The impact I'd felt when the door hit me wasn't that strong, and I hardly felt any pain even though I was on the floor with a twisted ankle and a throbbing head.

More than half the class had gathered around me, and a boy had come in with Mr Drew.

I tried to get up, but a wave of dizziness hit me. Everything felt fuzy.

"It's okay Alexa don't try to get up. I'll take you to the nurse. You've hurt your leg pretty bad." I looked down, and I almost gasped.

It already looked so swollen, but that was just how it looked... I could barely feel a thing, and my head was slowly starting to clear. Still, a part of me feared I was losing my humanity, my ability to feel, what if it was what happened to freaks like me.

Another voice stopped my deranged thoughts.

"No let me, it was my mistake I'll take her to the nurse" I looked up at him as he lifted me up while I tried to protest by telling him I could walk fine on my own.

He paid no attention to my mumbling as he carried me to the nurse. Nurse Silvia came to my side as soon as she saw me. The boy had laid me on the bed and was now standing by the door.

"What happened to your leg? It looks so sore." She asked, looking concerned as she rummaged through the first aid kit. She finally got out a small pink tube of ointment

"I accidentally hit her with the door on my way in," he said lowly. She nodded, handing me some painkillers and a disposable plastic cup. She put some of the peppery balm on my ankle, rubbing gently. I only winced once before she stopped

"You use that while I get you some ice for that bruise." she walked out, and the room was filled with an unsettling silence. The boy spoke first.

"I am sorry about the door. I should not have pushed so hard." I easily sensed the sincerity in his tone

"It's fine, I'm fine. I don't know why you're all so worried I can hardly feel any pain," I said with a small laugh. He nodded, glancing at me momentarily

"I'm Alexa, by the way,"

"Aiden, nice to make your acquaintance." I looked at him, finally taking him in. He was absolutely breathtaking and coming from me. It's saying something. The kind of guy you'd only expect to see in the movies, some suave action movie protagonist with hero hair and pretty eyes.

His skin was smooth and pale. It reminded me of fine marble but not nearly as hard. He stood only a few inches below the door, leaning against its frame. His arms were crossed around his black leather jacket, and he had on a pair of dark jeans. His hair was sleek, a deep golden brown, and his captivating emerald eyes only added more to his beauty. He had a fine jaw line, which accentuated the curve of his lips.

Then It hit me. He had a slight resemblance to... me.

For some reason, I felt he looked like me. Maybe it was the pale skin or the charm or the depth that his eyes held, but I felt a similarity with him I'd never felt before. I noticed he was also staring, but he stopped when I caught him.

Then there was silence, long uncomfortable silence. So I found myself talking again

"Are you new?" He nodded

"I'm an exchange student"

I was about to ask where he was from when I suddenly remembered History class. The period would be over soon. Just then, the bell rang, and I groaned.

He looked at me. "What's wrong?" A small part of me noticed how smooth and calm his voice sounded just like honey.

"It's nothing... I just missed first period, and I'm running late for the second already. We should get to class." he looked at me strangely, "What?"

"The nurse hasn't brought the ice for your ankle," I sighed. "Oh, right," and the silence continued

"So what class do you have now?" I asked. Normally, I wouldn't be so eager to talk to someone but the silence. It was just so uncomfortable, and the whole moment felt weird.

"English," I smiled.

"Me too." he gave a small smile in return, and then nurse Silvia came in.

"Sorry it took me so long dear, here place it on your leg for a few minutes then you can go." I nodded and did as she instructed.

I ran out as soon as I was done well maybe not ran there was a little limping while Aiden all but strutted through the halls like a male model on a runway yes, he was that good looking.

I stopped as the thought hit me, I think he's hot, oh no.

"You're late!" Mrs Holloway bellowed, I winced. I'd always thought she had quite a deep voice for such a lovely looking lady. She had a petite physique that made me liken her to a ladybug. She looked at me through her glasses, standing a few inches below me she intensified her gaze as a long, unruly strand of coffee brown hair brushed across her tanned skin.

"I apologize Ma'am" Aiden spoke. "We were at the nurses office."

"Very well, take your seats." She dismissed us as she continued with the topic. I took a seat at the back as usual, and Aiden took the only free seat in the middle.

I guess you could say he really was the centre of attention. With guys staring, wondering who the new guy was and girls blushing and oogling. I rolled my eyes at their cliché behaviour.

The other periods went by in a flash, and I'd almost forgotten about my little one hour crush on Aiden. I was still very aware of his presence. We'd had the same classes all morning... not weird at all.

But he didn't seem to care, forget that, he didn't even seem to notice me anymore. Not that I cared, but geez, he could be a little more subtle about it, we'd already had three classes together this morning alone.

Once the class before lunch ended, I met Laurel by her locker and told her about Adrian.

"Yea, I heard about that and about your little accident with the new hottie." I rolled my eyes at the last word.

