raised eyebrow.

I turn and a pair of yellow eyes meet mine and a whiff of cat fills my nose.

She's petite,about 4'11(A/N: My height),with brown hair with black stripes cut into a bob,dressed in all black.

"My name is Skyler. Skyler Rebecca Mason.You must be Vanessa,right?"

I nod,feeling freaked out a bit, and shake her tiny hand.

On her right hand,is a small fake silver ring with a black diamond.

When she turns to introduce herself to Justin,I see she has a crescent moon tattooed on her left cheek.

I stare at it for a heartbeat until Mrs. Nightscar calls my name.

"Ms. Valentino! Can you tell us about where The Great Uprising of 1408 occurred and who played a key role in reclaiming the freedom of thousands of our kind?"

I flush as a thousand and one eyes lock on my face.

My notebook is as blank as my mind..

"Uh...It was..."

"Tick-tock,Newbie!" someone growls from the back.

Just as I'm about to slam my head against the wall,Sky saves me.

"If I may offer some help,Mrs. Nightscar?"

She beams and nods her permission.

"The Uprising began in bloodshed and ended in weary peace in what is now Evernight,thanks to the efforts of your great- great-great-great and so on grandfather,Mrs. Nightscar. Sir Reagan " Lionheart" Montgomery,along with my great- great-great-great grandmother,Alicia Melissa Ravenclaw."

They exchange a meaningful glance and Nightscar continues with the lesson.

"Ow!"Sky growls as someone kicks her in the side of her leg.

Mrs. Nightscar stops and glares around the room.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

"Show-off!"

"Know-it-All!"

"Teacher's Pet!"

Justin looks around too and runs over to Sky's side,his eyes blood red,his fangs out as he snarls,"Leave her alone!"

I turn around to glare at her tormentors as they hurl books and spitballs at her,even with Justin shielding her,my wings black and I stand and hiss,my wings spread wide in anger,"If you don't leave my friends alone,I will put you out of here in body bags!"

That shut'em up.

Mrs. Nightscar's hands glow bright red,but before all Hell can break loose,the bell rings.

"Dismissed!! Skyler,may I borrow a moment of your time? Your friends can wait in the hall."

We exchange a glance and Just shrugs.

Sky nods.

"Of course."

(A/N:WARNING: RANDOMNESS AHEAD!!! -.-)

Me and Justin wait outside,talking about our favorite book characters,authors,and  of course, more books.

"Who'd win in a fight? Katniss or Tris?" I ask.(Comment your choice.)

He grins."Katniss."

I shoot him a glare."Tris can kick ass too,Willow."

He rolls his eyes.

"Whatever. Okay,Valentino : John Green or Stephanie Meyer?"

I groan."That's tough.My best bet is Stephanie."

"John."

"Ok. Four or Lucas from The Evernight series?"(Both are my favorite series)

He scoffs."Four."

I shrug."I mean,he's hot,for a once Human-Hunter-turned-Vamp,but really,Bianca was better off with Balthazar!"

"I know right?! What was with the whole "having to use a wraith to give a child life"thing in Book 3?"(So sorry for the spoiler!)

"I haven't the slightest idea." I mock in a fake Brit accent.

We burst out laughing.

"Something funny,guys?" Sky asks,grinning from ear to ear.

We sober up.

Justin wraps an arm around her small shoulders,chuckling softly.

"Nothing,love." We lock eyes and snicker.

She raises an eyebrow.

"Are you guys high or something?"

"Maybe." I shrug.

She shakes her head and sighs."What am I going to with you two?"

"Lock us up and throw away the key?" Justin giggles.

"Take us out back and shoot us with silver bullets and dance around our ashes?"

She ponders this and glances at him to me and back again and shrugs.

"Maybe."

We laugh and continue down the path,telling jokes when a cold,dead voice stops us in our tracks.

"Ms. Valentino? A word please?"

A tall slender Witch dressed in a dark gray pantsuit and heels,her long chestnut hair in a high bun,blocks the entrance to The Training Hall,gives us a thin smile,her silver eyes narrow.

A shiver goes down my spine and I nod.

"You guys go on ahead.I'll be there in a minute."

Sky stops,clutching Justin's hand and nods.

