Heya sorry for the ridiculously late update! School's being a pain and well that pretty much says it all X3. Hope you guys like this chapter! It's pretty passive compared to the first three.

Chapter 3

I woke at around four in the afternoon and groaned. It was the third time since being back at the academy. The first time I woke up, I'd been hoping that everything that happened last night had all been a dream. Then when I looked around the room, I realised there was no point in hoping. I was back and I was back for good. At least until I turned 18 which was a solid year and a half away.

After half an hour of rolling around, I realised that there was no way I could get back to sleep so I decided to get up. I had a shower to wash away the sleep in my body and I noticed a book on my desk when I came back out. It was a timetable outlining the times the meals were and when each lesson began and it also had the school rules. It didn't however tell me which lessons I had. Breakfast was at half six and lessons began at eight. Well at least that gave me a long time to get to reception to pick up my proper timetable. Or perhaps Joe would have it. He was going to be my mentor after all.

Luckily I'd packed a pair of jogging trousers in my bag and a spare shirt so I wore that with a pair of trainers. Looking at the time, I noticed that I still had two hours before anyone would be knocking on my door. Quietly I slipped out of my room and went for my daily run. I passed the area where I'd escaped six years ago and noticed with a small smile that they'd repaired it so it was impossible to get out. The grounds were bigger than I'd remembered and I nearly got lost heading back to the dorms.

"Hey, we were just about to knock on your door," the girl from last night smiled kindly.

"Yo, I'm Kylie but you can call me Kai. You guys?"

"I'm Roxanna and that's dozy Elizabeth." The taller of the two introduced. I had to smile at the browned haired green eyed beauty as she yawned. The taller one had stunning blonde hair and brown eyes and she was taller than me by around two inches. Els was taller than me by one.

"So basically Roxy and Els." I grinned. Els' head snapped up to look at me before laughing.

"We're totally going to get along well!" she grinned grabbing me for a hug.

"I take it you've just come back from a run." Roxy commented as we headed down the corridor. "Keeno."

"I'm not a keeno, it's hard to get used to the timetable you know? Most normal people get up at around one in the afternoon then go to sleep at two in the morning. You guys are the other way around, totally not my fault." I scoffed.

"Are you going to wear that the whole day?" Els frowned scrutinising my clothes.

"Well yeah, it's only to lessons right?"

"It's a Saturday sweet heart, we don't have lessons. It's a totally socialising day." Roxy grinned.

"Therefore there is no way in hell I'm letting you wear that the whole day." Els declared.

"I don't have anything else."

"Hm… you're around my size in everything other than the chest." Els inspected me with a thoughtful expression. "Oh I have the perfect outfit in mind! After breakfast you're going to get a make over."

"You're joking right?" I dead panned.

"Nope, afraid not. Els is a total fashion geek." Roxy shook her head.

"I am not a fashion geek. I just care about what people wear." Els huffed.

When we stepped into the dinning hall people were still talking for a moment but then everything fell silent as they realised the new kid was for show. Roxy and Els just continued talking and I chatted along with them keeping my chin up with confidence. I was doing well until some prat decided to sit beside me and wrapped their arm around my waist as though they owned me.

I turned around with a glare and I realised I recognised this particular prat. Nick O'Connor had been the jock of the school six years ago and from the gleam in his eyes I could tell that he was still the jock of the school. He was the one who picked on me every now and then, the one who took advantage of people.

"Are you sure you're not sitting on the wrong table? Someone of your standard should be at ours." He gestured at the table filled with slutty looking girls. I was surprised to see that the six Moroi from last night were there as well. Well that definitely cancelled the dude I danced with as a nice guy. It didn't take much for me to notice that most of the male Moroi sitting at that table possessed some muscle which indicated, the new definition of a jock was to be one who trained with the dhampirs.

"Aw, sorry but all I see over there is a sea of desperate fish who sell their bodies for popularity. I'd like to bet that every one of those girls have shared your bed." I smirked gesturing that table with my eyes.

"I wouldn't go as far as calling them fish." Nick frowned.

"You're right, that's inaccurate. They're skanks." I added and I could tell that Roxy and Els were trying hard to contain their laughter. "Oh and have you not read the shirt? 'You can look but you can't touch!'"

"Oh I saw."

"Then I guess you're going to have to pay for your ignorance." My smirk grew and I was just about to punch him when a hand landed on my shoulder. I turned around to see Joe standing there with a warning expression. "Guardian Maxwell."

"Valentine I want a word. Now," he ordered before staring at Nick. "And O'Connor, unless you want to run twenty laps in gym, get back to your own table."

Nick couldn't have scrambled away any faster. He did however give me a look that this wasn't over and I merely gave him one of my winks. "Sorry, looks like I'm in trouble already." I smiled apologetically at Roxy and Els.

"Don't worry, just head over to the room opposite yours when you're allowed out." Els shook her head with a mischievous grin. "You're not getting out that easily."

