Chapter 2

"Every days is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, smile and start again."


Despite the persistent sensation of discomfort and strangeness, I found myself waking up with the feeling of a restful sleep.

The slight flash of light coming from my window in front of my bed reminded me that I still had to put on curtains.

I immediately brought my right hand to my face to rub the sleep of my eyes before giving a retrospective look at my entire new room. As expected we had moved in over the weekend and most of my stuff was still in the boxes.

An inaudible sigh left my lips at the mere thought of having to unpack everything. I was not what you could call a fan of storage and even less order. If it were up to me, I'd leave my things in the boxes. Let's say that if I could find my belongings among the mess then it suited me well.

Unfortunately, Peneloppe was what could be called my opposite and to be honest, I did not prefer to cross my path with the Puerto Rican. It had happened more often than I could count in the past and I still kept a very bad memory of it.

Which reminded me that I still had to prepare for my first day in the great and faithful institution that was high school. For my parents this was my very first experience even though I had already reached the age of seventeen.

For me, it would be a whole new detour through hell.

You will understand, I did not keep a very good memory of my high school years.

I shook my head pulling the duvet of my legs ignoring the big scar lying inside my left thigh by mere habit before getting off my king size bed. It was a kind of gift from my parents to help my so-called integration into Forks.

After the accident last year, they delayed the move but I knew that now it was inevitable.

For a fact, we had already moved in.

I raised my arms above my head to stretch as I walked to the window of my room before glancing at the outside courtyard. The weather seemed relatively similar to that of Settle. It was perhaps colder and the air was wetter but the clouds were still there.

I quickly brought my hand to my lips as a yawn escaped me before clumsily walking through the cartons looking for the one labeled Clothes & others stuff '.

I let out a happy gasp when I finally found the box in question before straightening for scissors. I found a pair lying on the edge of my wooden desk lying in the right corner of my room before returning to the box. I cut through the adhesive before pulling the lid while kneeling on the floor. I searched briefly through the piles of clothes before deciding on a simple baseball t-shirt with burgundy sleeves and black skinny jeans torn at the knees.

I straightened up feeling my armpits to make sure I did not sweat during the night and quickly changed me out of my nightwear. I had always used to take a shower at night. This was more convenient for the morning preparation and I could especially gain some precious minute of sleep.

Once dressed, I removed the elastic holding my hair blond-white in a bun at the base of my neck before catching a pair of vans and a hooded vest of the box.

I started to dye my hair a hazel brown at the age of fifteen. Since then, I had experimented a lot of color since but it was almost a year since I stuck to blond-white.

To tell the truth, Pedro had a real attack when he saw me coming back from the hairdresser but after last year, I needed a real change. So I cut my long strands of a black raven at the time at the level of my collarbones.

I headed for my closed door before heading straight for the bathroom.

Yes, only one bathroom but it was not really annoying since we were only four. Including Jason who had been to university for two years now. I paused a moment in front of the mirror to make sure everything was in order before applying a thin layer of foundation to hide the few evidence of hormonal thrust.

Once satisfied with my reflection I closed the door behind me before going down the stairs quickly.

" Hello ? Someone is up? " I hurry to the living room before going to the alcove overlooking the kitchen. "The prodigal child is up! "

I heard Pedro's laugh long before I saw him as he was already at the kitchen table while Peneloppe was behind the stove. "And they say that young people no longer have a sense of humor these days! "

"You know that our little girl has always been a real little clown." Peneloppe commented as she turned to Pedro before pointing at me with her spatula at the sight of my scroll. "Stop doing that, one day you go-"

"Stay stuck! I know, Peneloppe!" I whispered as I sat at the table before serving myself in the French toast dish.

