I purse my lips as I stare at my reflection in the full-length mirror behind my room door. I turn around, and tilt my head giving myself a once-over. I am wearing my blue jeans that is thin at the waist but a little baggy at the legs with my favorite white converse and a black long-sleeved shirt with white strips. Pretty decent for my first day of school. (Right?)

I stare at my long wavy hair that seems like it was attacked by a beast. I walk to my vanity and sit down on its chair. Opening a drawer, I pull out a brush and run it through my hair making it seem more tame. I don't want to pull it up in a braid or ponytail. I want everyone to see my hair in its entirety. Searching another drawer, I bring out my strawberry lip gloss and ran it over my lips to give it more of a reddish tint. Smiling, I stand up from my vanity and walk back to the mirror behind the door and give myself a nod of approval. Now satisfied, I pick up my bag and walk out of my room.

Descending the stairs, I am greeted with the beautiful aroma of freshly made coffee which is surprising because it is much too late for coffee as my dad leaves for work very early in the morning. 

I turn the corner and find dad posed over a newspaper on the dinning table, coffee mug in hand and eyes roaming a page, obviously the sport section. He wouldn't have a reason to pick up a newspaper otherwise. 

I plop my bag on a nearby chair as I make my way to the cupboards and search for my favorite cereal. 

"Morning. Ready for your big day?"

I wince as I reach into the fridge for milk. He didn't notice because of whoever made a touchdown in the newspaper. I shrug, trying to feign as much nonchalance as I can, as I take a bowl and pour in some milk. I try schooling my features, careful not to let any of my nervousness show. Jeez Lorelei, get your act together!

"Ready as I'll ever be and please don't make it sound like I'm getting married or joining a convent" I roll my eyes playfully as I settle down in a chair beside him "And what are you doing here anyway?"

He gestures to his newspaper and I can't help but smile

"You know what I mean. You're never home by this time"

He winces and I wonder if this is one of the things he guilts himself with. "Well, my boss told me that he'll cut me some slack since it's my first day; and not to mention that he knows about you and wouldn't mind me driving you to school on your first day"

I cringe at the last part. I don't really hate the idea of dad dropping me off at school and I am definitely not embarrassed by him. It's just that I would like to avoid a very sensitive topic and the odds of avoiding it in the car together has dropped to zero. I look at dad and try not to laugh at his reaction

"Oh? Is the high school senior too old to have her dad drop her off at school? Don't worry I understand..." dad says in a hurt voice

"Da-"

"...not! I'm taking you to school" I couldn't help but laugh. Turns out he wasn't hurt. "Fine" I say as I turn to the backyard. I haven't really seen it since I came here and I'm surprised to see trees. Lots of them spreading from our backyard to others'. It's like a freaking forest in there. I stare, wondering what could be lurking in the shadows of the trees. I am not adventurous in the least but I am pretty curious and I can't deny that I feel a pull towards something in the forest. Like I am being compelled to walk through those trees and search for something or someone and I really want to but the thought of the shadow I saw yesterday stops the stupid ideas from circulating in my head. What if there are more of...that thing in there? Something faster than a car? And what if it's a wild animal like a bear or a wolf? After all this place is called Wolfridge and I do not want to be the human snack of a probably starved wolf.

I turn back to my bowl and find it empty. My dad did say I tend to eat faster whenever I am deep in thought so I guess it's true. Turns out my love for food transcends the realm of consciousness.

I stand up and place my bowl in the sink with dad on my heels placing his mug in the sink too. He pats my shoulder as he walks out of the kitchen and towards the foyer, grabbing his keys from the key rack beside the front door.

"Let's go. Don't want to be the cause of your tardiness"

I sigh. On one hand, I don't want to go early and seem like a nerd but on the other hand I don't want to go minutes before class with the hallway filled to the brim with students. Guess I'll go early then.

Reluctantly I step to my bag and swing it over my shoulder as I make my way to the front door. Dad waits for me in the car as I grab my keys from the rack and step outside. I lock the door behind me and descend the few steps towards the driveway. I already have my license since I'm 17 so I can drive anywhere I want. But dad never allows me to drive, something about drunk drivers and whatnot. And I never really had anywhere to drive to so I didn't really complain. Now I hope I can change that at least.

I plop into the front passenger seat and strip on my seatbelt. Dad reverses out of the driveway as I stare out the window doing a mental countdown.

I give him 3 seconds. 3...2...1...

"Lee" never fails.

"Yes dad?"

