Beep.

Kiana slowly opened her eyes, taking in her surroundings. She was facing her bedroom windows, early morning sunrise streaming onto her face, but that wasn't what woke her up. She turned on her side and faced the other way. Her alarm clock read 6:40.

"That's strange,"

She thought.

"My alarm was supposed to go off at 6:00."

She sighed and sat up in bed, swinging her legs around to the edge. She rubbed her hands all over her face, slowly standing up and shuffling towards her bathroom. As soon as she closed the door, she sighed. The first day had been a breeze compared to others she'd had, but it still wasn't as perfect as she'd liked it to have been. And now here came the dreaded second day. Now that everyone had seen her and figured out what her name was, they'd all be interested to learn more about her. But she wasn't too eager to let them in just yet. Or, ever. She groaned, stripping and turning on the faucets, placing her hand under the hot water, then stepping in.

Kiana stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around her naked torso, and another drying her hair. She took the towel drying her hair off and grabbed her brush and began running it through the wet, tangled locks. Once she started picking out her outfit for the day, she saw her phone light up. She immediately picked it up and kicked herself when she read what it was. It was a text from Erica, and she'd received it 20 minutes ago, when she'd woken up. The beep must've been what she heard. She sighed, sliding the bar across the screen and reading the text.

Hurry up and put on the news!

Kiana was confused. First of all, she had no recollection of ever giving Erica her phone number, but she must have some time yesterday. Second, why would she be telling her to watch the news? Besides, that was 20 minutes ago. She shook her head and put her phone down, quickly changing into dark red skinny jeans and a black t-shirt with the sleeves cut off. She put on a few silver bracelets, did some simple makeup, put on her tan moccasins, and lastly did a quick spray of perfume. She smiled into the mirror before opening the door it was hanging off of, grabbing her phone, and making her way downstairs. As she jumped down the stairs, she checked the time. 7:15. She'd better hurry.
As she walked into the kitchen, she saw her brother sitting on the couch, still in his pajamas, munching on some cereal. The tv was on, but Kiana didn't take a second glance. She grabbed a bowl from the cabinet and the milk from the fridge and poured herself some cereal, chewing absentmindedly as she scrolled through her notifications on various apps. All of a sudden, her brother turned from whatever show he'd been watching to the local news station, and what she heard made her insides curl.

"Mr. Lahey, late father of local Beacon Hills High School student Isaac Lahey and worker at the Beacon Hills cemetery, was found dead this morning in his car by police patrol. Police are not giving out many details, but what we do know is that Mr. Lahey's car door was ripped clear off it's hinges before being taken away by the police, and that officers are currently searching for Isaac Lahey for questioning. If you or anyone you know has any information about Isaac's current whereabouts, the police ask that you contact them immediately. Back to you, George."

By this time, Kiana had made her way to the living room next to the kitchen, and stood in the doorway, clutching the wall. So many questions were sprinting through her mind. She covered her mouth. She felt as if she was going to throw up. She abandoned her cereal on the counter and quickly grabbed her backpack, phone, and keys, yelling a half-hearted goodbye to her brother. As she made her way out to the car, she refused to let herself think about what she'd just heard. She had to prepare herself for school. Everyone would be talking about it, and no doubt someone would want to talk to her about it too. At least they wouldn't be focused on getting to know her, for the time being. She threw her bag in the trunk and slammed the door shut, getting into the driver's seat and starting the engine. As she pulled out of her driveway, she suffocated the steering wheel, trying to relax. She needed coffee of some kind, and fast. She'd stop by a drive through on her way. She glanced at the clock. 7:25. She'd have to really hurry.

She pulled out of the drive through quickly, placing her coffee in the cup-holder to her right. She glanced at her clock again. 7:35. Now she really, really had to hurry. No more distractions. She made her way to the high school, pushing on the gas pedal more than was needed. As she sped down a particularly empty forest road, she took one hand from the wheel and picked up her coffee. It was still boiling hot, but she needed caffeine so badly right now. Right as she was about to take a sip that would surely leave her mouth scorched for the rest of the day, her car lurched forward, and a dark figure appeared in the middle of the road. Her first reaction, of course, was to scream, so she did. As she screamed her head off, she placed her foot down hard on the brake, and all of a sudden, she felt scorching pain in her hand. She screamed again, more out of pain than fear, and opened eyes full of tears to see her right hand, red and radiating heat, covered in burning hot coffee. The pain kept getting worse and worse, and Kiana knew she couldn't go to school like this. She finally looked up from her hand to see the figure had disappeared as quickly as it'd came, just like last time. She was having a terrifying case of deja vu, and in 15 minutes she'd be late for her second day of school. What the hell was wrong with this place? She carefully rolled down her window and poured the coffee out of it and placed the cup back in the holder, tenderly cradling her hand as she grabbed the steering wheel as tightly as she could with one hand, pushing hard on the gas pedal. She was starting to hate this place more and more.

