It was monday

Irene williams woke up before her alarm did

She was the kind of person that sleep through noise or rain, and wake up through her alarm or her parents banging on her door but this morning she opened her eyes sharply

Pale light crept through the window, her ceiling fan is turning slowly and her school bag is sitting where she dropped it last night

Her heart was heavy, she sat up slowlyslowly, waiting for dizziness instead he smelt something metallic, sharp and unfamiliar

She looked down, her bedspread was clean but her hand had faint red stains along her fingers, it is a blood

Her stomach twisted "no! ", she whisphered

Memories pushed at the back of her mind-an alley, a shadow laying close with cold hands, but every time she tries to focus her head throbbed and the slipped away

She swunged her legs off the bed before her feet touches the floor

She then walked to the mirror and stood there, like a robot

The girl staring back at her in the mirror does not look like her, her skin looked clearer, she pressed her palm against the mirror, grounding herself

"You're fine"she told herself

She went straight to the bathroom then she turned on the tap, her hand tightened around the edge of the basin

She splashed water on her face and looked up again, for a sec she thought her reflection smiled when she did'nt

She stepped back again and she took her bath, after taking her bath she wrapped herself with a towel

Then she dressed in a jeans, hoodie and a sneakers, her body felt light , oh she's hungry

She then grabbed her bag and she headed to the door, trying to ignore the strange pulse running through her vien

The house smelt like a coffee and toast, she went to sitting room the morning sunlight streaming through the window

Her mother erica williams place plates on the table, her smile bright and calm, completely unaware of inside irene

Her father, jacob willianms was reading newpaper muttering about traffic as he sipped his hot coffee

"Morning, irene", her mother said cheerfully "sleep well? "

She nooded, forming a smile that didn't reach her smile"yes... Fine"

She slid into the dinner chair, the smell of egg and toast made her stomach twist in a strange way

Breakfast in awkward silence, once she finished eating she stood up and bid her parent good bye before she went out

As she stepped outside, the sun brushed her skin gently, it did'nt burnt, it didn't hurt

She wasn't a human again

Irene pretented nothing happened to her and managed to school,The moment irene williams steps through entrance of door of her school, the force hit her like a physical force

Shoe scraping, laughing echoing and voice overlapping

Her breath caught when she heared her nama"irene! "

It is mia, her best friend, jogging toward her with usual messy ponytail and braight smile

"You dispearred yesterday! I text you like ten times", mia said corcerning

Irene tried to smile back"sorry i wasn't feeling well"

Mia grabbed her hand and the electric jolt caught her again before irene moved back quickly

Mia blinked"are you okay? "

"Sorry"irene said again trying to be soft this time around"just... headache"

"Do you hear about the transfer student?mia asked as they walked down the hallway

"No", irene replied, she had not actually see tbe guy but she can smell him

" Apparantly, he is in the same class as us"mia continued

Irene froze mid step as she finished her sentence

Across the hallway, leaning against a wall, stood a boy that she had not seen before

With dark hair and pale skin , he lifted his eyes up and their eyes met

He wasn't human and she knew it, the recognition slammed into her chest before she could think

His head titled slightly-curiosly, like he was studying her, like she knew her before

Her heart started pounding before something inside her responsed "no fear"

Mia waved a hand in front of her face "you okay?,you're staring"

Irene tore her gaze awayaway"i'm fine"she lied to her friend but she could feel his eyes her on her

It was first period already in irene's school and the teacher droned on about historical resolution but irene couldn't concentrate infact she didn't understand a dawn thing

"Ouch", someone shouted from the back of the class

" Miss young are you alright? ", the teacher asked

" I injure myself", Ava young one of the class bullies replied pained

"Will you go to the clinic? ", the teacher said

Then two students went to her to check her injure

As blood rushs out from Ava's injury irene's throat burned

She pressed her tongue to her teeth and her teeth felt sharp like razor

The metallic scent drifted toward her again before irene knew it her vision blurred red, the hunger rose fast within her

Her chair scraped the floor as she stood abruptly in anger and hunger

"I need to go see the nurse", irene said slowly

The teacher frowned" Miss williams the class just started"

