Haven

Chapter 8

Emma's POV:

I left after dinner to go home and actually eat. I was starving. My feeding schedule was completely off. We only lived about 15 minutes away from Mila, which made me very happy.

"Hey Lance, hey Elisia! How were both your days?" As I made eye contact with them, they gave me concerned looks. I could feel the concern in my brother.

"Alright, spit it out." My brother spoke up first.

"Em, are you okay?"

"I'm fine; why wouldn't I be?" That's when Elisia chimed in.

"Stop ignoring it. She's your mate!"

"She can't be!" I yelled...

"Em, calm down," Lance said.

"I can't just calm down this is all just confusing... You're only supposed to have one mate."

"I'm the one who can see the future. So you should just listen to me."

"Oh, shut up, Elisia." I scoffed angrily. "I don't want to talk about this right now." I turned to walk out the door, and I just started running. I stopped in a few minutes, realizing where I was... I had gone to Milas. I could smell her. She smelled so f*****g good. I've never wanted someone so bad. Hmmm, she's listening to music. She's so upset and angry.. I'll just calm her down. Once I knew she was asleep, I went up to her balcony and gently picked her up. She's so beautiful. I took out her earphones and tucked her into her bed. She didn't have much in her room. It was so big... but all I saw was a small duffel bag... her and her mom really are running from her father.

Mila woke up gasping for air... I was in the closet peeking through. She was holding her throat and was in so much pain... I could see her nightmare... I hate this man so f*****g much for what he's done to my Mila. She got up and rinsed herself off, trying to wash away the darkness... I immediately had to make her safe. I wanted so badly just to hold her.., but I couldn't. So I just whispered in her head.

"It's okay. You're safe. I won't let anyone hurt you. Mila.. you are so beautiful. Everything will be okay." I could feel her calm down. As she drifted off asleep, I made sure to sit there and control her dreams, so nothing terrible came through... I was going to be her dream catcher...

Before her alarm went off, I ran back to my house. I showered, ate, and changed and drove back to Mila's. I know she didn't sleep well.

"Good morning, Mrs- I mean Anita. May I come in?"

"Of course, dear, come to the kitchen. I've made breakfast."

We made pleasant small talk. She's so sweet. I learned a lot about how her mom immigrated from Cuba to the US.

"Anita. Your mom is so brave as you are. I see where Mila gets it from now."

"Thank you, dear."

"I was just coming by to pick up Mila for school and then go pick up Chloe. I know Mila must still be sore, and she's on pain medication."

"Of course, dear, I'll call up for her to hurry then." She yelled for the love of my-- whoa, there, slow down, Em. As I saw her enter the room, my mood completely changed. I was so eager to see her I couldn't stop smiling. But, as I looked at her black eyes, I felt so bad... I wish I would have been out there to stop the ball. I hate seeing her hurt. It took a little convincing, but she agreed to one day of me taking her to school.

I was off in my own world thinking about Mila. I stayed quiet. Hearing her and Chloe's life made me happy. We pulled up, and of course, Mila dropped her books. She's so cute and clumsy. I hurried over to help her. Of course, she would question how cold my hands are.. now I'm going to have to get my coldness checked out and get that new "medicine." There wasn't really anything wrong with me.. besides the lack of blood and a beating heart. Watching her light up as Chloe called her, her friend was amazing. I wanted to stay and tell her that I was her friend too and that she would never be alone from here on out, but I just continued to walk.

"Okay, Em, what the hell is going on?!"

"What are you talking about?"

"You and Mila. I can see something there; what's up?!"

"Elisia says she's my mate.."

"Wait, but what about-"

"Yeah, I know... I'm so confused.. but the way I'm drawn to her. I have to be next to her. All the time. It's getting harder to stay away from her."

"Why would you stay away from her if she's your mate?"

"Because Chloe... I don't deserve her. I don't want to lose control or hurt her. She's already been through too much, but mostly I feel like I'm betraying Adeline."

"That's bullshit. You deserve love and happiness too. Besides, Adeline would want you to be happy and loved."

"No, Chloe... I don't. I'll see you in second period."

Milas POV:

"Hey, Chloe! Ready for this wonderful class?"

"Oh yeah, AP Calculus.. really just gets my blood pumping!"

"Oh yeah? A real cardiac arithme-tic?" We both laughed at my lame-ass joke.

"Alright, students, quiet down and turn to page 60. Let's begin!"

Class dragged on. Math is so dull, but hey... at least I'll have college credits already. Finally, the bell rang, and I was getting really excited for gym... I know that I'll see her! I forgot long socks today, so I'm glad I don't have to participate in gym.

"Hey, coach, here's my pass."

"Oh yeah, the girl who got blood on my floor. Glad to have you back! Just go sit down on the bleachers."

"Thank you, coach."

I went, and I sat down, still anxious to see Emma. She actually showed up on time today.. and god, she just looks so beautiful. I've never been more attracted to a person ever than I do her. Every time I see her, I just fall deeper into memorization. Her eyes immediately locked on to mine. She smiled and waved. I shyly waved back as I began to blush.

"Hey, you're the new kid, right? Mila, is it?"

"Umm yeah." A dark-haired boy who was tall and muscular.. was just standing in front of me now.

"How's your nose?"

"It's broke, but it's fine. You should see the other guy." He chuckled at my remark.

"Oh, so that's why the ball is flat. That's badass though you took that ball like a champ." He said with a smile on his face, but his eyes showed mischievousness.

"Umm. Thanks," I replied, feeling so awkward.

