Disclaimer: I do not own the Covenant. The only thing I own is the character Rayna Devereux.
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Welcome Back
I took a deep breath, my heart was fluttering with nervousness. It's been two years since I have walked the halls of Spencer Academy. Two years since my parents were killed in the car accident. Two years since I left Ipswich. Two years since I left them, the sons of Ipswich. Two years since I left him. Now, I was coming back. We had kept in touch through texts and emails. I knew that they were all still attending Spencer. What I didn't know was how they would react to me being back. I just hoped that they would be overjoyed and excited. I need a chance to be happy again. I had experienced too much loss over the last few years. First, my parents then my grandmother.
The hospital room was so bright, the white lights were starting to hurt my eyes. But, I couldn't leave. She didn't have much time left. I needed to be with her. Turning my head back to Grandmother, her eyes were closed, her breathing was staggered. I held her hand, laying my head on the bed.
"My dear? Wake up my dear." Her soft voice called to me. I lifted to see her sitting up in bed. She smiled down at me.
"Grandma? How are you feeling?" I asked holding her hand tighter.
"It's okay. I'm gonna be okay." She said as she rubbed her hand against my cheek.
"I don't understand. Gonna be okay?" Then it finally hit me. A tear ran down my cheek. "No, no, no, no. I can't lose you too. Please let me help. Tell me a spell or potion that can heal you." I pleaded with her.
"Ah my dear." She was still smiling as she shook her head at me. "I don't have much time." More tears started to fall. "Honey, please don't be upset. You're strong. Stronger than any person that I have ever known. And you're brave. Honey, you are special."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. So powerful. Your power will full develop when you turn 18. It will seem scary but it's not. I want you to go back to Ipswich. Finish school, be with your friends, and be happy. We will see each other again. I love you."
"CODE BLUE!" Someone yelling woke me up. Doctors and nurses came running in. When I realized what was happening I started crying.
"Get her out of here." One of the doctors ordered. One of the nurses grabbed my arms and started pulling me out of the room. I collapsed in the hallway, crying hysterically.
"Rayna?" I looked up at the secretary. "I have your things ready."
"Oh yes thank you." I walked over to the counter.
"Your class schedule, your dorm room keys and the academy handbook. Is there anything else you will be needing?"
"Actually yes, can you tell me what dorm number Kate Tunney has?" The older woman went to her computer and came back with a piece of paper, the dorm number scribbled on it. I thanked her before heading to my dorm. I used my power and my bags appeared in my room and started unpacking themselves. Ding Ding. I grabbed my phone and saw a text message from Tyler.
Hey, can't shake the feeling that something is wrong? We haven't talked in a few weeks, give me a call later? Miss you, Ty.
I sighed as I started texting him back.
Hi, yeah I have been really busy. Don't worry, we will definitely talk tonight. I miss you too.
I set the phone in my pocket. Well now is as good as time as any. I took a step in front of the full length mirror. My skin was tan from the California sun. My dark brown wavy hair reached to the center of my back and big blue eyes looked back at me. Everyone should recognize me. I hadn't changed physically from the girl I was two years ago. Taking a deep breath, I exited my dorm. Kate's dorm was not too far away from mine.
"Hold on a minute!" Kate's voice yelled after I knocked a few times. A look of surprise appeared on her face when she opened the door and saw me. "Rayna?" She pulled me into a tight hug.
"Kate, I love you but you are killing me." I said before she released me.
"Come in, you need to tell me everything. Are you just visiting? How long are you staying?" She said as I entered her room.
"Actually Kate, I'm here to stay. I just transferred back." Her smile grew even wider.
"Oh my god! Are you serious?!" I simply nodded in response. "Oh, I'm so excited. How did you talk your grandmother into this?"
"I didn't need too. My grandmother passed away." Kate got quiet.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." She hugged me again.
"It's okay. It was her time."
"Did she go peacefully at least?"
"Yeah, she was sedated most of the time. She didn't feel a thing towards the end." I said.
