Manon Black beak:

I wasn't a fan of this place. At. All. "Only a few years Manon." My grandmother had said. She didn't hate me, she just disliked my personality. I was into the darker elements in life; she tried to focus on the positive. We were polar opposites. "You look tired Manon." My cousin said from beside me. I let out a soft laugh, "I haven't slept more than three hours since exam week." I admitted. Asterin let out a small breath. "You need sleep cousin. Don't go to this party tonight." She said. "I know. I shouldn't go, but we are all going. It would be improper if I didn't go." I said. "You know I am your cousin. I know what is best." "I don't think that is the saying." I pulled my silver hair into a ponytail the back of my head. "I'm going." And that was the final decision.

I dressed myself in a black knee-length dress with a sweetheart neckline. The only special part about it was one sleeve that went over my shoulder. I fastened my favorite red necklace around my neck and admired myself in the mirror. My hair was pulled to the back of my head with a silver clip with a single red jewel on it. My necklace seemed too look back at me as I applied concealer to the dark circles under my eyes. My eyes once were attractive and I could even consider myself beautiful if not for the darkness that leered on my face. I heard the door open and my cousin walked in, "Manon! You look nice" she breathed. I turned to look at her, her blonde hair pulled into a French braid that wrapped around her head. a gold dress that showed her cleavage and went to her knees with a strong golden belt. She looked like an actual girl. "I know. I should change. I don't like showing this much of my," "you look fine cousin." I interrupted. She smiled lightly. "You look better than me… only the best for the top of the class huh?" she asked, sarcasm seeped through her words. "Can we just go? The earlier we get there, the earlier we leave." I growled and grabbed my red cape. "Ok." She replied.

We arrived at the party; the rest of my class was already there. "Manon." Vesta said shortly. "Vesta. Don't be a bitch." I said as I walked into the house we are at. I lead the group into the house, "Do what I you please, and don't get too wasted. Most of you have to leave in the morning." The man who taught aviation was going on a trip with the students just because they have the money to. "Yes ma'am." Sorrel said mockingly and the group dissipated.

I walked to the bar and asked for a drink. "Sure." A deep voice said. I looked at the bartender, he looked familiar, but I couldn't place him. He handed me my drink and I threw it back. "Whoa there, don't hurt yourself." he said. "I can take my alcohol." I growled at him. "Sure Manon." He replied almost monotone. "Excuse me, how the fuck do you know my name?" I asked. "I know you, first year. Chaol Westfall's party, seven minutes in heaven." He grinned as the memories came flooding back to me. "Fuck, I thought you left that year." I said. "No, just changed majors. I didn't want to be in photography anyway." He said. I barely heard him as two years ago flashed into my head;

"Do it!" Asterin screamed her drunk self failing to sit upright. "But why her?" I heard the guy beside me ask. "Fine." I said. The guy looked at me with wide eyes. "Oh, ok." He said and stood. Asterin pointed to the closet in the far corner, I waited for the last couple to leave, a blond woman and a man were laughing and talking. "Our turn move it." I didn't like the idea of this. Stupid college drunk games. "Ok, so you wanna talk or," I shushed him with a finger on his lips. "Just kiss me and get it over with." I sighed. I never was interested in guys, even as a kid, I was always focused on my schoolwork or extra-curricular activities. I was suppressed to say the least when his lips touched mine; they were hot, and soft. I was ashamed to say this was my first kiss. "Dorian. My name is Dorian." He said in a hushed tone against my skin. "Manon." I replied. "Ok Manon, we have six minutes, what shall we do?"

"So?" Dorian asked me. I looked up from my drink, my memory fading. "What?" I snapped. "I asked if you would like to dance with me, my shift is over." I was surprised again by this guy, who acted completely different the first time I met him, and seemed to have grown a backbone. "Sure."