"Greetings,Ms. Graystone."

She nods."Ms. Mason.Mr. Willow,I presume?"

Justin gives her his Grammy Award winning smile.

"Yes,Ms. Graystone?"

" I knew your mother once back in the 20's. She saved my life.Tell her I said,'Hello.'"

"Will do,Ma'am."

"See that you do."

Once she moves out of the way,she takes my hand and closes her eyes.

Our joint fingers glow white and my eyes cloud over...

Maze: Hurt,calling out for help...Lost in the dark.

My heart breaks as his screams pierce my soul.

Justin and Sky: Trapped in a circle of mist and fire,begging to die.

"Born of Faerie and Fallen,Dark and Light,thy life is in my care,though thy journey will not be fair... "

No duh,Sherlock..

Their face twist and mold together and I shudder.

I shake my head and stare at her,confused as she tightens her grip.

Black feathers replace the faces as she snaps her eyes open,pulling away and walks briskly in the opposite direction,forcing me to sprint after her long legs.

"Come along,dear.Your new life awaits."

We arrive at a highly decorated building with white marble pillars and about three flights of stairs leading to the entrance.

"Come along,Vanessa." shouts Ms. Graystone impatiently from the top of the stairs,looking unfazed.

A couple of girls, redheads,smelling strongly of Human and wolf,(ew),dressed in white, shove past me and keep walking.

"Hey! Get back here!" I growl,using my Faerie speed and grab one of them by her hair and kick her in the teeth.

"Ms. Valentino!! Release her at once!!"

"Emily!!" Her sister screams,reaching for her twin.

"Never shove me again,got it?" I hiss into Emily's ear and push her away and they scurry away like white rats.

Graystone glares down at me.

"One more outburst like that,I'll have you in chains until next semester!! Perhaps Maze De La Cruz is a bad influence on you.If I were you,I would make wiser decisions in the future."

Yeah.Good luck with that.

"Of course,Ms. Graystone."

I force a smile as I join her in the lobby-like front room as we make our way under the archway and turn the corner.

The sounds of laughter greets us first.

"And I was like,'Carla really needs a man' Then Marcie says,'Why does she need one when she sleeps with half the Elite boys?' Little slut!"

"Yeah.She really needs to-"

Ms. Graystone places her hand on the small of my back,pushing me forward.

"Ladies,as you know,this is your new housemate.Vanessa Valentino."

"Um...Hi."

"Oh,look,Mar! It's your new roomie!"squeaks a bubbly blonde Witch from the white love seat.

The Vampress snarls.

"Moonfeather must've made a mistake!! I do NOT share rooms with good-for-nothing boyfriend stealers!"

"Say that to my face,slut!"

Using my Fallen Angel strength,I grab her and give her an uppercut.

She snarls and claws at me and I kick her in the jaw.

"Girls! Someone,pull them apart!"

"Vanessa Valentino,the chains call thee once more. Resist my hold and thy will burn!" cries a tall Latina with dark hazel(gold,dark brown and green with a hint of sky-blue around the edges) eyes and dressed in black,as she tightens her hold on my shoulders,while her friend,one of the ginger twins from earlier, holds Marcie down with one hand around her throat ,proving she's more Wolf than Mortal.

Impressive.

The other girls shout and cry out, unintelligible pleas and curses.

"Enough! Release them! I'll see if you can share a room with Ms. Rose here,Vanessa.As for you,Ms.Andrews,I expected better.Go to Headmistress Moonfeather's office NOW!!! Ms.Luke,please assist me with Ms. Valentino's things."

The wolf nods,glaring at both Marcie and me before racing after Ms. Graystone.

The High Hag storms out,screeching in rage,her demons-in-waiting trailing behind her.

Carla,I think her name is, yanks my arm and drags down the hall while the other girls scatter with their tails between their legs.

Posters line to the white-washed walls. 

From One Direction to Gloriana and Luke Bryan,earning my deepest respect. 

Pictures of a young mother holding her child at different stages are among them.

She plops down on the bed next to the door and glares up at the ceiling.

