The Fade

Chapter 2

"It's just dinner, mom. Nothing is going to happen." I say, exasperation in my voice.

"How can you be so sure? Hm?" She arches her thin eyebrows, placing a hand on her hip.

"This is Riverdale, nothing bad ever happens here. Can I please just have dinner with my friends?" I practically plead.

For some strange reason she's being super clingy, my entire family is. At first I thought it was due to my birthday being soon and they wanted to plan with me, but now I can barely leave the room without one of them on my heels. It's frustrating and extremely annoying, especially when they're hiding the truth from me.

"Fine, but Alex is going with you." She states firmly, unblinking as she silently dares me to object.

"So he can glare at my friends all night like some psychopath? Sure." I retort sarcastically.

Grabbing my bag off the counter, I wave a quick bye as I head out for school. Alex has been a little distant since the beach, so I've chosen to walk to school instead of hitching a ride with him. I'd usually smother him with concern, but somehow I know he doesn't want me around.

Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I exit the house and walk the two miles to school. While I don't usually mind walking, I get tired easily, yet it seems I'm full of energy these past few days.

Just under an hour later I finally reach the school, making it just in time for the bell to ring. Quickly jogging into the school I head to English Lit, following in behind all the other students. Like usual I take my place near the back of the room, mainly because the few wolves here aren't exactly very open to trusting me. They tend to aggravate me on purpose, in attempt to get some kind of rise out of me.

"Hey." Jason smiles, sliding in the seat next to me.

"Hey." I smile, waving at his twin brother Nathan who quickly takes the seat on my right.

"Care to explain why your brother is being a dick?" Nathan whispers, leaning over slightly so I can hear him.

"He's your friend, ask him yourself." I whisper back, flashing a smile.

Nathan and Jason are identical twins, they have the same brown eyes, tan skin and brown hair, the same height and lean muscular built, they have the same dress sense and sound exactly alike. The only difference is, Nathan has a single dimple to the left of his mouth when he talks or smiles, Jason doesn't.

"We got you a gift, I won't be able to make it to your party so I figured I'll give it to you now." Jason declares in a whisper, pulling a sparkly silver square box out of his bag.

He flashes me a smile, his brown eyes warm and happy.

"You shouldn't have." I say softly in a slightly scolding tone.

Jason just winks, knowing I hate birthdays and gifts, and yet he and Nathan make sure to get me something every year. I've known them since I was a child, they're like brothers to me.

Gently taking the box I quietly remove the ribbon, ignoring the teacher talking. Opening the box, my eyes land on a simple yet elegant, and very beautiful charm bracelet. Two charms already on it, one being a birthday cake with the number eighteen on that dangles, and the other being a gold tiara with little gems on.

Awed, I gently brush my fingers over the delicate jewellery.

"It's beautiful, thank you so much." I gratefully pull them both in for a big hug, feeling Nathan give me a small squeeze.

"Are you still coming?" I ask Nathan hopefully as they release me.

"I wouldn't miss it." He whispers, giving me a small grin.

Smiling, I take the bracelet out of the box and clasp it around my wrist, admiring it for a few moments before turning my attention to the teacher. For a while he drones on about exams, with only four months of school left before we graduate, most of that time is going to be full of exams. We've already studied and completed the most important ones, the exams left to do are the extra classes we have chosen to take. It looks better on our college application. I've already applied for a few colleges, but my dream is to go to Harvard despite knowing it's going to be hard to get a place there.

The door abruptly opens, and a male ive never seen before comes walking in with both authority and pride. His hair mid length and slightly messy, dark like it's supposed to look that good. His skin naturally tan, glowing with a golden brown tint. His lips full, although his bottom lip is slightly fuller, his jaw firm and sharp. Blue eyes calculating, unwavering, yet I could loose myself in them all day. His built is large, tall and lean with the right amount of muscle, huge hands that I can't seem to look away from. He's definitely not human given the amount of authority he walks with, commanding the very ground he walks on. While it's clear to me that he's dangerous, and not a man people approach, my first thought almost shocks me.

He's beautiful. Have I seen him before?

"Excuse me, can I help you?" The teacher decides to speak up after what seems like forever of awkward silence.

"If you insist." His voice is deep like the ocean, smooth with little gruffness. Perfection at its finest. Wow...how long did the gods spend making this one?

His blue void eyes peer around the room, scanning over the other students blandly with zero interest. My heart literally stops, my lungs failing as those deep crystal blue eyes land directly on me. My skin immediately flares with abrupt heat, burning up like I've been sat in the sun for hours on end. My heart pounds a little faster, and I find myself unable to look away, my skin prickling at the back of my neck.

"You." He declares, firmly. Me?

"You?" Jason mutters beside me, although I barely hear him for the ringing in my ears.

"Ronnie?" Nathan questions the man.

The man looks agitated, eyes never straying from mine as he gives me a brief nod. Almost as if having no control of my body, I simply stand from my chair and walk towards him, leaving my bag and belongings behind. Every cell in my body screams at me to go to him, urging me to touch him, in any way and every way. Like any self control just vanished instantly upon his arrival, leaving me with only a deep need for something, for him.

The man offers me his hand, and without second thought I take it, my smaller one sitting snugly in his large grasp.

I don't question it as he leads me out of the classroom, instead I simply bask in the warmth and joy of his hand holding mine. Like a trance I can't shake off, not an inch of my body protests against going with this strange man, and I make no effort to fight him.