The next morning Kyle had a very brief meeting with the Headmaster, who told him that barring any further information, his job was to be a student.

To that end Kyle wore one of the school uniforms that had been supplied to him, he attended classes that he didn't understand, witnessed demonstrations of power that he couldn't believe, and did his best to blend into the background.

He had been dreading lunchtime. He didn't want to run into Hope, or really anyone. He thought his best bet was to keep to himself until a definitive course of action came along. He grabbed a tray of food, went to a sparsely populated corner of the cafeteria and sat with his back to everyone. He intended to give off an aura that said leave me alone.

It didn't work.

A hand clapped down on Kyle's shoulder, then a friendly voice spoke.

"Kyle, what's up man? How was your first day?"

The speaker came around to the other side of the table. It was Rafael, who he had met yesterday. He was quickly followed by Josie and Landon, who spoke cheerful greetings.

Landon looked at him pointedly. "You're…ok, right?"

Kyle nodded his head. "Yes, I took your…advice." Landon breathed a sigh of relief and tore into his turkey sandwich.

Another tray clattered down next to him. It was Lizzie, blonde hair, long sexy legs and all. She spoke to Kyle without looking at him.

"Kyle, it was decided between us that last night is never to be spoken of again, ok?!"

As far as Kyle was concerned, he would never bring it up again. Although he couldn't quite forget the sight of that pink nipple showing through the ripped tank top she had been wearing. He was glad they were all wearing Salvator school blazers today.

"Sure." He said. "I have no problem with that."

But Lizzie didn't leave it alone. "There's just a thing with me and Hope. I can't help it!"

Without thinking he reached out and touched her arm. "You don't have to explain, trust me. We're cool."

Kyle then turned back to his food, and so he missed Lizzie's eyes going wide when he touched her. He also missed her whip her head over to look at her sister, who raised her eyebrows and smiled at her.

Rafael, seeing the look, cut in. "Alright, what are you two up to?!" He asked, laughing.

"NOTHING!" They both said at once. Kyle thought it was adorable. But just when he was going to ask what he had missed, a group of boys came over.

"Yo Raf, you wanted to see us?" The boy was tall and Asian. Despite his apparent deference, he had an aura of command about him.

"Yeah, Jed. Make sure you guys are on time for the game today. It's on." Rafael said.

"Cool." Said Jed. "So who's this?" He asked, indicating Kyle. "Did you adopt another Human? I know he's Human. I can smell it."

Landon said "I'm not adopted!" Indignantly, but no one acknowledged him.

Kyle looked up at Jed and said. "I'm no one, man. I'm just passing through."

Jed smiled. "Well, no one, since you're Human you can play on our team for the game today. Each team has to have a couple of handicaps, otherwise the wolves would dominate!"

Josie broke in on him. "I seem to remember the vampires kicking your asses last year before they changed the rules." She smiled sweetly up at Jed.

His face turned into a grimace for just a second, but he ignored her.

"That's a good idea, though!" Said Rafael. "Kyle, you down?"

Kyle opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Jed before he could.

"Be there today at 3 on the dot. I don't know if you play soccer, but you can't be worse than Landon so I'll take my chances."

Landon cried out "Hey!", but was again ignored as Jed and his entourage moved off.

Kyle actually brightened. "You know, I did play back at my old school."

Lizzie spoke quickly. "I can see that, you look really athletic!" Then her face turned bright red. But Kyle didn't notice. He was thinking it would be good to take his mind off things and do something normal.

Rafael said. "That's great man, but be careful out there. Wolves play rough, and vamps play even rougher."

That brought Kyle back down Earth. Somehow for a moment he had forgotten about the special abilities of the kids that went to school here. He thought of Hope's Olympic long jump from yesterday morning. Was he going to go out on the field against a whole team of kids who could do that…or even worse?

As lunch ended and everyone was getting up to put their trays away, Lizzie turned to Kyle.

"I'll be there in the stands to cheer you on, I'm sure you'll do great."

Kyle was going to thank her, but then a strange look came over her face. She looked confused for a moment, and then it even looked like she was going to fall down. Kyle reached out and grabbed her by the arms before she could.

"Hey are you ok?" He asked, finding himself really concerned.

He was edged out by her sister, and he relinquished his hold on the girl. Josie directed her sister to sit back down.

"Lizzie, these spells are getting worse! I told you we have to tell someone."

"No!" Lizzie shouted. Very loudly. Kyle saw some heads turn. Then Lizzie lowered her voice.

"We can talk about it later, ok? I've really got to go!" Lizzie pleaded. Josie reluctantly agreed, then everyone picked up their trays and headed out.

Kyle noticed he seemed to have become a de facto member of the group, somehow. He had to admit to himself that he wasn't unhappy about it.

What Kyle didn't notice, was that on the other side of the cafeteria, he was being watched.

Hope had been watching them all as she ate her lunch. She had come to a decision, and made plans last night. Tonight she would put those plans in motion.

She was certain that she would feel better, but others…?

Well…not so much…

Hope put her tray up and went the opposite way from the group of kids. She couldn't decide if she wanted to be bothered with her classes today. Maybe she would go out and run the grounds instead.

She turned down the hallway that would take her to the back lots, then someone spoke to her.

"Hi Hope, it's been a long time."

She spun. That voice! She knew it, and more importantly, she actually liked that voice.

Sure enough, there he was. Tall, handsome, and very, very well built. That same easy smile that she and most of the other girls here had crushed on every time he showed up.

He walked up to her. It wasn't quite a saunter, he wasn't cocky. He was confident, and had good reason to be.

She was staring at him, goggle-eyed. His face showed concern now. "Hope, you're ok, right?"

"Y-yes. It's good to see you, Jeremy!" With that, she threw herself onto him and gave him a tight hug.

"Whoa! What's that for?" Jeremy Gilbert asked, laughing.

"Welcome back!" Said Hope, still holding onto him. He couldn't see it, but her smile was just a little bit malicious.