Sirens in Beacon Hills

Chapter Three

As the day ends, I see Allison walking down the hallway, and I run to catch up with her. However, when I come to stay by her, I startle her slightly, causing her to gasp in surprise.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Lilliana; I'm new here too," I say, smiling at her. She's slightly taller than me, but only by an inch or so.

"It's okay," she replies with a smile. "You probably heard, but my name's Allison."

I nod as we walk down the hall together. When we reach her locker, we stop and stand there, talking for a moment.

"So, crazy first day, huh?" I say, trying to break the ice. "I mean, hearing about a body in the woods? That's not exactly what I was expecting."

"Yeah, it's pretty intense," Allison agrees, her expression turning thoughtful. "I'm guessing things like this don't happen every day around here, right?"

"I hope not," I reply with a nervous laugh. "Where did you move from?"

"San Francisco," she says, opening her locker and grabbing a few books. "It's a big change, but I'm hoping it'll be a good one."

"I know the feeling," I say. "I'm from Miami. It's definitely different here."

As we chat, I notice a few students glancing our way, likely curious about the new faces. It's comforting to have someone else who's also navigating unfamiliar territory.

"Well, if you need someone to hang out with or help you find your way around, I'm here," I say with a light laugh. Just then, a girl with reddish-blonde hair walks up to us.

"That jacket is absolutely killer," she says to Allison. Then she turns to me and adds, "And your necklace is gorgeous. Where'd you get it?" She glances between the two of us.

"My mom was a buyer for a boutique back in San Francisco," Allison replies, smiling as she looks down at her coat.

"And I got my necklace from a good friend back in Florida," I say, smiling as I reach up to hold it.

The girl smiles at us both before saying, "And you both are my new best friends. By the way, my name is Lydia." I smile back at her as Allison and I introduce ourselves.

Just then, a boy with dirty blonde hair joins us. Lydia greets him warmly, and he puts his arm around her waist, though it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. I can tell it makes Allison uneasy as well.

"Hey," he says, giving Lydia a small kiss and smiling down at her. "You're the new girls, aren't you?"

"Yeah," Allison responds politely, though her smile is a bit forced. "I just moved here from San Francisco."

"And I'm from Miami," I add, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Well, welcome to Beacon Hills," Jackson says, a wide smile spreading across his face as he gestures towards the bustling hallway of students leaving. The sun is beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over the scene, and a gentle breeze ruffles the leaves of the nearby trees.

Lydia, standing next to Jackson, chimes in with a bright, enthusiastic tone. "So, this weekend, there's a party," she announces, her eyes glancing between the two of us as her smile widens. "It's going to be the event of the month."

"A party?" I repeat, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion. I hadn't heard of any social events yet, having just moved to Beacon Hills. The town still felt new and overwhelming, with every face unfamiliar.

"Yeah, Friday night. You should come," Jackson adds, still holding Lydia close, his arm draped casually over her shoulders. His confidence and the ease with which he navigates the social scene here are evident.

"Uh, I can't. It's family night this Friday. Thanks for asking, though," Allison says, her voice tinged with regret. She runs a hand through her hair, looking slightly timid. It's clear that she's still trying to find her footing in this new place, much like me.

I nod in agreement with Allison's excuse. "Yeah, and I still have a lot of unpacking to do," I add, hoping to avoid any further pressure.

"You sure?" Jackson presses, a playful grin on his face as he glances between the two of us. "Everyone's going after the scrimmage."

Allison tilts her head slightly, confusion evident in her expression. "You mean, like football?"

Jackson lets out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. "Football's a joke in Beacon Hills. The sport here is lacrosse. We've won the state championship for the past three years." His pride is palpable, and I start to understand the importance of lacrosse in this town.

Lydia looks up at Jackson with a loving expression, playfully ruffling his hair. "Because of a certain team captain," she says, her voice filled with admiration. Jackson smirks smugly, clearly enjoying the compliment.

"Well, we have practice in a few minutes. That is, if you don't have anywhere else to be—" Jackson begins, but I quickly jump in, trying to find a way out.

"Well, I was going to—" I start to say, but Allison speaks up at the same time, only to be interrupted by Lydia, who takes control of the situation.

"Perfect! You're both coming," Lydia declares with a decisive tone, grabbing both Allison and me by our hands. Before we can protest, she starts leading us towards the lacrosse field, her grip firm and her steps determined. The field is alive with activity; the sounds of shouting and the thud of lacrosse sticks fill the air.

As we approach, the sight of the team practicing under the setting sun is both intimidating and mesmerizing. The players move with grace and intensity that speak to their skill and dedication. I can't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness at being thrust into this new aspect of Beacon Hills life.

"Trust me, you'll love it," Lydia assures us, her enthusiasm infectious. Despite my initial reluctance, a part of me is curious to see what all the fuss is about. After all, if I'm going to make a life here, I might as well dive in headfirst.