"Could your powers not help her?" She asked. I told Kate about my powers, freshman year. She caught me trying to levitate a pillow but she was cool about it. She said that it didn't change her opinion of me, that I was still her best friend and she would keep the secret.
"There's only so much magic can do. Healing major diseases like cancer and bringing back the dead is not a part of that." I said as she got up from beside me and started brushing her hair.
"I'm sorry Rayna." She turned back to me.
"I'm okay. I had my grieving period but I'm fine now." I tried to reassure her.
"Have you seen the guys yet?" She finally spoke after a moment of silence.
"Nope." I put emphasis on the p. "You are the first person I wanted to see."
"Gosh, you make me feel so special." She teased. "Do they know that you are here?"
"Negative. I wanted to surprise them just like I did you." I replied with a huge smile on my face.
"I got it! There's gonna be a huge party at the Dells tonight. We should go. Totally surprise them there. They will be blown away." She grabbed her phone and starting texting the guys.
"That is an awesome idea! You are a genius." Excitement ran through my body.
"Just another reason why you love me." She said with a smile on her face.
Suddenly, the door opened and a blonde girl came in holding a pizza box in her hands. She saw me and set the pizza on the bed.
"I'm Sarah Wenham, Kate's roommate." She held out her hand.
"Rayna Devereux. I used to be Kate's roommate." I introduced myself and shook her hand.
"Used to be?" Sarah had a questionable look on her face.
"Yeah, I left right after freshman year. I just transferred back."
"Oh, okay cool. I just transferred in from Boston public." Sarah stated as she set her keys on the side table next to her bed. "You want to join us for dinner?"
"If you don't mind. I'm starving." My stomach started to grumble.
We spent the next few hours talking and laughing. Kate told Sarah about the party and she was excited to go. Sarah seemed pretty cool. She was definitely not like the high end stuck up girls that go here. I had a feeling that she was a great friend to add on my list. When it reached closer to 9, I left their room to change and get ready for the party.
I put on a pair of low rise jeans and a purple halter top that showed a decent amount of cleavage along with the phoenix tattoo on my shoulder blade. The top was short enough to see my belly button piercing and a small bit of my hibiscus flower tattoo that started from my hip up to my ribs. The other tattoo I had was a double infinity symbol located on the back of my neck. The outfit hugged every curve I had. A pair of purple feather earrings, short black boots and some makeup completed my look. I combed my hair out with my fingers when Sarah and Kate walked in.
"Damn girl! You look hot!" Sarah said.
"Right back at you, sexy. Ready to go?" I said grabbing my dorm keys, cigarettes, lighter and phone.
"Yeah, let's get this party started!" Kate stated excitedly. "The guys are gonna die when they see you. Especially Reid." Reid, she had to actually say his name. He was the only one in the group that I haven't kept in contact with. I don't know what Kate and Sarah were talking about as we piled into Sarah's car and started heading for the Dells. I was too lost in memories to really listen.
Reid and I had been dating for most of freshman year, we even lost our virginities to each other. I spent most of the night with Caleb, Pogue and Kate because Reid and I got into a fight earlier that day. After a few drinks, I had decided that it was time to apologize and make up. It was the last party of the school year and was held at one of the new Swim captain's house. I walked through the house saying hi and having light chats with people I knew until I found Tyler.
"Where's Reid?" I asked him, Tyler seemed fine. He was usually a light weight and gone after two beers.
"I think he went out back, said something about having a cigarette. Where's Caleb and the others?" He asked in return.
"Down stairs near the pool table." I said before heading towards the back door. Upon stepping out, I noticed how beautiful the backyard was. The swim captain's family had a huge pool that took up most of the area. Trees and bushes outlined the edge of the property. I walked out to the edge of the pool and was about to sit down when I heard a rustling from some bushes. A weird feeling hit my stomach as I started walking towards it.
