Just another mood board for our girl, Elle. I cannot believe this book is already at over 120 reads, you guys are the best. I know I said weekly uploads before however I can't help but upload when I see people loving this book so make sure to vote and comment because it just pushes me to upload quicker! 

This chapter is also dedicated to@WithAThousandLies  for her support not only on this rewrite but the old version too, it means the world that people have stuck with my books for so long. Thanks gal x

Here comes the chapter – with an entrance of a certain someone....

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Stepping out of Matt's car I suddenly felt as though I couldn't breathe. This was it. The feeling that I'd had all morning, this foreboding itch that I couldn't scratch was constantly annoying me, as if something insane was about to happen, something that would change my life. I hadn't said anything to Matt, obviously. It would just have made him angry and it's not as if I really said a single word the whole drive here, he'd rambled on and on about our image and my instructions for the day for the whole car journey, I nodded along in agreement, my mind wandering.

Matt joins me at the side of his truck, his arm snaking around my waist as he looks me up and down, "You look so damn sexy, I'm so proud that you're mine." He kisses me lightly and my heart flutters, he had the sweetest moments sometimes.

The outfit had actually been quite nice, much to my surprise. Sure it was still skin tight and not something any sane person would pick to wear to school but I could pull it off with the hot weather and the denim jacket I'd placed over it. I thought it had been a dress at first, however, the outfit was actually a two piece but they melted together. It was just simple and white, a spaghetti strapped crop top and skirt to match, although the skirt was unnecessarily short and the top showed cleavage, I didn't feel as horrible as I thought I would in it. In fact, I did actually feel quite beautiful in it, even if it showed a bit too much flesh and he'd paired it with golden heels which pinched my toes.

"I'm going to go find the boys, meet you at your locker?" Matt slaps my ass and walks away without waiting for me to reply, making me roll my eyes. I sling my bag over my shoulder and place my sunglasses on my nose.

By direction of Matt, I'd kept my makeup light and the white colour of the clothing worked really well with my blonde hair flowing down my back and my natural tan. It was the first time in a while I'd felt pretty.

Time to make a good first impression.

The closer I come to the school the more people turn and stare, like usual. I greet the familiar ones, smiling and waving politely while thanking the glasses for hiding my gaze from the people that were unfamiliar to me. I could feel glares from them as my hair swung and I knew they were probably waiting for me to be the Queen Bitch of the school, to be a total cliche like Tracey or the three witches. But I wasn't like them.

I hated being mean, I hated being judged constantly for my actions and I would never purposely hurt someone to improve my social standing. I'd managed to stay pretty true to myself despite my look and attitude when I was with Matt. Sure everyone has moments of bitchiness or not getting along with someone, but unnecessary hatred wasn't something I needed more of in my life.

Kristie always joked that there was 'Anna' and there was 'Elle', and although we laughed about it, it was kind of true. 'Anna' was the golden girl, Matt's girlfriend, one of the 'populars', the image of a perfect all American girl. But then there was Elle, and she was the real me, the girl who was too scared to show her true self, who'd had so many years of hatred and pain that she no longer enjoyed life. The girl that only a few people really knew, who loved photography and animals and music and never wanted to be in the spotlight. That was me, but it all came under the name Annabelle. Although my father was the only person to call me that. Matt used to call me Elle but that stopped a few years ago when he realised my father hate it, and that's exactly why Kristie liked calling me it so much, just to annoy him. She'd called me it for years before that too but it was now like a second personality for me.

I was now just a few metres away from the front door of the high school and I could already see the change; it sounded louder, there was more excitement in the air and the entrance was crowded with people who I'd never seen before. Eastern Valley Woods had arrived.

They wore leather jackets and dark colours, their skin darker than most people here like they had spent a long time in the sun, maybe they do a lot of outdoor work or something? A lot of them were smoking which is something that hardly anyone at our school did, it never gave anyone a very good image and Matt forbade me from even trying it, let alone to stand on the front steps of our school doing it.

