Chapter 1

I stared up at my ceiling with my deep green eyes and just waited until my alarm went off. My long blond hair that had started to blacken before my eighteenth birthday was knotted up. My parents had sat me down on the day of my sixteenth birthday and told me that I was adopted. I couldn’t understand who I really was or how I was always healthy growing up or how I was able to have a 5.0 GPA when I never studied. Everyone thought that I was a genius but I never really thought so. 

I smacked my alarm as it made me jump out of my racing thoughts and got out of bed to get ready for my graduation ceremony. A quick shower, getting dressed in my new emerald short sleeved blouse and khaki shorts, then putting on a light amount of makeup, Fixing my hair, and I was ready to leave. 

“Nyx! We need to leave in ten minutes!” My mom, Brooke, yelled up the stairs.

“Coming!” I yelled back. Sighing, I grabbed my Valedictorian speech and left the room. 

Running down the stairs, locking the door, and then straight out into the car, where my mother, little brother, Apollo, and my dad, Brian, were waiting for me. Getting into the car, my dad looked at my hair that started to turn black slowly.

“Did you dye your hair?” My father asked as he drove to the highschool graduation ceremony. 

“No, it started to turn black last month. My eighteenth birthday is right around the corner dad. If I really wanted to dye my hair, I would ask and I already know that you would say, ‘Whatever makes you happy.’ But I don’t want to dye it.” I told them honestly as we drove to the high school.

“Sweety, dad wasn’t trying to be rude, he was just concerned,” mom said as we pulled into the parking lot of the high school. I quickly braided my long hair and made it into a braided bun and tied it up.

“I know. Sorry if I seem rude mom, dad, I think I’m just tired from this whole ordeal.” I told them as I grabbed my short speech and got out of the car, followed by my parents and younger brother.

My dad lifted my brother from his booster seat and we all headed towards the gym, where our graduation was being held. I smiled when I saw my friends and waved bye to my parents as they went into the main doors of the gym and I ran up to the side door to catch up with my friends.

“Hey guys!” I said in greeting.

“Nyx!” Mary yelled in excitement and jumped up on me. Mary was pixie sized and had red hair and green eyes. I grabbed her up in a huge hug and twirled her around. Her boyfriend, Luke Jamison, grabbed us up in a bear hug to stop us from spinning around so much. He was a football linebacker and is built like a brick house. He had blond hair and blue eyes.

“Nyx, you know you don’t need to encourage her bad habits of jumping on people.” Luke said as I put Mary down.

“I know, but it’s fun.” I told him as Mary grabbed our hands and proceeded to drag us towards the gym side entrance.

As we arrived at the back stage and received our gowns, hat, and tassels from Mrs. Clark, we headed towards our assigned seats. I waved goodbye to Mary and Luke as they headed towards their seats. As soon as the gym was full of waiting students, I saw Mika and Drac walk in as if they owned the building. Typical jocks. They wandered toward my section because their last names were Michael and Mitchel and I was the only other M with my last name being Matthews, so the two empty seats next to me filled with their thick muscles from years of football, wrestling, and weight lifting. Both were over six feet tall, but Mika Michael had natural blond hair and blue eyes, and Drac Mitchel had extremely light blond hair that was almost white and bright green and blue eyes.

“Hey Matthews!” Mika hollered as Drac and him started down the row where the empty seats were.

“Mr. Michael and Mr. Mitchel, find your seats so we can begin.” Our Principal, Mr. Wagnar said into the mic that was on the podium, where he stood.

“Yes sir!” Mika said as he saluted him and almost fell over on Carry O’Brian and Stacy Nelson.

“You should let a girl know when you’re falling for her, Mika.” Stacy said as she fluffed her hair dramatically, joking with him.

Mika just laughed as he took his seat next to me. His cologne was intoxicating as I took a deep breath to steal my nerves.

“Welcome to our students and their families!” Mr. Wagner began his speech. “As you all know, we have had our ups and downs this year and I’m ecstatic to see that none of the issues have affected you all today. Before we hear from our class victorian, Nyx Mathews, our coach wants to announce to everyone that a few of our students have scholarships to possibly accept.”

“Thank you, Mr. Wagner!” Coach Donovan said into the mic as our principal went and sat back down. “Go Mustangs!”

“Go Mustangs!” Yelled back all the jocks and their families.

“Now everyone listen up. Mika Michael, Drac Mitchel, Connor Blithe, Steven Tompson, and Luke Gage! Stand up!” After all the guys that were called stood up, Coach beamed. “Everyone of you has received a scholarship to Iowa State University! I know that you may have set your goals to different schools, but these came in yesterday and will be with your diplomas when you make your way to the stage.”

Everyone clapped in congratulations. I clapped for Luke, my friend, as Mary squealed for Luke, causing him to blush. All of the guys waved and sat back down.

“Thanks for the support, Matthews! I didn’t know that you cared,” Mika sighed dramatically as he fell against Drac who shoved him into me, causing me to fall to the ground and my speech to run away under rows of students.

I picked myself up and brushed off any dirt that was on my gown and flopped back into my seat. I glared at Mika and Drac and then faced forward.