Monday morning was bland.  A series of quizzes awaited Skylar from her first three classes--math, health, and English.  She wasn't able to see much of Jake, but she recognized Charlie in her math class seated two rows in front of her.  The girl waved at her, but that was the extent of their interaction.

When she went to her locker at lunch she saw that the entire hallway had been decorated in Halloween decorations. Cob webs and spiders hung from the ceiling, orange and black posters were placed on lockers, the floor had a fog machine pouring out from the janitorial closet.  It was nothing like the orange and black butcher paper her old school would drape over the lights. This school went all out.

"Skylar!" She looked over to see Jake jogging up to her from behind.  She stopped and opened her locker. One of the posters ripped and drifted to her feet.

Jake reached down and picked it up, a smile creeping up on his face.  "Are you going to this?" he inquired with a tinge of excitement lacing his raspy voice.

"Going to what?" she asked blankly.  She hadn't paid much attention to the content of the posters.

He flipped it around and showed her the ad.  Big, sparkly, purple and green letters announced the Halloween dance for the upcoming Saturday.  It was a costume party that would be held outdoors at Romulus.

"Oh, no.  I don't have a costume or anything like that." She brushed it off lightly. Halloween was never her thing. In all her years she'd never once dressed up for the holiday. "Halloween is just a consumer holiday designed for big businesses to profit off of America's relentless desire to consume and buy whatever the government deems appropriate for any one particular occasion. Presents at Christmas, chocolate and vibrators on Valentine's Day..." she clamped a hand over her mouth. "Sorry, I'm rambling." Jake was eyeing her curiously, a hint of amusement in his dimpled cheeks as he withheld his grin.

"You can borrow one of mine." She looked over to see Charlie coming up to them.  "Sorry, I was eavesdropping on my brother.  Like always."

Jake gave her an exasperated look.  "I was just asking her if she was going," he groaned.

Skylar smiled at the pleasant sibling banter they shared.  "You were just trying to ask her out and going about it the long way.  I'm helping," she insisted.

Jake's cheeks reddened and he shook his head.  "I buy tons of costumes on the off chance that I'll wear it and then they just end up sitting there in my closet.  I doubt I'll ever get through them all, but you can have one if you'd like.  I promise they aren't too slutty or childish." She smiled genuinely at her.

Skylar looked between the two of them--from Jake's hopeful smile to Charlie's assertive stance.  "I might take you up on that offer," she relented.  It couldn't hurt to go to a party with the siblings. It wouldn't be like showing up alone to sit in a corner. "And yours." She looked to Jake who snapped his eyes to her excitedly.  A newfound sensation of confidence swam through her body.

"Really?" Jake's face lit up until his sister swatted his arm again.

"Awesome," she covered for him, "Jake can give us a ride after school today and you can pick one you like."

"Oh," Skylar thought of her parents. If they got home on time for once and didn't find her there, they might freak out.  Before she could decline the offer, the bell rang for lunch and Jake and Charlie hustled away to their next class.

Skylar had first lunch with all the other students who hadn't chose a fitness or weight lifting elective class.  Her elective was art, something she was good at and enjoyed.  Judging by the way the siblings looked, they were definitely in a fitness class during her lunch. She watched Dana and the boy from science class giggling as they left through the front doors. Doubtful they were eating lunch and not smoking weed or sneaking away to play doctor behind the track.

She walked quietly to the cafeteria and caught the smell of spaghetti.  She crinkled her nose at the meal and opted for an off campus lunch, one of the perks of Roman Ridge High. 

The two cafes across the street were already packed with her peers, so she decided to walk a few blocks down towards the east side of town and find a nicer place.  Her eyes zeroed in on a raw juice bar hidden between a tanning salon and a Petco. In the distance, a two story brick building with a beautifully painted sign portraying two olives in a martini glass could be seen. The sign in the window flashed that it was closed, but her mind still went to the man in black she had met that weekend. His long, slender physique that rippled with lean muscle. The warmth that spread through her at the touch of his pale fingers that easily encased her tiny hands.

SHaking the thought away she jogged across the street in her pink Converse and swung the lightweight door open.  Most of the teenagers had flocked to the burger joints and left the little health shack alone.  It wasn't that she hated the other students, she just didn't see the point in associating with them when she could move at anytime. Guilt ate at her for even accepting Jake and Charlie's invitation.

"Hi, welcome to the Lemon Tree," a young woman greeted happily from behind the counter.  "Do you need some time to decide or do you know what you want?"

Skylar bit her bottom lip, the taste of artificially flavored lip gloss flooding her mouth, and glanced at the pricey menu.  "Actually I've never been in here before.  I'm just on lunch.  Do you have anything filling for under ten bucks?" she queried hopefully.

