It was just passed midnight. There was a storm going outside and the lightening had woken Ashlyn up. She had eased out of his arms, careful not to wake him up and started watching the rain from the window. An hour later the storm was still going strong and she heard Caleb still. "What are you doing up," a voice, heavy with sleep, asked from beneath the covers.

"I couldn't sleep," she admitted, "so I started watching the rain. There's a storm out." She heard him get up and walk over to her. A tan, muscular arm wrapped around her waist and she felt herself being pulled up against a warm body into a hug.

"What's wrong," Caleb asked after a few minuets of silence.

"What if they don't let me keep my powers," she whispered. "What if I'm no long a part of the covenant?"

"Hey," he said turning her to face him, "You will always be a part of the covenant; with or without powers."

"I just wish I knew what they were planning already," she sighed.

"Everything will turn out fine. I'm not going to let anything happen to you," he promised.

`*`~~`*`~~`*`~~`*`

"Caleb," a voice called out. Caleb felt someone shaking him and then it stopped all of the sudden. Suddenly, he was soaked in ice cold water.

Caleb let out a yell and grabbed Ashlyn, pinning her to the bed. "What was that," he growled.

"Your wake up call," she laughed.

"Oh you think this is funny, do you?"

"Very," she said, trying to rein in her laughter. Ashlyn shrieked as Caleb swung her over his shoulders and took her inside their bathroom. Setting her down, he turned on the shower to the coldest setting and stepped in; holding her captive.

"Caleb," she screamed. Caleb laughed and reached for the shower adjustments. He turned the knob so that the water was warm but not scalding hot. They finished their shower in peace and were soon headed out the door, back towards Ipswich.

"So when should we tell everyone," Caleb asked, keeping his eyes on the road ahead.

"Ummm…," she began nervously.

"Ash, we're going to have to tell them eventually," he laughed.

"No, no we don't," she pouted cutely. "Let's just elope."

"We'll talk," Caleb compromised. Caleb pulled up into the school parking lot and both of them got out of the car.

The day went by uneventful as ever until the end of fourth period. Reid was dozing off as usual. Pogue and Kate were writing little notes to each other and Tyler was diligently taking down notes that Reid would need to copy later. There was a knock on the classroom door and a boy walked in.

"Yes," Professor Adams asked.

"Ummm, I'm sorry for the interruption but I'm a new student," he explained, handing him a note.

"Ah, I see," the professor smiled at him. "Welcome to Spencer," he looked down at the note, "Hale."

"Thank you, sir."

"You may take a seat next to Ms. Simms up there. She's the first in the second row up."

The new student was tall, just short of Caleb's height; with dirt blond ear that reached just passed his ears. His eyes were hazel.

Ashlyn have him a small smile when he sat next to her. "Hi, I'm Ashlyn."

"James, James Hale," he said, returning her smile.

"So how do you like Spencer so far," she asked for the sake of politeness.

"Amazing, I've never seen a school like this. I've been home-schooled most of my life," he explained. "We moved here from New York." Just then the bell rang and students started filling out of room for lunch.

Ashlyn packed up her things and threw her bag over her shoulder. "Well, I guess I'll see you around."

"Yeah, later," he smiled.

Ashlyn walked over to the door where Caleb was patiently waiting for her. "You ready," he asked.

"Yeah, let's go," she answered, taking his hand in hers.

Short chapter, I

know…forgive me. The

next chapter will be longer but

I can't go on with the plot until I get more

votes on my poll. So please review and

Go onto my profile

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Xoxo

Kris