Shadow

16

-Denice's Pov-

Shortly after we played a quick game of man hunt I was working on the five page essay that Miss Athena assigned us to do. I was sitting at the table in our dorm when Ray and Shay walked in laughing. Taking a break from writing I turn in my seat and smile at the girls as they sat down on the beds in our room. "Denice you already started?" Shay asked me. "Yeah I did, we only got a week to finish and this is a five page essay. Id rather start now than be late." I replied. She nodded her head in agreement when I turn in my seat to put my stuff away as I come across a gift I received from Carter. It was my birthstone ring which I haven't worn in weeks and since being here back at school I haven't even been able to get in contact with him since I arrived. I excused myself from the room and went to Mother's office to use her phone once again and since she wasn't in her office at this time I quickly dial Carter's cell which took me straight to his voicemail. "Hi sorry I missed you're call, I'm currently figuring out why my girlfriend is M.I.A and if by any chance you get to her before I do tell her I'm doing fine." Than the beeping came indicating for me to leave a message. I was in shock at his voice mail and for him to say something like this for some one to hear, hurt me. I guess I deserved that. "Carter it's me. I know I deserved that voice mail and I'm sorry. I can't use that as an accused but I did try calling a while ago and I bet Rosetta didn't tell you. I miss you so much and I should've did whatever I can to speak to you. I have so much to tell you so can you please call me back here at Dusk Manor and leave a message with my mom, it's important." I end the call sitting in Mother's chair thinking of my next move. I was upset with myself most of all because I let myself go on like this for so long and not letting Carter know how I'm doing or ask how he is. For him being a hybrid and still learning the basic things and him being a new creature I wasn't there for him like I promised. I exit the office making sure to lock it and head back to the dorm room as I walked in defeated my sister looks up with worry on her face once she sees me. "Hey what's wrong?" She asked me as she used her vamp speed to grab ahold of my arms. I didn't know how to react since I had that lump in my throat that needed to go away right away or else I'll be a pool of tears. "Denice?" Ray pushes on and that's it. My tears started flowing down my cheeks. I explained to them what Carter's message was and they're faces said it all. "Listen, he's a jerk! How dare he leave a voicemail like that about his girlfriend for someone to hear. Yes, you were M.I.A but he should understand that we are in school we're cell phones are taken from us once we get back here. I don't care if he's a hybrid or some creature that's stronger than all us he should never ever talk about my best friend like that. I'll rip his head off myself next time I see him." I quickly sit up looking over at Ray who looked angry and Shay trying hard not to laugh at the sudden burst of anger that Ray quickly released. I started laughing myself and so did Shay. "Why you laughing? I'm furious here." Ray says throwing herself down onto the bed next to mine. "That was unexpected." Shay blurts out laughing so hard that she had to hold her stomach. I couldn't contain my laugh either which made Ray laugh along with us knowing.

"You know I was thinking we should have a Halloween party this weekend. We can have it in the great hall or even somewhere in the woods near by?" Ray suggested. We were chilling in our room late at night since we couldn't seem to sleep so we stayed up late talking and laughing and now discussing a Halloween party. "How would that work? Do you honestly think our mother would let that happen?" I replied. It was a good idea first of all but does that mean we would have to have chaperones which I'm guessing will happen if this thing actually happens. "I'm guessing it would, it would be awesome if the teachers would dress up too. The more the merrier. Everyone would be dressed in whatever they like. It sounds like fun," Shay got excited turning on her lamp to grab a piece of paper and pen and started writing some stuff down. She wrote down food items, decorations, beverages, and most importantly music playlists. We all decided for me to ask our mom since Shay can't fight her argument when it comes to mother and that was my task to do tomorrow after first class. The next morning we all had English together with Mr. Fitz and he assigned us to seats which means two to every table in the class. Shay ended up sitting with Jake, Ray sat with Reid as for me I sat with Tobi. It was an odd sitting arrangement but I guess it worked either way since we all knew one another. Me and Tobi we're sitting in the front of the class as for my sister and Jake they were seated in the back and Ray and Reid were in the middle. If you're wondering about my sister and Fitz will let's say things are awkward but I guess they were able to move on and let go of the past. We were told to partner up an make a power point on "A vampires life," indicating what is a vampire and where they come from, how long were they roaming the world and so on. "Listen guys, please come up with you're own ideas. No plagiarism just you're own thoughts. This project should take you guys two weeks max which is the deadline," Mr. Fitz explains walking around the class making Tobi grab a notepad and pencil. We shared our ideas as he wrote them down and so did the others it exactly took us most of the class time. The bell rang which meant we got to have a little break and I left the group to go talk to mother in her office and ask about this Halloween dance this weekend. Shay and Ray reminded me what to say and practically leave her office with a yes and that's what I was going to do.

