Chapter 3 First Day at School

LYANNA’S POV.

“Hey, are you.. okay?” Dad asks, turning briefly away from the road to stare at me. His deep brown eyes narrow like slits.

“Yeah,” I say, slouching further into the passenger’s seat as if wanting to disappear. The dream last night had left me unsettled and I hardly caught any more sleep after that, busying myself with trying to find meaning to what I’d seen. Not like I’d seen much, apart from the big, angry wolf.

Those vivid blue eyes kept flashing through my mind, sending chills down my spin every time. Are wolves real? Or am I being some sort of paranoiac? I mean yesterday, I thought I had seen someone and if it wasn't for my daddy, I would have kept walking into the forest! Damn!

After a moment’s hesitation, I resolve to ask him what had been bothering me. “Hey, dad. Do you know anything about wolves in a forest?”

“No, why?” He’s quick to say, his hands clutching the steering wheel tightly.

I shake my head, heaving a sigh. “It’s nothing.” Maybe I’m overthinking it. Perhaps, my mind had conjured it all up while I was asleep, desperate for some excitement. But, I’d never dreamed of a wolf before, much less one chasing me through the woods. I can still recall my frantic breathing as I raced, my vision slightly blurry from dread, that adrenaline pumping through my veins, pushing me forward and forward until.. bam! There’s something not quite right about it. Why will an animal want to hurt me? Looking out the window at buildings rolling past, I try to push the thought away from my head. If I so much as spill a word about this to mom, she’ll definitely freak out.

“Dad, just forget I asked anything, okay?”

“Okay,” he says, smiling at me. “Are you excited for your first day of college?”

More like the first day of hell, but I don’t say anything, focusing my gaze on the outside.

“Look,” dad begins, and I know a full lecture is coming on. It always happens when I’m unsure about something like I am now. Worrying my bottom lip, I stare down at my feet, putting on a puppy-dog face so he doesn’t notice my foul mood. “It’s going to be okay. College is fun. You just have to keep your head down, make a couple of good friends and engage in other extracurriculars that can help boost your grades. Okay?”

Lifting a brow, I nod, my mind still on that nightmare. It’s like I’m back in the forest, darting here and there in the darkness, my breathing hot against the gelid air. When I return my gaze to the window, I see the wolf out on the sidewalk, its shine glistening in the light, those blue eyes gleaming like a fire is burning bright in them. Shit. My bag falls to my leg and I strain against my seatbelt to pick it up, my hands trembling on their own accord. Dad chuckles nervously.

“So, where do you want me to drop you off? At the gate?” He asks by way of making conversation. The friendly air in the car is gone, replaced by something stiff, and I gulp against the bulge in my throat, speaking almost immediately.

“No, no, no. You can just drop me off somewhere around and I’ll walk the rest of the way. I’m not a kid anymore, dad. And besides, I don’t want people to think that..” I pause and dad smiles knowingly at me.

“I know. It’s just, you’ve grown so fast.” His eyes shimmer with unshed tears and I smile back at him.

“I know right? It feels like just yesterday, I was grabbing my lunch box from the top of the table and rushing off to the waiting car. Those were really happy times.” At least then, I had my friends so it was easier facing everyone. I idly wonder how my first day is going to be.

“Still happy. Don’t forget, if you need anything..”

“Call, or send a text, I know.” The car comes to an abrupt stop at a corner and I can see the school from up ahead, the dark brown standing out, calling attention. “I love you, dad.”

“I love you too, baby girl. Gotta leave for work now. Will I pick you up at the same place?” He queries, the worry evident in the lines creasing his forehead. The root of his hair is already turning gray from age.

“Yeah. And don’t worry. I’ll be good.” Grabbing my bag, I’m about to open the passenger’s side door before dad halts me in a soft voice.

“Stay safe.”

Blowing out a small breath, I resist the urge not to roll my eyes and my contorted expression makes him burst into laughter.

“Bye.” I slam the car door, and he starts the car, warming up the engine. I wait until the tail headlights are gone before starting down the walkway alongside a couple other chattering students.

Before long, Denver City College comes into view and I stand there, at the curving driveway, gawking at the size and height of the building. It’s grande and imposing from my vantage point, the walls painted a dark brown and beige (two unlikely combinations), with a water fountain spurting waterworks along the entrance to the school.

The windows are shiny, reflecting off sunlight rays and I just stand there, marvelling at the beauty. Wow. If only my friends could see this. Hurriedly getting my phone out of my bag, I take a picture and forward it to the group chat and soon, the group is alive again, bursting with love emojis and cute little heartfelt words. Yeah, right.

I’m so engrossed in texting back that I don’t notice someone hurrying past me. His shoulder collides with mine and the force almost knocks the socks off my feet. Instantly, I put my phone away, turning to glare at the intruder, but I pause when I see those eyes.

They’re a deep iridescent blue, deeper than the blue of the ocean, and they hold me in trance, every other thing fading away in the background. There’s something familiar about them, like I’ve seen them somewhere before, but I can’t place where. He nods at me, the line of his jaw sharp like a knife. He’s handsome, with brown unruly hair and lean muscles like he’d be a sports person.

“Uh.. I’m sorry,” he says, and I can feel his energy licking lightly over me like a snake tasting its prey. Something in me purrs in delight, but it’s strange. I don’t recognize it. “Wasn’t looking at where I was going.”

I open my mouth and close it, but no sound comes out. Fuck. How can I be a total klutz at this time? His gaze is keen on me, and I clear my throat, forcing the words in a dry rasp. “It’s okay. You look kinda familiar, but I’m still trying to place it.”

“Who? Me?” He points at himself and suddenly, a girl walks up to us, the end of her pigtails twirling around a finger.

“Hey. Was scanning the place for you. I can see you’ve found a new friend. Hi,” she says, her coffee brown eyes lighting up at me. She’s over five feet nine, several inches shorter than he is and with a face that is impossible not to glance at twice.

“Hey.” I laugh nervously, putting out a hand for a handshake. “I’m Lyanna.”

“Alicia.” She clasps her hands in mine, turning to the oddly interesting guy. “And this is my brother, Drake.”

“Hi.” I smile shyly.

“Hey.” And then, everyone goes awkwardly silent.

Biting down on my bottom lip, I stare down at my feet, clutching my one-armed bag. “So, are you guys heading the other way?”

“Yeah, actually. We’re going to get some supplies.” She seems to be the talker out of the two while Drake is more reserved.

“Guess I’ll be seeing you guys around then?”

“Yeah, sure,” Drake says, a mischievous glint in those bright blue eyes. “See you around.” Alicia waves at me, slipping her hand into Drake’s. Stifling a full-blown smile, I turn back to the school entrance, walking slowly. Gosh. It feels like I’m in a dream. Dream. Hold up. I pause in my steps, thinking back to my nightmare. Those eyes.. they’d looked so real and radiant, just like now–a couple seconds ago. Could it be? Oh no. It’s just a coincidence. Has to be. Looking over my shoulder, I see them disappearing around the corner, two siblings with very minimal resemblance.

Maybe I’m just overthinking it.