Coal Fire {Book One of the Thrivers Series}

5-"Eyes"

       The next day at school, everyone was staring at the three, which wasn't unusual. They must know about our dead parents, Kol thought.
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    During break, Kol, Aubree, and Alessa snuck upstairs to Kol's secret hideout. Aubree was the lookout; she stood at the door to see if anyone was coming.

      “Alessa, help me pack.” Kol whispered. Alessa nodded and began stuffing Kol's belongings in his backpack. Since he had brought all his clothes, she had to stuff some of his clothes in her and Aubree's bags.

     As Kol and Alessa were about to stand up, Aubree urgently whispered, “There's someone coming!” The redhead scurried over to her friends and the three hid behind the desk.

      The doorknob jiggled. “Isabelle, you said it would be unlocked!” a boy's voice said. “Well,” Isabelle Nitreése said, “I thought it would be unlocked, Marc.”

     Marc and Isabelle's footsteps retreated. Kol let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. The three stood and made their way to the door. They slipped out of the classroom and locked it with the only key that the school owned for that room.
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      “That,”Alessa said as she caught her breath, “Was close.”

      Aubree and Kol nodded and slipped into the lunchroom, their bags stuffed in their lockers. The three sat at Kol's usual seat near the doors. They didn't get lunch though; they sat there talking for an hour.
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     After school, Jack Mass came and picked got them.

    “So, how was school?” Jack asked. “Same as always.” Kol said.  Jack didn't ask and just drove. The car ride was silent, only the sound of the car and other vehicles were heard.
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     Dinner was over and Aubree decided to go to bed. So, Kol and Alessa hung out in the garden out in the back yard. It was cool outside, the pool making soothing sounds. The night birds and crickets chirped.

     Kol and Alessa sat together, huddled under a thin blanket. “Kol?” Alessa whispered. He looked down and cocked his head. “Yeah, Lessie?” he said. Alessa reached up and put her arms around his neck. Kol slowly put his arm around the raven haired girl.

     “Kol,” she sniffled. She looked up and tears flowed from her eyes. Kol reached down and stroked her cheek, wiping the tears away.

      “Less, what's wrong?” Kol asked. Alessa shook her head and wove her fingers through Kol's curls. “Lessie, what're you doing?” he asked. “Alessa, what are you do—?!” Kol was cut off by Alessa. She pulled herself up and pressed her lips to his.

      Kol was taken aback by her action. Her fingers wound their way through his hair. She pulled back and stared up at him. Her blue-gray eyes were no longer blue-gray; they were bright green, glowing almost.

     “Less,your eyes...,” Kol trailed off,putting a hand under her chin. “What about my eyes, Kol?” Alessa asked. Kol fished his phone out and faced the screen her way.

       Alessa looked at the screen and gasped. She blinked rapidly to see if she was seeing what Kol was. “Something's wrong,” she whispered. She looked up at Kol again and gaspes again. “Kol, your eyes!” she whispered again. Kol turned his phone around looked at his eyes. They weren't gray, like they always were. They were glowing blue.

      “My God,” Kol muttered. “We gotta go see Jack,” Alessa said, throwing the blanket off. She stood up, holding out her hand for Kol. He took it and ran behind her as she took off.
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     Jack had been awake all night. The two skidded into his study, their hearts about to leap out of their chests. When Jack saw the two run in, he dropped his pen and looked up.

      “Kol, Alessa, what happened?” Jack asked. He looked at their eyes and sighed. “The eyes, isn't it?” Jack said. Kol and Alessa looked at each other and nodded.

      “You two, it's normal for that to happen. Thrivers' eyes turn different colors depending on their mood. They're like... They're like mood rings.” Jack explained.

      “This has never happened before, Jack!” Kol exclaimed. Alessa put a hand on his shoulder. “Kol, it has, actually. The day Eric Malian beat me up, your eyes, they looked like they were on fire.” she said.

     “Oh,” he mumbled.

     “What did you two do to make your moods change?” Jack inquired. The two looked at each other, desperately trying to think of a lie. “You don't have to lie, Kol. I won't judge you,” Jack said.

      Alessa took a deep breath. “I kissed him,” she said. Jack nodded and said,“Usually, Thrivers that show affection, their eyes change colors, too. It's not unusual for young Thrivers like you two.”

      The two nodded and went for the door. Kol turned around and quickly said, “Thanks,”
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