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As always Math never was my greatest or strongest subject ever, I stumbled over every problem the teacher had asked me, yet she kept asking me a question every time, please for the love of everything that's sacred, and for the rest of the students please stop helping me Ms. Teacher, oh please, please. "Ms. Amberclaw, what's the answer to this question?" Oh god please no. I squinted at the board, trying my best to save me some time from humiliation.What the heck was that letter doing next to that number? I don't remember this! "Ummm, I'm not sure..." I truthfully spoke, the teacher crossed her arms and walked over to me, like a towering dragon ready to eat her prey "Sam, if you can not answer this question, doesn't that say something about how hard you've been working on in math?" I dared not to look up to her, "Y-yes, it does." I saw her nod, "Well, then Mr. Blackwood." I heard her speak, great that's just what I needed, agitate them some more and then they'll be talking about how I failed drastically in math. "Can you help Sam catch up before she ends up falling behind?" I heard the seat behind me screech and the figure moved next to me, Mike had a smirk planted on his face, I had the oddest feeling that I was going to be tortured or made fun of.

The teacher continued the lesson, I made no word to the man next to me, I was already giving up. Wait a sec Sam, did I just hear you say that? Oh of course I did.... I deeply sighed, catching the attention of Mike, he turned his head to me "Hey, Mike Blackwood." He turned his chair to me and gave out his hand, wow this was not happening, I guess Mike and his sister had the same attitude. I turned my head "Hi, it's nice to officially meet you, I'm Sam, as you already heard." I shook his hand smiling, it was noticeably cold. He nodded "Haha, guess so, do you wanna work on some problems just to get you up to date?" I nodded. This was better then I thought it would be, I guessed since Snow and him were siblings, their both possibly alike in some ways. He showed me some of the things I needed to learn, it was very helpful. Once in awhile he would crack a joke about school or his family. Which led me to think about Maria, wonderful, very wonderful, I didn't want to think about her. But at some part I felt the stinging feeling in the back of my head, the person behind me was watching me.

"So after you finish that equation, you have to go to the first and..." I heard his voice trail off, "Everything ok with you?" I blinked "Oh yeah! Sorry... I get distracted a lot. I think I have a problem with myself." I laughed a little, he smiled back "Trust me, your not the only one with problems." "Feels like it." I glanced at the clock, just a few more minutes until this class ends, then I can go to my favorite period of the day, lunch, and not for the reason you think. "Lunch is next, I know you want to get out of this hell hole." I turned towards him, it was like he could read my mind. "Y-yeah." I stuttered yet again, my brow raised just slightly, and just when the bell rang did I hear everyone get up from their seats. Mike got up, smiled at me and went towards the door, he looked just past my shoulder. I raised my gaze and there standing behind me was Maria, her gaze shot through me, predatory eyes gazing down at me, as if she wanted to rip and eat me. Her hand slammed on the desk, I jolted back in shock, "Ms. Blackwood? Do we have a problem?" The teacher came to my rescue, I didn't need it but, I let her just this once "No, no problem, I almost fell, so I need to grab something before my body would hit the ground." The teacher crossed her arms over her chest and nodded unbelievingly. Mike was still standing by the door way, grinning, and by the time Maria reached the doorway, they left as if they didn't exist. I have no idea what was going on now, I looked down at the my table, there on it was a piece of paper, it was folded up. I got up, grabbed my things; including the paper, and walked out of the class. I looked around the halls to make sure no one I knew was around, especially when I'm reading a piece of paper, they might mistaken it for some love letter from a guy who was too shy to ask me himself. I unfolded the paper and read it to myself :

"Let's talk at lunch.
~Maria"

That's weird, she wanted to talk to me? She can't make up her mind I guess, I laughed a little. Maybe I'll play with her a little, just to see the way she reacts, after all making someone like that annoyed would make me laugh. I smiled as I walked down the hallway, keeping the paper in the palm of my hand. Lunch was just a couple of steps away for me.

The guys at the table were already seated at their usual spot for lunch, I walked over to them smiling, Arielle soon spotted me before I got there, she then nudged Jackie in the side. I came over next to Jackie "What's up guys?" Jackie pointed pass me to the distance, I followed the direction of her finger to see Maria alone at her own table. "Where are the other Blackwoods?" I looked at everyone "Maria was already there when the Blackwoods came, but she seemed to talk to them and they all went back out, Isabella seemed not to like it, she walked out with an attitude." I clenched my fist, the note was still in it "Hey, I'm going to go join her, is that ok with you guys?" They all nodded, but faintly.

