Disclaimer: I do not own the H.o.N
Zoey's POV
After everyone was done eating breakfast, we got in the white hummer, with Darius behind the wheel. With all the red fledglings and everyone else, I had to sit on Stark's lap, not that I minded.
As soon as we pulled up to the school, the gates opened. The few Sons of Erebus still there opened our car doors for us. We walked into the front hall.
"Damn, I've missed it here," said Kramisha.
All of the red fledglings were happy to be back, but Stark and I gripped each other's hands tightly. After what Neferet did at the pyre, I bet she'll make another big scene, especially when I confront her about killing my mom. The bell for classes to start rang, so everyone headed off. We promised to meet for lunch.
"What class do you have first", Stark asked me.
"Uhh.. Drama. What about you?"
"Advanced Archery," he said, "I wish we had some of the same classes."
He wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed me on the cheek. The late bell rang, so we sprang apart and I ran to my drama class, wondering whom the teacher would be.
Inside was a very handsome young vamp. He was handing out books to the class. I easily slipped inside and took the last seat in the back.
"Hello class, my name is Aurox and I will be your Drama teacher," he said.
I felt as though I knew him from somewhere. I shook it out of my head and tried to concentrate, but it was so hard. I just kept thinking of everything that had happened in the past few days, so I didn't even listen to Aurox's whole speech about his favorite plays and monologues. The bell rang and he told us to think of lines from one of our favorite plays to share with the class tomorrow.
My other classes went the same: me in a zoned out state half listening to my teachers. Finally, the lunch bell rang, and I went down to the dining hall to snag the usual booth for our little group. I put my stuff down on the seats and went to grab some of the delicious smelling food.
I got in line with my tray, ready to go into another trance when Stevie Rae bumped her tray against mine. I turned to look at my best friend.
"So, how was your first day back?", I asked her.
"Pretty good. I forgot how much I missed my Tae Kwon Do class," she replied.
"People keep staring at me and whispering, and its weird," I said.
"I know right. Hey, have you talked to Neferet yet?"
"No, I haven't spotted her, but I bet I will soon."
I got some grilled chicken and placed at the top of my salad mountain and drizzled the whole thing in ranch dressing.
"That looks healthy," said a cocky voice from behind me.
"It does indeed," I said picking up my tray and smiling at Stark.
We walked to the booth and everyone started arriving. It seemed like school was the same again, so I happily ate my salad forgetting all about my problems.
Until my main problem marched through the heavy oak cafeteria doors.
Neferet stood in a flowing black dress that was very low cut. She stood for a moment there as if to let the room admire her before continuing on to our table.
"Hello, Zoey," she said in a sickly sweet tone.
"Hi Neferet," I said, exhausted by her artificial attitude.
"I am ever so sorry about you mother's passing"
I had to grit my teeth so as not to blurt out you killed her!
She smiled another deceitful smile before she turned on her heel and left the cafeteria, her dress like a silky black wave flowing after her.
The rest of my classes practically flew by. I walked to the Hummer alone after the last bell had rung. Darius was already there, so he sat in the driver's seat, Aphrodite next to him. Stark slid into the backseat and took hold of my hand. He didn't talk about the Neferet encounter, but instead we made small talk about our days.
The Twins and Damien came in laughing and talking, and Stevie Rae came in with the red fledglings and Rephaim.
Everyone was talking except Stark and I. I felt exhausted, and I couldn't wait to get back to the tunnels. The others went to their tunnels, but Stark and I came to his room. He looked ready to explode with questions, so I pulled him inside to talk.
"So, Z, do you mind telling me what the hell is going on?"
