THE HUNT

ONE

"Perhaps what you fear the most is fear itself."

S E L E N E  C A L L A S

"SELENE CALLAS! ΚΑΤΕΒΑΤΕ ΤΩΡΑ! (Come down right now!)" Christopher, my brother, yelled.

I groaned and checked the time. It was 8:17 already! I jolted up from bed and picked out the first things I saw to wear. I sighed and took a black hoodie and ankle-length black pants. I shoved on my hoodie and raced down the stairs, grabbing my bag.

"Bye, Chris!" I yelled as I forcefully put on my shoes, grabbed a granola bar and munched on it while racing to catch the bus.

It was the first day of school! I couldn't be late! The bus doors were about to close but I jumped inside the bus, scanned my card, and took a seat since it was practically empty. 

The ride to Crescent High School seemed longer than usual. I was the sporty, shy and smart girl who always got bullied. Living as a "useless" girl in the school wasn't easy. People called me the "know-it-all" 'cause I skipped a grade. It was my last year in high school, and I was excited to leave.

I was 17, and turning 18 in November. 

The bus doors opened and I shoved my hood farther down so no one could see my face. As I was walking, I tried to block out the whispers of the students. 

I checked my schedule. I had Mrs. Jones for math first period.

"MS. CALLAS!"

I jolted back to reality when I realized that Mrs. Jones, my math teacher, called me multiple times. I realized that I had zoned out while sketching a skull.

Mrs. Jones sighed. "Ms. Callas, this is unacceptable. That was the fourth time I called you. Meet me after class in my office."

I sighed and as soon as she turned her back toward the class, paper airplanes kept hitting my head. I looked down and continued doodling on my worksheet. 

I walked to Mrs. Jones' office and kept my head down. I knocked on her door a few times before she answered.

"Come in, Ms. Callas."

I quietly opened her door, revealing her enormous office. It had so many books that it could be mistaken as a library. I saw her typing something on her computer at her desk.  

I cleared my throat. "Mrs. Jones? You wanted to see me?"

Mrs. Jones looked up. "Yes. You seemed to have something on your mind in my class. Would you care to tell me?"

I hesitated. Although Mrs. Jones was my comfort teacher, I was unsure what to tell her. "Um... it's nothing. "I just didn't get enough sleep," I lied.

Mrs. Jones didn't believe me, but she let it slide. "Alright. Let me know if someone or something is bothering you."

I nodded and walked out, silently thanking her. 

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Class ended as fast as it started. After a few periods, it was lunch. Great. 

I went straight to the library and took out a random book. It was romance. Ew. I chose a violent book instead. 

I knew someone was coming up behind me. I just knew. 

"Excuse me?" Told you so. I turned. There was a girl, maybe a year older, with deep blue eyes, and long, brown hair softly flowing.  

"Yes?" I replied quietly. 

She cleared her throat. "I...saw you sitting alone and thought maybe I could sit with you and be friends?" Awkward...

"Uh...sure..." I said.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Oh! Do you wanna sit with me at lunch? My brother and his friends are also gonna be there, but that's fine."

I hesitated. "Sure, but-"

She dragged me to the cafeteria.

A L E S S I A   G U E R R A

I dragged Hoodie Girl to the cafeteria. 

"What's your name?" I asked her.

"Uhm...Selene," she replied. 

I grinned. "Okay, Selene, prepare to meet my aggressive football brother and his crazy, maniacal friends." 

I dragged her to my brother's table.

I cleared my throat - loudly. "Enzo. Let me introduce you to my newest friend: Selene. Enzo, Selene. Selene, Enzo. Also, the others are Alessandro, Antonia, Matteo (or Matt), Dante, Luca, Aldo, and Emilio." 

She stared blankly at Enzo. "You're part of the Italian Mafia," she stated, tilting her head to the side a little.

V I N C E N Z O  G U E R R A

"You're part of the Italian Mafia," Selene said, tilting her head to the side a little, some of her black silver-tipped hair falling out of her hoodie. 

Everyone tensed a bit. How did she know? No one except Alessia, Alessandro and his friends know in this school...

"That doesn't matter," I snapped. "There's only enough space for one more person. Alessia's sitting here. Go somewhere else."

She didn't seem affected, she appeared emotionless. "Okay. It's not like I came here willingly."

Just like that, she left, leaving me shocked and confused. No one would ever leave like that if I was here...she seemed awfully familiar.

Alessia glared at me and crossed her arms. "You were supposed to be nice for once!"

I shrugged. "There's no space anyways."

She let out a frustrated sigh. "This poor girl doesn't have any friends!"

"Yeah, man! She looked nice!" Alessandro exclaimed.

"Doesn't sound like it," I grumbled.

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I checked my next class. Science. Wonderful.

Something - someone -  caught my eye. It was Selene. I didn't know if I should be happy or guilty.

Something inside my brain told me to say sorry. 

I wasn't planning on apologizing. 

I went into the classroom, spotting a free seat next to Alessandro. I plopped onto the chair, and to my surprise, saw Selene sitting next to me, zoned out. Such a great day.  

Her silver eyes met mine, narrowing. She rolled her eyes and turned back, to the teacher.

"QUIET DOWN!" The teacher yelled.

The class slowly started getting quieter. 

"The activity we're doing today will require partners." 

Excited murmurs started filling the classroom.

The teacher cleared his throat. "And my trusty ol' jar will help choose." Groans filled the classroom.

"Alessandro Caputo and Emilio Bianchi. Mia Smith and Tristan Brown."

After what seemed like 10 years, my name was called. "Vincenzo Guerra and Selene Callas."

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