Look Closer

Chapter 1

"Your name, dear?" the lady at the reception asks me.

"Seraphina Montez," I tell her.

She hands me some forms to fill out and a list of instructions to be followed here. Mystic Falls High School. I sigh softly.

When my parents told me about the trip they just had to make, I wasn't expecting it to be for so long. Two years. Two years they have to spend there and two years I am to stay here with my cousins. Cousins I barely even know. Just peachy.

I complete all the forms and give them back, getting my new timetable and locker information in return. I say my thanks and walk out the door, almost bumping into someone in the process.

"Oh I am so sorry I didn't see you there!" she exclaims.

"That's alright, I wasn't watching where I was going either," I tell her with an apologetic smile.

She smiles back and is just about to leave when she turns back, surprise written all over her face. "Are you new here? I can't really remember seeing you before..."

"Yeah. I joined just now, actually," I tell her. She nods, then holds out her hand. "I'm Caroline Forbes. Welcome to Mystic Falls."

"I'm Seraphina Montez, nice to meet you," I take her hand to shake it, but the moment I touch it....something happens. I was so shocked I almost let it go immediately. What the hell was that?

Caroline, however doesn't seem to notice. Her eyes have a distant look, fixed on something behind me. Her expression changes to one of alarm. I turn around to see why and am met with the sight of a buff guy with black hair, moving deliberately in our direction. I turn towards Caroline again, only to see her walking off with a hurried apology.

"Okay...?" So that went well. Not knowing what to make of this awkward encounter. I check my timetable to see what class I have first. English. Hmm.. that's good. One of my favourite subjects. Now just to find that classroom....

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Lunch. Finally! It was exhausting, my first day here. The teachers seem nice enough, and I'm sure I'll make friends soon, but I've got to work hard to cover up for all I've missed.

I see the cafeteria is smaller than the one in my previous school, but the food smells good. The only problem is, I don't know where to sit. This being a small town, all the people know each other and me being a newbie is old news now.

I get knowing glances from people as I walk to the counter and pay for my food. I suppose I'll just eat outside today... "Hey! Seraphina!" someone calls.

Oh, it's Caroline Forbes, the girl I bumped into.

She waves me over to her table, which is occupied by some other students I don''t know, apart from that one girl I think I recognise from my math class. "I am so sorry I left like that earlier. I just had an important errand to run. Would you like to have lunch with us? This is Bonnie," she indicates the girl, "and this is Matt," she points to the boy.

"Sure, thanks," I say to Caroline and shake hands with Matt and Bonnie. Again, I felt something. Different from what it was with Caroline, but something not normal, while shaking hands with Bonnie. Apparently, she felt it too, judging by her expression.

We didn't say anything about it though, as Caroline began asking about me. I told them how I moved here to live with my cousins for two years. They know my uncle, obviously.

"I didn't know he had two daughters though. He looks quite young." says Matt.

"Yeah, he's divorced actually. With twin daughters. They're in junior high," I tell them.

At that moment, the guy I saw approaching Caroline and me earlier, comes to our table. He casts a quick look over me and asks Caroline if he can talk to her for a moment. I can see Caroline hesitate, but she agrees and goes with him.

Someone's phone buzzes. "Oh I've got to take it. I'll see you guys later. Bye Bonnie, Seraphina," says Matt and leaves.

Bonnie is eyeing me warily. Hello, I know it's awkward being alone together since we just met but that doesn't mean you give me judgy looks! I give her a small smile to dispel the tension, but to my surprise, she gives me a frosty look and opens her mouth to say something, snarky no doubt, when Caroline returns.

Bonnie shuts her mouth and begins ignoring me. What is her problem? I didn't even do anything!

Caroline starts explaining to me all the clubs and activities of the school. She thinks I should join the cheerleading team, but I tell her that is not my thing. She perks up when I tell her that I'm interested in singing though, and invites me over to the Mystic Grill for Karaoke night on Friday. I can see Bonnie disapproves of this, but I don't care. Caroline likes me well enough, and I have a feeling we're going to be very good friends. "Thank you for asking, I'll definitely come."

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Too engrossed in my mobile phone, I didn't notice that I have walked in on an argument in the parking lot.

It's Caroline and that boy with the black hair. What is his deal with her? Even I can see she's avoiding him and I met her today.

He grabs her as she's about to walk away, but before I can react, she has twisted his arm and shoved him away from her. The buff guy looks as surprised as I feel. Whoa! That was some impressive self defense move there.

He asks her something then, desperately by the looks of it, but not getting any answer, walks off, kicking a trashcan in the process.

Caroline just looks on as the trashcan flies away and hits a car, setting off it's alarm.

I wait till Caroline has left, then get in my car and drive back to my uncle's home.

It didn't escape my notice how Caroline was able to push off such a large guy so easily. Or how that trashcan, by no means light, flew through the air and hit a car feet away from where it was. Gosh, what are they feeding people here?