Chapter 2

Wembley High is, at a good day a half an hour commute from Hampstead Heath. Her Nan did insist for her to look closer at the neighboring schools, Hampstead does have a lot of secondary schools in the area. But it was her Mum's dream to be admitted to one of the top performing schools in the country. Her friends back home try to sway her from following her Mum's dream and go after her own. But her Mum's influence is what made her who she is today, even if she never even met the woman. She was raised by her grandparents, and her accent makes it obvious she grew up in Australia - much to her Nan's disappointment. She does try to sound more English, and on normal days she could mimic Nan. Still she is still a Sheila from straya, and it isn't that bad. Her Nan just over reacts, is all.

Breakfast was as usual, and her Nan tried once more to offer her a ride to school. But she felt like the commute would help her cool her mind. School or not, a new environment is quite daunting. The bell rang and Rose scrambled for some more fruit as she kissed her Nan on the cheek and ran for the door.

"Oh Rose, do be careful today! And be back before dawn!"

"I see your Nan still baby you Rosey." Camilla teased. Her annoying neighbor also bound for Wembley. Their mothers used to be good friends when they were children, and upon her return with Nan just days ago, Mrs. Wilson introduced her to Cam. It was her lucky break that she made a friend out of Camilla, she was just as book loving and studious as her, and the girl loves her Sub Urban Radio as much as her. Still Camilla can be quite conservative compared to her Brisbane friends. She remembers Amber and Daisy being more liberating and too sensual for her liking - or her Nan's liking. Apparently, her Nan has this image of her to be quite the goody two shoes. And honestly, she'd rather be caught dead than be called prude.

"Oh do shut up." Rose grumbled and grabbed her arm so they could get going. Camilla laughed at her expense as they both rush towards the tube. She noticed the sky was a bit somber much like her, to which Camilla brush off. To think a cloudy day is actually a good day is quite depressing. She misses the sun, and the beach, and being able to wear shorts to school. Well at the least, secondary didn't require uniforms. She was done with that.

Rose wonders if her grandparents had no such inclination to stay in Australia before, would her Mother study in the same school.

Her grandparents rarely talked about her, unless it's the occasional reminiscing of her Mum's childhood. She barely had any memory of her, and never mind her actual biological father. Her grandparents never mentioned them and with Pop's recent death and Nan's declining mental health, she didn't push further. She didn't want to upset her Nan, but instead let her droll on as she often mistake her for her mother. If it is painful for her, it could be worse for her Nan. All she knows is that her mother was killed, and she never even heard anything about her Dad. At least, her mother left her a trunk of her belongings. And with that trunk she saw pamphlets of Wembley High - among others.

She was never sure where her mother actually went, in fact Nan always said Mum went to a boarding school. There were too many boarding schools in UK, still any search through Google comes empty. She's not even sure if her Mum studied in UK or Australia. All she knows is that her mom, named Hermione, was the studious sort, who preferred books and animals than friends. So Rose Granger might be influenced by her mum, but it was of her own choosing. In a way, this is how she's getting to know her. By living at the same house she grew up in, trying to go to the best school her mother dreamed of, and eventually get accepted to Imperial College.

All was set, she just needed to get through her first day.

Camilla was in the same grade as her, both starting their Junior year. It was really good she got Camilla with her, Junior students already know each other, practically grew up together. And being the new student can be quite intimidating. At least with Camilla, she already has one friend. Plus their classes coincide, so that is a major bonus. She just wish Camilla has good friends like her.

Rose was not as introverted as her Mum, she was a bit of a social butterfly in nature. Unfortunately, judging from Mrs. Wilson, and her Nan's stories, Mum was quite the recluse. She was not a prude, nor a snob, but she preferred books rather than playing or gossiping about boys. Mrs. Wilson, or Catherine, was one of Mum's friends, she claims, but the lady did admit she was not as close to her Mum as she had hoped before. It did not help also that Mum went to a far away boarding school. Sometimes she resent her friendliness, especially when her Nan get confused with her friends and how she interacts socially.

Perhaps it was her Mum's love for books that she grew to love them too. Her Nan gave her so much books that reading had quelled her curiosity towards the lack of information regarding her Mum. So much so that her younger self imagined her mum was abducted by private corporation who raises girls to be spy. She might have just read too many Marvel comics, especially ones with Black Widow, but that's neither here nor there.

It was in reading classics such as Jane Austen, Dickens, and Bronte, made her appreciate her Mum's love for literature. Nan did name her after one of Shakespeare's play - the Queen of Sicily. The time spent bent over books under the shade of a Wattle tree had toned down her too sociable nature. Among her friends, she was the most subdued. Maybe her Mum will not be as excited as her to meet new people, but she is just happy to acquaint herself with the teens of London. Rose just wish they're just as cool as the ones from back home.

Her first classes went fine. She had English Lit with Camilla, and her friend had introduced her to her own circle of friends. Apparently Camilla is a writer for the school paper, and her friends' interest matches some of hers. Brent, an amateur photographer, invited her to join their club despite not knowing how to work a camera aside from the ones in her mobile. She declined but did agree to join him in one of his gigs. And there was also, Patty who was a self proclaimed environmentalist. Too passionate for her liking, but Patty was harmless and is quite friendly when not provoked, Rose just make sure to not eat anything animal based near the girl unless she wanted an in-depth explanation of the Vegan lifestyle. There were a few more people she got introduced to, Anderson whose also a photographer slash a diehard wall climber and Lilah who is more whimsical than Patty and loves animals of all kinds. She noticed Camilla was quite friendly with the creative crowd and Rose didn't mind the uniqueness of each of her new friends.

