Start of Something New

I set down my book and took another sip from the mug in my hands. It was a beautiful night. The moonlight was shining on the falling flakes as the danced to the ground. Occasionally a breeze would blow and they would spiral around like ribbons on an invisible pole.

I sighed happily I wished that I could stay here forever. While I was on the balcony, everything seemed like a dream. It was a glorious, magnificent dream from which I never wanted to awaken from. I looked over the rail and watched as sun slipped out of sight. Another day had ended and I knew that the dream would end soon as well. On Monday we'd be at Perry's and I'd be off to a new school. The last new school mom had promised me.

For the past eleven years, her company had been moving us from one side of the earth to the other. But now that she'd remarried, that would all change. I'd finally have what I'd always wanted, a chance to actually plant roots without the fear of having them yanked up again. It didn't seem possible and I was still waiting for something to mess it all up. However, until then, I was going to enjoy every moment of this. I smiled and went back to my book. I was just getting pulled back in when my cell rang.

I looked down at the screen and saw my mom's picture. "Hi mom," I answered.

The greeting was met with the sound of cheering and yelling. I thought I heard a "wait a sec" so I stayed on line. Soon her voice came through the speaker. "Where are you? I've been looking all over for you. You didn't go up to the room did you?"

I rolled my eyes. "Mom, I'm not a partier. You know that."

"I know. It's just that I want you to have some fun. This is the last vacation we really have together. By ourselves I mean. I just want you to have fun and to remember it. Plus it'll put you in a good mood for when you meet the kids!"

"Mom, I'm perfectly comfortable. Don't worry; I'll remember this night forever."

Now it was her turn to roll her eyes, "Gabriella!"

"Mom! I'm fine. And if it would make you feel better, I'll drop into the teen party to..."

"OH that sounds perfect," she gasped. "It's the cutest little thing. Have you seen the streamers? You have to see the streamers. Oh they're perfection. Can you see them?"

"I'm still outside!" I giggled.

"Well go on. Go look I want to hear what you think about them!"

"Ok one sec." I pushed through the doors and walked towards the teen room. The doors were shut but I feel the music from down the hall. I winced and pushed through the doors. I was momentarily blinded by strobe lights as I stumbled in and backed against the wall. Looking around I saw that it looked like a scene straight out of a teen movie. "Fabulous, I muttered.

"Isn't it though honey?" she gushed.

"Yeah mom. It's.... nice."

"Oh good. If you don't find a clique, meet me around midnight. They're having fireworks!"

"Sound's good mom. See you then."

"Bye Hun." Then the line was dead.

I closed my phone and walked through the room, I had to find something to tell mom to make it look like I'd been here all night, having the time of my life. As soon as I saw something I'd go find a quiet place to read. I watched several terrible renditions of popular music and witnessed a few catfights. I figured that they'd be enough to entertain her, they seemed like things that normal teens would talk about. With that I located the nearest exit and pushed my way out the doors.

The doors led to a part of the lodge I wasn't familiar with and I had no idea where I was going. I thought about going back to the party but quickly ruled that option out. You can only watch people do the cupid shuffle so many times before you snap, and I ws getting up there. Why risk it?

So after wandering aimlessly for a while, I finally stumbled onto the upstairs of the lounge. I curled up in a fluffy recliner and opened my book. The hours flew by and soon the clock was chiming eleven.

One hour left.

I picked up my things and ran off to find my mom. I had no idea where she was and she wasn't answering her phone. That was so like her. So I was on my own and decided to check the main ballroom first. I made my way into the lobby and giggled as my footfalls echoed throughout the room. I had to admit, its modern architecture and antique furnishings gave the room great acoustics. The wooden floors, walls, and ceiling looked antique but the floor to ceiling windows added a sense of luxury. At the moment the moon was positioned in a way that made the light shine through the windows and gave the place a mysterious, calming feel.

