RIVALS | [ d.m ]

Chapter 1

Into Hiding
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"Freya, you must take my words seriously. No one can find out who your father is, understood?"

My mother grabs my arm tightly, her brown curls that I inherited falling over her orange-crested sweater. I felt annoy and rise up within me as she narrows her eyes.

"This isn't a mere game, it's our lives. And you need to und—"

I pulled my arm away from her, sending her a pointed look.

"Mother, you've only told me no more than a million times." I snapped, clutching the handle of my luggage in irritation.

"I understand the consequences I will suffer, and I will make sure to keep our family a secret. I promise."

Her face softened, relief flowing her features. She grabbed my cheeks before planting a kiss on my forehead.

"I love you, dear." She whispered, making my face twist.

I pulled away before raising a brow.

"Mother, not here! Someone will see," I blushed, making sure no one saw what she just did.

She rolled her eyes at my words, her thin lips curving into a smile. "And I love you too. Now I gotta go."

I sent her one last look before turning around, dragging my heavy luggage alongside me. But just as I got barely a few inches away, she cupped her hands over her mouth, shouting make sure to owl me every week! I cringed at the volume of her voice, noticing a few students in the train station turning their heads. I swallowed a curse as a few snickered at my mother's actions. I held in an eye roll as I sent her a tight lipped smile, before heading towards the train.

_

One of the workers took my luggage for me, making me thank them with a smile. I walked inside the train, the scent of dust, paper, and faintly chocolate wafting up my nostrils. I searched for an empty cart, but there was just a bunch of x's and o's on the cart doors.

What does that mean?

I sucked in a breath before latching my fingers onto the door that said x, swinging it open. I felt my eyes slightly widen as a group of 4 snapped their heads towards me.

"Can you read? This has an x on it,"

a girl with slightly frizzy, raven-colored hair snapped towards me. I gulped as I felt my confidence slightly diminish. When I didn't answer, she rolled her green eyes.

"Can you close the fucking door?"

"Maybe she's deaf,"

a darker boy with brown eyes smirked, his arm's lazily draped over the cushions above him. Another boy with a snake tattoo on his neck snickered at his words, nodding in agreement. I felt my fists clench as I felt anger wash over me.

"I am not deaf. I just didn't know what the x meant. You don't have to be so rude," I spat out of fury, but instantly regretted it.

The two boys went ooh as they just laughed at my words, but I couldn't help but look at the blonde who hadn't said anything. But I almost winced at the deathly look he sent me, his eyes as clear as crystals.

"Why don't you just get ou—"

"Parkinson," his blue eyes flickered to the girl, raising his brows. "Hasn't your mother ever taught you not to speak to mutts?"

I felt a soft gasp leave my lips as the blonde smirked at my reaction, the girl letting out another snicker at his words. The two boys only stared at me with raised brows, and I felt tiny. Like they were all judging me. I felt frozen as I didn't move, which irritated the blonde. He stood up before walking up to me, making me flinch.