"I need to go", her voice came out louder the first, almost not hers

The room felt silence"you can go", the teacher approved

Irene went out of the class as fast as she could and she ran quickly to the nearest bathroom, grinfing the walls, her breathing was uneven

"Control it", she whispered, her hunger pulse in waves

Irene was in the bathroom wondering what is wrong her when the bathroom door and the stall door cast a shadow then a voice speak from the other side

"You're handling it badly", the voice said

Irene's blood turned to ice before the transfer student show his face

"You should learn how to mind your business", she said trying to keep her tone steady

" Tell me", the transfer student asked

"Leave me alone, okay! ", irene said

" Answer me this is serious", the new student said

"What? ", irene said confusely

His gaze turned to her neck" Who turned you? "

His question hung between then like smoke as irene replied"i don't know what you are talking about? "She said

His gaze sharpened" Your smell is different", he muttered

"You didn't smell like a human and one of us either", he added

He stepped closer and irene's back hit the titled wall, the bathroom suddenly felt small for her"i wasn't turned , i was attacked", she replied inocently

His expression changed instantly" Describe who attacked you",

"Why", she asked

"Because", he said calmly " If any of my kind broke law in this city i need to know"

Irene swallowed hard before she added"he has red hair, his skin pale with cold hands", her fingers brushed gently through the faint scar at her neck "he didn't finish"

His jaw tightened slightly "that explains it"

"Explain what? ", irene said

Then he studied her like a puzzle"you're a fracture", he said" The guy didn't finish the process"

"Any ways my name is lucian vale", he introduced himself" I belong to noctis virel"

The name meant nothing to irene before but the way he said it makes it sound powerful

"What is that? A gang? " She asked

A faint smirk touched his lips before he corrected "A clan, one of the ancient bloodlines" He said as he stepped back slightly giving her space

"The noctis virel do not creat fledglings without permission", he added

" So whoever attacked me is not a noctis?, she asked

"Yes" he replied

"But", he said

" But what? ", she asked

"But if it was a noctis he would ensured that you didn't wake up", he said

"But you wake up", he pulsed" That means something intefred

"I'm i going to be fully turned? ", she as asked, barely above a whispher

Lucian's gaze dropped to her eyes as he studying the faint amber ring

" No", he said

Irene's pulse pounded in her eyes"then what i am? "

For the first time since lucian entered he seemed uncertain

"They are old stories ", he said slowly "about incomplete blood-binding, about humans who survived the turning but they are altered instead of transformed"

"Altered how? ", she asked

His expression turned darker before he answered

" They are stronger than humans, they have heightened"

A distant bell rang through the hallway

"You shouldn't be alone", lucian said

" I've been alone since this started", she said

"You are unprotected", he muttered

"Protected from what? ", she asked again

Lucian vale's eyes shifted toward the bathroom door

" They are other clans", he said "and thay will smell what you are"

Irene's fingers curled into fist

Irene williams and lucian vale stood outside the principal's office, the florescent lights humming above them, student drifted past them in low murmurs as people was sneaking glances at the unlike pairs-Irene is pale and shaken while lucian is unreadable

"You're both aware that classes begin twenty eight minutes ago", the secretory said

Neither answered because neither of them didn't have an explanation that will sound human

"Send them in ", the principal said before the door opens

The door shut close behind them as they entered

Principal alder stood behind the desk as he folded his hand, he was a tall man, he was know for his strictness and unnerving calm

"You were reported missing in class" He began"together"

Irene felt heat creep up before lucian replied "we lost track of time"

"In the restroom? ", the principal said as he shifted his gaze to him

Lucian didn't blink" Yes"

Silence streched before the principal walked around his table

"Irene", he called" You have been distracted lately, teachers are corcerned"

"I'm fine ", she replied quietly

Lucian's jaw tightened almost inperceptible

The principal stood a few meters away from them

Then irene heard a heartbeat that does not sound human, her eyes instantly flickered to lucian and he sensed that he could hear it too

And the heartbeat is not coming from outside the room

The principal's expression didn't change, but something ancient and asessing flickered behind his gaze