I walked over to her table, she was reading something, a book. I sat across from her, this was the first time we actually sat together at lunch, it made me nervous, not only because this was the first time but because this table had an odd atmosphere to it. "Hey." She looked up from her book "I see you got my message?" She asked, her brow raised. I showed her the note "Yes." I answered, placing the note on the table in front of me between us. She stopped reading her book, closing it and crossing her arms across her chest, "So what did you want to talk about?" She looked outside "Well you seemed a little persistent yesterday, sorry about that accident by the way," she looked down, "Isabella can be..... A little protective is all." Ya got that right, but it was understandable, I guess I was a threat to them in some way. "But what peaks my interest is how strong your will is." I smiled "Oh yeah, my will is pretty strong." "Why?" "I thought I said the reasons why yesterday?" She sighed deeply "Yes I know, sorry, I'm confused is all." I propped my head up with my elbow on the table "Sooooooooooo?" I dragged out the word, "I praise your courage, so for now, I will let this "friendship" stay." I mentally started celebrating"But, when I tell you leave or the situation seems dangerous, you need to listen to me, got it?" I didn't quite understand what she meant by that but I nodded happily.

I pulled out my lunch bag and started eating, "Aren't you gonna go back to your friends?" I smirked "Well, we kinda just started over and besides I'm already here with you." She looked like she didn't quite understand the situation but she nodded anyway, she opened her book back up and started reading "Uhh what you reading there?" "I'm studying for next weeks test." Oh shit! There was a test next week?! I almost choked on my food, I coughed "Oh, man." She looked up wondering if I was ok, I nodded silently to her and grabbed my water bottle dousing it down. "So, your quite mysterious for someone who stands out." She raised her brow "I am?" "Y-yeah, I mean.... Um..." I was trying to say something that didn't sound like I was being rude "How come you guys look tired all the time?" She stopped reading, her eyes darting away, as if she was looking for an answer "We like to stay up a lot, I know the others like to stay up and watch t.v, I just study." My head tilted a little. Stay up late..... That night at the park still peaked my interest? I wanted to push my questions a little more, I wanted to know more without hurting our relationship "What about that night?" She paused again, I was so getting closer. She completely closed her book and looked straight at me "I don't like to talk about my nights out." She looked at me a little cold, I shivered as if a freezing wind hit me. "I can tell you have your suspicions about me, what do you think I am?" I stopped eating, she caught me, I had been guessing and brainstorming possible outcomes "You would laugh at me." "Try me." She seemed very confident she wouldn't laugh "Uhhhh, Wonder Women?" She stared at me taking my answer in, her lips started forming a smile "Hey! You said you wouldn't laugh!" She looked away smirking "Sorry, I couldn't take that seriously." I looked away as well, my face turning red, that sure was embarrassing "Any other ideas?" I crossed my arms "Radioactive spider, you came from another planet, or maybe your a secret agent?" Her lips formed even wider "You have a big imagination don't you?" She snickered. I tried looking serious but I could feel myself burning up "Hey! It was the best thing to come up with!" "I don't think your very close." I frowned "Why do you say that?"

Her grin went away, and the atmosphere around was turned thick "Maybe... I'm... I'm not the good guy...." Her voice trailed off "Maybe I'm the bad guy." We both sat in silence for a couple of minutes before I dared to open my mouth "I don't think so... I think your a good person." I smiled, she looked a little stunned almost shocked. She looked away immediately, I could see her face forming a smile, but just a little. Just then the bell rang, a signal that lunch had ended and the next class was just around the corner "Oh!" I shouted, I got up and packed my things, and as I swung my bag strap on my shoulder I saw Maria still sitting down as if she didn't hear the bell "Hey Maria, don't you have class?" She looked up at me "Yeah I know I heard the bell, but I got somewhere to go is all, I'll see you soon ok? Last period is Chemistry, make sure you don't fall again please?" I laughed "Yeah sure." I waved a goodbye to her and ran off to my next class, I was pretty happy you could say, pretty, pretty, pretty happy.

Happily did I skip into Chemistry, and almost slipping on a wet puddle in class. I swear the world just hates me, everywhere I turn there's bad luck. Good thing a little bit of luck was on my side at least, the bell had already rang and the teacher was nowhere to be seen. I hurried to my seat just as the teacher came into the room, I was already seated, but he still gave me a stern look, deciding whether to send me to the deans or not. I breathed a sigh when he looked away from me, thank god! He walked over to a students table carrying books and dropped them on his table with a loud thud, catching the kid by surprise "Today we will have a little experiment today." He nodded at the kid at the table then at the books, a silent code to pass them out to the rest of the class "As you probably already know, maybe," he deeply sighed as if disappointed "The Blood Drive will be coming to our school, so as your science teacher I thought it would be fit to test your blood type." He went to another students table and asked for their hand, nervously and slowly did the student give her hand to him, he pricked her finger with a plastic toothpick. Her blood started to slowly come out, it was like a little spot and it gleamed glossy red. Blood... Blood.. The park... The dog.... Maria. I started feeling dizzy and nauseas, I started remembering that awful scene at the park, ah shit! I didn't want to faint like a little girl infront of everyone. I heard the teacher continue to talk "You then apply it to the card I will be handing out. Once done, write your name at the top and your blood type as soon as the results come in, then hand it to me at the end of class." He finished and walked away from the girl, who was staring at her finger that had been pricked.

