Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 6~

~Raelyn~
 
~Monday, September 8th~

I stepped onto campus with a deep breath and a silent pep talk.

You've literally survived worse, Rae. You've got this. It's just a new school full of strangers, potential drama, and a guy who smells like danger. Fun!

My backpack bounced against my back as I walked across campus, the early September sun already heating the pavement. Blake had been dropped off at elementary school with minimal chaos—minus him trying to smuggle an entire sleeve of Oreos in his coat sleeve.

I muttered under my breath, "God, I hope today flies by."

My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I fished it out to find a text from Mum.

> Hi baby. I hope you found your first period okay. I love you and I miss you so much.

I smiled faintly and typed back:

> I miss you more. Don't cry reading this or I'll feel it in my soul.

Adjusting to the time difference between here and back home was weird. At this hour in London, I'd usually be out with Athena, sneaking through abandoned buildings that were more 'WWIII hideout chic' than structurally sound. Now, I was trying not to cry in front of the administration building.

Fun switch.

I walked into the front office, where a woman in a mauve cardigan greeted me like I hadn't just come in with emotional damage in my backpack.

"Hi there! You must be Raelyn. Welcome! I've got your schedule, a campus map, and a tardy pass just in case you get lost."

She slid everything toward me with a smile that was *a little too chipper* for 8:54 a.m.

"Thanks," I said, managing a small smile.

"And your locker number and combination are printed on the top of your schedule, alright sweet pea?" she added.

Sweet pea. Adorable.

"Got it," I nodded. "Appreciate it."

"Have a good first day, sweetheart!"

If I don't get eaten alive, that'll be a miracle. I offered her a polite smile and headed into the hallway, instantly clocking that I was being stared at like I'd walked in wearing a suit of armor and a top hat.

I kept my head low, glancing down at my schedule like it was a scroll of ancient runes. The hallways were long, the ceilings too high, and my anxiety was clawing its way up my throat.

And then—bam.

I slammed directly into someone.

"Oh my God—I am so sorry! I didn't—are you okay?" I stammered, backing up like I'd just walked into a brick wall.

The girl I collided with turned and laughed, brushing off her hoodie sleeve. "You're good! You don't have to look so traumatized, I swear I've been hit harder by cafeteria chairs."

She was tall-ish, pretty, and looked exactly like the girl you'd trust to hold your drink at a party. Kind eyes, glossy brown hair, and a calming presence.

"I'm Devyn," she added, holding out a hand.

"Raelyn," I replied, shaking it. "Just moved here. From London. If it wasn't obvious."

She grinned. "I figured. You've got that whole soft Brit thing going on."

I squinted. "Is that a compliment?"

"Oh, for sure. You sound like a fancy audiobook."

I laughed, for real this time.

"Need help finding your locker? This place is a maze, and honestly half the room numbers are cursed."