"Yeah, well, you're pretty hot. Want to-"

"Nah, she's good, Chad keep walking." How the hell did Emma get over to me so fast?!

"I think she can talk for herself, Emma." He said while never taking his eyes off me.

I was anxious about this encounter. I just looked to the ground...

"I think that answers it. She doesn't want you or your tiny ass d**k! Now step." The boy, all of a sudden, became very guarded and mad.

"What the f**k ever you b***h. Like she wants you either." He stormed off at this point. I was relieved I really didn't want to go out with him... and I didn't like the confrontation...

"You didn't have to speak for me!" I said defensively, not letting her know I appreciated it.

"I know. I'm sorry for butting in. I just really hate that guy. He's always trying to sleep with everyone!" I stayed silent as the anger in her voice was almost like a low growl.

"Are you okay?" She immediately stopped staring him down and looked back at me.

"Yes. Are you?" Suddenly her whole demeanor had changed.

"I'm fine. Again I can speak for myself." I said with a little bit more of a snap. She was taken back by this.

"Okay, Mila. I'm going to go run now." She turned and walked away from the bleachers and headed to the gym floor.

After gym, I was still kind of irritated that she just spoke for me. So I didn't say anything to her and Chloe; I just left and was headed to my next class. AP Spanish. Suddenly I felt a hand grab my wrist; it was cold, but I still felt a warmth radiate through my arm... I knew it was Emma. I yanked my wrist away and kept walking. I didn't want to look at her right now.

"Hey, everything okay, Mila?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, Chloe." The teacher walks into the room

"Ah ahh ahh, Only Spanish is allowed in this room!" Mrs. Flores was amazing! She was so fun and energetic, and Chloe is such a liar; she is basically fluent in Spanish!

The bell rang, but I wasn't upset because I couldn't wait for my next class. Photography/journalism! This place was an escape. I can't wait for track and cross country to start in the spring. As soon as I stepped through the door, I just felt relief. Like I could be my authentic self! That's when I noticed her... she was in this class.. what was she doing here.

"Alright, class, we have a new student today, Am-"

"Just Mila, ma'am."

"Ah, okay. Mila Valdez. Ms. Valdez, please make your way to the empty seat by Ms. Ambrogio." I gulped as I nervously made my way towards the empty seat next to her.

"Hey, Mila! Are you still mad at me?"

"Not really anymore. I just want to focus on class, okay?" I turned to face the teacher.

"Alright, class, a big project worth 80% of your grade! As this is photography and journalism. I want you and your partner to research something fictional like a vampire, werewolf, witches, ghouls, and take pictures that you believe represent said fictional character. I will assign the fictional character to each group. Your partner is the person you share a desk with!" I looked over at Emma, and she was smiling.

"Why, hello, partner." Oh god, I'm fucked.. I already like her, and now I have to spend my free time with her...

"Mila and Emma, you have Vampire."

"Okay, Ms. Miller!" She seemed to tense up. I wonder why.

"Alright, class, begin to brainstorm with your partners."

"Alright, so all I know about vampires is Twilight, Vampire Diaries, and Vampire Academy." She lightly chuckled

"Hmm, well, I don't know if Ms. Miller would be okay with just those resources. Maybe we should do some actual research, and then maybe some movie nights along the way." She has this seductive smile as she said that last part.. holy s**t. It's going to be so hard.. to concentrate. I barely choked out.

"S-Sure.." I just started blushing.. and looked away. As I was, I caught a glimpse of a smile dancing on her perfect lips.

The bell rang; time for lunch! She walked me to my locker.

"Do you want to get together this weekend and start our project?" What she just asked me made me really nervous.

"Umm, sure. I'll let my mom know."

"Great, I can't wait." As we started to walk to the cafeteria, she kept walking past.

"Are you not eating with Chloe and me?"

"Umm, no, I'm on a special diet.. for Umm sports season... I have it out in my car." As she hurriedly turned around and walked towards the parking lot...

"Well, okay then.." I muttered to myself

"Hey, Mila! How was 4th?"

"It was just fine. How was it for you?"

"Amazing Latin is such a beautiful language!"

"You're in two different language classes?"

"Of course! It's our senior year! I've got to get as many college credits as I can!" I chucked at that

"Yeah, I don't blame you there! I already got a lot from my old school."

"Oh, I know. The principal was bragging about having you come here. About how your GPA is immaculate!" I laughed. Yeah, I guess it is...

"So question... sorry if this is too personal and you don't have to answer it... but I've noticed how you don't like your true first name-" She stopped herself from finishing because I'm sure she saw me starting to panic.

"Oh, don't worry, I haven't told anyone. Not even Emma, and she's my best friend. It's your name. You get to choose who you want to share it with. I just know because I'm your student aid, I saw your full name, and you do have a perfect transcript!" I slightly smiled, but I was anxious, and then all of a sudden, I was just angry.

"Yeah, I don't want to talk about it." I spit out...

"oh, I'm sorry if I upset you."

"No... it's not you... I have to go. I'll see you later.." I hurriedly got up for the table and walked out.

I wasn't paying attention, and then bam. I smacked into a solid figure. It was the same guy from gym class.

"Oh, I'm so sorry..." oh no... Chad.

"Trying to "hit" on me now, Mila?" He said cockily.

"No.." I stammered.. he started closing the distance between us, causing me to back against a locker. His face was inches from mine. I was beginning to panic...

"I know you want me, Mila... just let me have a taste." I tried turning my face, but he grabbed my face hard and shifted it back to his gaze, and right when I thought he was about to kiss me, he was off of me, and I hurt a loud slam and a pain-filled grunt...