As I walked closer to them the clicking of my heels must have caught their attention because one of them started nudging the person beside them, not being so subtle in directing their attention to me.

I scoff under my breath and thank my sunglasses yet again, I couldn't be bothered with their attention, it was caveman like to stand and ogle girls on your own, and being in a group just made it worse.

I straighten my back and lift my chin higher, determined to walk strongly past them and not let their stares effect me.

But as I near towards them one of them shouts at me and feel my heart rate increase, "Bring that ass over here!" He yells and it makes me feel a little sick, did he honestly think that worked on girls?

"You look like an angel, you fall from heaven?" Another calls as I begin to climb the steps and I prepare myself for going past them. Despite their words and their attitude, a feeling inside of me keeps making me want to go over to them, to turn and look.

It's the same feeling I'd had since I heard they were coming here and I put it down to curiosity and because they were so different from the guys around here. Whatever it was it made me look at them again and as soon as I did I regretted it.

There was a guy I hadn't seen the first time I looked at them and now I had to wonder how he hadn't caught my eye because he was gorgeous. His olive skin was glowing and his dark and chiselled features just added to his entire aura; he was dangerous and mysterious and I couldn't draw my eyes away from him as he towered over the other males around him.

His head turns to look at me and despite my glasses, I felt his gaze connect with mine and my legs shake beneath me, stumbling as they take a step and when I try to correct myself I feel my heel catch on an edge and I go flying forward, my face heading straight for the ground. I put my hands out to stop myself from falling onto the concrete floor and prepare for the pain but it never comes.

Instead, I feel a jolt and my sunglasses fly, crashing to the ground but my body stays still, my face safely at least a foot away from the hard surface.

I suddenly realise that there are arms wrapped around my midsection and I'm being gently placed on my feet, tingles erupting as fingertips graze against my skin.

As I steady myself on my feet the hands don't remove themselves and I cautiously start to trail my eyes up, taking in the persons tanned skin, their bulging biceps and toned chest covered in a leather jacket. My breath halts in my throat as I reach a jaw that looks like it has been carved from stone and the tiny dots of stubble somehow make it look even better. I follow the dip of their chin and find their lips, they look soft and smooth and they sit slightly open as if they were frozen in time.

And finally, I reach their eyes and if I thought that my body felt weak before then I had no idea what I was talking about because I could have melted into a puddle then and there.

Their colour was golden and they almost looked unnatural. Stunning, but no less slightly frightening as they stared at me, making me feel like they could see inside my mind and read my deepest secrets. Dark lashes and arched brows accompanied them and when I saw the dark hair upon his head I knew who it was.

It was him.

The guy I had been staring at.

I couldn't move for a second, feeling as if the world had stopped and he and I were alone. It washed over me like he was everything I had been waiting for, like this whole time I was missing him and never even knew.

I quickly shake myself out of that thought and take a step back from the guy, not realising how close I actually was to him. Matt would have a field day if he saw me.

I clear my throat and tuck my hair behind my ear, trying not to look into his eyes, "Thank you for that, I appreciate you not letting me fall."

He's silent in response and it forces me to look at him despite my better judgement, and I see his eyes taking in my entire body.

"Maybe it has to do with the death traps on your feet?" He offers and my body shakes at the velvety smoothness of his deep voice, my stomach erupt in butterflies.

"Well, maybe it had to do with your friends making me uncomfortable." I counter and he raises his eyebrow at me as if he is impressed.

"I apologise for them," He states and I look at him surprised, "We're not a pack of animals, we do have manners." The group behind him chuckle and he joins in as if they've all just shared a joke.

"Well, they're not making a very good first impression." I fold my arms across my chest and his eyes flick down, making me blush as I realise the action makes my chest more exposed. I quickly drop my arms.

"You're right," He starts, extending his hand to me, "Let's start fresh, my name is Trent." I glance at his hand hesitantly before taking it, not wanting to seem rude but also afraid that Matt could see me.

