It All Started Here

Chapter Three

Kara:

           

“So, this is Bernard,” Ivy observed.

As Ethan turned his car onto the private road that led to the school, Kara shifted in her seat. After almost ten hours in the car, with only a few stops here and there, she couldn’t wait to get out and stretch her legs. And she couldn’t wait to see her friends again.

“I think I’ll fly next year,” Jax announced as Ethan pulled the car alongside the curb. “That took way too long.”

Kara couldn’t agree more. As soon as the car was stopped, she hopped out and took a deep breath. It felt good to be out of the car, even if she was back at school. While Ethan and Jax began to unload their luggage, Kara scanned the crowd for her friends and was disappointed when her search came up empty.

“Anyway, it’s a good thing orientation doesn’t start until two,” Jax continued.

“Who cares what time orientation starts?” Kara countered. “It’s the same stupid speeches every year.”

“Not this year,” Jax reminded her. “This year we’ll be getting a new speech from our new principle.”

Kara had forgotten all about that, but Jax was right. There would be a new principle this year since Ethan killed the old one last year. That was something she didn’t feel the least bit bad about either considering he kidnapped her and tried to kill Ethan.

I wonder if he’s one of us, Kara thought.

Adding two more suitcases to the growing pile, Jax looked up at Kara with a grin on his face. “You mean like one of you or one of us?”

“Stay out of my mind, Jackie,” she snapped, and he widened his grin.

Having spent the last three years dating a vampire prince and surrounded by vampire friends, Kara had grown accustomed to their world and her role in it. Being the prince’s keeper, she’d come to think of herself as sort of an honorary vampire. In her mind, she was one of them.

“You are,” Ethan said, turning to smile at Kara.

Kara forgot her irritation with Jax as she returned Ethan’s smile. “What about the new principle? Know anything about him?”

“A little,” he answered.

“Okay, so now what do we do?” Ivy asked.

“Nothing, we just wait for the orientation,” Jax said.

“I could show you where the girls’ dorm is if you want,” Kara offered.

“Thanks, but I already know where it is,” Jax laughed. “Been there plenty of times.”

“I was talking to Ivy,” Kara retorted.

“Yeah, and it sounds like a great idea,” Ivy said, hooking her arm around Kara’s and starting to pull her away.

“Wait a second,” Ethan said.

“Don’t worry, Ethan, I’ll bring her back later all safe and sound,” Ivy teased. “Right now, it’s girl time.”

“Sounds like my kind of time,” Jax said.

“Don’t be gross,” Ivy admonished, already dragging Kara away from them.

“I don’t know any other way to be,” Jax called after them.

Ivy made a face. “I don’t know how it’s possible that he and I came from the same parents, but enough about my loser brother. I’m just really glad you’re here with me this year.”