CHAPTER TWO

The sun shone bright, slowly rising in the bright blue sky. Waiting outside of the small building they knew as home, Dana and Ivy gripped their school bags. Though Ivy was looking forward to seeing everyone again, she didn't like the prospect of stress and sister-problems. Dana, however, was thrilled to be starting a new year at Borderline Secondary. All in all, there were mixed feelings at starting their fourth year at the school. In less than a few minutes, the bus was rolling lazily towards them, bringing a variation of teenagers with it.

Her heart in her throat, Ivy clambered into the bus. Almost at once she was called to the back by Finn, who waited with a mischievous grin on his face. She knew that look and forced a smile. "More pranks this year, I guess?" Ivy murmured as she settled in between Finn and the boy she knew to be Lionel Carter. Lionel looked to the side and smiled politely - he was a year above her.

Seated with them was Dana, two other girls, Ben and another boy. The boy, Ivy knew him as soon as she set her cobalt eyes on him. He was Tyler Clavern, son of Talia and Rowan Clavern. Ivy inwardly winced. There had been several times the year before when she'd gotten into arguments with him over her sister. She hated the way that he seemed to be using Dana.

One of the girls, with smoky brown hair, spoke up. "Are you guys excited for the new year? I know that I am." She paused, taking in a couple of puzzled faces. "My name's Cinder. Sorry for not introducing you new kids sooner."

"We're not new." Finn rolled his eyes. "I know you. It's only Ivy and Dana that don't."

The other girl had mouse brown hair pulled into a high ponytail, and violet-blue eyes. Her lips, painted a pale pink, were pressed together into a straight line, eyes narrowed slightly. "I've never heard of a Dana or Ivy."

"Don't be so rude!" Cinder's eyes widened. "Maybe they're just not into the whole family-history thing as much as you are! Gosh, give the girls a break!"

"Well, sorry, High-and-Mighty Cinder!" The girl sneered. "Are you suddenly the boss of me? 'Cause as far as I know, I still control my body, my mind and my freaking motives!"

Lionel frowned and looked between Cinder and the girl. "Don't start fighting, please. Heather, cool it. Cinder, you're going to fall over if you keep standing. Sorry, Dana and Ivy."

"It's fine." They both said at the same time and flashed each other smiles.

The bus began to slow and finally stopped. Ivy wildly looked out of the window. They were here already! They stood and filed off the bus, chatter filling the air like wildfire. Finn slowly looked around from his place beside Ivy. "Well." He threw his hands up and into the air. "Welcome to the new school year, I guess."

Jace Carter was blind. Not only-slightly blind. No, proper blind, as in, can't-see-a-dang-thing blind. And it sucked. A lot. But like most people that are born blind, he managed to live with it. The only (one of the only) things that he found troublesome was school. Of course, he couldn't participate in most subjects, so he was in a special class, lead by his Aunt Leah. It wasn't the greatest thing, but he survived. He always did.

Except, this morning, was one of the worst. Lionel was up and heading out to the bus, but Jace and Holly stayed back. Well, it used to be him and Holly. Holly had always refused to go on the bus, preferring to help Jace. She had been a straight-A student. Had, she had. Just months before, a few weeks after the Falleh Accident, Holly had run away. She hadn't been found since.

Hence the reason that Jace found mornings so stressful. Holly had always been the one to wake him and guide him down the stairs (which he was having much difficulty with now), but now that she was gone, he had to rely on his parents to help him. But it wasn't that easy. Brendon Carter, their father, always seemed to be busy. He worked full-time at the Police station and occasionally gave speeches in the local school. Meanwhile, Scarlet Heavern, their mother, worked full-time at the school.

That morning proved to be one of his worst mornings. Brendon had scrambled to work, late, and Scarlet was supposed to be at the school ten minutes before. They were running incredibly late. And if that wasn't bad enough, Jace had lost his camera. It was private and personal. And very, very precious to him. It had disappeared - just like that.

He used it to record his voice, a vocal diary, since he couldn't write. Now that it was gone, all of the recordings he had produced since his thirteenth birthday were gone. Disappeared. And he had to venture through a full school day without being able to know that it was safe in his Dream Box.

Lost. That was what it was.

Thanks so much for reading! I really hoped you enjoyed this latest chapter. If you did, please R&R for quick updates and to urge me to write more! Constructive criticism is always welcome over here.

Characters in this Chapter:

Dana Falleh ~ Dovewing

Ivelynn 'Ivy' Falleh ~ Ivypool

Finn Pevlone ~ Foxleap

Tyler Clavern ~ Tigerheart

Cinder Florence ~ Cinderheart

Lionel Carter ~ Lionblaze

Holly Carter ~ Hollyleaf

Jace Carter ~ Jayfeather

Brendon Carter ~ Brambleclaw

Scarlet Heavern ~ Squirrelflight

Heather Taylor ~ Heathertail

Wow, that's a lot of characters mentioned and included in this chapter. Gee. Anyway, I've got a question to ask. What pairings do you guys want? I'm not going to spoil what I am or aren't going to include, but I'd like to know what you guys like. Yeah.

(Ps. Jace/Jayfeather's camera will be important for future chapters. Keep it in your noggins)

Thanks and kisses,

Natty xxx