[A/N: Try not to comment any blatant spoilers please XD. Even if this is a rewrite, we might have some new friends here. Behave my cabbages.]

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CHAPTER 1

Amber Marigold

***

"Amber, you lost," the man said.

"No, no, I'm not dead yet. Give me a second," Amber insisted.

Brows drew and thumbs clenched as the girl took in the predicament before her. She was cornered, trapped by a wall of her own, and with two pursuers facing her off. This really could be the end. Only two options remained: a sacrifice or a retreat.

"Two moves, and it will be checkmate," the man yawned.

"Shut up, Nick," Amber grumbled.

The doctor laughed, crossing his legs, and Amber leaned forward in her seat. In theory, the current scene was peaceful. Set in an office with an autumn palette of varnished wood and old medical volumes, a psychologist and his patient were having their last chess match before the latter left the clinic. One look at the patient's expression, however, revealed the reality of their situation. This was the final battle between a student and her master. A last test of courage before she would re-enter society. It was crucial she left the clinic with at least one victory to claim. Her pride was at stake.

"There must be something I'm not thinking of," she mumbled.

The girl was chased down by a queen and a bishop while her own pieces blocked her escape, not to mention the knight that was ready for her to fall into its trap.

Amber never thought herself bad at chess. Her parents taught her to play from a young age, and the girl always found it much more entertaining than school or homework. Unfortunately, Doctor Nick Elford was a cunning foe. True to his profession, the psychologist could worm his way into the girl's head without fail.

"King to C-one. Just say it, Amber," Nick grinned.

"I'm not planning on C-one!"

She was definitely planning on C1.

Sacrificing her queen could lead to an opening, breaking Nick's unmoving rook, so she could pressure his king. It would take some of the current heat off her own king. But the queen is so valuable, she thought. And though retreating to C1 was a poor move, it would protect the most pieces.

"King to C-one," Amber declared, like it was a brilliant tactic.

With an unwavering hand, she moved her silver king. It was a unique piece amongst the black and white set and tradition for her to play with, the only thing she kept from her old life a year ago.

"You never learn, do you?" Nick sighed. "After six months, I hoped there was something I could teach my Scacchis."

"Ah, it's alright, Nick," the girl consoled. "You're a psychologist, not a coach. Your job was to make my nightmares stop, not turn me into a pro chess player, y'know."

"The worst part is that you know it is a bad move," he continued, lazily placing his knight to further corner Amber's king. "And yet you still do it for some reason."

"I guess it would feel more like a victory if I don't end up all alone at the end of the battle. I know, it's kinda' a weird mentality, but Mom always made the pieces seem like real people," she said, her words calm and content as her king retreated one last time.

The game was about to end.

"Did she now?" Nick asked, propping his head on his hand as he solemnly stared at the board.

All the doctor had to do was place his queen, and Amber would be in checkmate. He extended his free hand, about to move the piece, but then slowed. Stopped. Nick adjusted his glasses and looked back at her, his clear eyes suddenly a little less warm.

"If you are so keen on seeing them as people, Amber, I will show you what would happen in a real battle."

This is different, the girl thought. Instead of cornering her king, Nick had his queen kill her bishop.

"Wait... what are you doing?" she asked.

The loss allowed her king to escape, but Nick could have won the game instead of killing a mere bishop.

"Come, it is your turn," he said.

Taken aback, Amber fumbled to protect her king, but it was a weak move, and she was still vulnerable to a checkmate. Nick forgot his pursuit and murdered her knight instead. He was proving a point. The girl abandoned her king and focused on protecting all the other pieces, but it was no use. One by one, they were slaughtered until she was only left with her king and her queen.

"In a real battle everyone would die, regardless," Nick said, killing her queen. "After the game is lost, all those you wanted to protect would either join the enemy or be executed, no matter your noble efforts."

She hung her head, eyes shadowed by a curtain of blonde hair.

"So, if death is inevitable, would it not rather be better to win?" the doctor concluded.

Amber knocked her king over, admitting defeat, before she took the piece back. She kept it in her grip. Her cheeks burned and brows knotted, but if there was one thing she got good at this last year...

