Disclaimer: I do not own The Fallen Series.
We arrived at the bleachers, to find Arriane's hair had been cut.
"...Touch it up in the back, okay?" I heard Arriane say and quickly set my MP3 to the audio recording of Fallen, and matched it to what Arriane was saying.
"Hey! Um...I don't think I got your names." Arriane said the second she saw us.
"Jade Knight." I said with my signature smirking smile.
"Knight. I like it."
"Jamie Smith." Jamie gave her a small smile, but in her eyes you could see her excitement.
"Cool. Aright Jamie and Jade, what did you do to get sent to this living Hell?" No use, with us here Fallen isn't word for word. I changed it from the audio to one of my songs.
"Hold on to me, love
You know I can't stay long
All I wanted to say was
I love you and I'm not afraid, oh " The singer just sang, the song just played.
"My step-mom convinced my dad to send me here to help me with my 'problems'." I scoffed. "That bitch just wanted me gone so she could get my dad's attention. She's just a gold digger."
"How I wish I could turn her into the snake she is. Stupid Dad and his stupid rules." I thought.
"Wow. And Jamie?"
"I'm here because of Jade. We've known each other since we were five, and haven't been apart for longer that two weeks since. So I had to come with Jade, because I didn't want her to be alone."
"Hm, not many people come here by choice." Arriane grinned. "So how long have you known Luce?"
"We met today." Jamie said.
"Really? Could've fooled me!" Arriane laughed. That's when Arriane pointed out the Augustine. I knew what she was gonna say so I turned up my music.
"Then when I got older
I began to lie to get exactly
What I wanted, when I wanted it
And I wanted it " Flawed Design...Eh, it'll do for now.
When the song ended I lowered the volume and listened to Arriane.
"And you'll want to steer clear of the hard cases." Arriane said.
"Hard cases?" Luce asked. No surprise there!
"The kids with the wristband tracking devices, about a third of the student body." I whispered as Arriane said it. Then Arriane told Luce what they did.
"Sweet." I said.
Oh! One of my favorite parts! Arriane ran her fingers through her hair and the sleeve of her black sweater fell back. On one wrist there was a black wristband as in piece of jewelry. On the other wrist was one that looked more mechanical.
Arriane raised her eyebrows in a devilish way when she saw Luce and Jamie looking at it.
"Told ya, total effing psychos." Arriane grinned. "Come on. I'll give you the rest of the tour." I sighed. I hate tours, but Sword & Cross tours? This might be fun.
Arriane told us about the-state-of-the-art gym and the evil coach who's name I could care less about. Then the stand off, but the cemetery is what got my attention.
"...It used to be a military academy...stinks to high Heaven...Hang out a lot here." I heard Arriane say. I was to focused on the cemetery to pay attention. It was just so cool! Dark and damp. My kind of place.
"You'll come over tonight and hang out, okay?" Arriane said and got my attention. "Promise?" I thought she was talking to Luce, but she was talking to all of us.
"But I thought you said I should stay away from hard cases." Luce was joking.
"Rule number two: Don't listen to me! I'm certifiably insane!" Arriane laughed and started jogging away.
We all jogged after her.
"Wait! What was rule number one?" Luce called after her.
"Keep up!" Arriane called over her shoulder.
When we came around the corner of the classrooms, Arriane skidded to a stop.
"Affect cool." Arriane told us.
"Cool." Luce and Jamie repeated. I rolled my eyes.
We were outside the Augustine...I froze.
I looked at Jamie and I knew she knew what was gonna happen.
Daniel was about to happen. I'm Team Cam, and I hate Daniel.
I knew now was the time to turn the audio on. I quickly changed my MP3 to the audio and listened to Luce's thoughts.
"...This place pretty much reeks of death." I heard two Arriane's say.
Then came the part that horrified me.
"...she noticed another dress code violation. A very attractive dress code violation." The audio played. I quickly took out my second MP3 and out it to match my audio record.
"Jamie." I whispered. "D alert. Here, listen to it." I handed her my second MP3.
"Okay." Jamie out the ear bud things and listened. I stared at Luce as she talked to Arriane. Then Daniel caught Luce's gaze.
