Chapter 1
I have a fear of the dark, right from childhood which may seem silly to some.
Despite turning 17 and not a little kid anymore, I still find myself scared when surrounded by darkness. Standing at an average height of 6'6, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a sprinkle of freckles across my face, I might appear confident and composed during the day. But don't let it be night time. Whether it's my imagination or not, I have been seeing green eyes in the dark since I was a kid. It freaked me out enough to sleep with a night light until this day.
I'm Elyssa. My mom said she was going to name me Mara, but fortunately turned out to be my middle name, and Sean turned out to be my last name.
"Ely, Mom said to come downstairs this instant, or she'll come up here and pour ice cold water down your back," my little younger brother, Andrew but we call him Andy giving him a Nick- name, came into my room and jumped up and down on my bed. Bright, our german shepard came in and hopped onto the bed next to me.
"Okay, okay!" I hit Andy in the butt with a pillow. He giggled and ran out the room.
I ran a hand through my long hair, making it tousled. Shaking my head, I went downstairs with my pajamas, yawning and stretching on my way down.
"Hey, Nala!" My dad gave me a warm big hug, shaking me, trying to wake me up. My dad calls me Nala because he says I yawn like a big wolf or a lioness.
"Hi, dad." I gave him a big squeeze. Then a delicious smell hit my nose. "Mom's making pancake?"
"Yeah, she is. You'd better hurry and go eat them before Andy does finish everything. He's the one who woke us up for Mom to make them, " he said. I could tell he was serious. I tip-toed Into the kitchen, peeked behind the corner, and looked around; Mom had her back turned to me and Andy was sitting at the table, eating his first batch of pancakes and giving some of them to Bright. Andy saw me and his eyes went wide. I put my finger to my lips.
I tip-toed over behind Mom, ready to pounce on her. I got her now, I thought.
"Ely, can you please stop trying to sneak up on me? " She turned around, and her matching blue eyes narrowed at me.
"Dammit!' How does she do that? I swear, it's like she has a sixth sense!
She rolled her eyes, "Now, hurry up and finish your breakfast. It's Saturday, don't you want to hang out with Clara?"
"Of course I do," I said, fixing myself a plate of pancakes.
"Andy, can you pass me the syrup?"
He tried to be cool and slide the bottle to me, but it went lopsided, and it almost flung off the table.
Luckily for my fast reflexes, I caught it before it hit the ground.
My mom gave me the look like she always does when there's something she's not telling me. I sighed and poured the syrup on my pancakes.
"Mommy, can we go to the park?" Andy asked once we were done eating.
"Sure. Maybe the Ice Cream Man will be there," she smiled.
"Yay!" Andy jumped around.
"Do you want to come with us, Ely?"
She turned to me.
"Sure. Mind if Clara comes, too?"
"Of course. She's always welcome."
I smiled and went upstairs to my room. I took a quick shower, wrapped a towel around me, and went to find something to wear.
I looked through my closet and pick up a White ruffled shirt and black jean. When I went to look for my shoes, I only found one black flat. I grunted, knowing where the other one was.
I stomped to Bright's bed where he lay guarding it. "Bright, how many times have I told you not to steal my shoes?" I said. He whined, gave me my ballet flat and whined again. I smiled at him and ruffled his head. His tail starts wagging again. I couldn't be mad at him. I put on my flat, and grabbed my cell phone, texting Clara.
"Mommy, can we go to the park?" Andy asked once we were done eating.
"Sure. Maybe the Ice Cream Man will be there," she smiled.
"Yay!" Andy jumped around.
"Do you want to come with us, Ely?"
She turned to me.
"Sure. Mind if Clara comes, too?"
"Of course. She's always welcome."
I smiled and went upstairs to my room. I took a quick shower, wrapped a towel around me, and went to find something to wear.
I looked through my closet and pick up a White ruffled shirt and black jean. When I went to look for my shoes, I only found one black flat. I grunted, knowing where the other one was.
I stomped to Bright's bed where he lay guarding it. "Bright, how many times have I told you not to steal my shoes?" I said. He whined, and gave me my ballet flat and whined again. I smiled at him and ruffled his head. His tail starts wagging again. I couldn't be mad at him. I put on my flat, and grabbed my cell phone, texting Clara.
[Hey, wanna hang with me and my family at the park?]
A little while later, she texts back: [Sure I'll be over in a few minutes.]
