I run and run and keep running until I got to the library. I hurry inside and found my way through the now familiar maze that is the aisles. I move to the back of the library and collapse on the red sofa in the philosophy section.

  It wasn't easy getting away from the zodiacs.i had to endure the longest lecture ever and it was even worse than a normal boring lecture because hazel eyes sat on my right and golden orbs sat on my left. I'll have you know that I didn't hear a word the professor said.

  Immediately the professor rounded up his lecture, I sprinted to the door and ran with all my might. I knew someone was following me but It didn't stop me from trying. People turned their heads in my direction when I sprint past them but it didn't stop me from pushing my legs farther. I didn't know where to go and my mind was still hazy. I went to the first place that came to my mind,— there's no time to think about it—the library.

  I glance around, my eyes skimming over the familiar objects in the library, I now know every bit of this place, due to the fact that I spent 40 percent of my time here,i never had friends apart from Lyn and Riley I was the ugly one in the group but they still remained my friends plus they have lives of their own so my free time was either spent in the arts museum or alone In the library.

  Footsteps from another aisle broke me from my thoughts,i calm my ragged breaths and tiptoe around the sofa to hide at the back of it. The footsteps became closer and closer and then it just stopped. My heart kept beating erratically as the unfamiliar scent of watermelon and old books filled my nostrils.

   I could hear the sound of their calm breathing and I saw the outline of their shadow above me. It looks like a man and from the looks of it, he's seen me.
I raise my head to find him looming over the sofa and above me.my breath hitched as it feels like a heavy object dropped in my stomach.

  "Come out princess." he taunts.

  My heart picked up pace as I slowly stood up.

  This is the first time I'm seeing him in the light and my eyes seem happy to drink him in.

  His sharp squared chiselled jaw clenched and his perfectly lined dark eyebrows raised as his icy silver eyes pierce through mine.his stance radiates calm and coolness but the way he stiffened when he saw me countered it,warm cool liquid feelings swirl in my gut and my vision became sharper.

  I don't know what's happening here but I know he can feel it too by the way his eyes are fixed on mine. He's wearing a pair of black jeans, white sneakers and a black muscle T—shirt,I can make out the outline of his abs through it.

  "Emma." he said, like he was out of breath.

  "Scorpio" I hiss. Just because his alluring eyes have an effect on me doesn't mean I don't hate him.

  "Whoa there,easy princess ,i just want to talk." he  frowned as he walked towards me carefully,as if approaching a wounded animal.

  "Why? What do you want from me? Don't take another step or else you'll regret it Scorpio" I warned.He stopped in his tracks, four feet away from me.

  "Don't you want to know? I just want to talk" he says

  "Just cut to the chase, What.do.you.want?" I raise my voice.

  "You wanted answers didn't you? I want to tell you everything. I want to tell you everything they plan on keeping from you. From the mark on your forehead to the death of your mom." he said,confidence radiating from him and he used the chance to take a step forward.

  I didn't want to know anything about this weird life that I've found myself in but at the mention of my birth mother, I felt a dent in my walls and my anger impair.

I want to know.

  "What do you know about her?" I ask softer this time but venom lacing my words. I can't let him think he broke me by reciting his little speech.

  "Everything. But first,how's my daridark? I actually do miss her,its hard to tame one but definitely not for you and you should come out from behind that couch, there're spiders and cobwebs and other insects there. And they're not friendly"

  He got me at spiders. I ran from the back and Sure enough, there are cobwebs on my hoodie and jeans.

  "Talk!." I hiss,Ignoring the faint traces of body heat radiating from him to me. I move back to decrease our proximity.

"I'm sorry for destroying your room and poisoning your friend and trying to capture you." he starts.

  "wait.. You poisoned him?!" I scream.my anger resurfacing again.

   "It was just for a while but it did take longer than usual. The zodiacs on the other hand would not be that affected by the poison." he grinned proudly.

  "what did you do with the zodiacs?" I snapped.

   "I poisoned them." he replied, unperturbed by the fact that he poisoned his family. That's what they are right? They're the zodiacs.

   "How could you!? Where are they now!?" I'm on the verge of snapping his head off right now. Why did I listen to him earlier? I must've been drunk.

  "Calm down. They're fine. At least they'll be fine in 15 minutes." he waved his hand dismissively.