"Damn it." I grinned.

When we were out of ear shot Joe turned on his heel to glare at me. "Honestly Kai, the first day? I mean, it hasn't even been an hour and you could've had detention!"

"He didn't let go, what did you expect me to do?"

"Anything but punch a Moroi. If you want to punch them, wait till gym. All the lads on his table go to training."

"Is O'Connor good? I have a personal debt to settle."

"Just make sure you don't beat him to the point of death." Joe sighed.

"So basically that's your way of saying he's hopeless." I grinned.

"He's not the best, I'll admit that. How did you sleep last night?"

"I woke up three times." I shrugged. "It could've been better."

"You'll get used to it soon." Joe reassured me.

"I know, it's just annoying until I do that's all." I sighed. "Thanks for filling my room with my favourite stuff." I grinned.

"What're you talking about?" he looked away.

"Aw come on Joey, my room was decorated in my favourite colour and my favourite shampoo and body scrub was there too. I doubt this school is that accommodating to give such nice toiletries." I teased.

"Alright so you caught me there." Joe sighed.

"I'll catch you later, Roxy and Els wanna put me through hell." I groaned.

"You know your way back?"

"I nearly got lost this morning but I managed. I'll manage this time." I nodded. I took my time as I walked back to the dorms and I ignored the curious gazes. At least I didn't bump into the jock crowd again.

"Kai!" Els squealed when she saw who knocked on the door. Without a moment to spare she yanked me into the room and slammed the door behind me. Roxy was lying comfortably on the bed watching a movie that I recognised as 'Step Up 2: The Streets'.

"I love that movie!" I screamed hoping onto the bed beside Roxy. "That guy definitely has a body to die for and he can dance!"

"So you're into the dancing types huh?" Roxy and Els smirked.

"I don't really have a complete type. There were tonnes of dances where I came from but they were all total jocks. Not to mention I was on the same team as them so it would've been weird." I shuddered. The idea of going out with one of the jocks from the football team had me cringing.

"What'd you mean by team?"

"I'm – was on the football team." I sighed. Damn it and we had a tournament coming up as well. I was looking forward to beating the other teams…

"You miss them don't you?" Roxy asked gently.

"Well yeah, I mean, one minute I was living a normal life, the next I'm dragged into a loony school of vampires." I scoffed.

"It's not so bad here once you get used to it." Els reassured me. "Really, it's not that bad."

"How did you get dragged here any way? I mean, also, since you were a dhampir, what did you do to attract the school's attention?" Roxy asked curiously as she paused the movie.

"I didn't do anything to attract them as such. I have a part time job as a waitress and some Moroi punks were there. Stuff happened and well… the guardians and Moroi realised I wasn't human and decided to drag me here." I decided I wouldn't tell the whole truth. After all, how would they react if they found out I'd beaten three Strigoi all on my own? Now I just had to hope that those Moroi punks kept their mouths shut about that.

"Stuff happened?" Roxy asked.

"That's a bit vague isn't it?" Els persisted.

"You guys are a bit nosy aren't you?" I grinned.

"We like to keep on top of things," they chimed.

"The punks tried compulsion on me; it didn't work so the guardians suspected I was a dhampir." I shrugged.

"They dragged you to this school just because the Moroi compulsion didn't work on you?"

"Yep."

The expressions on their faces told me they didn't believe a single word of it but neither made a comment. At least they respected my privacy and I was thankful for that.

"Let's carry on with the movie." I gestured.

"Nuh-uh, you're getting changed first."

"You want to dress me up to watch a movie in your room?"

"After this we're going down to the common room."

Els grabbed my arm, practically manhandled me off the bed and towed me into her bathroom. "Put that on," she pointed at a pile on the counter then left me to change. I was sorting out through the clothes and I noticed with a smile that it was the type of things Ana loved to dress me in.

There was a rose patterned lace cami top which was a little tight around the chest but hugged my stomach nicely and a pair of faded skinny jeans. Geez, I never knew that people dressed up on Saturdays at this school. The top had a tantalisingly low neckline that I was fairly sure would get me in tonnes of trouble with the boys. I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn't help but smile. An image of what I used to look like popped into my mind. A long fringe that covered my face and unflattering clothes used to adorn my slightly plump body. Now all of that was gone. I still had a long fringe but it was swept to the side rarely ever covering my face.

"That's all past behind me now. That old me's gone and I'll never cower in shadows again." I whispered.

I stepped out of the bathroom and just for show posed against the doorframe for them. Roxy's eyes widened as she stared and Els laughed in delight. "You look like you might suffocate in that top," she commented.

"Well it is a little tight." I nodded. She stepped behind me and loosened some of the ribbons there. Now the top fitted perfectly, snug but not suffocating. "Please tell me there's a scarf of jacket to go with this. I'd rather not give any male guardians heart attacks. And does everyone dress up on Saturdays?"