Clara kept her promise, and in a few minutes later, I had a weird feeling that she was walking to the door-step this minute. I walked to the door, and there she was.
"Hey!" She greeted me.
"Hi!" I greeted her back.
We were at the park now, which was a few miles away from my home. Clara and I were sitting at the swings, talking and laughing.
When I felt a strange feeling of someone watching me. I turned my head to look in that direction and squinted my eyes, looking into the dark woods. I see the bright green eyes, looking at me, once again.
"Elyssa?" Clara shook my shoulder.
"Sorry, Clara. what did you say?"
"Forget about what I said, are you alright? If you don't feel comfortable by the woods, we could move."
"See, this is why we are best of friends. If we're talking, and one of us weren't listening because of something else, we don't move back into that conversation, we get curious and check what's wrong with each other, that's what best friends do.
"I'm alright. It's just - do you see anything in the woods?" I pointed.
"No, not really. Are you sure you're alright?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm good."
She nodded, but I could tell she wasn't convinced.
When the day breaks down, Clara got a call from her mom, saying she had to come home right away.
So I let her go, saying, we'll see tomorrow.
I tucked Andy into bed, and said a goodnight sleep to my parents.
I went to my room and thought about something. I dragged Bright's bed into my room anyways. Bright could sleep with me tonight.
I feel safer already. I changed into my pajamas. Plugged in my little lamp, and crawled into bed with Bright staying next to me.
I closed my eyes, but I wasn't exhausted at all, I tossed and turned, but I just couldn't fall asleep. Then, somewhere in the forest, there was a howl. I sat up, looking around.
Wait, a howl? Like a wolf?
I never knew there were wolves in Wisconsin. Bright started to growl.
"Bright?"
He kept growling. Then he howled too. "Shh!"
He howled one last time and stopped. There was another howl, and it sounded like, 'Elyssa.'
Like it just whispered my name.
You know what? I'm losing my mind. No wolf would howl my name. I rolled my eyes and flopped back onto my pillow.
It's sunset already, I had to get ready for school, which I absolutely did not want to do. I just wanted to stay in bed all day long and relax my body.
"Ely, I know what you're thinking, but you have to go to school. I'm watching you, making sure you get ready." My mom walked at the doorway and threw something at me. I caught it, reflexively, and smiled.
It was my phone. I forgot about it yesterday I guess. Truth - is I didn't even realize it was gone.
I groggily got up and make my way to the bathroom, taking a quick shower, then choosing an outfits to wear. I put on a plaid shirt and blue jeans, and thankfully, Bright, didn't steal my shoes today. I put my hair down, curling it, and leaving my bangs on the front.
When I was done with everything that I was suppose to do, like get ready and eat and all, there was a honk outside.
"That's Peter. See you later Mom! Bye Dad!" I yelled, grabbed my stuffs, and left. When I got in Peter's truck, he embraced me with a tight hug. "Hey, gorgeous."
"Hey, buddy," I said.
"What'cha been up to lately?"
He asked once he let go of me.
"Nothing, I went to the park and hung out with Clara." And saw those green eyes in the dark, again.
We reached the school and got out of his truck, walking towards the double doors.
He started to look me up and down, and his eyebrow raised.
"What?" I furrowed my eyebrows as he gave me a strange look.
"Have you grown in the past two days?"
"No," I was taken back a little. I don't think I did.
"I think you have! On Friday, you went to my chin. Now," he measured me. "You go to my eyes! I can't see the top of your head anymore!"
"You were calling me short?" I challenged.
He snorted. " Hell, no! You're taller than most girls here! 7'10?
Well,you are probably like 7 feet now!"
"Whatever!" I punched him.
"Ow! Have you gotten stronger, too?"
I rolled my eyes, and we split up, going to our classes. My first class was with Clara, so I wasn't surprised when there was a loud outburst, "Elyssa!"
"Miss Love, please," our teacher said. Clara apologized, and I moved to my seat. Did I mention I was the only student without a partner in this class? Ms. Browny says there were not enough student in this class, so she put me by myself. Why me? I asked her, but she says that I'm a trouble-maker. I laughed. Me? A trouble-maker? Whatever!
"Seems like someone won't be alone anymore," Ms. Browny said.
What does she mean by that? "We have a new student class. Come in, darling," she gestured.
Clara and I glanced at each other, waiting to see the new kid. When the student came in, my mouth dropped. I'm sure a thousand files would fly in my mouth now.
