"Here, have some water." A boy was standing in front of Morgana, holding out a wineskin of water. He had pale blue eyes, and raven black hair. Morgana smiled and took it from him. "Thanks, Merlin. You're a good friend." His name popped into her mind, that she didn't even have to think about it. It was just there.

She drank it, and then set it down beside her. Merlin turned around, and Morgana looked down at the ground. Suddenly there was a tightness in her chest. She couldn't breathe. "Merlin, merlin!" She cried out and then gasped as she realized what was going on. He turned to face her, wiped a few tears, and then nodded.

"No." She shook her head, and clutched her throat. He fell to the ground and grabbed her waist, pulling her to him. "No!" She shouted, and struggled, trying to get away from him. He sobbed and turned her around so that her back was on his chest. She clutched his forearm, sobbing and crying, as her life was ebbing away...

Ch. 1

Morgana awoke from her dream, clawing at the sheets. It was her first day as a freshman, and already her nightmares were starting back. There was a knock on her door. "Come in!" She chimed and Arthur walked in. "Oh, it's you." She pouted and he chuckled.

"Who were you expecting?" He laughed and she contemplated this. She replied, "Hmm, maybe a tall, dark, handsome stranger?"

"Well, he'll have to get through me if wants to get my younger sister." He winked and she stuck her tongue out and chucked a pillow at his head. He dodged it and it hit her father, Uther.

He glared at her and she looked down at her hands. He was a strict man, and she regretted it when she made him angry. She was used to treating him like a king. "It's time for breakfast. James made your favorite, scrambled eggs and bacon."

I brightened up a litle, but it was useless. I wouldn't be able to eat that much anyway. I ushered them out while I got dressed. I put on dark wash jeans, red ballet flats, and a white long sleeve shirt, with the word love printed on it in red. I brushed my hair, and piled it on top of my head in a bun. Then I put on lipgloss, mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and powder. Then I grabbed my binder and purse, and headed for the dining room.

Arthur and Uther were already seated. Uther had his fork poised over his food, while Arthur was eagerly digging in. My father looked regal in a black business suit. What was left of his hair was slicked back, and he had a frown on his face. Arthur was wearing an Aeropostale shirt, with jeans, and Converse. He was the star quarterback of our team, the Avalon Lions. I was the cheerleader.

I set my stuff in an empty chair, and began picking at my food. I speared some egg onto the fork and shoved it in my mouth, then daintily wiped my face with a napkin. Arthur, however, had no such manners. Bits of egg were scattered all over his face, making it look like he had egg freckles. Uther glared at him, and Arthur wiped his mouth, then began digging in again.

"Do you ever stop eating?" I asked and Arthur looked up at me, his mouth full of bacon. "No." He said, muffled. I shook my head in pity, and kept picking at my food. "If you're not going to eat, maybe you and Arthur should start heading to the bus stop." Uther glared at me, daring me to defy him. I nodded and grabbed my stuff, while Arthur finished off his food.

When he was done, we walked outside into the crisp air, and headed for the light pole that was our bus stop. I stared behind me at the mansion that was my home. No matter how big it may be, it still felt like a cage. I turned away, and watched as the bus slowed to a stop. The doors creaked open, and our bus driver smiled at us. "Welcome aboard, Junior and fishie."

Arthur was a junior in high school while I was just a freshman. This was gonna be fun. I climbed the steps and surveyed the seats, wondering who I should seat with. All the seats were filled but two. One of them was Lancelot, Arthur's friend, so that left me with the other seat. I sat down and a boy gawked at me curiously. I inhaled a tiny hoarse breath. He looked exactly like the boy in my dream, and I knew I had never seen this boy before.

He seemed to be having the same reaction as me. "I see you've met Merlin. He's new here." My best friend, Gwen, turned around to look at us. "Gwen!" I brightened up immediately. She smiled back and then turned to face the front. "Well, as Gwen said, I'm Merlin." He extended a hand and I hesistantly shook it.

"I'm Morgana. How did you meet Gwen?" I asked and he chuckled. "I live next door to her so we met at the bus stop." I nodded and wished my hair was down, so I could tuck a peice behind my hair. I raised my hand to do that and then sighed, realizing my hair was up. "I hate when girls put their hair up. They look so much better with it down."

Does that mean he doesn't think I'm pretty? I got a confused look on my face, and his eyes widened. "I didn't mean that! Not in that way! You're gorgeous. I just meant girls look better natural. Ugh, this is coming out so wrong!" He buried his face in his hands and I giggled.

"How can you be laughing? I'm a total dork." He peeked at me through his fingers. I giggled again. "Yeah, but it's cute." My face got red, and he blushed. I saw Arthur staring at us, and he made a fist and punched it into his palm. I stuck my tounge out and he shook his head.

Finally the bus rolled to a stop and the doors opened. We filed out and I looked at the big building, Avalon High. Well, time to get this show on the road. I waited for Gwen and we walked together. I looked back to see Merlin walking with a guy with brown hair, brown eyes, wearing a black shirt, ripped jeans, and gray Converse.

Merlin had his hands in his pockets and biting his lip. I guessed he was nervous, and I was too. Everyone says high school is the best and worst years of your life. With Merlin here, I was hoping for the best.