The woman smiled and nodded.  "I've got protein smoothies that taste like ice cream and keep you full, there are sandwiches and wraps, and power bars." She pointed to the menu at each item.

Skylar looked at the smoothies.  "I'll try the chocolate peanut butter one." She decided after a moment of thinking.

"That's a good one, reminds me of chocolate peanut butter milkshakes.  Do you want that with almond or coconut milk?"

"Almond please."

"Alright, and what size?" She punched in a few things in her computer.

"Just a sixteen ounce," she replied and reached back to grab her money.

"Okay that'll be six dollars even." She smiled and took the bill, unfurling it from the ball it had been in and sticking it in the register.  "Four dollars is your change, and I'll have your smoothie ready in a few minutes."

Skylar took the ones and smiled back politely, "Thank you," she said and took a seat away from the windows.

Knowing that she had PE next, she took advantage of the few moments she had and flipped her head upside down to catch all of her hair in a high ponytail.  Her tan skin was visible under her long sleeve, black v-neck.  She found herself pulling it up all day to avoid any cleavage showing in school, but she ignored it while she sat down in the quiet space alone. 

Music drifted delicately through the speakers in the ceiling, filling her ears with the relaxing sound of low-fi hip hop and nearly forcing her to let her eyes close and lull her head back on the chair. Since Friday night's events she found it hard to sleep, let alone close her eyes. But here--in this space...

She didn't glance up when the bell dinged and the door opened.  "Mr. Cruor, what can I get you today?"

Her eyes shot open to see him already staring at her.  "Just a revive shot," he ordered, respectfully giving the barista his attention. 

"Four twenty-five." She took his card and scanned it before disappearing in the back to get the drinks ready.

Skylar's mouth ran dry, unable to think of a casual way to start a conversation.  "Is this seat taken?" She wanted to cringed at the cliche line he used, but shook her head wordlessly and let him sit next to her despite the rest of the juice bar being empty.  "Did your weekend have a better ending?" he asked casually, as if her assault had just been an annoying start to her weekend.

Skylar nodded fervently.  "I just stayed in mainly, so yes, it ended much better." She cleared her throat of nerves.  He was staring at her in such a knowing way that she shifted in her seat, sitting up taller.  "How was your weekend?"She spoke slowly.

Bear smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.  "It was okay.  I spent it at the palace going through papers."

"Here you are, sweetie." The woman brought over the chocolate smoothie and set it down with a napkin.

"Thank you." Skylar took it and sipped at the concoction. 

"And here you are, Mr. Cruor.  Enjoy." A mirky green shot glass was handed to him and he took it quickly with a nod of his head. 

The woman left and disappeared into the back.  "What is that?" she asked, gesturing to the empty glass.

Bear turned it to examine the grainy residue at the bottom.  "Juice shot.  Concentrated wheat grass and greens.  It's good for you but it tastes like dog shit." Skylar scrunched up her nose at the comment.

"Yum." She raised her brows sarcastically.

"How's yours?" He smirked.

"Actually it's really good.  Way better than a shot of rabbit food," she jested.

Bear chuckled at her and grabbed the drink, bringing the straw to his full lips and taking a long sip. Her heart beat faster, watching him drink from her cup. He was still dressed in black--a much more expensive looking suit and tie that fit him almost too perfectly, as though it had been tailored to his unique body. Of course it had. She bet most, if not all, his clothes were custom fitting.

He passed the drink back with a satisfied nod and checked his watch. Diamonds glittered around the clock face and she fought the urge to roll her eyes at his wealth. "I have to get back to work soon," he announced more to himself than her, but she didn't miss the disdain in his tone.

"Me too," she replied and took a long sip.  Unable to hold her tongue, she blurted, "This might sound a little rude, but you just look really young.  I mean, too young to be the head of the CDC." She blushed a little after the words were out, knowing she'd been too invasive.

Bear didn't seem to mind.  His eyes were grazing over her reddened cheeks.  "My parents died in a car crash and I inherited the family business on my eighteenth birthday.  I'm twenty-three now." An awkward silence passed between the pair for a moment before he broke it again.  "How old are you?" He eyed her as if he was trying to guess.

Skylar blushed again, "I'm eighteen." She answered honestly, knowing he was probably regretting buying her alcohol.

Bear quirked a brow up at her response.  "Eighteen, huh?" He mused, seemingly mulling it over in his mind.  "I would have guessed you were older."

Skylar narrowed her eyes at him, trying to figure out if that was a compliment or not.  "Not something every girl likes to hear," she quipped.

Bear smirked.  "Well you aren't every girl.  You just seem more mature than the average teen," he fixed his comment.

Skylar lowered her gaze, hiding the grin he was giving her.  Her gaze landed on his watch that clung to his pale wrist.  "Is that watch accurate?"