The first thing that popped into my mind was that he was best-looking guy in this school possibly. I could tell he was very built, even with his leather jacket he had on. He was lightly tanned with dark brown hair - that looked very soft and shiny from where I'm sitting - and his eyes......
I gasped. His eyes were staring right directly towards me, but that's not the reason I gasped. He is hot too, but that's also not the reason why I gasped. His eyes were green - the green eyes I always see in the dark. He had those eyes! He was still looking at me. I quickly looked away, but then I couldn't control myself, so I looked back at him again to see him still looking at me! I'm pretty sure I was blushing right now.
"What's your name, darling?"
Ms. Browny asked.
"The name's Loren Lexington."
I swear, when he spoke, I heard
the girls in this class sigh, and I
saw some flutter their eyelashes,
even my friend Clara. To tell you the truth, I think I sighed a little, too.
Then, to make matters worse,
Ms. Browny sat him right next to me. Oh, so that's What she meant about how I wouldn't be a problem anymore.
When he sat next to me, I tried not to look at him or start drooling. I could feel the heat coming from his body. I mean, it's Spring, and he's the only one
who's insanely warm.
I took a glance at Clara who was looking at me with wide eyes. She mouthed to me, Talk to him!" I shook my head. Do something!' she mouthed again. I widened my eyes when Loren side-way glanced at me, and I smiled. "Hi."
When he didn't say anything, I
felt a little self conscious about myself.
I looked back at Clara who shrugged her shoulders. I know
what she was thinking - maybe he's not that interested.
"Hi, Elyssa."
I realized the voice came from
Loren, and I starred at him.
"How did you get to know my
name?"
"It's on your paper," he smirked pointing towards my paper.
I mentally slapped myself. "It's okay, it happens all the time."
I got totally confused about
what he was talking about.
"What?"
"You're speechless. You think I'm so hot, and you can't make up what to say to me. I don't do conversations," he shook his head.
I wanted to say, "Well, too bad
because you're having one right
now!" Instead, I said, "I don't know what you're talking about.
You're crazy."
That was the dumbest thing
I've ever said!
He turned towards me and starred at me with those green, gleaming eyes. "So you don't think I'm hot?" he smirked, and my cheeks burned. I was blushing. "From your blush, I can tell you do think I'm hot," he smiled. His smile was drop-dead gorgeous.
"I, um, well... I-" I was
stuttering! Oh my God! I'm
making a fool of myself! Loren
laughed, shook his head, and
turned to the desk still smiling.
God, he's self-important,
incredibly hot, insufferable-
The loud shriek of the bell
interrupted my thoughts, and
for that, I was happy to get away
from Loren. I rolled my eyes
when I got next to Clara who was
smiling like a dork.
"I saw you talking to him," she
nudged me.
"It was horrible. He's horrible!"
I said.
"He can't be that bad."
"No, he's not. He's just
so...smirky."
"Smirky? Is that a word?" she
laughed.
"No, I just couldn't find a word
to come up with," I shrugged.
"Hot, sexy, bad-boy,
delicious...basically just hot," she
smiled.
I rolled my eyes and smiled.
We were off to our next class.
Clara wasn't in my class, but I had
a weird feeling I knew who was.
"Loren, looks like you're in
this class," Ms. Webb guided
him to the back which was two
seats from me. We worked by
ourselves in this class. Ms. Webb
is strict. We don't even do group
or partner work.
From the corner of my eye, I
see a blonde pull her tight shirt
down, making sure to show all of
her cleavage. When Loren walked by, she flipped her hair back from her chest to show everything she had. I rolled my eyes, disgusted by her
When I looked at Loren, he
spotted me and smirked a little
while he sat down. When he looked away from me, his eyes
went to the blond who was trying to be very flirtatious with him. He winked at her and she giggled. I gagged.
I just couldn't wait for this class
to be over! Next was physical
education. I hope he isn't in P.E.
next. I would seriously be pissed
about having almost all of my
classes. When class was over I
rushed past Loren and Blondie
flirting together. I saw Loren
sneak a glance at me, but I left out already.
Clara had this class with me,
and she was already in the locker
room, changing into her workout
clothes. I started to change into my clothes that consisted of a
magenta colored tank-top, black
boy shorts, and brown and
magenta Nike Blazer high-tops.
I put my hair in a ponytail and
waited for Clara to finish her
changing.
We came out of the locker
room and started doing drills. The gym door opened, and I honestly couldn't believe who walked in. However, I wasn't all that surprised.