"Look. There are rules in this room. First and listen good,Newbie,do NOT touch my stuff! And don't ask to borrow any of my clothes. Second : Our other roomate, Cherry, a.k.a, Liza "The Bombshell" Drew,is a bubbly strawberry blonde,loves to meet new people. Just a fair warning. Make yourself at home. 3. 2. 1!"

The door flies open as a model-thin, about 16 or 17, dressed in  white jeans and a blue T-shirt and flats,with wide, blue-eyed, red-lipped, girl with shoulder-length of sure enough, strawberry blonde hair, slanders in and flops down on the bed facing Carla and sighs.

I take the bed near the window and hug my knees.

THIS is the bubbly blonde who loves to meet new people? She's a complete wreck!

A broken toy...

My heart shatters as I hear her sobbing quietly.

Carla pats her back, whispering soothing words in her ear.

A heartbeat or so passes before Cherry springs up and tackles me.

She lives...

Yay...

"Hiya! I'm Cherry! I'm Half-Faerie, like you, but I didn't get these beautiful wings! I got the  magic though from my Dad. He's Head Seer for The High Council.... I can fight,too! I kicked Marcie's ass, too once. Gave her two black eyes and a busted lip! But enough of that! I'm 16. How old are you?! My stupid boyfriend Ryder broke up with me! Again! I was dropped off here by Daddy Dearest at the age of seven. You're new, right?! Nice to meet ya! I'm from Midnight Blue. That's a color and in New York! Ever been? It's awesome! And-"

Carla makes a time-out sign and pulls her away.

My head spins.

"CHER! Enough with the babble.I think you gave Nessa here a little too much to take in."

 She gives Carla a pout.

Nessa?! Not even Maze calls me that! Only Mom went she's trying too hard to please me.

I laugh.

"Only my Mom calls that.You can call me V."

She brightens and hold out her hand.

I shake it.

"My name's Vanessa Valentino.I'm 17. I'm from Shadowfalls. And I just moved here last night and today's my first day so, yeah, I'm new."

We giggle and collapse on Cherry's bed.

"So you want raid the Dining Hall? I'm starving!" Cherry shrieks.

Carla and I nod and we race each down the hall,laughing and shoving each other playfully.

Skyler streams pass in cat form and pounces on me, purring, her golden eyes bright with mischief. 

We tussle and she sprints to her dorm. Probably to sleep.

Is this Jump Vanessa Day? I wonder vaguely as I catch up the others.

Wow. When I say,'wow', I mean,'WOW!'

The smells. The sounds. The colors! 
The different outfits! It's like I'm in The Capitol! 

But it seems so organized among the chaos.

Newbies are obvious,in red and looking around with wide eyes,keeping close together in close knit groups of twos and threes.

Freshmen all sit in booths or round tables far from the Sophomores, who seem to be in their own world. 

The Juniors are a loud bunch.

Enough said. 

The Seniors and Elites are treated like royalty. Servants at their beck and call..

"V.! Over here!"

My heart leaps as a pair of green eyes meet mine as he waves me and my friends over.

 I run over without thought.

Carla and Cher exchange a glance and follow more slowly, getting an extra plate of food for me.

I slid in next to Maze, who wraps an arm around me and kisses my hair.

"Hey,V. Miss me?" he rumbles in my ear.

"Yes." I whisper, snuggling closer.

He chuckles and cups my chin.

"I love you,V." He kisses me and we're lost in our own world.

"Ahem! Sorry to interrupt your little make-out session,but we have an issue to take care of. Then you two can fly off into the sunset, farting rainbows." 

The wolf sitting beside the blue-eyed Fallen, bursts out laughing.

"Farting rainbows! Good one,Rave!" He reaches for a fist bump but she gives him the cold shoulder.

He whimpers.

 "Hello! Earth to Maze!"

He only deepens the kiss,causing me to loose more and more of myself....

"MAZE ANTONIO JASPER  DE LA CRUZ! Answer me,dammit!"

Maze breaks the kiss slowly and glares at the girl, who smiles innocently and clears his throat.

"V,this is my bossy best friend,Raven Knight and the lovesick hyena is Dmitri Youngblood."

"Hi.I'm Vanessa."

I hold out a hand and Dmitri shakes it after glancing at Raven who shrugs and nods,more to him than me.

