Author's Note: Hello everyone, thank you for choosing to read or stumbling upon this story! This is actually a story I had written in the past under a different penname; it was called "A Name All Her Own" back then and well I've decided to revamp it with a new title and new edits! I hope my old fans of the story will find their way back as well as some new fans as well! This takes place AFTER the Covenant movie sequence, both Caleb and Pogue have graduated and this story takes place during the senior year for Reid, Tyler and my OC's. This DOES include a romance eventually (no flames please, if you are not a fan…simply leave the story now) but there are tons of action, adventure and drama elements like all my stories! Well without further rambles, on with the story and as always, all reviews will be responded to personally in the author's notes in the following update! Thanks! –Amelia
Too Close
Chapter One
I inched my car up to the sight that was to be my new school. The same school my brother had gone on and on about the breathtaking appearance of the school but I was now left questioning his taste. I examined the old stone buildings clustered together looking like a bad interpretation of a horror movie. The slow moving clouds looming overhead only added to the dreary feel of the place. I can only imagine the students to be just as dark in disposition. Great. I shook my head slightly; I couldn't allow myself to be negative before even starting my first day of classes. This was my senior year of high school, my last chance to break free from my shell of shyness and timidity to become the second Danvers to graduate from Spencer Academy.
My name is Melanie Danvers and as I'm sure I'll be reminded more than a few times within the walls of this school that I'm the younger sister of Spencer Academy's favorite alumni, Caleb Danvers. I hardly expected to make way out from behind the shadow cast by my brother, but I was preparing myself to try. I mean I had to right?
I had been in London most of my school years up until now, enjoying the luxury of learning abroad; however I quickly found myself as a quiet, reserved and uninterested in enjoying the life a teenager should. It wasn't natural; well except to my mother…but she hardly made sense to anyone anymore. I forced myself to call up my brother; he was so happy and enthusiastic about his life since attending Spencer Academy…reminding me every conversation of how he found who he was there and found his beloved fiancée Sarah there as well. I had to attempt to find the same final chapter of high school that he had; but more importantly I had to break from the clutches of becoming my mother and make a name for myself. A name all my own and not simply a name associated with my brother.
It was going to be a true challenge…I've played the role of a shy wallflower my entire life. It wasn't that I didn't like who I was…I just got to the point where I realized that if I was going to do anything worth remembering or become someone not easily forgotten…I had to do something different.
I felt myself taking a step onto my new path in life as I walked into the salon only days ago. My brown locks gave way to a vibrant shade of red. I found myself enjoying the way it resembled flames dancing wildly in the wind. That's a bold choice of color; I recall the hair dresser warning me. I smiled, that was exactly what I was going for.
I pulled into the nearest parking spot and did one final look in the mirror. My green eyes stood out like the vibrant hues of grass shedding the morning frost. I scrambled around to gather all paperwork and books into my arms. I was certain my hurried actions would only further advertise my 'new student' status. I then maneuvered my arm into the handles of my oversized pocketbook. I was scanning the car, assuring that I had not forgotten anything when all of a sudden the sound of a loud car horn filled my ears. In complete shock, I managed to send my gathered materials flying into the floorboard below.
I let out an exaggerated sigh before quickly turning to see a large black SUV with head lights on high directly behind my Honda. Was that a hummer? I tried to make out the features of the driver; however the only thing I could make out were hands adorned in cut of black gloves flailing about in anger. I scoffed at the obvious non-existent maturity level of the driver and proceeded to try to gather up the papers and books for the second time. Not but a minute later the horn sounded again…this time leading me to raise my head directly into the steering wheel.
"That's it!" I shouted as I allowed everything to fall back to the floorboard as I scrambled to find the door handle. I then climbed out of the car and began to walk with whatever intimidating fashion my small; five foot five frame could conjure. I walked right up to the door of the SUV that made me feel like a child in size comparison. I folded my arms tightly across my chest and waited the driver to make their appearance. My initial reaction would have been to remain in the comfort of my car and pray the incident would soon pass without me having to say or do a thing. But that was then, and this was now and now, I had stand up for myself despite my urge to run becoming hard to ignore. I swallowed hard before forcing my posture to straighten up.
