Black Mountain

Chapter Three

Sophia

Chance was a small town both in size and population and the school reflected that. It was a simple three building school, each with only a handful of rooms and a nice courtyard. The ride to school felt too short and I wanted more time with Warren. He was sweet and good listener when I talked. He made me laugh and genuinely seemed interested in me. Whatever invisible pull there was between us was only growing stronger.

As we pulled into the school parking lot Warren turned off the car and faced me. "Don't be nervous for your first day. It's a small school, nothing too intimidating."

For some reason his words calmed me. It wasn't the people I was worried about. Well, maybe a little. It was facing a new school, or school at all for that matter, without Marion. 

I just gave him a small smile in return. He looked like he was about to say something more when someone banged on his window. He looked over and the very handsome boy standing on the other side of his door and shot him a glare. 

"My apologies," he said. "More cousins."

I climbed out of the car and slung my backpack over my shoulders. The air in Maine was started to turn cool as fall fast approached. The leaves of the trees around the parking lot were starting to turn red at the edges. Inhaling I welcomed the nip of the breeze in my lungs. I liked it. It tasted clean.

"Sophia," Warren said as he walked around to the back of the car. "These are my cousins Blake and Andrew."

The two boys  were clearly identical twins. I couldn't see a single difference. With wavy blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes they looked like they were trouble makers. Their angled cheek bones and sculptured noses guaranteed they were chased after by flocks of women I was sure. 

"And you remember James and Charles," he motioned to the boys who were in the woods with him last night. 

"Nice to meet you," I said. The guys were all staring at me as I shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other. 

"It is a pleasure," Blake took my hand in his and brought it to his lips. "To meet you."

I let out a startled chuckle and I could swear someone growled. 

"Enough," Warren said snatching my hand back from Blake.  

He looked down at me and his features softened into a gentle smile. 

"Trouble at 12 o'clock," Andrew muttered.

"Hello everyone!" a bubbly voice called out. 

We turned to see behind us a short wisp of a girl with jet black hair all the way down to her waist. She practically danced over. 

"You must be Sophia," she said wrapping her arms around me. "It is so good to meet you." 

"Nice to meet you too..."

"Oh my gosh where are my manners," she pulled back from the hug but still held my arms. "My name is Anna. I'm Magnolia's daughter we live right next door."

I hadn't met anyone in the neighborhood yet but Elaine had mentioned that we would be having a dinner party this weekend at Magnolia's house as a welcoming sort of thing for me.

"It's really nice to meet you," I replied.

"Anna let the poor girl go." The women who walked up behind Anna did not look as bubbly and cute. Will short black brown hair tucked behind her ears and six inch leather boots that came up over her knees she was the epitome of intimidating. Her skin tight black dress did not look like it would get past any teacher. "I'm Jane," she said reaching out her hand. "I live on the other side of this one." She nodded to Anna.