Most of the school parking lot was empty of students when Kiana finally managed to pull into a space. There were some late students sprinting into the school, like she'd soon be doing if she didn't hurry her ass up. She gingerly held her hand, which was now mostly free of coffee thanks to some napkins she'd found in her glove compartment. Thankfully she'd kept the first aid kit her mother had bought her last year in the passenger seat compartment, and she managed to find burn cream and an ace bandage. Her hand was wrapped like a fighters. She knew it looked pretty bad-ass, but the pain definitely outweighed that. She opened her door quickly, being careful not to brush her hand against anything whilst doing so. She grabbed her backpack and her keys and locked the car, carrying both in her left hand as best she could. She jogged to the doors, and cursed loudly as she heard the final bell ring. She made her way inside, speed-walking to her locker and trying not to catch the eye of any remaining teachers. As she did, she allowed herself to think about what she'd heard on the news that morning. Poor Isaac. She'd only met him yesterday, but she felt so sorry for him. Losing one of your parents had to be devastating. Kiana had no way to understand. Immediately, her thoughts turned to the rest of what she'd heard. Isaac was wanted for questioning. By the police. Kiana couldn't think of anything that would drive a son to kill his father, but she'd only met him yesterday. She didn't know anything about his life. Or him, for that matter. Deciding to ignore her thoughts for now, she ran the rest of the way to her locker, taking out her History supplies and slamming her locker closed. As she sprinted to the History classroom who's location she could barely remember in the first place, she felt like Isaac must have felt yesterday during Chemistry. Apart from the fact that she didn't have a pink slip to excuse her absence. As she finally found the door, she breathed a sigh of relief and quickly opened it.

She felt extremely self-conscious as 15 pairs of eyes stared at her, taking her in, trying to come up with their owns reasons as to why she was four minutes late. She immediately turned her attention to Mrs. Riley, who looked at her expectantly. Kiana figured since she couldn't provide her with a pink slip, an explanation would have to suffice.

"I'm so sorry for being late, Mrs. Riley, but I had a little accident with my coffee this morning."

She held up her hand for the teacher to see, but basically the entire class was craning their necks to get a better look. Mrs. Riley stared at her for a moment, then stated,

"Since you appear to be injured and since it's only your second day, I'll let this one slide. But be warned, I will not be as lenient with you in the future. Is that understood?"

Kiana nodded.

"Good. Now, please take your seat and take out your homework from last night. We're going over our answers together."

Kiana saw an empty seat next to Scott, and quickly walked over and took it, trying her best to get her supplies ready without rubbing her hand too hard. As Mrs. Riley grabbed the class' attention yet again, Kiana breathed a sigh of relief. Nailed it.

The day passed without much excitement, except for the fact that Issac actually showed up to school. As soon as he entered the Chemistry classroom for 2nd period, Kiana could infer that almost everyone else had seen the same broadcast that she had. Every eye was on him as he walked down the aisle of tables and again took the seat next to Kiana, his face set in an expression of depression. Even Mr. Harris was shocked to see him in his classroom that day, but altogether decided to ignore it. All during their lesson, Kiana couldn't help but notice how different Isaac looked. She couldn't tell exactly what it was, but he wasn't the same as he was yesterday. He seemed bigger, fuller, stronger almost. Maybe it was his outfit. In the middle of the lesson, when she accidentally knocked her textbook off the table with her elbow, he had caught it with blinding speed, and with one hand. Kiana stared at him with wide eyes as he handed it back to her with a grin. Once it was back in her possession, she quietly whispered,

"How did you do that?"

Isaac cocked his head, smiling lightly.

"Do what?"
"Catch the book that fast. You've got pretty good reflexes, Isaac."

Isaac's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as he turned back to his notes, an embarrassed smile now replacing his earlier shy one. Kiana did the same, wondering if Isaac knew how that smile had made her heart flutter just the tiniest bit. She rolled her eyes. Of course he didn't, shut up, brain.
Other than Chemistry, the day passed normally, Kiana getting to know Erica more and more as it went. During Geometry, Jackson invited her to come watch lacrosse practice, even though Kiana would have no idea what would be going on. She hesitantly agreed, knowing that she could at least do her homework on the bleachers. Erica quickly made an excuse not to be there, and Kiana stuck her tongue out at her, knowing she found sports boring to play and watch. After the final bell, she quickly said goodbye to Erica, then walked with Jackson to the boys locker rooms with her backpack and English homework. Right before he walked through the closed door in the gym, Jackson turned to Kiana, leaning against the wall with his right hand up.

"You know, Kiana, I've been thinking."

Kiana grinned.

"Oh? The illustrious Jackson Whittemore thinking about me?"

Jackson laughed and pushed her lightly.

"You know what I meant. Anyway, I was thinking, how about you and me do something this weekend? Like, grab some coffee, or see a movie or something."

He scratched the back of his head, then looked straight at her. Kiana smirked.

"If I didn't know any better, Jackson, I'd say you were asking me out."

Jackson laughed, waving his hand.

"No, no, just seeing if you wanted to hang. However, if that's what you're up for, I'd be happy to take you somewhere a little more romantic."

On the word 'romantic', Jackson leaned in a bit closer to Kiana, looking right into her eyes, making her blush. She opened her mouth to respond sarcastically, but their conversation was interrupted by someone clearing their throat behind them. Kiana hadn't realized that they were blocking the door to the boys locker room. She turned her head and was shocked to see Isaac standing their, a duffel bag and lacrosse stick in his hand. He seemed upset about something, but Kiana smiled and waved regardless.

"Hey, Isaac! I didn't know you played lacrosse."

He grinned shyly at her.

"Uh, yeah. Just starting today, actually."
"Oh, well, good luck! I hope you do well."
"Yeah, good luck, Isaac."

Kiana had nearly forgotten that Jackson was there, but the way he spoke to Isaac was the same way he'd talked about Erica earlier. She sighed, turning back to him.

"How about we talk after your practice, Jackson?"

She smiled, but he simply gave Isaac a look.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'll talk to you afterwards. Wait for me here, and I'll take you out to the field."

He turned, never taking his eyes off of Isaac, until he was in the locker room and out of sight. Kiana turned to Isaac, wanting to apologize somewhat for Jackson's behavior, but he just gave her a sad smile and walked into the locker room. She watched him go, wondering to herself if she'd ever be able to change anything around here.

Sorry that this one's a little short, but I wanted all of next chapter to be the practice, Isaac getting taken for questioning, and so on and so forth. Hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you guys think, and be sure to leave a review.