I admired it as I leaned in heavily to push open the heavy doors leading to the ballroom. To my surprise my hand felt nothing and I fell right into someone's arms. At first it seemed like the person was trying to set me back up, but halfway through they changed their mind and shoved me away. Not that I could really blame them. I'd freak if someone fell on me too but pushing me away seemed rather rude.

I was about to say something to that affect but then I looked up. My lungs collapsed and my throat actually closed up. I would've started worrying about suffocating if I hadn't been preoccupied by the guy in front of me. I stupidly just stood there staring as he flipped open his phone.

I think he noticed my staring and glared. He had to think I was the rudest person alive. "I'm so sorry... I was... There were... It's just that... I mean I...." I struggled to form and sentence and blushed nervously. I looked up shyly to see him eyeing me as he put his phone back into his pocket.

My brain shut down as I stared into his black eyes. They were like a black ocean that seemed to go on forever. As the tide went out it pulled you with it, shutting down all your systems in the process. Soon I was just a shell. I was there, but I wasn't really there. I watched like a spectator as he stepping closer, his lips curled up into a menacing smile. I felt no fear. I only wanted to get closer to him.

Somewhere, in the back of my mind, something screamed for me to run away, but there was no chance of that. I stood dazedly rooted in place as he leaned in. He bared his teeth and I shivered involuntarily, I was no longer in control. He was so close now, and getting closer. And then he was gone.

A wave of lethargy washed over me and I heard the door to the stairs bang shut. My memory of the last few seconds seemed to be extremely fuzzy now. My heart raced and I leaned against the frame to catch my breath. Once I was mostly recovered I sent a quick txt to my mom telling her that I was looking for her.

I spent the next forty minutes trying to figure out the incident, as I was calling it. What had happened exactly? What did it mean? Usually I can solve anything if I simply focus on it. This was different though. Asking questions only seemed make things much more jumbled up and complicated.

"Gabriella!" an excited voice said. It was mom. I quickly launched into the stories about the teen party. It quickly turned into a contest to come up with the most ridiculous thing we'd witnessed that night. We laughed until our sides ached and then quietly talked about plans for the rest of the week: skiing, lessons, shopping, eating, spas, reading, etc. A few people she'd made friends with came over and talked to us, but mainly to mom. She'd always been the social one. So I sat back and drifted into my thoughts.

Unfortunately they immediately returned to the boy from earlier. Why couldn't I get him out of my head? It was too exhausting to think about him but it was also too exhausting to not think about him. No matter what I did, his dark eyes seemed to be implanted in my mind. Why?

A loud series of bangs brought me back to the real world. Mom glanced over nervously, "You ok Hun? You look a little green."

"Actually, I think I'm going to turn in," I said. Concern rushed to her face so I quickly added, "It's been a long day. I'm not used to staying up so late. Just tired. I'll see you in the morning. Night." She still looked worried but she stayed with her friends. With a quick wave I walked towards the elevator.

My mind was still hazy as I stepped out of the elevator and walked down the corridor towards my suite. Everything was so silent that I could here the crickets chirping outside. That's probably why I almost had a heart attack when the door to my right flew open and an angry looking figure rushed out.

I caught my breath as he turned to face me, it was the boy from earlier. I couldn't read the expression that flashed across his face, but the reaction was clear. He hurriedly turned and shut himself back inside the room that he'd seemed so eager to leave moments ago. I trudged the rest of the way down the hall and flopped onto my bed.

I shouldn't even worry about him. I'll be gone in a few days. Then I won't have to deal with him. There's no use thinking about him. He's not worth it. The only problem was that I did think that he was worth it, and a part of me prayed that we'd meet again.

A/N- Alright, so this story is the companion of "Exactly My Brand of Heroin." Both are telling the same story but they're from different pov's. This one is Gabriella, the other is Troy's. I'll be updating them once a week and at the same time. Since all the breaks are coming up, I'll probably be updating more often but only if I get a fairly good amount of feedback (just so i know that ppl are interested so i'm don't waste time on stories that no one likes). So if you have any questions, suggestions, or just want say something... send a review or pm me. Thanks so much for reading. Hope you enjoy it!