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I swallowed the hard lump that formed in my throat, and along with everyone else in the cafeteria, silently watched Carson as he stalked towards our table.

His jaw was visibly clenched and his shoulders were back, making him look taller. Glancing to the side, Reece had his eyes narrowed as he stared Carson down. And for a moment, I swear I saw his brown eyes flash a brighter color.

I blinked a few times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. After all, I could be attending a school with possible supernaturals. Reece's eyes were still the same light, brown color.

I looked back behind me worriedly at Rowan and Zaylee. Both of them had shocked expressions. Except Zaylee's was more awestruck than shock. I don't understand what could possibly be so fascinating.

The cafeteria was dead quiet, no one dare breathe a word. Someone could drop a pin and it wouldn't make a sound. Carson's shoes were the only thing that made a small clicking sound as they hit the tile floor.

He stood tall as he came within a few inches of our table. His muscles were tense and his arms were folded across his chest. He stopped right in front of where Reece and I were sitting.

I looked back over at Reece who slowly stood up, facing Carson directly. The tension was beginning to fog up the room, making it hard to see anything. Oh boy, this was bad.

I noticed that Reece probably stood an inch shorter than Carson. Both of them holding stern looks, still managing to look devilishly handsome. Now is not the time to be thinking of that.

"Oh, joy..." Rowan mumbled behind me.

She bit into one of her fries, it made a slight crunching sound. She rolled her brown eyes and I gave her a puzzled look. Her reaction confusing me.

"The battle of the princes is about to begin." She sighed, sounding extremely bored.

It sounded like she knew what was going to happen as if it had happened before. I raised one of my eyebrows at her. Battle of princes? What does that even mean? Is she talking about Carson and Reece?

A low growl disrupted my thoughts and sliced through the silence. I turned my attention back to the two males who each looked prepared to fight. Both of them were growling at each other, jaws clenched and fists made. It made want to crawl into a little ball.

They both were stiff and looked about ready to kill. Carson's eyes were narrowed and Reece was smirking which seemed to piss Carson off even more. Oh gosh. This was bad.

I looked around, but nobody moved in to stop them. Even Rowan and Zaylee stayed still. It seemed to be a regular occurrence, which would explain the calm atmosphere. My eyes roamed across the cafeteria and I spotted a familiar blonde head.

Guess who? It was Waverly, she was sitting at a table filled with multiple beautiful girls, all wearing a bit too much make-up. She especially was watching the standoff between Reece and Carson with an awestruck look.

What is wrong with this girl? Wasn't she supposed to be dating Reece? She's looking at Carson as if he was a pair of designer heels.

She flicked her gaze to me, catching my stare, and gave me a hard glare. Which instantly caused me to turn my attention away in, fear shivering down my spine. I really don't want to be on her bad side.

Too late for that.

In a quick movement, Carson and Reece lunged for each other. Carson managed to slip under Reece's fist and grip his throat, pulling him to the ground.

The breath was caught in my throat as I watched in horror. They landed with a loud thud and both guys were hissing at each other. The fangs appearing instantly, as they snapped at each other.

Carson's eyes flashed a different color, turning red— a deep crimson red. His dark brown eyes were no longer showing. I felt my blood stop, my heart was hammering in my chest. This can't be real.

Reece flipped Carson over, prying the hands off his throat. He grabbed Carson's arm and I could see that his eyes had also turned a crimson red color.

I could feel myself about to pass out, the hairs sticking up on the back of my neck. My eyes were glued to fight. Carson pulled his fist back and threw the first punch, hitting Reece straight in the jaw. Crack.

Somebody stop them!

Reece growled and lunged for Carson's throat. Carson let go and rolled off him, jumping to his feet. In a flash, Reece stood on his feet defensively. Their movement was almost too quick for me to follow, it was inhuman.

I need to stop them! But what could I do? I can't get in the middle of them. I was frozen to my seat, shaking in fear. The red eyes...the fangs...

Carson's muscles twitched, and I could tell he was about to lunge. I wanted to close my eyes and turn away, but I couldn't.

All too suddenly, almost too fast for my eyes to follow, a yellow streak flew across the room. Gasps erupted throughout the cafeteria, and I blinked. What was that yellow streak?

"Dude! What the hell?" Carson growled, his anger loud and clear.

I looked at Carson and almost busted out laughing. The fear dissolving instantly. There was some sort of yellow mush splattered all over his face and in his hair.

He wiped his face with one hand and held up a banana peel in the other. Reece was grinning, his eyes back to their normal color. I relaxed and breathed out a sigh of relief.

Carson spit and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his blazer. He was glaring behind Reece and shook his head like a dog. The mush flying everywhere.

I held a hand over my mouth to try and stop the laughter. Who the hell throws a banana and how can they throw it that far? Wait, they just have enhanced strength too. This is just unfair.

"Sorry, didn't mean too." A loud chuckle came from across the cafeteria.

A guy with short, brown hair was standing up in front of a table. He shrugged his shoulder, smiling widely. He had dazzling green eyes.

"Didn't mean too my ass," Carson growled out and wiped more of the mashed banana off his face.

The guy- still smiling- walked over towards us, everyone still watching. The guy patted Carson's shoulder, Carson glared at him. His eyes returning to a dark brown color.

"It slipped out of my hand." The guy was still smiling.

"Like hell I'll believe that bull—"

"Crap." The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.

Carson and the guy turned their attention away from each other and stared at me. I felt myself blush from their confused gazes. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Reece slightly smiling at me.

