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Henri had made them wait an entire week before they were allowed to go back to school which seemed ridiculous since in that week they hadn't had any outbreaks or sudden accidents with their legacies. But Henri also said it was a punishment for sneaking out of the house, so they couldn't be too mad.

"But I'm still in love with Judas baby!" a loud voice could be heard from practically outside the house and clearly in every room. "Juda-Juda-a-a-Juda Juda-a-a-Juda-Juda-a-a-Juda-Gaga!" Anna danced about her room her music blaring loudly in her ears, "I'm just a holy fool, baby is so cruel, but I'm still in love with Judas baby!" She punched the air and bounced from side to side on the balls of her feet, a large smile plastered on her face.

Her chunky multi colored pearl necklace rattled nosily against her chest, her black loose fitted sweater swaying with each movement. As the song ended she heard loud knocking on her door and she quickly pulled a headphone out and ran to her door pulling it open, John was standing in her doorway looking a little annoyed.

"Do you have to listen to your music so loud?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest. He had been knocking for few good minutes, he was too afraid to just walk in since she was getting ready and he couldn't just leave her.

Anna smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, I just get so into it," she laughed.

John laughed, "I know," he said pretending to be annoyed. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah," she ran over to her mirror to make sure she didn't mess anything up in her dancing fiasco. She straightened her necklace and shirt so the words ROYAL PAIN could be read clearly, pink/red-orange skinny jeans had survived unwrinkled and her small charmed bracelet was still intact. She turned to John and smiled, "Ready," she said grabbing her purse from the corner of her mirror and walking over to him, her white flats shuffling against the floor.

"I wonder if anyone even noticed we were gone," John mused.

"You mean other than Sarah, right?" Anna said dully, "I mean, you were texting her the whole entire time, she obviously knew you were gone." John hadn't parted with his phone the whole week unless absolutely necessary.

John laughed a bit bashfully, "I told you how I feel about her," he said playfully shoving her as they made their way downstairs. He had told her, he told her everything about the night he had spent with her and her family at dinner. Anna couldn't deny they had an immediate connection to each other, though only a short amount of time had gone by she could see the look in their eyes when they saw each other. Whenever she would walk to Sarah's house to get John and they would say goodbye she would always have to look away as if she were watching something intimate. He knew the repercussion of getting so involved with someone, but he claimed that even the thought of leaving her seemed impossible.

"Off to school, Henri, see you soon," Anna called as they left the house. Anna considered the week away from school a blessing. She really had time to distance herself from her childish feelings towards Sam and get her head back on her shoulders. She had told John how she felt about Sam and her plan to stifle it. John didn't agree but she was determined not to hurt him.

Arriving at school they were both immediately greeted by Sam, Anna walked quickly past him and into the crowd of students. Sam looked at her leave and blinked back his surprise; he shook his head to keep himself from lingering on it. He looked at John, "Is she mad….at me?" Did what he said to her the other day upset her so much? Then again, he could see why it would.

John shook his head, "No, she's just having a weird day."

Sam nodded believing what he said. "Hey, I heard about your stunt in class the other day," he said a smile creeping on his face. There was an admiration in Sam's eyes whenever he looked at John.

John scoffed, "Yeah, flashlights, it was a stupid prank," he said blowing it off as if it were nothing. "It's just that class is—"

"Boring as hell," he said finishing his sentence.

John laughed, "Yeah."

Sam looked conflicted for a moment, and then determined, "Look," he said to him seriously, "I know it's not any of my business or anything, but you need to stay off the grid." He said walking up to his locker, as did John.

John was frowning now, what could he possibly mean by that? John didn't do anything to draw serious attention to himself. "What do you mean?" He asked fumbling with his locker.

"Words going around that Mark and his man-tards have it out for you," he said pausing to look at him. "Hanging out with, Sarah," he said answering John's unasked question, though his face expression was asking for him.

"He has a thing for Sarah?" he asked suddenly on edge.

"Worse," Sam answered, "No one is even allowed to go near her. I know she looks like one of us, but she's really one of them." He said popping open his locker which instantly sprayed him with red paint and in the same instant John was sprayed as well.

Anna rounded the corner and stopped seeing Sam splattered in paint and shuffling frantically through his locker. She took a few steps forward but stopped herself, she watched him pull out a picture of something completely covered in paint. She could see the rage on his face in an instant, he turned as Mark passed by, smiling his cocky smile.

