Auriana' s pov
I woke up at the sound of my alarm. "Oh no it's still too early." I grumbled, dragging myself out of the bed.
I went towards the window and pulled the curtains. A flash memory of last night crossed my mind.
I thought I saw something but when I blinked, it was no longer there. I guess it was just my imagination.
I hurriedly got ready and headed downstairs. Today was my first day of college and I wouldn't let anything distract me.
And also.. I decided to confess my feelings to Liam. I don't know if he would notice but I put more effort into appearance today. I wasn't a fan of makeup, but I applied a rose-pink lip gloss and let my hair down.
Reaching the school Campus, I saw Liam in the hallway. He was on call with someone and the way he smiled made me wonder who that person was.
I headed straight to him.
"Good morning Liam." I beamed and he smiled back "Good morning." He paused for a moment as if scanning me. "You look different today."
"Different?" my brows furrowed.
He tilted his head slightly "In a good way. What I mean is you look.. nice."
I smiled. He had noticed "why don't we get breakfast at the cafeteria? We have an hour before classes begin." I suggested and he nodded.
The school cafeteria buzzed with noise. The scent of food lingering in the air. The students seemed to be clustered in groups with athletes seated in one table, the loud table in the middle and quiet kids by the window.
We took a seat at a quiet place at the back where no one bothered to sit.
We hadn't ordered yet so I took the initiative to tell him now. I looked over to Liam who kept smiling at his phone.
"What's got you so hooked on your phone?" I asked curiously.
"Nothing." He brushed it away and I didn't pry.
I steadied myself, ready to tell him my feelings. I hesitated for a moment but mustered enough courage to confess.
"I have something to tell you." I said slowly.
"Hmm. Go on." He said but his eyes were still glued on his phone.
"First, you don't mind telling me what's in that phone cause it's the first time I've seen you so invested in something." I joked.
"Ok! I'm gonna you." He giggled with excitement. "I have a girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?" My face paled "Since when?"
"I met her yesterday on my way to my dorm and we instantly hit it off. It was like love at first sight or something." He looked over the moon.
"Her name is Reese and she is in second year. You're gonna love her when you meet her – oh! there she is."
I looked over and saw a tall girl walking towards us. Her hair was a bold shade of copper- red. Freckles dusted the bridge of her nose softening her sharp features. She looked older than me.
She had a broad smile as she reached the table, greeting Liam with a peck on his jaw, before turned over to me.
"This is Auriana Hayes, my childhood friend." Liam introduced. "And, this is Reese Dalton."
"Nice to meet you Auriana." Reese greeted with a smile.
"Nice to meet you too." I smiled back as she took a seat beside Liam.
They looked both happy and I smiled, my heart sinking into my chest. I was too late, my love story had ended even before it began.
I was happy for him though, and it didn't feel as heartbreaking as I thought.
"So, what did you have to say, Auriana?" Liam asked and I stilled.
"Ehhm," I paused. "I think I saw someone at my window last night." That was the only excuse I could find.
"Really, was it a ghost?" Liam joked.
"Ha ha. Very funny Liam. Not sure though maybe I was mistaken. Let's order something I'm very hungry for." I changed the topic.
We all agreed on sandwiches and I opted to get them.
Getting to the food counter, I was about to order when I heard whispers behind me. I turned around and noticed the person entering through the glass door.
It was him – The silver haired guy. His presence was something no one could ignore. He walked in with his leather jacket fitting his body perfectly.
I looked at him longer than I should, unable to pull away as though I was compelled by those ocean eyes.
He stared at me intently, not blinking
and didn't pull back even when I noticed. His eyes lingered on me a second too long, not rude just – curious. Even as I turned, I could still feel his gaze burning on my back.
He walked past me, ordered a soda and left like a ghost. I could still feel his presence, everyone did. I went back to my table, where we all had our sandwich and headed to class.
The class was full with new faces and this was the first time I got to share a class. I hurriedly took a seat on the front row where I met a girl named Ella.
The lecturer walked in and everything else faded as I became fully focused on the lectures until the class was stopped by the sound of the bells.
The students hurried outside as though they were being freed from a cell. I bit Ella goodbye and went back to my dorm.
Liam told me he would go on a date with Reese so I didn't wait for him.
I returned to my room, slumping on the bed. It was a long day, I said to myself. I remembered I hadn't spoken to my parents since I arrived, so I called them.
"Hello mum." I greeted.
"Hello Auri, how are you doing? Hope you are comfortable in your new school." My mother's voice rang over the phone.
"Don't worry Mum, everything is fine," I assured.
We spent hours chatting about my first day and other trivial things till we bid each other goodbye.
Hanging up the call, I took a bath to freshen up before getting a meal for myself.
It was 9 pm, so I decided to study for sometime before going to bed.
Taking my book, I opened the first page but before I took a look, I noticed a shadow figure passing through my window.. again.
I was sure I wasn't imagining this time. Taking my courage, I put on my pullover and went out to see.
Outside was freezing and the pullover did little to prevent the cold.
Folding my arms I continued forward as I heard a sound coming from the forest. That area was restricted for students so I wondered what it was.
I had a bad feeling about that but my curiosity got the better of me so went.
I walked into the forest ignoring all the warning signs in my head. The place was dark and eerily cold.
I entered further, the sound getting louder and what I saw the next minute made me freeze.
I stared in horror and shock at an animal brutally tearing off the body of a…human.
The scene was so terrifying that I got caught in a trance. My body shook, my breath hitched. I tried to scream but no sounds left my mouth.
Everything was tragic. The person screaming in pain, the blood oozing, the ferocious fangs digging into the skin.
Everything was so horrifying that it made my knees give up when suddenly, I felt a hand pulling me behind a tree.