Moments passed, and still nothing. The driver was allowing the tinting of his windows face me instead. I finally curled my fingers into a fist and began banging on the window. With that, the window began to roll down and slowly revealing his identity. His hair was messily perfect and was a pale shade of blonde. His lips were curled into a smirk until his eyes found their way looking directly into my own. He was so handsome…but in such an intense way…I found my intimidation attempt quickly escaping me until I heard him start to laugh. I instantly became annoyed.
"And what are you finding so amusing?" I said quickly replacing my arms back folded across my chest.
"You are. You're a pint-sized red-head." His words poured with ease from his now smiling face. I fought my instinct to drop my jaw in reaction.
"And you're an asshole I presume, pleasure to make your acquaintance. Now can you explain to me why you were blowing your horn at me? With your high beams on I might add."
"You're in my spot. That's why." He said bringing his hand up to ruffle his hair.
"Oh well that's a mature response." I said as I turned to started to regret even getting out of the car to begin with. I found my mouth beginning to dry…I was begging to find my usual shy self creeping in. I clenched my teeth as hard as I could to prevent myself from apologizing and hurrying back into the car to find a new parking spot. I had to stand my ground; I had to make a good, strong first impression.
"D-do you want me to park somewhere else?" Great. There went the so called strong first impression.
"You're good red." He smiled. I then watched as he began to study my very appearance. I quickly felt my cheeks flush.
"Hey do I know you? You look familiar somehow." I then began to question if I had seen his face before, he also had a feeling of familiarity. I couldn't be certain, however before I could offer, what I'm certain would have been a lame response, the window was raised and the SUV slowly made its way from my sight.
I found myself now fighting back that feeling of panic, I wasn't sure I would ever shake the feeling of sheer embarrassment from the previous confrontation. I just kept reminding myself I probably wouldn't see that guy again…I mean the school had so many students, what were the odds of running into him again anyway? Yeah. Good point I told myself as I took in a deep breath of the cool Ipswich air and proceeding for a third time, to gather my things and attempt to salvage my first day at Spencer Academy.
I weaved myself in and around the narrow sidewalks of the school until I pushed my way through the over-sized doors of Spencer Academy. I tried not to let my head lower any further as I dodged the mixed glances of my peers. Breathe. Just breathe and act like you own these halls. Easier said than done.
I then found my way into the main office after what seemed like hours walking down the dimly lit hallways decorated with random flyers offering little color to brighten the neutral walls.
I was instantly greeted by a woman glaring at me through the rims of her glasses, a smile instantly stretching across her aging face. I then walked up to the dark wood desk she was motioning for me to come closer to.
"Hello there young lady, how can I help you?" she asked sweetly. Her gray hair was tied neatly into a bun allowing only a few strands to be tucked behind her ears that were adorned with large colored stones wrapped in gold.
"I'm uh, Melanie Danvers and-" I started until her face lit up as if she was just given the news she had been waiting so long to hear.
"So you're the little sister of Caleb Danvers! Oh bless my stars aren't you just the prettiest little thing I've ever seen! Red hair? Wasn't expecting that…Caleb had the most handsome dark hair!" The woman continued to ramble as if we were having a pleasant conversation; I found myself simply nodding while nervously fiddling with my hair.
"Oh look at me just running my mouth, what is it that you need dear?" she said offering a large smile once more.
"Dorm papers please ma'am."
"Of course, hold on one moment." She said before turning her gaze onto the bright computer screen before her. After a few clicks of the mouse and taps of the keyboard she began to hum a soft tune. Moments passed until I heard the sounds of the printer springing to life and spitting out a few papers.
