December 10, 1012 AD

He cradled her head in his lap, "Persephone wake up please."

Tears soaked his cheeks dripping onto her face.

"H-Hades?" Persephone's hands shook as she stretched out her hand to his face.

"I'm here."

She suddenly coughed blood dribbling down her chin, "I will come back. I swear on the River Styx."

Hades shook his head, "You can't promise me that."

She didn't know why, but she knew she would and how, "I won't remember you."

"I know," He whispered.

She smiled sadly, "It will be okay."

"It will be when you are back with me."

A tear fell from her face and she breathed her last.

November 30, Present

Wrapped in golden light Mom stood three feet in front of me. Arms open smiling her curly brown hair dancing around her beautiful features. Her warm green eyes smiling at me, "Raven." She murmured, "You've grown."

My eyes widened after all these long years she visited my dreams. "M-Mom?" I mustered and ran to her throwing my arms around her body breathing her perfume in. It was so real so...

Suddenly she was gone. I crumpled to the dark ground and my scene changed. I was staring at myself in the car five years old again staring at my bleeding mother. She wasn't moving her hair limply in her eyes which weren't shining any longer. A large gash covered her chest and her legs crumpled.

Sirens blared and red and blue blinding me every once in a while.

I watched as my five year old self screamed, "MOM! MOM! MOM! NO MOMMY WAKE UP!"

She didn't move my younger self broke down into soul wrenching screams, sobbing.

A police man came to the window, "It's okay little girl don't cry it's all over..."

I sat up, my heart beating so fast I thought it might fly through my chest and hit the wall across from me.

I got out of bed. The sun was barely peaking its way into my blinds. I dragged myself to my dresser and pulled out a faded tee shirt and jeans. My sister-in-law Isabelle would argue that I needed to look absolutely perfect for my first day back to school from fall break, but all I wanted to do is get through the day and just get back into the same schedule as always. I didn't need to be noticed. I didn't need anything, but to get through high school and college and help with my dad's company.

I continued with my routine, but I couldn't shake my nightmare. My mom's eyes frazzled, me crying. It was like I had to relive everything every time I had that dream.

I brushed my curly blonde hair through and pulled it through a pony tail and tried to ignore the sick feeling in my stomach. After I was done I glanced at myself in the mirror and decided on pulling a sweatshirt over my outfit.

I walked over to my window where my gray sweatshirt lay. I glanced out at my garden that was slowly dying now as fall set in. Beautiful reds and yellows perfectly arranged in order with stones trapping them around the paths. Magnificent willow trees tickled the pathways around the flowers. I smiled I'd have to read out there after school and enjoy the last bits of beauty before the Connecticut winter settled through.

I slid my sweatshirt on and sighed today was going to last forever.

I walked over to my door and placed my hand on the door handle.

"-will be hard to get Raven used to this again."

Someone was outside my door, and they were talking about me.

I leaned in to my door placing my ear to the cool wood.

"Hayden is going to be attending her school today?"

"Yes, but what if they don't connect? What if she suddenly remembers?" A woman's voice I didn't recognize said.

"There is no option for that. Hayden will speak with her or it shall never work." It was my dad.

Who was Hayden? That name was so familiar, so close that it was on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't imagine a face. Why was my dad talking about me and Hayden?

"Rae I promise. We will have this family together soon enough."

My heart pounded. What was my dad talking about?

I opened the door determined to get some answers. My father looked taken aback. He wore a suit and tie as normal his beard trimmed close to his face. He smiled, "Good morning Raven. This is Rae, an old friend of mine."

I looked over to see a beautiful woman with long black curls. Her face was kind and her electric blue eyes smiled, "Hello."

"Who's Hayden?" I asked ignoring her greeting. Yeah a little harsh, but whatever.

The woman, Rae, smiled politely, "He's my son. He will be attending your school with you."

I nodded, "Okay." This still didn't explain the whole 'connection' thing they had been talking about.

My father nodded, "I mentioned that you're the top of your class and said that you'd be willing to help Hayden get caught up."

