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THE EARLY MORNING SUN hung hidden behind the thick layer of clouds blanketed across the sky. With only a few dozen of solar rays able to break through, a dull cold had masked its way over the small Virginia town, giving birth to hints of rain and spells of a storm that was common to August weather. However, even in light of the change in atmosphere, the spirits of residents seemed undeterred, bright as the streets of Mystic Falls were scattered with different people, who had either previously returned from a leisurely vacation or others who had simply spent their break within the city limits, all of which appeared to be ecstatic to be back and surrounded by familiar faces.
Bianca, walking the line between the two groups, couldn't help but feel a stab of envy sitting in the passenger side of Caroline's car, eyes tracking over the beaming faces and bright exterior that seemed to exude from everywhere. In Bianca's eyes, it was a perfectly drawn facade.
"So, are you like going to be in this loner-type mood for the whole day or...?" Caroline asked, drawing Bianca's attention from the scenery outside her window. At the furrowed brow in response, Caroline couldn't help but roll her eyes. "You have this look on your face-"
"I do not."
"Yes, you do." Aimlessly stretching out her hand the blonde reached for the visor, pulling it down before sliding the divider until the mirror underneath was shown. "Look for yourself. You know I don't condone the "just rolled out of bed look", so brighten up. It's the first day of school, what is there to be so in the dumps about?"
Bianca shrugged, pursing her lips. "Global warming, the economy, uh, health care-"
"So nothing important," the blonde cut in smoothly, shoulders rolling back as she began to pull into the school parking lot. "What is important, however, is maintaining a good, or at least decent in your case, school image. So, get out of your dumps."
Bianca let out a sigh, scratching the side of her face as she tried to let the blonde's words seep through her skin and into the forefront of her thoughts. However, the attempts remained fruitless, as when she rose out of the car, the heels of her boots scraped harshly against the warm pavement when a harsh chill raced up the length of her spine, fully locking her into place. A cold wind clawed at the nape of her neck, drawing across the tender skin until small bumps rose to the surface. The tension birthing at the surface of her neck had locked her spine into rigidity, restricting any form of movement and blocking the path of air from entering and leaving her body, a blockage gouging in her esophagus.
"B!" Caroline called out when her attention took notice of how her friend remained unmoving. "Bianca!"
The dark-skinned girl blinked in response, inhaling with sharpness as her body snapped back to reality. Staring slightly with widened eyes. Stammering hastily put together apologies and dismissals, her brows furrowed as the regained focus on the concrete building before her. "Do you ever get this feeling?"