"Here you are! Everything you'll need to know! Just come back and see me if you have any questions! Your dorm number is on the top page, oh and please tell that sweet brother of yours not to be a stranger and come see me!" She chuckled. I only nodded before turning and hurrying out from the awkward setting that was the main office. I knew now, not to go back there unless necessary.
I made my way back into the comfort and security of my car and began to scan the papers the woman had given me. I quickly spotted my dorm room number, 219. I then proceeding to read the next page, my schedule of 5 classes was staring right back at me. Literary Classics, Political Philosophy and all sorts of classes I found myself regretting the fact I left all the hard classes for my senior year…I think I got the rules of high school backwards.
I leaned my head back onto the headrest and wondered if it was too late to change my mind about coming here and doing this. If I called my mother, she would gladly agree that London was the best place for a girl like me and she would even take me to a fine lunch before scheduling my flight back to my old life. But that's just it, it was my old life. I couldn't exactly go back and expect anything less than the expected back there. Nothing interesting and nothing worth remembering; I had to suck it up and stay here. I had to at least give it a chance.
Maybe my roommate would be the most amazing person I've ever met, we might become the closest of friends and she could fill me in on everything I need to know to survive the halls of Spencer Academy…and maybe tell me who that guy was from this morning. I'm certain I'd be told to steer clear of him; I mean the cut off gloves was just a sign of trouble.
I forced into my racing thoughts the fact that I could do this and I would do this and I would do a hell of a job doing it! Melanie Danvers is here and I was here to stay no matter what. I hope…
Could the dorm hallways be any more crowded? I tried my best to keep the amount of unfamiliar faces surrounding me from affecting my courage to study every number. I was beginning to wonder if my obvious unlucky day led to a misprint of my room number. But I had to keep in mind that the entire school wasn't against me; just an annoying blonde in an SUV and the continuous confused looks I was receiving for being the new kid in town.
I stopped for a moment, only to adjust the weight of the many bags I so intelligently decided to carry to my room all at once. I released a loud sigh as I began my dreaded journey once again. Luckily my journey was nearing an end as my eyes were greeted by the numbers "219" upon the frosted glass door. This would be my home for the next year; thoughts of the look and feel of the room began to build some hopeful thoughts within me. I then dropped all my bags to the floor with a loud noise that echoed more than I had anticipated. I lowered my head before resting it upon the chill of the glass standing between me and my room. I watched the fog appear and disappear from sight upon the door with every breath. This was it. This was the start to the rest of my life; well, high school life.
Before I could allow my hand to rise for a gentle knock, I felt the door opening and quickly pull away from me. I instantly stumbled forward, gracefully tripping over the bags I dropped at my feet moments before.
"Now that's what I call an entrance!" chuckled a voice. I managed to scramble to my feet and allow my now flushed cheeks to introduce myself to my roommate. I forced a smile as I hesitatingly offered my hand out for a customary handshake.
"How formal! I'm Allison…Ally for short! You must be…oh my gah, you're the Danvers girl! I'm so jealous that you've been able to grow up alongside Caleb! He was the only reason I took gym…and failed!" She continued on talking about my brother in such a way that I wondered if she secretly started a fan club in his honor. It was official; I would adore the first person I meet who didn't worship the ground Caleb walked on.
As she continued to talk and proceed to give me the small tour of the room, I found myself at ease. She was so bubbly, energetic and a lot of the qualities I've longed to find within myself. She stood a few inches above me and had long, platinum blonde hair that traveled down to the start of her hips. Her eyes were a warm chocolate brown and glistened with energy.
"You haven't said a word; I was rambling wasn't I?" she then turned to me, cocking her head slightly in inquisition.
"No! No, you weren't rambling at all. I'm just uh slow to open up I suppose." I said while quickly turning to drag my bags into the room before closing the door that had remained open since my grand entrance.
