"She's shy," Brooklyn said with a shrug. She glanced at Indianna, who looked like she wanted to be anywhere but in the classroom with them.
"Well, come on. I don't bite," Greyson urged, and Indianna stiffened, just like before.
"Don't talk about that," Indianna said. Her voice was still quiet, but it was firm.
"Struck a nerve, have I?" Greyson asked, raising an eyebrow and smirking. "Somebody likes it rough."
Indianna Hughs had always been the quiet one; the shy one. She always stayed in the background. She blended in and never got noticed. She liked it that way. When she was forced to move schools, she was not happy. Everyone noticed a new kid, and she didn't want that attention. Especially not from Mr. Bad Boy, who seemed to be very interested in her.
"You'll be fine," Indianna's mother said and waved her hand dismissively at her daughter.
Indianna looked out of the car window and raised her dark eyebrows at the large red-brick building in front of them.
"Just be social and make friends!"
"Social," Indianna muttered and grabbed her bag from the back seat. "Sure."
She climbed out of the car, ignoring her mother's cheerful wave goodbye. She slammed the door behind her and glanced up at the school, looking around the car park, which was filled with students laughing and talking to their friends.
Students noticed Indianna.
Indianna groaned quietly and swung her bag over her shoulder. She lowered her gaze as she made her way up the steps that led to the school and didn't look up as she walked through the bustling corridors, gritting her teeth and flinching every time she accidentally brushed shoulders with someone. She thought that if she couldn't see anyone, maybe they couldn't see her either.
She knew she was being stupid.
The town that Indianna and her mother had moved to wasn't small, but it wasn't big either. Not everyone knew each other personally, but they would recognise a new face from a mile away. This made Indianna's anxiety rise. She hated being noticed.
She clutched her hands tighter around the strap of her bag and carried on down the busy corridor. She had come to the school a few days before, and the principal had shown her around, so it didn't take her long to find her locker. She fumbled with the lock and hurriedly grabbed the textbooks that were stacked neatly inside, stuffing them into her bag.
Indianna hated that she could feel everyone's curious gazes on her. She hated that she stood out. She swallowed nervously and looked at the crumpled piece of paper in her hands. She scanned the timetable and saw that her first lesson was history.
After putting her timetable back into her pocket, she braced herself and walked down the rowdy corridors, hoping to find her class quickly so she could have a moment of peace before being surrounded by a room full of new people.
Indianna let out a sigh of relief when she made it to her classroom. It was relatively empty, so she made a beeline straight to the back of the class. Now there were no eyes on her. She let her shoulders relax and leaned back in her chair.
One year, she told herself. She had to survive for one year in this new town, and then she was free. She would graduate and be able to go wherever she pleased.
"Hi!"
A blonde, curly-haired girl appeared next to her, and Indianna's heart jumped in her chest. She was smiling brightly and had kind brown eyes.
"You're Indianna, aren't you? The new girl? You've moved to town with your mother, right?"
Indianna stared at the blonde girl with wide eyes. She had wanted to go unnoticed, but this girl definitely seemed to know her. Indianna wasn't sure how to respond.
"Sorry," the girl apologised and sat down next to Indianna, noticing her discomfort. "I didn't mean to scare you off. I just thought I'd introduce myself! I know what it's like to be new in this town. I moved here a year ago. I'm Brooklyn, but everyone calls me Brooke."
Indianna nodded and looked at her hands. She picked at her chipped nail varnish and hoped this girl would go away. Indianna wasn't good with people. She'd rather be left alone.
Brooklyn blinked and waited for Indianna to speak. She frowned when there was an awkward silence and chewed on her lip.
"Not a people person?" Brooklyn asked. "That's okay. People would argue that I can talk enough for two people."
Indianna's eyes flickered to Brooklyn, who was smiling.
"You can talk to me. I promise I don't bite, like some people in this school," Brooklyn said kindly with a laugh.
Indianna stiffened and shook her head. "No," she whispered. Her voice was gentle and soft.
Brooklyn frowned. "No?"
"Don't talk about that, please," Indianna said quietly.
"Talk about what?" Brooklyn asked, cocking her head to the side curiously.
"Biting," Indianna muttered, forcing the word out like it was poison.
Brooklyn noticed how Indianna grabbed her wrist, her eyes flashing with panic.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Brooklyn said quickly. "I didn't realise that was a sensitive topic. Sorry, I talk a lot, and sometimes I say stupid things—I'll... I'm going to shut up now—Brandon, thank God, hi!"