Carson clicked his tongue, I could feel his annoyance for me radiating off him. Keep going Saige. You're just digging your grave deeper and deeper.

"Sorry pal, but you deserved a banana to the face." The guy faced back towards Carson again.

I could feel him glancing at me. Carson stepped away from him and shook out his hair again. Mush went flying and he growled again. "I did not."

"Whoa, whoa. Watch where you're flinging that stuff." The guy chuckled and held his hands up in defense.

"Totally deserved it," I mumbled.

Everyone snapped their heads towards me. I cursed under my breath. Stupid enhanced hearing. I held my tongue and nervously smiled at me.

"I like this girl. You're—" The guy started, but was interrupted when Carson punched him in the face.

He stumbled back and held his jaw. "Ouch. You wound me. At least let me finish my sentence."

I gasped and Carson scoffed, pushing past him. Everyone watched as he strolled out of the cafeteria. The anger in the atmosphere leaving with him.

"Ignore that asshole. You're Sarah, right? The new girl?" The guy came over and sat down next to me.

I frowned and looked into his dazzling eyes. What's with everyone calling me Sarah? "Uh...no. It's Saige, actually."

The guy's eyes widened before he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well shoot. Sorry about that."

I smiled and I glanced at the spot where Reece was no longer standing. I mentally frowned and wondered where he had disappeared to.

The guy held his hand out to me. "I'm Theo. I'm that asshole's friend."

Theo referred to Carson as an asshole? I awkwardly shook his hand, it was cold. The bell rang right as I let go. How long was lunch? Like an hour?

"Damn. I'll have to talk to you later." Theo jumped up from his seat and winked at me before I could say anything.

Students chatted, walking out in groups. Waverly's group leaving in a herd, probably gossiping about what just happened. I slowly turned around, facing Rowan and Zaylee.

Both of them holding shocked expressions. I cleared my throat and they both blinked rapidly as if coming back to their senses.

"What just happened?" Zaylee asked.

Rowan shrugged her shoulders. She stood up and grabbed her tray, slinging her backpack over her shoulder.

I stood up and shook my head. " I have no clue."

Zaylee threw her tray on Rowan's. Rowan gave her a glare, Zaylee smiled at her. Rowan grumbled about something along the lines of always having to throw away Zaylee's trash away.

I grabbed my lunch bag and backpack. I'm ready for this first day to be over with.

I followed Zaylee and Rowan out of the nearly empty cafeteria and down the over-crowded and still confusing halls.

"What class do you have next?" Rowan asked as we passed a particularly loud group of jocks.

"Er...um...I think Physical Education?" I tried to recall what my schedule had read.

Rowan nodded her head and pointed to a set of double doors a few feet away.

I smiled and waved bye to them as I approached the doors. Glancing back, I saw them turn left into a different hallway.

I opened the doors and stepped into the large gym. Multiple groups of students were spread out chatting to one another.

"Saige!" I heard my name called.

I looked over and saw Theo grinning at me. He was waving me over towards his direction.

I sighed. Of course, he has a class with me. Why not?

I started walking over towards him when I noticed a familiar pair of blue eyes staring at me. Hadlee was standing in the corner of the gym by herself.

When she noticed me staring, I smiled at her and she gave a timid smile back. At least she's feeling better.

"Long time no see." Theo grinned at me.

I chuckled and looked around awkwardly. "Yeah. So what are we supposed to do?"

Theo thought about for a moment before a booming voice yelled throughout the gym. A tall, super-sized guy stood by the side of the gym in front of a door.

"Alright you pipsqueaks, go get changed and prepare for four laps around the gym."

Students groaned and Theo gave me a 'there's your answer' look. I wrinkled my nose. I hate running.

"No complaints! Or I'll make you run extra." He looked at me. "New girl...uh...Morris! Yeah, you! I have an extra set of gym clothes you can borrow."

I nodded and walked over to him, students dispersing into the locker rooms. He looked at me before throwing a small shirt and shorts. I caught them and instantly gagged.

Didn't he ever wash these things?

"Now go get changed! You have two minutes."

Eyes were watching me.

I shook off the same creepy feeling every time I get when I passed by the creepy house across the street.

The wind blew and I shrugged off the same chill that runs down my spine.

After four exhausting laps around the gym, the school had officially been dismissed. I was ready to thank the gods and kiss the ground.

But I didn't because that would be weird. During Physical Education, I was forced to run the laps with Theo, and we had an interesting chat.

He offered me a ride a home after school, but I declined. I'd rather walk home. Still freaked out about the whole vampire thing. I wasn't really ready to trust anybody yet.

I wanted to go over and talk to Hadlee, but she disappeared before I got the chance. Same went with Carson.

Even Rowan and Zaylee bailed out on me. It's like they keep disappearing. But I was used to it. The not really used to having friends part.

The girl's locker room had been bustling with gossip about the fight between Carson and Reece. I had stayed out of it and hid in the back while changing. I didn't need any more drama today.

The wind blew again, bringing me out of my thoughts and messing up my hair. I curse this town. No wonder they call it Wintercrest. I'm as cold as a Popsicle!

I walked up the porch steps and opened the front door. "I'm home."

I stepped inside and was greeted with warm air. I set my book bag down and closed the door.

I heard rustling in the kitchen, so I slipped off my shoes and walked down the hall. I popped my head into the kitchen and saw my mother shuffling through pots.

"Oh, hey dear. How was your first day?" She asked, glancing up at me.

"Just peachy," I replied with a sigh.

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★ @within_days

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★ : @within_days