"Yeah, I'm fine, though."

"So you'll sit with him?" I sighed

"Well, I have to. It's not like I have a choice, I already said yes,"

Laurel looked at me with one of those goofy smiles she got when she thought of something crazy.

"Maybe someday you and Adrian will go on a date with Xavier and I,"

I laughed at the idea, "Yeah, that's not happening," I said, leaving her behind.

The cafeteria, as usual, was bustling with energy. There were so many happy faces, but of course, many of them were fake. My eyes, on impulse, switched to a chubby girl with brown hair and dark eyes. Her face was dusted with freckles. She was sitting with her boyfriend and her best friend, but the two were deep in thought about each other, cheating the girl. Yet they smiled at her, I felt sorry for her.

I looked around again, this time looking for Adrian. He was seated close to the window all alone, waiting for me.

A couple of seats away were his football buddies and a group of cheerleaders. Of course, they were still close by. Today, he was only sitting alone because of me.

"Hey," I said, sitting opposite him. He looked at me, his handsome features curving into a small smile as a piece of his blonde hair fell by his left eye.

"How are you feeling now? It looked like you hurt your leg pretty bad.''

I looked down at my ankle, I was barely limping now, and the bruise wasn't as noticeable anymore. I hadn't felt much pain to begin with, but everyone had made such a big fuss about it... I thought I was the one being weird as usual.

"I'm perfectly fine now,"

"Okay. You're not eating?" I looked at the empty spot on the table before me where my tray should have been.

"I'm not really hungry" truth is I was, but I didn't feel like eating either.

"Come on, it's no fun if we're not eating. Hold on, I'll go get you something." I nodded without protesting. He was only being thoughtful after all.

I ate in silence. He tried to make conversation, but my replies were simple and curt. I pretended not to notice the eyes on us and the quick glances as at least half the students in the cafeteria talked about us, like we were the new 'it couple'

I paused at that thought. There was no us, and there never would be. I apologised as I rose abruptly and told him I was leaving. I inwardly groaned when I remembered we were having the same class.

"Wait, let me come with you."

"No, you stay here, finish your food, and come later." I didn't give him a chance to insist as I walked out of the cafeteria, ignoring the stares and murmurs.

I decided to go out for a while. I made my way out of the school. They didn't lock the doors during school hours. If anyone missed school or skipped classes, it would reflect in the attendance.

I sat on one of the few wooden benches away from where the cars were parked. I just sat staring off into nothingness, I didn't know why I'd come out in the first place. I blinked a little, trying to free myself from whatever trance I was under.

My instincts kicked up. I had a strange feeling that i wasn't alone. Just then, I heard footsteps, so I got up and tiptoed in the direction of the sound. I noticed the shadow of a dark figure standing by a black car, I quickly ducked behind a cream, Mercedes to avoid being spotted.

The person was facing away from me and was completely covered. I couldn't tell if it was a boy or girl, so I watched. It seemed to be searching frantically for something. It finally got its hands on a small chest. From the distance I was at, I could only make out some odd patterns on the chest.

The figure tried opening it, but there was a small lock on it that sported its own signs and symbols. I couldn't see them clearly. Then fingers wrapped around the lock. Was the person trying to break it?

I tried to move closer but stopped as the figure looked around.

Had it finally sensed that I was around? I crouched lower to the ground, but the clang of the school bell distracted me, I gasped and almost lost my balance. I only had a split second to notice the figure tense up. When I looked back, it was gone.

I rose slowly, looking around for any signs of the bugler. Surely, the car owner wouldn't need to be so secretive about getting something from his own car.

I moved closer to the car. It was in perfect condition. There were no signs of a break-in. The car was even locked. Then again, it could be a friend trying to pull a prank or something, but what if it was serious and the car's owner could be harmed?

I tried to forget about it as I made my way to class. Late twice in one day. What a lovely way to start the week.

The class had commenced, and Coach Humphrey had begun pairing the students into groups of five as was his tradition during the second week of every term.

I quickly paired up with Laurel and Adrian. Laurel, as usual, had begun discussing team tactics, but my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the shadowed figure.

For a few seconds, my gaze shifted to the door as Aiden came in.

The voice in my head began to scream. What excuse could he have for being so late. A mental picture of the chest ran through my mind as I gave an involuntary shudder. And what was more alarming was that coach Humphrey didn't say a word. It was as though he didn't see him.

He came straight to us

"Hi," so now he remembers me, the part of me fuming with annoyance said.

"Care to introduce us?" Laurel asked, nudging at my side with her elbow.

"Aiden, Laurel, and Adrian meet Aiden."

Then Laurel decided to make him a part of our team. Just great. I was perturbed by his presence. I didn't know a thing about him. It had only been a day, and perhaps it could just be suspicions, but...

Aiden was bad news.