"Oh, that looks bad," he said laughing with his friends.

Sam sprinted at him, "Leave me alone!" he yelled ramming into him only to be grabbed and shoved back. John caught him by the shoulders before he fell. Anna walked up quickly as Mark dropped his bag and clenched his fists, eyes fixed on Sam. She stepped in front of him and pushed him backwards.

"You going to fight his fight?" he questioned relaxing his hands a smile creeping its way onto his face. "I knew you were weak Spock, but really?" He looked at Anna then back to him, "This is pathetic."

"You're pathetic," Anna growled, "You've made one hell of an impression, Mark, take your dumb ass elsewhere, you're pissing me off."

"Anna, stop," John whispered to her.

She ignored him, waiting for Mark to back down, but he was just as stubborn as she was. "Go ahead, listen to big brother and go take care of baby Spock." He mocked.

Anna clenched her fist pulling it back and snapping it forward making contact with Mark's eye. He grunted as he fell back and hit the ground, his hands over his eye. The small crowd of people began to slowly dissipate.

Turning back to Sam and John she helped them gather their things while they shut their lockers, "Let's get cleaned up," she said leading them to the boy's locker room. "I can't believe that guy," she fumed as they entered the large locker room. "I mean, how fucking into yourself can you be? He walks around like he owns the place and the only thing he owns is bad breath and an ego." She was pacing around while John and Sam changed around the corner. She threw her arms down by her side and growled, "I'm so mad, I just want to go back and beat the shit out of him." She brought her hand up to her face to place it on her forehead but saw the pink light emitting from it. She closed her hand her hand quickly and took a deep breath.

John was the first to come from around the corner his shirt still off, "Sam went to go dig through the lost and found," he said moving to the sink only stopping when he saw her hands, he shook his head. "Calm down before he gets back, Anna." He said in a hushed tone.

Anna took another deep breath, "I'm trying," she said quietly. Taking another deep breath she relaxed and the lights went out. She ran her fingers through her hair and moved to the bench in the room and sat down on it. "I might go home; this is going to bother me all day."

John turned the sink on and grabbed a paper towel, wetting it and wiping the paint from his face, "Keep in mind you aren't the one getting messed with, just don't get so worked up about it," he said looking at her through the mirror.

Anna nodded, he was right. Anna wasn't getting any of the crap they were getting but she just couldn't stand seeing it. She had never experienced feeling the way she did about another person. John and herself usually remained so low key that the things happening never happened to either of them but now John was directly in the cross fire and as for Sam, she just couldn't stop herself from trying to protect him.

"I raided the lost and found," Sam's voice came from around the corner and Anna turned her head in his direction, he was wearing a blue button up shirt now that was too big for him. He had a tan sweater in his hand with blue argyle on the chest, he tossed it John.

John unfolded it laughed in disbelief, "You've got to be kidding me?"

Sam laughed, "Well it was either that or the Hannah Montana sweater," he said turning the sink on and holding the picture in his hand under it, using his thumb to wipe the paint away. Sadness filled him seeing the ruined picture.

John looked down at the picture, "Who's that?" he asked looking at him.

"It's my dad, the real one," he said in a soft voice.

"Where was that taken?" John asked.

Sam was leaning against the counter when he turned the sink off, he sighed and turned around to lean back against the sink, as John was doing now, "Mexico, the Ukitane," he folded the picture, "We use to go there every year to look for evidence of ancient astronauts," his eyes flickered towards Anna who eyes were fixed on him. He felt his heart beat a little faster and he tore his eyes away from her.

"Ancient astronauts?" John inquired.

Anna stood from the bench and left without saying a word, she didn't want stick around any longer. Sam needed a good guy role model in his life and she would let him and John bond, as much as she wanted to stay and be with him. He was having a hard time and there had been nothing she could say to him that would make it better. She ran her fingers through her hair and left the school, heading home.

Anna was sprawled out on her bed music blaring in her ears as usual, she felt totally drained for no good reason. She stared up at the ceiling, no desire to move or feel anything. Why was he having such a strong effect on her? She didn't ask for it, but, maybe it was her own fault. She didn't have to stand up for him that first day and yet she did.

