Shadow Seeker

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

I woke up to my alarm going off playing hotel california. I reached for my phone and pressed every button to shut it off, but knowing better than to roll over and go back to bed, I sat up and kept my eyes closed. I still felt gross from everything that happened last night and I was still sticky from dried sweat. I forced my eyes open and headed to the shower. After a few minutes of hot water running over my hair and body I opened my eyes. I was embarrassed to admit that since I opened my eyes, the only thing that was on my mind was the mysterious man who had made me come harder than I had ever come in my life, even if it was only a dream.

I got out of the shower, careful not to get my eyelashes wet. God forbid they fall out sooner than the 2 week appointment. I could hear my mother now in her condescending tone about how I don't take care of myself. I wanted to avoid that conversation completely. Once I was dressed in my uniform for NY Charter, I made sure my hair was perfectly dried and curled the way my mother likes it. Then with a tiny bit of blush I grabbed my backpack and shoes, and headed out my bedroom door.

I walked down to the dining room where my mother would be sitting with my father, but on opposite sides of the table from each other. My father was reading the newspaper, and my mother was skimming through her phone, no doubt on social media looking to see what people are saying about us. Neither of them looked up as I took my seat. Miss Lopez came out soon after with my breakfast. “Don’t forget to hand in your essay for literature this morning.” My mother said, not looking up from her phone. “Yes Mother.” I replied, taking a bite of my fruit and yogurt.

“Oh, and be sure to be on time, you don’t want to mess up your perfect attendance.” She said. “Yes mother.” I replied, taking another bite or two. “And Ivy Ann.” She said, locking eyes with me finally. “Straighten your collar, it’s crooked.” She said, then she looked back down at her phone. I hid the cringe that wanted to appear at the sound of her condescending voice, but I did as I was told. “Yes mother.” I said. I was just about to take a bite of the toast that was on my plate when my mother suddenly snapped her gaze to my plate. “Do not eat that, you need to watch your carbs.” My mother snapped, causing me to drop the toast immediately. “Yes, mother.” I said, and I finished my breakfast minus the toast, then stood to leave. I half expected one of them to say something to me, but neither did thankfully.

I headed out of the dining room, ensuring to take the appropriate amount of steps and speed in case either of them were watching me. Once I knew I was out of eye shot I slumped my shoulders and didn't care how many damn steps I took. I headed to the garage and looked straight at my Yamaha… Oh how I wished I had the balls to just get on it and drive it to school. f**k my parents and my image… But I couldn’t do that. I had been groomed my whole life that image is everything, literally everything. My father would always say image could make or break your career, and I never wanted to be the one to break anything of theirs. Can you imagine the blowback from that? I shuddered at the thought and Instead I got in my black convertible Cadillac CTS, and headed to school.

My mind instantly went back to my dream while I drove. It was really affecting me, a lot more than I wanted to admit. I kept imagining the feel of his lips on mine, the taste of his tongue. The way his fingers knew exactly where they needed to go, and the mind shatterin… “Son of a b***h!” I cried, as I slammed on my brakes. I kept my cool though. With a convertible, unfortunately everyone could hear me cursing them out, so I tried to refrain. No idea why the guy in front of me slammed his brakes, but I'm lucky I didn't slam into him. “Get your s**t together, Ivy.” I scolded myself, pushing my rose gold pair of sunglasses back up on my face.

I made it to school somehow in one piece, luckily. Time to put on a show. I left my sunglasses in the car, no one would dare to touch my things, lest they be on my family's bad side. Instantly the boy I was never interested in, but my father had other plans for us apparently, scooped me up into his arms. “Hey sexy lady, damn look at you today.” He growled into my ear, quiet enough so only I could hear him.

I smiled but then felt guilty because his touch was different… Different from… “We need to get to class.” I said, pushing out of his arms. “I know, I know.” Terrance grumbled, but he followed me nonetheless. I kept my head held high, and watched my steps with squared shoulders and a straight back. It was time to be the Governor's daughter, and not Ivy. I put on the mask, smiling and entertaining my circle of friends. I guess you could call them that. They were my friends, sure, but only because of my father.

