She's an Ancient (rewriting)

Chapter 15: Manipulated Hearts

Kyoni's Point Of View

I stared blankly at the open seat a few rows ahead of me, it had been almost an entire week since Mara had come to school. I shook my head and glanced down at the blank paper sitting on my desk as an image appeared in my mind, the same image that wouldnt leave my mind.

Mara and Hayden.

I gripped my pencil in my hand and clenched my jaw. First she was all over me, the next day she pretended like it didnt happen, then I go to talk to her and I find her with Hayden, at night, when shes supposed to be 'doing chores for her brother'.

I sighed as I looked closer at the picture in my mind, there was something wrong with it but I couldnt put my finger on it. I jerked my head up as I heard the bell ring for class to end and leaned back in my seat. I wanted to go talk to her but I couldnt.

"Kyoni." A melodical voice called. I turned my head to see a girl with hair the same color as mine approach me and I tilted my head slightly, I had never noticed this girl in my class, let alone school at all.

"Hi..." I said somewhat awkwardly, I wasnt the best at meeting new people. She grinned and held her hand out to me which I hesitantly shook.

"My name's Karia, I'm Issi's cousin." She said. I looked her over, she was similar in height to Mara and came close in beauty but I couldnt shake the feeling that something was off about her.

I blinked a few times as the picture came fluttering back into my mind, it was the same feeling I got from Mara - they were off. She tilted her head a bit to the side and I snapped my attention back to her realizing she had been saying something to me.

"Oh, cousin, you say?" I asked. She nodded and held out her hand.

"Yeah, see I just transfered and I'm kind of lost..." She said in a pouty voice. I cleared my throat as I stood up and faced her, grabbing my stuff in the process.

"Well, what do you need help with?" I asked. She nodded her head towards the door, a sign to follow her, and I trailed a few steps behind her as she walked out the door.

"I need help finding my way back to Issi's house." She said. I sighed and glanced away.

"Sure, I'll take you." I said. She glanced up at me with curiosity in her eyes but I pretended not to notice.

"Do you know a girl named Amaranth?" She asked suddenly. I raised an eyebrow and looked down at her. I hesitated but shook my head after a little while.

"I thought so... you like her, dont you?" She asked staring down at the floor. I furrowed my eyebrows together as I looked down at the girl walking next to me, she almost sounded disappointed.

How did she even know me? Let alone like me.

"Ah, well, no... not really." I lied as I stared up at the sky. Her head popped back up and she smiled at me.

"That's good, I wouldnt want you to get hurt." She said mermuring the last part.

"What was that last part?" I asked. She shook her head and smiled but said nothing more. She followed me down the street silently until we had almost reached Issi's house.

"Her house is just up here." I said pointing ahead. Karia smiled at me and reached out to grab my hand which I pulled away, though she went for it again until my hand was in hers.

"Come to Issi's she wont be home today till later." She said pulling me behind her. I shook my head and pulled my hand away.

"No thanks, really, I should head home." I said. Karia turned around and took a few steps towards me until her body was almost pressed up against mine.