SIERRAIt started with a feeling. Just a slight tingle at the back of my neck, the kind that tells you someone is watching. At first, I thought it was nothing. Maybe a teacher, maybe a random student. But by the third time I caught him looking at me, I knew it wasn’t a coincidence.He was older. Maybe late thirties. Always dressed in dark clothes, always near but never too close. Once near the parking lot. Another time across the street near the coffee shop where Kane had said he’d seen someone strange. And today, again. Leaning against the wall near the school gates.I slowed down, keeping an eye on him. He didn’t flinch, didn’t try to look away. Just calmly turned and walked in the opposite direction. My heart was racing. I glanced back toward the school, made sure no one was watching, and then followed him.He was fast. Not running, just… smooth. Like he was gliding. By the time I made it around the corner, he was already two blocks ahead. My boots hit the pavement harder than I wa
SIERRAIt was the end of the day and I was already halfway to the front office when my name got called over the intercom."Sierra, please report to Room 12."I stopped in my tracks, groaning inwardly. Room 12 was Mr. Lorne’s classroom, where the project partners were announced earlier.I turned around and made my way back down the hallway, tired and cranky. My shoulders were still sore from carrying Lila’s sparkly unicorn bag earlier, and my head was pounding from everything that happened.When I stepped into the room, Mr. Lorne looked up from his desk."Ah, Sierra. Good. I needed to let you know, Tara isn’t your only partner. Coach Pendergast said one of the boys from his class needed extra credit."I blinked. "What?"“I was about to plead with him to change my partner and this,” I muttered to myself.Mr. Lorne pointed toward the back corner.That’s when I saw him.The same jock that made fun of Kane during gym. The same one who almost got his jaw broken.He smirked at me. "Hey, fore
KANEGym class. Of all the places to start trouble, it had to be there.I was tying my sneakers when I felt someone staring. I looked up and, of course, saw the guy everyone whispered about. Jock. Broad shoulders. Shiny teeth. The kind of guy who thought the gym was the Olympics. He was heading straight for me."Hey, new guy," he said, grinning like he owned the place. "Are you sure you belong here?"I didn’t flinch. "Pretty sure. Why?""Just saying," he said, pointing at my hair, which was tied back. "Didn’t know they let girls in the boys' locker room."I stood up slowly. "Got a problem with my hair?""No," he said, circling me like a wolf. "Just surprised someone that pretty can even lift a weight. What do you bench? A pillow?"I could feel my muscles tensing. My jaw locked. But I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. I took a breath and turned away.He wasn’t done. "Bet you got soft hands too. Probably use lotion. Do you even sweat?"That was it.I stopped mid-step, something
SIERRAThe hallway was still quiet after the locker cracked. Everyone had scattered, but Tara stayed put, her arms crossed and her jaw tight."She did it," Tara said suddenly, her voice sharp. "It was her."I turned to face her. "I didn’t do anything."Tara pointed at the locker. "Oh please. It cracked the second she got mad. You think we're all blind?"My heart thudded in my chest. I could feel it pounding behind my ribs like a drum. Everyone was staring now. The hallway had gone still, like time had paused, and all eyes were on me and Tara."It was probably a wiring issue," I said, trying to keep my voice even. Calm. Rational. "Stuff like that happens in old buildings."Tara didn’t buy it for a second. She crossed her arms, eyes flashing. "Stuff like that doesn’t just happen, Miss Perfect," she snapped. "Ever since your little weirdo family showed up, strange things have been happening."My stomach twisted. I could feel the heat rising in my face, my fingers curling into tight fists
SIERRAThe morning sunlight streamed through the window, too bright for my tired eyes. I sat on the edge of my bed, braiding my hair in silence, trying not to think about what the day would bring. School again. Day two. And already it felt like I was counting down to disaster.“Sierra! We’re going to be late!” Zane’s voice carried up the stairs.“Coming!”I grabbed my backpack, took one last deep breath, and made my way downstairs. The boys were already half-dressed and half-annoyed, all of them bickering as usual.“I’m not wearing this,” Kane grumbled, yanking at his hoodie.“You look fine,” I said, brushing past him. “Everyone wears that.”“But it’s tight,” he said, tugging at the sleeves like they were trying to strangle him.“That’s the style,” Dane added with a mouthful of toast. “Apparently, humans like uncomfortable clothing.”“I don’t get it,” Zane muttered, looking at his phone. “Why does school start so early?”“Because humans are obsessed with schedules,” I replied. “Now hu
SIERRA“There’s a pretty lady outside," Lila said.I blinked. "What? What lady?"She pointed. "Behind you."I turned around slowly. And there she was. Her skin glowed like silver under the moonlight. Her long hair flowed like water, and her eyes held galaxies. My breath caught in my throat."Moon Goddess," I whispered, bowing slightly. "You honor us. Welcome to the mortal world."She smiled, soft and sad. "Sierra."I stood up straighter. Lila was still staring. "Lila, sweetie, can you go play in your room for a bit? Just a little, okay?"Lila pouted. "But I want to stay and play with you.""Please? I need to talk to the pretty lady for a moment."Lila sighed but finally nodded and skipped down the hall.The Moon Goddess watched her go. "Her heart is pure," she said softly."She’s still learning," I said. "We’re trying to help her control it."The Goddess looked at me with eyes that seemed to know everything. "I didn’t come for Lila. I came to warn you."I was tense. "Warn me? About wh