I bit on the soft food between my fingers before turning my attention to Pedro as he put his newspaper on the side of his plate. "So, ready for the first day? "

"Mhemeeefksjns-" I replied as I swallowed the rest of my mouth full before displaying a look falsely innocent under the reproving gaze of Peneloppe."Sorry! And to answer the question: remind me why I can't go to home schooling as before? "

Pedro and Peneloppe immediately exchanged a long silent glance, letting me raise my eyebrows expectantly before trying to hold a roll of my eyes at the mention of my shrink."You know what Miss. Grundy said. "

I quickly finished my toast in a hurry suddenly before jumping on my feet with the intention of fleeing this future conversation.

" Yeah yeah ! How could I forget her ?" I grumbled under my breath in frustration before putting on my hoodie and military jacket over it. "Anyway, I have to go. Pedro, can I take the truck? "

A silence fell suddenly on our trio as Peneloppe visibly turned uncomfortable. "Uh... I thought ... are you sure you don't want me to take you?"

After the accident coupled with my not-so-fortuitous meeting with what-should-not-be-named I had somehow developed a kind of anxiety. I was literally unable to get into a car without experiencing some sort of mini anxiety attack. Hence the reason for my obviously useless sessions with Miss. Grundy.

In the end, I had treated my own car trouble myself and I preferred to avoid going to a new session with this woman.

That was probably why I had to accept the move as well. Everything was a good reason to get away from this mute harpy.

All she could do was nod carefully and hum in agreement as soon as I opened my mouth. I did not need anyone to listen to me but help me.

Anyway, I was free now and I was certainly not going to spoil this first ounce of freedom by having me label as a kind of little girl to mom.

"I thought you wanted my integration to be smooth? Imagine if I come to the side of one of you. "

Pedro was the one who automatically displayed a smile on my lips as he made a show to widen his eyes in the fake horror before turning to his wife. "Right! Imagine that, hon! A social disaster! "

I supported his playful air before reminding them on the way out that they were the ones wanting me to experience a full and normal high schooler experience. I grabbed the keys of the truck by opening the front door before I immediately pulled my hood over my head at the sight of the light drizzle.

I would run straight for the driver side of the navy blue truck before getting behind the wheel by throwing my backpack into the passenger seat.

A glance at the digital clock told me that I had already missed the first period, which meant that I probably would not have to look at my arrival. I assumed I should thank Peneloppe for that. She was the one who had let me wake up alone this morning.

I looked up at the rearview mirror to give one last look at my reflection.

However, the sudden sight of a pair of ruby-colored eyes instead of my green-hazel eyes made me immediately close my eyelids in a jolt.

I could already feel my breath speeding up as I tried to remind myself that none of it was real. I was no longer in our old truck and I was no longer in Settle. I was safe and on my way to high school.

Finally, my jerky breath returned to normal leaving me to loosen my fists just to grin at the feeling of numbness in my fingers. I was risking a new look in the rearview mirror before glancing at our living room window just to rush to start the engine at the sight of the curtain drop.

I was in great shape. I was not mental.

So that was what I was trying to convince myself all the way to the famous Forks High School.

It was not really hard to find to be honest.

Not to mention that the huge sign "Go Spartan" immediately caught my attention.

Obviously since I was well after the first hours of classes, the parking was already full. I literally had to park at the other end before finally turning off the ignition. I stayed in my seat, turning my attention to the huge barrel of brown stone before turning my gaze on the smaller building with the sign Office.
It was all I needed to get going as I retrieved my backpack before going down with a long, inaudible sigh.

I crossed the long parking lot ignoring the creaking of my shoes against the still wet asphalt before finally reaching the small building. I pushed the door swinging by adjusting the strap of my bag before stopping for a moment unlike the dazzling temperature. The heating was probably at its maximum. I wondered how all the greenery and potted plants could flourish with such warmth.

However, my questions of herbology were soon interrupted by a sudden voice. "Oh dear, you must be the new student! Miss ... uh ... "

I immediately turned my head towards the source of the voice simply to come face to face with a thirty-something somewhat wrapped. I restrained myself from grinning as she hesitated on my name before raising her head towards me visibly uncomfortable. Her short square cut of a flamboyant strawberry blond contrasted with the dim lighting and I literally squinted my eyes as I took several strides in her direction.

