Chapter two
Long Live the Queen
Hayley
Another day, another dollar. That's what Bash would say, trying to make the day seem more worth-while. Only school isn't a job so I'm not getting paid. Also I'm bored and Bash isn't here.
At least Mr. Saltzman is usually pretty cool. I mean he wants you to do your homework but as long as he knows you're somewhat paying attention, he isn't half bad. The morning announcements begin so he turns the T.V on and the class volume settles to a dull roar. It's only by sheer chance that my eyes are wandering randomly around the room when I see Francis through the slotted window on the door.
I look over to Mr. Saltzman who's sitting behind by his desk. He's typing something on his computer, not paying attention by any means. But we're juniors so he expects us to act like adults.
While I give him points for optimism; in general I've learned that 16 year olds are about as emotionally mature as five year olds; the only difference is we have licenses and they get more parental supervision. It's only a matter of time before someone tries to cut the end of someone else's nose off with a pair of scissors. Lucky for me I'm in the safe zone because I sit right next to the teacher's desk.
"Mr. Saltzman?" I whisper.
His fingers freeze on the key board as his eyes flicker up to mine. Obviously he'd rather be doing whatever it is he's working on.
"May I use the restroom?"
Mr. Saltzman quirks an eyebrow. "The bell just rang; you had five minutes to use the bathroom."
"It's just," I make a face. "I need-"
"Yeah okay you're fine, whatever. Just be back here in ten minutes, we're going over the syllabus."
I stand and can't help but smile. There are times when it's really convenient to be a woman.
I have to beeline between the desks and dodge the many backpacks littering the floor before I can reach the door. It's a good thing I'm not clumsy. Another girl in my class, Liv, has got her feet kicked up on the desk, sitting smack dab between her brother Luke and our mutual friend Tyler. She and Tyler are playing paper football using her crossed boots and Tyler's gym bag as opposing goal posts. By the looks of it, Tyler is winning, which is making Liv mad while Luke looks bored, staring blankly at the T.V with eyes glazed over.
Maybe old habits do die hard, but I can't help but geode Tyler as I walk by. "Taking Junior history again, Tyler?"
"Screw you Hayley," He chides but playfully. People probably think our relationship is weird but since our breakup in the eighth grade, our short lived romantic relationship has taken a turn for the friendly. He's like a brother to me now and I honestly don't know what I ever saw in him, I imagine I was just excited to be dating someone a year older than me. I kick his chair as I pass making him miss his next goal, he scowls. I smirk.
Outside in the hallway Francis is leaning against the wall. He pushes off it and shoves his hands into his pockets when he sees me.
"What are you doing here?" I ask even though I know the answer. "Don't you have like, a million student council things to do?"
He nods, "That's what Caroline tells me. But I haven't seen you since I got back from my trip-"
"And you're checking up on me as a favor to Bash," I assume. My older brother makes a habit of checking up on me when he's busy with Klaus.
"Yeah," He admits. "He wanted to make sure you're alright."
If you only knew the half of it, I think shaking my head. Francis would be furious if he knew where Bash really was, what Klaus was making him do.
Francis frowns. "What?"
"Nothing, I just miss him I guess."
"Hayley," he says with caution, like he's worried about me. "We've practically grown up together. If there's anything that you need or anything that he needs-"
"Hey," I say stepping forward to grasp his shoulders, offering a small smile. "You're like family to me Francis, and I appreciate you checking up on me. You know I don't have too many people in my life who care enough to do that."
He smiles and then it fades. "Do you know when Bash'll be back?"
"Nope, he just said he'll be-"
"Back as soon as possible, yeah. That's what he always says isn't it? I wonder if…?" Francis has never approved of Bash's work for Klaus; even though he knows why Bash had to do it. My brother and I had grown up with fewer resources than in a worse part of town, when Klaus came along he offered my brother protection, and a steady pay check. Usually, Francis veers away from discussing any and all things Klaus related in order to avoid getting into arguments with my brother, so when he lets his sentence fall off I'm relieved. Don't get me wrong I'd love to defend my brother but I really don't feel like going head to head with Smallville's golden boy today.
He blinks. "I'll let you get back to class then. Try and have a good year ok? Stay out of trouble."
I pivot on my heel but pause in the doorway, half in half out, to call to Francis who's already walking down the hallway. "Hey Francis?" He turns to face me. "Thanks."
Francis waves like it's no big deal even though we know it is and continues on his way. He really is a great guy; sometimes it makes me sick, thinking of what we're doing to him. I'm a year younger than Francis but it's like he said, we've grown up together. There's not a story in Bash's life worth telling that doesn't involve Francis. They're more like brothers than friends.
But since the night of Emory's accident, the same night Mary Mikaelson mysteriously disappeared, I haven't been able to look at Francis without feeling guilty. I really, really hate lying to him…especially about Mary. Francis still doesn't know what happened to her. He doesn't know what Bash and I do, and thanks to Klaus we're not allowed to tell him.
Klaus was afraid that if his arch enemy Kai was bold enough to attack Emory there was nothing stopping him from going after his twin sister, Mary. So he sent Mary away for her safety to Star City, California. And Klaus wouldn't let anyone tell Francis what happened because he didn't trust Francis to keep his mouth shut. The last thing Klaus needed was his rival gang leader Kai or the police snooping around in his business.
