By the time lunch rolled around, Ever had helped me to feel "in place". She introduced me to her other friend, Miles, who was very outgoing and excited to show me the ropes. Ever also mentioned something about a girl named Haven, but since she wasn't here today I wasn't able to meet her. I was really enjoying myself for once. I was really starting to hope again.

"So, Sephira," Miles started, "where do you hail from?" He swirled around the contents of his water bottle as he looked at me. From the look in his eyes, you could tell he was set on getting all the information he could about me. I shrugged sheepishly, but Miles kept persuading me.

"I'm from the Midwest," I finally stated. "Lived on the Mississippi, basically. Nothing there but fields and fields of corn and soybeans." I shrugged. "Not really used to the city life. Too many people here, honestly." I looked down at my tray of food. I made sure to tilt my head forward, so they didn't notice that my right eye didn't move with the left one.

"So that's where that slightest bit of accent you have comes from!" Miles exclaimed victoriously, earning him a handful of looks from people sitting at other tables. "I could've sworn you were completely Southern, though." He frowned at that, obviously upset by his wrong guess. I shrugged indifferently and looked up again. I noticed Ever frowning at me, but the frown disappeared the moment I looked up.

"Where I lived, it basically was the South. People wore over-alls to school. Bad spelling and grammar lurked around every corner. And, best of all, over half the people attending were hunting buffs," I said, chuckling. Miles shrieked in disgust.

"Over-alls? Who would've thought people still wore those!" He mock shuddered and then turned his attention to his phone that just went off. I watched him and couldn't help but wonder if he was gay. With his brightly painted nails and constant jabbering about the latest fashion statement, I wouldn't put it past him. I dismissed the thought though, and picked at my lunch.

Ever suddenly tensed, and so did Damen. I looked at them in confusion. And then I saw him. Like a god walking into a temple built for him, he strode in with such pride it was breath-taking. His tousled blond hair bounced gently with each strong, confident step he took, as he made his way towards our table. I couldn't help but blush. Couldn't help but to look away from the beauty laid out before me, self-consciously covering my right eye.

"Roman," I heard Ever hiss venomously. Roman. The name to the glorious face I was lucky enough to see. I looked back to see him taking a seat across from Ever, across from me. He gave me an amused look, and then turned his attention to Ever. A smirk danced across his lips, a playful, almost childish smirk.

"I see you've forgotten to introduce me to your new friend," he said, a British drawl lazily caressing his words. I squirmed absent-mindedly. Awkwardly, I squished my appendages as close to each other as possible; one of the more embarrassing things I tend to do when I'm nervous. Roman's teasing smirk switched over to me, and I instantly heated up.

"She doesn't need to know you," Ever spat, glaring viciously at Roman. Damen had his arm wrapped protectively around Ever. Miles busied himself with his phone, not wanting to become a part of the situation at hand. I felt like the odd one out, being the only one who felt all mushy as butterflies invaded my stomach the more Roman's eyes wandered over me.

"I guess I'll have to introduce myself, then." His smirk turned into a polite smile. "My name is Roman," he paused to look me over some more, before returning to my eyes, "and yours?" I couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. I felt so infatuated, so heated that it took me a second to pull myself together and reply.

"S-Sephira," I stuttered. "My name is Sephira." Roman tilted his head to the side, as if interested.

"Sephira," he said. I melted at the sound of his voice saying my name. "Nice to meet you." He smirked again. "Sorry about ol' Ever here. She's never taken a like to me. Have you, darlin'?" Ever didn't reply, just kept glaring at him. That didn't seem to bother Roman, however. He just kept smirking.

"Roman," Damen said calmly, "you should go." He spoke as if he was relaxed, but his body language said different. He was tense, his muscles contracted, as if he was ready to jump at any given time. I wondered why they, Damen and Ever, were acting this way. Roman did seem a little antsy, but the way they're acting is simply outrageous. I suddenly felt bad for Roman.

Roman shrugged and said, "I'll see you in art later." He stood up just as the lunch bell rang, grinned at me, and then left.

Later that day as I was walking to my last class, Ever pulled me aside. Her gaze looked urgent. It seemed as if, to her, the world was ending and it was up to her to save everyone. I gave her an odd look, questioning her without words.

"You need to stay away from Roman," she said, words rushed. "He's a bad guy." Despite her seriousness, I couldn't help but snicker.

"A bad guy?" I replied. "He didn't seem bad at all. Just trying to fit in, but it looks like even the misfits won't accept him…" I frowned, knowing how it feels to be him. For a second, I became lost in my own thoughts. Remembering my old schools, my old classmates, after I left my hometown….

"You have to believe me, Sephira. Roman isn't good news. Despite how nice he acts, he's just conning you. Don't go near him, don't speak do him, and, Sephira," she paused to make sure she had my attention, "do not fall in love with him!" I flushed.

"What makes you think I like him?" I shrieked.

"The way you looked at him," she calmly replied despite my outburst. "Just, don't even be around him, okay? If you're in the same room, leave."

I sighed and said, "Alright. I won't go near him." Doesn't mean I won't like him though. I added in my thoughts. Ever gave me a look before deciding to trust me and walk away. With another light sigh, I headed in the opposite direction, to the last class of my first day.