The Light In The Shadows (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter Five

Raelynn's POV:

I sighed as I glanced around the room. All the other kids were whispering and staring at me. Thanks to my enhanced senses, I could hear it all.

"I wonder if she's rich," one of them whispered.

"I bet she's spoiled by her Uncle," another one replied. I had learned to block out people's comments a while ago, but I couldn't say I was completely unaffected. I might have been a little more developed than the average three year old, but that didn't mean I didn't have feelings. I eventually started to tune them out, but I could still feel their eyes, burning with unasked questions and judgement. Great, just great, I thought. I mean, I knew that Uncle Ry was pretty famous, but I didn't realize it was something that people would get this worked up about. I mean, come on! It had been a good 30 minutes since Uncle Ry had left, and I guarantee, there could have been a fire drill, and all of the other kids would be too busy staring at me to even notice.

Well, all of the kids except for one.

His gaze felt different, I wasn't sure why, but I felt his curiosity. He was also really tired, but I could see that just by looking at his face. Suddenly, I felt a pang of sadness, but I knew for sure it wasn't mine. I was overwhelmed. I never felt others' feelings, so I was confused as to why I was feeling his. Maybe it was another power I was just developing? Was that even possible? I felt a connection with him, but it was different than the one I had with Uncle Ry. With Uncle Ry, my connection felt familiar, like I had just been reconnected with a lost loved one. With him it felt strangely personal, but not in a bad way. I felt like I could confide in him, tell him anything. He would be there for me, through thick and thin. I couldn't understand why I was feeling this way about some strange kid I hadn't even met yet. He was sitting in the back corner of the class, and like everyone else, he was staring. But I didn't feel his judgement. I knew right then and there that I could trust him.

His eyes burned into me, but again, not in a bad way. It felt comforting and reassuring, as if he was checking on me to make sure I was okay. I turned back to look at him again, and I couldn't help but be intrigued. He didn't wear fancy designer brands like the others, he didn't turn his nose up like everyone else, and he didn't look at others as if they were the dirt beneath his feet. He seemed sort of disgusted by the rest of the kids, the same kind of disgust I felt toward them. I could tell he was just as rich as any of the other kids, but he didn't make it obvious, or show it off like some of the other kids. By the way he was looking at me, I could tell that he was wiser than the other kids, as if he didn't have a brain the size of a walnut. I sure hoped so, because I could not stand the thought of being treated as a baby by the amazing Miss Hunt and all of the other kids. It would be nice to have someone else who didn't start whining and pouting every time something didn't go their way. It would be nice to have a friend.

Graeson's POV:

I couldn't keep my eyes off her. She was different from the other kids, I could tell just by watching her with her uncle. I could tell she genuinely cared about others, and that she was kind and compassionate. While Miss Hunt was droning on about "proper classroom etiquette", I was watching her. She seemed like the kind of person who never cared about other people's opinions. She gave off this aura of peace, but also strength. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. She seemed to radiate light, as if she shone from within. I had a strange urge to protect her. To be there for her and take care of her. To be the person she would come to when she was hurting.

I couldn't understand what was making me feel like this. I didn't even know her name! Her uncle is Ryder Knight! I thought. I shouldn't even be breathing the same air as her. Our worlds were so completely different. I looked down at my desk, my head hanging low, she wouldn't want to hang out with someone like me. I mean, why would she? I was a nobody.