The rain poured down, flooding and soaking everything it hit. It was another typical day in Forks. The sky was a dull grey, leaving everything else practically colorless. I slid my boots on, followed by my black raincoat. Thankfully, I found a waterproof backpack, and slid it over my shoulder. I was not looking forward to today's anxiety. Teri stepped over to the door, calling for Robert to come down, but he wouldn't.

"I don't want to go to school!" he groaned from his room. "I have like ten tests today!"

"You don't even have ten classes!" I shouted back. "Come on, I can't handle today without you. What about Suzanne? Isn't she going to miss you?" Then, I listened into his thoughts and said: "She's wearing that jean skirt today…the one you love…"

In a second, he was down the stairs.

"Let's go!" he urged and we ran out into the rain. As we pulled up to the school, students were already walking to their classes, disturbed by the rain. We got out of the car and headed out separate ways.

As I walked into my first class and saw, for the first time in weeks, Dave. He was sitting at our lab table, scanning his fingers over a book. He was reading it.

"Dave!" I said as I sat down next to him, touching his shoulder to let him know where I was. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," he answered, turning his head towards me, "I have amazing news."

"What?" I asked.

"My parents found this school for the blind that we can afford. Oh, it's so cool! They have games and this huge library, all written in Brail! Troy, I'm so happy!" His pale, blue eyes roamed around where my face was. He wasn't totally blind, but enough to impair him. I congratulated him as the teacher started the class, instructing us to fill out (yet another) worksheet.

First hour ended, and I was hesitant to leave the building. My next class was with Maria. Would she forgive me, or would she just run away? I know I messed up big time. I should never have even talked to her. It's my fault she has to know this. I left the chem. room and walked to English. Every student was there, but to me, it was empty. She didn't come.

It was the same way for every other class.

I played alone in gym.

I sketched alone in study.

I sat on the dry part of the concrete alone at lunch.

She left. She must have told her parents what I told her. They must think I'm crazy. She must think I'm crazy.

That's how it continued for the next two weeks. She didn't show up to school at all, and I wasn't sure how much I could take; the knowledge that I scared her away was eating me up inside.

I was in English, reading a new book, when the empty seat beside me filled up. I paid it no mind because it was taken by others who needed a different seat, but the moment I inhaled to look normal, my throat combusted in want and thirst.

She was back.

Slowly, I looked up at her, keeping my face calm. She met my eyes and we sat, each waiting for the other to say something. I pulled up all of the confidence I had in me and spoke.

"I'll understand if you want me to stay away." I said, and she shook her head, quietly laughing to herself.

"Cheer up, emo kid." she said and I laughed. "The last thing I want is to stay away from you." I smiled and she smiled back. I could see the faint color of red rise to her cheeks.

Class started, and we "learned".

After my forth hour class, I began to walk quickly towards study where I knew I'd be dry when someone grabbed my wrist. I pulled away out of reflex and turned to see that it was Maria, hiding beneath a folder. She seemed surprised that I pulled away, so I grabbed her hand and we quickly rushed to the library.

"Did I scare you?" she asked as we sat down at a table.

"Not really. I'm not used to people grabbing my hand." I answered and she smiled.

"So…" she began hesitantly, "I want to apologize for that…mishap in the woods."

"It wasn't your fault." I said, taking out my sketchpad.

"It was my brother." she stated and I froze, watching her curiously. "He flipped the moment I walked inside."

"Did he hurt you?" I asked and she shook her head.

"He got so angry, he almost…turned… He was shaking so hard he had to leave for the rest of the night. My dad explained the rest." she said.

"I'm sorry." I said and she shook her head, placing her warm hand on top of mine, rustling the papers of my sketchpad.

"Don't be." she scoffed. "But…would you be okay if I asked you something?"

"Ask me anything." I said and she carefully withdrew her hand.

"You don't…kill…people, do you?" she asked and I laughed so loud, the teacher looked over curiously. Her eyes grew wide and I laughed quietly.

"No." I answered. "Mountain lions." Her head tilted in confusion. "My family and I hunt animals. No humans. Any of…us…who go for humans have red eyes."

"Oh…"

"Is there anything else?" I asked and she looked down at the table shyly.

"My dad didn't tell me much other than you are our enemies." she began. The use of "our" made me wonder, but she didn't seem like she was a wolf. "He said that you had speed and strength and sometimes other powers…is that true too?"

"Yes." I answered.

"What is your power?" she asked and I grinned.

"You'll find out later." I said and she looked at me curiously.

"Later?" she asked.

"Maybe the next time we hang out." I answered and she smiled. Her eyes moved down to my sketchpad.

"Did you ever finish that sketch you started last time I saw you?" she asked and I nodded. "Can I see?"

"I…you…well…it's…promise not to make fun of me?" I asked and she laughed. I opened it to the page with her portrait and slid the book to her. Her eyes widened in amazement as she scanned the page.

"Why would I make fun of you?" she asked as she looked up at me.

"I don't know…because I drew…you?" I said and she reached out, taking my hand.

"It's amazing." she said and I wrapped my cold hands around hers. "Like you." The bell rang and we left for our next class, hand in hand.

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A/N: what'd you think? sorry, I mixed up his grade. troy is a senior, not a junior. I was told that I said he was a junior before. haha. I'll update soon. R&R please! reviews are greatly appreciated!