"She's of Lucifer's Blood alright." she mumbles, picking at her eggs while Dmitri looks on fondly.

Maze only nods.

I raise an eyebrow as I remember Carla and Cherry sitting, chatting with their heads close and giving Maze approving looks, which makes me blush beet-red.

"Guys, This is my boyfriend Maze and his friends, Dmitri and Raven." 

Raven eyes them coolly.

"We've met before. Hey,Cher. Carla." 

"Raven." Carla sneers.

Cherry beams.

"Hey,Rave! Goddess,it's been,like, forever!"

"We talked yesterday."

"I know right?! It seems like moons!"

"Cher-" Carla starts.

"Don't you,'Cher' me, Car! Rave understands me! Right,Rave?"

We all hold our breath.

Rave rolls her eyes.

"By the Abyss of Ra'ma, of course,I do,Cherry."

"Yay! Told ya,Car!"

"Yep,Cher. Ya did."

She claps her hands merrily, squirming like a little pup,eyes bright.

"We'll continue our little "discussion"later." I whisper.

"I'll be waiting." he mutters back.

~TIME SKIP!!~

"Afternoon,Valentino." Justin says happily, eyeing my tussled hair and starry eyed gaze, earning a glare from Maze, with Raven and Dmitri flanking us.

Skyler growls back, clinging to Just's hand.

"If you touch a hair on my girl's head, you filthy bloodsucker,I will rip you limb  from limb,got it?"

He narrows his eyes and growls,"I would never harm her or Sky or any other female I come across! I have served the Queen of England for seventeen years and no harm has come to her yet. So put that in your pipe and smoke it,Bat-Boy!"

"Justin!" Sky gasps, her eyes wide as she steps in front of Justin,holding him back with a hand on his chest.

Maze crackles his knuckles and stalks forward,wings spread wide in anger. 

"BAT-BOY?!" 

I place a hand on his shoulder,forcing his gaze away from Justin, looking down at me.

"I respect that it's your friend, but Mr.Royal Guard even THINKS about hurting you, his ass is mine,got it?"

"It?!" Just snarls,fangs flashing, his hands clenching and unclenching. 

Sky hisses,her tail flicking back and forward as she watches Maze and shoves Just back, causing Dmitri to step forward to growl back.

I only nod as he brushes his lips against mine as he gathers his friends to his side and walk into our second period, Math,oh please gag me!

Skyler blinks and huddles against Justin as if cold and glares at me, blushing and wringing my hands.

"Just so you know,The Black Halos are bad news walking and your oh-so-hot boyfriend is their leader and a player.Be careful who you trust,Vanessa. 'The people you let into your heart can break you just as easily as your enemies with their actions against you or swords with their blades.'  My Grandmother taught me that before her best friend, a very powerful Werewolf named Declan, slit her throat right in front of me when I was three. The Ravenclaws took me and Mom in and I lost her in the mist...." 

Her eyes cloud over and Justin holds her close as she sobs.

Suddenly, the visions return and I shiver and leave them alone as the bell rings.

I hastily take my seat as the teacher, Professor Winterblade, dons on about ratios and 
formulas...

"Psst! V.!" I look up. 

Maze winks from across the room and a Freshman passes me a piece of paper in what I assume is Maze's handwriting.

With a smirk and a raised eyebrow,I unfold and read:

If you're reading this,you're bored as Hell. No worries. Me and you are going out this Saturday with some of my friends from Willow's Peak, but we' re ditching them cuz they're dumb asses sometimes. Tif will be our "chaperon". She's basically paying for everything and before you freak out, Moonfeather and her lackeys know cuz it's kinda of a school trip type of thing or something. Baby, I'm gonna make your night..

Love always,

Maze. 

Class goes by in a blur.

 Justin came in to get Sky's homework cause apparently she isn't feeling well.

After a quick shower and checking on Sky,dressed in shorts and one of Maze's shirts,I go to bed with his note under my pillow and a smile on my face,his scent so warm and musky and MINE,I fall asleep, content at last.

Hello,my dears!

What do you guys think of Cherry? Justin??  Skyler??? Carla?

Let me know!

Until Chpt 4( which is a surprise! )....

Love YA!

~Paige~