Note: Just a quick reminder, the competition for the OC contest is closed xD But that doesn't mean it will be the last OC contest I do! 

Tia's POV

It was an ordinary ending to the day. Strolling through the plantation, watching the trees blow in the wind. My hands were curled in my pockets, and I was in a mid daydream. It was kind of nice, just to stroll through the trees, thinking about things. This was where I felt calmest, like I didn't need to worry about anything. Despite the heavy breeze, it felt so peaceful, with just the fluttering of brown dead leaves in the wind hanging off long, spiky branches. It was February, and I could feel spring coming in the air.

My eyes dropped to the ground, finding a small daisy bud sticking out of the carpet of fallen leaves. Smiling, I bend down, scanning the ground. Sure enough, small sprouts of sharp green blades of grass poked out in areas. Yep, spring was on the way. 

Standing up, I flick my wrist up. I had fifteen minutes to get back. I decided to head back, and began to trek over to the concrete steps leading up to the higher part of the plantation. I jog up them, listening to the pattering of my trainers against the steps and as I poke my head up to the top, I see Ashley strolling towards the stairs, hands also in her pockets. She doesn't seem to notice me until I decide to be polite.

"Hey Ashley" I say politely. Her head snaps up. "What do you want?" she snaps. "Nothing, I was just saying hi" I smile, finally reaching the top step. I falter slightly when she pulls up in front of me, before slowly halting. 

"You don't say hi to me" she says harshly, glaring at me. "Why do you hate me so much?" I ask curiously. "Because you hang around with that demigod idiot" she spits. I try and avoid using the same 'I've already had a shower, thanks' insult Ridge used, knowing it would only infuriate her. "What's wrong with him? He's fine to me" I shrug, acting like it was no big deal, though really I was curious. Had Ridge done something to her?

"He's betrothed to my adopted sister, and he doesn't like her" she hisses. I blink, my eyes widening. "Syncrasis? Syncrasis is your sister?" I gawp. She narrows her eyes. "My adopted sister, yes. I guess it's no surprise that he's told you" she sighs heavily. "How is that my fault?" I frown. "Because if you hadn't come along, he would of liked her!" she snaps. I frown uncertainly. "I haven't done anything. I don't have any interest in him like that" I say as truthfully as possible. I hadn't done anything. He had. Sort of. Nearly. 

"If you want to be my friend again, start by staying away from him, and don't try and get into a relationship wth him" she says, calming down a little. "One, I don't want to be your friend. Two, no, I won't stay away from him, he's my best friend. Three, you don't tell me who I can or can't have a relationship with. And four? You don't tell me what to do" I snap. I try and step round her.

But then her arms push out and I'm suddenly falling backwards.

Crack.

Everything suddenly went fuzzy and I hit the ground at the bottom of the stairs. I winced hard. Everything was going slow, everything was spinning...I could see her still standing at the top of the stairs, mouth open in shock. I reach my hand out, in what seems to be slow motion. "Help" I choke out, grasping helplessly in mid air. 

She turns and runs.

I could feel something pouring out of the back of my head. Using what little first aid knowledge I knew, I turned onto my stomach, hoping now that the wound would stop bleeding as fast. Everything was spinning faster, blurring, becoming hazy. In truth, the pain was the least of my worries. It was just a dull throbbing sensation. My survival instincts were kicking in, but I couldn't do anything except curl up and wait to die.

I briefly remembered seeing Sky and SSundee suddenly next to me asking me questions. The noise of their chattering was just a distorted buzz, and I murmur Ashley's name before everything goes black.

Everything was so nice, so warm, so cosy...

Tia!

I ignore the voice, trying to pull me out of this lovely, comfortable place...

Tia, wake up, please!

I frown, groaning. No, I didn't want to wake up. It was so warm here...

Please, wake up!

My eyes flicker open, taking in a sickly yellow room. I squint against the harsh light and blink slowly, trying to make sense of everything. Where was I?

Glancing to my left, I see Ridge sitting next to me, eyes alight with worry, and seemed to flood with relief when I see him. "Oh, Notch, Tia, I thought you weren't going to wake up" he gasps, leaning over to lean on my shoulder. His hand was clenching mine so tight I winced, trying to free myself from his death grip. "Sorry" he chuckles, releasing my hand slightly. 

"Where am I?" I slur, trying to speak normally, but it was like my mouth wasn't up to working. There was a dull throbbing sensation, much like the one I had when I fell...

Oh.

I blink rapidly now, remembering what happened.

"You're in the ward, dearie, you've had a very nasty bang to the head. You lost quite a bit of blood, but you didn't need any operations, you just needed some stitches. We've given you some painkillers, and you might feel dizzy for the next few days. You'll have to have some time off lessons" a nurse babbles, coming over to me and filling in a checklist at the end of my bed, frowning as she clicks the pen on and begins to tap it. 

"How long have I been here?" I ask, my voice a little clearer. "Oh, just a few hours. It's 11 o clock at night, so you should go to sleep. I'd say...I think you should stay here tonight. Ridgedog, I think you need to go back to your dorm room." the nurse says briskly. "Can I stay here for a bit longer?" he pleads, acting more polite than I'd ever see him. The nurse hesitates, before sighing. "5 more minutes, then go back to bed" she says finally, and walks away.

