Pureblood

Chapter One: Tattoos

Leila took a deep breath. She swallowed, her hand on the doorknob of her house's front door. It was almost time. She looked down at herself. Let's see, am I dressed okay? Leila tilted her head to the side a little. It was only appropriate to have first day jitters for school. She'd done this plenty of times before, however this time it was different. She wouldn't be going with her sister, Megan, as a proverbial shield anymore. Leila was out in the open, so she had to look her best. Especially after the incident happened...

Leila had to show everyone she wasn't in shambles like they thought she was. Leila had always just been Megan's annoying goth sister, hadn't she? This year it had to be different. She would make it different. An annoyed sigh released from behind her and she whirled around. Her younger twin brother, Anakin, stood behind her, his own backpack hanging off his shoulder loosely. He rose an eyebrow at her.

"Would you just open the door already?"Anakin muttered at her. He gestured at her. "We'll miss the bus if we don't walk to the stop." Leila snorted at him and turned around again, twisting the knob. She opened the door and stepped out into--the rain. Leila frowned, her eyes seeing the puddles gathered on the ground, and the clouds covering the sky. She opened her umbrella. Did I expect it to be any different? She thought. Anakin shoved past his sister in annoyance, locking the door behind them. He pocketed the key and shoved Leila's copy of the key into her hands. He stormed past her, swerving around the puddles. Leila watched him pass her and frowned to herself.

He's been so pissed off since that day, she thought to herself. She sighed, walking after him with her own speed. She hadn't told him they had plenty of time to reach the bus stop, but today it would be different. Leila had promised herself this. Everything would be different today. She would go to school, and show everyone that they couldn't mess with her. Even if it was dreary and rainy like this town always was, she wouldn't sulk in the halls and stay silent. Leila would talk to her friends, Carina and Anthony, and let them know she was alright. Anakin stopped at the place they were supposed to wait and looked down the street, searching for the giant yellow machine they had to ride. Leila stopped behind him and he glanced at her.

"What's with you today? You're wearing less black." Leila looked down at herself.

"Is it weird?"She asked. Anakin sighed. He closed his eyes and crossed his arms.

"I suppose it's okay, but you're going out of your way to make sure everyone doesn't ask you about Megan,"Anakin told her. Leila stiffened. It was obvious? She thought. She stared hard at her brother. He opened his eyes. "Take it from me, no one's going to forget what she did. Or that she died doing it, you know. Then there's the fact that you're changing your attire so soon after it. The other guys will notice, ya know." Leila frowned at him. She looked away, annoyed that he was even bringing it up. She knew that Megan's memory would only serve as an example for the adults to use, but she had hoped that at least the students would ignore that. Megan had been the only brave one at the school, and Leila looked up to her for that. Leila could only ever keep her head down and sulk about her life.

"What do I care if the jocks notice?"Leila muttered at him. Anakin rolled his eyes. He sighed at her.

"Lei, you need to be careful today. Without Megan around, you know you're at danger from them again, okay? As your brother, and a jock myself, I can only do so much. I've at least prevented the wrestling team from going after you...just watch out for the football flunkies." Anakin stopped talking once the bus screeched to a stop near them. They walked up the black stairs of the bus, searching for a seat. People that were on there immediately started whispering once they saw the two siblings. Leila felt her heart drop. Of course. It was only natural that everyone would still be jabbering about the accident. Anakin spotted some of his wrestling buddies and left Leila in the aisle as he headed to the back. Leila took the freest seat in the front, plugging her earbuds in.