I got a glance from the kid across from me, he raised his hand, ah great just what I needed, soon the whole class will be laughing at me, I hadn't even pricked my finger. The teacher came over to him, the boy pointed at me and said something to him "Ms Amberclaw, are you alright?" I raised my hand and waved it frantically in his direction "Y-yeah! I'm fine!" I sure didn't feel fine but I didn't want him to know. The teacher could tell I wasn't feeling good "I think you should go to the nurses office." Oh great! Not the nurse again! I frantically waved both hands "No! N-no! I'm perfectly-" my head and body immediately gave way and my head hit the table, I knew I was getting stared at, I could feel all their eyes boring into my head. I felt someone grab my arm, putting it over their shoulder with the other arm grasping my waist. Some kid in my class, who looked proud enough to carry a damsel in distress. I sure heck didn't like being the damsel but no matter how hard I tried my feet or even my whole body wouldn't move. Guess I would have to play along for now. The kid carried me out of the classroom and into the hallway, and as we walked twenty steps away from class I heard that familiar voice again, "Hey, is she ok?" Yup I was surely correct, I was placed down against the hallway wall, I saw the familiar black hair and the dark clothes. "What happen?" The boy cleared his throat, he sounded scared, Maria must have put her scary face on "S-she almost fainted in our chemistry class." I heard her give a sigh "Their doing that blood type test thing right?" I heard the boy agree but then speak "H-how do you know?" I heard a snicker "I just know." I felt an arm grasp my waist again and my arm slung over someone's shoulder, except the person wasn't as tall nor had a build to them "I'll be taking her along. I know her medical records." What a stupid lie that was, what was even more stupid was that the kid agreed and walked back to class. She turned around carrying me, as I hung my head low, "Now how come you almost fainted? You don't seem like the type to play princess and prince." I laughed weakly "Humph very funny." We turned a corner "I'm surprised to say that it wasn't your blood and someone else's." I smiled but said nothing, my body felt weak already and talking to her wasn't going to help it.

We both made our way inside the nurses office where Maria sat me down in the chair, my body slumped to the side, but I wasn't dizzy anymore, I was tired now, as if my body didn't get enough sleep. The nurse there came over to me, looking at me then back to Maria, who was standing just across from me, her back against the wall. "What happened?" "Chemistry class, the Blood Drive is coming to the school so their blood typing." The nurse gave a nod "Yes, there always seems to be that one person." I didn't want to be that one person though. "I will be back, you can go back to class now." I saw her look at Maria with a smile, but she didn't return the kindness "The teacher told me to watch her, I'll be fine staying with her." I could tell the nurse didn't believe her story but she walked away, probably getting something for me. "It's not nice to lie to teachers." I stated "Yeah sure, like you don't do it." She caught me there, I straight up myself, my back started hurting. The nurse soon came back with a cold towel and placed it on my forehead, I held it there with my hand so it wouldn't slide off "There, that should make you feel better." I was already feeling better now that I was out of that class, maybe I should have ditched it like Maria did. "Why did you ditch class?" She turned to look at me "I wasn't ditching, I was on my way to class." Yeah sure "Did you go looking for dogs again?" It was an innocent joke, but I could tell from her face that she didn't like it, so I decided to just shut up and keep quiet for the couple of seconds "Is that what you thinking about?" Her question caught me off guard as I messed around with the towel "Oh?" She sighed, a little annoyed and a little tired "The dog, ya know and the blood, it would make sense." I felt my blood boil inside me, I tried not to remember that night, it was way too gory to say the least "I tried not to remember it, but couldn't help it." She nodded at me silently. "Come on, you look fine now, let's go to class." I pouted "But, I think I'm still sick." I made myself look as tired as possible "Oh come on!" She started walking out of the office, I got up and followed her, leaving the cold towel on my seat and running after her. I waved goodbye at the nurse who gave me an awkward look, after all my speedy recover made me look like I was never sick to begin with.

On our way to class we saw Jackie, she glanced at me then at Maria and then me again. "Hey, Sam." She glanced at Maria one more time, before talking with me "Hey! What's up?" She smiled "The guys and I were wondering if next weekend you were available to hang out with us again, we're planning on going to the park. You in?" I nodded "Yeah sure, I think my dad would let me, I'll text ya when I find out, ok?" She nodded "Yeah, sounds good." She past by us and waved a goodbye. "So you hang out with your table friends?" I nodded "Basically my only friends here at school... Well besides you guys." "Us?" "Yeah, the Blackwoods." She snickered "Wait, I'm the only Blackwood that's friends with you." I put my hand in my pocket "Well... I think Snow and Mike like me, so that counts right?" She gave a sigh, her walking pace became slow "I guess, but you still got a ways to go before you become friends with James and way more to go to be friends with Isabella." I laughed I guess it was that tough for me.

