Chapter Two

I stare at my schedule blankly, still not fully contemplating the fact that I'm back in high school. God, I joined the hunters to stay out of all of this. The cliques, the drama, the big dreams getting crushed, and the attractive get everything they want, while the average suffer: I never wanted this.

"Hey new girl" An arrogant voice says, drawls, leaning against the locker beside mine, as I struggle to open this stupid combo lock. I finally kick the metal door with my sneaker, hoping that will help.

"Hey," I mutter, finally getting the stupid lock to work. I finally look up at the overtly friendly labradoodle standing beside me. He's talking to me, I'm sure, but I can't hear him. Instead I spot two guys walking down the hallway. They high-five jovially and laugh before continuing and dividing. My eyes lock on the taller of the two, with long blonde hair, and blue eyes. He has broad shoulders and is way taller than me. I recognize him immediately, Zach. The bane of my existence, the cause of the ache in my heart, the catalyst in my joining the hunters, is standing twenty feet from me and hasn't noticed. My heart stops and I instantly fall into a flash back, relieving the worst few moments of my immortal life.

…

His hands are hot and searing on my bare back. He runs his fingers up and down my spine, sending sparks and goose bumps traveling along my skin. Skimming his lips over my neck, he tries to drive me insane and I can't help but moan quietly. Only he can do this to me, only he can drive me this crazy. He pulls me flush against his chest and I dig my nails into his shoulders. His mouth skims my sensitive skin at my throat and jaw, slowly making his way back to my lips.

"Oh Zach…" I pant right before he kisses me. His lips press firmly against mine, passion and fire spreading through me. I lean back and looked him in the eyes. My heart jumps and I know I'm finally going to say it. "I'm falling in love with you." I confess. Zach froze, and looked down, avoiding my eyes. My stomach lurches nauseatingly.

"You don't have to say it back," I assure him, tears pricking my eyes. I thought, I thought… He gently guides me out of his lap, and slips his hands out of the back of my shirt. I blink, my heart aching as it tears in half. I always thought that was dramatic, a breaking heart, but now I know just how true it is.

"Jane, I really do care about you," He promises and the first tears slide out, guessing his next words. "It was stupid, a huge mistake, but I cheated on you. I hooked up with Madison at a party last week." He admits and all traces of hope disappear in puff of smoke. I shake my head and scramble even farther away from him. I'm revolted just looking at him; I'll never look at him the same way ever again. He can't take this back.

"No… No!" I shriek flying out of the back of his car. He scrambles out after me, reaching for me and begging for forgiveness. I shake my head, horrified. We had been together for almost two years. We were planning on going to the same college, we were supposed to live happily ever after as the golden couple. I take off, running down the street towards home. Stumbling I kick off my heels and pick them up. Tires squeal on the wet asphalt as Zach pulls his car up beside me.

"Don't be stupid Jane, let me drive you home." He orders. Feigning deaf, I continue down the street, refusing to look at him. "You're going to get sick in the cold."He reminds me and I lose it.

"DO YOU REALLY THINK I CARE RIGHT NOW?" I shriek, indignant in my fury. Zach flinches, hurt by my harsh words.

"I'm so sorry, I screwed up. c'mon, let's talk about this." He pleads and opens his passenger door for me. I almost want to slide in beside him, to let it go and get my happily ever after. A tear slides down my cheek and I lock eyes with him. The pain fades for a split second and indignation takes it place. Shaking my head, I bite my trembling lip before answering.

"Go to hell Zach." I snarl through my teeth, my eyes narrowing. Zach shakes his head and refuses to leave me alone. The whole three miles home, he's right behind me; quiet except for the occasional plea for me to get in the car or to talk. The only response I give is when I slam the door, to my tiny cottage, behind me: tears streaming down my face non-stop.

…

In a panic, I search the walls around me, there's no way I could've been that obtuse. My eyes finally land on the painted letters on the wall in front of me "Welcome to Paxton High." Paxton, Colorado, the very town that Zach moved to shortly after our break up. OF ALL THE ROTTEN LUCK!

"You okay?" The guy beside me asks. The look in his eyes suggests he's speaking to a complete and total lunatic. He probably guessed right too. At this point, I'm completely and totally crazy.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Tell me, what's that guy's name?" I ask, just checking, who knows he could be Zach's awesome identical twin brother, who Zach doesn't know about, and never met because he moved out of Paxton after ten minutes of being here.

"Which one, Zach or Marcus?" labradoodle-boy asks. I pinch the bridge of my nose in exasperation.

"Never mind." I sigh. This is going to go so epically wrong.

…

Walking into my Honors Math class, I can't help the sense of dread the pools in my stomach. It's not just because I can't stand math either. My suspicions appear precisely right, too. The moment I stumble into the classroom, I spot Zach's friend from earlier, Marcus. In contrast to Zach, Marcus is lean muscled, a bit shorter, with dark hair and eyes. He grins and winks at me as I walk by, but I'm careful to keep my expression stoney. I take a seat in the very back of class, determined to just get through this whole twisted mission and go back to the Hunters.