Lyla's breath caught as she beheld the magnificent sight. Right before her very own eyes, he vanished. She turned around and saw him outside the doors, standing there. Now she knew what he meant; the secret that she needed to know. There was someone else out there like her. A sudden craving burst from within her; a thirst for knowledge.

She slid under the double doors and beside him. She watched as his eyes followed her—she would have to get used to that.

"Now I see what you mean," she said.

"Yes, and now, will you please stay for a while and promise not to run off?"

The shadow breathed in, held it, and then said, "No."

"What?! Aren't you curious??"

"Yes, but I have a better idea than to discuss our secrets in front of a power plant where someone has been at work to make sure there is no power tonight."

"Too true…do you have any ideas where we may 'discuss'?"

"Well, how about our school? Meet me on the steps in front."

"I'll see you when you get there"

That was all that was spoken before the shadow zipped off and the boy got to work creating a mental image.

But a few seconds and many miles later, the two teenagers began their conversation.

Michael started off, "Since I know who you are already, why don't you show me your human form?"

"Soon. But first, I need to know a little information.

"What now?"

"First off, what is your name?"

"Michael Abel."

"That's nice; it's got a sort of catchy ring to it…eh, not really."

"I know. Now what about you?"

"At school, you may call me Lyla. Lyla Soring."

"Are you joking me? Do you realize that the meaning of that name is 'Night Beauty'?"

"Really? That's very interesting…"

"All right, now will you please allow me to look into your eyes and read your expression? Your being almost impossible to see is quite unnerving."

No sooner had Michael spoken those words then Lyla began her transformation.

Michael stared, gaping, at the sight before him. The shadow rose up, and then expanded to fit the shape of Lyla. There he caught his first true glimpse at her.

She had deep mahogany hair, with a touch of maroon. It went below than her shoulders, and it was wavy. It seemed as if it belonged to a model. Her eyes had a dark core fading out to a deep blue, making it seem as if it were connected to the pupil. Her lips were a bright pink.

She was an average height, and she was pretty slender. She wore loose, silky, black pants with a white shirt. Over it she wore a light white jacket. She had on black sandals.

Michael was speechless; he wondered how she wasn't loved by everybody.

"Liking your first look?" Lyla's words brought him back to the present.

"Just—wow. It doesn't seem to…fit you."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll answer your question with a question of my own. Why do you choose to sit in the corner?"

"Well, first, I don't talk much. Second, I tend to freak people out in bright sunlight. Think about it. The sun and shadows don't really mix."

"Hm…you'll have to show me that sometime. You're making me curious."

"Whoever said you'd be around 'sometime'?"

Michael's eyes widened, and then narrowed.

"I'm just kidding!" and with that, Lyla let out a laugh that sounded like an alto and a soprano mixing together in perfect harmony. Michael just sighed and rolled his eyes, but a smiled played at his lips.

"So, what were you doing at the power plant?"

"Well, I was the one who stopped a power outage."

"That's what I was there for! But then I got there and it was fine."

"Yeah, so then I was leaving and…"

"I saw you somehow."

"Which reminds me; how did you see me?"

"I don't know…I think it's something with my eyes."

"Have you looked in a mirror lately?" Lyla muttered under her breath. Michael continued.

"You see, if I focus on something for too long, or too hard, then suddenly I find myself standing there. I just have to visualize what it will look like when I arrive there."

"Well maybe your eyes are special, so when you 'visualize' places, you go there."

"Perhaps…"

"You know, your eyes are pretty special. Have you seen them?"

"Well, not really…I just know that they look different and tend to freak people out."

"So that would explain the lunchroom! But next time you pass a mirror, look at it. Seriously, you'll be surprised at what you see."

"Okay. Speaking of school: what about our relationship?"

She released a quick gasp.

"Our public relationship, I mean."

"Oh, of course! Well, what do you mean by that?"

"Like do we want anyone to know we even know each other?"

"Oh, well, it might ruin my reputation if I have a friend, and I'm not sure I would even want to know you."

Michael's eyebrows furled.

"I'm just kidding! Gosh, what's up with you, kid?"

"It's a long story."

"I've got time."

"Well, I don't. My—mother will be worried if I'm not back soon."

Lyla glared at him. "I see through your little lie. But I'll let it pass—for now."

"So where will we meet, then? Since we can't be seen together at school…"

"Picture this: a cozy white house with a brick porch. Short, green grass with a garden below the porch. It's one story with a basement. The number on it is 1764. And finally, it's not what it seems."

OoOoOoO

Sorry, guys. I've been waiting for my beta to get back to me, but I haven't heard from her in a while. So, I decided to just continue on and post the next chapter. Tell me what you think of it and I'll post the next chapter!