"I'm Elle," I reply, shocking myself at the name that had come out of my mouth. I should have said, Anna. "I mean Anna." I correct and then I feel the tingles up my hand again as his skin touches mine.

This is so weird.

"So is it Elle or Anna?" He chuckles, not letting go.

I blush even more and cringe, "It's both, well I mean my name is Annabelle but I get called either." I explain and he thinks for a moment.

"And do you also go by Annabelle?"

"No."

My blunt reply seems to shock him a little and he frowns at me, perhaps noticing the way my voice hitched slightly and I quickly giggle, flicking my hair over my shoulder.

"You can call me Anna." I offer and he smiles warmly, his teeth glinting in the sun and I have to make myself breathe, Jesus was this guy a model?

He goes to say something but my eyes glance behind him and I see Matt and the three musketeers heading up the path, not noticing us yet.

I was in so much trouble if he saw me.

"It was lovely to meet you but I really have to go." I rush out, beginning to walk away but Trent's hand shoots out and stops me, gripping onto my wrist. I turn and look at him in panic and he frowns.

"Wait, what class are you in, I could walk with you? We're all a bit lost." He chuckles and I frantically try to think of something to say. My eyes dart to Matt and my stomach drops as I see him about two metres away, his eyes glaring daggers at Trent.

"I think there's an orientation thing for you guys in the gym hall." I offer with a smile trying to tug myself away but he doesn't let go and I feel like screaming at him. Matt was going to kill me.

"We don't know where that is." Trent's eyebrows furrow further and I think my smile cracks because his eyes dart around briefly, "Is everything okay? I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you."

He seems so genuine that my chest hurts and I want to stand and explain everything to him but I can't.

"Look I'd love to help you but I just really need to go please just-"

"Maybe I can help, is something-"

"No please just-"

"Anna."

The voice makes me freeze and my stomach feels like it's just dive-bombed off the side of a cliff. The hairs on my arms stand up and I think Trent can feel my fear because his face turns dark and he turns to look at Matt, releasing my arm in the process.

I feel relieved he's let me go but my whole body tenses as Matt smiles at me and wraps an arm around my waist.

"Matt, this is Trent, he was asking if I knew the way to the gymnasium," I explain, hoping it puts him at ease, "Trent this is Matt, my boyfriend."

His reaction is unusual, it's as if he can't believe I have a boyfriend. I knew my outfit was a bit revealing but I didn't realise it meant I couldn't have a boyfriend.

"Boyfriend?" He chokes out and I nod in response, kissing Matt on the cheek in the hopes of making it more obvious and stopping the conversation.

What was wrong with him?

"If you want someone to help you to the gymnasium, my boys and I would be more than happy to escort you," Matt smirks, Luke, Andy and Carter taking their places beside him, "Afterall, I don't know if I'd be comfortable leaving my girlfriend with a bunch of East Siders."

I gasp at his words and Trent's expression turns murderous, the boys behind him suddenly standing and surrounding him, the mass of them completely intimidating.

"What the fuck was that, pretty boy?" Trent snarls and Matt laughs, letting go of my shoulders to take a step forward, coming almost chest to chest with Trent.

"You heard me, I don't want her around scum like you." He spits and I watch Trent's fists clench, his friend's eyes darting to each other as if they were getting ready to pounce.

Although Matt was quite large he was smaller than Trent and not to mention there were at least over ten guys from EVW and Matt only had three. This didn't look like good odds.

A certain part of me wanted to see him get hit, no one from this school would ever do it, but a larger part of me cared about him. Plus, if he came home in a bad mood I would be the one to take the brunt of it.

"Matt," I say softly, taking his hand and he looks at me with contempt, his eyes hard and I flinch back in response. "People are watching," I whisper hesitantly, knowing that it might be the only thing that would stop him from making a scene, "You don't want people to see you being unwelcoming do you?" He doesn't look convinced, "Plus they're not exactly worth your reputation."