"Yes." He looked down to see the time.

"Shoot, I have to go.  I need to get back before the bell rings." She internally hit herself for giving away that she was still in school.

"Roman Ridge High?" he questioned unphased.

"Yeah," Skylar stood to throw her empty cup away, "I forgot to account for walking time."

"I can give you a ride." Bear's face was serious, void of emotion.  She tried to gauge his intentions. He wouldn't do anything. No in broad daylight. Maybe not in any lighting. Skylar chewed her lower lip. It was exhausting having to be on alert all the damn time--weeding out the murders and rapists from the genuinely chivalrous.  Then again he had helped her...

"You don't have to do that.  It's the opposite direction of your work," she pointed out, attempting to be nice.

Bear shrugged.  "By a minute and a half tops."

Skylar looked at the clock on the wall and back to her smoothie, contemplating.  If she left now she'd be a few minutes late by foot, or five minutes early if she took the car ride.

"Are you doing the math?" He smirked at her hesitance.

"Sorry, I just-"

"It's okay. I get it.  A stranger offers you a ride in a new town, I'd be a little hesitant too.  Amy!" he bellowed suddenly, making her jump.

The woman came around the corner and peeked her head out.  "Yes?"

"I'm going to give her a ride back to school, if she ends up murdered or missing you'll be a witness that I was the last to be seen with her."

Skylar's eyebrows jumped up at his casual demeanor.  "Absolutely, Mr. Cruor." She smiled happily.

"There, now even if I wanted to do something I couldn't without having to take out my favorite shop owner." He stood up, leaving his glass on the table and offering his hand to her.

"You didn't have to do that." She giggled nervously and accepted his outstretched hand.  His long fingers were warm to the touch and wrapped around hers smoothly.

"I wanted to," he replied briskly and pulled her to a stand.  His lean torso towered over hers.

He walked her, pulling her by the hand, all the way to the door until he needed to drop it in order to push it open for her.  Part of her wondered what kind of stares they'd attract if other students saw her holding hands with him outside. She shoved her hands in her pockets as she walked under his arm. "Which one is your car?" she queried, trying to locate a vehicle that she could see him driving. 

"This one." He pulled out a set of keys and clicked a button.  Her jaw dropped when she saw the car she would be riding in.

"What even is that?  That's your car?" she asked, astonished at the expensive piece of machinery.

"It's a Tesla." His face gave away no emotion as he went around to the passenger side door and opened it for her.  "Hop in," he directed with a hint of a challenge to his voice.

"I don't know.  My shoes are really dirty and I'm sweaty from walking, I don't want to mess up the interior." She hugged her arms warily. October winds blew by her, pulling out baby hairs from her ponytail to frame her heart shaped face.

Bear frowned at her stance.  "I have people that clean it for me.  You don't have to worry so much," he assured her and motioned with his hand for her to get inside.

Gnawing on the inside of her cheek, Skylar decided driving was going to be better than walking in the cold.  She brushed past his chest, inadvertently inhaling the woodsy scent of his cologne, and sat down on the black leather seats.  Everything was blacked out.  The wheels, the interior, the headlights, everything.  The windows were tinted dark--illegally, if she had to guess.

He shut the door quietly behind her and walked around to the driver's side.  She admired his height as he ducked to get in.  Such a tall frame for such a sleek car.  "Ready?" he asked and started the car with the push of a button.

Skylar nodded, looking around at all the gorgeous pieces that made up his vehicle. The touch screen stereo was impressive to say the least.  "Yep," she chimed and buckled into the luxurious seat.

Bear gave a close lipped smile and revved the engine, getting onto the main road in a flash.  "I haven't been back here in years," he admitted, rounding the corner to the school and pulling up to the curb.  Skylar wasn't blind to the way the kids on the lawn stopped and stared at the car, squinting to see who was inside.

A parking lot full of Jeeps and little sedans made the Tesla stand out like a sore thumb.  "You went here?" she asked, surprised that he didn't attend some prestigious private school or stay at home to be tutored by artists and mathematicians.  "Did you like it?"

"Yeah, it was okay.  I got away with a lot of shit because of my name in this town.  But the staff generally doesn't care about you unless your parents went there or you have money." He shrugged and unbuckled.

Skylar chewed her lip thoughtfully.  "I guess that's how it goes everywhere though.  I don't come from money nor do I have parents that grew up here." She laughed nervously.

"So I bet they haven't even taken the time to remember your name yet." It wasn't a question, more of a statement.

Skylar shook her head and smiled.  "Nope.  They barely recognize my face.  The other day I got called to the office and they barely were able to match my name to me." She sighed and took off her own seatbelt to leave.

