Everyone feels it at first, but you are not human in the same way anymore, and that makes you special, you will just have to learn how to use your power, how to control yourself and all" He added
"And if i didn't? "Irene swallowed
"Then you will reckless", he replied
" You sound sturborn and tough", he added
Irene laughed to what he said as they walked confortablely
Finally they reached irene's street, the familiar row of houses looks safe against the sprawing city
"Are you sure you will be fine? ", lucian askeed corcernly
" Yeah, i'll be fine, thanks for your corcern", irene replied quiet politely
"And thanks for walking me", she replied
"Consider it as an investment, you're worth to keeping an eye on, sunshine", he smirked
Her stomach fluttered, his actions making her blushing
" See you tomorrow? ", she asked, hoping he will say yes
"Tomorrow ", he said
And with that they bid each other good bue
rene was sitting quietly on her, light off as she staring at nothing in particular then her phone buzzed indicating a message from mia, her bestfriend
Mia:"open the door before i started climbimg your window like a monkey"
She moved quickly from her bed door and she slowed before she opened the door
Mia carter stood behind the door with two iced coffee and her usual dramatic expression
"Hi", mia said as she stepped inside
" Hi to you too", she replied
Irene closed the the door carefully and locked it
"You have been acting weird lately", irene said dropping onto the bed"and don't tell me you are tired becausei'm not gonna believe you"Irene leaned against her reading desk as she crossed her arm, "i just have alot going on", she said
Irene looked away, the window reflectee her faintly before mia asked again" Rene. . What's actually going on"
Silence fell beteeen them and irene could hear her heartbeat
"Do you remember that night", she started " The night i didn't pick your call"
"The one that you said that you got tired walking home? ",mia straightened
Irene nodded"that was not what happened"
"Okay.. ", mia said
Irene moved to sit beside her, her hand cold as she tucked them inside her legs"that night there was a person following me, i thought i was imagining things, but i wasn't"
"The streetlight were flickering, i could hear footsteps behind me, but when i turned around there is no one there", irene added as mia listened carefully, her eyes wide
"Then before i knew it i felt a cold hand ony shoulders and i couldn't remember anything", she stopped
The room was in silence for a coulpe of minute before mia broke the cold silence
"Did he hurt you? ", mia said as she grabbed her hand
Irene's memory flashed
" I didn't remember anything"irene admitted"just that i woke up tired and bleeding,and after that... ", she stopped"after that i was'nt the same"
Mia searched her face
"You should have told me", mia said
"I did'nt want you to be worried", irene replied
Irene looked down at their hands and the could feel and hear hpw mia's blood is running in her vien, warm and inviting
She pulled her hand away from her immediately and stood up
" I'm fine now", she said trying to sound calm
Then a car passed outside, it headlight swept across the room, briefly illumination her eyes and mia didn't noticed
"You are still you",mia motivated"whatever happened that night, it doesn't get to take you away"
Irene wanted believe her
Mia stood up and hugged irene tightly"you're not alone"
Outside, a figure stood in the dark, watching the house
The sky burned orange behind the school window
The classroom was already full when irene and lucian were escorted in
Whispers started immediately when they entered
Irene kept her head down, crawnling up her neck, it wasn't the punishment that bothered her , it was the class, the eyes, the gossip and all
At the front of the class stood principal alder with his hands folded neatly behind his back, his expression was calm
Irene was affraid whilewhile lucian is unbothered
"Miss williams and mr vale", principal alder began his voice echoeing in the room as she class went silent"perphaps you will to explain to your peers why you missed class"
Irene's stomach dropped instantly
Lucian answered smothly "we were busy"
A few student snickered
Principal alder said "in the restroom?
The pricipal response make the class to burst in laughterIrene clenched her fist embarassed
"We were talking", she muttered
" Talking", alder repeated, pacing slowly in front of the class"during class hours, in a restroom? "
He stopped dorectly in front of them
"This school values displine and structure ", he said, his gaze sharp
" You will both serve after-school detention for one weeks", he announced, gasps and murmurs ripped through the room"additionally you'll assist custodial staff each afternoon"
Irene blinked
"What?" she said under her breath
Lucian posture didn't change, but his jaw tightened slightly
Principal alder turned to irene fully now"miss vale , your academic performance has declineddeclined, your behavioirs are shifted, can you explain that as well? "
Hwr pulse thudedd in her ears
"I'm fine "she said stiffly
" Are you? "He asked Softly
The class went silent again
Irene felt exposed
Lucian stepped half a pase foward"with respect mr alder, you should learn how to mind your business"
"With respect mr vale this is institution ", alder said his eyes red
The air shifted and they class murmured again
Even the human student can feel that something is up beneath the surface
Alder moved closer to irene again"you've been absent minded", he continied" Pale, distracted, unwell... ", he didn't complete is sentence
" I said i am fine", she said out loud frustrately"
Alder leaned just for the three of them to hear
"If you are struggling", he murmured"this is not place to unravel"
Lucian's voice cut in "she isn't unraveling"
Alder straightened slowly
"Good", he said
Lucian met gaze with alder without flinching
" If this is about the attendance, we accept but if it is something else we can talk about it privately", lucian stated
The whole class exchanged glances Then principal alder smiled faintly"oh it is the attendance, what else do you think might be? "
"I have no idea", lucian replied
" It is about attandance and reputation",alder replied as he turned his gaze to the whole class
"You are free to go", he said to lucian and irene
Chairs scraped loudly against the floor as student rushed out , buzzling with speculation
" Did you see her face", one student said
"They were definately up to something", the other replied
Irene stood frozen as she overhead many unfriendly conversation going on
" Ignore them", lucian stood slightly toward her
Principal alder watched them from the desk"detention begin tomorrow at break time don't be late "
The finality in his tone left no room for argument
Lucian guided irene toward the door, his hand brushing her elbow
As they stepped into the empty hall way, the noise dadded behind them
"Do you think that is a punishment? ", irene asked
" He was testing us"lucian replied
Her throat tightened"in front of whole class"
Lucian's jaw tightened"public pressure reveal weakness"he said"he wanted to see if you would crack"
"And did l? ", she asked
" No, you didn't", lucian said