"Did Ashley really push you over?" he asks as soon as the nurse has disappeared from sight. "Yep." I sigh, recalling our conversation. "Why?" he asks, confused. "She said Syncrasis was her adopted sister, and she hated you because you don't like her" I say, watching his reaction. To my surprise, he snorts. "She's still going on about that? I can't help who I like and who I don't like" he sighs, frustrated.

"She told me to stay away from you, and when I told her I wasn't, she pushed me" I say simply, skipping over a few minor details. He nodded, a small smile twitching onto his face. "I guess I hit my head" I sigh, wincing as I reach round to feel the wound. I bristle when I touch tender flesh and shiver at the jolt of pain.

"Don't touch it" he snaps, slapping my hand away. I glower at him and he smiles, sighing. "I almost had a heart attack when those guys told me you'd been attacked" he sighs. "It was hardly an attack" I laugh, flinching as my head hurts at the task.

He rolls his eyes, and for a minute we sit in silence. 

"I'll kill her next time I see her" he mutters. "Don't. You'll just make it worse" I sigh. He averts his gaze to mine, and I stare back intently. "Well. What are you going to do when you get out of this hospital bed?" he wonders. "I'll go report her if someone hasn't already. Then, just avoid her I guess" I shrug. 

"Alright young man, off to bed with you" the nurse calls from across the room, seemingly busy with matters elsewhere. "That's demigod to you" he mumbles, standing up and letting go of my hand.

I chuckle and smile as it bends down and hugs me. "Can I stay in your room?" he asks. "Of course. Just try not to make a mess" I warn. He smirks and kisses me on the cheek. I look away, flushing heavily. "See you tommorow. Try not to fall down any stairs whilst I'm away" he grins and I scowl at him. He leaves quickly and my eyelids begin to slump.

Toby's POV

The morning light cracks through the windows. Hang on...light?

I slide out of my bed, and see Martyn already eagerly pressed against the window. Sunlight was flooding through, and the sky was a pale blue. Not spring, vivid blue, but a pastel blue, with fluffy white clouds floating by.

Martyn's hair looked better today, still bluey-silver, but with a hint of blonde. "Spring is coming" the forest sprite boy grins, his turquoise eyes shimmering excitedly. I roll my eyes, yawning and running a hand through my messy brown hair. 

"Have you met the new girls?" Martyn calls out as I go into the bathroom to brush my teeth. "Nope, what are they like?" I mumble back, trying to talk with a mouthful of mint. "I've only met one. She's really nice" he says vaguely and I sigh, glancing at myself in the mirror and rolling my eyes as I spit out the minty mush.

"Oh yeah? So, what you actually mean is, you like her and you're going to get to know her then you're going to ask her out?" I guess, and I smirk when I hear Martyn splutter protests behind the bathroom door. Opening it, I am met with a red face and I grin widely. "No! I just said she was nice, that's all!" he huffs angrily, marching into the bathroom behind me.

I get dressed, knowing I wouldn't get into the shower now that Martyn was in the bathroom-he took AGES. "I'm off, see you in class!" I call out, spraying myself quickly with deodorant and slinging my bag over my shoulder.

As I open the door, I see a girl wandering down the corridor. She was around average height, with short dark brown hair-I had never seen her before so I guessed that she was a new girl.

"Hey, can I help you?" I ask, stepping closer. "Oh! I was, uh, a bit lost actually. I'm Galaxy, by the way" she smiles shyly, going slightly pink and shaking my hand. "Toby" I smile back. "Um, what time do lessons start?" she asks, following me as I lead her down the corridor. "You have your timetable and planner right?" I ask. She nods, hazel eyes flickering down to her bag.

"What is your first lesson?" I ask curiously, entering the dining room. Only a few students were here, since it was early. Ridge was there, alone, eating his cereal quickly. Lewis was there next to him, not really talking to each other. Sparklez* and Strippin were there too, right at the back, talking about some music sheets in their hand. 

"French, I think" she smiles, brushing her hair back. "Oh Notch, I hate french. I think I have that next too" I groan. She looks at me, startled. "Are you kidding? I love french!" she smiles, giggling shyly. I raise my eyebrows at her. "Well, I guess I'll show you the way. We actually have half an hour left, so you can get some cereal and stuff if you want" I smile, taking her to the counter.

After a while of eating in silence, I spot Martyn heading in. He smiles when he sees me, and comes to sit next to me. Galaxy is sat opposite me and seemed to be immersed in a book.

"Hey Martyn, have you seen your new girlfriend yet?" I tease. Galaxy looks up shyly, listening in on the conversation. "She is not my girlfriend! For Notch's sake Toby, I've only known her for two minutes!" he hisses in my ear, and I grin. 

"This is Martyn, by the way" I chuckle, gesturing at the flustered boy, who smiles, embarrassed. "Nice to meet you, I'm Galaxy" she giggles. I smiled in her direction, and she looked back down at her book, brown hair falling in front of her face, blocking my view of her. 

"Anyway, we better be off to class" I sigh after a while, standing up. Martyn stands up too. Galaxy is already stood up, packing her book in her bag. "C'mon then, let's go" I smile. "Do you think that girl will be there?" Martyn whispers. "Let's find out" I grin.

Note: For the other two (Starwolfess and Lightningstar129, your chapters are coming up soon, don't worry!

I've also got an idea for another book, but I'm not sure if I want to start it yet or not. Anyone know what mobcast / mobcraft is? Basically the Yogscast and Team Crafted are criminal gangs in a big city! So there will be assassins, dealers, criminal lords and loads of fighting xD What do you guys think? Might try it out in a few weeks time...