It was the end of summer and the beginning of the second semester. A fresh start.
Caveroop High School, my new school in the small, oddly town named Caveroop. It was the only school that accepted me, so I didn't have much of a choice.
Standing at the entrance, I took in the sight before me. The school was massive, its architecture slightly old-fashioned, giving it a strange, eerie charm. I adjusted my black jeans, pulled down my blue T-shirt, and shifted my grip on my luggage. My blue sneakers crunched against the gravel as I exhaled slowly.
New town.
New school.
No familiar faces.
How bad could this get?
At least my past had no way of haunting me here.
It felt like I was on a different planet, and honestly, what better place to start over than somewhere no one knew my name?
I put on my headphones and stepped into the building, the rhythm of my music drowning out the chatter around me. The hallway stretched wide with rows of dented lockers, faded posters peeling from the walls, and a faint scent of disinfectant lingering in the air. Students moved in every direction some laughing in tight-knit groups, others slouched against lockers with tired eyes and coffee cups in hand. I saw jocks in letterman jackets tossing a basketball, theater kids practicing lines too loudly, and loners trailing along the edges, earbuds in and hoods up. Lost in the beat, I kept my eyes down hardly noticed the hallway filling with more students until I crashed into someone.
The impact sent me stumbling back, my luggage crashing to the floor. That was enough to draw attention, whispers rose around me, eyes locked in my direction. Then, a voice cut through the noise.
"Hey, you okay?"
I looked up and met the gaze of a guy around my age, average height, broad shoulders, and a fair complexion. His well-fitted T-shirt outlined the subtle contours of his chest, hinting at quiet strength. A pair of deep dimples flashed as he smiled, disarming and confident. But what stood out most were his blue eyes, sharp and clear beneath his neatly styled brown hair.
I quickly bent down, gathering my scattered belongings before he could. Sliding my headphones around my neck and brushing my dark brown hair behind my ears, I forced a smile.
"I'll be fine."
He studied me for a moment, his striking blue eyes locking with my deep brown ones. I felt the light breeze stir my hair as it brushed against my cheeks. Then he asked, his voice easy and curious, "New here?"
"Yeah," I said with a nod, rising to my feet after organizing my things.
"Then you better head to the hall. Orientation's starting. It's long and boring," he said with a smirk. "Unless… you wanna escape with me. I can give you the unofficial campus tour instead."
He grinned, his dimple deepening.
I hesitated. His offer was tempting, but skipping my very first school event wasn't exactly the best way to start fresh.
"Erm... thanks, but I should probably attend the orientation," I replied with a polite smile.
His eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Huh. Most people would jump at the chance to ditch it. But you…" He smirked. "You seem interesting."
Oh no.
That was exactly how my nightmare began in Oxville. I wasn't going to let it happen again.
"I hope not."
I stepped past him, ready to disappear into the crowd, but he reached out and gently touched my arm, just enough to stop me. His touch wasn't forceful, just careful, as if he didn't want to scare me off.
"Leaving so soon?" he asked, a playful tilt to his voice. "Come on, at least tell me your name."
I sighed, adjusting the strap of my bag on my shoulder. "Terra. Terra Tunes."
His lips curled into a grin. "Double T, huh?" He chuckled lightly. "Mind if I call you that?"
I scoffed, already turning away. "Call me whatever you want."
And with that, I headed toward the main building, not bothering to look back.
The hall was packed. A steady hum of chatter, footsteps, and the occasional locker slam filled the air. I swallowed hard and kept moving until I found a seat near the middle of the auditorium. I sat beside a girl who immediately caught my attention, she looked… different.
Her skin was pale, almost glassy under the harsh fluorescent lights, and her golden eyes yes, actual golden eyes gleamed like coins. Not hazel. Not amber. Gold.
She turned and stared at me for a moment. Not rude, not friendly either. Just… unreadable.
Before I could say anything, a woman, probably in her thirties stepped onto the stage and tapped the microphone. Her sharp grey eyes scanned the crowd with authority, and her brown and white hair was styled so perfectly I wondered if it was real. I figured she had to be the principal.
