In My Blood | Peter Hayes

chapter one.

'*•.¸♡ playlist ♡¸.•*'

[i walk this earth by myself - ekkstacy]

[the greatest - billie eilish]

[family tree - ethel cain]

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

"DON'T WALK SO CLOSE TO ME," GRUMBLED DREW FROM BESIDE AMIAH. She just rolled her eyes in response and quickened her pace. "Why are you walking with me anyway? Don't you usually hang out with Molly and Peter before school?"

Amiah had almost spilled her juice this morning when Drew joined her at the kitchen table for breakfast. Surprisingly, he was the early riser of the two, usually already out and about by the time she blearily stumbled into the kitchen, still half asleep.

"Morning detention" was his short response without any further explanation.  Well, that answered nothing. "Still doesn't explain why you're walking with me," annoyed her usual morning routine was ruined by her grumpy brother. This was the only time of day where Amiah got to be alone. A quiet breakfast followed by the walk to school was when she actually got some peace and quiet.

"Mom made me." Amiah scoffed, "Please," not believing his reason for a second "Since when do you listen to anything she says." Drew didn't bother to respond. This is how it typically went down whenever she tried talking to her brother.

Sighing, Amiah kept her eyes forward as her and Drew walked towards school. Today was the last day of classes before the aptitude test. Her stomach dropped at the reminder. In a couple days' time, life as she knew it could be completely different.

She was nervous her test results wouldn't give her Candor. Her whole life she'd felt as if she didn't belong in the faction. Amiah wasn't like the rest of her faction. Lying came naturally to her.

 She had a hard time speaking her mind and would rather lie than have anyone know what she was thinking. It's always been easier for Amiah than telling the truth. But if she got a different faction, then she'd have to leave. Change was one of the things Amiah avoided like the plague. 

Before she knew it, her and Drew had arrived at school. He walked off without a word or backwards glance. Typical. Amiah walked towards the school alone, watching other students walk in groups or pairs. 

A wave of loneliness washed over her, but she hitched her bag further up on her shoulder and walked into the school. She didn't need anyone. Amiah was perfectly fine being alone. At least that's what she told herself.

Walking into her first class, Amiah ignored the chatter about the upcoming aptitude test and slid into her seat. She glanced at the clock. There was still a good ten minutes until class started. She pulled a book out of her bag, planning to kill time by reading. Amiah put on her glasses and turned to the page she left off on. She'd almost forgotten she was in class until her book was snatched out of her hands.

Amiah whirled around, already knowing who the culprit was. Shooting Peter a look of pure venom, "Give it back," she snapped. Peter leaned back in his seat and smirked as he read the back of the book, "Romance?" he said with raised eyebrows. "You've never struck me as a romantic, nerd."

Peter may look angelic with his handsome features, but the phrase looks can be deceiving was practically made for him. Ever since Drew had become friends with Peter, the boy hadn't left her alone. Peter seemed to go out of his way to make fun of Amiah.