"Jeez, you didn't have to embarrass me like that, Nick," Amber smiled, meeting the doctor's attentive gaze. "Though I appreciate the thought. You've once again taught me a valuable lesson."

"Well, think of it as a gift for Wednesday."

"Ugh, don't remind me."

"Hey, nineteen is an age to celebrate," Nick said. "Actually, anything under thirty is worth celebrating," he added in a mumble.

"Yeah, it's less cute when you're celebrating it in high school as the new kid. What a joke. Kind of want to stay here now."

This was, in truth, a bit of a sensitive topic. She never cared for academics, but failing her senior year and having to repeat the final term was a blow to her already brittle pride.

Nick's smile shrunk but stayed in place.

"Just yesterday, you were beaming with excitement for finally leaving," he said. "As much as I would like to continue this until after the anniversary, I do not think your aunt will let me keep you any longer. That woman frightens me."

Amber had the same half-hearted smile as Nick.

"Trust me, you do not want to be on a policewoman's bad side," she joked. "Aunt Tessa is pretty insistent on me spending my birthday somewhere with less white walls. And, of course, finishing school. Wouldn't want to fail a second time."

"You did not fail, Amber. Not really. Anyone in your shoes would have taken a break. What happened was, to put it lightly, traumatic. Nobody would think less of you for repeating the last three months of a silly school year. There are much bigger worries."

"Yeah, like what the hell I'll do with my life after school," Amber snickered. "Please don't remind me."

"I am certain you will find something worth chasing."

"Something worth chasing," she echoed, testing the words. "Wouldn't that be a great thing to find?"

A sharp ring pierced the room. Amber glanced at the timer on the desk, her face slacking. This was it. Her bags were packed, and if she left this office, she would head back to the real world. Had it already been a year since everything changed? Three hundred and sixty-three days sure felt a lot like it was just last week.

Nick got up and politely took Amber's hand, helping her out of her seat.

"Do not worry, Amber. I know you are unmotivated right now, but I have a feeling you will find something that excites you soon. A game you will want to win. For now, I suggest getting better at chess," the doctor teased. "It is quite boring winning all the time."

Amber gasped as she got up, playfully shoving the doctor away.

"You cocky old bastard! You'll eat your words someday."

"Old?" Nick asked. Hands shot up to his face as though he checked for wrinkles. "I am still in my thirties," he sulked.

"You're old, Nick. It's all downhill from here."

Amber's smile betrayed her thoughts. The doctor looked good for his age. Handsome, even. Standing a good head above her with neatly combed blond hair and alert eyes, he could have been mistaken as a relative of hers. And though his suit was worn casual, jacket off and sleeves rolled up, formal wear was always attractive.

Nick let out a honeyed laugh as he went to open the door.

"This old bastard is just getting started," he said. "I still have my whole life ahead of me. Your promise on your first day here was... inspiring. Do you still stand by it?"

"Of course," Amber grinned. "Never again will I allow myself to be helpless. I'll find my own justice if need be."

"Yes. Justice. That is what it was."

Amber straightened her skirt and grabbed her favourite orange and yellow jacket from the hat stand; it was hard to miss the paint stains. She shrugged it on, pocketing her chess piece, and when she turned around, Nick waited at the door. Her hands were regretfully empty of any parting gifts for the doctor. Though he was at least fifteen, perhaps twenty years older than her, he became a close friend through all their games.

"Amber, may I leave you with one last bit of advice? For old time's sake?" the doctor asked.

"Of course."

Nick pursed his lips for a second, then drew out a breath.

"If you are not willing to sacrifice one thing, you stand to lose everything," he said. "And no matter how noble your cause, all that matters is winning the game."

Amber considered the doctor's comment for a second longer. It nagged at her that he was not only referring to chess but... what else could he have meant? She was just a soon-to-be nineteen-year-old repeating her final term of high school, a kid trying to move on from a tragedy.

Life is not a game; it is a gamble.

"Goodbye, Nick. I appreciate what you did for me these last few months. I won't forget your lessons," Amber greeted sincerely.

Nick ruffled her already dishevelled hair.

"Good luck, Amber Marigold," he said. "Until we meet again."

After one last wave, she turned and left. What a strange thing to say, she thought. When would they ever meet again?

