Forbidden dawn

Chapter 2

Sunlight, pale and filtered, peeked through the floral curtains, rousing me from a restless sleep. The events of the previous night played on repeat in my mind – the terrifying scream, the forbidden door, and Claire's veiled explanations. I tossed in bed for a while longer, the unanswered questions gnawing at me like a persistent itch.

A soft rap on the door startled me. "Eloise? Are you awake?" called Claire's voice.

"Yeah, come in," I mumbled, throwing the covers back.

Claire entered, a gentle smile on her face. She carried a steaming mug and a plate piled high with pancakes. "Good morning, sleepyhead," she said, placing the breakfast on my bedside table. "You have a big day ahead. Your first day at Ridgewood College."

I nodded, taking a grateful sip of the warm tea. "Is everything alright with Adrian?" I asked cautiously.

Claire's smile faltered slightly. "He's fine," she said a bit too quickly. "He… understood that it's best if you don't see him right now."

There was it again, that unspoken truth lurking just beneath the surface. But I decided to let it go for now. Today was about school, a chance to find some normalcy in this bizarre new world.

After breakfast, I showered and dressed, choosing a pair of jeans and a comfortable sweater. Dressed and ready, I emerged from my room to find Claire waiting outside.

"Adrian's waiting for you with the car," she said, her voice strained.

A jolt of surprise ran through me. I hadn't expected Adrian to be involved in taking me to school.

We walked outside, the crisp morning air biting at my cheeks. Claire stopped by a sleek black car parked in the driveway. However, it wasn't Dad behind the wheel. Instead, a figure I didn't recognize sat perfectly still, bathed in the shadows of the car's interior.

"Adrian?" Claire called out hesitantly.

The figure shifted, turning on the dome light. As he did, my breath hitched in my throat. A gasp escaped my lips before I could clamp them shut.

He was undeniably handsome. Even in the dim light, his features were striking. Pale skin, seemingly flawless, stretched over high cheekbones. His eyes, the most captivating feature, were an unusual shade of amethyst, mirroring the pendant Claire had given me. But it wasn't just his looks that took my breath away. There was an aura about him, an air of quiet intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Get in the back," he said, his voice low and cool, devoid of warmth.

His words snapped me out of my stunned silence. Embarrassment burned in my cheeks as I realized how blatantly I must have been staring. Mumbling an apology, I hurried around the car and climbed into the backseat.

The interior was spacious and luxurious, the leather seats cool against my skin. Adrian remained silent, focused on the road ahead. I stole another glance at him, trying to process what I was seeing. He moved with an unnatural grace, his hands on the steering wheel seemingly delicate yet strong.

"Stop staring," he said curtly, as if reading my mind.

My cheeks burned even hotter. This guy was not only breathtakingly beautiful, but incredibly rude too! Annoyance replaced my earlier awe. How dare he speak to me like that? I opened my mouth to retort, then thought better of it.

"New to town?" he asked, his voice devoid of curiosity.

"Yeah," I mumbled, crossing my arms defensively.

Silence settled back into the car, punctuated only by the rhythmic hum of the engine. The minutes ticked by, an awkward tension hanging heavy in the air. I stole another glance at Adrian, determined not to let him intimidate me.

This was my first encounter with my mysterious half-brother, and while he may have looked like a sculpted god, his personality left much to be desired. But beneath the cool exterior, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of something else. A weariness, a sadness that shadowed his amethyst eyes.

There was more to him than just a pretty face, I was sure of it. And I was determined to find out what.

The sleek car screeched to a halt in front of a sprawling brick building adorned with ivy. "Ridgewood College," Adrian announced, his voice devoid of warmth.

I scrambled out, slamming the car door a little harder than necessary. "Thanks… a lot," I muttered sarcastically, shooting him a glare. He didn't even bother to look back, simply speeding away without another word. Great. My charming brother just dropped me off in the middle of a new school, leaving me to fend for myself.

A wave of anxiety washed over me. I clutched my backpack strap, feeling utterly lost in the sea of unfamiliar faces bustling around the entrance. Where was the office? Where was my first class? Adrian's callous behavior had left me feeling completely unprepared.

Mumbling curses under my breath, I wandered through the hallways, the school map clutched uselessly in my hand. Each turn felt the same, leading me deeper into a labyrinth of corridors.

"Lost, are we?"

A voice, smooth as velvet, cut through my worry. I spun around to find myself face-to-face with none other than Mr. Stunningly Rude himself, Adrian.

"No," I lied, puffing out my chest in a feeble attempt at defiance. "Just admiring the… architecture."

He raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his amethyst eyes. "Right," he drawled. "Well, admire another hallway, because you're going the wrong way."

He turned to walk away, but I grabbed his arm before he could disappear again. "Fine," I huffed, "since you seem to be the only one with a brain around here, show me where my locker is."

He stared at my hand on his arm for a beat longer than necessary before finally sighing. "Fine," he conceded.

Following him felt oddly like following a predator. His movements were fluid, silent, and he moved through the crowd like a ghost. Soon, we stopped at a row of lockers, his hand gesturing towards a random number.

"This yours?"

I checked the number on the schedule, disappointment washing over me. "Nope. Wrong one."

He smirked, a small flash of amusement that sent shivers down my spine. "Looks like you need more than just a guide to the locker."

He led me through more hallways, finally stopping at my locker. I mumbled a thank you, more out of obligation than gratitude. He simply nodded and started walking away, leaving me staring after him.

"Wait!" I called out. He stopped, turning back with a question raised in his eyebrow.

"Where's Ms. Thompson's Biology class?"

He studied me for a moment, then pointed down a hallway. "Second floor, room 207. But don't expect me to save you next time." He winked, a gesture that seemed out of place on his serious face, then disappeared around a corner.

I followed his directions, navigating the staircase with growing confidence. Reaching the second floor, I located room 207 and pushed open the door.

The class was already in session, Ms. Thompson speaking about… wait a minute. My eyes widened in disbelief as they landed on the figure leaning against the counter at the back of the room.

There he was, Adrian, his posture relaxed, a bored expression on his face. But it was what Ms. Thompson was saying that sent a jolt through me.

"Welcome, class, and please welcome our new student, Eloise Stone"