I shrugged, "I really don't take up tutoring students."

My father gave me a look, "I'm sure you could make an exception."

I shrugged again, "Maybe. I have to go Dad."

He nodded and kissed me on the forehead, "Have a good day back to school sweetie," Then he whispered in a low voice, "Be nice to Hayden."

"Thanks." I muttered disappointed that I didn't have all of the information that I wanted, but I continued anyway. I trudged down the stairs to see my whole family sitting in the dining room and boy, was it chaotic. Although I really wasn't surprised I lived with my 8 brothers and sisters.

There were the boys, Aron, Garrison, Ronald, Victor, and Eric. And the girls Aria, Anne, and my sister-in-law Isabella.

Most of them were out of college or in college. Victor and Isabella were married and had a baby boy, Ronald, Eric, and Anne were in college and there was Aron, Garrison, Aria, and I who still are in high school.

Most of us were adopted except for me, Victor, and Eric. Victor and Eric were my stepmother's and father's kids and well, I was an illegitimate child. My dad had an affair with my biological mother when him and my stepmother where in their fifth year of marriage and my stepmother never has let that go.

I slid into one of our bar stools on the island counter next to Isabelle who was trying much to hard to feed her baby, Sky. Behind me where all the rest of my family arguing about homework, school, and butter of all things, but I soon noticed a boy about my age with dark black hair that covered most of his eyes he wore jeans and a dark gray long sleeved shirt with a collar. He was tall and pretty nice looking, but looked strained and sad and he was staring directly at me.

I turned around flushed hoping he didn't see me stare. Could that be Hayden? He looked nothing like his mother. Still I wondered why my father hadn't mentioned him before, but he felt so familiar to me, like a dream.

I ignored my thoughts and turned back to my cereal and ate quickly. I felt strange though I couldn't shake the fact that I knew him, but I couldn't remember him.

After breakfast we all waited outside for the bus including the strange boy.

I'd glance at him every once in a while and he'd still be looking at me. His gray eyes sent shivers down my spine like I had been looking into a dark forest at night. I bit my lip this guy was seriously freaking me out.

When the bus arrived we all piled on in the back and Aria sat with me.

"Hey Raven." Aria said. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail like mine and she had jeans and a long sleeved shirt on.

"Hi Aria," I said.

Aria was Aron's twin and they were scary similar. They both had the dark hair and neon blue eyes. Both were utterly athletic and beat my butt constantly during archery practice. Aria glanced behind her shoulder, "Who's that boy?"

I shrugged, "I don't know and I don't really care."

Aria raised an eyebrow, "He has been staring at you all morning."

I shrugged again, "He's a creep. Dad told me he wanted me to tutor him, but I don't think I will."

"Dude, this is the perfect opportunity to figure out who he is. For all we know he could be a murderer."

"And you think it would be a good idea for me to tutor a murderer because?"

She rolled her eyes, "I'm exaggerating he's probably a nice guy I just think we need to know more about him you know?"

"I guess so." I muttered.

I pulled out a book, one of my mother's gardening books. I was partial to gardening it was a nice pass time in the summer when my brothers and sisters were gone doing whatever with their friends. Plus my mother had thousands of notes that the book seemed to leave out. When I read I got to see her flowing words about the plants on the pages. I had always wondered why she never written her own book, but she had died before I asked.

I was on my favorite page. It was the Narcissus plant. Mom had always told me the stories of the Greek Myths. This one always would make me sad that Echo had to fall in love with such a vain man, but they were such beautiful pure flowers. I found the hand written note that described the Myth in my mothers writing. I smiled when I read the ending, I know you've found this again haven't you Raven?

Yes Mama I have. I smiled deeply remembering her. Suddenly the majority of the bus rose and everyone began to go into school. I tucked my book under my arm and followed my brothers and sisters into Evan's High, our lowly little school.

As I was walking in I felt a presence next to me, it was that creepy guy again. I turned and lo and behold, Hayden. I waved awkwardly, "Hi."

