THE CRESTWOOD HEIR

Chapter1

Mara

Damien literally has two smiles.

One is for the cameras. The kind of smile that makes everyone fall in love with him. I've seen it a thousand times.

Then the other was me. It's smaller, and just way off.

I noticed all this three weeks ago, when he came up with all the attitude. He might not have noticed, but I could literally see through all of it.

"So the scouts are coming," Damien says, stabbing a piece of chicken with his fork. "That's quite a big opportunity."

"You'll do great," I said, without even making eye contact with him.

I just push my eggs around my plate. He was starting to be cold as always, again!

I glanced at the bulletin board by the cafeteria doors. Another reminder about the school's curfew. "All students must be indoors by 8 PM on full moon nights." Stupid rule. Must be about wild animals or something. I never paid attention to it before.

I also noticed his phone was face-down on the table.

"That's new," I said as I just stared at his phone. I then pointed at it. "Are you expecting a call?"

"Nah." He says but doesn't look at the phone, and doesn't even look at me either. "Just don't want to be distracted,."

I looked down at my plate. The eggs smelled wrong. Not bad, just... loud. Like I could taste them without taking a bite. The bacon was too salty and greasy, so weird. I pushed the plate away.

Two tables over, a girl whispered to her friend.

"Did you see the moon last night?"

"Almost full. My mom says we shouldn't be out after dark."

"Your mom believes everything the school says."

"Better than ending up like those hikers last year."

I stabbed my eggs. Hikers. Right. Probably just got lost.

"Distracted from what?" I asked, suddenly coming back to what Damien said.

He shrugged. "The pack has been on my case lately. The coach wants us ready for the playoffs." The pack. He always called the football team that. Weird, but whatever.

Guess I got his attention now, cause he now threw me that look. "Why do you like acting all paranoid?" he shot at me.

"I'm not paranoid. I'm observant," I said back.

"Same thing." He said with a small grin and then looked away. It was as though he was forcing himself to actually stay there with me at that moment.

"Where were you last night?" I suddenly asked. "After the lookout?"

His fork stops moving, just for a second. "I told you,” he started. “I went home. My father wanted to talk."

"At midnight?" I knew he was lying, I just wanted to know why.

"He works late." Damien said as he was starting to get irritated. "Why are you grilling me?"

I just shrugged. "Just wondering."

"You're wondering if I'm cheating on you," he shot back at me.

I haven't said that. Why would he think that? Or is he?

"Are you?" I then asked him, with all seriousness on my face.

He then laughed, as though what I just said had no relevance at all.

"Mara. Come on," he said with his hands in the air.

"That's not an answer," I shot back at him, way more serious this time.

"Yes it is." He reaches across the table and takes my hand. His fingers are warm. His palm is dry. "I'm not cheating on you, my love,” he said, with that look of sincerity. “I've got too much going on with the company, and it's really working me out. That's all it is, baby."

I look at his hand on mine. I have been with Damian for two years and I know those fingers, I knew how anxious he was when he was lying about something, he normally rubs my arms in circles. He was literally doing that now.

I pull my hand back. "Okay."

"Okay?" he asked, surprised.

"I said okay." I picked up my tray and stood up. "I have class."

"Mara—"

"I'll see you later," I just cut him short and left.

I walked away and I could feel his eyes on my back. When I'm halfway across the cafeteria, I glanced over my shoulder and stared at him.

He was already on his phone.

Dickhead!! I said under my breath as I was already so pissed that I didn't even notice when I bumped into someone.

"Watch it, scholarship kid," the person said with a loud tone.

I didn't even bother to turn around. I knew that voice. It was Chad, the guy that bullies me every little chance he gets. That was something that wasn't even supposed to be possible, since I was with Damien, but Damien never actually cared about my feelings I guess.

"Maybe next time, walk in your own lane," I said, not still looking back.

"Maybe earn your spot," he shot back.

I hear this all the time, but I don't know why this exact time the pain I felt was different.

"What did you say?" I said, as I walked back to him with anger in my eyes.

"You heard me." He said as he crossed his arms. "You only got into Crestwood because you can sprint. Some of us actually deserve to be here."