They were the elite of this town’s offspring, as was I. I suppose birds of a feather my father liked to call us. The thing is, I think that every single one of them was actually that person all the time. Where I… No, I was a very different girl deep down. I dreamed of the day that I could just defy my parents and dye my hair f*****g hot pink and show up to school on my hot pink Yamaha wearing leather pants and riding boots and just completely f**k s**t up. It was a thought that would always remain just that, a thought. “Ivy, you seem distracted today. Whatever is the matter?” Chelsea asked me when I had apparently zoned out for the 4th time during lunch.

I blinked and shook my dream from my mind again, turning my gaze to Chelsea. “I’m sorry, I had a very sleepless night. I’m just tired.” I lied. “Oh girl I completely understand that.” Chelsea started to say, but I was already zoned back out before she could finish. I was going completely insane, and images of the nameless man from my dreams kept flashing into my mind. I suddenly got up, startling my friends. “I’m going to run to the restroom and I need to make a private phone call. I’ll see you guys in class.” I lied again, before heading off towards the bathroom.

I wasn’t actually going into the bathroom. In fact I wasn’t sure where I was going. I couldn’t ditch school, but I wanted to so badly. My mind was a f*****g wreck right now and I needed time to clear it. I swear I was watching where I was walking but apparently I was f*****g daydreaming again because I slammed into something hard causing me to almost stumble back and fall, until I felt a pair of hands on my upper arms. “How dare you…” I started to growl until I looked up at who I had run into. My eyes met with Xavier’s neon green orbs. He instantly removed his hands, throwing them up in defeat.

Xavier Church, he was the son of the catholic pastor. He didn’t act like it though. He rode a black bullet bike, with orange accents to school everyday. I never bothered to get close enough to see what brand it was though. Not that I could possibly be caught dead speaking to him, let alone looking at his bike. His hair was black and unruly, falling in his face often. Along with his neon eyes he had a chiseled jawline and perfectly symmetrical features. He wore black eyeliner which for some reason worked on him. He looked like a fallen angel with his leather jacket, black pants, biker boots and chains. It always made me wonder how he got out of the uniform regulations.

But to be honest, I had secretly thought about him a little more than I would ever actually admit. Imagine the look on my mothers face if I brought him home for dinner. I scoffed at the thought and then snapped back to reality. “Hey doll, you can run into me anytime.” He purred, causing my cheeks to turn bright red instantly. I was used to his comments, he always cat called me but only in private. Never in front of anyone, luckily. “Xavier.” I said plainly, and then stepped past him and kept walking. I took a breath in trying to calm my discombobulated mind. Maybe I would go to the bathroom after all.

As soon as I got into the stall I threw up the contents of my stomach. Then I leaned against the side of the stall, uncaring that the floor was dirty as f**k, and tried to just breathe. What in the f**k was going on with me? This can’t all be because of a stupid f*****g dream, can it? I stayed there for a bit longer until the queasy feeling had left my stomach before getting up and brushing my teeth in the sink. I cursed my mother on all occasions, but this was the one time I was grateful she forced me to carry a toothbrush everywhere I went. I looked up at myself in the mirror, locking eyes with myself. “Get your f*****g s**t together, Ivy.” I scolded myself once again before putting on the mask of indifference, and heading out the door and back to my friend group since lunch wasn’t quite yet over.

I passed Xavier again as I made my journey back but I didn’t look over. He whistled but I ignored it. I hid the small smile that threatened to play on my face. He was dangerous, unknown, the bad boy. The boy my parents warned me about, and he was exactly what I thought I wanted, but knew I would never have. “Did you finish your phone call?” Chelsea asked. I nodded “I did, thank you.” And sat back down at the table with my back to Xavier and his group. Just then I heard the unmistakable rev of a Yamaha R1 and my breath hitched in my chest.