I groaned as the harsh morning sun danced over my face, toying with me and coaxing me to get out of bed, and I so desperately wanted to pull the drapes close.

But my bed was inviting.

They want to stay cuddled against my various amounts of comfy pillows outweighs the need to close the blinds.

I decided to stay in bed and grumbled out a million very colorful profanities, hurling each one to this current morning.

To be defined as a morning person was nothing I’d be accountable for.

“Honey, get up! You have to go to school, remember?” Mom yelled and knocked on the door twice before the sound of her footsteps faded.

Suddenly, with all sleep forgotten, I shot up in bed and stared ahead wide-eyed.

It was Monday. I had school. It was the middle of the year, and I had a new school. Kill… me… now.

“I hate this,” I grumbled out to the empty air as I moved into the bathroom, my morning voice sounding as gritty as an amateur trying their hands at a violin. Horrendous.

Picking up my toothbrush, I quickly brushed. After, my crying bladder decided to make its agony known. It seemed like minutes later when I found myself walking out of the bathroom freshly bathed and brushed, and I padded my way lazily into my bedroom.

A cold gust of wind hit my wet skin, and I shivered. Strange, I don’t remember opening the window from when I closed it last night…

Maybe Mom did, I assured myself as I ignored the open window and walked into the closet, picked out an outfit that would go well with my well-worn-out white sneakers. Once all dressed up and ready, I made a check for my iPod, phone, and books before walking towards the window and glancing at the castle once again.

I just couldn’t stop looking at it. The tales spun as I watched and analyzed every window. The tiny glimpses of halls and the grounds usually consisted of beasts and pirates, of lords and ladies…

… of Belle in her yellow gown, gliding along the ballroom and her Beast. Yes, the tales I spun while watching the castle were truly beyond what would even be considered possible. And with every tale I spun, I couldn’t help but wonder, “What would it be like to live there?”

With a final glance and a faint smile lurking on my lips, I walked downstairs and into the kitchen.

I had come to appreciate my new home over the past weekend.

The brick house was actually very homey once I managed to get used to it, such as making sure that the hallways turned right instead of left if I wanted to go downstairs, and there were now four bedrooms and not three.

But despite all facts, I still liked this house mainly because of the views. In fact, I personally believed it was very cleverly designed to have all the views in every room possible since one side of the house actually sat on the edge of a cliff and faced the countryside and the castle while the other faced the distant city.

My gaze stopped on a small note. I quickly picked it up and began reading. It seemed that my mom and dad were already gone. I suppose I had stared at the castle a little too long.

Gone to work. Blueberry pancakes in the fridge. Eat before you leave.

We are not kidding! Alex will give you a ride to school (Thank the sweet boy after the ride, Thi) See you by 7pm!

Love,

Mom and Dad.

I spared my wristwatch a glance before picking up two granola bars and moving towards the front door. I was possibly late, not a good sign for the new girl. The pancakes would have to wait for later.

“About time she walked out!”

Looking up as I closed the front door and turned around, I saw Blond seated in a black Range Rover with a brown-haired boy with glasses in the passenger seat. I smiled at the two boys awkwardly. I hadn’t seen much of him all weekend. My attention moved back to the nice-looking boy riding shotgun. Hmm. Maybe, that’s Matthew.

“I’m sorry for being late,” I murmured apologetically as I opened the back door and got in. Even though I was not a morning person, I still managed to get to school an hour early and have myself a good library session. My attendance record has been spotless so far.

“It’s okay. We like to make banging late entries, anyway. I’m Matthew by the way. You’re pretty! Alex here wasn’t lying.” The brown-haired boy looked back and smiled at me, extending his arm.

I took it and gave it a shy handshake. The heat on my cheeks made sure Matthew saw exactly how surprised I was by the compliment.

Apparently, Blond thought I was pretty.

A sudden cough rang around the vehicle as Blond quite violently shoved his arm into Matthew’s side and then glanced at me from the review mirror. His cheeks flushed slightly. Oh, so he’s shy.

“Oh, so Blond thinks I’m pretty, aye? Well, good, I’m glad our thoughts are so similar. Thank you, Matthew. That’s very sweet of you.

How is Rosenberg High School, though?” I chirped brightly as I smirked at

Blond before turning towards a smiling Matthew.

“The House of Wolves,” Alex replied, still smirking and turning to look at me before moving his attention to the road.

The fear of a car accident began flashing in my mind.“You didn’t exactly answer my question,” I responded, cocking an eyebrow up at Alex, and turned towards Matthew. “But wolves are my favorite animals.”

Matthew turned back and looked at me. A grin set on his face. “How so?”

I shrugged. “They are beautiful.”

“We are here,” Alex declared suddenly.

Turning into the parking lot, he found a parking space and drove in.

Parking the car in a good enough spot, I got out of the car first and turned to say my thanks when two arms linked themselves to mine. I yelped as the two boys began walking towards the school.

“What are you guys doing?” I whispered as a dozen gazed at us.

“Helping you around.” Matthew chuckled and pulled me closer as he tightened his hold on my arm.

Blushing beet red, I shifted my gaze towards Blond, who was looking at me with a very amused smile.

“What?” I demanded, frowning slightly.

Was there something on my face?

“You look like a tomato.” He chuckled, causing Matthew to let out a loud laugh.

I huffed as I felt my blush deepen. The nagging feeling of knowing that the attention of the whole student population, who were currently standing outside was on the three of us, myself, in particular, was extremely awkward.

The glares thrown my way were also something that didn’t go unnoticed. I shuddered because I knew that if it could hit, the glares would definitely shrivel me up to a pulp.

However, the analyzing gazes from the guys were not exactly down key either as Matthew soon pointed out, “Awkward how the boys are looking at us. We’ve never experienced this sort of look before,” which caused a low growl to be heard from Blond. “They’re looking at Theia,

Matt. They really should look away, I hate being stared at… and my fists are itching for a brawl.”

“Hey, Matt, who’s the new girl? Cousin or something?” A buff, blond dude asked as we entered the hallways.

“Whose? Yours? Good to know at least one of the girls here at Rosenberg is your cousin, Jared.” Matthew chuckled and pulled me away, leaving the guy gawking at us.

Turning towards Matthew, I giggled, “That was really good!”

“Hey, guys, er… I need to be somewhere. See you during lunch,” Blond suddenly spoke up, unlinking his arm from mine, and walked away.

“Where’s he going?” I questioned Matt, who continued to lead me towards the office. Come to think of it, he was actually very cute.

“Probably gone off to meet Diandra.” Matthew shrugged.

“Who’s Diandra?”

“Alex’s girlfriend of two years, didn’t you know?” Matthew asked, turning towards me incredulously.

I frowned. Blond tried to kiss me. Blond tried to kiss me but he has a girlfriend. Blond tried to kiss me but he has a girlfriend and never told me.

Well, shit.

It hurt a bit that someone would do that, and suddenly, the fact that I had initially found him attractive made me cringe at myself. What an idiot,

Theia?

“You okay?” Mathew nudged me as we turned towards the hall that leads to the Office.

I glanced at him and smiled slightly. “Dandy.”

**************