He glares at me for a second and then turns, assessing the crowds of people around him, most of whom are listening in. He returns his gaze back to me and smiles, "You're right," He leans in and yanks my waist into him, his lips landing on mine before I can even breathe. Relief settles over me, even though I feel bad for saying something mean, if it stops a fight then it's worth it. After a few seconds, he pulls back and smirks at Trent and his friends, "Just a bit of fun boys," He grins, winking at Trent, "Welcome to North Valley Woods High School."

Without waiting for them to reply Matt leads me away from them and I don't dare look back.

"Fucking assholes," Carter growls as we walk through the halls and I frown, takes one to know one Carter. "Can't blame them for wanting a piece of ass like Anna here to show them around though." I look at him in disgust and he sneers back, his eyes roaming all over me and it makes me want to vomit.

"Watch it." Matt laughs and I want to scream at him, how could he kick off from someone talking to me when Carter makes comments like that.

I stay quiet for the rest of the walk to my locker, listening to the boys make horrible comments about the new kids and what they want to do to them.

I try to block them out.

Trent didn't seem like a bad guy, why was there such a bad reputation about East Valley Woods, surely people only a few miles away couldn't be that different to us?

Could they?

"You guys go ahead, I need to talk to Anna," Matt's voice snaps me out of my thoughts and I realise we're standing beside my locker

The boys all nod and walk away, still continuing to talk about how their school had been 'infested'.

"So... want to explain what happened outside?" Matt grits out quietly as I put in my lock combination and I can feel his fingers curling and uncurling beside me.

I shrug casually, placing my books in my locker, "He stopped me on the steps to ask where the gymnasium was, that's all." I tell him, not wanting to add in that I almost fell – that would only cause Matt embarrassment.

"And?" He hisses.

"And nothing, he just stopped me and-"

His hand slams on the metal, "Don't lie to me." He leans towards me and stares straight into my eyes, "Truth."

I take a deep breath before smiling at him sweetly, "Baby, nothing happened. He stopped me to ask where to go and when I tried to walk away he took my wrist which is what you saw, honestly."

"Why didn't you push him off," Matt growls and I cower slightly, doing my best to give him the best puppy dog eyes I can muster.

"I tried to but he wouldn't let go."

Matt looks at me before realizing that I'm telling truth and then he grabs the arm Trent had and looks at it. "Are you ok? He didn't hurt you did he?" he asks with actual concern on his face. I feel like laughing at the irony of the situation but I manage to keep it in.

"No, he didn't. I'm okay," I give him my trademark smile and he seems pleased with my answer.

"Can all East Valley Woods High School Student's please make their way to the gymnasium."

The voice over the tannoy echoes around the hall and most of the sound dies with it, people waiting in anticipation.

There's the sound of doors opening behind Matt and I look up to see whats happening and realise my mistake as soon as I see the flash of tanned skin. Matt moves to stand beside me and glares at the approaching figures, his eyes not leaving them.

The huge group of students fill the hall and they stroll down the corridor as if they owned the place, their smirks and laughter following them. They all look like they're part of a massive family and their clothes all link with each other. Their look is intimidating and rough, almost like a biker gang and the image of them all on motorbikes springs to my head; I could see it. Even the smaller kids that looked like Freshman looked bigger than average, it was like they were all bulking from birth.

The men all look like fighters and the women look just a tough, their heels clicking as they walk and I have to give them praise for being able to walk as confidently as they do, especially in a new school.

At the very front of the group leading them is a huge, rugged figure with dark hair and piercing gold eyes that sweep over their surroundings.

My heart hammers in my chest as they turn and look at me, their gaze not leaving mine as they walk straight past me and Matt, making it extremely obvious.

"Why is he staring at you?" Matt hisses and I shake my head as I watch his back disappear around the corner with everyone else.

"I don't know," I answer honestly and Matt huffs, starting to complain about stalkers or something and how they needed to be put in their place, but I ignore it.

There's only one thing sticking out in my mind.

What did he want with me?