The sound was coming from the bushes on the side of the house. The lights from the porch dimmed the area just enough to see something on the plant. I picked it up and felt the material. My heart sank when I realized what and whose it was. I turned my head and stood in shock. A blonde man had a short red head against the wall. They were fiercely kissing. She moaned as he started groping her chest.
"Reid?" The name escaped my mouth. The couple stopped and looked at me. His blue eyes were surprised, he wasn't expecting me to catch him. I dropped the beanie and ran into the house, ignoring his voice calling out my name. I quickly found an empty bedroom and took out my phone.
"Rayna? Is something wrong?" My mother's voice answered.
"Mom, I need you to come pick me up." I said trying not to cry.
"Sure, honey. What happened?" Her voice carried concern. I couldn't hold it in. I started crying as I told her what happened.
"Your father and I will be there in ten minutes. Everything will be okay honey. I love you." She assured me before hanging up. I ran out of the house without another word and waited at the end of the driveway for my parents. Tears continued to fall as I started to receive text and phone calls from the others. I texted Caleb and Kate what happened. Then Reid started calling, over and over again. I ignored each one.
After forty minutes, my parents were still not there. I tried calling again.
"Hello?" an unfamiliar voice answered.
"Who is this? Why are you answering my mother's phone?" I questioned.
"This is Deputy Adams with the Ipswich police department. Where are you, Rayna?" He answered.
"I'm waiting for my parents to pick me up from a friend's house. What's going on?" My voice was fast.
"I need your exact location so I can send someone to pick you up. Rayna, there has been an accident…" He tried again.
"Are they okay?"
"Rayna, your location please." He insisted.
"ARE THEY OKAY?!" my voice was loud.
"They didn't make it, the accident killed them on impact." Those were the last words I heard before darkness took me.
"Rayna? Are you ready?" Kate's voice knocked me back into reality.
"Yeah, of course." I said as I got out of the car. We walked through the woods and was about to join the party when I stopped. Nervousness ran through my body. What if the guys didn't recognize me? Doubt ran through my mind. Kate and Sarah stopped, looked at me then nodded at each other. Kate linked an arm with mine and Sarah did the same.
"Don't worry. This is going to be fun." Sarah reassured me as they started to pull me to the party. The DJ played a song by Ne-yo through the speakers. We maneuvered through dancing bodies till be found a spot near the fire.
"Okay, tell me who is here?" Sarah asked looking at all the people.
"Okay, first thing to know is Aaron Abbott is a jerk. Treats girls like dirt." Kate pointed Aaron out with Kira Snider and his lackeys.
"Some things never change." I said as I looked back at them. Aaron turned his head and spotted me. A smirk appeared on his face along with a wink. I instantly turned my head back to Kate and Sarah. Disgusting.
"How about him?" Sarah motioned over to a tall brunette guy that was walking through the crowd near us.
"New guy." Kate answered.
"Know anything about him?" I asked curiously. He was certainly cute.
"Not yet, but I intend to find out." She replied back.
Suddenly Kate looked up, "They're here." Sarah and I followed her gaze and saw four guys headed toward us.
"God, maybe I should go." I said, letting my nerves get the best of me.
"No, you don't." Kate pulled me back just as the guys were walking up. Kate let go of me and kissed Pogue.
"Hey Kate, whose your friends-"Caleb's voice cut off when he saw me. "Rayna?"
"Hi Caleb." I said nervously with a smile.
"I don't believe it!" Tyler said as he suddenly picked me up. "When you said that we would talk later, I had no idea that you meant this." He spun me around before dropping me in front of Pogue.
"Pogue, I missed you." We fist bumped then hugged.
"How long are you visiting for?" Caleb asked before giving me a hug.
"Actually, that's another thing I want to tell you." I said as he released me. "I'm not visiting. I transferred to Spencer. I'm back, for good." Their faces lit up at my words.
"Are you serious? Don't tease us, Rayna." Pogue stated.
"She's telling the truth. She's back." Kate said excitedly.
