[The Trybid Chronicles 1] Fated at First Sight

Chapter Two: We Meet Again

Justin

The whole school was buzzing when my little brother, Dylan, and I entered the cafeteria. Dylan immediately walked toward his group of friends without saying anything to me. I sighed and headed towards my own group. It’s been five years since we moved to California. I chose to say goodbye to our childhood friend and my first love, but Dylan didn’t know that. To save myself from my mistake, I told Dylan he could never talk to her again, so Dylan and I fought nonstop until he quit talking to me one day. I realize now that it wasn’t for me to tell him what to do or who to be friends with, but that doesn’t change anything.

The stupid thing was that I made that choice because I was being a little jerk and got mixed in with the cool kids; the cost of my poor decisions was not worth it. I honestly missed my little brother, and I wondered about her all the time, but it wasn’t going to do me any good.

“Hey, guys, what’s all the excitement about?” I asked, sitting down.

“We are getting a bunch of exchange students from Idaho.” Macy told him.

Macy is the cheer captain, and once upon a time, she had a big crush on me, but I wasn’t interested in her, or maybe I couldn’t be. Either way, now Macy is one of my closest friends. Macy is the kind of girl that was possessive and can be downright scary when she wants to be, but for those who know her best, she is a sweetheart with a kind soul.

“Oh, that’s cool, I guess.” I say, trying to sound like that statement didn’t bother me.

On the outside, I looked as cool as a cucumber, but on the inside, I was panicking. What if she was on that bus? How would she react to seeing Dylan and me again? Honestly, she probably wouldn’t recognize us, but I wondered if she hadn’t forgotten about us. Maybe she had. If she was on that bus, would we be able to make amends? Would she forgive me? I really hoped she wasn’t. I didn’t think that I could face her.

“Justin, are you listening to me?” Macy asked angrily.

“Huh? What?” I jumped a little at the tone in her voice.

“I was telling you that they apparently left Idaho this morning. They will be arriving tonight, and they will start school with us after spring break.” Macy said, exasperated. “There are only about twenty-five students in total, but I am looking forward to meeting all of them.”

“Oh cool,” I replied, not entirely paying attention because the tightness in my chest made me feel as if I was suffocating, as my panic increased. I was pretty sure I was about to have a panic attack. I turned to look around the cafeteria for a moment because it felt like someone was staring at me. Sure enough, I found Dylan’s forest green ones. The panic on his face was evident.

Just as Macy was about to say something, the bell rang, signaling it was time to head to class. I wasted no time jumping up and practically ran to my first class. I went to the back of the classroom and shoved my earbuds into my ears. Today would be pretty relaxed because of the new arrivals, so none of the teachers cared that students weren’t paying attention. During the last hour of school, Mrs. Busch, our principal, called for an assembly to explain the arrival of the new students to the whole school.

Once we were released from the assembly, we still had ten minutes until the final bell, but the teachers just let the students go. I was glad to finally be leaving this hellhole known as Southside High and ready to go home and try not to overthink. I started walking to where my dad had parked when I heard Macy yelling my name; I turned and saw her running toward me.

“Hey, Mace, what’s up?” I asked her.

“Are you still joining us tonight?” Macy asked.

“I don’t know if I should; I am already in deep s**t with my parents for letting my grades slip,” I told her. “Plus, I can’t afford to get in trouble, especially since the team tryouts are next week.”

“Oh yeah, I guess you’re right,” Macy said, looking disappointed, but she had a smile back on her face within seconds. “Well, just text me if you change your mind.”

Macy gave me a finger wave and flounced off to join the cheer team for practice. I shook my head and sighed, looking out at the field where I could just barely see Dylan’s sandy blonde hair as he did his warm-ups. Turning around, I ran to the car and climbed into the passenger seat.

“How was school?” Tanner, my dad, asked as I buckled my seat.

“Honestly could have been better.” I sighed, looking out the window.

“What’s going on son?” Dad asked, looking concerned.