Brooklyn looked up as a guy approached the desk. He had the same blonde, curly hair as Brooklyn and matching brown eyes.
"Brooke, you're not terrorising the new girl, are you?" he teased. He had a wide smile, and he looked at Indianna with inquisitive eyes.
Everyone here was interested in the new girl. No one knew anything about her or her mother. To the town, they were a mystery, and in small towns, everyone liked to unravel the mystery of new people quickly.
"No!" Brooklyn laughed and hit Brandon's arm as he sat down next to her. "Well, not on purpose. Indianna, this is Brandon, my cousin. Brandon, meet Indianna."
"Hi," Brandon said warmly. "It's nice to meet you, Indianna."
Indianna swallowed and looked up at him, forcing a smile. "Hello."
"She's a little shy," Brooklyn said, pointing out the obvious personality trait she had noticed in Indianna.
"After a few minutes with you, I'm sure that will change," Brandon said, nudging Brooklyn's shoulder with his elbow.
Indianna looked up at the clock on the wall and groaned internally. Seven minutes of the lesson had passed. If the rest of the year was going to pass as slowly as this, she didn't know how she was going to survive.
"Oh, great," Brooklyn mumbled and sighed.
Indianna looked up as three boys walked into the classroom. She noticed how Brooklyn slouched down in her seat and avoided eye contact. Brandon glared and clenched his hands into fists.
Two boys stood slightly ahead of the other. There was a ginger-haired boy who was laughing loudly at the brown-haired boy, who was smiling and showing off his dimples.
Behind them stood a boy with dark hair. His face was blank, and his eyes looked like cold, bottomless pits. Indianna's heart raced at the sight of him. In a split second, he instilled fear in her, and she didn't even know him.
She noticed tattoos littering his arms and raised her eyebrows in shock. She had to remind herself that he was the same age as her, although you wouldn't think that by looking at him.
He had an air of confidence around him, and he looked mean, unlike the other two boys, who didn't have a dark look about them. The brown-haired boy looked kind, and the ginger-haired boy looked mischievous, but the dark-haired boy looked... dangerous.
Indianna swallowed nervously and swiftly looked away when the dark-haired boy's eyes scanned the classroom. All eyes were on them; the class seemed entranced. It was as if no one had ever seen these boys before.
Indianna wasn't sure if the looks they were receiving were from lust or fear.
An irritable expression flashed across the dark-haired boy's face when he realised the class was staring at him and his two friends. Although he was used to it, he still glared and snapped, "What?"
Chills ran through Indianna's body when he spoke. A wave of butterflies rose from her feet, making her body feel on edge. One word was all it took to make the class immediately turn their attention away from the three boys.
His voice was deep and clear; it cut through the silence of the classroom like a razor-sharp knife. Indianna couldn't imagine kind words leaving the lips of the dark-haired boy. From one look at him, she could tell that being nice was foreign to him.
It was then she realised that the looks they were receiving weren't from lust. They were definitely from fear.
Indianna turned to Brooklyn as the three boys sat on the opposite side of the classroom. She heard a loud laugh from the ginger-haired boy, and she could see the dark-haired boy out of the corner of her eye, rolling his eyes at his friend and kicking his feet up onto the desk in front of him.
"Who are they?" Indianna asked quietly.
Brooklyn adjusted in her seat, turning her back to the boys.
"People you should stay away from," she said firmly. "The ginger guy is called Kal. The brown-haired one is Ace. The dark-haired one is—"
"Greyson Evans," Brandon said with a scowl. "He is not a nice person."
"He has no regard for anyone but himself and his few friends. He's a dick, he's dangerous, and he uses girls for nothing more than sex. He's bad news, and they are the one group in this town you should stay away from. Kal and Ace aren't bad people, but you don't want to get on their radar because then you'll be on his—"
Brooklyn was cut off by the deep, slow drawl of Greyson's voice.
"I can hear you, Brooklyn," Greyson called.
He looked at Brooklyn from his seat, and she pursed her lips, turning to face him.
"You're not gossiping again, are you?"
Brooklyn smiled sweetly. "I'm just telling the truth, Greyson."
"Well, I'm very interested to hear what you have to say," Greyson said, raising his eyebrows daringly at Brooklyn. "Continue."
"I highly doubt you would like to hear what I have to say," Brooklyn said with a shrug.
Indianna watched Brooklyn carefully and noticed that she didn't seem afraid of Greyson, unlike the rest of the class. She glanced at Brandon, who was glaring at Greyson at the same time Greyson looked at him.
