"Hello."
At the beginning of Indianna's second class of the day, Ace, Greyson's friend, sat in the seat next to her as she reached into her bag for her notebook. Indianna quickly sat up and looked at Ace with wary eyes.
"Please don't be silent around me," Ace said with a soft chuckle. "I know you talk to Greyson, and I am a lot nicer than Greyson."
But you can't talk to me in your head, Indianna thought.
She was a shy person, but she wasn't with Greyson, and it was confusing her. Was it because he made her angry? Was it because he could get inside her head? Or was there just something about him that made her not feel like the shy girl she had been for so many years?
"Indianna?"
Indianna forced a nervous smile, hoping it didn't look too fake. "Yes?"
Ace grinned, glad that she wasn't shutting him down. "How are you finding it here so far?"
Indianna paused for a moment, pondering her answer.
"Invasive."
Ace raised his eyebrows and nodded knowingly. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely and continued talking when it was clear that Indianna wasn't going to say anything else. "Greyson mentioned that you weren't feeling too well. I hope you're feeling better now?"
"I'm fine," she said.
Her voice was quiet. She was lying. She was starting to feel nauseous again, and there was a constant ache in the back of her head. It wasn't the feeling of Greyson pushing his way into her mind.
"Are you sure?" Ace asked.
He sounded genuinely concerned, and Indianna frowned at him, scrunching her eyes as she studied his expression. He seemed honest and kind.
But he was friends with Greyson.
"Do you know?" Indianna asked suddenly.
Asking the question made butterflies form in the pit of her stomach. She wasn't sure if she wanted to know the answer.
Ace raised a brown, bushy eyebrow curiously. "Know what?"
"About..." Indianna paused, her voice going even quieter. "Greyson. In my head?"
"Ah." Ace swallowed, his eyes flickering away from her awkwardly. "That. Yes, I am aware of that, Indianna."
"Right."
"I hope that's okay?"
"Nothing about any of this is okay," Indianna said truthfully.
"I promise that it will make sense," Ace said reassuringly. "In time."
"Can you tell me how it's possible?" Indianna asked, her eyes darting to Ace's as she bit the end of her pen anxiously.
"I'm really sorry, but I can't."
"Why?"
"Greyson's orders," Ace said simply. "I'm sorry, Indianna. I wish I could put you at ease somehow."
"Greyson's orders?" Indianna repeated. "Orders?"
"I know you must have plenty of questions, and I promise you will get answers eventually. Greyson will tell you when the time is right."
"Eventually?" Indianna echoed. "He said some very strange things to my mother. I want to know what is going on. Now."
"What did he say?"
"I'm surprised you don't know. Greyson seems to know more about me than I do."
"All of this will be explained. At the right time."
Indianna sighed and rubbed her eyes tiredly. She took a deep breath and tried to push down the anger that was forming within her.
She looked away from Ace and down at her notebook, praying that he would get the hint that she was done talking. If she continued, she wasn't sure if she would be able to remain calm.
"Indianna, please. I would really like to get to know you. I'm sorry if everything seems very confusing right now—"
"Can you give me answers?"
When Ace didn't reply, Indianna nodded and didn't look up at him for the rest of the class.
He may have been nicer than Greyson, but the fact that he knew things about her that she didn't made her very uncomfortable. She disliked talking to strangers, especially when they knew more about her than she did.
She was perfectly happy with the silence between them, and that was how they spent the rest of the lesson.
During lunch, Indianna returned to the library. She left her lunch in her locker, refusing to collect it as there was a risk that she would bump into Greyson.
She kept her head down as she navigated the crowds of students and made her way to the quiet library, but it felt as if everyone knew who Indianna was, much to her annoyance.
She felt many judgemental stares and heard whispers from the girls, and the boys' eyes followed her down the hallway. No one, however, approached her.
Indianna came to the realisation that she probably had Greyson to thank for that, as he had punched the previous person who had spoken to her.
