My heart races and I take in a deep breath sitting up in bed, my skin coated in a thin sheet of sweat. I throw off the covers and I step out onto the porch that holds two small white chairs and a circular glass table. I wet my lips looking out into the woods across the street thinking of the nightmare I had. That's the first nightmare I've ever had in my seventeen years on this earth, I usually don't even dream. I was running, fast, through the woods, something was right on my heels sending chills up my spine. It let out a deep howl and that's the last thing I remember before everything went black. I take a seat in one of the chairs trying to regulate my breathing. I get panic attacks very easily. After a few minutes I am able to breathe again and I slump into the chair looking up at the star dotted sky. It looks like it might storm.
"Tired little laughs, gold-lie promises, we'll always win at this. I don't ever think about death, it's alright if you do, it's fine…" I sing under my breath shivering in the early morning cold. I stand up walking back toward my bed, and then I hear it. The howl, the same I heard minutes ago in my sleep. I turn slowly to face the woods, goosebumps running up my arms, this time not because of the cold.
I roll over groaning tiredly, my face buried into the pillow. I didn't go back to sleep for awhile after the howl echoed from the woods, I locked the sliding door, and kept my bedroom door unlocked in case it decided to come closer. It howled two more times, and then it was just gone. Like it never even happened. I sigh when my bedroom door creaks open, and my dad clears his throat.
"Morning, I'm leaving you breakfast on the table, there's a full cup of coffee and a bit of money. Use it for whatever you like… Except drugs." I snort into my pillow and dad chuckles from the door. "I love you." He says before shutting the door.
I don't move until he is out of the driveway, then I get up and go to the bathroom. I strip off my pajamas and switch on the hot water, pulling out my floral shampoo and bodywash collection. My muscles relax underneath the pelting warmth, my head falling back allowing it to run over my face and chest. For another fifteen minutes I take my time washing my hair and body before climbing out, and wrapping a fluffy white towel around my petite figure. After washing my face with some grapefruit acne wash, I blow dry my hair, pulling it into a fishtail braid. I walk over to my closet skimming over the shelves before pulling on an outfit ( /entry/117667326/in-set/14024164-fashion-beauty-etc?context_user=Cherry_Snowcone&page=4) I leave the house with a handful of bacon from the kitchen, and my keys. I plug my phone up into the stereo smiling when it plays perfectly. Jasmine Thompson plays as I drive, my eyes taking in the familiar scenery until I reach Staples. I walk in the twenty dollars dad gave me crinkles in my balled fist. I walk straight to the pens, and other writing supplies. A redhead approaches me, her eyes scanning the notebooks.
"You're new here." She states turning to face me. My eyes widen and my cheeks burn red.
"Uh yeah, how did you-"
"I would remember someone who looks like you. A girl like you doesn't go unnoticed for to long. I'm Lydia Martin." She smiles a flawless smile, her dimple showing.
"Rome Knighting."
"Rome, like the city?" I blush.
"Uh, my name is Ramona, but I don't like it." I explain.
"Okay, I like it. Rome. Sexy and dangerous." I feel myself blush harder and she chuckles. "See you around." She walks away her hips swaying. I sigh shaking my head grabbing the pens and notebooks I need before walking over to the cashier.
Once I get back home, I heat up some pizza from last night and check my phone. Three messages all from mom. *How's Beacon Hills so far?* I sigh replying. *Okay, it's always the same.* I shut it off walking into the living room to watch some TV, knowing dad won't be home until late tonight, or early tomorrow morning. Ugh! The thought of school hits me and suddenly the pizza makes me nauseous. I hate meeting new people, I feel socially awkward and uncomfortable. Oh well, Lydia seemed nice, I might become friends with her. After eating my pizza I decide sitting around all day won't get too exciting. I pull on some sneakers and a hoodie then leave the house. I know, I know, walking through the woods right after hearing a wolf howl might be stupid, but I can't stay in the house any longer.
"When the waves are flooding the shore and I can't find my way home anymore, that's when I, I look at you," I sing kicking around sticks and rocks.
I've missed taking walks in these woods, it's always been so peaceful and quiet. When I was little, little, like five, dad would take me fishing at a small pond not far from this spot. Maybe ten minutes. I keep walking admiring the scenery until I hear the first clap of thunder. Great, just great, Rome. I scold myself turning to walk back. Something catches my eye and I look up to see what looks like a house through some trees. My curiosity heightens and the rain gets heavier so I quickly make my way to the small clearing where the burnt house stands. Something about this house is oddly familiar, and not in a good way. I chose not to go in, instead I sit on the porch, cold, but safe from the rain.
"What do you think you're doing?" I jump nearly having a heart attack when a sharp, deep voice alerts me. Standing at the burnt door is a man. Tall, dark, and handsome. Actually everything about this man seems dark. His clothes, his hair, his hypnotic greenish-gray eyes that are currently burning a hole into my face. "I asked you a question." He snaps pulling me out of my head.
"Oh uh, I uh. I needed to get out of the rain." I state blushing when his eyes lower to my feet then back to my face.
"This is private property." He states his voice intimidating and dangerous.
"Sorry, I had no idea." I stammer blinking rapidly when he takes a couple steps closer.
"You look cold, you can stay until the rain stops." He opens his house door waiting for me to enter. I obey stepping inside feeling no temperature difference, but I say nothing about it.
"My names Derek."
"Rome." I mutter looking around at the burns walls and staircase."Do you… Live here?" I ask cautiously turning to face him.
"Yes." Is all he says walking into what used to be a living room. Now all there is, is a couch and books everywhere. "Sit." He scoots over to the other end, giving me more than enough space.
"Thanks," I murmur rubbing my arms to see if I can warm up faster. What I really want to do is get out of this house, away from Derek. Not that being around hot strangers is all that bad, he's just very intimidating. And he knows it.
"You're not from around here are you?" He asks his brows raising.
"Uh no, how did you know?" I ask looking at the wall instead of him.
"You have a southern drawl." I blush smiling at the ground.
"Georgia." I state. He nods his eyes not leaving me, I can tell because my skin is tingling beneath his stare. "Have you always lived here?"
"Yes, I moved a few years ago, I just got back." Derek replies stiffly and I decide to go quiet again.
After minutes of just awkward silence the rain dies down and I stand up, partly relieved, and a bit disappointed. If I weren't so shy and timid, I would ask him more questions. His mysterious attitude is intriguing.
"I better go, my dads probably worried." I lie, my eyes on the door instead of him.
"Okay." He leads me over his hand almost landing on my back, but it rests back at his side. "Maybe I'll see you around." He mumbles.
"Maybe." I say with a small smile before I turn and walk off back into the woods. I may be crazy but I am pretty sure my skin tingled like he was still staring at me until I got home.
"Hello?" I ask cheerfully into the phone on the second ring, trying to multi-task.
"Hey honey, I'm going to be late getting home, like early morning late." Dad says his voice anxious.
"Are you okay?" I ask setting my razor off to the side.
"Yeah, a big case came up so we have to call in all departments, including state officalls." My eyes widen.
"Define big!"
"Murder."
"Okay," I sigh shaking my head. "Please be careful." I add picking my razor back up.
"Don't worry about me, I live dangerously." I laugh as he hangs up and I shut off my phone for the night.
I run some moisturizer over my smooth legs before shutting off the bathroom light and walking back into my bedroom to change into my pajamas. I walk downstairs for a cup of water, my eyes falling onto the woods. For only a moment I swear I see bright blue eyes before they are gone again, and I mentally scold my paranoia.