School.

A dreadful place to most of the subordinates in there, but for me?

For me this was an escape.

An escape to a chaotic life that I never wanted. Pain and drama I never wished to live.

I looked at all the faces of people I passed by, engrossed in talks of boy bands, holidays, girls, sports, etc.

I looked at each smiling face that passed by. All were laughing and going on with their day with no care in the world.

I reached my locker and after turning the combination, started to take out all the contents I needed for first period.

"What's a fine thing like you doing all alone?" A voice said nearby me.

I rolled my eyes and turned to see Scott Dawer, captain of the football team. Dark auburn hair, enchanting blue eyes and an ego that surpasses Mt. Everest.

"Well, I was trying to get away from you. It doesn't seem to be working," I said matter-of-factly.

"Well how about you and me have a night out together?" He asked while his eyes not-so-discreetly went to my bosom.

I crossed my arms and glared at him, How about?" I pretended to consider the idea, watching as his eyes lit up with hope, "no," I ended.

"Just do this once for me, please?" He clasped both his hands together and batted his eyes.

"For the last time Scott, No!" I yelled slamming my locker for some kind of added effect.

I felt a hand being placed on my shoulder, and I nearly jumped out of my skin, "You heard her," a brilliantly, deep, charming voice said, "She ain't interested now off you go."

Scott obediently nodded his head and ran with his tail in between his legs.

That was a weird sight to behold. Scott practically running for his life.

Weird. I mentally mushed.

Now who could have such a strong effect on Scott Dawer?

I whirled my body around coming face to face with a storm not to be reckoned with. An unbelievably dangerous and enchanting storm.

Devante Greís.

I felt my throat run dry being near him. He has a notorious reputation for causing trouble. Mix with him and your dead.

He is what I fear Hugo started out as.

His eyes are a dark shade of blue filled with black spots around the iris. A combination that makes him look even more deadly. A wave of brown filled the top of his head.

He was unique. Different. Terrifying.

I shrugged his hand off my shoulder and hugged the books I had collected earlier close to my chest.

He smiled a devilish smile, one that reeked of danger, "What, no thank you?" He asked with a smirk.

He rarely smiled. Either he was in a good mood. Highly unlikely. Or today is the day where my immortality ends.

With this boy anything could happen.

I rapidly shook my head and stepped back, ready to leave, but he grabbed my wrist causing me to hiss in pain.

His smile quickly evaporated, and it was replaced by a deep frown. So much for that good mood.

He tightened his hold on my wrist causing me to hiss again, trying hard to free myself.

"L-let go." I weakly said trying to release myself.

He ignored me and just pulled my sleeve up to look at my wrist. A bruise was forming where his hand was currently holding, but that's not what his eyes were trained on.

His eyes were staring at the slit marks. The marks that were still healing. I should've left them bandaged until they healed.

He took a sharp intake of breath and looked at me, "Why do you hurt yourself?"

"Nothing you, or anyone can understand," I stated, while I successfully freed myself.

"You don't have to do this anymore, you can be helped. You just-"

"Shut up!" I angrily interrupted.

"You don't know anything, so stop acting like a saint, or worse, that you care. Youre just as bad as they are!" I continued ranting.

His eyes darkened. He knew what I meant. He knows about my kidnapper. I've seen him at the house before. Meeting with him.

"Don't ever compare me to that lowlife, I am nothing like him," his voice had dropped an octave lower, when he said those words.

"You are exactly like him," I hissed.

"Listen here girl, don't act as if you know every single thing about my life here, you know nothing." He angrily took a step towards me.

"Then don't act as if youre any good." I responded taking a step towards him. I wasn't afraid of him.

He angrily pushed the books I was holding and they fell to the floor. In response and with the built up anger I had.

I slapped him.

The gasps that resounded from the few people around immediately reminded me of exactly who I was around.

I froze as my eyes widened in realization. I quickly picked up my books and hurriedly walked to get to my class.

I turned back and I felt a chill run down my spine. He was facing me with a glare so menacing, it rivaled that of Hugo.

His hooded eyes were trained on me, hands clenched. I quickly averted my eyes from him and hurriedly continued walking.

My plan was never for this to happen. I just dug a very deep hole for myself.

I got in class just as the bell rung. I sat in my usual sit, which is normally only occupied by just me.

My first period was English, though I didn't show it, this was my favorite class. I liked drawing, writing and painting, like school it was my escape.

Our teacher, Mrs. Drell entered the class accompanied by a girl with blonde hair and green eyes.

A new student it seemed. Everyone was quiet, waiting for the introduction.