We were still in the hall when the bell rang, thousands of students practically ran out of their classrooms, it was freedom at last for them and to go home as well. "You usually walk home by yourself right?" I nodded "May I walk with you?" I turned my head to her, her face seemed to shine just a little. "Well, if you don't mind me going to pick my brother up. Then I really don't mind." She nodded "Meet me outside then once you get your stuff." She walked away in a different direction. I saw her walk down the hallway and into a different classroom, I was guessing that she would tell the rest of her family about us walking. Jackie was there at the doorway when I went to homeroom to get my stuff, she smiled "Hey, Arielle and I wanted to know if we could walk with you and Thomas?" I nodded "Yeah sure, Maria is coming along too, maybe you guys could better know each other and be friends?" Her face soon went blank "Oh... I... I think we'll pass." I crossed my arms in disappointment "Huh? W-wha? How come?" She looked down, "I'm sorry, I can't be around them, especially if my parents found out." I still didn't understand any of this, what was so bad about the Blackwoods?! Ok they liked to hunt in a park, that's not so random, they just like to hunt, in an unusual way but still! Jackie walked away from me and followed the other students out of the campus, I made my way into class, thankful that someone had brought my stuff back to my room from Chemistry. I walked outside and into the open crisp air, there was a thin mist in the air and the sun wasn't shining outside at all. I looked around looking for Maria, I then felt a tap on my shoulder "Hey." It was Maria, she had her hands in her pockets, "I had to just tell the guys that I would be going with you today." I smiled "That's good. I hope they don't mind." I bit my lip knowing that I might get evil glares from some people tomorrow "I'm sure it'll be fine." We walked out of the parking lot and onto the sidewalk. I felt something weird in the back of my head, I looked behind me, making sure no one was going to spook me, what it was instead was four teens staring at me with their hazel eyes glaring as if I was their next meal. I turned my head around quickly trying to ignore them and get their faces out of my mind.

"So tell me more about your family. Ya know since we're friends and all." "A little, as long as you keep your promise." I nodded, "Ok yeah sure." "You go first though before I tell you about mine." I shrugged, I really didn't want to go first, I asked the question but I let her win this round "Well, my family is small, my parents are divorced and I have a little brother, which you already know." "Thomas, right?" I only mentioned the name once, so she wanted to make sure that she was right "Yes." "What happened with your parents?" I frowned, this was a tough subject to talk about "I'm not sure, I was young, but I do remember one day going to my grandmothers house with my mom, and my brother. And one day, the cops came and told something to my mom. I was too young to understand and so was my brother. So...." I stopped, I could feel the sadness filling up my voice, "But I have a couple of friends who keep me company, so that at least makes me happy." I gave her a grin and she nodded "That's good. So what's your family like?" I stared up at the buildings towering above us, so huge like giant monsters "Well my mom is a little ditzy and distracted." "Like you." She remarked with a snicker, I nodded blankly "Yes... And my dad, he's a little over protective but I know he only thinks of what's best for me." "And your brother? What's he like?" I smiled "Tommy is the best little brother ever, I mean he's the only person I talk to at my house really. But he's a little shy around new people, so don't be surprised if he doesn't talk to you for the first ten minutes he's around you." She smiled "I'll try to behave myself." I felt like she just opened herself to a side I never knew or anyone else knew for that matter. "So now it's your turn!" I slapped her shoulder, thankfully I didn't get a slap back "Well, you already know I have four other siblings. I'm the true Blackwood, we call each other Blackwoods anyway because of my parents. But Snow and Mikes real last names are Holland." Hmmm Snow Holland and Mike Holland, that was the first time I ever heard their last names. "And as you probably already know, James and Isabella have no blood ties to us or each other. James Creed and Isabella Wixx were adopted when I was only five years old." Wow! I just finding out this now, they seem to have cool names, very mysterious just like Blackwood. "Our family has a long line of royalty, especially on my dads side." She took her hands out her pockets "And that's it." I smiled "Wow, I learned a lot about you today." "Same goes for you. By the way," she started looking ahead "Don't try and do anything stupid in the park, ya know... Like get run over by a bike or fall down some stairs." I laughed "No promises." She grinned "So tomorrow in Chemistry they said tha-" "I'm not going to be at school tomorrow." My heart sank for some reason "How come?" I looked up at her for answers "My family and me are going away for just the weekend but my father said that we'll have to start tomorrow." "Where are you guys going?" My pace became slow, and the chilled air became thinner "Just upstate is all. We're going to hangout with some family we have up there, we like to hunt deer, so our dad wanted to try it out together." She shrugged "It'll another outing thing again." I smiled a little "Well ok, then as long as you be safe I'll be safe, deal?" She looked at me smirking "Your hard to make deals with you know?" "Yes I know." "Ok fine, it's a deal then." We both were grinning when I came to Thomas' school. Thomas sure didn't know what to do for the rest of the time being around Maria, I could tell it was a mixture of scared and nervous, he would occasionally stare at her then ask me what her name was every five minutes until we got home. That walk was probably the first time me and Maria ever truly knew each other, and it was the first time that fall did I not feel as cold as I usually did.

