"Avelyn Liliana Gravaldi! Wake your ass up right now before I come up there and beat it!" Mother screams.

Jesus Christ! Is five more minutes too much to ask?

In all honesty, I would have just slept in a little longer. That is, if I knew my dearest mother wasn't telling the truth. I really don't want to give her another reason to punish me. Not after last night's punishment. I get chills even thinking about it. Never again. I guess it's a good thing I heal quickly, or else my whole entire body would be covered in bruises and scars. Mother and Father are aware that I have strange gifts. It's one of the reasons why they punish me. According to them I'm an "abomination." That and I have strange, naturally-silver hair and blue eyes, while both of my parents have brown hair and brown eyes. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I'm just saying it's odd that I have neither. But I've always just assumed it's because I have a recessive gene, or something.

Oh, and let's not forget that I sprout wings. Yeah, who could possibly forget that little detail? They think I'm a freak. I mean, they're not wrong, but it still hurts to have your parents call you a monster. Maybe even more than their punishments. After all, even though my outer scars heal, my inner demons never faulter in taunting me and reminding me they still own me. No, the inner scars were more painful to receive. Those will never vanish; they'll always plague me. I would just use my magic as protection, but then it would make the situation worse. They'd send me to some place to be a lab rat. . . And I'd actually become the monster they claim me to be.

And right now, the reason why Mother dearest is screaming my name, as if she's warning the plague is upon us, is because today is my first day of school. You see, I just transferred from California. My father had to move us across the country for his job. Woopdidoo.

Sarcasm intended.

We're pretty well off if I'm being honest. But that doesn't mean I live a very luxurious life. In fact, I live in a three story house with nine bedrooms and five bathrooms, but I still got stuck with a room the size of a closet. That's not me being snotty; my room literally used to be a closet, before my mother and father took down the racks and shelves so I could use it as my bedroom. Even though it's only us living in this house, and there were still eight completely empty and very spacious rooms left to choose from. I'm sure it was probably just another one of their "punishments." Or they just did it to spite me, which is very likely.

Though, outside of this house, they like to keep up their good appearances. So guess what that means. . . I get to drive a nice car and wear nice clothes! Yay! Again, sarcasm. But, at home, I get no such luxuries. They just don't want their daughter to be seen driving a Toyota, as if there's anything wrong with that. I roll my eyes at the thought of their pettiness. Bad people don't deserve nice things, but the universe seems to disagree.

Back to my point. Today is the first day of school. Yay. I also have to go to a small school where everyone has, no doubt, known each other for years. Double yay. Nothing better than being the new kid.

Though, for some odd reason, I feel like something good is going to happen today. What? I have absolutely no clue. But, I feel the magic that runs through my veins buzz in excitement. That always happens before I have a vision, which doesn't happen too often, actually. But it has been reoccurring since I was 13. The first time I saved those wolves. I never did see their faces after they changed.

Sometimes I lie awake at night thinking of what they could've looked like. I guess I'll never know. But, often times, I do have to save from something. They just never know when to quit, do they? Even though I don't know them personally, I still feel the need to protect them. Like I'm bound to them somehow. It's weird, I know. They're literally just a trio of giant dogs.

I pull myself out of bed before my mother has a chance to stay true to her word and make sure to stretch. Unladylike, might I add. My silver hair lay a tangled mess atop my head. Just before I go to the bathroom for a shower, I spot myself in the mirror.

Dear God, I look like I just crawled out of a rat's ass and landed in a bunch of llama shit.

Sometimes I surprise myself with my inner monologues and insults. But that's the best part: I never even know what I'm going to say or think or do until it happens.

My shirt is riding up a little from my slumber. I can make out the three cursive names on my left hip bone: Crimson, Dusk, Comet. I quickly look down to see the tattoo on my right-hand wrist: a golden halo above angel wings. I make my way to the bathroom for a quick shower. After I'm finished, I head to my closet to pick out an outfit: a pair of high-rise skinny jeans, a light pink blouse, and some tan ankle boots.

If it's good enough for Mother, then it's good enough for me.