But it was that third day in school, that Camilla had a moment. Her Mum would have berated her for reading such a book, but she swears she is having a Cullen moment.

Just as she was about to eat her lunch, a group of teens entered the cafeteria. Rose and her new friends immediately noticed the boisterous crowd. Girls dressed in clear expensive clothes, jock built boys, and your common Daddy's girl at the head of their crowd. But it was the last guy that got her attention. A boy in a dark grey shirt, weathered black jeans, and a dazzling smile. She could admit he is quite handsome, Camilla was whispering in her ear how gorgeous he is. Among the group he stands out the most, not just because of his height but also because of his curly platinum hair. It was so white, it was quite blinding. And she had a sudden thought, that he could sparkle under the sun. But all that was just a buzzing in her ear. Camilla and Patty's sighs of admiration was ignored, because that guy has the very same silver and amber eyes she has. Like the swirl of gold and mercury. When the boy suddenly stared right back at her, she felt a sudden jolt. For a minute, or perhaps a lifetime, Rose couldn't breathe. She excused herself and headed to the loo.

No one had the same eyes like hers. Even the doctors were baffled by them, and it always got the attention of many that it annoyed her so much to the point of covering them daily with contacts. When she finally reached the loo, she hastily washed her face and took a good look at her dripping face. Rose didn't know why she was overly reacting, she didn't want to be too baffled like a Bella Swan. Besides, she holds no fancy towards the guy. It was quite a disturbing thought actually. But his eyes were like magnets that stirs her brain leaving her in a daze. She suddenly remembers tall waves and the smell of roses. Of hazel and silver eyes melting into one another.

Another wash of her face has accidentally irritated her contacts and she finally removed them. Getting her tiny compact, Rose tried to fix her face with a bit of makeup and before leaving the loo she suddenly had the urge to leave her eyes bare.

She should have known something was up, as she threw away her contacts and left the loo, she was suddenly pushed upon a broad set of shoulders and was steadied by large warm hands.

"Woaah! You okay there?" A deep voice asked. And in a hurry to say she was alright, Rose automatically looked up. She had to strain a bit as the guy who caught her was tall. As their eyes met, the two, as if electrified sprung apart. Identical eyes meet, and before the guy could get a word she excused herself and ran for her next class.

God she wishes the guy is not a vampire and she is not some kind of prey. That would be too weird for her.

… … …

"Scooorp." The saccharine voice of his girlfriend called out once more.

"Yes, Jasmine?" He answered lazily from his bed.

"You're ignoring me Scorp!" His girlfriend said with a pout. Scorpius faced his girlfriend and kiss her chastely to appease her. He didn't bother asking about what she was going on about once more, he had a lot on his mind anyway. He had the incoming football game to think about, not to mention the GCSE this terms, and his Aunt was going on about Uni applications. He still had a year for God's sake. He drowned out his girlfriend's consistent whinging in stead of his relentless thoughts. The only thing that could break his overthinking were a pair of eyes so eerily identical to his.

There was a new student at school. Petite, with a pretty enough face. She was friendly with mostly everyone, even his girlfriend took a liking towards the girl. But he had a hard time approaching her without seeming like a creep. There was just something about Rose Granger that made his brain itch. And for some reason when she is within reach he just wanted to grab her and run, to never let go. He didn't know what was it about her that Scorp felt somehow protective of her. That if he held her hand, he will never to let go. She was like a puzzle, a riddle, a box unopened.

Scorp had no inclination that he was in love with his girlfriend. In fact, Jasmine is the current candy of the month. Yes, he was a terrible player, but girls are aware of that fact. Some like his previous exes were quite determined to change the bad boy in him, but nothing can move Scorpius Black to care for a girl. He was sixteen for fucks sake, there are more things to think about than being in a serious committed relationship. Jackson kept teasing him that probably Rose is the one, since he can't get her out of his thoughts. But even the concept of something romantic towards the girl had him gagging. She was a conundrum, he didn't bother looking at her twice but at the same time he couldn't take his eyes away from her.

It was hard not to anyway. For every time she steps in the room, his blood felt like boiling. As if something in him was awakening, that he felt like going in a frenzy. His skin felt electrified and her mere presence is raising the hairs at his nape. Something like his spidey senses tingling whenever she's near. Ridiculous, he thought, but that feeling never fail whenever she's near.

Scorp hounded on Jasmine just to shut her up. Her voice was grating enough but at least she could snog proper. Why in seven level of Hades would he think about another girl when there is one beneath him willing to entertain him. 'Because she's something else.' A voice whispered at the back of his mind. The sudden intrusion made him jerk from his position, making Jasmine hit her head against his bed's headboard.

"Scorp! What's gotten into you!" She shrieked. If her sweet voice sounded like nails on board, her shrieks are far worse.

"Fuck, sorry Jas. Let's just… We have to go anyway. Didn't you say there's a party near the banks. And we're quite late as is."

"I thought you wanted to stay in tonight." She said seductively. Well, Scorp thought, he was an easy guy to talk to. Perhaps it is better to stay in than go to some party. Besides, he did promise his Aunt he'd try to ease going out every night. As the two lay on the bed, their clothes in disarray, Scorpius barely noticed his necklace glowing under the moonlight.