“Well, we are getting some exchange students tomorrow,” I replied.

“Where from?” He asked.

“Idaho.” I looked down; I didn’t want to see the look on his face because my dad knew why this could be a bad thing.

“Oh.” That was all that he said.

The ride home was uncomfortable. I knew my dad was thinking the same thing as me. What is going to happen if Niky is on that bus? When we got home, I got out of the car, ran inside, and up the stairs to my room. Pulling out my phone, I shot a quick text to Macy.

J: I changed my mind. I will join you guys tonight.

Not even a minute later, I got a message back.

M: Sweet, I will let everyone know!

I put my phone on the charger and started my Spotify playlist. I sat down at my desk and got started on my homework. That way, my parents wouldn’t have a reason to get mad at me tonight and tell me that I couldn’t go out with my friends. After dinner, I did the dishes and went to find my parents. They were in the living room watching tv.

“Hey, mom, dad?” I said, getting their attention.

“What’s up, honey?” My mom, Anna, asked.

“I was wondering if it’ll be alright if I go out with some friends tonight?” I asked.

“Where?” Dad asked.

“A party at Matt’s house.” I told them.

“Will there be alcohol?” My dad pressed.

“Probably, but I promise not to drink.” I said earnestly.

“Very well.” Mom agreed. “But, you must be home by ten-thirty at the latest.”

“Deal.” I grinned.

“And you are taking Dylan,” My Dad added.

I groaned. I wanted to argue but knew that would push them to change their minds, so instead, I agreed and then ran back upstairs to tell Dylan.

“What makes you think I want to go to some party?” Dylan said, not looking at me.

“Please, Dyl. Dad said I could only go if you went, and I really need to get out of the house.” I begged him.

“Fine!” Dylan growled at me. “I’ll be ready in a minute.”

“Thank you,” I told him. “Hell, you don’t even have to stay if you don’t want to.”

“Whatever,” Dylan said and then slammed the door in my face, making me sigh. I wondered if he would ever forgive me.

We climbed into our cousin Ethan’s car a few minutes later. After a few minutes, Dylan spoke up. “This isn’t the way to Matt’s house.”

“Oh, we aren’t going to Matt’s house, little cuz.” Ethan responded.

“Then where in the world are we going?” I asked, just as confused as Dylan.

“A new supernatural club that caters to teens.” Macy told us.

Dylan just rolled his eyes and sat back, and I actually felt a little guilty. It’s not like I planned it, plus it’s Ethan. He’s always pulling stunts like this. So I shouldn’t feel guilty. As we pulled into the parking lot, my head began to throb. The sign on the building read “Freak Nation” in neon lights.

“Wow, so original,” Dylan said sarcastically.

“Come on, Dylan, try to relax and have fun for once,” Macy said with a slight pout.

“Whatever.” Was his response.

The music was so loud that you could hear it pulsing outside the building. The line of people was ridiculously long, but Ethan walked right past the groups of people waiting to get inside and straight up to the bouncer. The bouncer barely spared him a glance before pulling back the thick red velvet rope and letting us pass.

“Why did they just let us through?” I asked as loudly as possible, knowing my cousin could hear me because of his wolf hearing.

“They were expecting us,” Ethan responded. “A friend of mine owns the place.”

“Oh, okay.” That was all I could say.

We entered a long hallway from the entrance to the main room. Off to both sides were booths, which I guessed were for sitting and eating. Four main staircases led to the second floor, with signs that read eighteen or older to enter. Bouncers were guarding each staircase. In the middle of all the chaos was a long bar with drinks and several bartenders. There were four huge menu boards above the bar listing the drinks. Two boards on one side listed the drinks for minors, and the two on the other listed the alcoholic beverages for those twenty-one and older. It appeared that the dance floor was anywhere and everywhere. I started to feel uncomfortable and realized that I was sweating, and the music worsened my headache.

“Holy crap!” Dylan whistled in amazement.

“You think this is cool? Wait until you see the arcade.” Ethan chuckled, pointing to a hallway on the opposite side of the building.