With her suitcase packed, Amber only had to grab it from her room. For a girl who once had everything, she sure packed light. Pausing, she gave a final glance at the room. Her hand brushed over the cold metal in her pocket, and she took hold of the silver king. She stared at it, watching her warped reflection as she rolled it between her fingers. Though the piece was spotless, scrubbed, and washed a million times, she always caught a glimpse of red still on it. Even now, she could smell it. Blood, gunpowder, and her mother's perfume. Whenever she closed her eyes, she could hear it. Screaming, shooting, and a voice, begging her to...

"Amber Marigold?"

Amber whirled around, heart clenching. One of the nurses knocked on the open door, and the girl relaxed.

"Your aunt is waiting outside. I need you to sign a few papers before you leave," she cautiously explained.

What a sight Amber must have been, regaining her breath. Not a convincing look from someone getting discharged. Nevertheless, she smiled, pocketing the chess piece in her jacket, and followed the nurse to the front desk. There, she filled out and signed about a dozen forms. Her phone was returned, fully charged. And with everything settled, she finally passed through the front doors.

Sunlight. Soft, soothing sunlight shyly slunk onto Amber as she took her first few steps into the real world. She breathed in slowly, taking a moment to let her skin warm. It was March, the sweet scent of spring in the air. Never had a season been quite as appropriate for someone to make a fresh start.

"Amber!" an all too familiar voice yelled.

Amber raised her hand to wave a 'hello' back, but before she knew it, she was tackled. Off her footing, she tripped on her suitcase and fell. She really should have known to dodge by now.

"Hey, Jessica," Amber greeted from under her cousin.

After years of self-defence classes and enough long-overdue greetings, she was pretty used to being flat on her ass.

"Jessica?" her cousin questioned with a sneer.

Jessica Marigold got up and left Amber on the ground like she was dirt. The insulted girl turned to her mom waiting by the car.

"We have to ask for a refund. They broke her," she said.

Amber laughed. Her cousin was still the same.

"Oh, stop making a scene, Jessy. Or they'll lock you up next."

Jessy grinned like she needed to get booked into the clinic.

"Much better," she said and helped Amber up.

The two girls hugged, and Amber found herself leaning in a little longer. Familiar coconut shampoo clung to her cousin's dark ponytail. She missed that smell.

"Good grief, what did they do to you? You lost those sexy thighs I've been drooling over," Jessy complained, still in the hug.

"And you clearly found them with one too many pancakes," Amber teased, pinching her cousin's hip and pulling away.

Jessy made a scene at the joke, but Amber laughed it off.

Actually, what did they do to me? She wondered. Now that she thought of it, if her family asked, she really could not say much other than she played a lot of chess.

"Amber honey, how are you?" Aunt Tessa asked as Amber headed over for a hug.

"I'm better, thanks."

It had been six months since she last saw her cousin and aunt, but they still looked identical. They shared the same brown eyes and refined noses. The only difference was Aunt Tessa's shorter hair and, of course, the lips. Like Amber, Jessy had smirking lips that made her look like she knew a joke nobody else was aware of.

After a few more 'I missed you' and 'you look great' comments, they loaded her suitcase into the trunk and drove off. Amber sat at the front while Jessy was the dreaded backseat driver, reminding everyone to buckle up.

"Oh, and over there, that's Greatwood University," she pointed out while they drove through town.

"I remember you telling me about them last year," Amber said.

"While you were gone, I officially decided I'll be going there. They have a great medical program. Oh, Amber, you have to come with me when I check the place out!"

"Sure thing."

"I think they have an arts program as well. You could study there too! And we could get an apartment together. Let's do it! We graduate in June, so we can move in around August. It's perfect!"

"Applications are already closed," Amber reminded her.

Perhaps a year ago, she would have wanted to study Art. But now... At least she had time to think about it, as her lawyer would say. With the money her parents left, she had all the time possible.

"Well... it's only an hour's drive from where we live, so—"

"Jessy, enough now," Aunt Tessa interrupted. "Let's give Amber some breathing room. She's starting school tomorrow."

"Oh my God, yes, Amber, let me tell you about Tygerwel High. The number one rule of—"

"Breathing room," Aunt Tessa repeated.

