Silhouette

Chapter 1

He was a sunset in a midnight sky, a taste you see, a dream you could dance with, a mystery. My heart was stolen immediately. From the moment I laid eyes on Chase Thomas, I knew he was different. I liked that.

But we have to start from the beginning, of course. All I could think about was Cedar Academy, greeting me with withered vines and rotting bricks. It looked like a prison, despite all the laughing high-schoolers surrounding it. An overwhelming scent of dying flowers painted the air, leaving me wondering how anyone could be happy here.

They're mocking me, I thought. God, I'm so paranoid. Who am I kidding, I'm invisible! No one ever cares about the new kid.

I took a deep breath and stepped out of my car, avoiding contact. Not because I'm shy, but because I have a secret. A secret that kills me each and every day. I'm psychic. Either that, or crazy. I see things no one else does. A simple exchanging of rubbing flesh on flesh will cause me to feel their pain- past, present, and future. I seclude myself with jackets, long pants, and usually gloves. Except this school won't allow me to wear gloves, so I'm only set up for disaster. But there's something worse than feeling others pain: when I look into their eyes, I see their death. It's more of a sensation, actually, but nonetheless terrifying. How they die, when, where... Even an unwanted glance will send me spiraling out, growing more unsettled by the minute. You might be asking, 'Don't you get used to it?' No one ever could get used to what I'm trapped in. Death is unlike anything else, it's scarring, explosive. I need escape.

I honestly can't even remember a time where I wasn't this way. I had grown up thinking it was normal, to see these visions. The first time I told anyone was in kindergarten. All I remember was my mortified teacher, a trip to the principal's office, and a call home. That's when I realized I was different. Cursed. Except my parents never cared and simply labeled me as insane, sending me off to live with my grandmother, who was too senile to know the difference. I'm probably just insane, though.

The bell rang and thousands of feet scurried into the buliding, interrupting my thoughts. I strayed behind. The sun was only rising, a heaven behind the dark horizen. My worn out converse scraped against the dry grass, unkempt and brown. I wonder if the grass know I'm here. Can it feel me, hear me? Of course it can't.

And that's when I saw him, wandering the courtyard. My thoughts were interrupted and almost drowned me. His messy, black hair and stunning smile nearly made my heart stop, but I continued walking towards him. He seemed to be miles away. Did he notice me? Probably not. He wore a tight, black v-neck over gray skinny jeans that showed off his untainted muscles. I wanted to say something. Think! This could be your only chance! I suddenly felt concious of how I was walking. Do I look hurried? Scared? Walk normally! Stomach fluttering, I examined the courtyard. No one else in sight! As I neared him, I opened my mouth. Don't you dare hesitate!

"Excuse me, do you know where room C805 is?" I looked up at his face, stranded by his perfection. His perfectly tanned skin, his unearthly, gorgeous eyes.Shit! Wait. Where was his death? His eyes were an electric blue that could turn you to stone. They were like mine. Different.

Then he spoke his flawless voice, "Sorry, no, I don't. I'm new here as well!" Ooh, a gentleman! His words were a blur, though, as I tried to make sense of this. Why didn't I see his death? Am I healed of this curse?

He extended his hand before I became completely enveloped in my own thoughts. "I'm Chase."

As you know, I don't touch skin. Ever. But he was... something else. I could look in his eyes. My hesitation was much too long, but I gave in. Who could turn down a guy like this!

His hands hands were warm. Comforting. Painless. "Scarlett," I grinned. Is is possible for and entire ocean to wash over you? If I'm not mistaken, one just did. A rush of lust pinned me to the ground. I wanted to touch him all over, kiss him everywhere. I don't believe in love at first sight, but things change, right?

I pulled away, running through everything that was wrong about this. "I have to get to class. I'm sorry." I turned and started walking towards the building. My head was spinning, overflowing in thoughts that only ended up contradicting each other.

"You know, I'm going to C805 as well." His voice rose over the sound of my speeding heart. "Wanna get lost together?"

I spun towards him in response, too awestruck to function. I was walking on air, lost in this dream as we turned to go into the school. Our hands were once again, clasped together, fingers interlocked, unbreakable.

He looked at me, really looked at me. "I like your eyes," he spoke, "A lot."