"It's Dan!" I answered decisively before quickly changing the topic of conversation. "I'm sorry to be late but-"

"Oh, oh, that's fine! You-"

Unfortunately, she did not have time to finish her sentence like a tall man suddenly popped up from an adjacent desk. "We have been warned. "

I subconsciously took a step back in a bad feeling about the stranger before giving a look suspicious of the redhead at her introduction. "This is Mr. Phils. Our advisor. "

The agreement of his title made me immediately tighten my jaw in comprehension. I refocused my green orbs on the man to detail him reluctantly. I suppose I should have foreseen it after all, Peneloppe still thought I was fragile. Nevertheless, I thought she would trust me enough not to go behind my back and organize sessions without talking to me about it.

"And if we went into my office, Ber-"

Obviously, my mother did not take the time to pass the memo about my aversion to my first name. Honestly, I was still wondering why my parents wanted to call me that.
"Dan! My name is Dan." I corrected impassively before giving a glance at Mme. Cope there I thought her writing. "And I'm already late. "

I met the redhead's gaze in the hope of getting her approval before holding back a weak sigh of relief at the sight of her shaking her head. "I think Miss. Danielles is right. She still needs to pick up her schedule and the high school map. "

I held a small smirk as I looked back at the brown man in front of me before raising an eyebrow expectantly. I did not want to sound sassy from the beginning but I had never really been very cooperative with Miss. Grundy and I doubted it would change with any psychologist.

The man with glasses, the typical shrink crossed his arms on his chest before straightening his glasses on his nose as he accepted his defeat with a small disturbing smile. " Good. Maybe after class then ? "

"Yeah." I answered in an unconvincing tone before quickly turning to Mrs. Cope impatiently now.

The latter quickly realized how she nodded her head before searching under the pile of paper lying on her desk while doing the conversation. "It's really unusual for us to have two new students in a month. Even more during the year. "

I did not care much about her little speech as I could still feel Mr. Phils's little scrutinizing eyes behind me. Even my scar seemed strangely awake under his vicious little eyes. It was like reliving my first sessions with Miss. Grundy. And to say that I did not like the feeling at all.

I was trying to keep my back straight as I retrieved Ms. Cope's papers without a word before quickly making my escape without looking back.
I allowed myself to breathe only when I was outside the office and finally decided to look at my schedule.

It turned out that my late awakening had allowed me to probably avoid my two worst subjects.

English literature with Mr. Mason and AP Calculus with a Mr. Varner.

The sudden ringing agreement announcing the end of the class squeezed me into my observation, immediately letting me look up at one of the tall buildings before quickly scanning my map and schedule again.

French here I am.

For a first class in an institution it was not as horrible as I had imagined. Obviously, I had a slight moment of white when I walked to the office of my new teacher visibly annoyed by the interruption.

I had given my briefs to be signed by all teachers before realizing that only French was allowed in this class.

Finally, she seemed to have had pity on me as she was content to sign before pushing me with a wave of her hand.

Then came the moment when I had to face the curious and impatient look of all my new comrades.

In other words, it was an experience that I certainly did not appreciate. As much in my old life as in this one. Hence the reason why I was eager to join a free seat before hearing the pleasant surprise of being attacked by my new partner.

My little episode with Mrs. Serf had led her to believe that I was stupid and as offensive as it seemed, her irritation towards me had been all the more entertaining when I had talked during the rest of the class with her in perfect French.

So that was how I came to know Chelsea Johnson and her character obviously as dark as her dress style. Surprising as it may seem, the dark-haired brunette had left me in the hallway with the promise of keeping me a place for lunch and a warning to distrust the peasants.

It was a way of telling me that she probably did not care about the other students giving her hateful looks. It was not uncommon for the difference to attract the wrath of the average person and I knew that first-hand.

My next and last class before lunch was History of the World with Mr. Jefferson. I avoided most of the curious looks and whispers on my way again as I struggled to decipher the map in my hands before finally reaching Room B6.

