Chapter 3

“Hi, I’m Jade Marshall,” a gorgeous girl approached me as I entered the school. I froze, eyeing her cautiously. I hadn’t expected to meet anyone so soon and had hoped to avoid it altogether today. Bad luck loved me. Jade had clear blue eyes and long dark hair reaching her belly button, with side-swept bangs and a stunning smile. Tall, she wore a black leather jacket, her olive skin glowing in the sun. For a moment, I thought she’d stepped out of a photo shoot, but I shook off the thought and gave her a small smile. “Welcome to Crawford High, Home of the Lions,” she said enthusiastically, extending her hand.

“Hi, I’m Daniella Saunders,” I said, shaking her hand and smiling softly. “But just call me Danny.”

“Cool. Sorry if the welcome was creepy,” she said shyly. “I’m on the ‘Welcoming Committee.’ This is a small town, so we don’t get many new students. Since that was awful, it’s my first time.”

“Oh, come on, it wasn’t that bad.” I laughed with her. We walked inside, and like in movies, everyone was in cliques—jocks and cheerleaders by lockers, nerds on stairs harassed by bullies, tough kids against walls, and girls primping at mirrors. The school was small, crowded, and old, with rusty lockers, faded red paint, and a sign reading “Craw ord High” missing its ‘f.’ It was public—I’d begged Mom for an hour yesterday to enroll me here, avoiding a rich, snobby school.

“I’ve got your schedule and school packet,” Jade said, handing them to me. I looked around, panic rising. I’d be alone, lost, and who knew what might happen? Jade noticed my horror. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. I’ll stick with you today—it’s part of the job.” She winked.

I opened the packet. “What’s your first period?” Jade asked, peering over my shoulder.

“AP Calculus.”

“Oh, that’s A232 with Mr. Jenkins. He’s cool, just piles on homework. What else?”

“Second period world geography, third period gym, fourth period literature or drama, fifth period AP chemistry,” I replied, scrunching my nose. “Yuck, gym third period.”

“Wow, I’ve got you for everything but first and fifth. You’re my part—oh shit, I’ve got to go,” she said, panicking. “I forgot something! If I’m not back by the first bell, sorry! You’re smart, you’ll figure it out,” she called, speed-walking away. Great, I thought, alone now. I ignored the stares, faking a smile for them to gawk at.

I found my locker—surprisingly clean—and sighed, stashing the notebooks Mom insisted I bring. I’d pleaded to leave them, arguing it was my first day, but she’d scolded, “Better to be prepared than wait last minute.”

Someone leaned against the locker beside mine. I looked up at a guy with curly blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes. His dark gray shirt hugged his nice build. I might’ve swooned, but his cocky smirk was a turn-off. “Hey, sweetheart. Wanna ditch this place for something more entertaining?” he asked, winking.

“Sorry, my parents said stay away from strangers,” I said, nearly smiling as he looked shocked. He wasn’t used to rejection—I mentally patted myself.

“How’ll you make friends if you don’t talk to strangers?” He smirked again. I wanted to slap him. Did I look easy? “I’m Jarred. Jarred Hunter. You look familiar.” Here come the pick-up lines.

“Yeah, the girl you’ve been waiting for, or your next girlfriend? Heard it before.” He looked shocked, then smirked.

“Baby, you could fall off a building, or out of a tree, but—”

“But the best way to fall is in love with me,” I cut in, laughing and scrunching my nose. “Give it up, Romeo. You’re lame and boring.”

“Romeo’s a wuss, and I’m not boring,” he faked hurt.

“Well, he’s manlier than you’ll ever be.”

He scoffed. “Chick, you’re good,” he admitted, offering a fist bump. “You’re my new best friend. I needed a badass chick—all the girls here are too easy.” He slung an arm around my shoulder friendlily, and we walked down the hall. “I’ll show you off to my friends! Seriously, what’s your name?”

“Gosh, Jarred, you’re bipolar. Hitting on me one second, then excited I rejected you,” I laughed. “I’m Daniella. Daniella Saunders,” I said huskily, mimicking his intro. He chuckled.

“Got a band-aid?” he whispered.

“Why?” I paused. “Let me guess, you scraped your knee falling for me.” We laughed, and I shoved him playfully.

“Holy crap, you’re good.” We reached his friends, and I froze. How many gorgeous people were here? “Guys, this is Daniella Saunders—call her Danny. Darren Saunders’s sister.” They nodded, recognizing him. “She’s badass. Rejected me.” They laughed as he fake-cried.

“I’m Charles,” a guy with a brown fro-hawk and gray eyes said, arms around a pretty girl—clearly his girlfriend. “Badass like your brother, huh?” I nodded, proud.

“I’m Abigail Hunter,” the girl said, with green eyes and wavy blonde hair past her shoulders. “That prick’s twin,” she nodded at Jarred, grimacing. He stuck out his tongue.

“I’m Dustin,” a dirty blonde guy said, shaking my hand, looking shy.

“And I’m Alex,” the last guy said, with spiked black hair and a sculpted face girls probably swooned over. He smiled and shook my hand.

The bell rang. I said goodbye, not wanting to be late and ruin my rep. Five minutes until the late bell. I hurried up the stairs to the ‘A’ section.

I searched for A232, growing impatient. Oh God, I’ll be late my first day, I thought. My teacher’ll think I’m a wannabe badass. I rolled my eyes—the faded numbers weren’t my fault.

Distracted, I bumped hard into someone. I stumbled but caught myself. My skin tingled where we’d touched. “Crap, I’m so s-sorry,” I stammered, scared. Would they kill me? This school already freaked me out with its beauty and weird vibe.

I looked up at a tall, muscular guy my age with jet-black hair and blue eyes—hot, if not for his scowl. Our eyes locked, and time stopped. My heart skipped, breath caught. In his eyes, I saw a gray wolf, joyful, like he’d found a lifelong prize. My heart swelled inexplicably.

The vision faded. Dizzy, I closed my eyes, then reopened them. His face softened briefly, then hardened. “Watch where you’re going, bitch. Are you blind?” he snapped, shoving my shoulder as he passed, knocking me down. Pain flared in my already sore shoulder. Laughter erupted around me, my cheeks burning. As he walked away, my heart inexplicably broke.

What the hell? What’s going on? Why’s he so pissed? I smirked—he had a great butt. Shaking off the thought, I fumed. He had no right to lash out at me. Why did I feel heartbroken? I didn’t know him, didn’t love him—love was overrated. Anger surged, and I growled—actually growled.

This school wasn’t normal—I felt it. Secrets lurked, but how could I uncover them without knowing what to seek? Why did I feel like a stranger to myself—stronger, temper fraying fast? I wasn’t normal. I’m Daniella Saunders, far from it.

People still stared. Embarrassed, I heard Darren: “Hold your head up high and smile. Stand tall, stay strong.” I stood, grabbed my stuff, and walked off, head high, feeling strong.