I sat on my new bed and looked out the window. A house in the mountains wasn't too bad. The view was beautiful.

"Dad? Do you need any help with unpacking?" I asked.

There was no answer.

"Dad?" I called again. I walked out and over to the kitchen. My father was talking in hushed whispers to two strong, large, men.

"Dad," I said.

My father turned around and walked over to me. "Izabelle, go and unpack, I'll be in to help you later."

I didn't answer. I turned and walked back into my room.

I was afraid this would happen. My father always got involved with the wrong men. We were in so much debt already.

I sighed and continued to unpack my clothes. After about an hour my father appeared in my doorway.

I didn't look up at him.

"Belle," he said.

"I can't believe you're doing this again," I said.

"They aren't who you think. I called them here due to this," he said and handed me a flyer.

I looked at it and it read: Beast Wanted. A creature that has killed many people is wanted dead or alive.

"There's a five hundred thousand dollar award for it?" I asked.

He nodded. "That will pay us off of our debt. Then everything will be normal again."

I looked at the sketch of the "beast." It looked like a wolf. "What is it?"

"Looks like a wolf right? But it is much too big. They don't know what it is. They just want it out of the mountains."

I opened the box that had all of my books in it. I started to carefully take those out and my father kissed the top of my head.

"This looks dangerous dad, I don't think you should do it. We can get out of debt by working more than one job."

"I know what I'm doing honey. You are just going to have to trust me."

I looked up at him and nodded.

"Good, now you should get some sleep. You have your first day of school tomorrow," he said then he left.

I was going to be a senior this year. I was dreading tomorrow. I wasn't really good at making friends. I prefer to keep to myself and read my books.

I put my books under my nightstand and started to get ready for bed. I looked in my mirror and saw my soft brown hair, brown eyes and light skin. I took a deep breath and then changed into my pajamas and crawled into bed.


"Belle, it's time to get up," said my father.

Was it really tomorrow already? I reluctantly got out of bed and looked for an outfit to wear today. I settled on a casual long light blue top and black leggings. Then I put on my combat boots. I put in my pearl earrings and pulled my brown hair into a low ponytail. Then I took out my lucky blue ribbon and tied it around my ponytail.

The ribbon was my mother's. She wore it all the time before she died. She died when I was five. She had cancer and it had taken her life.

I finished putting on some simple makeup then I walked into the kitchen where my father was reading the newspaper.

"Good morning, you look nice," said my father.

"Thanks," I said and got a bowl out of the cupboard. I poured some cereal into the bowl and poured milk in it.

"Are you excited?" he asked.

"No," I said.

"No? Why?"

"Because everyone is going to have their own friends and I'll be the loner whose head will be in a book," I said and ate some of the cereal.

"Well you know Izabelle, you are only a loner if you act like one. You could try and make friends. Who knows, you might have a best friend."

I ate another spoonful of cereal. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and looked at my dad. "I have had friends before, dad."

"The ladies at the library don't count honey," he said and chuckled a little.

I rolled my eyes and ate some more cereal.

"Oh we got to go," said my dad and he folded the newspaper and got the car keys.

I quickly finished the rest of my cereal and grabbed my backpack. My dad and I rushed out of our house and into the car.

We drove off and down the mountain toward the school that rested just below the mountain.

We pulled up behind a bunch of cars that were dropping off their kids at the school. As we pulled up to the sidewalk I felt butterflies fill my stomach.

"I wanted to let you know that I'm going out to look for that beast," said my father.

I looked at him with worry in my eyes.

"Don't worry Belle, I am going with the experts. Those were the guys you saw yesterday. You know what they look like. I highly doubt any harm will come to me with them with me."

"I still don't like it," I said.

"I know, but I have to find some way to get money and fast. I won't be back until the end of the week. You will have to drive yourself to school," he said.

I sighed and nodded. I reached back into the car's seat and pulled out a red scarf I had knitted for my father before we moved her. I put it around his neck and he smiled at me.

"It's cold in the mountains," I said to him.

He kissed my head. "You should go. We are holding up the line."

I nodded and opened the car door.

"Bye dad," I said and he smiled and waved. I shut the car door and slung my backpack over my shoulder. Then I took a deep breath and walked into the school.

I was immediately greeted with the sound of excited teenagers who were seeing their friends they haven't seen all winter break. Some were mingling and others were rushing with their hands full of books and looking at their new schedules.

I walked over to the door that said Main Office and I walked in. I still had to get my schedule and locker.

"Can I help you dear?" asked the lady behind the desk.

"Yeah, my name is Izabelle Oliver, I'm new and I haven't gotten my schedule yet," I said.

"Oh yes, I have it right here. Welcome to Mountain High Miss Oliver," said the woman and she handed me my schedule and locker number and combo.

"Thank you," I smiled.

"Would you like a tour? This school is rather large and can be confusing," said the woman.

"Yes, that would be amazing. Thank you," I said.

"Of course. Chandler," called the lady.

A boy who looked about my age walked out of what looked like the copy room. He was tall and lanky and had a necklace with a flame charm attached to it. He had bright blonde hair that was mussed up. He wore a Star Wars t-shirt and beat up jeans.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Would you mind taking Miss Oliver on a tour?" asked the woman.

Chandler looked at me and his eyes grew wide. Then a smile spread across his face and he looked back at the woman. "I would be delighted."

Chandler walked around the desk and held out his hand. "Chandler Illume at your service Madame," he introduced.

I smiled and shook his hand. "Izabelle Oliver, thank you for doing this. Oh, and you can call me Belle"

"The pleasure is mine Belle," he said.

You could tell the guy was a total geek. But that was okay with me. I always considered myself a geek. I was a book loving geek.

"Shall we?" he asked and opened the door for me.