I quickly put away my documents before entering the room abnormally cold compared to previous ones.

Surprisingly, it brought me more comfort. I had always felt better in a colder environment.

The heat was enough to remind me too much of the fire of the accident in my limbs and even more of his hand... whatever. I stopped in spite of myself at the impromptu memory before forcing a smile on my lips as I approached the grizzled man sitting at his wooden desk.

"Ah! You are probably our second new student." He said, reminding me again of this other student. "Miss ...? "

"Dan. " I replied quickly clearly grateful for his inquisitor tone rather than confused.

The mustache man nodded in agreement before taking the briefs that I handed him. " Good. You can sit where you want. "

I left him with a silent thank you before quickly scanning the room for an available seat. It seems that I managed to reach the room in the first this time.

I noticed a duo of boys staring intently in my direction, giving me a slight desire to move back before placing my eyes on a solitary brunette.

Her tall stature seemed just as contrary as the way she stood. She seemed visibly shy.

Her shoulders lowered, her nose nestled in a textbook, hesitation was evident on her face when I signed the empty seat at her side. " Can I ? "

"I ... oh ... yes." She answered, pushing her stuff to make room for me before surprising me with a broad, welcoming smile. "My name is Angela Weber. Welcome to Forks High School."

I had the first real smile since I arrived before handing her my hand in a cleaner introduction." Dan Danielles. "

"Dan ? " She repeated visibly surprised making me nod my head firmly.

"Believe me, you don't want to know the real name. "

A slight, comfortable silence settled over us as we turned toward the front of the class at the agreement of Mr. Jefferson's voice. One fact that I should rejoice in was the fact that I had already seen and reviewed the majority of topics. Whether in my memories or even in my revisions at home. Peneloppe and Pedro had certainly done a more than adequate job in terms of my studies.

Unfortunately just like my early experiences of institutions in this life, I was not particularly interested in reviewing topics already moving in and out.

A fact that Angela was not slow to realize as she bent over my notebook already filled with drawings. "I conclude that world history is not your favorite subject? "

"Mhm? " I huffed absently before raising my head in realization as I pointed out my drawings."Oh, yeah that! I hope you didn't count on me to be the type of partner to take notes when you're sick. "

To my surprise, I saw a slight smile on the tanned lips of the brunette before she shrugged nonchalantly. "I am rarely sick. My parents would not allow it. "

"Strict parents? " I suggested with a raised eyebrow that looked proud of the brunette.

For the first time since I had just sat by her side, Angela seemed finally to come out of the shell in which she seemed to be shut up. "Two little twin brothers. I must give the example. "

"Mhmm. I am the youngest. " I agreed in turn with a small smile at Jason's thought.

I should probably call him once I'm home from this first day of hell. Jason and I did not really have this great fraternal bond, but I knew I could count on him at all times. Especially after the accident.

He was probably the only one to understand me and not push me further to know why I woke up with a start each night the following months.

"Dan? Are you still with us? "I immediately turned my head to Angela just to lightly frown at her slight, anxious look. " Is everything alright ? It's lunch time and you didn't move. "

I immediately glanced at the entire room at this statement before quickly jumping out of my stool at the sight of Mr. Jefferson's impatient look.

The whole class seemed to have left the room leaving us alone with our teacher. So I rushed to pick up my things in my backpack without much hurry before hurrying alongside Angela once Mr. Jefferson returned my pink paper.

"So ... do you want to eat with us ? " Angela asked, seeming to return to her natural timidity, making my lips squirm in excuse.

"Thank you, but I have already been offered. Uh, Chelsea? You may know her. "

A look of recognition passed on the brunette's angular face before she gave me a sincere smile. "Not personally but it's a little high school so yes. "

"Yeah, I can already imagine the gossip on my account." I whispered under my breath as I avoided a new pair of curious eyes in my direction.

