Cursed by Fate (COMPLETE)

Chapter Four

The nightmares continued as I struggled to sleep that night. The images of my friends bodies lying bloody and lifeless among a sea of others, seared into my memory. My throat hurt from screaming and my muscles ached as I got up and got ready for class. It was a slow going process with my lack of sleep. It took even longer to make the blue black bags under my eyes look less like I’d been punched in the face and more like I was just tired. 

I was nervous to go to class this morning. Now knowing all of the guys from the photos were in my class I was hesitant to even add them to my collection. But they were good, there was no doubt about that, and I would be a fool not to add them. It showed all four of their happiness, their comradery. It showed their relationship in what seemed to be its rawest form. Something I got the feeling most people never got to see. 

So when I got to my first class, the art of photography, I was nothing but a ball of nerves. This class was meant to help us find the best positions and forms in which to take a picture. I already knew a lot about this from my own research but learning from an expert personally would be fun. 

“You must be Miss. Legend.” The teacher, Mr. Baxter said with a smile. 

I nodded, clutching my portfolio to my chest. Were all the men in this town unnaturally good looking? He had short wavy red hair, freckles scattered across his nose and cheeks as dimples formed beneath them as he smiled. His forest green eye sparkled as he looked at me. 

“Yes, I am.” 

“And I am assuming this is your portfolio you’ll be showing today?” He asked, a hint of excitement in his tone. 

“Uh, yes. Some of them are actually pictures I’ve taken since I’ve been here. I admit I captured some of the people from town in a few of them, but I thought they would be a great start to the year.” 

“Alright. If you’ll just take your seat we are only waiting on five more students to arrive.” 

My eyes widened as I walked to my seat. Six people. There were only six people in the photography course. Why were they so strict about who got in? And what made them choose me? I was beginning to question my place here. Maybe I could just go somewhere else, somewhere that had more students. But then again the fewer the people the more one on one help I could get if I needed it. Not that I saw myself needing much help.

I decided to sit in the back of the class, as far away from the others as I could. I had already met Darla and Elias, but the triplets were another story. Sure they looked easy going and smiley in the photos but that didn’t mean that was how they really were. They could be total douchebags like Elias. 

I snickered at the thought. Elias was far from a douchebag. He was more of an asshole. A stuck up entitled asshole. I flipped through my portfolio as we waited on the rest of the class to get here. I loved how the photos turned out, they had to be some of my best works yet. I smiled down at the images, I was proud of them. 

When I looked up from my book I noticed it was already nine thirty. Class was supposed to start half an hour ago. Where was everybody? I cast my eyes over to Mr. Baxter was leaning back in his chair, scrolling through his phone. He didn’t seem too worried about the class being late but I was. I came here, I paid tuition to learn and get my degree in photography. Not to sit here and waste time waiting on a few entitled idiots who thought the world revolved around them. 

“Where is everyone?” I finally spoke up, silently seething.

Mr.Baxter looked up to me with a furrowed brow as if he had forgotten I was here. “Oh, they run on their own schedule.” He told me with a shrug. 

Anger coiled in my veins as I stood from my seat. “Well I work on a schedule.” I grit out. “I made it into this university, I paid the entire year's tuition in advance. I will not wait on a few rich entitled snobs who think the world revolves around them.”

Mr.Baxter’s brows shot into his hairline while a smirk playing on his lips. “You are right Miss. Legend. The world does not revolve around them. But unfortunately the town does.” 

I growled. “But my education does not. If they want to waste their time and squander their education then fine. But I refuse to. Now can we please either call them here or begin without them?” 

Mr.Baxter chuckled as he pulled his phone out put it to his ear. He spoke to whoever was on the other side, I couldn’t hear his conversation and I didn’t care to. I just wanted this class and this year to be over already. After just this one class I was positive I would not be back next year, not if this was how every class was going to be. 

Not ten minutes after Mr.Baxter got off the phone five grumpy and ruffled looking people slunk through the door. They were asleep? They had class and they were asleep? They should have made their class later if they didn’t want to get up so early. 

I was seething as I watched them sulk into their seats, all of them crossing their arms over their chests and mumbling under their breath. I just shook my head. These people were unbelievable, they were totally spoilt. 

“Now that everyone is here we can start.” Mr.Baxter said, amusement dancing in his eyes as he looked to the six very agitated students in front of him. “Who wants to show their work first?” He asked, his eyes scanning over the small group. “Ah, Miss. James. Why don’t you grace us with your work first?”

