05

A rough first day I'd initially thought it would be, but the day has gone by rather okay. Well from the first four lessons that flew by and now it's break. Ethan and I only got two classes together in the morning and one after, so we won't get to see much of each other as we thought. Anyway, school hasn't been my top priority today like I believed I would make it, the mystery of this town, that grey eyed stranger and the attack have been what have got my mind wrapped up in deep thoughts.

I haven't paid a lot of attention in class, not that I'll miss anything important because everything that has been taught today, is more like revision. I am quite glad that I am far ahead in terms of the topics that are meant to be covered. Walking out of class and entering into the hallway, I try my best to not get shoved and pushed by the many students.

I almost do not hear my name being called, with how noisy people around me are. So when I do finally hear and detect the direction of where I'm being called, I frown a bit because of the tall, cute, blonde, blue eyed boy standing before me.

" Hi, Casey, right?" He says.

" Uh, yeah...." I trail off, feeling quite awkward.

" I'm Ryan, I was in class with you but I don't think you noticed. You looked quite fascinated with everything else but what was going on."

Oh my, I must have zoned out.

A blush comes on , in realization of being caught not paying attention. " I tend to do that a lot." I shrug." I mean, not all the time, I was - I guess had a lot on my mind today."

Why am I like this right now? This is awkward and I just admitted that I was not interested in the lesson.

Who am I becoming on my first day of school?

" Was I that obvious?" I end up asking, after realising how ridiculous I must sound right now.

" Don't worry, the teacher can be a little too into his teaching to notice much, I could even be texting and he wouldn't see. Just be careful though, we've got a few snitches in there," he whispers, leaning a bit forward like he's sharing a deep and important secret.

A smile makes its way on my face. " Well, thank you for the tip. Uh, not to sound rude or anything, but why did you call me?"

Instead of an immediate answer, all I receive is a long stare from him. Feeling quite uncomfortable now, I start shifting on my heel and I believe he detects it, when he blinks and leans back. " Oh uh, you forgot your book," he says, handing over my novel.

" Thank you and I'll see you around, I guess" I say, taking it from him and walking away.

I almost sigh out in relief to get out of the awkwardness that was returning, only to hear him call me again. Catching up with me and walking alongside me, Ryan speaks. " So, haven't seen you around here not seen you around here before. Let me guess, you're new here."

" Oh my gosh, you noticed?" I gasp dramatically, placing my hand on my chest, making him laugh and earning a few eyes from students who are still roaming about.

" It's not my fault that I couldn't help but notice a beautiful Lady from across the room," he winks at me.

I shake my head at his flirting and continue my way.

While we both fall into easy and comfortable conversation, I almost miss my locker but thankfully I didn't. Turning to Ryan, I do get surprised to notice him still here by my side.

" You didn't have to do this?"

" Do what?" He frowns at me.

" Walk me over to my locker and still be here-I mean you don't even know me."

" What if I have a reason?" He says, crossing his arms and leaning against the next locker.

" And that is?"

" Simple, I want to get to know you," he says, being all serious and making the smile on my face to drop.

" Oh..." I certainly have nothing to say.....

Though I may have a boyfriend, but I still feel slightly awkward in conversation with guys.

" Casey!" Someone calls my name.

Averting my eyes elsewhere, I notice Ingrid standing by the cafeteria door, waving at me.

" I should go..." That's all I say, leaving him there with no clear response.

Meeting Ingrid by the door, I'm dragged into the cafeteria, where I join Kayla, Ethan and two other people. One of them being Sam, Kayla's boyfriend and her brother, Allen.

The break has been good apart from the sense of Kayla, acting a little offish with me. I could excuse it for Ingrid's explanation but I can't shake off the feeling that it might be more than that.

I think I'm kind of done with school for the day, there is a lack of concentration but the overwhelming invasion of too many thoughts. I've come across situations which are to be frowned upon and keeping it to myself is weighing down on me. I could confide in Ethan but I know how he is, if he senses any danger, he'll go all overprotective and won't let me out of his sight. About the unnatural things I've believed to have seen at the time, I guess I'm a bit afraid to be questioned about my sanity. I mean how does one explain the sparks from a stranger, the super quick movement of that scar guy. Oh I don't even want to get in the topic of that cold man, now he gives me shivers, the alarming kind.