"We shall," I said and smiled. I walked through the door and Chandler led me down the hallway.

"So, Belle, what brings you to Mountain High?" he asked.

"My dad. His job moved so we did too," I said.

"Yeah? Where were you before?" he asked.

"Paris," I said.

Chandler stopped and spun around. "You're from Paris…like Paris, France?"

"Well, we lived there for about two years. Then before that was London, England. Before that was New York City. Then it was Chicago. That's where I was born. So I'm not from France."

"You really get around," he said. "What does your dad do?"

"He's an inventor. He goes wherever he can sell his products and when they do sell we move there and stay until they stop taking his inventions," I explained.

"I see. Well why Colorado?"

"Because the people in Colorado loved his new invention. It's to help them with hiking in the mountains during the winter."

"That makes sense," said Chandler. "Well here is our first stop. The Library."

I instantly felt my heart lift when I looked around. The library was stocked with thousands of books. This would definitely where I would be spending most of my time.

"Favorite of yours?" asked Chandler.

"Huh?" I asked.

"I can tell by the way you instantly lit up you will be enjoying the library," he said.

I smiled and nodded.

"Good, then we will get along nicely," said Chandler. "We gotta move on though. Where is your first class?"

I looked down at my schedule. I had History for my first class. "History with Mr. Suns," I said.

"Oh perfect. You and I are in the same class," smiled Chandler.

I smiled back. I really liked this Chandler guy. He was so nice. I thought he and I would be good friends.

"Chandler!" I heard someone yell.

Chandler and I spun around and a heavier, shorter boy came towards us. He wore a white polo shirt and navy blue pants. He looked like he was wearing a school uniform. His hair was red and side combed in a neat way. He was basically the exact opposite of Chandler as far as looks.

"Hey Clogs," said Chandler.

"Chandler, we have to get to class," said the boy…Clogs.

"Oh don't worry we still have ten minutes. Clogs, this is Izabelle, but call her Belle. She's new," introduced Chandler.

Clogs looked at me and smiled. "Hello Belle. My name is Horace. I prefer to be called by my last name though. I curse my mother every day for naming me Horace."

I giggled. "It's nice to meet you."

"You as well," smiled Clogs. "Seriously Chandler, we should get to class. We are going to be late."

"Stop being such a worry wart," said Chandler. "I am giving Belle here a tour."

"You are giving her the tour?" asked Clogs. "Chandler doesn't know anything about this school. I happen to be the expert. Come this way Belle." He offered his arm and I giggled and took it.

Chandler rolled his eyes but followed us.

Clogs checked the impressively large watch on his chubby wrist and sighed. "We will be a few minutes behind schedule, but it's for a good cause."

"Hey Belle…how do you feel about self-obsessed guys?" asked Chandler.

"What?" I asked.

"Self-obsessed guys who are staring at you with complete lust," said Chandler.

"I-I don't understand what you're talking about," I said.

"You will."

"Hello candlestick," said a voice next to us.

I looked over and saw a really hot guy. He had black hair and looked like he could lift me up with one hand. The only thing that made him unattractive was his eyes. They were brown but colder than ice.

Chandler clenched his fists and didn't say anything.

The boy now had two other buddies of his flocking him. They all sneered at Chandler and Clogs.

"Don't be rude boys. Who's this?" asked the boy and he looked at me with what was the exact definition of lust. It really freaked me out.

"She's new and none of your business Kevin," said Chandler.

The boys laughed and Kevin shoved Chandler to the side. Then he did the same to Clogs. I was now alone and I was suddenly aware of every single eye on me.

"I'm Kevin. And you are?" asked Kevin.

"Belle," I said and backed into the wall. Kevin put his hand directly beside my head on the wall and he stared at me.

"Well, Belle, why would a pretty girl like you be hanging around two geeks like candlestick and tubby?" asked Kevin. His friends snickered.

I raised an eyebrow and smiled simply. "I would rather enjoy the presence of two intelligent men than a self-obsessed, estrogen-filled child."

Everyone fell silent and their eyes were wide and mouths dropped open. Including Kevin's.

"If you will excuse me. I have a tour to continue with," I said and ducked out from under Kevin's arm.

I walked up to Chandler and Clogs who stared at me and I smiled. "Shall we?"

That's when the whispers started. People were staring and talking about me. This made me super self-conscious.

"That…was…brilliant," said Chandler. "No girl, and I mean not a single female has ever turned down Kevin. You are going to be a legend."

"That's the last thing I want to be. But I seriously don't want to waste my time with guys like him," I said and tucked a stand of hair behind my ear.

"Just be warned Belle, Kevin Notsag doesn't give up or quit. He will be after you until he finally gets you," said Clogs.

"He won't get me," I said simply. Suddenly something caught my eye.

I turned and saw a picture of a boy in a display case. He had blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He was even hotter than Kevin but still had Kevin's cold hard gaze even when he was smiling like that.

"Who is that?" I asked.

"Adam Princely," said Chandler. "We had better get to class."

"Why is he in the display case? Did he win something?" I asked.

"No he's dead," said Clogs. "Chandler is right we do have to get to class. Come on Belle."

"Dead? What happened?" I asked. I was led to my first period class.

"He disappeared in the mountains," said Chandler.

"Was it the beast that got him?" I asked.

Clogs and Chandler both stopped suddenly. They looked at each other, then at me.

"Yeah…yeah it was. How do you know about the beast?" asked Chandler.

"My father is interested in the prize. He wants to go after it. I told him it's a bad idea. Anything could be in those mountains," I said and I suddenly became extremely worried about my father.

"It will be okay Belle, but for now let's just hurry on to class," said Clogs and we rushed to class. For some odd reason, I couldn't get Adam's picture out of my mind.