Darla huffed as she stood and walked to the front of the room, her portfolio in hand. As she showed her work one at a time to us I noticed that she really didn’t have any talent at all. Her shots were blurry and unfocused. They were all either too close or too far away making the photo look off balance. How did she get into this class again? 

Next was one of the triplets, Leo, Mr.Baxter called him. His photos seemed to focus on animals. Capturing good photos of wild animals was hard, I knew that from experience. Back home I saw a wolf I was dying to get a picture of. And I did, I was patient and waited for the animal to stop, and when he did he looked straight at me stealing my breath with its piercing blue eyes. I had almost froze to death in the snow to  the photo, I actually had that photo with me today. 

The rest of the class went one by on leaving me for last. I didn’t say anything as I made my way to the front of the room. All gazes landed on me and I took a deep calming breath to help ease my nerves. 

“Okay so I’m going to start with a few I took back home.” I started. First I pulled out a picture of an ancient oak tree that sat in the middle of town. People always gathered around the tree when we had our annual bbq’s. 

Next was our town fair. I edited all the people out leaving nothing but the bright lights of the carnival rides and the large full red moon in the background with stars shining around it. Last was my favorite. It was in the forest, snow covered the ground and was still falling. A large black wolf stood tall and proud among the trees, its piercing blue eyes looked back at the camera as if it was looking into your soul. 

“Now I took a few here last night. They actually have you guys in some.” I said pointing to the guys. They each raised a brow as they straightened in their seats. One by one I showed the photos I took last night. The moon helped brighten the photos as the guys laughed under the neon sign of the dive. 

“Your photos are amazing.” Mr.Baxter said walking up to me and flipping through them again. “You make it look like the photo has come alive. I can almost hear the laughter of the boys through your pictures. You are very talented Miss. Legend.” He praised. 

“Thank you.” I said smiling. I grabbed my portfolio and headed back to my seat, my chest swelling with his words of praise. I knew my photos were good, but hearing it from a professional made my heart soar. 

After class was dismissed, I hugged my portfolio to my chest and walked out the door. The campus was filled with students, making me wonder once again what was going on with the photography course. Everything seemed so normal other than that one thing. Maybe I was just projecting my fears onto my class, or seeing something when nothing was there. It wouldn’t surprise me after what I’d been through. 

I was knocked harshly out of my thoughts as I ran into something sending my portfolio and books scattering. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.” I said leaning over to gather my things. “Don’t worry, it’s no problem.” An unusually kind voice replied. 

I stood and looked at the guy before me. He was cute, he still had those boyish features somehow making him look innocent and unaware. He had short brown hair and stunning hazel eyes. He was lean, but looked to be an athlete of some kind, and wasn’t much taller than I was. 

I smiled. “I’m Nicole.” I said, extending my hand. He chuckled but took my hand shaking it gently. “I’m Ryan. You must be new here.” I leaned my head back and groaned. “Why do people keep saying that?” I whined. “This is college. Surely I am not the only new face that has ever been here.” Ryan rubbed the back of his neck nervously looking anywhere but at me. 

“Please tell me I am not the only new face around here.” I pleaded. 

“Well, we usually don’t accept outsiders here.” He admitted. “Normally only people within the town, or even the county come here. And the county is only because we are familiar with each town.” 

“So why me? Why allow me here?” I asked, sweeping passed him, a sudden ball of nerves tangling uncomfortably in my belly. I was starting to get major killer town vibes from this place. They’ve never allowed outsiders until me, not even once. And yet something made me special to them, something with me stood out. And I was starting to think that wasn’t a good thing. 

“I honestly don’t know.” Ryan said jogging to catch up to me. 

“Yeah, well I’m starting to think I should leave. Screw the photography program, I can go to college somewhere else. Something is off about this place and I don’t like it. No offense.” Ryan just shrugged, but his lips were pressed into a thin line and worry creased his forehead. 

I furrowed my brow at him. “Okay, well. I’m gonna go now.” I said and took off at a fast jog. Something was definitely off. Maybe I should call Adam and have him do some research on the town. It would help calm my nerves, especially after the ordeal at my old school. 

Grabbing a coffee from the cafeteria I headed to the administration office. I fully intended to let them know I would be out of class for a little while and would continue to complete my courses online until further notice. I gave no excuse when they asked me why, just telling them personal reasons and leaving it at that. I had no intention of coming back to class until I knew what the hell was going on in this town.