Bee-lining through the classroom again, I see that Liv has removed her feet from the desk and is now yelling at Tyler, who has apparently won the game.
"Luke, you saw it! You know it was out of bounds!" She protests.
Her brother Luke only rolls his eyes.
My return seems to have alerted Mr. Saltzman who takes his place at the head of the classroom. "Good morning everyone," he says. "Welcome to third year history. That being said let's all give a round of applause to Mr. Tyler Lockwood; our very own in class senior!" A general laugh rumbles over the class. Tyler grinds his teeth.
"I'm Mr. Saltzman, if you didn't already know. Saltzman is of German origins; my family immigrated here in 1755 to Texas. I however, was born in Boston. Alaric comes from a dead great great grandfather who I cannot thank enough; you'll probably want to pronounce it A-laric. But you can call me Rick. Ms. Gilbert, Ms. Bennet can we put the phones away? Thank you."
It's pretty easy to drown out the rest of the morning from here.
Kenna
The morning started out great. Striding onto campus arm in arm with my friends…I had this one, shining moment …and then it was over. The first person I saw inside the gates was a Goth chick who looked like she wanted to cry, after that I tripped and fell in the hallway after trying to avoid an open locker, from there things only got worse.
My first hour was a riot; I walked into Mr. Shumway's senior bio class because how was I supposed to know it was a senior class? I was only following my freaking schedule.
The teacher (an Asian who looks like he's constipated from eating too much rice) told us to go to the back of the room. And as my luck would have it, I ended up working with two stoners. One, a girl who's name was Vickie and this other kid who looked like Judd Nelson's evil twin, the kind of guy who looks like he burned down buildings for kicks. After unearthing the dead cat from a box, Judd Nelson's evil twin proceeded to poke at its eye with a pair of tweezers which he took from Vickie's bag without her knowing. When she found out she yelled at him, and he took one more vicious stab at the eye which squirted all over the table. It was then that I threw up.
Judd Nelson's evil twin backed away so fast that I had to grab the table for balance to keep from falling over. It wasn't long before Mr. Shumway realized I was a freshman and after going over my schedule he placed a call to the front office to complain. Thank goodness Vickie took pity on me. The brave senior escorted me to the nurse's office although I'm pretty sure she did it just because she wanted to get out of class.
So now I'm sitting in the nurse's office, not-so-patiently waiting for someone to fix my royally screwed up schedule.
They moved me into one of the backrooms where people go while waiting for their parents to take them home but there's no way I'm going home, not on the first day. Vicki walks in the room. "They said you can come out into the lobby now, as long as you promise not to throw up on the carpet."
"I promise," I say relieved. Vicki seems to understand my need to get out of here. I tried to protest when Ms. Griffin made me lie down. It's embarrassing enough without being babied. I stand straight up, so fast it almost makes me woozy but I won't give them the satisfaction of seeing me faint. I force my mind into the present and focus on Vicki. She's tall and pretty with caramel hair and perfect white teeth. I thank her for helping me and she shrugs.
"You're welcome, I know what it's like to be in the center of attention in a not-so-good way, Kenna is it? You have nothing to worry about. They'll forget it."
"Really?" I ask one hundred percent positive she's only saying this for my benefit.
She nods. "Totally, it'll blow over by tomorrow."
I still think she's saying this to calm me down but it's working so I let her. "So you're a senior?"
"Yup which begs the question, how did they mess up your schedule so badly?"
"Tell me about it. As if the first day of school isn't hard enough."
"Freshman?" She takes a seat across from the front desk and I do the same in the chair next to her's.
"Is it that obvious?" I ask.
"You were in Mr. Shumway's class and I don't remember seeing your name on the list of people who tested into it; there's no way you were in that class by choice, only seniors who want college credit dare to sign up. People hate him."
I laugh but she looks serious. "So what's your advice?" I ask.
She raises her eyebrow. "Advice?"
"You know the whole senior tells the freshman how to survive moment like in the movies?"
Vicki laughs. "It doesn't really work like that but sure, I'll give you advice. It's better than going back to class. Um, never say you're thirsty it doesn't mean what you think."
"I know that."
"Good then, you're ahead of the game. Stay away from the curb; trust me you don't want to go there." I give her a look but she ignores my curiosity, plunging ahead. "Also if you're ever in Ms. Sullivan's class sit in the back, she won't see you texting. And what else? Oh," She says pointing at a tall, dark haired guy who just walked into the office. "Stay away from that guy."
"Who's he?" I wonder, thinking he looked strikingly attractive.
"Damon, Damon Salvatore." She says.
At the sound of his name, Damon turns from the attendance window, see's us then turns back to the attendance clerk to say, "Just a minute Ms. Fleming, I'll be right back." The coyness of his voice surprises me, almost a seductive purr.
Damon comes towards us and tilts his head suggestively. "Oh my gosh, look what the cat dragged in…Vicki the hickie."
"Seriously?" Vicki frowns.
He holds up his hands. "Just commemorating old memories."
Vickie rolls her eyes, "How was your summer?"
"That's for me to know and you to dot, dot, dot," He makes stabbing notions in the air with his hand as if to make dots.
"You're such an ass," she says and I raise my eyebrows. I didn't think his comment was ass worthy.
