bloodbound

chapter 4

Arielle Thorne
"you call it being negative, I call it being realistic"

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The morning sun streamed through my window as I stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the hem of my new school uniform. The skirt—blue and plaid—felt stiff and strange, and the whole outfit was oddly formal compared to what I was used to. I adjusted the navy sweater and smoothed down the cream-colored leg warmers over my chunky black shoes, trying to ignore the nervous knot in my stomach.

"First day of school," I whispered to my reflection, half-excited, half-dreading what was to come.

When I finally headed downstairs, my mom was waiting with a huge smile and a plate of toast. "Look at you!" she said, her voice full of warmth and pride. "You look perfect. Ready for the first day?"

I shrugged, trying to look casual, even though my heart was beating a little too fast. "As ready as I'll ever be," I replied with a laugh, though a trace of the nervousness from last night lingered.

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As we walked toward the school, Mom kept up a steady stream of chatter, telling me stories of her own high school days, and how she'd felt on her first day. I smiled and nodded, but my mind kept drifting back to the figure I'd seen in the park last night. Part of me wondered if I'd imagined it, or if I'd see them again today.

The school came into view then—a tall, older building with wide stone steps and heavy doors that looked like they'd been there forever. I took a deep breath, clutching my backpack a little tighter. Around me, other students were chatting and laughing, already in their little groups. I felt like I was standing outside of it all, watching from a distance.

Mom gave me a reassuring wave from the sidewalk as I climbed the steps, glancing back at her one last time before I pushed open the door. Inside, a low hum of voices echoed through the hallways, and I was hit by the scent of old books, floor polish, and something faintly sweet from the cafeteria down the hall.

This was it—my first day at Willow Creek High.

I took a deep breath, letting my feet guide me down the crowded hallway, trying to seem like I belonged. Students were weaving in and out of lockers, laughing, catching up, making plans as though they'd known each other forever. I felt a pang of envy, my fingers tightening around the straps of my backpack. I didn't know anyone here yet; everyone was a stranger.

As I walked down the hallway, trying to keep my head down and avoid eye contact, I spotted Room 204. My first class. I took a deep breath and stepped inside, grateful to escape the crowded halls, if only for a moment.

The classroom was buzzing with chatter, students laughing and talking like they'd known each other forever. I found an empty seat toward the back and slid in, setting my bag down and pulling out a notebook, hoping to go unnoticed.

Just as I started to relax, someone slipped into the seat next to me. "New here?" a voice asked. I looked up to see a girl with striking dark eyes and a mischievous smile. Her uniform was accessorized with a thin silver necklace, and her wavy, jet-black hair framed her face in an effortlessly cool way.

"Yeah," I replied, giving a small, awkward smile. "First day."

"Welcome to the jungle," she said, rolling her eyes playfully. "I'm Irena. Don't worry, most people are friendly... most."

I felt a hint of relief, her easygoing nature helping to chip away at my nerves. "Thanks. I'm Arielle."

The bell rang before I could say anything else, and our teacher began the lesson. I tried to focus, but I kept catching glimpses of Irena beside me, scribbling notes with the kind of intensity I'd rarely seen. There was something intriguing about her. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but she had a presence, like she was hiding something beneath that casual smile.