sᴇʟғɪsʜ~ʟᴇɢᴀᴄɪᴇs {slow updates}

TWENTY TWO

"So you think we should tell everyone about Hope?" Kai asks me after I've shown her the box, "well she was important to us so maybe she was important to other people too." I say as we're sat on the ground the entirety of the boxes contents around us.

"But no one would remember her."

"So?" I don't get her point, "this is driving you insane Arabella, you want to find her and find a way to get your memories back when there isn't one, do you really think it's better if everyone else gets like this too?"

"It's not driving me insane and besides do you not think it's better everyone knows?"

"No I don't." I look at her in disbelief, we rarely disagreed on things important like this, "she was a person Kiara, she had a life and we loved her. She sacrificed herself and even if people don't remember her, she deserves to be honoured for what she did."

"I don't know, I just think it's going to do more harm than good and Hope knew that too, it's why she asked we destroy all traces of her."

"Ok fine, I won't tell anyone yet. I'll work on finding Hope first."

"And I'll help you, no matter what. Now come on the day is starting." She helps me quickly repack the box before sliding it under my bed. "Oh wait." I say quickly stopping her, "what Arabella, we'll be late for assembly."

"I'm not going to assembly so I need you to cover for me just for the morning." She looks at me incredulously, "our new principal is staring today this is not a good first impression."

"Yeah I don't care about that, I'm going to see uncle Ric," she shoot's me a look, "I don't know what he's like yet and it's easier to sneak out once everyone is preoccupied."

***

Once I get to mystic falls high, I roll my eyes at the townies as I watch them, I just hoped I could get in and out as soon as possible. "Are you stalking me?" I jump once I hear a voice but smile once I see who it belongs to.

"You wish." I say as Ethan approaches, "I'm here to see my uncle." I say making his brows furrow, "oh Principle saltzman is your uncle?"

"Have I not told you that?" Granted Ethan and I hadn't seen each other as much as I hoped over the rest of the summer but nothing felt weird between us so I was glad. He was a friend that I wanted to keep.

"Oh well he's talking to a new girl in his office, you know where that is right?" I shake my head, "I've never been here but I'm sure I'll figure it out." It couldn't be that hard.

"I'll take you." I shake my head appreciating his offer, "I don't wanna be a bad influence, it's your first day at a new school get to class." He laughs making me smile, I liked making him laugh it made me forget about all the drama going on in my life. I felt like a normal fun teenage girl.

"Funny you're handing out orders when you're skipping school right now."

I watch him walk away with a sigh and a small pit growing in my stomach, should I leave him alone? I wasn't normal and was it fair to get attached to him and eventually drag him into all the supernatural drama he'd be so much better without? I felt guilty but I knew that I was too selfish to stay away. The only thing I could think of that tamed the uneasy feeling that was growing by the second, was to vow to keep us as friends and friends only.

I shake off my feelings knowing how really wasn't the time for all that and approach the principles office. The door opens just as I'm walking up to it, it must be the new girl who is leaving. Her head is turned as she says something to uncle Ric but once she turns to face me we both stop in our tracks.

"Hope?" Her face changes to one of shock and disbelief, "Arabella." She smiles making my heart clench in guilt, I wish I remembered her. "You remember me?" The guilt worsens once her face drops at me shaking my head. "I'm so sorry, I can't remember you no matter how hard I try, but I know that I've forgotten you and that you were important to me." Her eyes well up and she nods, "I need to go, please don't tell anyone about me." I frown but nod unable to go after her because uncle Ric has left his office.

"Arabella what are you doing here?" Well I couldn't ask him about Hope now, "uh it's not important anymore." He crosses his arms and I knew by the look on his face what was coming. "It better be for you to just be skipping school."

"Sorry?" He sighs and shakes his head as though he were tired, "go back to school Arabella and pay attention in class." I give him a salute before turning around and making my way out of the school. I wanted to stay, to talk to Hope I wanted to know more than what I had seen in pictures, but it would have to wait for later I guess.

***

Classes were boring, so boring that I hardly even remembered them at all, maybe Kai had a point maybe this whole Hope thing was making me crazy but I just wanted to know the truth why was that so bad.

"Hey Lizzie what's up?" I ask noticing my cousin stomping her way over, "I can't believe I said yes to a study date with MG only for him to stand me up! What a waste of my time. If he shows up at the old mill tell him to forget it." She rants making my brows furrow, "I'm not going to the old mill?"

"Well I'm not waiting for him any longer." She says before leaving. I think it over and decide to go break the news to him gently, poor MG will be so crushed, but I didn't understand why he stood her up, not when he liked her so much and was finally getting his chance.

"Oh Milton where are you?" I hum to myself as I pace back and forth, suddenly I see a silhouette stood across from me making me stop in my tracks as my heart lurches. "Oh Jesus, you scared me." I say stepping forward to see a handsome boy I'd never seen before.

"Um hi who the hell are you?" He looks around confused, "what is this place?" Was he ok? "The old mill? Who are you?" I ask again curious on the stranger. "Are you a new student?" He was still looking around and taking things in, "oh, this is a school of some kind?" There was something strange about him but at the same time I was intrigued.

"So you're not a student then, what are you doing here?" He looks at me and it seems as though he's going to answer when he suddenly sways as though he were dizzy. "Oh are you ok? Maybe you should sit down." I say approaching him as he leans against one of the beams. "No no!" He shouts urgently easing his hand to stop me from getting any closer.

"No, I'm fine." He continues calmer now. "You should, you should keep your distance." I watch him in curiosity, "well I'm not gonna hurt you." I assure him making him give me a half laugh, half smile. "That's not what I'm afraid of." He didn't want to hurt me?

"I'm sorry. I uh should go." He says turning from me immediately, "you didn't tell me your name." I say surprised to see it makes him stop and turn back around. "I'm Sebastian." I nod in acknowledgment, "I'm Bella." He smiles at me making me feel flustered for a moment. "It's good to meet you Isabella?"

I smile at him and shake my head, "it's Arabella." A smile makes its way to his face too as his eyes roam over my face. "Beautiful name for a beautiful girl." We simply stand there for a moment just looking at each other before he gives me a small nod and walks away.

"Lizzie, I am so sorry. Your dad called, and I had- you're not Lizzie." MG says his hurried excuses stopping once he sees me. "She left told me to tell you not to think about it." I shrug before glancing the way Sebastian had left. "In other news I just met a really cute guy, Lizzie is gonna be so jealous when she finds out."