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Dedication: ToxxicCandy18 for the awesome cover on the side. Thank you heaps, I absolutely love it! <3

Saying this school was huge would be an understatement. It was monstrous. The amount of twisting corridors and winding hallways, after ten minutes of walking, I was completely lost and reminded that I was starving.

I trailed wordlessly behind Imogen as she rattled off everything I need to know. Every locker we passed was sashed with graffiti and scratching incisions. The floors could do with a thorough scrub, and maybe a few paint jobs on the walls wouldn't hurt. I allowed my eyes to travel, trying to drink in every feature the school offered. A few other people walked passed occasionally, and upon seeing me, their heads would become glued together, mouths working furiously. Within twenty minutes, everyone knew there was a new kid on the block. Or dorm, rather.

We entered the lounge. Instantly, I picked out the instant stereo-typical groups. Imogen swiped at my hand and dragged me towards the group I hadn't had looked at yet. 

"Hey guys," Imogen greeted. "This is my new roomie, Hales."

It alarmed me how attractive everyone in the group seemed to be. I wanted to groan. I am meant to be getting myself back on track. The last thing I needed is for anyone to catch my attention.

"Hayley!" Chase grinned brightly. He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at me. "Need me to give you a personal tour?"

The last thing I needed was for Imogen to get jealous. So far, she was my only friend. I guess from her little rant last night; I needed at least one. Imogen bristled slightly at the flirtation but kept a smile plastered on her face.

"Okay, moving on," Imogen laughed, rolling her eyes and yet again, tugging on my hand for me to follow her.

I stumbled after her, eyes wide, trying not to feel too overwhelmed.

"Oh, look what the cat dragged in," a girl chided.

She rose to her feet, coming to even slightly taller than me. What is it with all these people? They all seemed to be attractive and tall. That wasn't the case back at my old place. I had excelled in modeling by far because of my height. Everyone used to envy me, but here, they seemed to be the same.

The piercing eyes of the girl draws me to her. She had a razored slit in her eyebrow and a sleeve of brightly-coloured tattoos printed on her left arm.

"And look what the garbage burped up," I retorted as Imogen failed to come up with something. The girl turned to me, sneering. Her eyes dropped, giving me a once over. She changed her stance and folded her arms across her chest.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Noone that concerns you."

"You don't want to make me an enemy, girl," she warned in a low voice. I noticed then a few people had quietened down, watching. From this reaction, I'm assuming she has a dangerous reputation.

"Yeah, same to you, girl." I bit out. "Don't threaten me. You don't know me or what I'm capable of."

"Say that again," she said, getting up close and personal. She struck her chest out, barging into my own. Without hesitation, I shot my hands forward, shoving her back with a force strong enough to make her stumble.

"I said," my breath coming out slightly heavier as the adrenaline of a fight began pulsing through my body. My next words said excruciatingly slowly, so she would understand. "Don't threaten me."

Tauntingly, she threw her hands out, nudging me.

I lunged at her, pushing her down flat on her back on the table. I whipped out my knife in one fluid movement and pressed it against her throat. I saw her eyes widen in alarm at the feel of the blade.

"You have no idea who you're dealing with."

"Get off me!" she cried, wriggling from underneath me. I pressed my hand harder, causing the knife to draw blood on her skin. 

"Hayley!" Imogen exclaimed, hooking her hand out and yanking me backward.

I let go, rising to my full height, my eyes in slits. The girl sat up abruptly, readjusting her clothes and standing, looking flustered. Her fingers wrapped around her neck automatically and when she removed them, they are smeared with blood. 

"She's not worth it, okay?" Imogen practically pleaded, digging her nails into my arm, as if that would snap me out of it.

"Sure she's not," I deadpanned, not taking my eyes off of her.

My upper lip curled in menace and she stared right back at me. The silence in the room was almost deafening, before hollaring and whistles exploded.

"Look," Imogen whispered urgently. "You're causing a scene. I don't want the guards to come in or they'll raid everything. I have stuff that I can't have taken away, okay? Let's just go," she murmured quietly, her eyes darting around frantically.

"Watch your back," the girl hissed.

"Oh, come on," I snorted, rolling my eyes. I looked at her in amusement. "You just got owned. You should be the one watching your back."

Imogen reefed on my arm and successfully pulled me out of the room. As soon as we were out in the corridor, she slapped me upside the head. I flinched backwards, slamming my back into the wall. I began trembling as her hand was still raised. I instinctively covered my head and waited for another hit.

When I didn't feel the second blow, I slowly opened my eyes.

"What the hell?" I hissed.

"Sorry..." she trailed off, her eyes softening. "Have you been abused?"

"Fuck off."

The softness of her eyes evaporate.

"You don't want her as an enemy. Great way to start out, Hayley."

"I don't care."

"Come on, I'll show you where the classrooms are."

With another sigh, I dragged my feet after her. All I wanted was to go sleep. I had hardly got any rest last night. I felt slightly like a zombie right now.

And there was still the entire afternoon.

After being showed most of the commonly used classrooms, we made our way back to the dorm. We were almost there. I was so involved in what Imogen was saying, I didn't see someone walking the other way. Our shoulders barged painfully together, and I staggered sideways, but quickly gained my feet again. I shook my head in shock. I looked up and stared straight into the most faded blues eyes I had ever seen. They were so pale, they could be mistaken as grey.

They widened upon seeing me. I took a moment to gaze at the man. He was rather handsome in a ragged, older man way. He had dark hair and a half-shaven face. 

