Damnation [Book 1]

Chapter 1 - {Day 1}

First week of September: Tuesday

Laila

She swore she wouldn't succumb to her eye-lids that were weighed down by the knowledge gained from textbooks. Not like she ever slept, but it was a school morning, all the more it was forbidden. The sluggish walk to her locker, aggressive rummaging, followed by incoherent mumbling under her breath; as clear as glass, confirmed Laila wasn't a morning person.

"Good morning girls! Beautiful morning, don't you reckon? Today's going to be a really fruitful day. I can feel it."

Even though she wasn't sprightly this early in the day, Laila never let her temperament be a dampener on her ginger-haired best friend's parade. A fact she kept tight lipped so that Rae didn't grow a big head; Rae brought on happiness in the trio, like the sun brightened the world every morning. Rae was annoyingly essential. 

"Please be optimistic elsewhere. I would like to wallow in my darkness, in peace."

The grim comment from Laila's right-hand locker neighbor, earned a light huff from the tired blonde, and a sweet smile crawled its way on her face as she watched both her best friends indulge in their daily dose of morning inconsequential banter; the art of playing the silent spectator perfected by Laila over the past few years.

"...speaking of Zay being an absolute moron, I hope you plan on participating in this year's sports day, Lei." Laila often appreciated the fact that her best friends knew just exactly what buttons to press to get their desired mood out of her, and just like that, Laila was sleepy no more; a proud guise washing over her face, "Why of course! No doubt there. Plus, someone has to put those Martians in their place." Nothing like getting Laila riled up with her competitive school spirit early in the morning.

"That's my girl! And what about you Grim reaper? Participating?" The excited blonde watched her aloof friend grimace at the mindless question, "Rae, you've known me for nine years. When have you ever seen me interested in sports? Especially school sports. Please don't ask me dumb questions."

"Come on Zay. Where is your school spirit?" Rae pouted. 

"Burning in the depths of hell." Zay's response fazed neither friends, and grabbing her respective books, she shut her locker, "This conversation no longer stimulates my grey cells, therefore, I shall see you in class and Lei at lunch. Ciao." Laila giggled along to Rae mock-mimicking their anti-social best friend who blended into the ocean of students, "You better come cheer for us, or I'll make sure you burn in hell." Rae yelled.  

Amongst all the rushed heads, a hand raised its self with the middle finger standing tall, before the owner vanished into a classroom; leaving both the best friends giggling away. 

Whirling to face her ginger-haired friend; the elated expression seeped away from the blonde's face as she watched three familiar bodies appear behind her cheerful best friend; her steady breath betraying her, followed by her jaws and fists clenching tightly. 

"Well, well. If it isn't Buffy and Willow."

The venom laced feminine voice was all it took to snatch the joyful glow from Rae; the warm color draining from her face, her ocean eyes steeling, and her vulnerable soul masked by foolish courage.

The uniformed trio surrounded the feminine duo, their red ties worn proudly; the most malicious of them predatorily cornering Rae up against her shut locker, his unruly ice blond hair falling into his electric blue eyes, "No Bea. It's Fire-crotch and Barbie."

Both friends winced at the vile words, Laila more so, but not for herself, though she knew after all these years, Rae was getting immune. But they still affected the duo just as much as the first time. The two villainous chuckles only angered Laila more, wishing she had the liberty to physically put the three Martians in their place. Sadly, she was a lover and not a fighter, hence she chose her words, "Back off Alistair."