Damon looks pointedly at me and my stomach twists. "You better watch your language," He drops his voice to a whisper. "There are little ears in the room."
Vicki shakes her head at me but I answer anyway. "I'm Kenna, Kenna Drakovitch. And I'm fourteen, not five so you can say whatever you want around me." I don't want him to think I'm a prude.
A sly smile tips his lips and he opens his mouth to say something but just then a girl walks into the office, and Damon sucks in his breath. She is skinny with long brown hair and dark eyes.
She walks past the secretary only to disappear behind the front desk with a pretty black girl in tow. Vickie smirks, "Still barking up that tree?"
"That's what we like to call…" His eyes drift around like he's searching for the rest of his sentence on the wall. "Oh yeah! My business."
Vickie stands up, and I copy her. She puts a hand in his shoulder, he scowls at it. "When you're into your brother's girlfriend, it's everybody's business. If you wanted your little secret to remain quiet you shouldn't have made it so obvious."
"Says the jealous ex-lover," he annunciates, picking her hand up of his shoulder with two fingers and letting it drop.
"Whatever," Vickie says. "Come on Kenna, it's probably time for second period and I need a smoke before I have to see Ms. Lane again." We start walking to the door but she turns around. "Silly me, almost forgot to ask about you and Ms. Lane…is it true what they say about you two?"
It's clear Vickie thinks she's got him stumped, you can practically see the self-proclaimed victory dancing in her eyes. But Damon just puts a finger to his lips and winks, "I've been sworn to secrecy."
Vickie rolls her eyes again and I follow her but not without one last glance back at Damon.
Bonnie
Walking past Damon with Elena is an interesting affair. He watches Elena while Elena pretends not to notice, chanting something that suspiciously sounds like Stephen's name under her breath.
But there are more important things to worry about than unrequited love. Mary is back.
There are two names you don't mention on this campus and the other one is Mary. She was vice president during her freshman year, a place that now belongs to Caroline. Second to none Mary was the most popular girl in school. She bridged the gap between nerds, rich kids and jocks. Mary made everyone feel like family. One of those people who motivated you without ever making you feel inferior.
So why is the name tabooed? Three years ago, she disappeared and no one knows why. Some say her twin brother Klaus killed her. A few people swear they've seen her ghost in the hallways, the shadow of a legend long since passed.
That is, until someone saw her this morning. That someone being Elena who looked like she had seen a ghost when she saw Mary walking arm in arm with Bash in the courtyard.
After a few are you seeing this too, glances between her and I, we high tailed it to the front office to tell Caroline. Because Mary wasn't just the vice president, she was Francis' ex-girlfriend.
People say it was Mary who really convinced the students to vote for Francis when he ran for president, because Francis and Mary were a package deal, high school sweethearts, love at first sight.
But it wasn't the cosmic love between her and Francis that made Mary really stand out from the crowd, it was her twin. Because it's not every day you get the sister of an alleged bad boy running for student council and dating the nicest guy on campus. She had one of those smiles that seemed to open up the world and everyone in it. She made you want to believe in impossible things.
So with her being back, I have no doubt that things are about to change. That, and Caroline might spontaneously combust. As long as I've known her, all Caroline has wanted is for things to be perfect, for everyone to be together. And if Mary being back doesn't throw a wrench in her ultimate plan for world peace, I don't know what will. Plus, in Mary's place Caroline, Elena and I have sort of stepped up to be the "it" girls on campus. Not to sound conceited but it's a spot I'd rather not lose, it's nice to know that everyone knows your name and will buy the same pair of sunglass just because you tried them on.
Elena and I hustle down the bowling alley. This is what we students call the long row of cubicles behind the front desk occupied by counselors, assistants and secretaries for the school. They glare at us as we pass, wondering at the nerve we have intruding upon their inner sanctum.
We find Caroline in the copier room organizing a couple of flyers. One of them is an invitation to the soccer scrimmage this Saturday, the other is choir try outs and the third is a pep rally poster bolstering school spirit for whatever awesomeness student council has planned for us next Friday.
"Didn't Alaric say something about having flyers put up for the history club?" Elena asks.
Caroline jerks her face in our direction and stutters, "What? He didn't…anyone ever let me-"
"Kidding Care," Elena says. "You looked like you needed a little lightening up."
Caroline lets out a short laugh. "Lightening up? Lightening up! Like that's even an option right now, Rose and Roman were supposed to be here this morning to help me before school started-"
"I'm sure Roman had other things on his mind," I say.
Elena nods, "Yea isn't the first day of school hard on him? I know it is for me."
I stiffen at Elena's words. We all know she lost her parents a few years back, I'm sure the first day of school is hard on her even if she and Jeremy do have an amazing guardian like her aunt, Jenna. Still losing her parents changed her and not for the better. At first she wouldn't leave the safety of her house for anything. That is until Stephen Salvatore took an interest in her. The guy has more patience than anyone I've ever met.
Caroline sniffs, "I understand that but he should have told me he wasn't going to be here."
"Did he even tell you that he was going to come in today?" I ask.
"No," Caroline's shoulders slump. "You're right Bonnie, I'm being ridiculous I just, I have a lot of stuff to get done. I'm sorry if I offended you Elena."
