I woke up with a tremendous headache as I wobbled out of bed to take medication against my cluster headaches. They're mega strong migraines and a super rare condition.

I had taken a high dosage yesterday, the fact that senior year is starting today has been stressing me out beyond measures. I came upon the mirror and it was then when I gulped in fear. My cuts and bruises! The bus!

I was more worried about what my mother would say at my current state but thank goodness she came in late from her shift. Wait a minute... If she didn't drive me from the scene of the accident then how did I get home? Something didn't add up.

I sat down at the edge of my bed; placed my head in the palms of my hands, gently shutting my eyes and rubbing my temples. My breathing hitched when i saw a vivid pair of grey eyes, they stared right at me, through all my defensive layers and right through my soul.

Dramatic? I know, being the head of the school paper gives me a mysterious and sometimes melodramatic tinge, keeps the readers interested.

You're talking to yourself again. Yeah, whatever, the best of us do.

Sighing, I went into the bathroom, that was joined to my room, and quickly got ready. Never was the type to take too much time anyway. I made sure to treat my cuts and cover any mark with some foundation. The cut just above my hip worried me but I brushed it off.

Breakfast was a quick egg à la omelette tipped with a pinch of salt and before I knew it I was making my way down the street of my cozy little neighborhood. The thought of school made me groan as I hoisted my backpack.

Sophia, my best friend ever since sixth grade when she spilled mashed potatoes on Bianca, wasn't going to be here for another week. Her family was relatively wealthy and they were currently on an extended vacation in Bali. Lucky.

The peachy walls of Westside high came into view and a gang of sports cars whizzed by me: two Ferraris, a lambo, a Bentley, a jeep, a Lincoln pathfinder and a prius - oh wait that's just good old Mrs. Whittaker! As for the rest, they were the official high society of our school. The golden boys.

There were the golden girls too but that's just too much drama. I have heels higher than their morals and I don't even wear heels.

I took the side entrance at the far end of campus when I noticed the school nerd: Andy, or was it Andrew? Being the total clutz that he was, he had trouble opening his locker so I offered to help. Smiling, I did a little voila gesture and he nodded gratefully. He was your typical big nose, dorky glasses, wheezy, and brown eyed nerd but he wasn't that bad after all.

Skylar, another close friend, crushed me into a massive hug as Alec and Toby joined us. I've known Toby since primary and Alec has only recently moved here last year. I felt a soaring pain in my side and I hissed in agony that went unnoticed.

"So I take it you missed me?" Skylar teased. I've seen her last week before I went to my grandma's.

"Nah, Not really." Alec and Toby grinned and she rolled her eyes.

Carter and his goons approached us and I felt Skylar stiffen from beside me.

"Good to see you guys," Carter gave a curt head nod to the boys as he smirked in my direction, "I need you to write an article about this year's football team and how amazing it's going to be."

"The clubs haven't even been decided yet, I still have to organize the department and the first newsletter will be out next week." I replied as he groaned.

"I need publicity. Can you make it the cover page?" He looked at me expectantly.

"No."

"I'll pay you." He chuckled.

To him, a hundred dollar bill was like a Kleenex tissue and I knew that all too well. Besides, I wasn't easily bought like most people around here.

"Why is it such a big deal? Just leave her alone." Alec sighed.

"I'll take the money and put my best convincing skills to the test." Toby grinned as Skylar swatted him on the arm. Serves him right.

"Thanks for nothing, Victory." It's Victoria. Carter was visibly mad but tried his best to keep his cool. His eyes focused onto every millimeter of my face and I looked down in fear that he'd notice my bruises and inquire after them.

"I hate that bell!" Skylar groaned as she gave me a quick hug and walked into class, tugging the boys behind her, probably relieved to be away from Carter. Let's just say they've got a very long dark history.

My first period ended up being chemistry. None of my friends were in this class. Great. I shuffled my feet and popped into class when I noticed Mr. Struch.

"Wasn't he the AP calculus teacher?" I ask the girl beside me and she nods her head in the most bored way.

Great. Definitely the wrong class.

I slide out of calculus earning a glare from the teacher but it's not like he ever liked me anyway. The second bell rings and I start running towards the - wait where am I going again?

I check the massive timetable on the wall when I notice And-something still about his locker. Did he bring his pet raccoon to school again? I slowly creep up behind him and I could've sworn he noticed me when I took my first step but I guess he didn't.

"Jesus you scared me!" He shrieked and shut the locker shut. Giving me a glare, he ran away in the most awkward penguin run and vanished. Weirdo.

Chemistry. Chem. Is. Try.

I spot the door and daft towards it. "Im sorry I'm la-" I crash into Andy and he falls onto the ground as echoes of laughter ricochet throughout the classroom.

"Well Victoria seeing as Andrew and you are late and we've already picked partners, you may team up." Mrs. Terrera says and Andy, I mean Andrew, gives me a dirty look.

Some guys at the back of the class snicker and secretly high five me as I chuckle. I seriously didn't mean to make a scene. Andrew sits down and looks away from me for most of the lesson.

The lesson drags on and I completely zone out as my thoughts turn to yesterday. I've been shoving it to the back of my mind the entire day and the images are now all coming out to consume me.

I remember the weird room and the accident but... how... did I get there? Stephanie's ringtone goes off and it's a tropical storm. Thunder.

I gulp as all the points link together. I was going back from grandma's house and then the bus skidded down the road in the storm an-

"Stephanie!" Mrs. Terrera shouts and she mumbles an apology.

I open the back of my notebook and begin to sketch everything I can remember. The road, the bus, the house and forest as well as the high antique windows however not the man as I didn't see much of him.

A part of me wants to go back and understand what happened last night but the more rational part is begging me not to.

A glass beaker falls onto the ground and I scream, clutching my head. The class suddenly turns towards me as I try to calm myself down. A sense of deja vu consumes me as I recall the sound of shattering glass of the bus.

"Relax, what was that about?" Andrew mumbles.

The bell rings as I bolt out of class ignoring him and the weird looks I probably received.

The day went by slowly and mom made me lunch when I got home. I spent some time with her and quickly fell asleep before I was awoken by several nightmares all relating to the same house.

I walked over to my window as I gazed at the light pooling into the bowl of the midnight sky: violet, amber and rose. The sky was soon obscured by two dark patches, they were gray and dismal, they were his eyes.

Sunrises have always calmed me down, there was a peculiar ambiance of serenity and solace within them, renewed hope and the ability to start over again, to bloom fresh.

Never have I ever viewed them in a tainted light before. I knew then that I wouldn't have my peace until I went back and uncovered exactly what happened that night and who was behind it all.

I knew then, that I would stop at nothing until I had gotten my answers.

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I hope you're having a great day with plenty of ice cream in your life :P
Thanks you so much for making it this far! I really appreciate it :)