Description
As always Math never was my greatest or strongest subject ever, I stumbled over every problem the teacher had asked me, yet she kept asking me a question every time, please for the love of everything that's sacred, and for the rest of the students please stop helping me Ms. Teacher, oh please, please. "Ms. Amberclaw, what's the answer to this question?" Oh god please no. I squinted at the board, trying my best to save me some time from humiliation.What the heck was that letter doing next to that number? I don't remember this! "Ummm, I'm not sure..." I truthfully spoke, the teacher crossed her arms and walked over to me, like a towering dragon ready to eat her prey "Sam, if you can not answer this question, doesn't that say something about how hard you've been working on in math?" I dared not to look up to her, "Y-yes, it does." I saw her nod, "Well, then Mr. Blackwood." I heard her speak, great that's just what I needed, agitate them some more and then they'll be talking about how I failed drastically in math. "Can you help Sam catch up before she ends up falling behind?" I heard the seat behind me screech and the figure moved next to me, Mike had a smirk planted on his face, I had the oddest feeling that I was going to be tortured or made fun of.

The teacher continued the lesson, I made no word to the man next to me, I was already giving up. Wait a sec Sam, did I just hear you say that? Oh of course I did.... I deeply sighed, catching the attention of Mike, he turned his head to me "Hey, Mike Blackwood." He turned his chair to me and gave out his hand, wow this was not happening, I guess Mike and his sister had the same attitude. I turned my head "Hi, it's nice to officially meet you, I'm Sam, as you already heard." I shook his hand smiling, it was noticeably cold. He nodded "Haha, guess so, do you wanna work on some problems just to get you up to date?" I nodded. This was better then I thought it would be, I guessed since Snow and him were siblings, their both possibly alike in some ways. He showed me some of the things I needed to learn, it was very helpful. Once in awhile he would crack a joke about school or his family. Which led me to think about Maria, wonderful, very wonderful, I didn't want to think about her. But at some part I felt the stinging feeling in the back of my head, the person behind me was watching me.

"So after you finish that equation, you have to go to the first and..." I heard his voice trail off, "Everything ok with you?" I blinked "Oh yeah! Sorry... I get distracted a lot. I think I have a problem with myself." I laughed a little, he smiled back "Trust me, your not the only one with problems." "Feels like it." I glanced at the clock, just a few more minutes until this class ends, then I can go to my favorite period of the day, lunch, and not for the reason you think. "Lunch is next, I know you want to get out of this hell hole." I turned towards him, it was like he could read my mind. "Y-yeah." I stuttered yet again, my brow raised just slightly, and just when the bell rang did I hear everyone get up from their seats. Mike got up, smiled at me and went towards the door, he looked just past my shoulder. I raised my gaze and there standing behind me was Maria, her gaze shot through me, predatory eyes gazing down at me, as if she wanted to rip and eat me. Her hand slammed on the desk, I jolted back in shock, "Ms. Blackwood? Do we have a problem?" The teacher came to my rescue, I didn't need it but, I let her just this once "No, no problem, I almost fell, so I need to grab something before my body would hit the ground." The teacher crossed her arms over her chest and nodded unbelievingly. Mike was still standing by the door way, grinning, and by the time Maria reached the doorway, they left as if they didn't exist. I have no idea what was going on now, I looked down at the my table, there on it was a piece of paper, it was folded up. I got up, grabbed my things; including the paper, and walked out of the class. I looked around the halls to make sure no one I knew was around, especially when I'm reading a piece of paper, they might mistaken it for some love letter from a guy who was too shy to ask me himself. I unfolded the paper and read it to myself :

"Let's talk at lunch.
~Maria"

That's weird, she wanted to talk to me? She can't make up her mind I guess, I laughed a little. Maybe I'll play with her a little, just to see the way she reacts, after all making someone like that annoyed would make me laugh. I smiled as I walked down the hallway, keeping the paper in the palm of my hand. Lunch was just a couple of steps away for me.

The guys at the table were already seated at their usual spot for lunch, I walked over to them smiling, Arielle soon spotted me before I got there, she then nudged Jackie in the side. I came over next to Jackie "What's up guys?" Jackie pointed pass me to the distance, I followed the direction of her finger to see Maria alone at her own table. "Where are the other Blackwoods?" I looked at everyone "Maria was already there when the Blackwoods came, but she seemed to talk to them and they all went back out, Isabella seemed not to like it, she walked out with an attitude." I clenched my fist, the note was still in it "Hey, I'm going to go join her, is that ok with you guys?" They all nodded, but faintly.