"Hello! You must be the new student I've heard so much about. I'm Mr. Johnston, nice to meet you." 

Slowly, I pushed my hand towards his and with one firm shake, he released me, smiling.

"Likewise."

"Well, have a nice day girls. I'll see you in English tomorrow." 

"Yes sir," Imogen purred, winking at him.

He either didn't see it or ignored the gesture. He turned on his heel and briskly walked away. I stared after him, an eyebrow quirked.

"Anyway, Chase and I aren't really in a relationship... we're just," Imogen continued, and made a thrusting  gesture with her hips. "Buddies..."

"Okay," I replied distractedly. I glanced on my shoulder. I saw Mr. Johnston paused at the corner. Our eyes connected before he darted away. 

Imogen and Chase's situation brought up memories of Gabe and myself. I had loved him at the time. Well, what I thought was love. I was just too much of a skank to get over myself and date him. I was scared off being tied down. I shook my head. I was an absolute idiot letting him slip right through my fingers. I sighed heavily. I don't even know any of my old friends anymore. I didn't keep in touch with any of them.

"So, have you got your eyes on anyone yet?" she asked, nudging me with her elbow. I flinched slightly at the contact, but brushed it off.

"Hardly think I have had the time to look."

"So? That's no excuse."

"Well, the guy with ultra blue-eyes was hot," I admitted casually with a slight jerk of my shoulder.

She laughed, slapping me lightly on the shoulder, and yet again, I cringed. "Good luck, sister. He doesn't date. He has anger issues."

"Oh, lovely."

She grinned at me, rolling her eyes. "Most girls have their eyes on him."

"Then I don't. I'm not a sheep."

"You don't look like one either."

"You're funny." I deadpanned, shaking her hand off my shoulder and shying slightly to the left to broaden the distance between us. I didn't want her catching on to my 'no-touching' policy.

We entered our room, and Imogen went straight to her bedside table and pulled out a pre-rolled joint and a lighter. She sparks up.

"Want to have a little party?" she suggested, exhaling the smoke and moving her shoulders a little, doing a booty shake. She began bopping to a non-existent beat, beaming at me. 

"Sure."

Soon enough, girls from the group I met earlier, their names coming up blank to me and all the boys I met this morning, were gathered around in our small room. Considering there were only two portable speakers, the music was extremely loud. Smoke filled the air, making the room hot and stuffy. Imogen was making out with Chase on her bed again, in front of everyone, while I sat with my legs folded, on my own bed, soaking in my high. I wriggled my fingers in front of my face and laughed softly when it looked like they were moving in slow motion.

"Want one?" a guy named Jeremy asked, collapsing on the bed beside me. Our shoulders brushed and I tried not to jolt.

He reminded me of a golden retriever. He had tanned skin, blond hair and brown eyes. He smirked at me, lifting the joint towards my face, pretty much not considering my answer anyway. With a shrug, I went along with it. What the hell. I opened my mouth and let myself inhale it. I held it in and swallowed the smoke before exhaling, earning a few cheers from partiers nearby. He grinned enthusiastically, wrapping an arm around me and squeezing me shoulders.

"I like a party girl."

I had told myself to not go down this track again and my second night here, I am already high. I exhale and taste the smoke in my mouth.

Colin, the ultra-blue-eyed boy, sat in the corner. He had a tight black shirt on, dark fitting jeans and a loose jacket. With a beer in hand, he sat there, observing his surroundings, as I was. Our eyes met, and he kept his face blank. He swivelled his eyes away, but I found mine glued to him.

He had to be one of the most attractive people I ever seen. I can't look away from him. I felt myself leaning forward slightly and realised if I go any further, I would topple off the edge.

Jeremy got up and bounded somewhere else. When I looked back to where Colin was, he was no longer there. I raised my eyebrows and began skimming the area, subconsciously looking for him. Suddenly, a husky voice was in my ear, causing me to jump in alarm.

"It's rude to stare."

"It's rude to sneak up on people," I replied smoothly, turning and coming face to face with him. I was glad I didn't curl into a fetal position, at how he snuck up behind me like that. We were in such proximity that our noses brushed.

"Touché," he shrugged, reeling backwards. I let out a breath I hadn't realised I had been holding and made a gesture to the spot next to me.

"Want to take a seat?" I offered.

After a moment of hesitation, he sat down. Without a word, he passed the beer over to me and I took a few swigs, before giving it back to him.

"Not in a partying mood?" he asked. "I don't see you up and grinding with the others."

"I'm trying to not go down that road again," I said, but didn't want to point out I am high as fuck.

"Tell me about it," he muttered, taking a long gulp. I bit my lip and turned away, afraid of gazing at him again. Something about him just drew me in and I knew if I kept staring, I wouldn't be able to keep my hands to myself. It's definitely the drugs.

"I heard you've got some anger issues," I said casually, not looking at him. I felt the weight of his gaze on me though, so I turned and titled my lips up in a smirk. I watched in satisfaction as his eyes flickered to them for a moment.

"Where'd you hear that?" he asked.

"I have my sources."

He leaned in close, his hot breath fanning my lips. He moved so that his mouth was against my earlobe. I resisted the urge to shiver as his breath hit my neck. He placed a hand on my thigh and I closed my eyes, tilting my head back in anticipation.

"Your sources are correct."

With that, he got up and left the room. A gush of stiff wind hit me at his lack of presence beside me. I stared after him at the door, my fingers trailing over where his hand had been. 

So what are we thinking about it so far?

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