"Brandon, if you keep glaring at us, I will punch you," Greyson warned. His eyes flickered to Brooklyn, glittering with dangerous amusement. "I know I shouldn't, considering that you're Brooklyn's cousin, but you both know that I don't care."
"Greyson!" Brooklyn said sharply. She narrowed her eyes at him. "You are not going to punch Brandon!"
"And what could you do to stop me, Brooklyn?" Greyson asked. "You may be surprisingly high up on the school social ladder, but I know of a guy who can keep you on your leash."
Brooklyn's cheeks flushed red, and she pursed her lips when Kal snorted, smirking at her discomfort.
"Shut it, Kal," she grumbled.
Greyson tutted. "Don't try and tell me what I can and can't do, Brooklyn. You will always lose. Remember that."
"Speaking of Harry," Kal said and winked at Brooklyn. "Where is he?"
"Yes, great question, Kal. Where is Harry?" Greyson asked Brooklyn. "I know he was looking for you this morning."
"I don't know where he is! Why would I?" Brooklyn said quickly and crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes at Greyson and his friends. "Now, please leave us be!"
"As you wish," Greyson scoffed, and Brooklyn turned back to Indianna.
"As you can see, he's an ass," Brooklyn said with a huff and rolled her eyes. "Keep away from him. From them."
Indianna raised her eyebrows curiously and spoke quietly. "Why don't you?"
Brooklyn frowned. "What?"
"Your boyfriend is his friend, isn't he?" Indianna observed.
"B-boyfriend? What? No!" Brooklyn spluttered, and Indianna smiled ever so slightly.
"Harry? That's what they said his name was, wasn't it?"
"Observant."
Indianna jumped when Greyson appeared behind her and leaned back against the cupboard, crossing his arms over his chest. She stared at him, suddenly going silent.
"Now," he said and looked Indianna up and down. "Who are you?"
"I think it's better if you don't find out," Brandon muttered.
Greyson ignored him.
"Her name is Indianna, and that's all you need to know. So if you can just leave—"
"I'm pretty sure she can speak for herself, Brooklyn."
"She's shy," Brooklyn said, glancing at Indianna, who looked like she wanted to be anywhere but in the classroom, talking to Greyson.
"Well, come on. I don't bite," Greyson urged, and Indianna stiffened, just like before.
"Don't talk about that," Indianna said. Her voice was still quiet, but it was firm.
"Struck a nerve, have I?" Greyson asked, raising an eyebrow and smirking. "Somebody likes it rough."
"Jesus, Greyson!" Brooklyn gasped. "It's her first day. Leave her alone!"
Greyson looked at Indianna with a scrutinising gaze, and she squirmed uncomfortably. Indianna hated people staring at her.
She had always lacked confidence and struggled to see the beauty she was lucky enough to have been born with. She was naturally pretty, with big green eyes, olive skin, high cheekbones, a button nose and long brown hair. She hid behind large glasses and clothing that was on the baggier side.
Pretty was a word she had never used to describe herself.
"Indianna?" he said and frowned, thinking to himself. "Hughs," he murmured.
Greyson had spoken quietly, and Indianna wasn't sure if she had heard him correctly.
"What?" she asked, staring at him cautiously.
Greyson smirked. "So, she speaks."
"What did you say just then?" Indianna asked shyly. She avoided eye contact.
"It was nice to meet you, Indianna," Greyson said slowly, dragging out her name.
He pushed himself away from the cupboard and made his way back over to his seat with Kal and Ace. Indianna watched with furrowed eyebrows as he whispered in their ears, and immediately they both looked at her.
Slowly, she noticed their gazes travelling to her hand, which was holding her wrist.
Covering her scar.
"What is wrong with you three?" Brooklyn gasped when she noticed the three boys looking at Indianna. "Gosh, leave the poor girl alone! It's her first day; she could do without the attention from you!"
Brooklyn rolled her eyes once the three boys looked away and began talking amongst themselves.
"I'm so sorry. Just because everyone is scared of them, they think they can get away with anything. They're a freaking nightmare!"
"It's fine," Indianna said quietly, and she looked at the door of the classroom, praying that the teacher would arrive quickly so she wouldn't have to talk to anyone else.
Brooklyn turned to Brandon, and Indianna tuned them out as they started a conversation. She tapped her foot impatiently and rubbed her forehead as a headache started.