What followed was a long, droning speech about "discipline," "academic excellence," and "building community." The kind of speech that makes you check your watch… even if you're not wearing one.
By the time it was over, my back ached from sitting still too long, and I had already started regretting my decision to stay.
After the assembly, we were herded toward our dorms like tired cattle. The girls' hostel was a tall, faded brick building with narrow hallways and creaky floors. I walked slowly, checking the names on each door as I passed.
Then I saw it, my name etched on a metal plaque:
Terra Tunes.
And below it, another name:
Pink Spencer
I pushed open the door and stepped inside. My new roommate was already there, lounging on her bed. She had striking pink hair matching the completely pink side of the room. Even her luggage was pink. I was sensing a serious theme here.
"Howdy, roomie!" she greeted, waving gleefully. Her golden eyes glittered beneath a warm, welcoming smile.
"You're Pink?" I asked.
She nodded enthusiastically. "And you must be Terra! Nice to meet you!" She extended a hand, shaking mine with a firm grip.
I dropped my bag on the bed and sat down, testing the mattress. Surprisingly soft.
"New here?" she asked, already digging into my suitcase to help unpack. "Lucky you, I'll teach you everything you need to know."
She giggled as we spent the rest of the day organizing my side of the room. Afterward, she treated us to fries and milkshakes, and we spent the evening talking, getting to know each other.
Pink was popular. That much was clear. And something told me I wasn't going to be able to shake her off easily.
The next morning, I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for class, pulling on my usual outfit, fitted jeans, a plain tee, and a zip-up hoodie. Comfortable. Low-key. New Me.
"Nerd alert!" Pink called out, spotting me as she emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a plush pink towel that matched her name a little too perfectly.
I rolled my eyes, slinging my backpack over my shoulder. "Is that supposed to be a bad thing?"
"Well, no," she replied, stepping into the room and tossing her damp pink hair over her shoulder with effortless flair. "But if you want to be the center of attention, you've got a lot to learn."
"What if I don't want to be?"
She laughed, loud and theatrical, the kind of laugh that echoed through the hallway and probably woke someone up. "Nonsense! Every girl wants to be admired. It's in our nature," she said, rifling through her color-coded wardrobe. "Lucky for you, you've got me."
She turned around triumphantly, holding up a pair of high-waisted pants and a cropped blouse that shimmered faintly in the light.
"Here, wear this."
I stared at the outfit like it might bite. "I'm fine with what I have on."
Pink pouted dramatically, folding her arms. "Oh, Terra. If you're going to be seen with me, you have to look good."
I hesitated. My instinct was to push back, but her expression was hard to resist like she was already halfway into a makeover montage in her head. After a long internal debate, I gave in and changed.
Pink's face lit up when I stepped out. "Yesss! Now that's better." She grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the mirror. "Look at us, we're giving main-character energy."
As we strolled down the hallway, I could feel the shift. Heads turned. Whispers followed. Pink walked like she owned the entire building, and somehow, just by proximity, I'd been swept into her spotlight.
Halfway to class, a tall girl in a sunny yellow crop top and loose black trousers spotted us and rushed over, her braids bouncing with each step. She had a radiant smile and an energy that seemed to charge the air around her.
"There you are!" she squealed, pulling Pink into a tight hug.
Pink grinned. "Terra, meet my best friend, Clarissa Broadway. Clary, meet my new roommate!"
Clary beamed at me, her golden eyes practically glowing under the hallway lights. "Nice to meet you, Terra!"
"You too," I said, trying not to stare at her eyes for too long.
Another girl sauntered over and casually draped an arm across both Pink and Clary's shoulders. She was taller, with sharply cut dark blue hair, winged eyeliner, and matte black lipstick. Her smirk was cool, almost predatory.
"Eska," Pink said with a fond eye-roll.
Eska looked me up and down slowly, then gave a lazy nod. "The new kid, huh?"
"Apparently," I said, offering a polite smile as we all shook hands.
We headed into our separate classes like some oddly matched, fashion-forward parade. Math was the first subject of the day, and it felt exactly like it always had, soul-sucking. I tried to focus, but Clary kept blowing bubblegum bubbles and popping them obnoxiously close to my ear, stifling giggles behind her hand when I flinched.
