DESCENDED

INVITED

I woke up in a cold sweat at around three in the morning. I dreamt about the day Michael was killed and had a hard time going back to sleep. So, when morning light crept through my bedroom window, I pulled my blanket over my head. I didn't want to get up and go to school. I thought about faking sick to get out of it, but I've never been a good liar.

"Wake up sleepy head," Anna yanks the covers off me.

Groaning, I sit up, head into the bathroom to wash my face, and brush my teeth. When I go back into my room, Anna is sitting on my bed waiting.

"You're going to love Emerald Academy. The food there is great and I'm sure a whiz kid like you will find the academics up to par," Anna raves.

"Are the people nice?" I ask.

"They can be."

"Was that a stupid question?"

"No. I just can't see you having a problem with anyone," she shrugs.

After going through my drawers, I pull out my favorite pair of navy-blue skinny jeans. And I throw on a white camisole that I cover with a light gray off-the-shoulder-sweater. Paired with my gray boots.

Anna grabs my backpack for me, and we both head downstairs to grab a quick breakfast. I'm surprised to see Aunt Sarah has cooked an entire meal for breakfast. But I guess I shouldn't be. She takes this mom thing very seriously. And I don't have the heart to tell her I don't eat much.

"I don't think I have time," I tell her instead.

"It's okay, just take some with you," she hands me a brown paper bag.

I hurry out the front door behind Anna since I really didn't know where we're going. And Alex is sitting behind the wheel of a black Lexus, signaling for us to get in.

Really?

A Lexus?

The most expensive car I'd been in was a Volkswagen Beetle. If you could even call that expensive. Happily, I climb into the backseat and open the brown bag Aunt Sarah gave me. There's a paper plate covered with foil inside. And a peek inside the foil reveals some bacon, eggs, and toast.

Dare I say breakfast smells yummy...

"Okay, we're here," Anna squeals. Excited.

Looking out the window I take in the red brick building and the crowded parking lot. There's a lot of kids at this school. A few people walk by, smiling and waving at me, and I'm not used to that. I'm not used to people being so kind to me.

"Come on, we need to get your schedule," Anna drags me into the office.

We walk up to the front desk and wait for the receptionist to finish a call before she looks up at us and smiles.

"Welcome to Emerald Academy. Home of the lions. Name and grade please?" The bubbly secretary behind the counter asks.

"Angelique Savant," I answered. "Ninth Grade.

"Ooh, very pretty name."

I'm handed my schedule and Anna gets the okay from the principle to help me find my classes. My first being Biology. And I take the only seat left in front of the class. Burying myself in my class work.

Or at least I try to.

"Class we have a new student in our midst today named Angelique Savant. I expect you all to show her the ropes and be nice. Am I clear?" My biology teacher Ms. Duvall gives them all a warning look.

"Yes Ms. Duvall," the class says in unison.

"I'll volunteer to help her to the bathroom if she needs it," a blonde-haired boy sitting next to me says with his hand raised. When I looked at him, he winks at me. While everyone else in the room might be amused, I'm not.

"Angelique, I'm Tessa," the Spanish girl next to me introduces herself.

She's very pretty.

With long, dark, curly hair, brown eyes, and a slender figure.

"Hi," I smile and wave back.

"The guys are going to love you here," Tessa looks me over the same way I did her. "They love fresh meat. Especially if it comes in a pretty package."

"Right," I nod.

"What? Has no one ever given you a compliment before?"

"Not really."

Tessa reminds me a lot of Emily. Forcing me to relive the pain of betrayal I'd much rather forget. So, even though she seems nice, I ignore Tessa for the remainder of class. And when the bell rings for class to be over, I quickly head for the door hoping to avoid her.

"Angelique. Angelique!" She calls after me.

I refused to turn around and acknowledge her call.

It isn't until I feel her hand on my shoulder that I turn around to face her. She's panting after running to catch up to me.

Hoping to put some distance between us, I take a few steps back and accidentally back into someone. And when they move, I fall backward. Hitting the back of my head on the ground hard. Hard enough for me to hear bells ringing in my ears now.

Excruciating pain threatens to split my skull, causing my eyes to flutter, and eventually roll back in my head. Encasing me in darkness.