*

"So you want me to agree with you on letting my school host a Halloween party on Friday evening?" Mother asked me as I sat across from her drinking some tea that she offered me once I got here which was twenty minutes ago. I was missing my next class with Reid but she excused me out of that class time to speak with her so I hope Reid could catch me up on what he's doing in ancient history. "I'd appreciate it if you could let this happen for us. Not only for me but for the students of Dusk Manor." I replied putting my tea cup down on her desk. She was looking hard at me for a few seconds but I stared right back only for her to start smiling. "You remind me so much of you're father, always making me chose opposites of what I really want," she laughs. "I will agree for this, but the teachers will be chaperones including me. Everyone could dress up since it's a theme and leave the rest of the food, beverages and whatever else to me." I handed her the note that the girls wrote down and thanked her so much for this, hugging her tightly and kissed her head. "Thanks mom, everyone will be ecstatic for this weekend." Before I exit the office she asked me one last thing. "Why do you think I agreed to this Denice?" I look back at her to see her standing up with her hands on her hips. I walk back towards her with a smile and leaned over her desk with my hands on it. "Because deep down you want us to experience Dusk Manor in a way it wasn't before. To have fun and make tremendous memories with our friends and that's why I'm thankful for this." Her smile widen as she nod her head in agreement making me exit her office and head to lunch in the great hall to tell the group everything that headmistress had agreed too.

"Everything will be covered, and we get to go to Withering Brook for costumes on Thursday after classes. She said the great hall is where the party will be and that she is going to start planning it and working on it right away," I explained to everyone. The girls were excited talking about costumes, and the guys were discussing music playlists. Tobi wanted to coordinate costumes with Shay and same with Jake and Ray, I wasn't sure what I wanted to be just yet and since we were all excited for shopping and the party, Jake stood up on the table and yelled out; "Halloween Party on Friday!" Making us all laugh while the great hall cheered when Mr. Fitz yelled at Jake to sit down which made us laugh a little bit harder making Jake shy from embarrassment. Shay and Tobi ended up leaving earlier to they're secret hideaway which I'm guessing and I decided to head to the library to exchange my books when Reid followed behind me pulling me into his side where my head was laying on his shoulder as he laid a quick kiss on top my head. "So that's where you were during class. Making sure this party happens," I push him away slightly making sure my books didn't fall out of my arms. "Yeah I was, are you excited?" I asked where I placed my books in his hands so he can hold them for me while I threw my hair into a high ponytail. "Yeah, something to look forward too. I was thinking since everyone else is dressing up to match, we should too?" I turn to look up at him when he quickly adds, "just as friends Denice. I know you're taken by the hybrid and like I said long ago I'm respecting the both of you. I consider you a close friend of mine and I just don't want other people to get the wrong idea including you." I smiled back knowing where we both stand in this friendship and even though how good looking and sweet he is. I have to remember that I am in love with Carter and that what me and Reid have going on is just friendship. At least we cleared that up. "You're right about everything Reid and thanks for letting me know how you truly feel about me." I respond walking into the library with him on my tail. No pun intended. "That's only half of it Denice, that doesn't mean I'll stop being flirty towards you." He winks walking away making me laugh. I chase after him as he drops my books down in front of the librarian where I push him playfully earning a chuckle from him. "Whatever but let's do it. I already have couple ideas on what me and you could be so let's log onto the computer and order a few things in." We rushed to the computers logging into them and looking online at ideas to match for costumes I made sure to get them sent to Withering Brook so I can pick them up there and by the looks of our costumes I couldn't help but smile on how awesome we were gonna be. Reid couldn't stop teasing about it. Friday come faster.