  "you're sick!" I hiss.

  "And you're impossible." he replied, seeming frustrated.

  "you know what's gonna happen now? You will tell me where the zodiacs are and how to cure them then leave! just leave and you can keep your information to yourself. I don't want it anymore!" I raise my voice.

   He took a step back and I move forward to remedy the diminishing proximity between us. I am practically in his face right now and I ignore the fluttering in my gut as his breath fans my face. His piercing silver gaze boring into mine as my chest heaved.

  "Okay." he whispered "the Zodiacs should be fine now as the poison should be wearing off. They're more resistant to it because they're stronger.and I'll respect your wishes by leaving." he took a step back and to the side, his face turned away from me as he walked away but he stopped halfway from the end of the aisle we're in and turned around

  "She's not dead."  he whispered and just like that, he's gone. I stood there,more confused than I've ever been.its as if he was never here. The only proof of his presence is the lingering scent of watermelon and old books.

She's not dead.

Who was he talking about? It must be my birth mother right? Arggh! I hate this. I feel a headache forming on my temples and I groan out in frustration.

   "Emma!!" I jump from the sudden noise that came from the front of the library. Wait a minute, I recognize that light croaky voice anywhere.

"Riley? Is that you?" I call out.

"Yes, now where are you? Or better yet, I'm in the romance section,come get me." he says and I chuckled, he never comes here and like I said earlier, this place is like a maze.

I found him leaning against the wall behind the shelf hosting the romance novels. His dark hair tousled, a few stray locks hang over his eyebrow. He looked up and smiled when our gazes met. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed in relief.

"Hey stranger." I grin and he wrapped his arms around me,engulfing me with the familiar scent of his cologne, vanilla and old spice.

"Where have you been Emma! I was worried sick about you,i went home that night with no recollection of what ever happened and the next morning, you were missing. Lindsy said you didn't come home the night after. Then I started hearing rumours about a group of hot people who are apparently friends with the hot new girl in the ICT department. I was on my way to your class when I saw you run past me. I called out to you but you mustn't have heard me. I didn't see where you went to but I had an idea and boy! You were fast!" he took a deep breath and I wrap my arms around him again.

  "I'm sorry Riley. I'll tell you everything over lunch."
He nods.

"I'm just glad you're back. Now onwards to the cafeteria."

I giggle and take his hand in mine while pulling him through the aisles and to the door.

I see Lindsy, Gemini, Tarius, Taurus and Aquarius sitting on our usual bench in the cafeteria.lindsy's tounge is down Aquarius's throat  and both their hairs are ruffled. Horny teenagers

The trio, excluding Aquarius and Lidsy turned their heads in my direction immediately I stepped on the grounds of the school cafeteria. My heart lurched when hazel and golden orbs land on me. I suddenly feel naked.

"You know we're not filming a Finding Nemo movie right,Emma?" tarius said immediately we reached the table.

"yeah, what were you thinking running off like that? You looked like a five year old" Lindsy comments with a flushed face and wild hair, matching Aquarius'

"What were you thinking coming to my school!? I told you I don't want any of this" I hiss.

"Easy tiger. We agreed to let you go but we didn't discuss anything about not keeping an eye on you." Gemini says. And I gave her a glare.

Riley coughed beside me, informing us of his prescence.
"Uhh what's happening and who are they Emma?"

"Uh. These are my..... Friends, Gem—"

"I'm Gema, that's Trever and this is Sebastian and I'm sure you've met Derek." Gemini interrupted and gave me a look. I wisely shut up and go with it.

Aquarius just waved and went back to shoving his tongue down lindsy's throat.

"yeah...I met them on my way home yesterday and this is my best friend. Riley." I smile when he gave me one of his billion dollar smiles. He just makes my heart swell.

"Hey.. I know you.oalof" Tarius winked and grins while riley just scrunches his face and scratched his head.

"What?" he asked.

"Uhh don't listen to him Riley, he's just kidding." I shoot tarius a glare and he chuckled, returning to his food.

"Hey." Taurus said, tilting his head to look at my face.

"Uh Hey ta—Sebastian." he grins and shake his head while my heart tugged when I see those golden orbs.

Oh for fuck's sake what is wrong with me!!

"Sit down would you? And eat. Pop tarts don't do much" he flashed a mischievous grin, showcasing his pearly whites.