I walked over to her table, she was reading something, a book. I sat across from her, this was the first time we actually sat together at lunch, it made me nervous, not only because this was the first time but because this table had an odd atmosphere to it. "Hey." She looked up from her book "I see you got my message?" She asked, her brow raised. I showed her the note "Yes." I answered, placing the note on the table in front of me between us. She stopped reading her book, closing it and crossing her arms across her chest, "So what did you want to talk about?" She looked outside "Well you seemed a little persistent yesterday, sorry about that accident by the way," she looked down, "Isabella can be..... A little protective is all." Ya got that right, but it was understandable, I guess I was a threat to them in some way. "But what peaks my interest is how strong your will is." I smiled "Oh yeah, my will is pretty strong." "Why?" "I thought I said the reasons why yesterday?" She sighed deeply "Yes I know, sorry, I'm confused is all." I propped my head up with my elbow on the table "Sooooooooooo?" I dragged out the word, "I praise your courage, so for now, I will let this "friendship" stay." I mentally started celebrating"But, when I tell you leave or the situation seems dangerous, you need to listen to me, got it?" I didn't quite understand what she meant by that but I nodded happily.

I pulled out my lunch bag and started eating, "Aren't you gonna go back to your friends?" I smirked "Well, we kinda just started over and besides I'm already here with you." She looked like she didn't quite understand the situation but she nodded anyway, she opened her book back up and started reading "Uhh what you reading there?" "I'm studying for next weeks test." Oh shit! There was a test next week?! I almost choked on my food, I coughed "Oh, man." She looked up wondering if I was ok, I nodded silently to her and grabbed my water bottle dousing it down. "So, your quite mysterious for someone who stands out." She raised her brow "I am?" "Y-yeah, I mean.... Um..." I was trying to say something that didn't sound like I was being rude "How come you guys look tired all the time?" She stopped reading, her eyes darting away, as if she was looking for an answer "We like to stay up a lot, I know the others like to stay up and watch t.v, I just study." My head tilted a little. Stay up late..... That night at the park still peaked my interest? I wanted to push my questions a little more, I wanted to know more without hurting our relationship "What about that night?" She paused again, I was so getting closer. She completely closed her book and looked straight at me "I don't like to talk about my nights out." She looked at me a little cold, I shivered as if a freezing wind hit me. "I can tell you have your suspicions about me, what do you think I am?" I stopped eating, she caught me, I had been guessing and brainstorming possible outcomes "You would laugh at me." "Try me." She seemed very confident she wouldn't laugh "Uhhhh, Wonder Women?" She stared at me taking my answer in, her lips started forming a smile "Hey! You said you wouldn't laugh!" She looked away smirking "Sorry, I couldn't take that seriously." I looked away as well, my face turning red, that sure was embarrassing "Any other ideas?" I crossed my arms "Radioactive spider, you came from another planet, or maybe your a secret agent?" Her lips formed even wider "You have a big imagination don't you?" She snickered. I tried looking serious but I could feel myself burning up "Hey! It was the best thing to come up with!" "I don't think your very close." I frowned "Why do you say that?"

Her grin went away, and the atmosphere around was turned thick "Maybe... I'm... I'm not the good guy...." Her voice trailed off "Maybe I'm the bad guy." We both sat in silence for a couple of minutes before I dared to open my mouth "I don't think so... I think your a good person." I smiled, she looked a little stunned almost shocked. She looked away immediately, I could see her face forming a smile, but just a little. Just then the bell rang, a signal that lunch had ended and the next class was just around the corner "Oh!" I shouted, I got up and packed my things, and as I swung my bag strap on my shoulder I saw Maria still sitting down as if she didn't hear the bell "Hey Maria, don't you have class?" She looked up at me "Yeah I know I heard the bell, but I got somewhere to go is all, I'll see you soon ok? Last period is Chemistry, make sure you don't fall again please?" I laughed "Yeah sure." I waved a goodbye to her and ran off to my next class, I was pretty happy you could say, pretty, pretty, pretty happy.

Happily did I skip into Chemistry, and almost slipping on a wet puddle in class. I swear the world just hates me, everywhere I turn there's bad luck. Good thing a little bit of luck was on my side at least, the bell had already rang and the teacher was nowhere to be seen. I hurried to my seat just as the teacher came into the room, I was already seated, but he still gave me a stern look, deciding whether to send me to the deans or not. I breathed a sigh when he looked away from me, thank god! He walked over to a students table carrying books and dropped them on his table with a loud thud, catching the kid by surprise "Today we will have a little experiment today." He nodded at the kid at the table then at the books, a silent code to pass them out to the rest of the class "As you probably already know, maybe," he deeply sighed as if disappointed "The Blood Drive will be coming to our school, so as your science teacher I thought it would be fit to test your blood type." He went to another students table and asked for their hand, nervously and slowly did the student give her hand to him, he pricked her finger with a plastic toothpick. Her blood started to slowly come out, it was like a little spot and it gleamed glossy red. Blood... Blood.. The park... The dog.... Maria. I started feeling dizzy and nauseas, I started remembering that awful scene at the park, ah shit! I didn't want to faint like a little girl infront of everyone. I heard the teacher continue to talk "You then apply it to the card I will be handing out. Once done, write your name at the top and your blood type as soon as the results come in, then hand it to me at the end of class." He finished and walked away from the girl, who was staring at her finger that had been pricked.