"That is great news!" Tyler's smile was contagious. I looked at all my friends. I had no idea why I was so nervous. Things were going great till I looked over at Reid. His face was still surprised to see me. His blue eyes stared into mine.
"Caleb, how was your summer?" Kira Snider's voice broke my gaze from Reid's. I turned to see that she put herself between Caleb and Sarah. Kira turned to Sarah, "I'm Kira."
"Sarah." She introduced herself.
"Oh, from the Boston Public? Tell me, how does one get into Spencer from the public?" Kira was starting to get on my nerves. I put myself between the two of them.
"Well, well, well. Rayna Devereux. I'm surprised to see you here. Are you back for good now?" She directed her attention to me.
"Yeah well, what can I say? California didn't have the charm that Ipswich has. It certainty didn't have the same pampered, stuck up, whiny bitches like you there." I said, her face hardened at my words.
"So you are here to stay then? Tell me, who had to die for that to happen?" Kate and Sarah gasped. She did not just go there.
"Okay Kira that is enough." Caleb stepped between us. "You need to give it a rest."
"You need to give it a rest, Caleb." Aaron Abbott put himself into the situation.
"I don't want any trouble." Caleb answered.
"I'm sure you don't." Aaron replied. He was looking for a fight.
"These posers make me want to puke." Bordy interrupted.
"Oh is that right?" Reid finally spoke up. Nice to see that he still had his tough guy attitude.
"Stay out of this." I said to Reid putting my hand on his chest. His blue eyes met mine again.
"I think you owe Kira an apology." Aaron said to Caleb.
"Actually, Kira owes Sarah and Rayna the apology." Caleb corrected. Aaron pushed Caleb, his temper starting to flare. The new brunette guy got in between them.
"Woo, you were being kind of bitchy." The new guy said to Kira. Suddenly, Bordy started puking all over Aaron and Kira.
"Hey guys, Dylan just called. He saw three cop cars heading here on Old Dell Road!" The DJ announced. The crowd scattered. We started making our way into the woods to our vehicles.
"Do you need a ride?" Caleb asked us.
"No, Sarah drove us out here." I said. "See you guys tomorrow? I would love to catch up. Maybe Nicky's?"
"Sounds good. I'll text you tomorrow." Tyler said with a big smile on his face. I was about to get into Sarah's car when I felt a hand on mine.
"Rayna, can I talk to you?" I turned to see Reid again.
"Right now isn't the best time." I said, referring to the cops heading to the Dells.
"When we get back to the dorms then?" He insisted.
"Fine, get my number from Tyler." I said before opening up the car door and sitting next to the new guy. Sarah started the car and we took off.
"I'm Chase, by the way. Didn't get a chance to introduce myself properly." He held his hand out as he spoke.
"Rayna." I answered before taking his hand. A chill instantly went up my spine as soon as our skin touched.
"You okay?" He looked at me with a questionable look.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a chill." I tried to make it seem like it was nothing. Something wasn't right about this guy.
"Do you want my coat?" Chase offered. He started taking it off.
"No, no. I'm fine. No need to worry about me." I put on a smile. He looked at me a moment, obviously seeing that his charm failed and put the coat back on. Kate turned around in the front seat and looked at me.
"So what did Reid want?" Her voice showed a bit of concern.
"He wants to talk when we back to the dorms." I said before rolling my eyes.
"Are you going to?" She continued on.
"Yeah, I guess I have too. Can't really avoid him forever." Which was true. We had the same friends, go to the same school, most likely the same classes.
"Just be careful, okay? I don't want him to hurt you again." Kate said before turning around.
"Don't worry. I can take care of myself." Adding a smile to my words. Before I knew it, we were at the dorms. I stopped by my dark blue mustang while Kate, Sarah and Chase went inside. Just as I lit a cigarette, my phone started beeping.
You know, smoking is bad for your health. Lol
I looked up to see Reid walking over to me, phone in hand.