The Lost Queen

Chapter 1. Old but new experience

Kayla

Few days passed after my night walk in the woods. Right after I made my peace wolf disappeared and it looked like it wasn’t there at all. When I returned home my whole body was numb and I was shaking. I knocked at the door and when my foster parents opened it, they were furious. They understood that my prescriptions weren’t sufficient for me anymore. Ruth, my foster mother, shouted at me like I had intentionally taken a stroll in the middle of the night. She dragged me inside the house, crushing my wrist sturdier than it was necessary and all I could do was whine. Ruth shoved me to my bedroom and looked the door. Fresh tears welled in my eyes while I sat on my bed waiting for the dawn.

Today is my first day at the new school. I sat in a bus stop with my gross school uniform and couldn’t stop frowning. I felt drowsy from medication because after the night walk incident Ruth went to psychiatrist and swapped it with the new ones. I was waiting for my 18th birthday which will be in a few months, then she won’t be able to harm me anymore and I will have a chance to decide by myself. Obviously only after I move out from that wretched house which I must call home.

When bus finally came, I sat in the front seat and looked through the window. I heard shouts in the back but was too scared to turn around. I’m new here. I need to lay low and wait till my graduation, so I could leave everything behind me. I need to survive only half a year in a new school, pass my exams and get a diploma. And when I reach that, I will think of something else.

“Are you a new girl in school? I didn’t see you before.” I turned around so swiftly only to catch a glimpse of a girl sitting behind me. She was gorgeous. Her blonde hair was curly and long enough to reach her shoulders, blue, kind of icy eyes stared at me in a questioning look, while I sat there, totally engrossed in her cold glance and solid smile. When she raised her eyebrows, I snapped from whatever trance I was in.

“Yes. Yes, it’s my first day.” I said embarrassed and turned my head to the window. I could already see school building standing proudly in the distance. It was a huge and creamy white building with few smaller ones around it. I was anxious to relive first day experience, it’s the fifth time already throughout my whole childhood.

“I’m Josephine by the way.” Soft voice made my breath hitch inside my throat. I looked once more into blueish gaze and smiled weakly.

“Kayla.” Answered more out of courtesy than from wanting to establish a friendship. Josephine flashed me a genuine smile and I felt lost because first time she smiled looked forced and now…

“I hope you will like it. My dad is the headmaster of the school, so if you have any questions, you can always ask me.”

I nodded my head ant turned in my seat. Now I get it. She was talking with me only out of pity. I should have known this. This conversation was worthless, and I didn’t need pity from anyone. I had more than enough of it through all the moving around the country.

When I got off the bus, I saw Josephine running away with her friends and I rolled my eyes. Grabbed the straps of my backpack for reassurance and made my way to the scary and lifeless school building. Students with brownish uniforms were stalking all over the place and it was so many of them, I couldn’t stop looking around. Every gaze that I had noticed felt like a cold-water droplet running down my spine. Chilly sweat welled on my forehead, and I wanted to run, maybe even find the same wolf and let him eat me.

“Aren’t you a pretty little thing?”

Frightened I stepped back and looked in front of me. Huge and burly guy stood proudly, and I felt my eyes getting bigger and bigger. He was tall. I had to raise my head up to find black eyes staring at me. The look was menacing and smile way too cheeky. I tried to ignore him and walk around, but he stepped to the side blocking my way again. I sighed and looked one more time into those devious eyes.

“Can I get passed you? I need to get my schedule and find my locker.” I blurted out and felt awkward.

“You are new here, right? I’m sure I would remember you.” Smugly smile appeared on guys face. I looked at his short hair, black as raven feathers, scanned his muscular body and school uniform. I could see black ink under his shirt, but it was impossible to understand what it was. When I lifted my gaze up, found even cheekier smile than before and I rolled my eyes.

“Yes. It’s my first day. Now let me pass and forget we even met.” I said a bit annoyed.

“Feisty one.”

His remark followed me until I reached administration office and slipped inside. Young woman was sitting in front of me and her table was full of papers and other stuff. As I looked around, saw Josephine standing in different office and talking with a light-haired man. I assumed it’s her father and after a minute his eyes shifted to me making me flinch. Turning my face quickly I focused on the woman in front of me.

“Good morning. My name is Kayla Barnet and it’s my first day today. I came to get my schedule.”

“Oh sure, Kayla. I just printed it out. Welcome to River high, I hope you will feel comfortable in here.” Woman handed me a sheet of paper and I smiled gratefully. I didn’t have time to thank when Josephine appeared out of nowhere and smiled widely.

“Hi again! Are you ready for a tour?”

“I don’t need one, but thanks.” I said turning around and left her standing alone in the office. Landed my eyes on the paper in my hands, found my locker number ant started strolling through the bustling hallway. I tried to ignore annoying glances but after a few minutes it became unbearable, and I started staring back. They lowered their heads and for a moment it was hilarious.

When I reached my first class, I was five minutes late. Softly knocked on the door and everything inside went silent. I tried to be brave enough to go inside but for a few moments I let myself breathe. I was a nervous wreck when I entered the classroom and saw that it was full.

“I’m sorry, I’m late. It’s my first day and I had troubles finding the right classroom.” I said quietly looking at the teacher in front of me. He was tall and a little chubby. Round glasses muffled his green eyes, but the glance was sharp enough to feel embarrassed.

“What’s your name miss?”

“I’m Kayla. Kayla Barnet” I answered a little baffled. I turned to the sitting students and caught a glimpse of those black eyes that taunted me in a corridor fifteen minutes ago. Also, Josephine with annoyed look on her face was sitting in first row of the classroom. Apparently, she wasn’t used to hearing “no”. Finally, I spotted a free desk in the back and looked over the shoulder to a teacher who nodded at me.

I failed my first impression already, so what else could go wrong today?