"It's ok Caroline," Elena steps forward and gives Caroline a shove. "I'm used to it."
"So…" I say. Elena and I debated on drawing straws before we came in to see who had to tell Caroline. Now I wish we had instead of just winging it.
Caroline notices the tension between Elena and I. "Guys?" She asks us.
Elena's voice drops an octave. "We saw Mary this morning, with Bash."
Caroline looks confused so I continue, "I think she's, back."
Caroline's expression suddenly freezes into place, Elena and I look at each other.
She holds up one hand and uses the other to clean out her ear. "Um I don't think I understand…Mary? As in…?"
Elena nods and I'm glad she says it because I can't. "Francis' Mary."
"Mary left," Caroline says, "Her psychotic brother killed her-"
"Caroline," I cut her off. "She's back."
Her face turns red as it crumples and she rubs her forehead, "Ohmygosh, you've got to be kidding me!"
Elena and I rush forward but Caroline holds her hands up. "You know what, I can't deal with this right now, we have to, we have to get our shit together and post flyers or it will never get done and coach Sommers will kill me if the soccer scrimmage isn't up. So Elena," Caroline grabs the soccer papers and hands them to Elena. "You start on the East side. Bonnie," She gives the pep rally ones to me. "You take the cafeteria, library and computer lab. I'll take these and I'll meet Elena in the middle. It'll-"
"Care, are you ok?" I cut her off again. Because she's doing her usual Caroline thing when things go wrong and she starts trying to organize things. Once when she slept over at my house freaking out about Matt, a guy she had a major crush on she rearranged all the silverware in our drawers. Grams thought it was an outrage.
"I'm fine!" She says. "I just need to get this done and then I'll talk to Francis, she left him he wouldn't take her back would he?"
"No," Elena says. "He couldn't do that, he cares about you."
Caroline nods. "Well then, let's get going and then we'll welcome Mary back to Smallville."
She stalks past us and Elena and I give each other worried looks before following Caroline out, leaving plenty of angry glares from the bowling alley in our wake.
Mary
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Bash asks.
"No," I say, but give him a smile anyway. "But I have to."
Bash and I stand in front of what used to be my high school. It's been so long, I've missed it. So many fond memories…
"You don't have to go through with it," he says.
"This is the first time I've been allowed to come back, I'm not giving this up." I say mostly to myself, to help steel the nerves. "Besides, you can hardly expect me to miss my senior year can you?"
Smallville High is exactly as I remember it. The tornado reinforced windows just as thick, the marque still stands reading, Smallville High School Go Crows. Even the cracks in the sidewalk are the same.
The same five buildings stand at attention, ready to instruct and to mold. Despite its name, Smallville hasn't been small in a long time. Not since Lex Luther bought most of the land and turned it into suburbs. I've seen pictures in Francis' house, of what Smallville used to look like, with nothing but farm land for miles. But it's a thriving community now, with summer pools and a Starbucks around every corner.
I'm nervous about coming back here. I don't know what everyone will think of my return and to be honest I don't care what everyone thinks, just a few people, just the friends I left behind. Thanks to Bash I know about the rumors surrounding my disappearance. That I'd run away, or that my brother killed me. Both plausible cases in my situation if you didn't know Klaus the way I do, he might be a monster but I don't think he has it within him to kill a member of his own family, he's far too possessive of us for that.
Bash seems to have read my mind. "Don't be nervous, they'll be happy to see you. Just remember not to give any details when they ask questions."
"I know, it's not the questions that are making me nervous, it's just one student in particular…" I don't need to finish my sentence; we both know who I'm referring to.
"Francis isn't one to hold a grudge." He says.
"I hope you're right." I take a deep breath. "Ready?"
He offers his arm like he did on the board walk weeks ago. I laugh, clinging onto him tightly as he escorts me to the office.
I feel as if time is turning back, to an era filled with laughter and friends, to the years I was free to be as young and reckless as I wanted, to the time I feel in love…
Greer
When the bell rings I pack up my pencil and binder and head for my next class. But I don't get far before he's coming after me, "Greer!"
I look back to see Leith shoving through the line of students issuing from the door. I pause, allowing him to catch up.
"Hey, I was wondering if you wanted a tour of the school," he's out of breath by the time he reaches me. "I figured this school's pretty big, probably not as big as Star City of course but still confusing, if you don't know where you're going."
"Sure," I say. "You can show me to my next class." I don't bother telling him my last school was about half the size of this one since it was only for the financially privileged.
Leith stares at me, amused. "It's going to take longer than five minutes to show you everything."
"What are you suggesting?" I wonder, a curious feeling beginning to unfold in the pit of my stomach.
He chuckles. "I'm suggesting that I give you a tour, of the entire school."
"I don't know how it works here but where I come from we get in trouble for ditching."
"They make an exception for new kids, besides if anyone gives you any trouble just tell them you were with me."
"Really?"
"Yeah, that's the power of living in the same place your whole life, if you get in trouble and someone mentions your name everyone knows who did it and where to find you. So I'll take the fall."
"But I don't want you to get in trouble," I tell him.
"It's not on my to do list either, but some things are just meant to be. Like being chivalrous for the new girl," I laugh as he repeats Mr. Gerard's words. "So let's just hope the teachers are too distracted with all the mayhem to notice."
