Stella Starlet

Adams

The house wasn't definite yet as my offer was still awaiting approval but in the mean time, I had enrolled in another high school.

I went to one in New York City but I barely attended, too busy tending to Enzo. No more, though. I wanted to focus on myself and I thought getting an education would be the greatest place to start. 

It was my first day and I was nervous. It was the middle of the first semester and I was going to be the new student. 

As I grimly walked into the building, I noticed a lot about it. The walls were faded off-white, the lockers were a pastel yellow and students lingered around the area. They were in clumps, chatting with their friends before classes started. When I walked past, lots of people turned to watch me. 

I kept my head down and tried to locate my next class. I found it and opened the door, finding a seat. I was almost twenty minutes early and I rummaged through my backpack, making sure I had everything. 

Someone cleared their throat and I looked up to see a man standing over me. "You know you're not supposed to be in a classroom without a teacher." He raised his eyebrow. "But since you're new, I'll let you off easy." He chuckled.

"I'm mister Adams, your English teacher."

"I'm Adaline," I replied softly. I gave him the name of my new identity.  "I'm sorry for being here without you."

He shrugged as he walked over to his desk. "It's alright, Adaline. We're pretty loose on rules around here. Where are you from?" He asked, looking up at me from where he sat down behind his desk.

He was very handsome, dark hair and blue eyes. 

I didn't want to tell anyone where I was from with Enzo around like a fucking lunatic. "Uh . . . California. Yeah, California." I nodded, hoping my lie was believable. 

"So now, why would you move from California to here? This little town that's not even on a map?"

I was internally panicking. Oh Jesus, think Stella, think!  "My mom got a job around here."

He nodded and grinned. "Well Adaline, I hope you'll like my class."

*

Most of the female specimen enjoyed his class, batting lashes and giggling. I couldn't help but see why. He was irrevocably handsome, quite young to be a teacher. 

I couldn't allow myself to like anyone, I couldn't get attached because just as quickly as I got here, I could be yanked out of this world with a bullet from the gun in the hands of Enzo or one of his men that I assume he has.

Just as the bell rang, everyone piled out of the classroom in a hoard of students. "Adaline, stay back I want to talk to you quickly."

When everyone shuffled out, I walked over to his desk, clutching folders in my arms. 

"I just wanted to check in. You're okay?"

I nodded and smiled, grateful.

"Don't be intimidated, the kids here really are nice when you get to know them. Well, good luck."

As I left the classroom, I could feel his eyes on me as I walked. 

___

Carter Adams's Point of View

___

There was something off about Adaline, you could feel it. She was alert, too alert. No one really  moved to this town unless they were really boring or running from something. 

She had to have been running. She moved from California, a state full of different people and a fast, luxurious lifestyle. There wasn't anything here except historical stories and the water. 

Why is she invading my thoughts?  I thought, frustrated as I looked at the thick stack of papers that lay on the worn desk in the empty classroom. 

Adaline was attractive, very much at that. There were some things that were off about her appearance though; her dark circles encased her worn, tired eyes. It was like she had viewed a thousand battles and the death of every loved one through those same eyes. They looked hurt, exhausted, and as if they were weeping without shedding a tear. 

I knew I could write something about her, she was poetic in a melancholic, graceful beauty where one could clearly see every flaw but couldn't understand them. 

Before I knew it, the pen in my hand was dancing on the paper, writing out words about Adaline. 

* 

Author's Note

I am so sorry about how short this chapter is. It's kind of a filler and I apologize :(

I hope you're enjoying! Leave me a comment if you have a question, query, or anything you wanna talk about :D 

Best,

Victoria xoxo