"Oh I see, well don't be shy around me, please! We're seniors after all! This is the only time in life we can be loud, rowdy and make horrible decisions and the world calls it a normal part of growing up!" I couldn't help but laugh at her statement, it was true and this had to be the absolute perfect roommate that I could have been placed with. If I was going to do anything worth remembering, I had a feeling it would be with Ally encouraging me every step of the way.
I was feeling more and more relaxed as the moments of small talk continued. I learned that she had been here the entire length of her high school life. She was addicted to music of all kinds and despised nearly all other females she's ever met here except for a girl named Kate who she regretted to say had ran off with some guy named Pogue. That name led to her explaining the reason she was nursing a hangover today; partying with Pogue's friends the night before.
"I swear…don't ever go partying with the sons of Ipswich unless you want to end up laying in the grass until the crack of dawn followed by getting called to the provost's office. It's never a good day when you get called in there." I paid little attention to anything followed the words "Son's of Ipswich". It definitely wasn't the first time I've heard that. My family had a history of money, residing hair lines and oh yeah...the use of magic that was as powerful as it was addictive.
I could remember clearly my mother and brother arguing over the matter. My father was a perfect example of the consequences that came with such power. I don't remember my father in great detail, but I was always reminded of his love for me and I took that as enough for me. My mother resented him in a lot of ways and drinking became the only comfort she had when Caleb began to distance himself and I was attending school in another country.
My family story is far from sunshine and rainbows but I consider myself lucky. I was loved unconditionally and I was given every opportunity in life that was available to me; which was enough for me.
The sons of Ipswich, it had been awhile since I've heard those words spoken but it brought up so many memories. I remember hearing all about the sons of Ipswich group my brother claimed to be a part of; it was a secret group he would tell me. My mother called it a gang and despised the fact Caleb was around so many of the other sons from magical families who had "not yet realized the full extent of what's to come and clearly lacked maturity". I was pretty much kept out of the "magic business" within the family. Being born without powers I was told there was no need for me to know much. I was often reminded however; that I should try not to anger my brother on his emotionally charged moments where control was the last thing he had over his magic. I never met the other guys Caleb spent most of his time with; I didn't even know their names. I was told I met them as a child, and I'm certain I could recall my brother speaking about them when we spoke on the phone, but I was horrible at remembering our conversations. I blamed it on the time difference; but really it was the fact I grew tired of hearing how perfect his life had become in comparison to my own.
"Earth to Danvers!" my train of though was instantly broken as I remembered I was supposed to be taking part in the conversation.
"Sorry…what was the question again?" I offered a smile as Ally folded her arms across her chest bearing the logo of the school name printed large upon her baggy sweatshirt.
"I asked if you're going to be down to party this weekend. It's the annual 'you survived the first week of classes so let's get plastered' party. You in?" I felt myself clamming up at the very question. It seems I really was completely different than most teenagers my age. I must have appeared like a grandmother eager to knit a sweater for the weekend. I did what any good girl would do on the edge of being called out for lack of party experience: I lied.
"YEAH! I'm so down with that! It'll um, give me something to look forward to this week!" I regretted the cheesy sound of my choice of words but I watched as a high five was sent colliding into my hand.
"Awesome! I really think we're going to get along great Danvers!" She smiled while crossing her legs up onto the bed only a few feet from my own bed.
"You know you can call me Melanie, you don't have to call me by my last name." I said. Any way to detach myself from my brother's name would be a wise decision if I ever wanted to make a name for myself here.
"Nah, I like calling you Danvers! Reminds me of that handsome thing you call a brother!" Wonderful.
"Alright, so tomorrow is the first day of classes; I'll fill you in on who you should know and who you shouldn't be caught dead knowing. This is going to be a great year I can already tell!" She said while shinning a smile stretching nearly from ear to ear. "What class do you have first?" she added.
"Um, I think Literary Classics with-"
"Mr. Burns! YES! We got first class together! How lucky are we?" She cheered as I couldn't help but find the same enjoyment in the fact that my roommate would be there with me as I start my first day of classes here at Spencer Academy.