I hesitate, and take a step towards him. Leith gestures down the hallway and says, "Away we go!"
There's something about him that makes me want to step outside the lines. Do something rebellious. Forget all my responsibilities. Even if it's just for a little while…my father did move here so my sisters and I could have a normal life. What could be more normal than breaking a few rules?
Octavia
Its official, this place is bomb. Granted I've only been to one class so far but if the rest of my day follows the same track, high school is going to be a breeze. Thanks to my brother and all of his football parties, I already know a lot of people, and those I don't know nod to me anyways because I'm Bellamy Blake's sister. My first hour class was great, my teacher Ms. Sullivan is a complete genius on the computers and while I'm an idiot with 21st technology, she made me believe I could actually get a passable grade, that and she said she doesn't assign homework. It was awesome.
Also I'm the only one of my friends who can say they haven't gotten lost yet. Probably because Bellamy outlined my schedule on a map with a bunch of arrows from class to class last night when I asked him to but still, not getting lost on the first day is a huge accomplishment.
Second period is next so I make my way to the first floor of building three to room 1311. Strung over the door is a colorful banner that reads: ¡Bienvenidos! I don't know what that means but I hear music inside so I enter with high spirits.
This classroom is decked from floor to ceiling with bright colors, like a box of Crayola markers threw up on the walls. I love it. There are maps of what I'm guessing are Spanish countries and one Interview with a Vampire poster next to the T.V. The next two things I notice are the most important: First, Devina and Kenna are sitting at a table for five with a seat saved for me. And second, there's food in the corner.
A lot of food. Arranged on a table beneath the window. Bowls of rice and heaps of goopy goodness I probably won't be able to pronounce, I do however recognize the chips and salsa.
With great effort, I tear my eyes away from the bountiful feast and turn to sit with my friends. "Hey guys!" I say.
Kenna barley smiles before it wavers and she gives up, letting the corners of her mouth fall while Davina simply shrugs.
"Ok, either someone shoved you guys in a trashcan or I'm missing something." I say. "By the way I actually saw that happen this morning, just outside the English building. It was pretty raunch."
"No, it's been an ok day I guess," Davina sets her teeth on edge and then speaks so fast I can barely hear her. "Geology sounds ok but Ms. Forbes did say she gives a lot of homework and if we can't keep up there's no way to pass her class so I made this planner thing-"
"Davina!" I stop her. "Slow down, I'm sure you'll be fine. There's no reason to freak out. Bellamy had that class and he never did his homework." I scoff.
"And you're sure he's never been held back?" Davina asks.
I grit my teeth, "Yes, Davina I'm sure, how many more times are you going to ask?"
Davina sighs, "Anyway my morning was alright, better than Kenna's."
Kenna counts off the morning events on her fingers. "Let's see…I got put in an honor's Biology class with a bunch of seniors and almost puked on one of them, was befriended by a girl with the most unfortunate nickname and met Smallville's residential bad boy Damon Salvatore, oh and did you hear the rumor about him and Ms. Lane? The English teacher I think. Then-"
"Wait up, timeout; you almost threw up on a senior? Who?" I wonder pulling up a roster of every senior I know in my head.
"I don't know I'll have to point him out sometime he looked like he wanted to rip me to pieces."
I look at my friends, so down on their first day of high school. "Guys, it's only second period things can turn around, I know they will. High school should be fun remember? Now what's up with all this food? Can we eat it?"
"No we're just supposed to stare at it," Kenna squints.
I punch her arm and she laughs.
"Oh my gosh," says Davina pronouncing each and every word.
"What?" I ask.
"Is that…I think that's our teacher," Devina says pointing at the door.
In walks a man, probably in his mid-twenties, giving a whole new meaning to tall dark and handsome. He's got a summer tan, and wears a macramé necklace and a bomber jacket. He's got this edgy look to him, like he's done everything, even a few things he wouldn't admit to. He looks at Davina and smiles. She blushes dropping her gaze.
Just as the bell rings, two guys come to a screeching halt in the doorway, out of breath with red faces.
"Gentleman," Our teacher says with a thick Spanish accent. "Thank you for joining us would you mind taking a seat?"
They nod and look around, but the only seats available are at our table, Kenna and Davina figure this out as well and moan next to me. I scowl at them, there's no need to be mean.
I recognize one of the guys, the Asian kid who is gangly and short at the same time if that's even possible, it's the same kid I saw shoved in the trash can earlier. When he sits down the air wafts over us and I try my best not to gag. Whatever the hell was in that trash must have been illegal…there's no other way to describe that smell. Like dead cats and fast food playrooms.
The other one is tall with pale skin and black unruly hair. He smiles as they sit and shoots his friend a stop being so miserable look. I decide to like them.
"Hey," I say.
"Hey," The tall one says. "I'm Jasper." He pushes a pair of science goggles up higher on his forehead, his already unruly hair now even more bed-headish.
"I'm Octavia, Jasper can I ask why you have goggles on your head?"
He pulls them off so fast they get caught on his nose it smacks him in the eye. I laugh. His friend looks at the whiteboard unsurprised. Kenna moans again.
I kick Kenna under the table and ask Jasper, "Who's your friend?"
"This is Monty." Jasper says looking pointedly at his Asian friend. "Say hi Monty."