The doors to the library were in sight when Brooklyn turned the corner, her eyes brightening when she spotted Indianna.
"Indie, hi! I've not seen you all morning! How are you? Did you want to join us in the canteen?"
Indianna had to take a moment to adjust to Brooklyn's loud persona. The two girls were very different.
"Oh, no, thank you. I have... homework."
Brooklyn frowned, her mouth turning into a slight pout. "You said that the other day. Most teachers aren't even setting homework yet. Are you... Are you trying to avoid me?"
"N-no!" Indianna said, feeling guilty at the sight of Brooklyn's saddened expression. "No... Not you. Me and people don't mix. I'm sorry."
"I understand that, sweet," Brooklyn said with a small smile. "But it's always good to try and get to know people. You'll feel more comfortable. Besides, the canteen is much more entertaining than the library. You must get awfully bored there. It's so dull!"
"It's peaceful," Indianna murmured. "I like it."
"Okay," Brooklyn gave in.
Indianna's reluctance was obvious, and she didn't want to force her.
"But do you promise to let me introduce you to my friends soon?"
"Er..."
"Please?" Brooklyn pleaded, crossing her fingers. "They're all friendly! Nothing like Greyson, I promise! They hate Greyson. It's a no-Greyson zone, pinky promise!"
Indianna sighed, slowly nodding. "Okay."
Brooklyn let out a small squeal. "You won't regret it! Anyway, I have to run! I told Harry I would meet him ten minutes ago, and that boy has the patience of a two-year-old. I'll see you later!"
Indianna didn't even get the chance to say goodbye before Brooklyn was walking away from her.
Now the path was clear, so Indianna made her way into the library and sat down at an empty table near the back.
Alone.
"You really aren't a people person, are you?"
Indianna jumped when Cassie, the brown-haired girl she had bumped into earlier that day, sat down opposite her.
"Sorry?" Indianna said.
"You're new, and you turned down the invitation to sit with one of the most popular girls in school. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I overheard you talking to Brooke. You must really dislike people to turn her down. She's actually very nice, which is surprising considering who her boyfriend is. Why didn't you want to join her?"
"I'm better off alone," Indianna said.
"I understand. I'm a lone wolf myself," Cassie smiled. "I have to ask, though, how did you manage to get Greyson interested in you?"
Colour flooded Indianna's cheeks, and her mouth dropped open.
"What? No! He's... No!"
"Oh, come on!" Cassie laughed. "Greyson doesn't talk to any girls. He only uses them for sex. Never has he ever had an emotional connection with a girl. The only girl you ever see him having an actual conversation with is Brooke."
Indianna blinked. "Did you say sex?"
"It's no secret that Greyson treats girls like shit," Cassie said. "But to actually show real interest in a girl is unheard of for him."
"He's not showing interest in me," Indianna denied.
So, what is it that I am doing then, sugar?
Indianna nearly let out a cry of fright. She hadn't realised that Greyson was in her head.
Cassie smirked. "If you say so."
"So..." Indianna was curious. "He sleeps around a lot, then?"
Cassie gave Indianna a look. "Um... Sorry to break it to you, but yes."
This girl needs to shut up.
Indianna didn't know what compelled her to ask Greyson.
So, is it true?
"I don't want his attention," Indianna told Cassie honestly. "I want him to leave me alone."
Take the hint, Greyson.
I'm not going to.
"That's a first. Girls would throw themselves at him, even though they know they're going to get hurt."
Why are you talking to this nerd, sugar?
Leave me alone.
She's a freak. You shouldn't associate with the likes of her.
And I should associate with the likes of you?
Yes.
Piss off, Greyson.
Ouch. That was rude.
So was calling Cassie a freak.
Indianna focused her attention back on Cassie.
"I'm not good with people," she said. "Especially people like Greyson."
"I totally agree. I'm one of the few girls in this town who wouldn't go near him or any of his friends with a ten-foot pole."