Well she wasn't kidding when she said they kept an eye on me.

Wait!

"Were you in my—Just for how long were you in my room?" he just smiled and looked away,a ting of pink flushed on his cheeks.

Oh my God!

He saw me naked!!!!

Tarius starts chortling and Gemini tried to hide her smile as she looked away. My whole body is on fire and my skin is crimson from embarrassment.

I pull Riley away from the table and walked out of the cafeteria as fast as I could.i can't face them anymore! What were they thinking coming into my room! 

My embarrassment turned to anger when I felt a pair of hands on my shoulders. I know it's not Riley's because his hand is still being crushed in mine.

"What!" I screamed and I immediately regret it.
Jonathan retracts his hand from my shoulders like it burned him and put them up in surrender.

"I'm sorry, I just.. I'm really sorry" he stuttered and turned away to leave.

"Wait! No no I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else" I apologize.

I slam my hand on my forehead while muttering cusses under my breath. Of all ways to meet my  crush since freshman year, it had to be his way.i hate today!!.

I feel like screaming again but I put on a smile for Jonny when he turned around with his face flushed.
Oh my God, did I do that!

"I'm sorry" I say again.
He hung his head low and shook it. I'm happy he found my outburst amusing. Better than hating me.

He raised is head again and my eyes met with chocolate brown eyes.

"It's okay. I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have done that. I'm Jonathan."
I wanted to blurt 'I know' but I caught myself before I did. Riley squeezed my hand and I look to him. He gave a sly grin and released his hand from mine. Wow, they're red!

"Sorry" I mouth and he laughed.

"I would've given a stupid excuse to leave you two together but I will just look stupid and make things awkward. So bye. And use protection!"  He ran away, leaving Jonathan and I laughing while still flushed.

"So.. I still didn't get your name" he smiles ,I could trade my pop tarts for that smile. Okay maybe I can't but I can trade Riley for them.

"I'm Emma. Emma Andrews."

"Are you new here? I haven't seen you before."

I remember no-one here recognises me anymore, except for Riley and Lyn of course.

"No I'm not, I'm just not a social butterfly" he nods his head I'm understanding.

"Yeah, thats probably why. So do you want to have lunch with me sometime? I have class now and I'll be busy till sundown and you'll be pretty tired by then"
I'm smiling so much it hurts.

"Sure, It's a date."
I almost slapped myself but he grinned, oh he grinned, my poor heart it looks like a million pop tarts in one jar.

"Sure, it's a date. Bye Emma." then he turned around and walked in the other direction. I watched his back muscles flex as he shoved his arms in his pocket. As if sensing my stare, he turned around and waved, but he didn't turn back around, he kept walking backwards. Okay I have to go now before he thinks I'm weird.
I wave back at him and walked away.

OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!

I need to find Riley.
"He's cute for a human." Gemini's voice startled me  but I smiled.
"Yeah....."

Taurus, Tarius and Aquarius trailed behind her then I remembered.
My dreamy gaze turned into a death glare.
"You! How could you do that to me!?" I point an accusing finger at her.

Her beautiful features knit in confusion "What are you talking about andrews?"

"I'm talking about letting these pervy zodiacs seeing me naked!" I scream. A few heads turn to our direction while the ones that were already looking at us widened their eyes.

Tarius and Aquarius burst into fits of laughter but Taurus grinned I know he wants to laugh but he's trying not to, for my sake.

"Oh that. They were just pulling your leg. They didn't see a thing. Taurus and i saw you shoving pop tarts in your bag when I wanted to talk to you but you left quickly" she explained.

Phew! That's a relief because I swear I won't ever look at Taurus or Tarius again if it was true.

"That reminds me andrews, I wanted to talk to you." she drawls
"But not here. Too many eyes." she looked around and I nod.

We're standing by the entrance of an empty classroom that has a view of one of the most beautiful Gardens in this school which is why there are so many people sitting here, either taking pictures, having picnics and playing music or both.

She led us into the classroom and shut the door. We walked up the stairs to the very top and sat on one of the chairs there. She turned to me and sighed.

"Okay I know talove said she did something to protect you from harm but all she did was place some kind of poison on you." she stopped and gave the boys a look then resumed again.