Once I'm done getting dressed, I manage to brush through my long silver hair and apply some light makeup: mascara and cupcake flavored lip gloss. My favorite. Mother says if I wear too much makeup then I look like a whore. And if I look like a slut, I must be a slut. She doesn't tolerate whores. She says if I run around spreading my legs, then she'll kick me out. I think it's safe to say I'm still a virgin. Though, I'm not completely ignorant or naive. I know what sex is. That's besides the point, though.

After I'm finished getting ready I have to do my chores. I make sure to finish them quickly and undetected. If either Mother or Father spot me, they'll find a reason to punish me. And I'm so not up for a pre-school beating right now.

Once done with my chores, I quickly exit the house to make my way to school. Yippee. I slip into my baby, my black Bugatti Veyron 16.4 with orange rims. She's such a beauty. Sigh. . .

It takes me about 15 minutes to arrive at school. When I do, I see a fairly decent looking building named 'Saint Hill High'. Classic. I pull into a parking spot and notice everyone turn to look in my direction. Alright, alright, I get it; my car is sexy. Stop gawking at it before the paint melts from your heated stares. I decide to make this the moment to hop out of my baby. Okay, that could be taken the wrong way out of context. I decide to make this the moment to hop out of my car. There, much better. When I do, I hear a round of gasps as each person looks my way.

Okay, I don't get it. Do I have something on my face? Oh no, that would be super embarrassing! Okay Ava, play it cool. You've got this. . .

I manage to open up the back door to my car to grab my backpack without tripping. So far, so good. Then, I bend down to grab it out of the backseat. I hear a round of wolfwistles. But I don't quite understand why. It's not like there was much to look at.

I turn around with my bag in hand to see all the guys in the parking lot looking at me with their jaws slacked. And the girls are sending nasty glares my way. I have no clue why, though. It's not like I've done anything wrong. I spot a group of boys headed my way. My heart beat starts to quicken.

Why are they coming over here? Did I take one of their parking spots?

The guy who seems to be the leader has shaggy blonde hair and baggy clothes. He's okay looking, I guess. Next thing I know, they're all asking me a round of questions, sending my head spinning a mile a minute.

"Hey, are you single?"

"You're one fine piece of ass."

"Are you new here? I've never seen you before."

"Hey, wanna hang out after school? I'm sure we can find something fun to do." That's when I've finally processed enough of the situation to kindly decline.

"No thank you," I answer them in my weak voice. Years of abuse helps you learn to keep quite to avoid getting another beating. I might say some crazy shit in my head, but it's not like I'm too keen on saying it aloud. You say the wrong shit to the wrong person, and you get your ass kicked. Sadly, I know that all too well.

The one with the blonde hair step a little closer. Then, out of no where, the most attractive guys I've ever seen stride over to rescue me. They're attractive enough to make any girl's ovaries scream. Just saying.

"Leave the girl alone," the one with the charcoal black hair and crystal blue eyes sticks up for me--very familiar looking eyes.

"Who are you to tell me what to do? I'm sure the lady can speak for herself," says the guy with the blonde hair and baggy clothes.

"She told you no, so back the fuck off," one of my rescuers with golden blonde hair and fire brown eyes counters. Same with the last model-looking guy, I feel like I've seen those eyes before. The flames are so recognizable.

"How would you know? You were all the way over there. It's not like you could hear us, douchebags," another guy from the group of assholes comments.

"I believe my friend told you to back the fuck off. So I would advise you to do just that. Unless you want your asses kicked," the last of my saviors comes to my rescue. He has copper brown hair and emerald green eyes. All these eyes are driving me crazy.

"Please, just leave me alone," this was my last effort at pleading. I would blast them with my magic, but I don't want to be seen as some freak and sent to be tested on. So, I opt on trying the nice way. Plus, I'd never do that to someone who doesn't actually deserve it.

The group of guys finally give up, with a couple more choice words. And they're on their way to class.