"Everyone, we have a new student this year," she spoke in an almost recited manner. She gazed at everyone to make sure she had our full attention, before finally turning to the girl and giving her a small smile, "Please introduce yourself to the class young lady."

Her green eyes sparkled with excitement and mischief. It gave her a sense of innocence and a soul filled with adventure and trouble. Her easy going nature assured me she would make friends right off the bat.

"My name is Chantel Quay. I am quirky, hardworking, fun and loving and I hope to get acquainted with you all," she said taking a bow.

Mrs. Drell nodded, "Okay Chantel, you can take a seat at any of the vacant spots."

I started to draw on my sketch pad, waiting for the lesson to start, when I heard it.

Screech!

The chair vacant to mine was pulled and someone sat on it. I looked to see the new girl sitting beside me and flashing me an easy going smile.

She drew out her hand for me to shake, "Hi, I'm Chantel Quay."

"Yeah, I kind of figured that out already," I stated with dire need to avoid this conversation. I turned a page and just drew random circles, trying to avoid her.

"Well what's your name?" She asked, not getting the hint that I did not want to talk.

"Azayleea--" "Whoa, that's a really pretty and unique name!" Chantel exclaimed, totally cutting me off.

I gritted my teeth and looked onwards to see Mrs. Drell addressing today's lesson and instructing everyone to take out their books for the day.

I took out mine and listened intently as she started to teach.

"So Azayleea, what do you say we hang out for lunch?" Chantel asked, while she jabbed at my stomach.

My left eye twitched and I exhaled a deep breathe, turning over to look at her with a look that showed her exactly how I hated that idea, "And what exactly gave you the idea that I would want to hang out?"

"Well, I feel like you and I can be really good friends," she stated with a huge grin.

I scoffed, "Sorry, I don't do friendship."

She looked shocked by my answer, "What? Are you telling me you don't have friends?" She asked, her eyes going an octave larger due to shock.

I balled my fists and begrudgingly replied, "No."

"Then we have to be best friends!" She said with a look of satisfaction, like she'd just solved world hunger.

"Let me think this over....No," I said, writing down notes Mrs. Drell was giving us for our next assignment.

"Come on!" She begged, but managed to get the attention of everyone around as she yelled it out.

"Miss Quay, Miss Mároo, please pay attention, I would hate to have to send you out of my class. Especially since this is your first day here Miss Quay," her eyes narrowed down on us, and we apologized.

"We'll be doing a group project this week. You'll be working in pairs, and I have decided that your desk partner will be working with you. Those of you who do not have a desk partner can partner up with any of the groups." A few Students without partners stood up and joined a group.

"Now-" she was interrupted when the door suddenly flew open and Devante stepped in. She didn't look pleased by this at all.

"Mr. Greís such incompetence and lack of punctuality is simply not allowed. I will have to give you detention," she handed him his detention slip, which he took with no word.

"Now since everyone else has a partner," she looked around, "Okay, Samantha, Adrian and Olivia pair up in three and everyone who isn't in three partner up!" She commanded.

Feet shuffled as they were heading towards the assigned position Mrs. Drell instructed, "Now that's sorted, Devante, you will be in Chantel and Azayleea's group," she said, and I banged my head on my desk.

Now I was officially going to meet my end. Though, it wouldn't be so bad.

He slowly made his way to my desk, and I looked up to see he's eyes trained on me. His face unreadable.

He reached our table and Mrs. Drell finally spoke, "Your project will be writing an essay based on the topic you'll be given. You'll be giving a presentation and be graded on your speech, props and length."

"Your speech should not be mediocre, no matter what topic you are given it is your duty as a team to make it presentable and eye catching."

She walked to each table, laying down a sheet of paper with the topic. She reached our table and placed the paper before handing out the last one.

I picked up the paper and smiled, "Well, what are we talking about?" Chantel asked.

"The Universe."

"Seriously?" Devante asked, "that's a really broad topic, what can we say about the universe?" He asked sounding deflated, like the topic was sucking the life out of him, kind of like what a Supernova does to other stars.

See what I did there?

As much as I preferred being along, I had to pair up with Chantel and Devante for this project.

We exchanged numbers, I didn't like it one bit, but we had to communicate somehow.

I had successfully avoided Devante for most of my classes, but I could see his steely eyes trained on me from the corner of my eye.

Fortunately, the day ended without a hitch.

It wasnt even long before I had received two texts, each with a different purpose.

I opened my phone and read both of them, both messages made my heart drop in their own way.

Hi! Im really looking forward to working on this project with you, and hopefully it will change your mind on the whole friendship thing ;-).

I hope you know that I wont let what I saw or what happened slide.