Then I felt a tap on my shoulder.
I turned around, and there he was. Him. The guy from yesterday.
Oh, great.
"Hey, DT," he said, flashing that same easy grin from before.
Clary leaned over with a raised eyebrow. "DT?"
"Yeah," he said. "Double T. She's got two Ts in her name."
Clary rolled her golden eyes. "Seriously? You're already giving her a nickname?"
"Name's Zack, by the way," he added, extending his hand over my desk.
I sighed and shook it. Yep. This was going to be a long semester.
After class, I wandered into the cafeteria, stomach rumbling. The place was packed with students, the smell of fries and grease clinging to the air. Pink, Eska, and Clary had already claimed a table by the windows. I slid in between them and placed my tray down.
"So," Pink asked, sipping a strawberry milkshake through a glittery straw, "how was class?"
I just nodded, already focused on shoveling noodles into my mouth before anyone could start another conversation.
Clary snorted. "Someone's hungry." Then, with a smirk: "Did you know Zack and Terra already met?"
Eska raised an eyebrow. "Not surprised. He's a people person. Can't resist a fresh face."
Clary nodded knowingly, like this was already old gossip.
Pink leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And he's got a super cute brother who plays basketball."
I nearly choked. "What?"
Pink grinned. "Oh, you're definitely meeting him after school."
I stared at them, stunned.
And just like that, I realized, so much for laying low.
The school bell rang, signaling dismissal, and before I could protest, Pink had already latched onto my wrist, dragging me toward the basketball court. Clary and Eska followed close behind, exchanging amused glances at my lack of enthusiasm.
When we arrived, my eyes landed on a tall, undeniably attractive guy dominating the court. He had short, tousled brown curls, piercing blue eyes, and a build that screamed athleticism.
He wore red basketball shorts and a matching singlet, his muscles flexing effortlessly as he maneuvered the ball. His movements were fluid, precise, every attempt to steal the ball from him ended in failure. It was almost unfair how easy he made it look.
Pink sighed dreamily beside me. "Isn't he just perfect?"
I rolled my eyes. "Yep. I've seen enough. Can we go now?"
Clary looked at me like I had personally offended her. "How can you not be fascinated by this?"
Before I could reply, a sharp whistle cut through the court. An older man, most likely their coach called the team together. He spoke for a moment, probably giving them instructions or dismissing practice, and then the players began dispersing.
The handsome, irresistible blue eyed guy , caught sight of us. His lips curled into a confident smirk as he sauntered over, a basketball casually spinning on his fingertips.
"Hello, ladies."
Pink and Clary practically melted. "Hey, Jesse," they cooed in unison, waving at him.
Jesse turned his attention to me, his blue eyes scanning me with mild curiosity. "New here?"
I nodded, offering nothing more.
He smirked again before picking up the ball and walking away without another word.
"I think he's a jerk," I whispered to Eska, who stood beside me with her arms crossed.
"Tell me about it," she muttered before turning to leave.
Before we could make our escape, Pink suddenly darted toward Jesse, her ponytail bouncing with each step.
"Hey!" she called, her voice echoing across the court. "We're having a welcome-back party at Clary's place tonight. You're coming, right?"
Jesse slowed but didn't stop. He glanced over his shoulder just long enough to say, "I'll try," before disappearing into the locker room without another word.
Pink returned, looking satisfied with herself, like she'd just secured a celebrity guest appearance.
I gave her a look. "A party?"
Clary, who'd been sipping from a water bottle, lit up with excitement. "That's right! My place. Tonight. Be there or be tragically irrelevant."
I blinked. Great! Because that's what I needed. A crowded room full of strangers, loud music, forced small talk, and worse… attention.
Pink tossed her arm around my shoulder like we were best friends in a coming-of-age movie. "One thing you need to know about popularity," she said breezily as we exited the court, "is never miss a party."
I groaned under my breath. "Who said I want to be popular?"
But she was already a few steps ahead, swaying down the hall like she owned the school, Clary laughing beside her.
