The days at school were passing by more quickly. I would finish my first periods in a breeze, eat lunch with Veronica and Hazalen then go to my last periods. At the end of the day I was left with my special class. Either dance which involved my one friend Hazalen, or music.

Sadly both involving Damien.

Every day I had to see Damien, twice. It would be more be bearable if I had a friend in music, but unfortunately I only had dear Carey!

All she would blabber about is people and their problems. She was nice... but not when she gossiped about others non-stop. It was rude, and at times I wanted to flat-out tell her that she needed to stop talking about other's problems and focus on her own.

Mine was Damien.

All-throughout the past three days I could feel his burning gaze. His longing glances. I couldn't help but return them when he had no idea.

Yet every single time I would look away, it was as if he did know. Because it was then I would feel his gaze on me yet again.

I couldn't look back again. I can't face his intense eyes, making me want to relay everything I have kept hidden.

His eyes do that to me.

He does that to me.

And I don't quite know why yet.

It was a silly game we were playing. He knew that if he spoke up, I would retreat. So he would sit there, observing. Because if he didn't make a move, I wouldn't either.

Sometimes standing still was better than one step back.

"Hey, A! Look at me. Look-" she was snapping in front of my face, my thoughts dissipating.

"I can hear you loud and clear, Veronica." I rolled my eyes playfully. It was my second official Monday lunch at school, and Hazalen and Veronica decided to celebrate it with me.

Not like it was another special lunch anyway.

"Your head has been in the clouds recently, Annalise. I'm just worried about you." Veronica expressed, taking a bite out of her usual turkey sandwich.

"I agree, the last few days you have been distant." Hazalen sipped her peach tea dismissively.

"I've only known you two for about a week and you have latched on to me already." I smiled to myself, happiness flooding my chest. Friends are such amazing treasures. They are people who don't care to give you their time because they actually enjoy it. They don't stick around because they have to, it's because they want your time.

Now that's something special.

When somebody wants your time, let them have it. You won't always come across people like that.

Welcome it.

"Annalise, why wouldn't we? We are your best friends. Your like my long lost, wise aunt who I cherish like a sister." Hazalen retorted.

"Why not just sister?"

"Because a sister of mine would be stupid like me. Your too wise, but family none the less." I scoffed at her statement and muttered a few words.

"Look, whatever your thinking about, just tell us. We might have gone through it before." Hazalen quickly met my eyes.

"Yeah, I mean sure I usually put up a badass facade, but I've been through a lot. Let us help you in anyway we can." Veronica pleaded.

I sighed and rubbed my eyes,"It's really nothing, guys."

"Pe-lease! Just tell us Annalise! We want to help you!" Hazalen gave me an emotional plea.

I hesitated... I couldn't tell them the truth.

"Veronica, I've been scared to tell you this, but the reason why Damien pulled me away the other day was because it got around the school that I turned him down in the hallway. I knew you told some people, and I didn't want you to feel guilty about it getting out." I sighed.

Lies, I didn't care about that.

"What? Annalise I never told anybody. Even if I did-well I don't have anybody to tell. Unless I run back to Isabelle, but I've moved on from them. I used to be very mean." Veronica sighed.

"Well then Annalise, who do you think told? It definitely wasn't us." Hazalen asked.

"Where did I tell you about the incident? Somebody could have overheard." I pondered.

"You told me during homeroom, I think. That's where I first met you."

"Who was around us at the time?" I ask.

"I know Isabelle was." Veronica snorts.

"Yes, but Isabelle takes a liking to Damien. She wouldn't spread a rumor about you turning him down if it won't help herself. She obviously wouldn't want people to know that." Hazalen points out.

"Wait... Carey sits near us." Veronica realizes. We all give each other a look. That girl could tell anything to anybody.

Veronica claps,"Welp- now that the problem is solved we can talk about more important things." Hazalen and I give her a questioning look.

"Cole Reynolds." She smirks. I immediately roll my eyes with a giggle.

"He is so hot! I can't believe you two were almost dance partners. I would have died." Veronica exclaims.

I bit my lip,"He's seems really dangerous."

"I know." She winks at me,"And I want a piece of that."

"Veronica... he does mesgra." I sigh.

"I don't care. I've done mesgra before." She laughs.

I was appalled. Veronica? What all do I not know about her! I can tell she doesn't like to open up a lot, she keeps a shield up so nobody can barge through. She only tells what she wants you to know, and when she does you better remember it. Because you're not getting that information again.

"Veronica! Why?" Hazalen exclaimed.

"It's not that big of a deal you guys. It can actually make you feel really great, your worries drifting away." She smiled.

"You could die." Hazalen reasoned.

"Calm down! You can only die if you overdose or do it 24/7." Veronica rolled her eyes,"You guys are too goody-goody."

"Just don't get addicted, Veronica. It takes one to know one... It's illegal and you could get into serious trouble."

Takes one to know one?

"Hey, at least I'm not some illegal immigrant from Descuvi or something."

Oh the irony.

I shrunk into the grass, biting my lip. I guess I really was breaking the rules BIG time. My appetite was then gone. The King hates all from Descuvi after his best friend went savage, everybody knows that.

"I'm serious, Veronica."

"Oh, I know you are. Just don't do something you will regret." Hazalen sipped her peach tea with frustration.

"Yeah, sure." Veronica smirked and looked up at the sky. The soft green grass started soothing my tense body, worries washing away.

I'm fine! My records are clear, quite literally. There isn't really a record of me, only that I traveled from Gregerson. Not that I was born there.

Nobody knows. My secret is safe.

Unless Damien...

~~~~~

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