He waved as well, "Hello, I'm Hayden."

"Raven Armstrong."

We walked in silence for a moment and he said, "I think we have Pre-Calculus together."

Since when did he know my schedule? "Possibly, I have it in 4th period."

He nodded, "As do I."

The way he spoke was strange it was as if he was from a different time period or something.

"So," I said breaking the ice, "where are you from?"

"Maine," he said solemnly, "I miss being there, however my mother got offered a job working for your father's company and she obliged."

I nodded as I reached my locker, "Well that's cool I guess," The warning bell rang, "See you in 4th period, Hayden."

He gave a half of a smile, "I will see you then."

I got through the first two periods of school okay avoiding just about every one in sight, thinking of the strange boy. By the third period bell I was anxiously awaiting the next period I about toppled over when it actually rang. As I was heading out the door Mr. Collefle, the science teacher called after me, "Raven I need to speak to you please."

"Yes Mr. Collefle?" I asked nonchalantly.

He frowned his burly mustache twitching, "It seems these last two tests have brought your grade down quite a few points."

I raised an eyebrow, "Um how much would that be, sir?"

He frowned again, "Here," he handed me a half sheet of paper, "a progress report."

I glanced down, my physics grade had slipped from a straight A to a big fat D. My eyes widened, "H-how did I even...?"

"Now we have some options. I'll give you some extra credit, but I'm afraid I'm wrapped up with the indoor cross country team and you'll have to find a tutor for yourself, you could always ask your sister, Mira."

I nodded, half in a trance. A D how did I manage that?

"Thank you, sir."

Mr. Collefle patted my back, "It'll be okay Raven! Just dream of that A on your report card and it'll be there before you know it!"

I gave a half smile and left.

God if Dad ever found out I'd be in so much trouble.

I scurried over to the nearest trash can and tore the paper about a million times and tripped over myself to get to Pre-Calculus. The bell dinged three steps before I reached the door and I cursed under my breath. Miss. Hail would never let me hear the end of this.

I snaked my way into the room and the only chair that was left was next to Señor Creepy himself. I plopped down and sighed of relief, Miss. Hail was just now writing the starter on the board maybe she wouldn't call me out on not being here on time.

"Miss. Armstrong," Damn spoke too soon.

I cleared my throat, but it still came out as a squeak earning snickers around the room, "Yes Miss. Hail?"

"The tardy chart. I shouldn't have to tell you." She said chalk scratching the black board.

I grumbled some not very nice things while walking across the room and I signed my name. This was the third time I'd been late. Crap.

Detention.

I chewed on my lip as my face went red and I trudged back over to my seat. I ripped out a sheet of paper tearing it in half, "Crap." I muttered.

"Here," I rose my head up to see Hayden handing me a piece of notebook paper.

"Thanks," I said.

The rest of the period seemed fine. Except every time I'd look at Hayden he seemed to be struggling more than ever before.

When partner working time rolled around I glanced at him.

He gnawed on the end of his eraser and grumbled, "This is harder to figure out than the labyrinth."

I raised an eyebrow, "Greek myths?"

He looked at me a little embarrassed, "My mom used to read them to me when I was younger."

I smiled, "My mom did too," I looked at his paper and shook my head, "No, no x is not supposed to be on that side. It's supposed to be over here." I pointed at the other side of the equation, "Do you need help?"

He smiled sheepishly, "Yes. A lot actually."

The bell rung overhead and I said, "You can come over tonight around six-ish. Before that apparently I have detention."

Hayden chuckled, "Okay thank you, Raven."

I nodded and left. Was I crazy? I told myself I wouldn't fall into whatever dad's trap was for me and Hayden. I sighed and headed to the detention room.

Well holy crap guys I did it the first chapter done! Woop! So flames are accepted and so are awesome comments. Also you should favorite/follow me/the story. I love to favorite/follow. My dog frequently favorites/follows.

Lol. What?

Not sure when I'll update, but I'll do my best!

YEAH!

Anyway... Thanks for reading!

LOVE, diAngelosGirl :D