Amber smiled at Jessy's puffy face. It had been quite a while since the two of them caught up. As kids, they spent almost every day together. Right up until Jessy's mom transferred to Tygerwel, and the girls were separated by an eight-hour journey.

The rest of the ride was quiet when they left Greatwood and hit the open road. Farmlands and fields flew by. Amber stared out the window, pretending a copied version of herself was running alongside them, jumping over the occasional obstacle. She could tell they were getting close to their destination when clouds gathered. Before the clinic, her first six months in the secluded town were a blur, but she remembered the place sure loved its rain. Next to the ocean and with mountains guarding all sides, clouds rarely escaped.

"Welcome to Tygerwel," Amber read the sign up ahead.

For a second, she thought the welcome sign was filled with bullet holes, but they drove by too quickly for her to be sure.

A buzz from her pocket made Amber jolt.

Unknown
Hello, Marigold.
16:04

Her brows knotted at the message. She would have left it as someone with the wrong number if they did not call her by her last name. Curious by nature, she texted back, asking who it was.

The reply came instantly.

Unknown
Welcome to Tygerwel. Rest while you can.
16:05

Amber checked over her shoulder. Jessy was taking a nap against the window, drooling on herself. As much as it would have been her first guess, her cousin could not have been the one pranking her. Having the better of her curiosity for once, she put her phone away.

It's probably nothing, she dismissed.

Arriving in town, it only took another ten minutes to get to the Marigold residence. They pulled up to a charming, single-family home with hazelwood siding and a ridiculous blue roof. Though Aunt Tessa was in the police force and Amber's dearest uncle was a surgeon, their house was modest.

"Home sweet home," Aunt Tessa sighed.

They parked in the driveway. Although Amber insisted otherwise, the girl's own car was kept in the garage all this time.

What a waste, she thought.

After one or two more comments about the blue roof and why it was not yet painted something less, well, blue, Amber got out of the car. Jessy helped carry her luggage into the house and up to her designated room from six months ago. They plopped the bags on the bed and took a moment to glance around. The room was still the same. Cream walls, a white bed, and a desk with nothing on it. It never stopped feeling like a guest bedroom.

"You need anything?" Jessy asked. "Father figure has the night shift, so you'll probably only see him in the morning."

Amber stared at the room for a bit longer. Walking over to the window, she peered out and saw that the ocean was still visible. A quiet blue in the distance. Nowhere near the shore, the slope of the land provided a view from almost anywhere.

Satisfied, she turned to her cousin.

"Are my paints still in the basement?"

Jessy shook her head, lips curving up.

"Some things never change."

Amber woke the next morning covered in paint. She spent most of yesterday in the basement, continuing her unfinished arts. Aunt Tessa was the one to encourage some alone time and insisted only she eat dinner with them before wasting away the night. Although painting was fine, the girl was sure falling asleep in the musty room would not slide.

A sudden shout from upstairs made Amber stiffen.

"Someone, I need help!"

The voice was all too familiar, and the girl's muscles relaxed. Uncle Anton, she mused. He hasn't changed a bit.

"Help yourself!" Amber shouted back, getting up from the floor.

Stretching her stiff limbs, she felt rather mischievous today. A fresh start and nearing birthday were most likely the cause. Walking over to her latest project, she picked at the paint under her nails. So far, the painting was a simple field of sunflowers. Harmonious canary, butter, and honey yellows danced across the larger half of the canvas, while a selection of stone, sky, and sapphire blues balanced the other half. Not even a speck of red paint was used.

"This is literally a matter of life or death!" her uncle continued to beg from upstairs.

There was a clatter and a Goddammit above before Amber decided to help the poor man. She got her shoulder bag, grabbed her sketchbook and paints, and rushed up the stairs. When she got to the kitchen, Uncle Anton peered at the toaster.

"This damned bread-tanner isn't working!" he complained in a grumble, moustache brushing over his pouted lips.

Amber fought her laugh. Drawing a sigh, she pushed the lever down at the side. Her uncle looked up at her with stars in his eyes.

"That's genius, Amber! Genius!" he praised.

His face was too sincere for her to tell him how un-genius it really was. How the hell did her mom grow up with this man?