"Thanks," I say, my voice sounding much too weak. Right now, I'm much too shy to look at these very attractive boys, so I opt for looking at my toes, as if they're the most interesting thing in the world. The boy with the copper hair takes my chin in between his forefinger and thumb, and he tilts my head up so my eyes meet his.

Seriously, his eyes are freaking beautiful.

They're a stunning emerald green. Green like the forest, green like the grass, green like poison, but a good kind--if that makes any sense at all. I don't know why they look so familiar; they just do. And it really bugs me because I can't place my finger on it, but I know I've seen them before. Where, though, I have no clue. I find myself in a trance, searching his eyes like I'm dying of dehydration, and he's the last drop of water on this earth. I can tell he is searching mine, as well. We probably would have stayed in our trance, too, if it weren't for the boy with the golden blonde hair, deciding now would be a good time to clear his throat and clear the silence along with it.

I look down shyly. I'm blushing so hard right now; I can even feel my ears turn pink. The boy with the charcoal black hair speaks up, replying to my earlier comment.

"No problem. What's your name?" He asks.

"Avelyn. But, you can call me Ava. If you want to, that is. I'm not saying you have to. You can call me whatever you want. Anything is fine, really," I start to ramble, embarrassed.

Damnit, you had to go and put your foot in your mouth, didn't you?

"My name is Cole," the one with the blonde hair pipes up. Huh, that's a cute name. It suits him.

"Ashton," the one with the black hair gives a curt nod in my direction. I don't know why he looks so uncomfortable, though. And there was a slight clip to his voice.

I look up and give them a small, gentle smile. Which, in turn, they beam with happiness too. I turn to look up at the boy with the copper hair, bordering red, waiting for him to give me his name, but he stands there with an adorable smile on his face, like he just found his lost puppy. Realizing he was just standing there smiling at me, he finally answers my unspoken question.

"Xavier," he says. The look he was just giving me turns into a look of lust, making a wave of heat spread inside me. I shiver in reply, melting into a pool arousal.

As if sensing my sudden arousal, they let out low growls. I don't know if I'm imagining that sound, but hell if it wasn't the hottest thing I've ever heard. Suddenly, we are encased in silence once again. They look as if they're having a conversation with their eyes.

I wish I was close enough with someone to do that.

Sensing my confusion, and seeing my scrunched brows, they all share a look of realization, as if finally noticing they weren't actually speaking aloud.

"Are you new here, princess?" Xavier clears the silence. I blush at the new nickname.

"Yes," I answer sheepishly.

"Us too." Cole sounds like I just made his day, which makes me happy, so I reply with just as much enthusiasm.

"Really? Cool!"

"Hey guys, sorry to end this conversation early. But we really should be heading to class," Ashton comments. Right then, the warning bell decides to ring, as if it agrees with him.

"Damnit, come on, kitten. You're coming with us. Since we're all new, we have to get our schedules. We'll still be late. But, hopefully, since it's our first day, they'll excuse it," Cole says. Again, I blush at the new nickname. But I nod none the less. Xavier grabs my hand, and we make our way inside.

"Princess, how old are you?" Xavier suddenly asks me.

"17," I answer out of confusion. I have no clue why he wants to know.

As if sensing why he's asking, Ashton pipes up.

"What's your birthday?" he questions.

"November 18th," I reply.

"No way! Your birthday is only two days after mine!" Cole practically screams, almost causing a snort to bubble up out of me, but I manage to reign it in.

"Seriously? That's so cool," I say with just as much enthusiasm, which only brightens their smiles.

"So, your birthday is in three months. Good to know," Ashton says.

I'm seriously confused. Why do they want to know? And, for some strange reason, I feel my magic start to buzz again. And the tattoos of the names on my left hip bone start to tingle. I don't really pay any mind to it, though, because I can't remember the last time I was this happy. I have no clue why, but I feel some sort of odd connection with these boys, like my magic is drawn to them. The only other time I have had this feeling is when I'm near my wolves.

Huh, strange.

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Thanks for reading the second chapter. I hope you liked it, and feel free to share your thoughts on the book so far or correct any mistakes I made in the comments.

Until next time...

Sincerely,

The Annoying Author Lady