I got a glance from the kid across from me, he raised his hand, ah great just what I needed, soon the whole class will be laughing at me, I hadn't even pricked my finger. The teacher came over to him, the boy pointed at me and said something to him "Ms Amberclaw, are you alright?" I raised my hand and waved it frantically in his direction "Y-yeah! I'm fine!" I sure didn't feel fine but I didn't want him to know. The teacher could tell I wasn't feeling good "I think you should go to the nurses office." Oh great! Not the nurse again! I frantically waved both hands "No! N-no! I'm perfectly-" my head and body immediately gave way and my head hit the table, I knew I was getting stared at, I could feel all their eyes boring into my head. I felt someone grab my arm, putting it over their shoulder with the other arm grasping my waist. Some kid in my class, who looked proud enough to carry a damsel in distress. I sure heck didn't like being the damsel but no matter how hard I tried my feet or even my whole body wouldn't move. Guess I would have to play along for now. The kid carried me out of the classroom and into the hallway, and as we walked twenty steps away from class I heard that familiar voice again, "Hey, is she ok?" Yup I was surely correct, I was placed down against the hallway wall, I saw the familiar black hair and the dark clothes. "What happen?" The boy cleared his throat, he sounded scared, Maria must have put her scary face on "S-she almost fainted in our chemistry class." I heard her give a sigh "Their doing that blood type test thing right?" I heard the boy agree but then speak "H-how do you know?" I heard a snicker "I just know." I felt an arm grasp my waist again and my arm slung over someone's shoulder, except the person wasn't as tall nor had a build to them "I'll be taking her along. I know her medical records." What a stupid lie that was, what was even more stupid was that the kid agreed and walked back to class. She turned around carrying me, as I hung my head low, "Now how come you almost fainted? You don't seem like the type to play princess and prince." I laughed weakly "Humph very funny." We turned a corner "I'm surprised to say that it wasn't your blood and someone else's." I smiled but said nothing, my body felt weak already and talking to her wasn't going to help it.

We both made our way inside the nurses office where Maria sat me down in the chair, my body slumped to the side, but I wasn't dizzy anymore, I was tired now, as if my body didn't get enough sleep. The nurse there came over to me, looking at me then back to Maria, who was standing just across from me, her back against the wall. "What happened?" "Chemistry class, the Blood Drive is coming to the school so their blood typing." The nurse gave a nod "Yes, there always seems to be that one person." I didn't want to be that one person though. "I will be back, you can go back to class now." I saw her look at Maria with a smile, but she didn't return the kindness "The teacher told me to watch her, I'll be fine staying with her." I could tell the nurse didn't believe her story but she walked away, probably getting something for me. "It's not nice to lie to teachers." I stated "Yeah sure, like you don't do it." She caught me there, I straight up myself, my back started hurting. The nurse soon came back with a cold towel and placed it on my forehead, I held it there with my hand so it wouldn't slide off "There, that should make you feel better." I was already feeling better now that I was out of that class, maybe I should have ditched it like Maria did. "Why did you ditch class?" She turned to look at me "I wasn't ditching, I was on my way to class." Yeah sure "Did you go looking for dogs again?" It was an innocent joke, but I could tell from her face that she didn't like it, so I decided to just shut up and keep quiet for the couple of seconds "Is that what you thinking about?" Her question caught me off guard as I messed around with the towel "Oh?" She sighed, a little annoyed and a little tired "The dog, ya know and the blood, it would make sense." I felt my blood boil inside me, I tried not to remember that night, it was way too gory to say the least "I tried not to remember it, but couldn't help it." She nodded at me silently. "Come on, you look fine now, let's go to class." I pouted "But, I think I'm still sick." I made myself look as tired as possible "Oh come on!" She started walking out of the office, I got up and followed her, leaving the cold towel on my seat and running after her. I waved goodbye at the nurse who gave me an awkward look, after all my speedy recover made me look like I was never sick to begin with.

On our way to class we saw Jackie, she glanced at me then at Maria and then me again. "Hey, Sam." She glanced at Maria one more time, before talking with me "Hey! What's up?" She smiled "The guys and I were wondering if next weekend you were available to hang out with us again, we're planning on going to the park. You in?" I nodded "Yeah sure, I think my dad would let me, I'll text ya when I find out, ok?" She nodded "Yeah, sounds good." She past by us and waved a goodbye. "So you hang out with your table friends?" I nodded "Basically my only friends here at school... Well besides you guys." "Us?" "Yeah, the Blackwoods." She snickered "Wait, I'm the only Blackwood that's friends with you." I put my hand in my pocket "Well... I think Snow and Mike like me, so that counts right?" She gave a sigh, her walking pace became slow "I guess, but you still got a ways to go before you become friends with James and way more to go to be friends with Isabella." I laughed I guess it was that tough for me.

