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I felt something tugging at my arm,"I need you to wake up, Mz. Annalise."

I immediately recognized Maria's foreign accent, trying to block it out. I felt sunlight on the top of my eyes, scowling into my pillow when I realized she opened the curtain.

"What time is it?"

"It's six forty-five, Mz. Woods."

"Well that's why," I mutter to myself and turn away from the light.

"Mz. Woods, it's your first day of school."

"Yep."

Silence. All sounds disappeared into oblivion. I was sent back into a slumber of heaven, until the monster came," Annalise! You better wake up this instant, or I will-"

"I'm up!" I scream half-asleep, as if I had been getting ready this whole time.

Maria grabbed a dress hanging from my closet, and I came to the realization that it truly was my first day of school. Nervousness washed over me, because I had never attended a school before. Being homeschooled in Gregerson, I was secluded from other kids my age.

My mother would never let me play with other kids because most of Gregerson was poor, we were the exception. Not that I listened- I would sneak out through my window at night and play targles with them.

"Annalise, are you ready?" My mother yelled from downstairs.

Here goes nothing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My sleek, navy dress trailed behind me as I entered Mettling High School. Not knowing anybody was certainly a negative, and it seemed like my classmates already had groups of friends. As I walked the halls, I observed how everybody seemed lively for their first day back, chattering about their classes.

The girls were dressed the same as I: long, elegant, and beautiful dresses. Mine stood out from the rest due to my mother's work- perhaps it was too unique, because I couldn't help but feel eyes burning into the back of my head as I passed by.

I finally reached the end of the hallway, finding the office without having to ask for directions. The door held golden, cursive letters imprinted across it wording "THE OFFICE". The woodwork seemed too expensive for what it was needed for.

1 Annalise : 0 bad situations

My destination was right there. I reached to turn the golden door knob, but the door opened, and I collided into it. I fell back onto the floor with a loud thud. My long dress draped across the marble floor, gasps ringing through the hall from students watching the embarrassing scene.

1 Annalise: 1 bad situations

As soon I raised my head, I realized I didn't collide into a door, but a person. A hand came into view, large and muscular. It was slightly tan and looked soft to the touch. It held calluses where you would grip a bar or practice with swords. A golden ring shone in the light with the emblem of a crown, but I was too embarrassed to ponder on it.

I grabbed it, as whomever it was helped me with ease. I almost fell forwards against the person, not that they were trying to stop me from falling- almost as if they wanted me to. I stopped myself by pushing backwards on my heels and off the persons chest.

Gaining my courage, I viewed his face. He had ruffled hair that gave the image he had just woken up and didn't even try. Not that it looked messy, it suited him. His piercing blue-gray eyes were battling my blue-green ones in a challenge to speak. He smelt like the woods with a hint of lavender, and his features were somewhat intimidating because it was so sculpted.

He was a masterpiece with a cherry on top.

I was at a loss for words. Who is this guy? Is my mouth open right now? It better not be.

Say something Annalise! You look mental!

"Peldekidike-skidde."