"Transfer student"he said, his voice thin "should be careful not to attract unnecessary attention that will give you trouble, you understand? "

The room went quiet again before the lucian replied"and the same goes to the administrators, they should be careful not to attract unnecessary attention that will get them in trouble"

The principal eyes met with lucian's for like fourty sec before the principal shifted his haze away from him as if he met something dangerous

"You will both receive after- school detention", he said briskly, returning his gaze to his his paperwook

Lucian didn't argue this time around instead he nodded"understood"

Principal alder bring his gaze up again, something in his eyes lingered on irene

"Be careful, irene williams", the pricipal said quietly and irene's blood ran cold

They stepped out the principal's office and irene said"He's not human",

"Yes, and he knew", lucian agreed

" What clan is he? ", irene asked as students was passing and chatting in the hall way

Lucian expression darkened as he heared her question "he does not belong my clan, he seems to belong to a old clan"

Then the bell rang and classes resumed

it's time to go home and irene williams was feeling exhausted and frustrated as she adjusted her bag, her cloth pulled tightly on her shoulders

Lucian fell onto step beside her,watching her silently ,for a moment she expected him to say something

"You sound quiet", irene finally said breaking the silence between them

" You talk and i listen", lucian said his voice low but calm

She glanced at him"listening or....judging? "

He smirked faintly and that makes a smile

"Maybe both", lucian said

"Your clan. . The noctis virel, have you ever got tired of the rules"

"No", he replied

"Did you ever walk around the city and think of hunting something", irene asked

Lucian's eyes flickered to the sky" Rarely"

"I feel like i need a therapy or something, i'm confused", irene said as her steps slowed

Lucia didn't reply immediately, they walked in silence for a few blocks before lucian finally replied " You'll adapt"

"Everyone feels it at first, but you are not human in the same way anymore, and that makes you special, you will just have to learn how to use your power, how to control yourself and all" He added

Everyone feels it at first, but you are not human in the same way anymore, and that makes you special, you will just have to learn how to use your power, how to control yourself and all" He added

"And if i didn't? "Irene swallowed

"Then you will reckless", he replied

" You sound sturborn and tough", he added

Irene laughed to what he said as they walked confortablely

Finally they reached irene's street, the familiar row of houses looks safe against the sprawing city

"Are you sure you will be fine? ", lucian askeed corcernly

" Yeah, i'll be fine, thanks for your corcern", irene replied quiet politely

"And thanks for walking me", she replied

"Consider it as an investment, you're worth to keeping an eye on, sunshine", he smirked

Her stomach fluttered, his actions making her blushing

" See you tomorrow? ", she asked, hoping he will say yes

"Tomorrow ", he said

And with that they bid each other good bue

rene was sitting quietly on her, light off as she staring at nothing in particular then her phone buzzed indicating a message from mia, her bestfriend

Mia:"open the door before i started climbimg your window like a monkey"

She moved quickly from her bed door and she slowed before she opened the door

Mia carter stood behind the door with two iced coffee and her usual dramatic expression

"Hi", mia said as she stepped inside

" Hi to you too", she replied

Irene closed the the door carefully and locked it

"You have been acting weird lately", irene said dropping onto the bed"and don't tell me you are tired becausei'm not gonna believe you"Irene leaned against her reading desk as she crossed her arm, "i just have alot going on", she said

Irene looked away, the window reflectee her faintly before mia asked again" Rene. . What's actually going on"

Silence fell beteeen them and irene could hear her heartbeat

"Do you remember that night", she started " The night i didn't pick your call"

"The one that you said that you got tired walking home? ",mia straightened

Irene nodded"that was not what happened"

"Okay.. ", mia said

Irene moved to sit beside her, her hand cold as she tucked them inside her legs"that night there was a person following me, i thought i was imagining things, but i wasn't"

"The streetlight were flickering, i could hear footsteps behind me, but when i turned around there is no one there", irene added as mia listened carefully, her eyes wide

"Then before i knew it i felt a cold hand ony shoulders and i couldn't remember anything", she stopped