"Ouch I have lost myself again. Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found, yeah I think that I might break. I've lost myself again and I feel unsafe…" she sang to the slow tune of the song, tears falling from her eyes, "And breathe me…"

There was a knock on her door and she quickly wiped her eyes and sat up in her bed, "Come in," she said pulling her head phones out. The door creaked open and John stepped in closing it partially behind him. She smiled weakly, "Hey," she greeted as he plopped down on her bed.

He smiled knowingly at her, "Sam feels bad," he said playing with the old professional camera in his hands. "He told me about what he said to you and he feels bad about hurting your feelings, he wants to make it up to you." He said laying back on her bed, casually.

Anna's eyes brightened and a smile crept its way onto her face, "How?" she asked shifting on her bed, sitting down on her legs, facing him. She hadn't really been mad about what Sam said, she had been a little offended sure and a little hurt but not angry with him. She couldn't blame him for saying what he did.

John shrugged, "I can't quite remember what he said…" he said looking up as if really thinking about it, but he was smiling. Anna smacked his chest; "Tell me!" she demanded laughing.

He remained silent pretending to be really fascinated by the camera, she was about to throw a fit when her phone jiggled. She glared at John and grabbed her phone pulling it towards her, she frowned not recognizing the number and opened the text.

+13305551357:

Hey, Anna, it's Sam. I was wondering if maybe you would like to go to the fair tonight? Unless someone already asked you then, I understand... Just let me know if you're free :).

Anna's eyes lit up like flood lights and she jumped up from her spot on the bed and began bouncing up and down. "He asked me on a date!" She shouted jumping up and down on her bed. She jumped in the air and crossed her legs pulling the phone close to her face; she began to reply while she remained in the air.

Anna:

Yeah! I would love you go to the fair with you :D. What time do you want to meet?

Anna laughed at how fast she got a reply; he must have been waiting next to his phone,

Sam:

Okay, great :). We can meet at seven? Unless that's too early.

Anna:

No, that's great :). I'll see you there, Sam!

Sam:

Okay, see you :).

She squealed in excitement and kicked her legs in the air, leaning back and drifting around slowly through the room, "I'm so happy," she mused hugging her phone tight to her chest. She was practically radiating happiness, it was contagious, and John couldn't help but laugh. She sighed and floated back to her bed letting herself drop down on it, she looked over to John, "You're going too, right?"

He nodded, "Yeah, Sarah invited me," he said looking away from her and back at the camera. "So, we both have dates," he laughed.

Anna's smile faded at the mention of Sarah's name and she looked at John seriously, "Isn't she the reason you were getting messed with at school?" she asked tapping her fingers against her phone.

John sat up, "I'm not going to be bullied out of talking to her, they can pull their dumb pranks but that doesn't mean anything to me." He sighed, "She's who I want."

Anna nodded, "I know how you feel," she said touching his arm lightly, trying to comfort him. "I'll support you, John; I just don't want you to get hurt."

He smiled at her reassuring her, "They can't hurt me," he said standing from her bed. "I'm going to finish my homework and get ready; I'll walk with you to the fair." He said walking towards her door, "Try to be ready on time."

She raised her hand and pushed him out of the room, "Shut up!" She laughed and slammed her door in his face, she smiled, telekinesis was useful.

It wasn't long before 6:30 hit and Anna had spent the time between 4 and then to get ready. She showered, perfected her hair and her make-up and was listening to music until John came to get her. She stood in her full length body mirror checking how she looked one more time. Her white tank top was a few inches longer than her gray cardigan that went down to her hips, the white tank top only hanging out to the top of the zipper on her dark skinny jeans. White flats that were a bit shiny, she left the accessories to a minimum in case she went on any rides, she didn't want to lose anything, she only wore ivory colored flower stud earrings. Her hair was down in soft waves though she left it looking a little untidy for style, her make-up was crème and black, a pink kissed cheek and a neutral colored lip.

Glancing at her phone she saw it was 6:40 p.m. she sighed and turned her music off as she left her room. "John!" She called walking down the hall. He had told her to be on time and yet he was the one running late.

His door opened and he emerged wearing a gray hoodie and plain jeans, Anna frowned, "That's all you're wearing?" She asked making a face at him.

"What?" he laughed, "You make it sound like I'm naked," he walked past her down the hall and she followed, "its cold outside, I'm not trying to be fashionable I'm trying to be warm."

