Natureborne

IV. Confrontation

Thank you so much for the votes and for adding this to your reading lists. And oh my God!! #25 in Fantasy??? YOU GUYS ROCK! Anyway, on with the story.

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"So what's the new kid like?" Darya asked the moment her friend sat down across from her. Aerin looked up from removing her metal fork and knife from the cloth bag and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Seriously? Even you?"

"What?" Darya shrugged. "I'm curious."

Aerin rolled her eyes and nodded to the entrance of the cafeteria. Students had started flocking around it and the chatter became loud. She knew immediately that it was the new kid that was causing the ruckus. Everyone was curious and wanted to get to know her. And that weird presence... Aerin thought, keeping her eyes where the other students had gathered.

"What is with her? New kids don't usually get that amount of attention," Darya pointed out, dragging her friend's focus back to her.

The heterochromiac* let out a huff. "Well, at least someone has sense."

"She's heading over here," the dark-skinned girl hissed. Aerin stiffened.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" Came the lilting voice of Safara.

"Ye-" Darya elbowed Aerin before she could finish the word, plastering a welcoming smile on her face and gesturing to the empty chair. "No, we don't mind at all. Go ahead and take a seat."

The swimmer gave her friend a harsh glare but didn't argue. She knew that once Darya makes her mind up about something, she cannot argue. To show her displeasure, she speared an innocent piece of tomato with more force than necessary and avoided meeting the new student's eyes.

It was an awkward lunch for Aerin to say the least. Darya had tried to cut the tension by getting to know Safara but the foreign girl's attention was mostly directed at Aerin. It gave the brunette chills and eventually, she had had enough and stood up, packing up her lunch with speed and efficiency taken from her time trying to eat fast to give other kids space at the orphanage table.

"Aerin-" the heiress tried calling out but the other girl walked away quickly. She'd talk to Darya later, away from the enchanting witch. Aerin froze at the thought. She was naturally cautious but to instantly have this much dislike for a new person, it was odd even for her. She shook her head, hitting both palms on either side of her cheeks. God, why am I so fixated on her? I don't even like her.

Realising she had stopped in the middle of the hallway and she was getting stares from stragglers, Aerin resumed her quick pace, heading for the pool. Looking at the water ought to calm her down.

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Safara R'eena was a stalker. Aerin was sure of that. She had spotted the girl on her way back to the orphanage. She had taken to using long ways around and weaving in and out of alleyways and crowds just to lose the strange girl but it always somehow ended up with the unwanted follower standing across the street from the orphanage with that damned smile on her enchanting face. As such Aerin was irritated and much more harsh than usual. She didn't even bother with the usual pleasantries of mingling with her peers. Instead, she went in when each class started and rushed out when it ended.

Today, Aerin reached her boiling point. Her attitude had not gone unnoticed and the swimmer's day became even worse after her coach suspended her from swim practice. Considering the pool was the only place in school that acted as her solace, Aerin was more than mad. Darya had even sensed her friend's ire and had been avoiding her.

As such, it was only to be expected that when Aerin spotted Safara stalking her again, she finally reached the very peak. She had been walking her usual route but this time, turned and hid in a corner just as a large group of people passed by. When Safara came into the alley, Aerin grabbed her and pressed her to the wall, eyes dark with anger but unknowingly glowing green from the power building up within her.