Author's Note: Okay, it's very twilightesque... I know. This is a warning. I'm sorry, this was my first ever story. Just felt like publishing it so you could see where I started. It's pretty damn crappy, but hey who's first attempt isn't? (:
Chapter One
The Witch
Oaklee Starling felt eyes on her as she walked into the busy cafeteria, whispers and gossip hitting her like a blow. Not that any of that was new.
She sighed.
Oaklee wished just once she could walk into a room without fear that someone somewhere was going to say something about her or her family. She was sixteen and she could barely remember a time when she was accepted.
She cursed her clear pale skin and black-rimmed amethyst eyes, as they drew the attention of almost everyone in the crowded room.
Oaklee grabbed her usual lunch and sat at the table next to Rhys. She used her long, jet black hair as a curtain, protecting her from the world.
Rhys was her best friend and a social reject solely for that fact. Sometimes Oaklee felt a little guilty that Rhys would give up being the Dream Boy of the Druidmark High so that he could be her friend and Oaklee was pretty sure Rhys could be popular.
His common blue eyes, blonde hair and ordinary handsomeness were just about what every girl in Druidmark High wanted and Oaklee often wished secretly that he would accept one of them. But she was glad he stuck around, no one else wanted to hang out with a purple-eyed, pale freak.
As soon as she sat down, Oaklee snatched Rhys' chocolate pudding.
"What's that Oaklee? You want my dessert? Oh, you're my best friend. Of course you can have it since you asked so nicely." He gave her a mock glare and continued to read something.
Oaklee briefly grinned at his dry humour before noticing what he was reading.
The School News Paper, 'The Druidmark Drove':
As you know, passionate readers of The Druidmark Drove we have been investigating the recent disappearances of Hilary Smith, Gregory Lionel and Kieran Soleman. Three of the most promising students this school had ever had...
Oaklee could almost hear the dreamy sigh, deciding not to puke she continued on.
We suspect foul play as even the authorities seem to have no clue as to where the three could've disappeared to and all on the same night! The spooky thing is they disappeared on the night of the Winter Solstice, the darkest and longest night, can you believe it?
I know what you're thinking readers, perhaps they ran off together on some bizarre mini vacation or perhaps they simply got lost in the woods. Who's to tell? Keep reading passionate reader and we'll keep you posted...
"Done reading my newspaper?" Rhys grunted, obviously worried about what Oaklee was thinking. Oaklee remained quiet thinking, mulling over what she had learnt. Something was definitely spooky about disappearances on Solstice. Wild magic was rampant on Winter Solstice and her family weren't the only witches in town.
"Oaklee? Hello? Anyone in there?"
Oaklee instantly fell out of her train of thought.
She smiled weakly at Rhys.
"Yeah? What's wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing ... Just -"
The bell rang, echoing through the cafeteria.
"Just?"
Rhys shifted from side to side, obviously thinking about what to say next. He gave her a strange look under his lashes, as if taking her measure. Oaklee didn't understand the emotion she saw there, except that he was obviously disappointed with something.
"Look I have Gym next... so meet you after school, okay?" He commanded before racing off in the direction of the gym.
Oaklee shook her head at her friend, before marching off for History. History was beyond a doubt her favourite subject.
It wasn't just the fact that Mr. Finn was the paragon of a History teacher or that he insisted that Oaklee should be left alone in his classes. But it was the class itself, it was a chance to escape to places far away and experience something beyond her tired little town.
She took her usual seat alone. No one dared sit next to her.
"Witch." A girl hissed from behind her. Oaklee rolled her eyes at the cheerleader. The venomous looks she got from the rest of the girl's friends were so familiar that Oaklee merely looked straight at the board.
When a sob erupted from someone behind her, Oaklee spun around. A girl named Abby was crying, Oaklee vaguely remembered her as Gregory's girlfriend. Abby looked up and met Oaklee's eyes. Oaklee almost recoiled at the sight of so much hate. The girl practically wanted her dead.
Oaklee sighed again. Not that that was anything new.
"It's her fault that my Gregory is missing, her and her crazy family. I just know it. Her family practically confessed to being witches. Everyone knows they're completely bonkers. A family with no guys... I mean seriously. Her Aunty, Her Grandmother... Her. Of course, she turned out just like them." Abby said venomously, knowing everyone's eyes and ears were on her.
Oaklee was about to retort some snide remark when Mr. Finn told the class to quieten down.
