The double doors groan with each push and pull, propelling the wind to weave damp leaves between sneakers that squeak against the vinyl navy floor, smudging murky footprints in a layer of mushy sludge.

The crisp papers crinkle underneath your fingers, the layout of the school grounds resembling nothing more than an intricate puzzle that cannot be solved within your mind's eye. 

The wind tumbles, rolling up your back and down to your clutching hands, raising goosebumps along the skin. Shivers run down your spine, an exhale trembling from your lips. 

Students pass like sailing ships in the night, seeking the light that will bring them warmth and comfort. Murmurs are whispered, carried along the halls and the squeaking of footsteps gets louder, and louder; closer, and closer - and with a breath–

"Hi."

The scent of dampened earth and a whiff of fruity perfume gets lodged into your lungs from a passing student. Eyes flitting upwards, they're met with a soft honey amber. "Hello."

Much like bees, the three behind the boy that greets you send a warm smile in greeting. The girl behind him knocks Amber Eyes forward, causing the boy that greeted you, stumbling a foot forward. "Hi, I'm, uh - Chase Davenport." He turns briefly to introduce his siblings, and you find yourself smiling at them. 

It isn't until a moment afterwards that the neurons in your brain begin to fire as their last names click into place. "Wait as in the children of Mr. Davenport?" After they nod, your heart jumps in excitement. "Wow, I, uh - that's awesome."

"You're new here, right?" Bree asks, shuffling her purple binder into the bend of her arm.

"Oh, yes." Heart hammering and breath rattling, you thumb the paper within your fingers to smooth out the wrinkles. "I'm, uh, a little lost." A trembling chuckle, and then: "I have no idea where my classes are."

"I can help you." Chase takes an eager step forward. The scent of peppermint fills your lungs as he steps into your bubble. He smiles apologically as he shifts to look at the layout of the school grounds. "Do you have your schedule?" You shift your schedule on top of the school's layout. Eyes scanning, he smiles. "We take A.P Chemistry together, as well as a few other classes."

"Oh." Eyes catching for a moment, you look down at your schedule with a smile. "That's great, I thought I would've been totally lost."

"Not with me." He meets your gaze warmly. "I can be your tour guide, show you around."

"This school is not much," Bree says. "Once you get used to it, it's not so intimating."

Adam gleams underneath the fluorescent lights. "It'll be a playground afterwards."

"If you can't find Chase, we're here to help," Leo says, shrugging the straps of his backpack higher. "You're going to do great!"

The bell mounted in the hallway proclaims its ring, signifying the warning just before first period. 

The students scatter like rolling marbles, pushing and some knocking into one another to get to their destinations. Chase leads you to chemistry, showing the way and pointing down other halls to get to your other classes. 

Once at the door, students shuffle inside to sit at their seats. Palms getting clammy, you discreetly wipe them on your jeans. 

"Hey." Chase gently grazes your elbow, his smile reassuring. "Everything is going to be fine."

You smile, and walking inside he leads you to the empty seat beside his. Sitting in your seat, the tension in your fingers release the papers from your grasp. You were going to be fine with Chase Davenport by your side. Glancing at him for a moment, your eyes trail over his appearance; once, twice-

You look away, stomach fluttering. 

Well, Chase Davenport was cute.

○●○●

Mrs. Johnson pairs you and Chase up for chemistry, and from then on everything falls into place. 

You get pulled in like a magnet to the Davenport group, them taking you under their wings when you first get adjusted to the school. Two weeks into November and they have you wrapped around their finger, their easy going attitudes and charming - yet unique - personalities have you drawn like a moth to the flame.

They too are wrapped around your finger, seeking you out like the sailing ships in the night. They're fascinated by you; your stories, your personality, your normalcy. Having someone else in their group is a breath of fresh air, having someone to bond with is like leaping into a pool of water after an exhausting hot day. 

Friendship is easy-going, but when the whispering comes, your heart goes sinking like an anchor beneath the crashing waves. 

It's when they whisper to one another, rushed and alarmed that makes your nerves tremble from the sight. It's watching them go quiet when you near them, their eyes dropping away and not meeting your eyes that has your fingers clutching tighter to your books. It's when they rush off without so much a proper explanation that your mind races with worry.

They don't talk about it, and neither do you. But as far as that, everything is easy-going. 

You forget about it most days, forgetting it most when you spend time with Chase. It's easy, fun, and even doing school work together doesn't hinder that. You're allured; pulled into his orbit and even if the world continues spinning, he somehow stops it for the moment to show you the beauty of all things.

Much like a sailor, Chase searches the crashing waves until he can find his lighthouse; the light to guide him to warmth and comfort. Everytime he steps onto the school grounds, his eyes scan the ocean waves of crashing students until he sees his light. 

All it takes is smothering laughter, your twinkling eyes darting to meet him during class, that Chase is capitatived; hook, line, and sinker. 