Monty doesn't even look away from the white board. "Hi Monty."
Jasper only has time to mutter something about being "real mature" before the teacher starts talking.
"Well then let's get to it, shall we? I know you're all dying to try this food but first let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Enzo short for Lorenzo please don't call me anything different as I won't answer to it."
He goes on to say he was born in Eastern Europe and moved to the U.S after his father died. He discovered his passion for teaching language and travel while studying at Whitmore University in Mystic Falls; wherever that is, and went on to travel the world for some years before settling down.
Kenna whispers in my ear, "Must be nice, having the freedom to travel where you'd like whenever you want. His father must have left him a lot of money."
Davina nods in agreement.
"I believe the best way to understand a culture is live it, breathe it all in and immerse yourself in the ways of the people, so today that's what we're going to do. Before you lies a table of food from my favorite Hispanic countries. But I need your attention for twenty more minutes while we go over the syllabus."
The class groans.
Hayley
"I don't know why Jaha insists on babysitting us. I haven't had to use an agenda since I was ten." I say to Lola, as we walk to third period. I have English with Mr. Kane and Lola has soccer. The team hasn't officially been assembled yet due try outs on Wednesday, they're giving the girls time on the field so the coaches can see whose worth having. Lola's a guarantee though, she was on the team last year and she's one of the best.
Despite her calm exterior, she proves herself a capable opponent on the soccer field. She and her friend Liv are crazy on the field, and they're only sophomores.
"He wants his students to keep up on his assignments," Lola says annoyingly realistic.
"Don't defend him." I snap
Lola tries not to smile, "you just don't like him because he's giving us homework."
"Yeah like I don't have enough to do already," I say distractedly. Because I think I see a dark haired someone across the courtyard. If only all these people would get out of my way; I…Bash. I see him and I'm running. He grins and only has time to take a couple steps before I'm already crashing into him. He catches me up in his arms and spins me around like he used to when we were kids.
"Hayley," He chuckles. "How I've missed you."
He puts me down but I don't let go. I feel safe here with him. I hate it when he leaves, I can't sleep soundly until he's back. I know he has work to do and he's doing it to protect me and our mom. He would do anything to keep us safe, even joining Klaus Mikaelson's gang, even standing up against our father…
My wrist seems to itch and I clench my fist against Bash's shoulder. He notices, removing my hand to stroke the inside of my wrist, caressing the cigarette mark, courtesy of the man we once called father before Bash ran him out of the house.
"Finally," I say. "You were gone long enough. How is she?" My voice drops to a whisper. It's been my brother's job to protect Mary ever since Klaus sent her away to Star City three years ago. Bash checks up on her from time to time, spending a week out by the beach in California enjoying the boardwalk with my best friend. It's so unfair.
"Why don't you ask her for yourself?" He glances pointedly behind me.
I turn to where he's looking, coming face to face with one of my oldest and best friends. Pale face, full lips and long raven hair.
"Mary!" I exclaim.
She opens her arms and I fall into them. "Hayley!" She squeals in my ear. "How I've missed you!" Her Scottish accent is thick as ever. She wasn't born in Scotland. Actually she was born somewhere in Europe even though her parents don't know exactly where. The Mikaelson family is widely traveled thanks to their father's dealing with car thieves and arms dealers. Their parents dragged them from country to country until Mary was fourteen and finally convinced them to let her and her five siblings to move to Smallville, where their aunt, uncle and cousin live, so they had a chance at living normal lives.
Her parents agreed under the condition that even though the Mikaelson siblings live alone in their own house they allow their aunt and uncle to check in on them occasionally and for Klaus to help run a portion of the family business. So Klaus being the ruthless individual that he is, now runs one of the two gangs on campus. That's how I met Mary and her cousin Lola, the same girl I now realize I had left standing alone across the courtyard. Oh well.
Bash, my brother is Klaus' right hand man. There's no one else he would trust with Mary's safety. As far as I know, she's still supposed to be hiding out in Star City since she pissed some powerful people off so many years ago.
I pull back, "Don't get me wrong I'm happy you're here but what are you doing here?"
Mary purses her lips, "Bash helped convince Klaus that it was safe enough for me to come back. Kai probably doesn't suspect anything," She looks at my brother and Bash offers a small smile. "Besides it's been so many years, if Kai wanted to find me that bad he would have done so already. And it's not as if we're not taking precautions, I know what I'm doing."
"What precautions?"
"Just, precautions." She evades. I glare at her and she sighs. "Look let's not worry about the details," Mary grasps my arms. "This is a happy day."
"Who else knows you're back?" I ask.
"Anyone here in the courtyard I suppose," she looks around. "I haven't made it to any classes yet but it won't be long before everyone knows. If they even remember me." She grins shyly at the ground.
"You're kidding right? Remember when that kid Collin clogged the toilet with that gym sock in the girl's bathroom? And it made the plumbing explode in the locker rooms?"
"Only because you and Lola dared him," She points out.
"That was purely Lola." I shake my head.
Mary gives me a knowing look. "I still believe you were the instigator."
"Anyway, my point is, you were all anyone could talk about sophomore year, way more than the exploding plumbing. Until Klaus beat someone up in the cafeteria for accusing him of murdering you."
She grimaced. "I heard about that one, Bash told me the poor kid had to go to the hospital."