The rain soaked Sunday afternoon grew rather bright as my roommate and I established what I was sure to be a very eventful but entertaining friendship. She had already taken up the role of my how-to guide to enjoying my senior year to the fullest.
Time passed and I quickly picked up on one aspect of my roommate that I certainly wouldn't mind and that was the fact she fell asleep at an early hour; which worked out quite well for me, I needed time to myself this first night sleeping in a new place and a new country for that matter.
As I pulled the covers over me I felt my mind continuing to turn kart-wheels. I quickly turned onto my side, allowing my eyes to take in a few rays from the moon peeking through the clouds and into the floor below. The breeze pushed the branches into a dance as my eyes followed every change in shadow before I finally drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, I awoke feeling energized and ready to face the day. I had finally found a tinge of confidence or the morning coffee was kicking in. Ally and I scrambled around the room getting ready, exchanging "does my hair look alright" questions throughout the morning. Within an hour we had both found satisfaction with our appearance and had made it to the opened doorway of my first class at Spencer Academy.
My first reaction was utter shock as I noticed the sheer size of the classroom. It was more like a stadium than a classroom; at least in comparison to the small and dimly lit classrooms I had become accustomed to in my last school. Before I could protest or even take in another breath; Ally had quickly took hold of my wrist and directed me in the back row of the class where two empty seats remained.
"We got the best seats in the class! This is definitely a good start to the day!" Ally smiled as she casually pulled her long longs into a loose knot upon her head. I simply nodded as I wanted to suppress my urge to take my usual seat placement within the classroom which was the front row. But I was determined to allow myself to try new things and do things differently this year; I had to.
A few late-comers made there way into remaining seats within the classroom as the teacher was hard at work writing notes upon the chalkboard.
"Hey the sons of Ipswich are in this class too! Well, at least I'll have something decent to look at in here!" Ally whispered to me as she pointed to the two young men entering the classroom slowly and full of a new level of confidence I would typically label arrogance.
The first guy had such a kind and handsome face, he seemed young and by his few head nods to a few other people within the class I could tell he was quite popular. His dark hair and attractive smile was enough to make my cheeks flush.
My eyes then rested upon the second young man who had…wait a second! I studied his features only for a second before realizing that he was the guy in the black Hummer! The guy who an absolute jerk to me the very moment I arrived on campus!
"The blonde guy…he's a son of Ipswich?" I whispered trying to refrain from giving away my obvious anger and confusion.
"Yeah, that's Reid Garwin! He's the most hard core partier this school has seen in a long time, loves the ladies and has gone through about every one of them that attend this school…but goodness how could anyone turn that sexy face down!" Ally said while sighing playfully.
I couldn't believe it! My brother spent his time growing and maturing as a warlock with this guy? This was a joke, some horribly played joke surely. My brother couldn't possibly associate with such a person and that guy couldn't possibly be given honorable and ancient powers?
I instantly felt as if my entire knowledge and idea of the magical families shatter into a million tiny pieces that must have landing within my own stomach because of the nauseous feeling creeping into my senses. But it would explain why there was a feeling of familiarity between us, we had to have been around each other once or twice growing up. Except I could clearly tell that he had not done any growing in the maturity department.
"You okay?" Ally asked while nudging me slightly with her elbow.
"Yeah, oh yeah! Sorry I just um…sort of know that guy Reid." I managed to spit out as I peeled my eyes from staring at the blonde as he took his seat a few rows down from my seat.
"Oh that's such great news! Now I won't have to introduce you to him this weekend!" she said with excitement.
"What are you talking about, this weekend?"
"That's who's throwing the party! He's my drinking buddy…ah man this is so awesome! Now I'm really excited for the party, it's going to be a night to remember!" those last words seemed to echo in my head; it certainly would be a night to remember and I was starting to think it'd be a night I'll be trying hard to forget!
