ALICE'S POV

"If you repeat yourself one more time I won't hesitate to cut off one of your limbs. Don't test me." I warned River as he drove me to school. "I get it. Find Holland and get him to talk to you. You don't have to keep reminding me every two minutes." My eyes rolled for the sixth time this morning.

River made a grunting sound. "So, you literally are just going to go up to him and start making demands?"

"Yes." I said with a straight face.

"You can't do that."

"Why not?"

"He's a leader of slayers. Slayers who also go to your school. Can't imagine him being happy with some Ice Princess telling him what to do on his turf. And I would think he has enough sense to be cautious towards a stranger."

"If you have a problem with it, you do it." His pestering is getting on my nerves. "And what did I tell you about calling me that." Aggravation dripped from my voice.

River let out a sigh. "Look, I'm sorry. I know that I'm driving you crazy. Kinda surprised that you haven't punched me yet, to be honest. But this is important. If we don't get him to work with us, we're screwed."

I looked at him and saw that tired expression on his face once again. "I know that. I haven't failed any mission that you've set me on and I don't plan on starting now. You really should have more faith in me." I looked out the window and watched as our surroundings blurred past us. "What do you know about this Cole Holland?"

"Not much. He's older than you, a senior. His father was a slayer too. His team respects him and are extremely loyal. He likes to be in control." River listed off. "I asked around and heard that he's into brunettes."

"Why would that be something that you asked?"

River shrugged his shoulders. "Wanted to know how likely it would be for him to hit on you. And if I needed to start digging the grave." Hearing his reason, I couldn't help but let out a scoff.

All too soon, we were parked in front of Asher High once again. "Did I ever tell you how much I hate school?"

"Yes, on several occasions actually." River chuckled.

"Then this shouldn't be a surprised. I absolutely despise going to school and being around a bunch of idiots that I do not care for."

"Aren't you just a ray of sunshine this morning? I just love hearing your optimistic view on life."

"I know. Now if you'll excuse me, I have six hours of being bored to death that I'm really looking forward to. But not before I go hunt down a boy that I've never met."

For the first time in a while, River eyes didn't look worn out but had a spark of amusement shining in them. "Times like these remind me why I love you so much, Princess." His tone was soft with genuine and tenderness.

I let a rare smile appear on my face. "Again with that 'Princess rubbish. We both know damn well that I'm no princess. I'm the warrior who fights with everything she has and unleashes hell on anyone who tries to hurt the ones she loves." I got out of the car. Before I shut the door, I said, "Seriously though, don't worry. I got this."

"I know." River let out a sigh. "I trust you." After that was said, River drove away.

I stood outside the building for a few more minutes, already dreading today. Deciding that it was time to get out of the crisp, cold air, I made my way to first period. Along the way, I scanned the people who passed me. Who could tell me who Cole Holland is? Suddenly, I remembered the boy with violet eyes and his little gang. Slayers tend to gravitate towards each other. I've seen the bruises they had, similar to ones that I've seen on River and Chance. Then, I remembered the vision I had yesterday. I only get visions with other slayers.

They must be part of Holland's pack of slayers. So, that means that if Holland agreed to work with us, then it would be almost inevitable that I cross paths with the boy that I have every intention of avoiding. That's just perfect. I suddenly felt the gaze of several pairs of eyes on me. Turning around I was immediately met with violet eyes. Before I could break eye contact and walk away, our surroundings began to fall away—

"What the hell is your problem?" I hissed at him. I could feel my temper flaring up.

He stared back at me with unflinching eyes. Anger radiated from him. "My problem? You're my problem!" He snapped. "You've been a pain in the ass seen the first time we saw each other!"

My eyes narrowed as I glared at him. "I'm the pain in the ass? You are just unbelievable! You are the one who dragged me outside for no reason when I was minding my own business. You are the one who goes out of your way to try and annoy me. You are the one who always tries to pick a fight with me. Why can't you just leave me alone? In case I haven't made myself clear, I want nothing to do with you." I practically snarled at him.

I saw something flicker in his eyes but I couldn't tell what it was. He lowered his voice to a what was barely louder than a whisper. "You value honesty but you can't even be honest with yourself." He took a step towards me. "You want nothing to do with me? We both know that's a lie.""

It isn't.""

Then look me in the eye and tell me that you don't have any interest in me whatsoever. Tell me that you don't think about me. Tell me that you never imagine what it'd be like if you were in my bed. Tell me that you haven't thought about the kiss. Tell that you aren't tempted to kiss me right now. Tell me that you don't want me as much as I want you."

With each sentence, he took a step towards me until he was standing right in front of me. I wanted to deny everything he said. I wanted to tell him to go to hell. But for some reason, I couldn't. I just started at him with rage in my eyes. I hated him. I hated how much he affected me. I hated that I couldn't get away from him. I hated that I didn't want to get away from him.

In an action that surprised me, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on my neck. I felt something inside of me quiver in delight from that single touch. "

Cole. . ." I said breathlessly before I could stop myself.

He leaned back a little to look into my eyes. As we stood there, we gazed into each other eyes. No traces of the previous anger came from either of us. I don't know what came over me as I grabbed his shirt and pulled him to me. Our lips met and it was like an inferno ignited inside of me. My arms wrapped around his shoulders, his wrapped around my waist. We pulled each as close as humanly possible. When the need to breathe became too much, we pulled apart. We leaned against each other, panting."

Ali, tell me that I'm not the only one who feels this."

"Cole, I-"

--The feeling of someone bumping shoulders with me as they passed ended the vision before I could reply. I was both curious and anxious. What caused that argument? Why was he so angry? What was I about to say before the vision ended? Why the hell do I keep having visions of us kissing?

Breaking away from my thoughts, I saw violet eyes glaring at me. His lips were pulled back in a snarl as he strides towards me. I responded by glaring back before turning to make a quick escape to my class. The bell rang just as I plopped down in a seat at the back of the class. From the corner of my eye, I saw him hovering near the doorway as if deciding whether or not to just come and carry me out. Eventually, with another withering stare, he turned and walked away. I saw the look in his eyes. He wants to answers and something tells me he's used to getting what wants.

As I pretended to listen to Ms. Long as she ranted on how the brilliance of Shakespeare, something dawned on me. I called him Cole. The boy with the violet eyes, who's most likely was a slayer, was named Cole. The same name as the person that I'm looking for. As much as I wish it wasn't true, it couldn't be a coincidence. I struggled to keep in a groan of frustration. This day just kept getting better and better

By the time the bell rang signaling the end of the period, I resolved myself. River was counting on me and I wasn't going to let him down just because of some personal crisis I was going through. As I stepped out of the classroom, I soon realized that there won't be any difficulty in finding him. Especially, since he was already there. Waiting for me, I supposed.

His eyes narrowed when his intense gaze fell on me. The way he looked at me made me think that he was trying to dissect me, trying to see right through my soul. The thought was almost laughable. It was going to take a lot more to break down the walls I've built. I met his gaze, keeping a cool demeanor. His eyes practically threw daggers at me when he saw how indifferent I was.

He- Cole, that was his name, remained still as I took my time walking towards him. I refuse to be intimated by him. Once I was standing right in front of him, he opened his mouth to say something.

"Who-"

I quickly cut him off. "We need to talk, Holland."

A/N: Alice and Cole finally meet. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'd love to see your reviews. Are you excited to see how their conversation will go?