I saw his eyes narrow and Daniel flash her a smile.
"Here it comes!" Jamie whispered to me.
Daniel raised his hand...then flipped Luce off. I heard Luce's gasp.
"What? Never mind, we don't have time. I can sense the bell." Arriane said and the bell rang.
Arriane started telling us where and when to next meet her. Then we headed for our first class.
I knew Daniel was watching us go so I did what anyone with my hate for Daniel and in this situation would do.
I flipped Daniel off. When Luce wasn't watching of course. I shot Daniel a glare and left.
My seat was by a window. I could see everything from here.
"Nice mop, Arriane."Cam smirked as he tugged on some of her hair. "My compliments to your stylist."
God! Know what they're going to say is so not much fun.
When I turned my attention back to them Cam was already at Luce's desk. I let my thoughts wonder.
"Jade!" Jamie was in front of me.
"Huh? What?" I asked.
"Wipe that look off your face! I can tell you're thinking about him." Jamie winked.
"Don't make me mad Jamie." I sighed.
"You know, Daniel was pretty hot." Jamie sighed.
"Hello? Team Cam member over here." I said, not worried if anyone would hear. No one payed us any attention.
"Hello? Team Daniel." Jamie said. I scoffed.
"There is nothing good about him. He lies to Luce." I said.
"Oh don't start with me girl." Jamie said. "Now is not the time for a debate."
"Says you." The bell rang and Jamie sat in the desk in front of me.
I zoned out until Mr. Cole put the paper packet on my desk. Ugh.
I saw Arriane throw planes at Luce. Until Mr. Cole started talking rules.
"Dude, it's Luce. We both know she ain't normal. Neither are me and Jamie. We aren't normal mortals." I thought as I rolled my eyes.
The next 172 minutes were extremely boring.
...
Lunch. Goody.
After classes, Jamie and I followed Arriane and Luce to the cafeteria.
Cam bumped Luce, he helped her. I smiled. So good being able to see Cam.
In the cafeteria Arriane told us about the food.
I didn't pay attention and looked around the cafeteria. I saw Daniel. He was focused on his hamburger. Yeah right.
Then I focused on what they were saying.
"Like you wouldn't sink your teeth into him?" Arriane asked.
"Shut up! He totally heard you." Luce whispered. Hm...Maybe Arriane wanted Daniel to hear...
"He's so focused on that hamburger, he wouldn't hear the call of Satan."
"He's pretending." I thought. I stared at Daniel and let my thoughts wonder. What is he thinking? Does he wonder who Jamie and I are?
I was brought back to reality by Arriane.
"-Luce look out!" Arriane yelled. Jamie looked at me. I knew what she was thinking: Molly.
Luce fell and reached for support, but grabbed Molly's tray. A cup of borscht was in her face.
Some Pixie's angry...
"If the sight of you hadn't ruined my appetite, I'd make you buy me another lunch."
As Luce stammered an apology and tried to get up, Molly clamped the heel of her stiletto boot onto Luce's foot. My hand turned into a fist.
"I'll just take a rain check."
"That's enough Molly." Arriane coolly said and helped Luce up. Luce winced as she got up.
"Fast friends with the newbie." Molly growled. "That is very bad behavior, A. Aren't you an probation?"
I counted down the seconds. 3...2...1. Arriane threw a fat punch, hitting Molly's right eye. I couldn't help but smirk.
That's when Arriane's 'fit' started. She was convulsing, her arms were thrown up in the air. Luce's face showed her horror.
"The wristband." I said, as I knelt down next to Luce.
"Arriane, are you okay?" Luce whispered.
"Terrific." Arriane opened her dark eyes and then they shut.
When Luce gasped Arriane's eyes popped open, and she started talking to Luce.
I turned to look at Molly and shot her a glare. Then I heard Randy.
"Break it up. Break it up." Randy said from the door.
Molly was about to attack but Randy stopped her. I quickly took out my very small camera from my pocket and recorded Molly's kicking and screaming.
"Somebody start talking." Randy squeezed Molly until she went limp. I put my camera away. "On second thought, all three of you detention. Tomorrow morning in the cemetery. Crack of dawn!." Randy pointed at Molly, Luce and Arriane.
