Secrets to Keep

Chapter 2 - Destiny

The next morning, I wake up hours before I need to be ready for class.  I go for a run on the beach across the street, after deciding the risk of running into someone this early is minimal.  The minute my shoes hit my stride in the sand I feel at home.  The wind is whipping through my hair and the smell of the saltwater attaches to my balmy skin instantly.  It's still dark, and that means it's still relatively cool, but things will warm up quickly once the sun is fully up. 

Back in Connecticut, my runs were normally on the treadmill because of the weather, but I grew up running on the beach not too far from here.  Halfway through my run, my calf muscles are screaming at me to stop, but I turn around and push myself harder.  My body just needs to adjust to the new running surface again.  Besides, if my brain is focused on the pain, it can't focus on the fact that I'm headed into the lion's den.  

I sneak back into my room, thankfully seeing no one.  I take my time showering and getting ready, washing and curling my long blonde hair to perfection.  When I'm finished with my hair, I move on to perfectly apply my makeup, complete with blood-red lips.  I want to look my very best even though I know today will be fucking awful.  I'm hoping that my perfect outward appearance will serve as a sort of armor for me today.  

Finally, I move on to my outfit.  Roswell requires uniforms, and even though I know most Roswell students use accessories and layers to individualize themselves, I won't be doing that today.  I want to blend in as much as possible. Instead, I slip into my school-issued blue pleated skirt and white button-up shirt, adding only a diamond necklace and earrings, both of which were my mother's.  I'll need her strength and courage today.  

I glance down at my watch to find that it was almost time for the last bell, so I slip my bag over my should and head out the door to my first class.  As I had hoped, being this late allows me to avoid most people, but I attract the attention of a few stragglers that are also late for class.  Roswell is a small elite school, so anyone new attracts attention quickly.  I step into my first class right as the bell rings and take one of the remaining seats in the back of the room hoping to remain unnoticed.  

My plan to go unnoticed ends there because as soon as the teacher looks up, she zeros in on me causing all the other students to look right at me.  "Miss Hearst, so glad you could join us.  I know that you're new, but we don't accept tardiness at Roswell Academy."

I went to answer her but I'm cut off by the sound of the door opening behind me.  I roll my eyes when she doesn't even bother to say anything to the person who has clearly entered the room later than me. 

The seat next to me squeaks as someone sits down in it and my eyes shoot to the guy who has just taken the seat next to mine.  I'm met with striking blue eyes and a tempting smirk that I know all too well.  The man in front of me is an even more gorgeous specimen than he was two years ago.  Even though he's wearing his uniform, I can tell he is built like a God, which is no surprise since he is Roswell's quarterback.  Lucas Black is so gorgeous it almost hurts to look at him.  His blonde hair is styled in that messy perfection only certain guys can pull off and his blue eyes shine with a look I've never seen before.  It feels cruel and I suppress a shudder before he turns his attention back to the front of the room.   

Once the teacher starts her lecture, his gaze returns to me, travelling over my body.  I don't even have to look to know his attention is on me.  I can feel my skin heat under his scrutiny.  "Well, what do we have here?" He practically sneers at me.  The tone of his voice startles me.  I'm used to Lucas only ever being flirty.  With everybody.  Seriously, this guy is like the ultimate man whore.  

I paste on a fake smile as I consider my response.  "Oh, don't act like you weren't expecting me, Lucas."  I may have been walking into the lion's den, but I had absolutely done my research.  Lucas's family has donated a fuck ton of money to this school and when my father enrolled me last week, he would have found out about it.  

His eyes flicker with hatred and it confirms my suspicions of what they had said about me in my absence.  "You're right, I heard that were enrolled, but no one thought you'd be stupid enough to come back."

I roll my eyes. "My family has been enrolled at this school for generations.  I have just as much of a right to be here as you do."

"You lost that right two years ago."

Luckily, Miss Howell interrupts us, doing her best to get the class back under control, ending our conversation and saving me from having to come up with a response.  I don't have one.  I know what happened years ago.  I made a decision and then I ran away.  Now that I'm back there will be consequences and I'm not ready for them.