"Now students, I know it's a bit late in the year actually a bit late in the day as well but we have a new student. Come in Mr. Hawthorne." Mr. Finn motioned for someone from the door to enter.
Oaklee couldn't breathe as she stared up into the emotive forest green eyes of 'Mr. Hawthorne.' He had chocolate brown hair not in the spiky or gelled back style of most boys but naturally dishevelled as if he didn't have the time to care. He had a perfect, passionate mouth while the rest of his face was strongly masculine. Oaklee almost blushed when she noticed the strength of his arms; they were leanly muscled under his pale skin.
He was one hundred percent gorgeous.
He had an aura of danger about him and Oaklee knew that she wasn't the only one feeling its pull. She gazed around the room and rolled her eyes at the flirtatious leers he was receiving from the other girls.
Oaklee struggled not to laugh and wondered whether that was what she looked like too.
"... He comes from staying with his mother at New York. Please make him welcome everyone. Would anyone like to volunteer to show, Mr. Hawthorne around?" Mr. Finn couldn't conceal the amusement in his eyes as every girl in the class raised their hand, except the ever silent Ms. Starling.
"Ah. Ms. Starling I'm sure you could show around Mr. Hawthorne without much trouble?"
Oaklee was surprised to hear her name being called when she had clearly refrained from putting her hand up like all the other drooling girls. She looked up to see Mr. Finn place 'Mr. Hawthorne' in the empty seat beside her.
"Mr. Hawthorne this beautiful young lady's name is Oaklee. Quite a unique name, I believe its origins lay in..."
Oaklee looked away in embarrassment as Mr. Finn went on about her name.
Mr. Hawthorne merely shrugged and sat down next to her. He wasn't even touching her and Oaklee felt warm all over. She shot him a quick glance before getting her books out for the lesson.
"So you're the silent, stay-out-of-my-business type of guy are you?" Oaklee volunteered, unable to think about what to say. She gave him a shy smile and all he did was nod.
Oaklee wished he didn't look so serious. He definitely sent the 'I'm-dangerous-so-look-out' message to anyone who tried to approach him. She frowned a little. Why was she even trying to talk to him? This wasn't her at all, Oaklee pinched herself.
Oaklee began again. "Do you have a first name or do you stick to Hawthorne?"
His eyes widened, and then narrowed suspiciously at Oaklee. Looking her over with his bright green eyes, he sighed obviously deciding on something.
"My name's Gabriel." Gabriel answered in a smooth, delicious voice, with an accent she couldn't quite place. Gabriel was a guy obviously out of her league.
"Wasn't too hard was it? Would've thought I was pulling your teeth out." Oaklee laughed nervously.
"Would've preferred the tooth pulling..." Gabriel muttered under his breath.
"C'mon it's not that bad to talk to me is it?"
"You'd be surprised."
"Yeah I think you're right, it's dangerous to talk to me you know." Oaklee whispered conspiratorially, unfazed by his answer.
Gabriel actually looked at her then, amusement playing in his eyes.
"And why would that be?"
"Well who knows, I could be out to steal your honour. Be prepared, my fair lady because you'll have to protect that virtue of yours. Now where are those handcuffs?" She pretended to look around; afraid she had went too far with her charade.
Gabriel laughed and Oaklee thought it was the sweetest sound she had ever heard, and rewarding in a way she didn't understand.
"I don't think you need them, most guys would gladly sacrifice their virtue to the likes of you." Gabriel smiled at her before catching himself and going back to his brooding expression.
His sudden change hurt her, and she couldn't hide it. Oaklee built up her walls again, unable to comprehend why he could hurt her so badly. She didn't understand her fascination with him anyway.
Oaklee looked back to Mr. Finn pretending to listen.
Finally the bell rang, signalling the end of the day. Almost running out the door, she was stopped by Mr. Finn.
"Ahem. I believe you were meant to escort Mr. Hawthorne." He stated, purposely forgetting it was the end of the day.
Oaklee moaned loudly but waited outside for Gabriel to leave. He packed up his things and moved with a predatory grace that Oaklee envied. Gabriel simply walked past her and she stared after him in outrage.
She gave Mr. Finn a 'do-you-see-what-I-have-to-put-up-with' look and he merely laughed and motioned for her to run along.
Oaklee hit herself for thinking that Gabriel was even remotely attractive, guys like him were gorgeous and they knew it. Making them vain and undeniably annoying, she definitely preferred guys like Rhys. She walked on, nearly allowing herself to believe that she wasn't attracted to Gabriel in anyway.
