His eyes, for a brisk moment, met mine.

They were the most beautiful shade of green. The kind of green that mint ice cream gets jealous of. Like the glimmering color of emerald, sparkling in the light of the morning sun. When he turned his head, this way and that, they caught the light and played tricks with anything and everything that screamed ‘summer.’ But they were so fiery they took me by surprise.

His hair was a disheveled mess, the color of fallen leaves, brown and sleek. Like a shiny varnish that catches merely light around it. He had the kind of face that stopped you in your track, a long high arched nose and skin paler than snow, as if he was made out of wax. He had the eerie feel about him, as if his entire being was screaming ‘back off’.

I couldn’t help but stare at him. And when he passed me by, I felt as if I passed through an icy shower.

He glided through the swarm of people, disappearing amongst them. Before I knew it, I was already following him. Searching for his brown hair amidst the throng. I kept my head down and pushed my way through the sea of despondent faces when I saw him turn the corner. My mind kept crowding me with thoughts like what the hell was I doing, did I want to get detention on the first day of school! Was I insane? But my curiosity got the better out of me. And hence, I kept following him. Until he stopped before a big old door. It was the grey of unfurnished silver, dull and spotted with years of water damage. Where there should have been some fancy matching handle was only a square shaft of dark cold metal.

I was right behind him, still staring at his strange back.

Suddenly he turned around, maybe sensing my gaze on his back and he looked right at me. A astonished expression stuck to his face. “Who are you?” He frowned.

My mind took a moment to register his question, and then I stuttered, “A..I...I...” all wit had left me and well... I was left stuttering for dear life.

His frown got more prominent as I fumbled with my words looking for an excuse, because honestly, what was I suppose to say? ‘I can see the day a person kicks the bucket. But it’s weird that I can’t see your day of death. So I kind of got curious about you and well...haha..ended up following you!’ Yeah! Definitely not. He will no doubt call the nearest asylum to enquire if a patient was missing.

“Ah...err...I was just passing by. Yeah! I’m just a passerby. Please don’t mind me and carry on with what you were doing. Haha... I will leave you alone now. Hahaha...Bye!” And without a second glance behind I took flight.

“Hey! Wait!” He called out, and if the sound of thudding on the tiles of the hallway was not just my hallucination I was pretty sure he was following me.

Scared as I was, I didn’t care where my legs took me. As long as I could hide from my persuader I didn’t really give a damn. And before long I stood in a creepy hallway. The hallway must have been designed by a manic depressive, either that or someone obsessed with grey. The tiles were a checker board of black and white and the whole structure send a chill down my spine as it reminded me of something out of my nightmares. At the end of the hallway was a freaky looking red door. ‘I do not want to be here, it is the west wing on the third floor’ I thought and I wrapped my arms around my chilled body; this was the last place I wanted to be. Unfortunately it was my fault I was here, my doing, but right now, I was scared to death. The fear sat on me like a pillow over my mouth and nose, making it hard for me to breathe. I did not want to get expelled, more so on my first day of school.

I traced back my steps, walking as fast as my legs could take me, away from this creepy place. But then I heard footsteps. Clicking of heels on hard tiles to be more precise. There she was, the Devil incarnate herself, Miss Helen; advancing in my direction. I felt the panic begin like a cluster of spark plugs in my abdomen. Tension grew in my limbs ceasing my movement. What am I going to do now? Horrifying thoughts accelerated inside my head, fizzling my brain function and I found myself stuck without a way out.

Suddenly I felt a hand grip my arm and pulling me into a dark place. A room I was not aware existed. Dim and damp, there were shapes in monochrome and it seemed like it could be a scene from a black and white movie. In all that darkness vivid emerald eyes stared into mine, a tinge of curiosity shone in them as he pressed his hand over my mouth. Forbidding me to speak. I couldn’t help but gawk back at him. My previous fear subsiding and taking the shape of a new one. Damn! Why him? I screamed inside my head.

The clicking of shoes slowly faded into a faraway noise and he finally took a step back from invading my personal space. “What were you doing there? You do know that you’ll be expelled without a question if ever you’re caught in the west wing of this floor right?” His tone was harsh and cold. As if friendliness was not known to him at all. I bet when he was young he was the playground bully. Well, I for one wouldn’t expect any cordial behaviour from a person I was just stalking. God! That sounded so bad.

“Hey, did you hear me? Or are you just deaf?” The guy grunted.

“Ah! N-No. I heard you. I ... It’s just the first day of my school here and well, I was looking for my classroom but got lost. Sorry.” I lied through my teeth. Well, it was not entirely a lie in my defence. I did get lost and ended up here.

“Really?” He raised his prefect brows and I nodded, tongue-tied. He stared at me like he could see right through me. “Whatever it is you were doing you better not get me mixed up with your crap, and remember, next time I see you following me around I won’t let it just slide.” He fixed me with a glare that could freeze water instantly, as if to declare that his threat was not empty and walked away leaving me half scared and half dreading.

‘Way to go on your first day girl.’ I thought to myself as I glared into the empty chalkboard of the detention room. It seemed late comers were really not tolerated in Verona High. I couldn’t believe I got a ticket to detention on my very first day of school. The Gods must really hate me right now.

“Hey!” Someone beside me whispered.

I turned my head to spot a petite girl. In this world, there are people who don’t need a disguise. They can just blend in with the crowd and no one even knows they exist. This girl was like that. She was not pretty nor ugly. Her clothing wasn’t overly fashionable or bright in colour. But she had strange dark eyes, even though her raven bangs hid most of her face but I could still see her eyes as clear as daylight. They were peculiar and pitch black. Showing nothing but a dull void churning inside of them. Her skin so pale she almost seemed white. ‘Is she anaemic?’ I thought to myself.

“Hey!” She said again.

“Hey!” I answered this time.

“You’re the new transfer student who got into trouble on the first day of her school, aren’t you?” She asked in glee.

I didn’t know whether I was supposed to be offended or feel sorry for myself. “Yes.” I answered stiffly.

“Ah-ha I knew it. But you needn’t feel awkward about it, Verona High is plenty strict with their rules and news spread faster than wild fire here. So, almost everyone on campus has probably heard about you by now. Anyways, nice to meet you, I’m Lyla. Actually it’s Dilyla Adwell, but people call me Lyla. What’s your name?” She gave me a goofy smile.

“Nice to meet you too, I’m Sara Valdez.” I returned her smile in an inept manner. She was overly energetic for a girl in detention.

“Oh enough with that formality, you’re gonna love it here. Verona High is a treasure for mystery lovers, and I can tell you’re just that. You know...blah blah blah,” I had neither the will nor energy to stop her blabbing. I stopped listening at one point and just nodded my head to every question she threw at me. This was not how I imagined my first day to be.

After what seemed like forever we were finally dismissed and I got out of class as soon as possible.

I heard Dilyla Adwell’s holler from behind me, “It was nice meeting you Sara. If you have any weirdness popping around you don’t forget to come to me.”

Yeah, as if I wasn’t enough of an weirdness.

TO BE CONTINUED...