"You're new."

The guy in white says, even before I'm anywhere near him and his friend.

He's too old to be a student, but also too young to be a teacher. So who is he and why is he standing in this empty school hallway, watching me walk toward him?

"I've seen you in town," he continues.

My runners squeak against the speckled green floors as I walk toward a guy with dark hair in a brown bomber jacket. He stands at an open locker in the otherwise deserted hallway, his cheeks reddened like he's just come in.

But it's the person beside him in a white t-shirt, who my eyes lock onto. He's so beautiful, with his sculpted cheekbones and jaw, that my breath hitches in my throat.

"You were with your sister outside the library," he continues. "I was wondering if you were coming to Everest."

He pauses after each of his sentences as if giving me time to jump right in.

When I don't he adds, "But then you didn't. Until now."

The guy with the red cheeks stops pretending he's not listening and gives us his full attention, his jacket freezing mid-arm by his elbows, revealing a broad chest and a blue long-sleeved top with a sports team I've never heard of.

He's cute too, but nothing like his friend in the white.

They're both so polished, so toned, that it's like wading through molasses to get past them. The one in white stares openly, his gaze gliding down my body and I swear he stops at the hem of my muddy jeans, taking in the dirt from my long walk here.

My steps slow until I come to a full stop across from him.

His eyes are a deep blue, but so piercing, I take a small step back.

"I'm Nick Wright."

I nod, acknowledging I've heard him. Still, my words stay locked inside me.

"And I'm Will," the dark-haired one says when he realizes his friend isn't going to introduce him.

Nick stands over me waiting, but when I don't speak, he runs his hand through his shoulder-length, blond hair. His gaze travels slowly over me again and pauses on my bandaged finger. "Do you need to go to the office?" he asks. "Do you want me to show you where that is?"

I shake my head a fraction.

He waits for more. 

But nothing more is coming.

Mom once said no one could love someone as secretive and quiet as a heavy steel safe where not even the right combination works. She was talking about Dad, but she could have meant me, too.

When I don't speak, he turns his back, his jaw hardening. "Suit yourself."

Will's gaze goes from me to Nick, and then back again as if waiting to see if I crack under the pressure of his friend's disapproval and the silence that fills the hall between us.

But I don't. I can handle silence.

When Will turns back to his locker, I release a pent-up breath.

It's better this way. I don't need 'friendship', especially from guys like them. I've decided after what happened in Bantry that I'm better on my own.

A bell rings, and the hall erupts as people stream out of classrooms. A wave of sound slams into my eardrums with the force of a body hitting water.  

Will glances over at me, and his eyes widen as he registers the growing panic on my face.

And suddenly  I'm surrounded.  

[Author's Note:

More to come soon. Let me know what you think. If you spot errors, please point them out so I can correct them. Suggestions are also appreciated!]