Serene's view

"Janessa needs to grow up." I practically growl as Brietta drags me away.

"And you need to calm down." Brietta snaps, finally letting go of me. "Ree, it's only your first day, and you're acting like you're Johnny Depp on the Murder on the Orient Express. Not everyone is out to get you! I doubt they even notice you're there until you open your big mouth!"

Something inside me cracks, twisting with barely concealed hatred I've never felt at another human being.

My eyes fix on Brietta. "What did you say?"

Brietta winces, rubbing her eyes. "You know I didn't mean it that way, Ree. I only meant---"

"Don't worry, I got it." I snap, turning away from her and walking resolutely toward my fifth hour, History. All the emotions I'm feeling right now has me tapping in and out of my powers without cause, so I sense more than anticipate Brietta's hand reaching to stop me. Without a second thought, I dip into my shadows, calling them to my heart. They capture me in cold waves, covering me in darkness and putting me out right by my History classroom.

That's the fastest I've ever been able to transport, I realize with giddy shock. Normally it will take me at least thirty seconds of preparation, imagining where I want to go, and a headache amount of concentration.

But just now... the darkness I was feeling toward Brietta was easy to summon to my core, easier than it probably should have been.

Of course, I'll still have to deal with Brietta in sixth hour Chem 2. But that's a worry for another hour. Now, I have History with Fairy Godmother. And since I love reading stories, History class has always been a piece of cake for me. I know every legend before anyone can even say it out loud. I've even read all the most recent, all the stories with my parents and their friends, defending Auradon against the threats of Maleficent, Uma, Hades-actually-Pluto, Pitch, Audrey...

I smile to myself, thinking of what Harry Hook might say to me if he were here. Probably something with 'lass' and 'ye' and 'rey'. He's the only grown-up who calls me "Ree", but he doesn't pronounce it right, and says 'Reeyy". I think it's hilarious, while Brietta has been trying to get him to talk in an American accent instead.

Smiling about the memory, I walk confidently into History just as the bell rings. Fairy Godmother smiles at me, albeit a little tightly, and checks me off on her list.

"Welcome, everyone, to your first day here at Auradon Prep Academy!" She chirps happily.

I know from Brietta that this is when Fairy Godmother will launch into a long speech about the year's hopes, so instead I pull my attention inside myself again, tapping ever so carefully into my shadows.

The world instantly focuses, emotions and body heat pulsing in black-and-white all around me. I notice the darkest black is to my left, where a pair of glittering yellow eyes are watching me with a knowing smirk on their tilt. My focus slips away, the world crystalizing back to normal. The black shadow from him fades, leaving behind a boy with ashen-silver skin, spiked black hair, and a heavy black overcoat covering his overly thin body.

The tiniest of grins plays on his lips. A small trickle of black sand runs from his coat, crawling toward me with the movement of a spider.

I flinch away, instinctively reaching out with my mind and halting it in its tracks.

I thought you'd be able to do it. The Bogeyman's son, Blake, whispers chillingly inside my head. Not many people can. Even my dad can't stop me anymore.

Get out of my thoughts. I snap back, somehow already knowing how to stretch my shadows out until they touch his mind, darkening both our thoughts even more.

Blake grins unexpectedly. So... you're even more powerful than I thought.

No, I'm not. I clench my fists, feeling my fingers tighten with the grip on my chair.

Yes, you are. He assures me, his shadows draping further over my mind and shielding my vision with a layer of wispy gray. Your shadows are stronger than your Mom's, even.

For the first time, my interest is piqued. Really?

Really. Your mom contained my dad's powers, even took them as her own, but couldn't truly stop them. She had to change them from their raw form into her controlled form. You, however... a small spire of black sand darts toward me again, and this time I barely think before it shatters, splattering mushy sand onto the floor and the desks around us.

Blake wipes it off his foot, rubbing it between his fingers thoughtfully. I saw what happened with your sister.

I snort. Which part?

The one where she so recklessly used her powers.

She's done that multiple times today.

Well, then, when she performed that trick during Gym. His voice turns sarcastic, almost teasing. Didn't you see what she hit?

No.

She broke the lights. A few pieces fell and hit a group of sophomores. You really didn't see?

I prefer not to look up.

My kind of girl.

Trust me, I'm nothing like you.

Are you?

I hesitate. Just for a second, but that's all he needed. I thought so. Serene De Vil, if you really want people to notice you... meet me on the Isle. Wednesday, after school.

I'm sorry, what? I'm not going to the Isle without permission! I practically gasp. We may be getting along right now, but some villains aren't allowed off still! I'm not walking right into that trap!

Suit yourself. Blake's shadows start to fade away, my vision clearing, my chest slowly freeing all the air I hadn't realized I was holding. Blake's shadows release me, and I slump in my seat, filled with relief. But one sliver of darkness connects with my mind before our connection fully severs.

But if you change your mind, you know where to find me.

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Sorry I haven't posted in awhile! I went on vacation to a GORGEOUS beach with very little time to do anything except burn to a crisp. I'm literally fried right now XD my shoulders are so painful. 

It was awesome! Got some really good souvenirs like a gigantic stuffed shark. I named him Bruce. Anyone who gets that I love you.

Anyways, stuff is still... Crazy here. I'm honestly a little worried about what July has in store for us.