I sighed and followed, dragging my feet like a prisoner headed to trial.
That night, Clary's house was buzzing with energy. The moment we stepped in, the crowd practically swarmed us. People I had never seen before clamored for pictures, acting like we were some kind of celebrities.
Pink leaned in and whispered, "Second rule of popularity, know how to make an entrance."
I sighed.
After maneuvering through the chaos, Clary introduced me to three girls trailing behind her. "Hey, Terra, I want you to meet my sisters, Annie and Resa." She gestured to two girl who looked like a younger version of herself. "And this is her best friend, Alexa Michael."
We exchanged quick pleasantries before they disappeared into the crowd.
Shortly after, Zack and Jesse arrived, one radiating life, the other dragging shadows behind him.
"Thought you wouldn't make it," Pink said, her voice teasing as she handed Jesse a glass of wine.
He took it without enthusiasm, his gaze distant. "I'll be at the balcony if you need me," he muttered, before turning away and vanishing into the crowd like a ghost retreating into fog.
Zack, by contrast, bounced on the balls of his feet, practically vibrating with energy. "Hey, DT!" he called, throwing his arms wide. "Tell me you brought your dancing shoes, because I'm in the mood for an all-night dance battle."
I folded my arms, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Hate to break it to you, but I'm not much of a dancer."
Eska leaned in just enough for her voice to drip with amusement. "That's too bad. You're missing out."
The rest of them, Pink, Clary, Eska, and Zack spilled onto the dance floor like they owned it, swallowed up by the rhythm and flashing lights. I stayed behind, awkwardly nursing a half-filled wine glass by the table, watching their silhouettes blur in the swirl of movement and music.
But after a few minutes, the bass thumping in my chest, the lights flashing against my eyelids, and the sea of unfamiliar faces all melted into a haze of noise and heat. The boredom crept in, wrapping around me like a slow fog.
So I slipped away.
Clary's house stretched on like a labyrinth. Each hallway was lined with high-end furniture, velvet chaise lounges, mahogany display tables, glass vases that looked like they belonged in a museum. Paintings in gilded frames stared down at me like silent judges. This place was too elegant, too majestic.
Then, somewhere down the corridor, I heard it.
A moan.
I paused. Rolled my eyes. Of course. Teenagers. Booze. Bedrooms.
I almost turned around.
But then another sound followed. Sharper. Ragged. Like a gasp caught mid-breath and not the good kind.
I frowned.
The moans came again, but they were deeper now. Throaty. Animalistic. There was something wrong about them.
My stomach tightened. I crept forward, my footsteps light on the polished floor, and stopped in front of a half-closed door. Light spilled from the crack at the bottom, flickering faintly like a candle about to die.
Curiosity or maybe pure, unfiltered stupidity tugged me closer.
I raised a trembling hand and nudged the door open, just an inch.
And that's when I saw it.
A man, no, a monster was hunched over a girl. His face buried in her neck, his back rising and falling with every grotesque, slurping breath. His skin was ashen, and from beneath his tousled hair, black veins spidered down the sides of his face like poisoned cracks. His eyes… oh God, his eyes. Pure, endless black.
The girl in his grip looked more corpse than human. Her arms hung limp at her sides, her legs twitching weakly. Her skin was paper-white, dry like ash, and her mouth hung open in a silent scream. Her eyes, once bright, were now glassy and bloodshot, completely drained of light.
My breath caught in my throat.
I couldn't move. Couldn't blink.
Then, without meaning to I leaned too far.
My shoulder bumped the door.
CRREEAAK.
The monster's head snapped up.
And for a heartbeat, the world stopped.
His black eyes locked onto mine, full of hunger and rage. Blood stained his chin. His lips curled into a snarl, revealing sharp, elongated fangs that gleamed in the dim light.
My blood ran cold.
My mouth opened to scream...
But before I could make a sound, a hand seized me from behind.
A strong arm clamped across my chest, another hand smothered my mouth. I was yanked back into the shadows with terrifying force.
My wine glass slipped from my fingers and shattered silently against the carpeted floor.