The Edge (On Hold)

Part 8: Studying...What?

(Photo is Noah)

Variel POV

My first two classes went by rather quickly, I guess they tend to when you aren't really paying attention. Why does Darius want my help? And what happened with the sudden mood change? The questions kept on coming and I was too busy thinking about possible answers to really listen to the teachers.

I walked with Miley, Aria and Lora to a different table at the barn, seeing as we were all refusing to sit near Josh since he broke up with Lora for no reason. Michelle came and joined us when Aria told her what happened. None of us really knew what to say, Aria and Miley seemed to be Lora's close friends, so Michelle and I just ate our lunch.

The classes after break went even quicker as I got more and more nervous. There seemed to be two voices in my head arguing about the current situation I was in.

Voice 1: Why are you so scared? It. Is. A. Study. Session. In school.

Voice 2: Yea, a study session with a murderer!

Voice 1: There is no proof of that! You are just listening to gossip.

Voice 2: I'd much rather listen to gossip than risk my life!

Voice 1: Whatever.

Voice 3: Hi guys! What are we talking about?

Voice 1 and 2 at the same time: Nothing!!

I didn't really want to go to the study session, but I would much rather not go against Darius, after all I wanted to stay on his good side. It was period 4, and I had design. He of course is in this class so I expected him to be there. But he wasn't. Where is he? The class continued as normal unlike my curious mind.

Lora sat next to me. I could tell she was still upset, but at least she wasn't crying anymore, at least for now.

Soon period 4 finished and I headed with Lora to the barn, where I asked Miley where the library was.

"Oh, I'll show you, come with me." She told me.

We headed away from the barn and passed the gym.

"Here it is." She said as we came to a large set of doors. As she came in to go with me, I turn to her.

"Oh, its fine you really don't have to come-"

"Variel, please stop your excuse right there. I know you are here to meet Darius. I just came to talk to him about something, then I'll leave you to it."

My jaw drops a little. "Umm right, okay then well-" I got cut off again, but this time it wasn't Miley.

"Miley. What are you doing here?" Darius demanded as he entered the library with a guy I hadn't seen before. Miley smiled at him. He obviously didn't intimidate her for some reason.

"Well hello to you too Darius." She said as she rolled her eyes and they landed on the other guy. "Hello Noah."

'Noah' gives her a little wave while Darius continues to glare.

He grits his teeth."What do you want?"

Miley continues to smile sweetly. Except I could tell it was forced.

She gestured for Darius to follow her over to a corner. He obliged, just. They started speaking in hushed voices while I turned to Noah.

"So..... You know Miley?" I say as I force a friendly smile. Noah hesitates before answering.

"Umm, yea. I guess you could say we used to be friends." He said, looking at the floor. I raise an eyebrow.

"Used?"

Noah shifts his feet inadvertently. "Well--"

"Variel, are you ready?" Darius was back. I look for Miley but she seems to have already left. As I look back I see Darius shooting Noah a glare. I wonder what that was about but I stuff down the question.

"Yes."

"Okay then lets go." Darius says as he turns around and walks out of the library.

I'm confused now.

"Wait!" I shout to him. "Where are we going? Aren't we studying in the library?"

Darius rolls his eyes as I walk next to him. "Well if we were we would be there wouldn't we?"

Didn't really answer my question.

We continue walking. I really hope we don't pass the barn. I don't want Aria and them to ask me about it later, seeing as I wasn't in the mood for explaining.

We don't luckily, but we do walk out of school, and I begin to ask questions again.

"Umm I'm pretty sure we aren't allowed to leave. Where are we going? Darius?"

I hear him sigh. Well, he can deal with it. Because I won't be taking another step until he tells me where we are going. And he seems to realize that, before I even say so.

"We are going somewhere away, so people can't hear us."

I chuckle.

He looks mad.

"Sorry, you just make it sound like they have super hearing or something. I mean, why don't we just do it here? No one will hear us. They are at school."

"Well sorry to burst your bubble Variel but what made you think I was talking about the other kids? And believe me, people can hear us. No more talking, I will explain what I can when we get there."

I know he is hiding something. I just don't know what. But it seems the only way I will find out is if I go with them.

Noah shoots me a sympathetic glance.

We continue walking for a while. I had a free period after lunch so I wasn't too worried for time, I could always just text my mum that I will be a little late home. Although I would prefer, whatever this is won't take that long.

We come up to woods and I'm surprised at how far we walked. I mean it seems ridiculous because I know no human could even get close to hearing us now. After we travel a little through the woods, Darius stops and Noah and I stop with him. I know I should be at least a little worried for my safety knowing what happened with Angeline. But for some reason, I feel, safe.

Darius leans against a huge tree with roots shooting up out of the ground. He turns his attention to me, as Noah goes to sit down on a nearby root. I glance down at my cloths, they are quite dirty already so I shrug to myself and sit on the forest floor.

"So, Variel. I have some questions for you, and I want you to answer as truthfully as possible. Since I lied to you about studying, think of it at a quiz." He adds with a smirk.

"Umm, ok. But I would like some answers as well." Darius raises an eyebrow. He looks at Noah, who gives a slight nod.

"Fine. But I go first." He says as he sits down.

"Tell me Variel, how long have you known your family?"

What.