She looked around and spotted him standing outside the gates, surrounded by drooling girls and Oaklee couldn't explain the fierce jealousy she felt within herself.
Oaklee walked over to Rhys and merely kept her eyes away from Gabriel. Rhys noticed how tense she was and told her to loosen up, pulling her towards the gym entrance.
Rhys knew he didn't have her attention so he coughed loudly. She remained a silent statue, staring off into the distance barely seeing him.
Rhys pulled his hand through his hair in frustration.
Finally pulling herself from her thoughts, Oaklee smiled at her friend. "What was it that you wanted to tell me earlier?"
Rhys' face distorted into blind panic until he left her standing outside gym gazing after him. Oaklee laughed at him, unable to control herself. She wondered what had gotten her easy-going friend so flustered.
"You don't deserve happiness, witch." Abby hissed from behind her, glaring daggers at Oaklee. It wasn't hard to miss the burning fury and hatred distorting Abby's pretty face. With her fiery hair blowing in the wind she almost looked like a Harpy.
Oaklee quickly faced Abby, lest she leave herself vulnerable.
"What did you do to him?" Abby spat striding up to Oaklee, grabbing Oaklee's arms.
"To who?" Oaklee asked stupidly. She felt Abby's nails dig into the flesh of her arms, the grip tightening by the second.
"Gregory! You were jealous weren't you? That he didn't choose you, everyone was jealous when he chose me. It's not my fault that I'm beautiful." Abby screeched into Oaklee's face. Abby looked twisted with grief and Oaklee never felt more trapped as Abby pushed her into the gym.
"No, I swear I didn't... I wasn't... Look Abby I didn't do anything to Gregory." Oaklee's voice shook, real fear blossoming in her heart.
"You cursed him for choosing me and not you! You made him disappear into the forest never to be found again, with your devil practises. Or maybe you're crazy just like the rest of your family and simply killed him. Oh my god! You murdering bitch, I'll get you thrown in prison for this." Abby's accusations seemed to get wilder by the second, her face going red as she continued to scream.
Abby grabbed Oaklee's wild jet black hair and pulled.
Oaklee shrieked in agony.
Abby slapped Oaklee's face, then kneed her in the stomach. Oaklee ducked as Abby tried to punch her face, to get kneed in the forehead.
Oaklee was beginning to see stars but she refused to fight Abby. Oaklee knew violence only lead to more violence, but she couldn't help wanting to beat the crap out of Abby.
"Confess and I'll knock you out before I really start hurting you." Abby sounded coldly efficient, void of any of the emotions she showed before. But when Oaklee looked into the other girl's eyes, cold fury burned brightly leaving the girl capable of anything.
Oaklee shuddered.
"Confess to what Abby? What? Am I supposed to confess to something I didn't do?" Oaklee tried to reason, but Abby wasn't thinking logically, if she was thinking at all.
"You'll confess by the time I'm done with you, witch."
Abby yelled in frustration and shoved Oaklee onto the bleachers.
The sharp seats digging into her back, Oaklee gasped in pain. Oaklee moved to get up when Abby kicked her in the stomach. Oaklee struggled for air, as Abby continued to kick the air out.
Oaklee tried to roll out of the way, but when Abby's foot hit the seat she yowled in pain and carried on her onslaught more dangerous than before.
"Why don't you fight back?" Oaklee heard Abby say under her breath, but Oaklee was past caring all she could feel was throbbing pain. Abby grabbed her by the hair and threw against the wall.
"Confess!" Abby screamed.
People had started to gather around, obviously pleased that the 'witch' was finally getting her comeuppance. Abby had purposely cornered her, telling her friends to spread the word. The truth hurt, but no one would help a crazy witch girl.
No one moved to help her. She was completely alone in a crowd.
Oaklee began to lose consciousness, beautiful numbness taking over. Abby's poison sounding pleasantly distant. She felt herself being thrown time and time again against the wall, Abby yelling at her to wake up.
"That's enough Abby." Oaklee heard someone say, but it was too little too late.
She felt her body drop like a rag doll to the floor, Abby shrieking senselessly as strong arms embraced her. The comfortingly smell of the forest, coffee and danger filled her senses. Oaklee couldn't help smiling as she heard someone telling Abby to get the hell away from her.
Knowing she was finally safe, Oaklee let the sweet darkness enfold her.