Angela winced slightly at the agreement of my moan before laying her hand flat on my shoulder once we reached the entrance to the cafeteria. "You are not currently the first source of gossip. Any other year, you would have been the number one but you are currently not the only new student arrived this year. "

"I conclude that I should revel in the fact that I'm not the only freak of fair then." I commented sarcastically, receiving Angela's new apologetic look before she greeted me on her way to her usual table.

I did not really care about her group of friends as I headed for the waiting line myself.

Now that food smells infiltrated my subconscious, I was hungry enough.

Nevertheless it was before the agreement of my name was hailed across the entire cafeteria prompted me.

I was looking for the author at once with a slightly horrified look before quickly remembering that I had to make friends. Even if they had a very personal way of getting noticed.

So I hastened to pay for the contents of my tray trying to ignore the eyes now on me.

Seriously, did I look like a sort of show of car? An acrobat perhaps?

I had nothing more than the others.

Ok maybe it was not completely true but no one had proof of my abnormality.

At least it was not written on my forehead that ...

It was probably at that moment that I really realized where I really was.

And unfortunately, it was probably in my worst nightmare.

The sight of their table, or rather their group was enough to make me stop in the middle of the cafeteria. My paralyzed limbs were unable to function normally as I took in the horrifying sight in front of me.

They did not have ruby red eyes, but they were ... exactly the same. At that moment, the book of my adolescence did not even cross my mind. No, the flashbacks of my accident was the one and only thing populating my mind. And unfortunately it also turned on the switch of one of my panic attacks.
Everything was literally slow.

At first I felt my trachea contract as the flood of anguish rolled up my veins. My hands, once paralyzed, suddenly dropped my tray calling the entire cafeteria.

Including ... them.

The first to cross my eyes was the one on the farthest corner but also the closest to the exit door. He had long blonde honey locks falling on his built shoulders. His eyes, at first confused as to the interruption of their meal, were suddenly replaced by a pure horror-like facade as he completely slumped on the table holding his skull.

My frightened eyes, all the more disturbed by the act of the blond then slipped on the little brunette at his side just to see her suddenly act as her neighbor. She grabbed some of her short locks of black raven cut in an elf style as if she were about to tear off the scalp before looking up at one of her fellows. The latter seemed all the more confused and alarmed at the action of his fellow creatures as the remaining couple tried to understanding what was happening without attracting more attention.

Unfortunately, the third was probably what further fueled my panic attack and at the same time their ills.

He suddenly let out a breathless grunt as he grabbed his head in turn, closing his bluish eyelids in agony. All the while, I could not help but relive all my memories of the accident. It was like watching a kind of movie without glasses. A series of dark images where blood, agony, horror and despair mixed.
It was definitely a toxic cocktail of emotion.

However, well sooner or later, it depends on the perspective, I could feel my breath become more and more rare.

I knew full well that if I did not fight this crisis, I would eventually fall unconscious in the middle of this cafeteria. And I could not afford it.

Not with these monsters !

This exact thought seemed to kindle a kind of switch in the last fire-haired boy as he suddenly raised his contorted face in pain just to make direct eye contact with me.

It was probably the last straw for me.

My heart already drumming in my chest echoed against my rib cage before I finally ended up taking off my feet off the ground. I immediately scoured through the doors without looking back before heading straight for the parking lot.

I did not think anything about the moment except that voice. This voice at once captivating and terrifying. The one and only voice that haunted my nights in the past year.

The one who, in my last moments had found a malicious pleasure to revel in my vulnerability. I was not long in seeing Pedro's truck forcing me to push further on my legs. I was probably not fit to drive but I definitely could not stay one more minute in this place.

Not with these ...

I gasped in shock as I felt my legs give way before waiting for the impact to come. Unfortunately, that was it. It was still coming because the next thing I knew, I felt a pair of frozen arms wrapping around my trunk before I was lifted off the ground.

The sight of the orbs of an unnatural brown honey was probably the last drop for my disoriented mind.

I was not long in feeling my eyes roll in the back of my head before succumbing to the depletion of air in my lungs.