Bear got out, going around to open her door, taking her briefly aback at his chivalry.  He took her hand and helped her out of the car, pausing to look into her eyes.  The shades of green were spectacular in his when the sunlight hit it.  The rays fractured the singular shade into flecks of yellowy green and golden browns with a halo of fern encasing them.

"They'll remember you now," he whispered and nodded his head toward the lawn where the kids all stood around.  A few staff members were gaping at them both.

"I'm sure this looks real good," she groaned, awaiting a slew of rumors that would undoubtedly begin to circulate inside.  "I can't wait for Jake to catch wind of this."

"Jake?" His brows furrowed.

"Just this boy that lives next door.  The only person at school, besides his sister, that acknowledges my existence." She could see his face fall with his grip on her hand, but the words were already out and she knew she'd kick herself later.

"I see," he said quietly and took a step back.  He never really saw the onlookers, but she knew he was aware of them.  As if a switch flipped in him, his frown turned into a devious smirk. 

"What?" She tightened her ponytail to busy her hands under his gaze. 

"I don't know," he murmured and scratched the back of his dark blond head.  "You're different from any other girl around here."

His comment threw her.  "How so?" she prompted.

Bear dropped his arm and stood tall, "You aren't afraid of me." His expression was serious, grave.

Skylar gave a light giggle to cover the oddity of his compliment, if it could be called that.  "Afraid of you?  You're, so far, the least threatening guy I've met since I moved here." His lips twitched at her reaction.  "Are most people afraid of you?" she queried, suddenly interested in the origin of his words.

Bear's eyes lowered to the sidewalk.  "In this town they are."

"Why?"

"They say my name is cursed, and so am I.  My entire bloodline is." The bell rang and the audience on the lawn began to slowly disperse.  A few stayed behind to gawk at the two of them.

"You say that like you believe it." Skylar observed sympathetically.  Bear didn't say a word.  "I'd feel pretty shitty about myself if I believed every rumor about me."

His eyes bore into hers.  "You better get to class before they start to think you're ditching." He glanced over to the steps where the principal stood, arms crossed and a stern look on his pudgy face.

"Oh," she rubbed her arm, "yeah."

"Can I see you again?" The question caught her off guard.

"You want to see me again?" No one had ever expressed that much interest in her.  There was never much time to form a bonding relationship before they were off to the next school and state.

Bear didn't react, his face remained stoic.  "Yes," was all he said.

Skylar stared at him, she didn't know how to feel.  She looked into his bright eyes, his sallow cheeks, his full pink lips, the way he stood with perfect posture and a certain aura that radiated wealth and confidence.  "I'd like that." The words left her the moment they crossed her mind.

"Good.  I'll pick you up Saturday at seven." He turned on his heel to leave but Skylar reached out and grabbed his arm.

"Wait!" She stopped him.  "I already made plans for Saturday." She cringed, it would have been in poor taste to cancel on the first person to ask her out in a while.

Bear raised one eyebrow and smirked.  "Jake?"

Skylar flushed, "Yeah, him and his sister want me to go to this Halloween dance this Saturday at Romulus."

"The annual haunted dance.  I went to a few of those.  They usually go all out for it, it's pretty cool." She was relieved to see that he wasn't too upset about not being able to see her that day. 

"I've never been to a dance before, so I wouldn't know what to expect," she confessed.  It was true.  She'd never been invited or been around long enough to make it to one.

"Never?" He laughed at her lack of experience. 

"Never," she repeated with the ghost of a smile.

"Then it sounds like you better go," he urged.  He leaned on the top of his car, propping himself on one elbow.  "But if you ever get bored of those boys, and need a change of scenery, you can find me here." Bear reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out a small business card.  Skylar took it from his hand and examined the holographic design, turning it left to right.

Berach Cruor
CEO of Cruor Enterprise
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Medical Technologist, Biologist

"Wow." She admired the silver writing.  "How are these titles even possible for someone your age?"

"Just another of my many secrets you'll have to find out." There was no amusement in his eyes despite the sarcastic comment.

"Sounds like a fun challenge," Skylar quipped, earning the tiniest of smirks.  A second bell rang out and made her own smile turn to a look of worry. "The late bell!  I have to go!" She shoved the card in the back of her pocket.  "Thank you so much for the ride, Bear." He pushed off against the car, dipping his head to accept her thanks. 

"Anytime." He flashed her his pearly white teeth.

Skylar glanced back, seeing that the lawn was empty and groaned. 

"I'll see you around." 

"See you," she muttered with a small wave.  She watched the car come to life and drive off the way they came.  A sigh escaped her lips when she realized it was pointless to accept a ride to avoid being late.  On the bright side, if her parents were called about her unexcused lateness they probably would blow it off as nothing and go back to their own lives.

She half ran up the sidewalk and into the building, ignoring some of the faces of staff and students that were pressed against the windows in their classroom.