We were still in the hall when the bell rang, thousands of students practically ran out of their classrooms, it was freedom at last for them and to go home as well. "You usually walk home by yourself right?" I nodded "May I walk with you?" I turned my head to her, her face seemed to shine just a little. "Well, if you don't mind me going to pick my brother up. Then I really don't mind." She nodded "Meet me outside then once you get your stuff." She walked away in a different direction. I saw her walk down the hallway and into a different classroom, I was guessing that she would tell the rest of her family about us walking. Jackie was there at the doorway when I went to homeroom to get my stuff, she smiled "Hey, Arielle and I wanted to know if we could walk with you and Thomas?" I nodded "Yeah sure, Maria is coming along too, maybe you guys could better know each other and be friends?" Her face soon went blank "Oh... I... I think we'll pass." I crossed my arms in disappointment "Huh? W-wha? How come?" She looked down, "I'm sorry, I can't be around them, especially if my parents found out." I still didn't understand any of this, what was so bad about the Blackwoods?! Ok they liked to hunt in a park, that's not so random, they just like to hunt, in an unusual way but still! Jackie walked away from me and followed the other students out of the campus, I made my way into class, thankful that someone had brought my stuff back to my room from Chemistry. I walked outside and into the open crisp air, there was a thin mist in the air and the sun wasn't shining outside at all. I looked around looking for Maria, I then felt a tap on my shoulder "Hey." It was Maria, she had her hands in her pockets, "I had to just tell the guys that I would be going with you today." I smiled "That's good. I hope they don't mind." I bit my lip knowing that I might get evil glares from some people tomorrow "I'm sure it'll be fine." We walked out of the parking lot and onto the sidewalk. I felt something weird in the back of my head, I looked behind me, making sure no one was going to spook me, what it was instead was four teens staring at me with their hazel eyes glaring as if I was their next meal. I turned my head around quickly trying to ignore them and get their faces out of my mind.

"So tell me more about your family. Ya know since we're friends and all." "A little, as long as you keep your promise." I nodded, "Ok yeah sure." "You go first though before I tell you about mine." I shrugged, I really didn't want to go first, I asked the question but I let her win this round "Well, my family is small, my parents are divorced and I have a little brother, which you already know." "Thomas, right?" I only mentioned the name once, so she wanted to make sure that she was right "Yes." "What happened with your parents?" I frowned, this was a tough subject to talk about "I'm not sure, I was young, but I do remember one day going to my grandmothers house with my mom, and my brother. And one day, the cops came and told something to my mom. I was too young to understand and so was my brother. So...." I stopped, I could feel the sadness filling up my voice, "But I have a couple of friends who keep me company, so that at least makes me happy." I gave her a grin and she nodded "That's good. So what's your family like?" I stared up at the buildings towering above us, so huge like giant monsters "Well my mom is a little ditzy and distracted." "Like you." She remarked with a snicker, I nodded blankly "Yes... And my dad, he's a little over protective but I know he only thinks of what's best for me." "And your brother? What's he like?" I smiled "Tommy is the best little brother ever, I mean he's the only person I talk to at my house really. But he's a little shy around new people, so don't be surprised if he doesn't talk to you for the first ten minutes he's around you." She smiled "I'll try to behave myself." I felt like she just opened herself to a side I never knew or anyone else knew for that matter. "So now it's your turn!" I slapped her shoulder, thankfully I didn't get a slap back "Well, you already know I have four other siblings. I'm the true Blackwood, we call each other Blackwoods anyway because of my parents. But Snow and Mikes real last names are Holland." Hmmm Snow Holland and Mike Holland, that was the first time I ever heard their last names. "And as you probably already know, James and Isabella have no blood ties to us or each other. James Creed and Isabella Wixx were adopted when I was only five years old." Wow! I just finding out this now, they seem to have cool names, very mysterious just like Blackwood. "Our family has a long line of royalty, especially on my dads side." She took her hands out her pockets "And that's it." I smiled "Wow, I learned a lot about you today." "Same goes for you. By the way," she started looking ahead "Don't try and do anything stupid in the park, ya know... Like get run over by a bike or fall down some stairs." I laughed "No promises." She grinned "So tomorrow in Chemistry they said tha-" "I'm not going to be at school tomorrow." My heart sank for some reason "How come?" I looked up at her for answers "My family and me are going away for just the weekend but my father said that we'll have to start tomorrow." "Where are you guys going?" My pace became slow, and the chilled air became thinner "Just upstate is all. We're going to hangout with some family we have up there, we like to hunt deer, so our dad wanted to try it out together." She shrugged "It'll another outing thing again." I smiled a little "Well ok, then as long as you be safe I'll be safe, deal?" She looked at me smirking "Your hard to make deals with you know?" "Yes I know." "Ok fine, it's a deal then." We both were grinning when I came to Thomas' school. Thomas sure didn't know what to do for the rest of the time being around Maria, I could tell it was a mixture of scared and nervous, he would occasionally stare at her then ask me what her name was every five minutes until we got home. That walk was probably the first time me and Maria ever truly knew each other, and it was the first time that fall did I not feel as cold as I usually did.