"Only boys think that way," she said following him down the stairs, "We'll have to hurry, I don't want to be late." He said opening the door and letting her out first. There was a breeze that made Anna shiver instantly, she regretted not wearing something warm and cute but she didn't have time to change. Glaring at John she walked down the front steps, "I hate when you're right." She said walking along the dirt path towards the woods.

He laughed, "You still have time to grab a coat," he said walking alongside her.

Anna shook her head, "No time, let's go," she said taking off as soon as they stepped foot in the woods and John didn't hesitate to follow. It was a strange feeling, it was as if they were running normally but their bodies were pushing them forward between each step. It was undeniable that they were fast, faster than any human.

Arriving at the fair in a record time of fifteen minutes instead of the thirty minute walk it usually was to get to town they walked through the entrance and began their search for their dates.

"I'm crazy nervous," Anna laughed trying to calm herself, "You're so sure of yourself, I wish I could have that right now." She said looking up at him. She normally wasn't the nervous type, but it was her first date, ever.

"Just don't think so much into it," he said with a smile, "All you're doing is hanging out with him, just like you would at school, or that night in the guitar shop." He could see her relax and he smiled, "And I'll be here so if you need to just find me and we can all hang out."

Anna smiled at him, he always knew what to say to her, and ever since they were kids he always knew how to get her to calm down. "I see Sarah," she said pointing by the octopus ride. She had her camera pointed up at the ride a smile on her lips that could be seen from where they were. John's face brightened when he saw her, "Have fun," she said as he waved to her and left to Sarah. She stood there a moment watching them greet each other, they looked so happy, she smiled and turned away to continue her search for Sam. She went through all the rides seeing if he was waiting by one but she didn't see him.

She was starting to think he changed his mind, hurt swayed its way into her heart and she sighed becoming hopeless. "Anna!" She perked up hearing her name and turned around her eyes landing on him, she smiled, "Sam," she spoke softly as happiness hit her. They walked towards each other, closing the distance. She laughed happily and lifted her arms when he was in reach and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'm so happy you came," she said gently. She was about to release him when she felt his arms snake around her torso and hold her close, she smiled.

"I'm happy too," he said quietly, "I thought you had changed your mind when I couldn't find you," he said slowly releasing her. She removed her arms from around his neck and shook her head, "I thought the same thing," she laughed.

Sam looked a little shocked, "I'd be crazy to show you up," he laughed, though he was serious. She was beautiful and a genuine breath of fresh air compared to the other girls in Paradise, he was beyond surprised that she was so interested in him. Plain, nerdy, and unpopular, she could have had anyone at the school and she chose to be interested in him.

Anna grabbed his hand and stepped beside him, "I could say the same," she smiled. "Now, I've never been here before, what's the biggest attraction?" She asked looking up at him, she could feel his fingers entwine with hers and it only made her smile bigger.

"That…" he pointed to the banner that hung between large piles of hay, it read, Haunted Hayride of Paradise. "Want to go on it?"

Anna smiled and as she was about to answer she saw two people climb and she wrinkled her nose seeing it was John and Sarah, "I have a better idea," she said pulling him behind one of the game booths. The ducked under the caution tape and moved towards the hayride.

"Where are we going?" Sam asked still holding tight to her hand.

"Let's be a part of the ride," she laughed excitedly only stopping to gauge his reaction. He contemplated for a moment trying to think if it was a good idea, he couldn't help but smile, "Alright," he agreed.

They followed the path of the ride for a while in a comfortable silence, they were still on the hay stack so they had time to wait and scare them.

"I have a question, Anna," Sam said suddenly, she could feel his hand squeeze hers. He looked down at her and stared in her bright eyes before speaking. She looked up at him, "What's the question?" she asked curiously.

"Why me?" His gaze shifted to the ground, "I'm sure you hear what they say at school, about me. I don't know who you see me as but…why?"

Anna scoffed lightly; she didn't understand why he couldn't see it for himself. Why he even had to ask the question was funny to her, "Because you're amazing," she said simply, "I like you just the way you are." She could have gone further but she didn't want to make the moment very mushy, "It's so sad to me that you don't see what I see, Sam, you've changed my world and you don't even know it." She shook her head as if disappointed, "You better be careful about the affect you have on people."

Sam shook his head and laughed, "Your contacts must be making you see wrong," he said quietly.