The room was in silence for a coulpe of minute before mia broke the cold silence

"Did he hurt you? ", mia said as she grabbed her hand

Irene's memory flashed

" I didn't remember anything"irene admitted"just that i woke up tired and bleeding,and after that... ", she stopped"after that i was'nt the same"

Mia searched her face

"You should have told me", mia said

"I did'nt want you to be worried", irene replied

Irene looked down at their hands and the could feel and hear hpw mia's blood is running in her vien, warm and inviting

She pulled her hand away from her immediately and stood up

" I'm fine now", she said trying to sound calm

Then a car passed outside, it headlight swept across the room, briefly illumination her eyes and mia didn't noticed

"You are still you",mia motivated"whatever happened that night, it doesn't get to take you away"

Irene wanted believe her

Mia stood up and hugged irene tightly"you're not alone"

Outside, a figure stood in the dark, watching the house

The sky burned orange behind the school window

The classroom was already full when irene and lucian were escorted in

Whispers started immediately when they entered

Irene kept her head down, crawnling up her neck, it wasn't the punishment that bothered her , it was the class, the eyes, the gossip and all

At the front of the class stood principal alder with his hands folded neatly behind his back, his expression was calm

Irene was affraid whilewhile lucian is unbothered

"Miss williams and mr vale", principal alder began his voice echoeing in the room as she class went silent"perphaps you will to explain to your peers why you missed class"

Irene's stomach dropped instantly

Lucian answered smothly "we were busy"

A few student snickered

Principal alder said "in the restroom?

The pricipal response make the class to burst in laughterIrene clenched her fist embarassed

"We were talking", she muttered

" Talking", alder repeated, pacing slowly in front of the class"during class hours, in a restroom? "

He stopped dorectly in front of them

"This school values displine and structure ", he said, his gaze sharp

" You will both serve after-school detention for one weeks", he announced, gasps and murmurs ripped through the room"additionally you'll assist custodial staff each afternoon"

Irene blinked

"What?" she said under her breath

Lucian posture didn't change, but his jaw tightened slightly

Principal alder turned to irene fully now"miss vale , your academic performance has declineddeclined, your behavioirs are shifted, can you explain that as well? "

Hwr pulse thudedd in her ears

"I'm fine "she said stiffly

" Are you? "He asked Softly

The class went silent again

Irene felt exposed

Lucian stepped half a pase foward"with respect mr alder, you should learn how to mind your business"

"With respect mr vale this is institution ", alder said his eyes red

The air shifted and they class murmured again

Even the human student can feel that something is up beneath the surface

Alder moved closer to irene again"you've been absent minded", he continied" Pale, distracted, unwell... ", he didn't complete is sentence

" I said i am fine", she said out loud frustrately"

Alder leaned just for the three of them to hear

"If you are struggling", he murmured"this is not place to unravel"

Lucian's voice cut in "she isn't unraveling"

Alder straightened slowly

"Good", he said

Lucian met gaze with alder without flinching

" If this is about the attendance, we accept but if it is something else we can talk about it privately", lucian stated

The whole class exchanged glances Then principal alder smiled faintly"oh it is the attendance, what else do you think might be? "

"I have no idea", lucian replied

" It is about attandance and reputation",alder replied as he turned his gaze to the whole class

"You are free to go", he said to lucian and irene

Chairs scraped loudly against the floor as student rushed out , buzzling with speculation

" Did you see her face", one student said

"They were definately up to something", the other replied

Irene stood frozen as she overhead many unfriendly conversation going on

" Ignore them", lucian stood slightly toward her

Principal alder watched them from the desk"detention begin tomorrow at break time don't be late "

The finality in his tone left no room for argument

Lucian guided irene toward the door, his hand brushing her elbow

As they stepped into the empty hall way, the noise dadded behind them

"Do you think that is a punishment? ", irene asked

" He was testing us"lucian replied

Her throat tightened"in front of whole class"

Lucian's jaw tightened"public pressure reveal weakness"he said"he wanted to see if you would crack"

"And did l? ", she asked

" No, you didn't", lucian said