He looked damn good, though.
He had on a white Nike t-shirt
on, which you can totally see his
abs in, some black boy shorts,
like mine, and also....some brown
Nike blazer high-tops. When he saw me, he smiled. He came over
to me and started stretching too.
"Looks like someone is trying to
steal my style," he teased.
"Oh, please. This is what I
always wear," I rolled my eyes.
"Me too."
I couldn't help but notice his
abs. The way they stretched out
as he stretched, making him look
buff. When he noticed me looking at him, I quickly glanced away, hoping he didn't catch me. When I looked back at him, he was still looking at me, then he smiled.
"Alright, 6 laps. Let's go!" Coach
Hermah said. "Let's go, Elyssa!"
Coach smiled at me. I'm the fastest on the team. I've beaten
every past record at this school.
I really don't know why, or how,
but it's awesome. So when Coach
blew the whistle, I was already
behind the other runners. I was
smiling to myself when I noticed
how fast I was running.
"Elyssa, you've gotten faster!" Coach yelled to me, checking his timer. I tried to wave, but he was too busy looking somewhere else.
"Wow, new kid! You're as fast as
Elyssa!"
That made me stop.
"What?" I muttered to myself.
I looked around and Loren was
running next to me.
"Looks like you're not the only
fast runner in school, huh?" he
joked. I pushed him, which made
him go off balance, and I laughed.
He laughed with me.
"Alright!" Coach said when we were done running. The other kids had their hands on their knees, trying to catch their breath.
"Wow," Clara leaned on me.
"You're not even breaking a
sweat, Elyssa! Did you get faster?"
I shrug and laugh a little,
nudging her softly.
When P.E. was over, it was
nearly time for lunch. I took a
quick shower and put on my clothes, braiding my wet hair.
Clara and I walked to lunch
together. Clara was still breathing
hard. "You're still tired?" I asked.
She nodded, and I let her lean on
me to catch her breath on our
way to lunch.
"Elyssa!" Peter called out to me.
"Hey, Peter! Coming to lunch?"
"Yeah." He put his arm around
my shoulder lightly because I
already have Clara leaning on
me.
When we got there, I didn't
want to eat, even though I was
just a little hungry, but I stayed
with Clara. "Okay, I'm good," she breathed.
"Good," I smiled.
"Hey, want to come sit over
here?" I heard some girls say
from across the room. Did I
mention I have good hearing too? It must have gotten better.
"No, thanks, girls." I realized
the voice was Loren's. He came
and sat at our two people only
table, well, now three.
"Hey, Loren," Clara and I said.
"Who's this?" Peter said, eyeing
Loren suspiciously.
"Peter, this is Loren. Loren, this
is Peter," Clara introduced before I could.
"Sup, man." They shook hands.
Loren looked at me before he
sat down with a small bag in his
hands. He pulled out a Subway
sandwich.
I think my mouth was starting to water, and my stomach growled. As if he heard it, Loren looked at me. "Would you like a piece?"
"Sure." How could I say no
when I'm starving?
"How about you, Clara?"
"Sure."
Well, isn't he sweet? We finished eating, and Peter already had gotten him a tray, so he was done eating too.
"Why would he sit over there
by The Lames?" some girl said
from across the room. Loren
turned around and looked at her.
She smiled and waved. I think he
probably winked at her again. He
turned back around.
"I don't think you girls are
lame," he said.
"What?" Clara asked.
"Wait, you heard that, too?" I
asked him.
"Heard what?" Peter ordered.
"Those brunettes over there
called us lames," I explained to
him.
"Yeah, I heard it," Loren said,
finally answering my question.
Clara gasped. "Your hearing
is getting better, too?" She shook
her head. "Are you sure you
guys never met? I think you're
related. I mean, you both are
good-looking, both have cool,
pretty eyes, both have incredibly
fast speed, and you both have
really good hearing. You guys
must be!"
"I think we'd know if we met,"
Loren laughed and so did I.
"Loren, your eyes do look
I got quiet. "I see them every
night," I put my head down.
Both Loren and I got really
quiet. I'm sure he heard that. "I
think I'm gonna head out now,"
Loren said. "See ya."
He just got up and left.
"What the f**k was that
about?" Peter asked. "He started
to be in friend mode. I guess he's
still in the acquaintances mode."
He shrugged, and I laughed. I
have no idea. Was it what I said?
Does he think I'm crazy?
I won't ever know unless I talk
to him again.
