The Grim Reaper's Daughter

The New Student

I got in trouble twice today. Firstly because I fell asleep in History, okay fair enough not my fault Mr Carey is boring. Secondly because he took my high pitched scream as a joke. Maybe because it made the other students laugh or maybe because Mr Carey despised me. I, on the other hand knew it wasn't a joke. So while I waited in the principals office I vowed to never shut my eyes for longer than 2 minutes ever again.

"Arabella, come in." Ms Eloise's brisk tone sounded frustrated.

I did as I was told, for once, and sat down on the elegant brown mahogany chair that faced Ms Eloise's matching brown desk. I noticed with a pinch of annoyance that Ash was already in Ms Eloise's office sorting through some paperwork. His eyes widened at the sight of me and that was when yesterday came flooding back--Ash said he missed me, I fainted(not because he told me he missed me, I'm not that sad.), and he almost kissed me(wow this all rhymes). I couldn't help the heat that greeted my face as I sat down to face Ms Eloise.

"Are you okay Arabella? You look flushed?" My face grew even hotter.

"Just tired." I said, hoping she would just change the subject.

Ms Eloise examined the dark bags that hung below my bright eyes, her expression grew concerned. "Have you been sleeping okay?" She asked.

I averted my gaze to the floor. "Didn't you hear Ms Eloise? I'm the class joker." I raised my eyes to hers and tried to grin.

Ms Eloise rolled her pretty green eyes. "Please," She said almost impatiently, "Try to refrain yourself from irritating Mr Carey, he in return irritates the rest of us."

I would've smiled at that if it wasn't for the fact she was clearly mad at me, and I didn't want to provoke her further.

She dismissed me with a wave of her hand, "You can go now." She said. I nodded but caught the amused expression on Ash's face before shutting the door behind me.

I sat down on the steps outside the school's front entrance. It seemed to be my place to escape. I came here when I first found out I was a Shadow and now to digest the sickening dream that had forced it's way through my mind during History. More blood, more choking and gasping, more fear. I rested my forehead against the coolness of the steel bars that lined the school steps. I hated this. I may be a coward for not wanting to sleep but that thing, that man, was a coward for haunting me in my dreams.

***

"You're doing it wrong!" 

I sighed in frustration. "I'm trying my best! It's not my fault you're a bad teacher."

Ash scowled at me, "These are the basics you know." He said. I rolled my eyes and focused them on the huge slab on cement that stood in the center of the room that I was supposed to Shadow through. I know you're probably thinking that Shadowing through an object is easy because I can Shadow to different places, yeah that's what I thought too, but I was wrong. So very wrong. 

My body connected sharply to the cold, rough surface of the cement and I would've fallen on my ass if it wasn't for the fact that Ash had caught me. His hands lingered on my waist, my hands were on his chest, I could feel his heart beat increasing along with my own. And then he pulled me away from me. He cleared his throat. "Try again." Was all he said. I nodded hiding the fact that I was breathing heavily and my face was flushed. 

I focused on the cement and tried again but instead of colliding with the hard rock, I drifted through it like it wasn't there and then I was back in the room with Ash, who was smiling at me, and that made me smile. 

"I did it!" I cried in total happiness. Ash raised his hand in the air for me to high five but when my hand met his he laced his fingers with mine and pressed me against the cool block of cement that was just behind me. The breath was knocked out of me, the cool rock behind me felt like it was going to melt against my burning body. Ash smirked at me and leaned down so his mouth was against my ear. "What was that about me being a bad teacher?" His hot breath tickled my neck and I had to bite my lip to stop myself from pulling him closer to me. I don't know why but I suddenly felt extremely bash and brave.