Even then, my curiosity knows no bounds.

I must really be crazy and the town and its people, are normal.

Something quite soft makes contact with my cheek, breaking through my thoughts. Peaking at Ethan under my lashes, I see him frown.

" You haven't spoken a word since you arrived, are you okay?" He asks.

" I'm good, I guess I'm tired."

" Already? Are you sure you're okay?" He places his warm hand against my cheek.

" Yeah, now stop, you worry too much." I say, giving him a peck before digging into our food.

I feel his eyes at the side of my face but I don't look at him, pretending to be so involved in our lunch. " So Casey, what's your verdict on our small, almost non existent town?" Sam asks.

Looking up, I find everyone's eyes on me. " It's okay. I mean it hasn't been that long since I've been in town." They nod in what I can assume as understanding. ' definitely interesting ' I mutter, but regret it when I notice everyone's attention on me.

" Anything interesting caught your eye Casey?" Kayla asks.

From the sound of her tone, I'm sensing a double meaning there.

" No, not really." I shake my head.

Why is she interested?

" Hmm....Well, being new and all, you might have run into something or someone, quite.....interesting." Looking at her, something in her eye passes, making me frown.

Tension is building now.

What is up her?

" Well there were those town rumours Ingrid shared about, other than that, I can't say I saw anything of my interest. "

" What rumours?" Allen and Sam perk up at that.

" She means the supposed rocks, the dead man with animal marks, and so on..." my body tenses when memories of my attack come full force.

" All rumours," Ethan says, halfway turning to me, almost completely shielding me from everyone.

" Yeah, you're right. But imagine being killed by a big, a wild animal with its claws and ------- "

" Kayla........" Ethan cuts Kayla off, no doubt the warning evident in his tone.

" Ooh, incoming. " Ingrid pipes up, breaking through this tension.

Looking up, I see the girl from before, Walton, I think, coming towards our table, accompanied by her friend I believe.

" Excuse me" I murmur, rising to my feet.

" Casey?" Ethan says, his hand on my wrist.

" Your friend's here," I say with a tight smile, pulling my hand away before taking my bag and rushing out of the cafeteria.

At first, I let my feet lead me wherever it is that they want to take me, only ending under a tree, just outside. Taking a seat and leaning against the tree, I release a sigh and enjoy the silence.

All too soon, that's gone when I feel a presence hovering above me. Opening my eyes and looking up, I'm surprised to see Ryan , standing in front of me.

" Do you wanna get out of here?" That's all he asks.

..................

I have done nothing but question why I simply agreed to this, I was overwhelmed by my first day of school and towards the end, I was done with school. Either way, I have agreed to be taken home by a guy I just met today, without telling anyone.

' You mean, without telling Ethan.' That is what plays in mind.

I don't know how he got the principal to let us go, but he did. When I asked, he just shrugged and said ' don't worry about it.' I should have asked further, than trusting a stranger. I have to admit though, that there is something trustworthy, no, there is no sense of discomfort but a little awkward with Ryan. It's not bad and I guess that is what drove me to say yes to his offer. During the ride home, I almost get too lost in my thoughts with the nice sound, of music playing in the background.

We hadn't said much to each other throughout this trip and I find that okay, actually.

Arriving home, I'm quite relieved not to see my mom's car on our driveway.

I know that she might be at work. I can't really remember what shift she has taken, I forgot about it. She works as a doctors assistant in the local hospital.

Turning to Ryan, I prepare to say thank you, when his hand covers mine.

" Will you be okay?" He asks.

I nod, removing my hand from under his.

"Thank you for this." I say before getting out of the car.

" Wait!" I stop and glance at him. " Could we exchange numbers? You know, I'm still in the process of getting to know you," I nod, starting to search for my phone when I don't find it.

It hits me that I forgot it at the last moment in the cafeteria, I hope Ethan has it.

" I forgot it at lunch, Ethan must have it. Could we do this tomorrow?" He nods.

" So you're with Ethan?" He asks.

" Yeah I am, anyway, I should go now, thank you for everything," I mention, before walking away.

Before going in, I glance over my shoulder, waving goodbye at him and watching him drive off.

I feel relieved to be back home.

.

With a coke in hand from the kitchen and making way to the living room, in mid movement, I almost drop my drink in sight of what I see.

My mother is laying unconscious on the living room floor.