"Are you sure about this? You don't have to go to school to have a high school diploma. You can get it through homeschooling. You don't have to do this"

I sigh. This was the sensitive topic I very much wanted to avoid. "It's okay dad. I made the decision, I want to come out of my shell and have at least one memorable year in high school"

He glances at me "Okay but you could have worn a wig. No one knows the color of your hair yet so I'm sure it would've been easier to make friends if you did"

"Dad, I don't want to have friends who like me because I look different and when the truth comes out, because it will, they will just...leave. And you know I look hideous in any wig" I know dad is saying this out of concern but I really don't need that right now. "I'll be fine dad" I try to assure him. He lets out a long sigh "Yes you will. You'll be fine, you'll be fine" he repeats it as assurance for me and maybe himself. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

It only took five minutes to get to school and I was a little disappointed. As I look up to the front entrance, my disappointment rises as I notice the school's name: Wolfridge High. Typical.

With a small sigh I exited dad's car giving him a small wave. "Remember Lee, you are strong and you are normal" I turn around and walk away, tucking his words deep in my heart. As the distance between us grows, I have the urge to run back to dad and make him hold my hand as he leads me to the office. He would certainly do it and I am ashamed of thinking something so childish. My hands are suddenly sweaty and my heartbeat is increasing in pace with stupid butterflies roaming free in my stomach. It's either because this is literally my 'First Day' in two years or because it's my senior year, a year praised as a very important year in a high schooler's life. Maybe both.

I make my way toward the entrance. I feel like a hole is going to be burned through my head with all the stares directed my way. Great, now I'm the new talk of the school, guess coming this early isn't early at all. It's the middle of October, at least one month after school started so I get the stares at least.

I straighten as I push open one of the double doors leading into the school. It might not have been anything much to any other person but I on the other hand am fascinated. The floors are marble and right in the middle of the foyer is a double staircase sharing a railing in the middle. I spot lockers beyond them, painted yellow and black with different designs. Beside the left staircase is a showcase with framed certificates, team jerseys and other miscellaneous that can only represent the school in black and yellow. Further down on my left are another pair of double staircase this time leading down, into the lower half of the school. And right beside where I stand on my left is a pair wider single staircase leading to the floor above coming after each other. I turn right and notice a long hallway of shining marble tiles and dizzying designs of black and yellow lockers and a door which says 'Main Office' in bold letters across from the stairs leading down. Beside the door is wide counter and ladies answering calls. I walk towards them and offer a bright smile.

"Hi, I'm Lorelei Caddel. A new student?"

One of the women glances at me, phone on one side of her ear. She has glasses and her dark brown hair in a ponytail. She has a sweater on and a pair of leggings. Must be really comfy. She pulls the phone away and places her hand over it "New student? Walk through the main office door" with that she returns to her call not giving me a chance to thank her. I turn towards the main office door and let out a very girly yelp at the sight of what seems like a wolf. Well, it's a portrait of a huge black wolf with yellow eyes that gleam of intelligence no animal should ever have. I didn't even notice the man sitting at the table in front of the painting and I try to recollect myself into some semblance of maturity. 

"Hi, I'm Lorelei Caddel. A new student"

"Ah Miss Caddel. Welcome! Please sit" He gestures to a chair in front of his table. I take a seat not bothering to look around his office as my eyes are glued on the wolf. Why would he have such a painting in his office?

"I'm the principal of Wolfridge High and you can call me Mr. Montez" He reaches out a hand and I take it. His hands are unnaturally large or maybe mine are small. He hands me my schedule and I take it, running it through.

Math- Room 09 : James 

English-Room 110: Emily 

History-Room 210a: Ryker 

Lunch

Science-Room 220: Brenda 

Wellness Education-Room 120 &Gym: Charlotte

Nothing weird, well except for the fact that my teachers do not have last names and the annoying fact that I have math first thing in the morning. At least PE is last period which is A-okay for me. I lift my eyes and look at Mr. Montez "Thank you"

"You're welcome. And let me just say that I hope you have a wonderful year here-" His voice zones out as I stare at the wolf who seems to stare right back at me. I feel like it's observing me, daring me to touch it or come near it and I want to. Just a little more-

"Miss Caddel?" I jolt back to reality as I drop my outstretched hand to my side. He looks between me and the painting one brow raised. "So, you like wolves?" try to make small talk then leave. That's my poorly planned escape.

"Well yes I do" he replies leaning on his table. "I see. Goodbye then" with that I rush towards the door. I exhale and try to breath the image of that wolf out of my head. Now let's find my locker then my first class. I walk forward, convinced that the day couldn't get more embarrassing when I slam right into someone's body. The person must be very sturdy as I am the only one falling backwards right now. I close my eyes, waiting for my ass to hit the ground and for laughter to ring around me but I never feel the cold welcome of marble. Instead I feel two large hands on my waist pulling me into a hard chest. I don't dare open my eyes as color rises from my neck to my ears. I expect smoke to rise from my head any minute, a clear sign of how I might die from embarrassment. 