She so desperately wanted to run out of the classroom, away from all these unknown people. Indianna liked to be by herself. She—
What happened to your wrist?
Indianna jumped in shock when she heard a voice. It was loud and clear, ringing in her head. She looked around in panic, wondering where it had come from.
She wasn't certain if the voice had spoken out loud... or in her head.
"Are you okay?" Brandon asked, noticing Indianna's wide eyes. He and Brooklyn both looked at her with concern.
Don't panic. You are not going crazy.
"I, er..." Indianna choked on her words.
The voice was definitely in her head. Was she imagining it? Was the stress of moving to a new town, being in an unfamiliar environment and being surrounded by people who wanted to talk to her, making her go crazy?
You're not imagining it.
"Indianna?" Brooklyn said softly. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Indianna whispered and rubbed her eyes. "I think I just have a bad headache coming on."
What happened to your wrist?
Indianna swallowed nervously and tried to control her breathing before she started to panic. Hearing voices was never a good sign.
I told you, there is no need to panic. Just speak to me.
Indianna furrowed her eyebrows. She couldn't help but notice a familiarity in the voice. She wondered if she had met this person before.
Who are you? she asked in her head.
It felt incredibly strange, and this whole exchange between her and the unknown voice felt horribly invasive. Indianna didn't like it.
How do you know my name? How are you even in my head? Am I going insane—
No. Calm down. You are not going insane. Now, answer my question. What happened to your wrist?
Indianna paused, thinking. She wondered what harm could come from talking to this voice. It clearly wasn't real. She guessed it was like talking to a figment of her imagination.
Indianna.
The voice was growing impatient, and seeing as Indianna had no idea how to get rid of it, she decided to answer its questions.
It happened when I was younger.
I'm going to need a bit more information than that.
I was... attacked.
Even in her mind, her voice sounded fragile as she talked about it.
Wolves.
It wasn't a question; it was a statement. Indianna had a feeling that the voice already knew the answer to the question he was asking.
Observant.
She snapped her head towards Greyson and his friends, but this time he wasn't looking at her. He was looking down at his desk, drawing absentmindedly on the surface.
She tried to remember his voice and wondered if there were any similarities between his and the one in her head.
"What are you looking at?" Brooklyn asked, snapping Indianna out of her thoughts.
She followed Indianna's gaze to Greyson and frowned.
Indianna shook her head and looked at her hands, mumbling, "Nothing."
Brooklyn caught Greyson's gaze and narrowed her eyes. He smirked and raised his eyebrows challengingly. Eventually, she looked away.
Who are you? Indianna asked. You're not real, are you?
I am most definitely real, but who I am doesn't matter.
It does if you're in my head.
You talk a lot more when you aren't physically speaking, the voice observed.
So I've met you. In person?
I didn't say that.
You implied it.
Indianna was a mixture of scared and irritated. She wanted to know who the voice was and how he was in her head.
How old were you when you were attacked? the voice asked.
I have a feeling you know.
Indianna's voice was hostile. She hated remembering the attack.
I was five.
Your father—he died, didn't he?
H-how? How do you know this?
Lots of people know the story of the attack, but they don't know that it's your story, Indianna.
What do you mean?
Clearly, not even you know the whole story.
Then tell me, seeing as you seem to know so much.
No.
Why not?
It's not the right time.
You are a voice in my head. I don't care! You are scaring me. Now tell me how you know so much about me!
Just focus on making friends. You're shy. Take the chances you get. Brooklyn is a nice girl; don't ignore her by talking to me. You'll hear from me soon.
Wait!
But the voice was gone. It was almost like there had been a presence in Indianna's mind, and now it was gone, along with her headache.
"Are you listening, Indianna?"
"Hmm?" Indianna looked at Brooklyn, who smiled.
"You're shy and not very talkative, but I like you, Indianna," Brooklyn said with a laugh.
"Um, thank you?"
"You are very welcome," Brooklyn said with a grin and looked at Brandon. "What do you think of our new friend?"
"I think that you're going to take a while to warm up to us," Brandon said with a chuckle.
"Sorry," Indianna said, forcing herself to talk louder. She smiled nervously. "I don't trust easily."
"We've got time," Brooklyn said with a grin.
Soon, all attention was turned to the teacher, who entered the classroom and began the lesson. Indianna was grateful to blend into the background once again.
She spent the whole lesson lost in her own thoughts, and she couldn't help but look over at Greyson. She had realised why she thought the voice in her head sounded familiar.
It sounded so much like his.