The buzzing from the television on the counter got Amber to look over. Like before the clinic, the news was filled with corrupt politicians and suspicions of fraud. She checked the time displayed on the channel and cursed under her breath.

"I'm going to be late," she muttered, heading to the fridge.

"Late for what?" Uncle Anton asked.

Amber scanned for leftovers. Cold potatoes and fish. Let's not try our luck and gamble with food poisoning, she told herself. She had never been the lucky type, and fish was not her favourite.

"School," Amber answered, reluctantly closing the fridge.

"That's today?"

"Yup."

"Aren't you supposed to be making a living? You're what? Fifteen, sixteen?"

"Nineteen tomorrow."

"Nineteen? Good grief, we need to find you a husband!"

Amber laughed, about to remind Uncle Anton it was not the nineteenth century, but Aunt Tessa and Jessy came walking into the kitchen. Jessy was tying her hair back with one hand and grabbed the toast, popping out of the toaster, with her other. Uncle Anton cried out a protest before trying to figure out the machine again.

"Honey, the lever. You're not a baby," Aunt Tessa sighed. She turned to Amber, adjusting her blazer. "You ready for the day?"

"Yup. Ready as ever," Amber said, still deciding if it was true.

"Good."

Aunt Tessa frisked over to the kitchen island to pick up the newspaper. After a few quick glances, she sat the paper down with a second, much heavier sigh. Her wrinkles became apparent.

"Of course. As if the police force isn't enough, the damn Dynast has the media in their pocket now as well," she scowled. "I knew that reporter was a coward."

"Mother, calm down. What even is the rush in exposing these guys? You've been at it for years," Jessy said, chewing on toast.

Aunt Tessa turned the volume up, eyes glued to the news anchor, and Jessy's shoulder slumped. She turned to Amber with a scowl, much like her mom's.

"You're covered in paint. Did you even sleep?"

Amber took an orange from the fruit bowl and ducked her head.

"I wasn't tired," she said.

Jessy licked her thumb and wiped the paint from Amber's cheek.

"Wasn't tired?" she asked. "What blasphemy is this? Sleep is the best part of my day. Good grief, you even have paint on the back of your shirt. If we weren't going to be late, I would've demanded you take a shower. Just, at least, go get dressed."

Amber rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Yeah-yeah, you're not my... I'll be quick."

Taking the stairs two at a time, she rushed to her room. Her bags were yet to be unpacked and she grabbed the first piece of clothing she could find. Old jeans and a too-large T-shirt. Glancing out the window, the usual clouds gathered, and Amber shrugged on her favourite bomber jacket.

The mood was the same back in the kitchen. Uncle Anton still hovered by the toaster, and Jessy added fresh water to the vase of yellow flowers. Aunt Tessa kept her eyes fixed on the news.

"... though the superintendent of police, Charles Glavny, denies allegations of the police's cooperation with the Dynast, many question his honesty. The international community has noticed this is not the first case of a high-profile murder being buried through 'lack of evidence'."

Amber's face slackened. It's still the same, she thought. The world was still ruled by an inadequate justice system and dangerous faceless families pulling all the strings.

Jessy stopped adjusting the star-like flowers and tiptoed over to her, carefully taking hold of her arm as though what she grabbed was too brittle to keep.

"You sure you're ready? Starting school again? Like, one hundred percent?" Jessy asked, scanning her for any doubts. "I'm sure waiting until after the anniversary would be fine. It's only one more day... And I mean, it'll be your birthday too, so we could stay in and do whatever."

Amber considered her cousin's suggestion. Her eyes darted back to the television, where the superintendent of police was releasing a statement. Charles Glavny. She met the man a few times at her parents' parties. Though she never liked him, she thought he, or at least someone working for him, would be able to catch whoever broke into her house a year ago. Had her parents not helped the police enough? Perhaps recovery would have been easier if she could pin a face to the evil.

"No, I'm ready," Amber announced, hoping it was not a lie.

"Then let's get this show on the road," Jessy said as she slid her grip to Amber's hand.

The girls left the kitchen with a goodbye, and just as Uncle Anton managed to make himself toast again, Amber grabbed it. His cries followed them all the way to the garage. They passed Amber's car, draped in a white cover, and got into Jessy's sun-bleached Ford.

"Seat belt, please," Jessy urged once they were on the road.