"Are you okay?" the voice of my savior snaps me back to reality and makes me realize that I am still in the arms of this stranger. I open my eyes and tilt my head upward to look at his face. How is it legal for someone to be so tall?! I can barely see a thing and my neck is starting to hurt as I crane more to look. He must be over six foot! Maybe 6'5'' or something and I suddenly feel like a dwarf 5'6" tall. After much craning I finally look into his eyes and I could feel my jaw drop.

As I stare at him I can't help but notice how handsome he is. He has jet black hair and eyes as blue as the ocean. Those eyes of blue captivate me, drawing me into a trance where all I can see, hear, smell and feel is him. He smells like nature, trees and lakes. And I am acutely aware of his heartbeat which seem to match up with mine. I try to speak, say anything to get out of this trance but my voice won't come. My voice has failed me when I need it most.

I notice his hands are still around me, protectively. Snapping back to reality I push against him and he lets me go like he snapped out of a trance too. As if. I run my hands over my clothes smoothening it. Doing anything to distract myself from those orbs of ocean blue but the temptation to stare right into them and drown in them is too much.

Giving in, I looked back at him taking his full form. He really is tall, his body towering over me. He has a cross earring on his left ear lobe which makes him hotter than should be considered normal. No! He is wearing a black shirt with two or three buttons loose at the top giving me an amazing view of his muscles. Stop! With this he has on black jeans and black sneakers with white lines. I actually wonder how his lower half will look without those distractions called clothes. Stop you promised yourself you wouldn't! I gulp trying not to picture anything inappropriate with him standing in front of me.

The sound of his husky voice brings me back to reality. Partly. 

"You okay?" He repeated. His eyes were cold but I could see concern somewhere in there and that made me jittery inside. I nod since my voice apparently went on vacation.

"Are you new? Never seen you before"

Again I nod. Damn his sexiness and its effect on me. Damn.

I spot a hint of a smile and I foolishly smile in return. What is wrong with me? Why am I acting like a fangirl over a hot guy I just met? At least now I understand fan girls better.

"Looking for the office?"

I nod. I might as well be dumb. It takes me a second to realize that the office is right behind me and I shake my head violently. He chuckles, a very beautiful sound. "Okay then. By the looks of it you have your schedule so you're good. Just keep in mind that rooms 1-100 are on the first floor, rooms 101-200 are on the second floor and rooms 201-250 are on the third floor"

I nod and give him a weak smile before making my way around him. It wasn't until I almost bumped into another body that I noticed the other two guys behind him. How did I not notice them before?

I try to feign nonchalance, replaying the ordeal in my head...dammit! I don't know his name. Well it's not like I have a chance with that hottie anyway even though I can feel eyes on me. I turn into the first hallway I see and slump against the wall feeling breathless. What the freak? Why am I breathless after one encounter with a random guy? He's not the first hot guy I've seen, though he is the hottest, so why am I behaving this way? This is unusual even for me.

I straighten my shoulders and skim through my schedule. Math- Room 09. Luckily I am still on the first floor so I look to the door nearest to me, 32, and sigh. This school is ridiculously large.

With my nose glued to my schedule I didn't dare make eye contact with anyone fearing that the whole school must have heard about my embarrassing display in front of the main office. And I am also trying to memorize my class number so that I won't have to pull out my schedule every time the bell rings for the start of the next class. I know I look stupid but I'm trying to save myself from any further embarrassment.

I find my class after what felt like an eternity of walking. I feel relief as I step into class seconds before the bell rings. I survey the classroom and find a seat at the middle of the row beside the door. I make my way to the seat and notice a group of students surrounding a guy with familiar hair and ocean blue eyes. They all glance at me and murmur among themselves making it painfully obvious that they're talking about me. I suddenly feel self-conscious. Is there something on my face? Is my lip gloss smeared? Is my hair frizzy? As I spiral in my thoughts, I notice Mr. Hot looking at me with open concern. Can he hear how fast my heart is beating?

Before getting into a full blown panic attack dad's words ring in my head. I am strong. I am normal. I let out a breath and look each one of the murmurers in the eye and give them a smirk. I flip my hair and sit down as elegantly and threateningly as I can. I hear a very familiar chuckle and my breath catches. Feeling a slow blush rise on my face I take out a book from my bag and bury my face in it. I don't know how long I stared at letters until the door opened and I heard footsteps.

I look up and find an average sized man with short brown hair, brown eyes and a long beard standing in front of the class. He is wearing a dark blue shirt that has equations sprawled on it and khaki pants with sandals. Not too bad I guess.