"Occasionally." Els nodded absentmindedly. She dragged me back into the bathroom and Roxy followed us in with a bag in hand. "I'm thinking curls."

"Agree with you there," the blonde smiled. They sat me down on a chair in front of the mirror and I just let them work away at my head. When they were done, I was surprised to say the least. It didn't look like I had make-up on at all. Everything looked natural, the foundation had been mixed with cream so that it didn't show up in specks later during the day, and there was only a little eyeliner and a little brown sparkle on my lids. My cheeks were slightly redder and my lips were cherry coloured. My hair was the only thing that went through drastic change; curls framed my face and fell down my back.

"What shoe size are you?" Els asked.

"I think converse will go well with this outfit, don't you?" I grinned. "I've got a pair back in my room."

"Then you're all set, here's your jacket." Roxy agreed. I headed back into my room and grabbed my phone. Just as I did, it rang.

"Hello?"

"Oi Kai, is this your family friend?" Louise asked before someone else was speaking.

"They're rather protective of you aren't they?" Martin asked with amusement.

"Yeah, they're like that." I laughed.

"Is he?" Ana asked.

"Yep, that's him alright." I told them.

"Okay, just wanted to make sure. Didn't want some pervert to grab a hold of your clothes." Louise laughed. "Good luck at your new school."

"You guys good luck with the next two years." I replied before hanging up. I walked back out and waited for the other two to come out. Els had now changed into a purple corset mini dress with ripped leggings and black boots. Roxy was wearing a red body hugging dress and matching heels. "Okay, now you guys look like you're going off to a party."

"We are," they stated before dragging me downstairs with me in between the two of them. What I saw shocked me. As soon as I stepped into the dark common room, the lights came on revealing a beautifully decorated room and I turned to glare at Roxy and Els.

"You guys knew?" I was stunned and tried to feign anger but I couldn't stop the smile that tugged at my lips.

"We saw the new kid last night so half the dorm went to early breakfast so that we could decorate while you were eating and changing upstairs." Roxy grinned.

"We don't normally do this." Els commented.

"In fact, we never do this but then again we've never had a new kid this age before." Roxy added.

"Geez guys I don't know what to say." I beamed and hugged the both of them.

"Don't say anything then, introduce yourself to everyone and make yourself known," the pair shoved me into the crowd and I chatted with everyone confidently, skimming details about my life and how I got dragged into the academy. I made sure I told the same story as I told Roxy and Els. By the end of the day I'd gotten to know most of the dhampirs' names, especially those in my year. Some Moroi had turned up too and compared to the jocks, these were rather fun to talk to. They weren't arrogant and I appreciated it.

Occasionally I heard some songs which I knew were mine roar through the speakers and I toned down my dancing so that it was nothing special, just simple club dancing and a few grinds here and there.

The party was fun to say the least, which was something unexpected. At first I thought it was going to end up being a total disaster, but it was good to finally be able to socialise with the people in my year. The people around here weren't actually as bad as I remembered. But then again, it probably had something to do with the fact that I used to be a total anti-social so there was no way I could've known what they were like at all.

"Alright, since it's the initiation and welcoming party, let's see what you can do!" several dhampirs suggested.

"Well what'd you want me to do?" I asking lifting a single brow. Several of them seemed to have a double take as they stared at me. It was then that I remembered it was one of the things my dad used to do all the time. Damn, Martin was right, the Ivashkov blood had kicked in after my disappearance from the academy. Guess I had to be more careful than I thought.

"How strong are you? I mean, we're going to be having combat class first thing after assembly on Monday," one of them asked. His name was Josh if I recalled rightly.

"Well, how about this? if you could pin me for more than five seconds I'll give the first person to be able to pin me a hundred bucks." I offered as an incentive.

Everyone looked at each other for a moment before Travis piped up. "How about you give the boys a kiss if the winner is a dude?"

"Okay." I shrugged.

The guys gave each other a look before accepting the challenge and so did the girls no doubt wanting the spending money. After half an hour of skilfully dodging people, it was safe to say that all these dhampirs needed more training. Only one person came close to winning. Luke had been able to pin me for a second but as soon as we were on the floor I'd heaved up and thrown him away.

"Geez girl how did you get so good?" Luke laughed rubbing his back.

"I've been training as a martial artist since I was born pretty much." I shrugged. Technically it wasn't a lie since Mum had been teaching me martial arts since I could walk.

"Alright, enough fighting!" Els complained.

"Sing us a song Kai!" Roxy urged as the pair dragged me onto a make shift stage made up of tables shoved together. Panic rushed through me. Sing? Nuh-uh. No way. If what Martin had said was true and that the people in this school have heard my song, I'd be busted for sure! No way was I risking exposure that soon!

Well first of all thank you to the anonymous reviewer GracelynSkyeHathaway101 for her review! You should really get an account so I could reply to your reviews. Glad you like the story so far ;)