○●○●

It's months later when it happens.

At the Davenport's house, you ooh and awe at the inventions that Leo proudly showcases, his smile wide and beaming, chest puffed up much like a preening bird. Chase shoos Leo away as well as his dangerous inventions so that you and him can work on your project in peace. 

Chase organizes your combined notes from chemistry when he asks, "Are you going to Spring Formal?"

Your fingers slow to a stop on the keys of your laptop before they pick up their former speed. Your eyes dart to your notes and then the screen. "I'm, uh, not sure." Eyes glancing toward his for a moment, you look away back to the screen to continue your essay. "What about you? Are you going?"

Chase fiddles with the chemistry notes as he shrugs. "Bree and Leo want to go, you know, to dance with Ethan and Janelle. Adam wants to go because of the food."

"But do you want to go?" Your fingers fly across the keyboard.

He scratches the back of his neck. "Uh…" He tries to gather the courage to ask you.

Your fingers come to a sudden stop. "Maybe… we can go?" You turn to look at him. "Together?"

"Like a date?" He stops breathing.

Your eyes scan his face, a hesitant smile forming on your lips. "Yeah, like a date."

Excitedly, Chase moves his hand from the back of his neck down into his lap, but in doing so, your notebook and books go flying off the glass table at a rapid speed, pages flapping from the sudden force.

You jump from the commotion, eyes flitting from the splayed books on the floor to the glass table. You look at Chase, lips parting and closing like a gaped fish. "What was… what was…"

"Don't freak out!"

Chase holds out his hands to steady you, but you shake your head at him. "What was that?! How did they go flying?!"

Chase holds your trembling hands in his. "I have something to tell you." Eyes meeting yours, he says, "I'm bionic."

You blink; once, twice. "What?"

Chase exhales a calming breath before he tells you. "I'm bionic. So is Bree and Adam." He goes on to explain, telling you everything. He tells you about Mr. Davenport, about his abilities and his siblings abilities and how they work, he tells you everything.

Afterwards, he waits, shifting on his seat on the couch to ease his nerves.

"So, you, Adam, Bree are bionic and go on secret life saving missions? And that ability you just used was Molecular Kinesis?" At his nod, a sudden, but pleasant smile spreads across your face before it dips into confusion. "Wait, I thought you had full control of your abilities."

"I do, it's just this ability I just recently discovered. I got too excited and, uh, glitched." Chase flushes at the admission.

"Oh." You look down with a smile, flattered. "That's still really cool. Amazing really."

He smiles for a moment before it drops. "Yeah, it is. But you have to promise you won't tell anyone."

You shake your head, fingers tightening on his. "Chase, I won't tell a soul. You and your family have done so much, and I won't jeopardize our relationship or your family's lives. I promise you, I won't say anything."

He gazes into your sincere eyes and he smiles, his body easing on a sigh. "Thank you."

You shake your head. "I promise, Chase." A smile overtakes your features a moment later, eyes gleaming with excitement. "You mentioned you had a lab?"

Chase can't help but laugh.

○●○●

The gymnasium floor is washed by littering lights; hues of purples, blues, and greens intervening in a fluid effortless dance, overlapping one another like the waves upon the shore. 

Students twirl and bop, dresses flowing like petals in the wind and boy's suits looking solid and sharp much like the rocks found along the coastline. Together they laugh, eyes shining and their bodies moving along to the beat of the music. 

Chase tugs at his tie, loosening it around his neck. Again, he feels lost at sea. His eyes scan the waves of dancing students, eyes seeking to find his lighthouse. 

He doesn't see it coming, but he feels it, the gentle graze on his elbow. He turns and sees your smile, eyes glittering underneath the merging colors of lights that resemble the Northern Lights. "Shall we?" You hold out your hand in offering.

He takes it as you lead him to the dance floor. He smiles at your confidence, and as you both come to a stop in the middle of the sea, the waves mellow out, the music shifts, and the once flurry of lights are a soft lull above. Bodies close, arms wrapped around one another, you sway to the siren's melody, enamored by one another. 

It's in this moment, he realizes, as you sway as one in the gentle sea, that he doesn't ever want to let go. He wants to embrace this moment, this feeling that he has with you. He knows deep down that you are his anchor, his siren's melody, his stars that shine above in the night sky. 

He knows that he can follow you out to a stormy sea and know that everything will be okay. He knows that you can dive deep and find his darkest insecurities and that you will cradle them in your gentle hold. He knows that with you, he can just be himself without worry, that you're willing to protect his and his family's secret. His heart flutters, and he doesn't want to be with anyone else.

As the melody swells and you lean in to press your lips against his, he knows that you feel the same about him. He sees the twinkle in your eyes when you pull apart and he smiles, leaning in to press his forehead to yours.

Yes, you are his lighthouse; the light to call him home.