Inexplicable

Chapter Two

I slip into my seat in my Botany class, hoping Mr. Granger doesn't notice I'm late. He is busily clicking on his computer, trying to pull up notes for us to take. I'm positive he doesn't see me and I let out a relieved breath too soon.

"You're tardy, Sapphire." Mr. Granger says without looking up from the computer screen.

"I'm aware," I mumble. I sit next to Cody Martinez, who always has a slight sweat odor, and Amelia Jones, who shifts in her seat every three seconds.

I pull out my notebook and mindlessly jot down the notes displayed on the projector. Mr. Granger begins his lecture in a monotonous voice that is better than melatonin. It wasn't long before my eyes drifted closed.

I sigh at the breathtaking view yet again and the butterflies in my stomach flutter. The excitement makes me start to jog through the field of exotic flowers, my muddy feet aching and my torn formal dress flopping with the wind behind me. My arms are covered with a mixture of dirt and blood from cuts I don't remember acquiring. I don't know how I got into this state, but I don't care right now. I was more focused on making my way to the castle that seemed to be calling for me.

I pick up my pace with anticipation, and as I reach the village, I almost run into a vendor selling some sort of bright blue fruit I don't recognize, but it smells deliciously sweet. The vendor doesn't notice me, nor does anyone else as I walk down the stone road.

I spin slowly, looking at the village in awe. I vaguely wonder why no one even spares me a glance. After all, it must have been a sight to see. My dark brown hair was ratted in knots down my back and my dress was torn in the middle, exposing my belly button. But nothing could ruin the overwhelming feeling I have. The feeling I have always longed for. I knew I belonged in this place.

I'm home.

"SAPPHIRE SMITH! THERE IS NO SLEEPING IN MY CLASSROOM!" Mr. Granger's voice fills the otherwise quiet classroom.

"I'm home," I mutter, jumping in my seat from the sudden noise. A low giggle trembles through the classroom. I throw my palm on my forehead and wipe my hand down my face, trying to hide my embarrassment.

"You most certainly are not home!" Mr. Granger's face turns red with fury. "I told you what would happen if I caught you sleeping again. Go to the Headmaster's office immediately!"

I wince, dreading another meeting with the Headmaster. I gather my things quickly and walk out, still in a haze from the dream. I drag my feet as I make the short trek to the office. This isn't my first talk with Headmaster Gabriel, and certainly won't be the last. I've seen him plenty of times before, whether it was for sleeping in class or saying something that wasn't "appropriate for school." He calls Megan almost every time and that means punishment at home too. I must "learn discipline and hard work if I ever want to be a successful woman like her."

I hope the Headmaster doesn't call home.

I round the corner and see Headmaster Gabriel talking to three cops. I freeze before slowly turning around, hoping they won't see me. Whatever this was, I didn't want any part of it.

"Sapphire?" He calls. Shit. I turn back to look at him. "This is perfect timing. Could you come here for a minute?"

I let out a long sigh and closed the distance between us. "Yes, Headmaster?" I try to put on a good face. Maybe I could at least get out of detention.

"Have you seen this boy? He's from the same area you moved from." He hands me a piece of paper with what looks like a snapshot from a security camera. My breath hitches and my blood runs cold when I recognize the boy.

The piercing blue eyes staring back at me have haunted my dreams. He's the only one who has ever noticed me walking through the village, though he always kept his distance. His shaggy blonde hair hangs in his eyes and his face is cold with what I could only assume is anger as he stares at the camera.

This boy staring back at me is the one who killed the only parents I've ever known.