Amber finished her toast and strapped herself in, keeping an eye on her cousin's hands on the steering wheel.

"First day at a public school. You nervous? My parents aren't here, so you can be honest."

Trees and modest houses zipped by. This town sure has a lot of birches, Amber thought. She spotted a spruce forest up North, but other than that, everything was repetitive. Were all towns this easy to get lost in? Not that getting lost was a challenge for her.

"Nah," she answered. "I just feel like getting shot in the chest would be better than being a new kid in senior year."

Jessy finally relaxed in her seat, leaning back.

"Oh, it's not so bad! Only a measly three months. Follow the number one rule of Tygerwel High, and nobody will even notice you. Besides, we'll be in the same school and year now. It's a dream come true!" she beamed. "I'm glad you failed last year."

Amber was both flattered and offended. Jessy had that effect.

"What's this number one rule?"

There her curiosity went again.

The mood had been light, but as the clouds outside darkened, so did Jessy's expression.

"I say it's the number one rule of Tygerwel High, but really, it's a rule the whole town lives by," she said. "Do not attract attention unless you are prepared for the consequences."

Amber could not help but snort.

"Jeez, so ominous," she laughed. "Add a bit of thunder in the distance, and it would've been straight out of an edgy teen drama."

"It's true!" Jessy insisted, the tension leaving. "I mean, if it wasn't for that rule, I would've made you drive us around in your fancy sports car. Dammit, everyone would be so jealous of us."

Amber did not respond to that. The Illion AMD M12 was a gift from her least favourite uncle. After everything last year, Taminn Silvano tried his best to convince her to stay with him. His face when she chose her mom's side of the family was priceless.

Amber stuffed her hands into her pockets. She still had the chess piece with her, and her grip tightened on that cold metal.

"Honestly, it's not even the car that matters. You can drive anything with wheels and make it look good," Jessy added with a nervous chuckle. "So, I guess what I'm saying is, to avoid breaking that number one rule, it's best you stay the passenger for now."

"My driving isn't that impressive," Amber shrugged.

She was not being modest. Rather, agreeing meant having to give that very same uncle the credit.

"We're here!" Jessy announced, driving past the school gates.

They parked the Ford at a spot away from the flashier cars. Jessy whipped out her phone and announced a first-day photo was mandatory. Amber had no qualms and happily posed as her cousin snapped the picture she wanted. Separated by different regions in the last three years, photos were rare but important.

"I'm posting that!" Jessy grinned.

Amber shook her head at her cousin. It was times like these when she was grateful her parents forbid her from social media.

The girls got out of the Ford and got their bags in the trunk. Jessy was mumbling something school-related, and the thought of maths and homework carved a hole in Amber's stomach.

Now hungry, she stared at the school building, her eyelids heavy. With its old, penny, and jam-coloured brick walls and iron-barred windows, Tygerwel High resembled a prison at first. Modern glass doors and black and orange lockers inside proved otherwise. Chatty kids walked to the looming building, friends greeting each other and couples strolling hand-in-hand. It's like any public school, the girl told herself. They even had a lunch program. She was excited to see what that was all about.

Books gathered, Jessy turned to Amber and asked, "Okay, last chance. Are you really ready?"

"Hell, no," Amber laughed, finally honest.

Spirits high, they took their first and only step towards the school.

A quiet breeze drifted in.

The world slowed for a heartbeat, the sound of excited kids and cars fading like they were underwater. Even so, Amber could have sworn she heard thunder rumble in her bones. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, her skin tingled with goosebumps, and her throat went dry. It was like her body knew what was coming before it even happened.

"Jessy," Amber whispered.

All at once, screeching tyres tore through the air, followed by the rev of a sports car's engine. Amber whirled towards the source of the sudden sound, and a silver Aston Martin came speeding through the school gates with a six-door vehicle right behind it. They raced towards the girls. Without needing to think, Amber pushed Jessy behind her and pressed them back against the Ford. She sucked in her stomach, and the speeding cars passed and missed them with no more than a thumb's width. They came to a skidding stop close by. Burnt tyre made her grimace.

"No... What are they doing here?" Jessy mumbled with a shaky breath on Amber's shoulder.

But the show was not done.