Dylan suddenly looked like a kid in a candy shop. “Arcade?”

“Oh yeah, this place caters to anyone thirteen or older,” Ethan said, then he pointed up at the balcony. “That’s for those who want a little privacy if you know what I mean.”

Dylan nodded but looked in the direction of the arcade again. “Go on,” I told him. “I’ll just be over at the bar.”

“No drinking Justin.” Dylan said, glaring at me.

I put my hands up in mock surrender. “I won’t, I promise. I don’t even have my fake ID with me tonight.”

Dylan just rolled his eyes at me and took off in the direction of the arcade. I turned to say something to Macy and Ethan, only to discover they were no longer next to me. I looked around for a moment, hoping to spot them, but when I didn’t, I gave up and headed toward the bar. I really needed to sit; the room felt like it was spinning. “What the hell is happening to me?”

“Hi, there, hon.” Said a pretty brunette whose name tag read Selina. “What can I get for you?”

“Can I just get a virgin Shirley temple please?” I asked.

“Of course, I will be right back with that.” Selina said.

She came back a minute later, and I thanked her, but I suddenly felt ice cold before I could take a drink. My breath caught in my throat, and I could feel the blood pounding in my ears. My already-pounding headache intensified by ten, and I started to shake like I was running a fever. I tried to stand up, but it felt like the whole world had slowed down. I couldn’t move. I tried to look around and locked eyes with the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Her long brown hair fell in waves around her shoulders, but what held me captive the most was her eyes. They were a warm golden brown that sparkled in the light. Then reality hit me like a freight train, as a voice in my head screamed, “MATE!” I whimpered as I grabbed my head.

I looked back up at the girl, but she was right in front of me this time. “s**t!” I thought. “How did she get over here so quickly?”

“Hey, are you okay?” She asked.

“Yeah, I’m okay; it’s just a little loud here.” I told her. Did she not feel the pull like I did? Does that mean she was human?

I discreetly took a sniff and realized that she was not human but, in fact, a hybrid. That’s a relief.

“Yes, I recognized the bond as well.” She smiled. Her smile made me want to stop and catch my breath. I had almost forgotten that we were at a club.

“I don’t know what to say.” I smiled back. “No one prepared me for what to do when you meet your mate at fifteen in a nightclub.”

That made her laugh, and damn it, I knew I was screwed. She was perfect. I could already feel myself falling for her. “Let’s start with introductions.”

“Good idea.” I grinned.

“My name is Niky.” She told me as she extended her hand.

I was so lost in her eyes that I almost didn’t hear her. I extended my hand, and she took it. Sparks made my hand feel like it was on fire, but not in a bad way. “Justin.” I told her.

Her smile fell almost instantly. “Justin? As in Justin Omsford?”

Then it hit me. My biggest fear was standing right before me, and I hadn’t even realized it. “Niky Stars?”

We jumped away from each other. Niky’s face showed only anger. The warmth that was once there now gone. “No!” She screamed.

Backing away, she turned and ran. I turned and stumbled into the crowd looking for Ethan. I needed to leave right this minute. I felt like I would pass out, throw up, or both. I staggered as I bumped into someone. I looked up to see Ethan looking at me with concern.

“Woah, man, what the hell?” Ethan asked, holding onto my shoulders to steady me

I couldn’t think, couldn’t speak. All I could do was point and say, “Niky.”

“What, where?” Ethan looked around frantically. At the same time, Macy said, “Who?”

“I don’t feel so well,” I mumble. I saw dots on the edge of my vision. “I want to go home.”

My eyes began to roll back into my skull, and I think Ethan responded, but I didn’t catch what he said because I blacked out. I vaguely remember the ambulance ride to the hospital. I heard Dylan on the phone with our parents, and I wondered if they were mad. Probably, if I was them, I would be livid. I think I passed out again before reaching the hospital because all I really remember was dreaming about her. Niky Stars, my childhood best friend. My mate.