Aliens in the ocean?? You don't say. Bringing back this little gem with the latest news. 🧐
Darley Vance's world is turned upside down when she's taken to a mysterious underwater colony. Her kidnapper? Someone she thought she knew- someone who she...
"Ugh, parking was murder!" A familiar voice drags out faining irritation as the chair beside me scrapes across the linoleum.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Moments later, the sound of her purse and keys, as they plop down on the metal science table, causes me to wince, slightly.
"Should have carpooled." I tease with an eye roll keeping my tone neutral.
"Nah, You leave too early. Plus I'm meeting Jackson and Sarah after the third block for lunch at Pizzario's. I knew this was your late day and there was no way you'd ditch."
Cambri, or Cam as I call her, is my best friend and suitemate. She and I are a stark contrast. She's a tiny blonde blue-eyed bombshell that's the centerpiece for our school's dance team. And I'm, well, I'm not. We are complete opposites.
Even so, she has heart of gold. She is the yin to my yang.
"All right, all right... Let's settle down." Mr. Collins manages over the many conversations that take place around us.
After a minute, the noise settles and Mr. Collins begins to call the roll.
This will most likely be the only time he does this all semester.
I wait for my name to be called, and the comment that I know will inevitably follow.
"Miss Vance. Is it ... Darla?" His eyes squint and brows furrow as he studies my name as though it's the most peculiar thing he's seen all day.
"Darley," I correct with a smile, trying not to let my frustration show.
The door opens and somehow the guy standing there manages to make even me forget my name.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
He's at least 6' 3, and the golden tone of his skin is smooth and buttery. Lean muscles are well defined through his tight-fitting black shirt. And, as he walks by I can tell just how well his jeans hug the lower half of him.
His blonde hair is messy and short.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
My body tenses and I forget to breathe as my eyes rake down the length of him. It's shameless really.
As I trail back to his face, heat spreads through me.
And I feel exposed as I notice that his eyes are on me too.
His ice-blue eyes hold mine captive, and his lips twitch threatening a smile.
On instinct, I look down pretending to read my chemistry book, and allow my waves to create a curtain of brown, hiding the embarrassment I feel.
He walks to Mr. Collins holding out a piece of folded paper that I know is most likely his schedule.
"Yep, looks like you're in the right place. There's still a seat at table four." Mr. Collins says as he points.
My jaw sets as I listen. Closing my eyes briefly, I breathe in because I know I'm —at table four, and the open seat Mr. Collins mentioned is situated between Cam and me holding our purses.
A moment passes, and his arm grazes mine as he slides onto the stool. I can't help as my eyes dart toward him upon contact.
Hovering over me, barely a breath from my face. I'm surprised by his nearness, but I don't look away.
I'm entranced by the lightest blue I've ever seen, and it's almost as if pools of mist swirl within.
"You're new here. Right?" Cam asks in a quiet but perky voice severing the moment.
His focus turns to her, and I tune into the lecture knowing "our moment" has passed, and now that Cam has his attention— I am all but forgotten.
Mr. Collins reads the syllabus word for word; when he's finished, we dismiss early.
Managing one final glance, I flee the room.
Irritation followed by guilt washes over me as I see Cam resting a perfectly manicured hand on the guy's shoulder.