I shrug. "No permanent scarring."
She gives that small frown she does when anyone starts talking about Klaus. I know it's complicated, she loves him but it's hard when you think of all the shit he does. If it's hard for me having a brother in a gang I can't imagine how hard it is for Mary to have a brother in charge of one.
"Hey," I give her arm a pat. "I'm sorry."
She clears her face of all pain. "Don't worry about it alright? We'll talk about it later. What class are you going to?"
I make a face, "English."
Mary laughs "You always did live for the weekends; it's a comfort to see that some things never change."
"Yeah, I'm glad you still have your accent, instead of sounding like one of those dumb beach bunnies from Star City."
"Oh no," She cringes. "If there ever comes a time I no longer sound like Scott you should just shoot me."
I roll my eyes, "So dramatic." When Mary was 6 her family stayed in Scotland for four years, the longest they ever stayed in one place and she fell in love with it. Once she successfully adapted herself to the accent she's been painfully determined throughout the years to keep it, intending to return to Scotland one day, it's the only place that ever felt like home to her.
"I hate to interrupt," says Bash. "But the bell just rang and we're the only ones standing here and I don't feel like going to detention today." He checks a paper he's holding before handing Mary her schedule. "Plus, Mary has Geology and Ms. Forbes hates it when people are late."
"Are you going with her?" I ask and I notice Mary's eyes on my brother shortly before flickering away.
Bash gulps. "No, I have my own classes unfortunately. Mary do you need help finding the science classes?"
"No, it's alright. I remember." Mary smiles, gives me another quick hug and turns to walk away. "I'll see you at lunch."
"I can walk with you to your class," I offer.
"It's ok," she says. "Catch up with your brother." And somehow I know she wants to be alone.
When she's out of ear shot I round up on Bash. "You didn't."
"What?" He asks.
"Please tell me you didn't put the moves on Mary. I saw the way she was looking at you don't try to deny it!"
He grimaces, "You're overreacting."
"Am I? Then tell me nothing happened and I might believe you."
He shakes his head.
I can't believe this. "How could you do that? To her? To Francis?"
"We stopped before anything happened," he finally gives in.
"Who stopped it?" I ask. He tries to ignore me, heading off to one of his classes, but I grab is arm and use all my strength to swing him around. "Please Bash…who stopped it?"
Davina
Ok so maybe this place isn't as bad as I'd originally thought. And maybe I had a panic attack this morning. But school is actually turning out to be alright. I'm happy Octavia is enjoying herself and of course Kenna is already affiliating with seniors and I'm sitting in class trying to write down all the different homework assignments in my planner.
People around me are silent at the moment for once. All day everyone has been talking and I've been agonizing over what to say. It's not that I don't want to fit in; I just can't seem to figure it out. To everyone else I'm the responsible student they go to when they didn't do their homework. So what if I'm a perfectionist? I still want to have friends, I can be cool.
Of course there's Octavia and Kenna, but I can't find anyone to talk to in any of my classes besides Spanish because Spanish is the only class I have with them.
I'm in a senior majority class right now because I wanted to get it over with while most people procrastinate until the last year, plus it didn't require any pre-requisites. And if I take this now, I can be in college classes by the end of next year. So I can be in high school and get someone of my college credits taken care of at the same time. At least Clarke's not in here, it would be embarrassing to take the same class as your sister. I don't want to be seen as that much of a nerd. That and she would be embarrassed.
It's all dark in here. Ms. Forbes turned off the lights so we can see the slide show for her introduction to Geology power-point. Five minutes into the presentation, someone walks in. A girl with long black hair. She's the kind of gorgeous I wish I was. Someone sitting next to me stands up. I can't pinpoint why but it's clear from the way he looks at her and the way she looks at him…they know each other.
"Mary," He says.
"Francis," She tries to smile although it looks more like she's trying not to cry.
Greer
Seeing the school with Leith is by far the funnest thing I've done since I've moved to Smallville. He turns everything into a joke and I even open up to him about my family a little, telling him that it's hard at home. I don't elaborate but he seems to sense I can't talk about it so he says nothing simply taking what I give.
He gives me a tour of all the buildings, but we go a lot of back ways so we don't get caught, taking a lot of staircases I'm sure we would get in trouble for using because they're probably for staff but I don't care. Life suddenly seems ok, like it's possible to handle if I take it day by day.
He shows me the football field and the racket ball courts; he shows me the photography room and a few teachers' lounges. The teachers just nod at him. When I ask him about it he says he just knows how to be friends with people. The teachers we see were pleased to meet me when Leith introduced me. I know it must not be like this for all of the students though, Leith's just figured out a way to cheat the system and have a good time.
We go to the cafeteria to get ice cream from the lunch lady who turns out to be his aunt. He knows everyone I swear.
Narcisse, the security guard almost had us cornered at one point but Leith dragged me with him as he sprinted down another back stair case, leading us out into the library where he shoved us behind a suit of armor.
"What's happening-" He puts a finger to my lips as our breaths slow to the same even rhythm.
I start to feel guilty. I wonder what Elijah will think of this. But there's nothing wrong with having both a friend and a boyfriend is there? No. So why do am I starting to feel like a horrible person? It's not like Leith likes me like that anyway. When he takes his hand away and pulls me from the suit of armor I have this gut feeling that I'm blushing.