Bitch, I wanted detention! If there wasn't a crowd of kids, I'd turn you into a dog.
When Randy asked Molly if she'd chilled yet, Molly nodded. Then came the time Luce realized Arriane was still at the mercy of the wristband.
"Come on, let's go turn you off." Randy said, softer than earlier.
"Crack of dawn!" Randy repeated when she reached the doorway.
"Looking forward to it." Molly said and grabbed a plate of meat loaf. I knew Jamie was thinking about stopping her.
"No." I mouthed at her.
The meat loaf landed on Luce's head.
"Priceless." Molly said as she pulled out her stupid camera. "These will go great on my blog." Then came the 'nice hat' comment from someone.
I looked at Daniel, who was shacking his head, having seen it all. I wanna hit the guy. Right before Luce was supposed to run out I made a split decision.
I punched Molly, and kicked her camera into the air. I jumped up and kicked the camera again, sending it towards the wall. It missed Daniel's head by an inch and hit the wall.
No time to check the damage. Luce was already running towards the door.
I nodded at Jamie and we ran after her.
But I didn't run to the parking lot, instead I headed straight for the girl's bathroom. Jamie followed Luce.
I didn't go in. I just walked to the bathroom, which was close to the cafeteria.
On my way I saw Cam heading for the cafeteria. I swallowed and acted cool, but he saw me. He flashed me a smile and entered the cafeteria. I sighed.
"No, Jade. Don't fall for Cam. He's never going to like you anyway." I told myself and ran to the bathroom. I leaned on the wall next to the door, letting put a sigh, and closed my eyes.
Minuted later I heard footsteps and opened my eyes.
"Come on Luce." I opened the door just as Gabbe was was going to open it.
"Whoops, 'scuse me, honey." She said as she saw me. Then she saw Luce. "Oh god. What happened?"
"Wait five minutes. I'm sure gossips spreads here like the plague." Luce said.
"Want to borrow my foundation?" Gabbe held up a plastic blue cosmetics case.
"Thanks, but no." Luce walked into the bathroom. Jamie and I followed.
Luce splashed water on her face and let it all out. She tried got the meat loaf off her face.
"Let me help you, Luce. I've had to get gum out of Jamie's hair before, meat loaf should be easy." I said was about to help when the door cracked open. Luce scrambled against the wall.
Then Penn came in. I smiled.
"You're not supposed to be in here without a pass." Penn said.
"I know. I just-" Luce started.
"I'm kidding. I snagged some shampoo and conditioner from the locker room for you." Penn held up the two bottles. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up."
"Thanks?" Luce said as she sat down.
"Oh, you'll probably need a change of clothes." Penn took off her sweater and exposed another black sweater. When she saw the look on Luce's face she told her about her hostile immune system. I was detracted by a shift in movement by the door.
I walked over to the door and looked outside. No one.
"...You can call me Penn." I heard and walked back to the girls.
"Got it. She's Jamie, and that's Jade." Luce pointed to us as she said our names. "I'm Lucinda Price."
"Everyone calls you Luce and transferred from Dover prep in New Hampshire." Penn said.
"How did you know that?"
"Lucky guess? I'm kidding, I read your file, duh. It's a hobby." After the water got warm, Penn motioned for Luce to lower her head. Then Penn started telling us about herself and Jamie helped her with Luce's hair.
"That was the last of it." I said when Penn finished.
"I think you're all meat free." Penn added. "It's a good thing your hair's short. If it was still long like it was in your picture in your file, thi would have been a much lengthier operation.
"We're going to have to keep our eyes on you, aren't we?" Jamie asked.
"Stay on my good side and no one gets hurt." Penn said and Luce looked worried.
"You're kidding right?" Luce asked. Penn smiled.
"Come on, we have to get to class. Aren't you all glad we're in the same afternoon block?"
We laughed.
"When are you going to stop knowing everything about us?" Luce asked.
"Not in the foreseeable future. But you'll learn to love it. I'm a powerful friend to have." Penn said.
Jamie's smile faltered, she was thinking about the ending of Fallen.