Chapter 3 You Don’t Know His Kind

Audrey's POV

I stood in front of the mirror, tugging on the uniform as if it didn’t feel weird on my skin.

My head wouldn’t shut up. Last night kept looping, over and over.

There was something wrong with this house not just this place, my family and the Beaumonts as well. And I had to get to the bottom of it. Whatever they were hiding, I would find out.

I looked myself over once in the mirror.

The school uniform looked good on me though, black skirt, white scruffed long sleeves, and black blazer.

A knock landed on my door. Adrian stood, looking all... damn. How come I didn’t notice this earlier? He was gorgeous.

“Ready to go?” he asked with a smile. I quickly picked up my bag and followed behind him.

The house was quieter this morning. I knew finding the journal last night would make things complicated between me and Adrian’s mom.

If I had one skill, it was faking it.

They all knew what happened to my mom. They just never told me. It appears as if I was some delicate thing that might break.  So, I’d do it with them.

When we got downstairs and were about to leave—

“You both should sit for breakfast,” she said that warm smile on her face. Adrian looked at me. “It’s your call. I’m not really hungry.”

“It’s my first day, Mrs. Beaumont. I wouldn’t want to be late.”

“All right then... drive safe.” Her voice still sweet, but her eyes unreadable.

Adrian gave her this little nod, then held the door open for me. The cold hit harder than I thought it would. Mist clung to everything. I used to love the cold.

Now it just made my skin crawl. I wanted to go back. I missed my old life, I missed my school and friends.

The ride was dead quiet at first. Adrian drummed his fingers on the wheel like there was a beat only he could hear.

I stared out the window, watching trees smear past as if the world was speeding up without me.

“You don’t talk much,” I said, finally. The words sounded louder than I meant.

He smirked. “Neither do you.”

“Touché.”

“By the way... sorry for how I acted when you first came. I know it was weird.” I smiled. “It was. But we’re cool, okay.”

Silence again.

I chewed on my lip before I said, “What do you think about your mom’s study?”

He stiffened slightly. “Why?”

“I just... wandered in there last night.”

His eyes flicked to me. “It’s off-limits for a reason.”

“I noticed,” I said. “She wasn’t too thrilled.”

Adrian didn’t answer. He just looked back at the road; jaw clenched. “Do you know what’s in there?” I asked again, more gentle this time.

“Nope,” he said. A lie, plain as day. Not even trying to make it convincing.

I didn’t push. But I knew he knew something. I also knew he wasn’t going to talk, not yet. Ravenfalls High was not what I expected at all. I stood clutching my bag. Adrian stood next to me.

“Not what you expected, huh?”

“Yeah. I was expecting some beat-up, run-down school. But this place looked fancy. Judging from the amount of luxury cars in the parking lot, I could tell these people had money.”

“I hate first days in school,” I mumbled more to myself than to him.

“Would this help?” he asked, holding out his hand. I didn’t think. I just took it. The whispers didn’t stop. But they faded.

“Who is she?”

“What is she doing with Adrian? “

“Is it because of her he never gave any girl attention? “

“She's not even pretty”.

The never-ending whispers made me panic even more.

By lunch, I needed air.

I slipped out to the back, past the school building, to where the woods started. Apparently, students weren’t allowed back here.

Perfect. I stood there, staring into the trees, thinking about the journal again.

“They’re coming for her next. Audrey is not safe here.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“Why are you out here alone?” a voice said behind me. I turned.

 “And who are you?” He leaned against a tree, making it looks as if he’d been there the whole time. Dark hoodie and hands in his pockets. An unreadable expression on his face.

“The school doesn’t allow students to come here. You know that, right? New girl,” he said, not answering my question.

“Oh? Are you not a student as well, or are you above the school authorities?” He grinned, a cocky smile appearing on his lips.

“Looks like you’ve got a sharp mouth on you, huh?  New girl.”

“That’s not my name.”

He pushed off the tree and started moving toward me, slow and cocky, like he had all the time in the world.

Hands in his pockets.

That same smirk. The one that said he knew something I didn’t.

 “But I like ‘new girl.’ It suits you.”

“No,” he said. Quiet and smooth. Almost like a dare.

I didn’t move. My heart kicked up a notch. He was hot—yeah—but there was something off. Something sharp and unnerving.  The kind of guy who walked into a room and every light flickered.

Something about him felt... wrong. Dangerous. But I couldn’t look away.

“Do you always talk to girls like that?” I asked, arms crossed, trying to sound way braver than I felt.

“Only the ones who sneak into places they shouldn’t be,” he said, eyes catching light like they liked being watched.  

“Like the back of the school... and girls that bump into people at the airport.”

I moved back, my confidence dropping. “...It was you.” He smiled. “You didn’t apologize, new girl, so I want my apology.” He came even closer.

I wanted to run. But my feet weren’t moving, feeling as though the ground had claimed them.

“How did you disappear so fast?” “I didn’t. You didn’t look well.” I was sure I did. God, he smelled so good—his scent was intoxicating.

“Get away from her!” I heard Adrian yell as he rushed to my side, yanking me by the hand.

“Did he hurt you?” he asked, worriedly.

“Adrian, calm down. Why would he hurt me?” Adrian turned to face the guy who had just been standing in front of me.

“You stay the hell away from her.” He just smiled, that smug grin never slipping.

As we headed back inside, I heard him call after me. “Hey, new girl... my name’s Derek, by the way.” I saw how furious Adrian was, and it confused me even more.

“Audrey, listen to me. I want you to stay away from him.”

“Why?”

“You don’t know his kind like I do.”

“His kind?” I tilted my head. “He’s dangerous. Just stay away.” I nodded, but why was I feeling this weird pull towards him?

Curiosity took over me. I will definitely find out….