His friends and those around started laughing so hard, and making jest of me.

Chad stepped closer, his voice dropping. "You don't even know what's coming, do you? Some of us were born into this world. You're just visiting."

I blinked. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

He just smirked. "You'll find out. Or maybe you won't. Either way, it doesn't matter."

For the first time ever, I didn't feel inferior, I just smiled and said.

"You're right, I don't have a trust fund," I started. "But I have something you never will, a future that doesn't depend on Daddy bailing me out. Enjoy being a loser with a nice watch."

The whole hallway went suddenly silent as everyone was shocked I stood up to the famous Chad the Bully.

"That's what I thought. Brat!" I shot back and then turned to leave.

I won't lie I was shocked also at myself cause damn that was so cool.

As I turned the corner, I heard Chad mutter to his friend

"She's not even one of us. Why does she think she belongs here?"

I shouldn't have been able to hear that. I was twenty feet away. The hallway was loud.

But I heard it. Every word.

Must be the echo, I told myself.

I just breathed a sigh of relief though I could still feel the pain in my lower back. It has been going on for weeks and I have wondered what actually caused this.

I rub the spot through my hoodie. There was nothing there, no bruises.

That was so weird.

As I walked away from Chad, I passed the library windows. Lucian Vale was inside, sitting alone at a table, reading something on his laptop. He didn't look up. He never looks up. Cold. Sharp. Like he's already decided everyone around him is boring.

I've never spoken to him. Probably never will.

Kai Thorn was on the quad, holding court as always. A group of guys hanging on his every word. He laughed – loud, warm, impossible to ignore. Someone like him doesn't notice someone like me.

And Ezra Cross... I spotted him leaning against the chapel wall, sketchbook in hand, tattoos peeking out from his collar. Quiet. Watching. When I passed, his eyes followed me for a second. Then he looked away.

Weird. He never looks at anyone.

I shook it off and kept walking.

I got to my room in no time and laid on the bed as I stared at the ceiling.

One Mississippi. Two Mississippi.

I'm counting the cracks. There's one that looks like a lightning bolt. Another like a river.

I was trying to just keep my mind busy, because every time I closed my eyes, I saw Damien's hand rubbing circles on mine.

Liar!

I don't know what he was lying about. But I know that rhythm. I had catalogued it months ago. The thumb circles mean he's hiding something.

I rolled onto my side, and almost immediately the pain was unbearable.

I hissed through my teeth. Press my palm against the spot. The pressure helps. A little.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I pulled up my shirt and tried to rub it. It was smooth, not even a bump.

But it hurts like there's something inside me.

I check my phone. 1:47 AM.

The clinic's closed anyway.

I noticed the moon was almost full, and everywhere was really silent.

I tried to sleep back but then I remembered the curfew. 8 PM on full moons. Stupid rule. What do they think is going to happen? Rabid animals?

I tried to sleep back but I started hearing strange sounds.

Scratch. Scratch.

It was coming from the door.

My first thought was Damien. He's done this before – shown up late, wanting to talk. But he always knocks, or always calls my number.

Whoever was at the door wasn't knocking.

I tiptoe to the door and press my ear against the wood.

Nothing.

I grabbed the doorknob and pulled. The door swung open faster than I meant it to – almost ripped out of my hand.

Whoa.

I caught it before it slammed against the wall. My arm felt... strong. Too strong.

Adrenaline, I told myself. You're just scared.

I then peeped outside.

The hallway is empty, just the fluorescent lights buzz sound filled the hallway.

"Maybe I'm just hearing things." I said as I closed the door and then walked back to my bed.

As I was about to climb my bed, I noticed there was blood on my hands.

From where?

I started to look around, wondering what I must have touched or if I had injured myself but I saw nothing.

Suddenly the pain in my shoulder came back with a full voice.

"Eugh!!" I tried to hold my scream in so I wouldn't wake up my roommates.

I quickly took off my top, put on the light and went to see it in the mirror and I was shocked at what I saw.

Three scratches. Long. Deep. Red.

They ran from the top of my shoulder down toward my collarbone. And I sleep alone.

What is this!!!