"Good morning class"

I expected everyone to respond 'good morning' but everyone just smiled and nodded at him. He looks around and smiles at everyone but he bows his head at one person in particular. I trace his gaze and it lands on my Mr. Hot. Wait not my, just Mr.Hot. Well he has a nonchalant expression on his face and I notice a clenched jaw as he fidgets under my scrutiny. But he doesn't look at me at all. Somehow I feel disappointed and turn back around angry. Why I don't know. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally! Lunch time. My pit of a stomach growls in anticipation as the scent of chicken nuggets and poutine wafts through the air. I even smell pizza. It's school food but who cares? Food is food and my stomach agrees.

I settle with a little of everything. One slice of double cheese pizza, a plate of poutine and three pieces of fried chicken. Oh and a can of Pepsi of course. I would have bought more but I don't want to seem like a glutton. Have to keep up appearances.

I walk away from the line and search for an empty table. I would prefer not to sit alone but what can I do? I'm new. I find a table deep in the hall and walk towards it. I slide in and start to devour my pizza. I let out small groan. I look around and noticed no one is looking my way. Phew, no one heard. I continued chewing my pizza when I noticed a girl walking out of the line with a plate of poutine. She has shoulder length brown hair and sharp brown eyes with light freckles on her cheeks. She's pretty. I contemplate inviting her to my table when a girl with bright blonde hair and jade eyes walks up to her and knocks her poutine to the floor. I seethe with rage at the waste of good poutine. I mean, whatever the brown-haired girl did has nothing to do with the poutine. It's innocent. 

"Who said you could eat?" the blondie shrieked. The other girl just bowed her head, looking at the floor. I can't believe I am seeing such drama on my first day here. "Answer me!" THWACK came a slap on brunette's face. I flinch, dropping my pizza on my plate. I look around expecting someone, anyone, to step in but no one did. Even the lunch ladies continue serving food like robots. Most people look away as if this is a normal thing, and I shudder at the thought. Brunette doesn't react and earns herself a second slap. "Are you dumb?" blondie raises her hand to deliver a third and I stand up and try to make my way there to stop her. What gives her the right to abuse people like this? But I fear I won't make it in time. I look around as I walk. No one is making any move to stop her. I look back, expecting the loud noise of a slap.

"Elane"

Blondie stops and I turn my head and find Mr. Hot standing behind brunette with his 'bodyguards' behind him(I have a lot of nicknames for people now). I sigh of relief. He's nice, he saved me from first-hand embarrassment  and even smiled at me. He'll help brunette and put that Elane witch in her place. I smile as I step closer. I'm a few feet away from brunette now and I turn to Mr. Hot but whatever hope dashes as he walks right past brunette like she's a ghost. He walks towards Elane and she smiles at him looking like a nightmare in every child's dream. She clings unto his arm like an accessory and I ball my first to stop myself from yanking her away from him.

"Xavier" she purrs and she walks away with him, his bodyguards and other girls who can only be her bodyguards. Everyone returns to their lunch not a second thought spared for poor brunette. I should do that too. Pretend I didn't see anything and ignore the lonely girl with both sides of her face bruised and her lunch on the floor. But I can't. I don't know what she's hated for but she reminds me of myself. At least my past self.

I walk to her and tap her shoulder "Hey. Sorry I couldn't make it here faster to stop her"

She chuckles darkly "You wouldn't have been able to. No one can except Xavier" Xavier. I tuck that name in my head

"Maybe" I want to ask if she's okay but I bite the question back. It's foolish at best, insulting at worst. Of course she's not okay, she just got slapped and humiliated. And worst of all her lunch is scattered on the floor. "You gonna eat that or do you want to eat poutine that is safely on a table?" I ask if only to lighten the mood. It works, she laughs.

"You don't want to be friends with me. You just saw what happened, it might happen to you too"

"Yes it might, but you don't have to worry about me. I'm tougher than I look...sometimes" at this she giggles in her palm and smiles at me. It is one of the most beautiful smile I have ever seen, third only to my dad's and Mr. Hot's half smile even though the thought of him pisses me off right now. 

I lead her to my table and share my lunch with her. She doesn't eat too greedily and it makes me like her more.

"Lorelei. You can call me Lori or Rey or Lee but my dad calls me that"

"Jessica. You can call me Jess"

"Nice to meet you Jess" I stretch out my hand

"Nice to meet you Rey" she takes it and we shake hands.

As I continue my lunch with my new friend I can't help but feel that there is something weird about this school. There is obviously a hierarchy and it is not something cliche like cheerleaders or jocks or nerds. There is something deeper and I'm going to find out what it is.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well there's my third chapter! It's not much of a great chapter but I promise it'll get better from here. I'll try to upload as soon as I can, seeing as I am swamped with work through out the week.

But who do you guys think Lorelei's Mr. Hot is? Hmm....;D

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I'll be uploading again soon and please don't be a silent reader.

Follow, comment an vote!

Thanks and se ya'll later!