Before Amber could ask, another far-off screeching came closer. She looked to the school gates, and a matte black Alfa Romeo came drifting in with a large, dark Maserati on its tail. The sports car halted with a high-pitched brake before it could pass them. Feeling boxed in, the girl continued to press her cousin behind her and stared at the unfolding scene. What the hell was going on?

The doors to the first pair of cars opened as five guys climbed out and walked to face the second pair of cars. Every single student in the parking lot was staring. Amber was no different.

The group was dressed in fancy coats and tailored pants. She could picture the painting. Arrogance, she would call it, with tan, beige, and macho colours flamboyantly strutting about. The artwork in her head paused when the guy in the middle caught her attention. No, his presence demanded attention. With his neat bronze-brown hair and a set of wide shoulders on a proud back, he carried himself with much more confidence than his companions.

"We've got to move," Jessy blurted from behind, grabbing her arm and aiming to run away. When they turned to leave, they faced the other pair of cars as another group of five guys climbed out.

The second group of boys walked with the same level of superiority, but where the first group had people gawking and girls melting, these guys had people running away. And while the others were tailored in expensive coats, these ones were modelling leather jackets and ripped jeans. Threatening, Amber thought when ebony, charcoal, and navy colours came to mind.

Coat Boys and Leather Boys, she would call them.

And like Coat Boys, Leather Boys also had someone who stood out. The guy leading the group had pitch-black ruffled hair and silver eyes contrasted by Hispanic skin.

"Shit," Jessy said, wriggling out from behind Amber. The girls stayed glued to the car like they hoped to blend in. Cold metal bit at Amber's palms, and she wondered if breathing was okay.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Just keep quiet."

Leather Boys and Coat Boys met right in front of them. They were too busy glaring at each other to notice the girls but blocked any means of escape.

"Rhodes," the leader of Leather Boys said.

"Bowmen," the leader of Coat Boys spat like a curse.

The tension can be cut with a knife, Amber thought. A butter knife, really. Or even a spoon. She lived for the dramatics of it all.

"Some of your kith were seen on my territory," Coat Leader said as he rubbed at his whitened knuckles, his body taut all over.

"Well, technically, the whole town should be my territory," Leather Leader shot right back, his eyes narrowing.

Holy hell, this is a battle of egos, Amber thought. She had to refrain from asking Jessy to pass her the popcorn. The girl even put in her own bets. The leader of Coat Boys was undoubtedly more muscled up by the look of his broad shoulders, and his nose was crooked from being broken one too many times. He must have had fighting experience. But she would not entirely rule out the leader of Leather Boys. Though he was skinnier, something about his presence reminded her of a gun. Quiet and cold; until it was not.

"Brush up on your history, Bowmen. Tygerwel belongs to the East. The gate is ours," Coat Leader said.

And oh, there they go again, Amber thought. Measuring levels of testosterone or something. She had seen grade schoolers with better arguments. The more they spoke, the less threatening they appeared.

The school's bell rang, and everyone watching the scene scurried to class. The bunch of guys blocking Amber's way, unfortunately, stayed glued. She could feel her cousin tense up.

"We're going to be late," Amber whispered to Jessy, but she was shushed before she could get the entire sentence out.

What the hell?

"It's my first day; I can't be late," Amber tried once more.

Another shush.

"Jessy, what's happening?"

When Jessy only responded by silencing her again and pressing her harder against the car, Amber had enough. She was hungry and tired and refused to be held up by a bunch of boys acting like idiots. What was the worst that could happen?

She cleared her throat and stepped forward, her hands back in her pockets and grip tight around her trusty chess piece.

"Excuse me, Mister Leather Jacket and Mister Fancy Coat? Could you guys go have an ego brawl some other time? We need to get to class," she interrupted the arguing boys.

Amber heard Jessy suck in a horrified breath, and all eyes turned to her. Both silver and dark gazes from the boys sent death glares.

It was then that Amber remembered her cousin mentioning some number one rule this town lived by. Something about standing out and the consequences thereof.

Well, shit, she thought.

***

Hello there,

I hope you guys will enjoy this rewrite of TGAAGG. I really wanted to fix all the issues from the original and see how much my writing improved.

~ Holly Shmit