Chapter 2

Ryan's POV

I don't have a good feeling about this. I don't know. It just feels like everything's going to change starting this moment: this very moment we step foot into Ridgeview High.

Walking down the hallway, I cannot help but shake off this feeling like something bad is going to happen. Soon.

As it is I'm annoyed beyond control. And it doesn't help the fact that these hormonal teenagers are gawking at the newcomers. Like we are some kind of prey they're ready to pounce on at any given moment. I slip my shades on just in case my eyes flash red in annoyance.

But the thing is, I think that it's only me who feels this way. Meredith and Bennett seem to have no problem. In fact, they are walking with their head held high, enjoying the attention they're getting. As for Tristan, he seems lost in his own world, furiously tapping away on his phone doing god knows what.

I look ahead to find a blonde send a wink our way. My way. And this time, I did not bother hiding the scowl that forms on my face. She flinches.

Good for you.

Then I notice some movement to my right. I turn to look at my younger brother send a flirtatious wink her way. She gives a seductive look of her own.

"Brother mine," I hear Bennett and look his way.

"Why would you scare her? She looks so..." His eyes rack the length of her body.

"Delicious. I could have her for lunch today." I could see it clear as a daylight in his eyes, the way he is looking at her. With raw lust.

"Why are you doing all this?" I couldn't help but ask him the question I've wanted to for years. And instantly his face clouds over. All the playfulness leaves his face, as he finally turns and faces me.

"You know very well why, brother mine." His voice is deadly low. I've never heard him speak in such a tone. He looks me dead in the eye.

“You know why I play around all the time. You know why I get laid. You know why I mess around. You, of all people, know how I feel. That's because you feel the same way too. And so, you know why Ry. I know you do.”

And I did. So I did not speak a word. Bennett started walking ahead, followed by Meredith, who offered me a small smile. Tristan had stopped walking long back, still tapping away on his phone's screen. I sigh and walk a few steps back. Slinging my arm around his neck, I make him walk with me.

"Where are we going?" He asks, his eyes still glued on his phone.

"To the administration office...."

"Why....."

"To get our schedules." I answer patiently.

"Why do we have to go there to get our schedule...." He trails off, and I did not bother answering him.

• •• • •• •

The lady at the administration office is looking at me like I've grown a second head. We exchange confused glances.

Did I ask something wrong? We have to come to the administration office to get our schedules, right?

Tristan takes this chance to finally look away from his phone and at the surroundings.

"Where are we?"

"In the administration office,"

"To collect our schedules." I answer him before he asks himself. He looks confused, scratching his head.

"Why? Hadn't they sent us an email of our schedules yesterday itself?"

The room falls silent. When his words finally register in my mind, I stare at him with a deadpan expression. And a growing urge to do something to him.

I've never felt this strong urge to suck the blood out of someone's body before.

••• • •• •

"Ow."

Hit

"Ow. Ow. Ow."

Hit hit hit.

"Ouch! Will you sto- Ow!"

Meredith is hitting Tristan. Bennett left for his class long back. And I am standing here, stuck with these two crazy heads in an empty hallway, trying my best to not bang my head against a nearest wall.

“Who will tell us that our schedules were sent via email to us?” Meredith's voice echoes in the hallway, as we walk to our first class.

“Oh? So this is my fault now?”

"Obviously it IS your fault!"

“Oh, so this is my fa- How is it my fault now? If you did not bother to check your email am I responsible? Do you thi-” He abruptly stops. A look of realisation crosses his face. And he slaps his forehead.

"Oh shoot! I was supposed to handle our alternate email ids, wasn't I? Sorry." He smiles sheepishly.

"Guys," I interrupt their talk, when I spot our classroom a few feet away. I walk up to the door and stand in front of it. They come and stand on either side of me.

I look at them once more before knocking on the door. The noises on the other side of the door quietens and the sounds of footsteps approaching the door could be heard. The door swings open to reveal a man in his early 30s. He briefly glances at the three of us.

"Transfer students?" We nod in affirmation. He steps back to allow us to enter the room. We step in, and I'm immediately consumed by a weird feeling.

Something's off about this room. I can feel it.

Closing the door he walks to the front of the class.

"Students, they are transfer students-"

Hit.

"-who will be joining us from today. I want you to-"

Hit.

"-be friendly with them. And help them if they need it, as they-"

Hit.

"-have joined the term in the middle. So introduce your-

Hit.

"-selves. Oh come on Iris will you stop that?" He turns to the source of the noise. We follow his line of sight, to see a girl hitting the back of a guy's head sitting diagonally in front of her with anything- and everything she can find. After a moment she speaks up.

"Tell-"

Hit.

"-him-"

Hit.

"-to-"

Hit.

"-get up-"

Hit.

"-from-"

Hit.

"-my place."

Splash!

The guy stands from his desk with a jerk, with water running down his hair and his face.

"Or it isn't really needed now." She gives him a sweet smile.

"You worthless piece of -"

"That's enough," The professor says. "I will not tolerate indiscipline and bad language in this class. Matthew, you know that is where Iris sits everyday. You still decide to irritate her."

"But sir-" He raises his palm in front of him to silence him.

"Sit back. And don't sit in her place henceforth. And as for Iris, Meet me after the class is finished." He says. He then turns to us with an expectant look. Meredith and Tristan look at me as well, but I'm busy staring at that girl. She's looking at her book, writing something.

I tilt my head a little sideways. I feel something odd within me. I hear Meredith clear her throat, and then her voice.

"Hey everyone. I am Meredith Asher. This here is Tristan LaGray. And Ryan Winslow."

On hearing the last name, the girl's face jerks upwards, and to the front of the class. And I lock gazes with her, completely entranced by her violet orbs.

• • • • •

Hey guys! Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it.