She laughed, "That must be it," she said playfully sarcastic. She looked out at the ride and saw them get off, "Hey," she pointed, "They're off, let's go," she said releasing his hand and running quietly towards them, Sam close behind her. They entered a tunnel and the quickly ran to the end of it while they were screaming on the inside. They stopped when they reached the end and waited.

"Wait, I can't see," Anna said seeing the tunnel curved at an angle. "We'll have to get closer," she said looking back at Sam. There was a sudden scream that caught them both off guard, the hairs on the back of Anna's neck stood up.

"Hey! Was that for real?" Sam called out.

Anna's heart beat faster and she ran from the woods and around the corner of the tunnel and saw a group of guys standing around and kicking something on the ground, she could hear Sarah screaming but she couldn't tear her eyes away from who they were kicking, John. Rage filled her and she clenched her fists turning to Sam, "Go get help!" She yelled pushing him to run.

"What about you?" He asked frantically.

"Don't worry about me, go! Go, please!" She cried out and he ran.

Turning back to John she threw her hands at her side and they lit up bright pink, in that same instant John's hand beamed a similar light, though brilliant and blue. He was off the ground in a second blasting all four guys away from him.

Anna ran over to John whose only instinct was to protect himself, the bodies got up and charged at them and they reacted. Anna moved to the side as a guy punched at her and grabbed his arm turning so quickly it was as if she hadn't moved and she tossed him into a tree.

John grabbed another guy and threw him a yard away and then knocked another into a tree, his body hitting every branch on his way down. The last guy Anna ran at jumping up and slamming her foot into his stomach using it as a launching point, kicking him in the face as she flipped through the air and landed.

"What happened?" She asked John still on high alert.

"We have to find Sarah," he said taking off running where another guy had snatched Sarah. Anna stayed close behind him the light from their hands leading their way.

"Sarah!" John called out desperately hoping she would reply, "Sarah!"

"John, look!" Anna called pointing to a dark figure rounding a tree. John sprinted for him and lifted him up against a tree, his lumen shinning into the night vision goggles.

"Where is she?" He yelled, his low voice booming through the woods.

"Ow man, what is that?" the guy yelled trying to pry his hand away.

John lit his other hand up and held it to the guys face, "Where is she?"

"It burns man!" he cried out, "She's at Shepherd Falls, now let go!"

John dropped him without a second thought and took off again, Anna following again. It didn't take them long to get to Sarah, they could hear her, "Sarah wait!" there was a small shuffle, "Stop it!" she yelled. They burst through the trees as Sarah fell to the ground, John was at her side in an instant, helping her to her feet, "You okay?" he asked checking for any physical signs of injury. She nodded quietly and he directed his attention to Mark.

He stepped away from Sarah and approached him, "Anna, go home," he said without even looking back at her, there was no hesitation between his command her footsteps becoming distant. Mark clenched his fist and punched at him but John grabbed his arm and flipped him over his back and yanked his right arm backwards making him cry out in pain.

"I hope you can throw with your left arm," John growled.

"No, John! Stop, stop!" Sarah yelled desperately.

John looked over to her and looked down at Mark, he let go of his arm and slowly got off of him. He scoffed in disgust and walked away quickly heading back into the woods. He could hear footsteps behind him, "John, John, wait," Sarah ran in front of him, putting her hands on his arms to stop him, "I just didn't want you to break his arm."

His mind was racing, how could he have done that? He wasn't supposed to be drawing attention to his self and he just took down a bunch of guys with ease. How could he have been so stupid? "It's not you it's me," he practically growled, "I shouldn't have lost it like that."

There was a small silence between them as they both calmed down, "Will you walk me home?"

Anna stopped running at the end of the hayride maze and stepped onto its path, she was breathing heavily but she stopped quickly, taking a few deep breaths to regain her composure. Adrenaline was still rushing through her and fear was slowly making its way into the mix. There was no doubt John's name would be brought up if any of those guys said something. But maybe they wouldn't? If John had been a normal human he would have gotten beat up and they wouldn't say anything about it, maybe because it back fired they would be too embarrassed to say anything?

Walking out of the maze she looked around at all the people and felt immediately exposed. She pulled her phone out and was about to make a phone call when a text message nearly stopped her heart. She took off running at human speed not caring what people were thinking. She felt her heart pounding so hard she thought it might burst. How could this have happened? They had been so… "No," she whispered out exiting the fair and sprinting down the street.

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