I was contemplating all this as we walked, thinking about how I should tell Leith he needs to take me to class, but what would I tell the teacher? I was ditching so that's why I'm late?
Suddenly, we run into Elijah in the courtyard. I figured he would be in one of his classes, but seems to know the school as well as Leith which gives both of them the ability to ditch without being caught.
"Elijah," I say and throw my arms around him because I truly am excited to see him. He moved mountains to convince my father to move out here so we could be together. Elijah told my father it was wise to keep a closer eye on his business in Kansas and once this idea took root, my father had us packed and moved halfway across the country.
"Greer," he says embracing me in turn. "I kept waiting for you to text me; I was beginning to think that you decided to stay home."
"No, Leith was just giving me a tour." Is it stupid I feel the need to explain myself? We weren't doing anything...
I untangle myself from Elijah and back away to introduce him to Leith. "Elijah this is Leith, Leith this-"
"Elijah, yeah," says Leith holding out his hand for Elijah to take. "Everyone knows Elijah Mikaelson." He says his name like there's something wrong with it. It makes me stiffen. You can't judge someone by the actions of his family, I would know.
Elijah grasps his hand. "I don't think we've officially met, you're the starting running back this year?"
"How did you-" Leith muses aloud.
"I know the list isn't out yet but I've made acquaintances with someone who prints the roster. I'm a big fan of the team."
Leith clenches his jaw, "I've heard yeah. You should join then."
"If only." He smiles sadly. "Unfortunately, I have prior engagements."
"Pity," Leith's eyes become slits as he studies Elijah.
I don't like this. I tell myself there's no reason to worry but I'm starting to panic, what will Elijah think of me spending half the day alone with a man I barely know? "Thank you Leith, for showing me around it was a lot of fun." I say.
"Fun?" he says almost chewing over the word then sighs. "If that's what you want to call it."
Elijah slides his arm around my waist. "It was a pleasure to meet you Leith, see you around?"
"See you," he agrees and walks away without looking back.
Francis
If I could burn a hole in the back of her head with the intensity of my stare, I would have. After putting me through hell for years, after disappearing without a word…I would never have done that to her.
The day after Mary disappeared, I went to Hayley's house because if anyone knew what actually happened it would have been Mary's best friend. At first Hayley refused to talk to me, saying she didn't know anything. I however, had stayed an entire day on her porch until she finally came outside to tell me that, yes she did know where Mary went, but no she wasn't going to tell me where and yes Mary was safe. She also told me she didn't know when Mary was coming back, if she was coming back at all. So I did the only thing I could: I dropped it. And it killed me.
I couldn't stop wondering, as hard as I tried not to, why she had gone? Did I scare her away because I told her I loved her? Was I moving too fast? Or maybe it had nothing to do with me, could it be more family drama?
I would have died for her, or at least runaway with her if need be. I would have done anything, given her anything. If she only asked. Apparently, I wasn't good enough.
I wonder if her number is still the same. If it is, then she's just been ignoring me. If not then she has an excuse for not answering the thousands of text messages I sent after she left our sophomore year. I pull out my phone from under the desk careful to shield its glow because the lights are still off due to Mrs. Forbes' power point. A hard knot forms in my throat as I type one word.
Mary. I hit send.
Mary shifts. I know her body language as well as my own; she places most of her weight on her left hip shielding her phone from view. I imagine the way her brows would cinch together as she read. Back in the day when she received a text message from me, the smallest of smiles would curve her lips. I can't see her face now, although I would gladly pay the money to do so.
It takes an eternity for the bell to ring. And then I'm out of my seat. The only one faster than me is Mary, seemingly eager to escape but I grab her in the hallway, pulling her into a janitor closet and shutting the door forcefully behind us.
Mary lets out a gasp. There's no room for escape in a janitor closet, she'll have to talk to me.
"Mary…" I can barely say her name.
"Stop," She says and the word stabs at my heart.
She looks afraid. I would never hurt her, I don't have it in me…not because of the way I was raised, it's just who I am. My family wasn't around long enough to actually raise me. My parents were the 'let's leave him our credit card and he'll fend for himself' types.
That's one of the things that first drew me towards Mary. Both of us stuck in complicated situations with our families that no one else understood…But seeing her now, in front of me after all this time brings on a flood of emotion I had been suppressing for years.
"Why. Why did you leave?" Out of all the questions I have, this is the one that refuses to die in my throat.
"Francis you don't understand I didn't have a choice." Her scent, closed up in this small space is intoxicating. I step in closer, Mary's breath catches.
"What do you mean you didn't have a choice, we all have choices; Mary you left me!" My voice begins to rise and I know I'm scaring her. I don't mean to yell but I can't help it. I thought I was going to be with her forever. I thought she loved me, she never said it but I was so sure…
Water gathers in her eyes. "Please Francis; don't make this harder than it has to be. I'm sorry if my coming here causes you more pain but I promise to stay out of your way, you can ignore me and everything will alright. It will be as if I never came back"
I shake my head, mostly because it's an impossible statement.
She's not making sense. Mary wiggles from my grasp and opens the door. The light of the hallway reveals tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry," she repeats before disappearing into the crowd.
The door closes and I let it. Letting out a yell I punch the wall.