"Now anyone who knows what kind of poison she put on you could find an antidote and be able to get to you. The poison only affects those with bad intentions   against you and it's really deadly if it comes in contact with supernaturals, if they don't wear the antidote. Like I said earlier, anyone who has any knowledge whatsoever about what this poison is can find the antidote and can get to you."

She paused again, I'm assuming to let this new information sink then she continues again.

"We have reasons to believe Scorpio has found the antidote and, he's out for you, Emma." I felt my heart lurch at the mention of his name. she pursed her lips and I nod my head.

"Okay, so how did he find the antidote?" I ask and she looks taken aback like she didn't expect me to ask that. I'm sure she was expecting me to freak out and I would've if I didn't meet Scorpio earlier. Should I tell her about that?  I don't think so.

"He's the god of poison. He can counter any poison in existence. That's why we fear for you." she suddenly sounds like Emily when I started changing.

We fear for you Emma.

Her violet blue eyes flashed with worry and I know what's coming next.

I sigh.

I really don't want to disappoint her and I know I should probably fear Scorpio but I really don't.i don't know why but I don't.

"I'm sorry Gemini, I can't" I say.

"What are you saying Emma!? That bastard poisoned us and left us in that classroom. When you took off,all we could do was watch. I don't know how he did it but he did and we were paralyzed for half an hour. He's dangerous!" Tarius flashed his eyes, his hazel eyes turning blue,very blue by the way and a ghost of his tattoo appeared on his forehead but it disappeared immediately it appeared.

"How did you do that??" I ask.

"Oh.. It happens when I get mad. Or frustrated. And it seems to be happening frequently these days and all because of you." Tarius snarled.

"What's your problem!" I scream.

"My problem is that you don't want to own up to your fucking responsibility! You don't care what others think, you only want to ignore all this because you're just a coward!" he screamed, his voice echoed throughout the walls of the empty classroom and his eyes turned lapiz lazuli.

An awkward silence fell on the classroom and he just huffed and ran down the stairs, I was dumbfounded, watching him exit the classroom and shutting the door with more force than required.

"Is that what he thinks of me?" my voice came out barely above a whisper. I caught a lump in my throat and screamed.

"Is that what you think of me!!?  A coward!?"
They didn't even say anything and they call me a coward
"Wow!" that's all I could say before —like tarius— I stomp my way to the door.

Classes passed by a blur,i ignored Gemini and the boys even when they wanted to say something to me. I'm in no mood to forgive anyone right now. Tarius ignored me in return but I caught him staring at me occasionally in classes through my peripheral vision. Lyn and I left for home when our classes ended and the zodiacs wisely kept their distance so as not to bring up suspicion.

Just as we were about to go into the apartment, I heard someome call my name. And I know exactly who it is.
"just leave gemini?" I say without turning around.

"Gemini?" Lyn asked. Oh. I forgot she knows her as Gema

"Yeah, it's her full name. Gema is the abbreviated form." Its not a lie. I think.

"Lyn can you give us a minute please?" lindsy nodded and walked into the room, I know she will definitely eavesdrop so I pulled Gemini to the road side.

"Talk."

"Emma, I'm sorry, we're sorry. I know this is alot to take in and this new load you've found out about is a bit too heavy for you but you're not a coward, no matter what choice you make. You are not a coward, saggitarius was just being a douche, don't listen to him and I can assure you he doesn't mean it. He's mad at himself right now and he's punishing himself pretty hard" she giggles.

"I'm sorry, I guess I really was a coward. I ran away from all of this, I was just... scared. I'm sorry." I was taken by surprise when she suddenly wrapped her hands around me. I hugged her back.

"Thank you Emma." she said.

"Thank you Gema" I say and she laughed.

"Hey,wanna come in?  We could have a sleepover." I suggest and she knit her brows in confusion.

"What's a sleepover?" she asked and I laughed.

We head back to my apartment,laughing as I explained what a sleepover is to Gemini. She walked in and just before I followed, I caught a flash of two silver orbs in the distance across the street but it disappeared just as quickly as it appeared. I shake my head and walked inside, I must be seeing things.

AUTHOR'S NOTE.

I'm sorry if this is a filler chapter. I've got the worst case of writers block 😫.

Heyyyyy thank you for 370 reads and 100+ votes, I love you guys so much it hurts. Thank you so much 💙

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