Indianna couldn't help but laugh at this.
I really dislike her.
Indianna rubbed her head and tried to focus on Cassie, who raised her eyebrows at her.
"Sorry, I've got a headache."
Greyson laughed in her head.
I'm flattered, sugar.
"So, there's nothing going on between you and Greyson? At all?" Cassie wondered.
Indianna shook her head. "No. He's an ass."
Cassie laughed loudly, grinning sheepishly at the librarian, who glared at her.
"He really is. From what I've seen, Ace is nice. Kal is very sarcastic and winds all the teachers up at any chance he gets, and Harry is the scary, quiet, mysterious dude who is only ever seen talking to Brooke. They actually seem to argue quite a lot."
Yeah, it's fucking annoying, Greyson muttered.
"But they do seem happy together," Cassie finished and dug around in her bag, pulling out a pile of books. "Sorry, I have some notes I need to finish. Do you mind?"
Indianna shook her head and thought through all the information that Cassie had just told her. She didn't have long to think before Greyson spoke again.
You should join us in the canteen, sugar. I want you to come.
Indianna rolled her eyes.
I want you to give me some answers, but it seems that we don't always get what we want.
Ah, but that's where you're wrong. I get what I want, Indie.
Prepare to be disappointed.
I won't be. I always get what I want.
If only I could be so lucky.
Join us. Talk to people. Make some friends.
No.
Sugar, in case you have forgotten, I have a lovely little trick where I can make you feel extreme pain. Come to the canteen, and you won't have to worry about that happening.
You're blackmailing me?
Hmm, it seems like I am. I'm not quite sure how it works, but I'm sure if I get angry enough, the pain will happen.
You're evil! Indianna snapped in her head. That's abuse, Greyson! It's sick!
I don't want to hurt you, sugar—
Then don't!
Indianna wanted to yell. She wanted to scream. She hated how Greyson had easy access to her. She hated how he had control over her.
You haven't got to hurt me to get what you want! Greyson, you're scaring me!
There was a silence. Greyson was debating his options.
Indianna could tell that Greyson was somebody who never took no for an answer. He was used to people doing as he said, but the last thing Indianna wanted was to give in to him, especially if he hurt her on purpose.
If you start hurting people to get what you want, that is going to lead to a very dark place, Greyson.
Indianna let out a sigh of relief when the bell rang, signalling the end of lunch. She gathered her bag and stood, waiting for Greyson to say something.
Saved by the bell, sugar.
"Indianna!"
Brooklyn spotted Indianna as she walked into the girls' changing rooms after lunch.
"Over here!"
Indianna looked at Brooklyn and at the three girls next to her, laughing and chatting with each other. She took a deep breath and approached them, forcing herself to smile.
"Hello."
"Girls, this is Indianna. The new girl!"
A tall girl with short brown hair looked Indianna up and down with a cheeky grin.
"Oh, we know," she said with a wink. "Greyson seems to have taken an interest in you."
Indianna felt her cheeks flush. "N-no. He—"
"I'm teasing," the girl laughed. "Kind of. I'm Sasha. I apologise that Brooke has gotten her claws into you. There's no escaping her now."
Brooklyn's mouth dropped open, and Sasha grinned at her.
"You made friends with me, remember?"
"And we don't regret it for a second," Sasha said with a smile.
"Okay, okay, enough about you," another girl interjected.
She had a mass of curly ginger hair and was smiling brightly, showing off the dimples on her freckled cheeks.
"I'm Alice, and I'm everyone's favourite."
Sasha scoffed.
Alice narrowed her eyes at the brown-haired girl. "I am. It's the truth."
"Alice is Kal's sister," Brooklyn told Indianna.
"Oh, yeah. If you have any problems with that idiot, then please do not come to me," Alice said. "I want nothing to do with that buffoon."
Indianna raised her eyebrows.
"I'm joking. Well, I'm not. I want nothing to do with him, but if he gives you any hassle, then I'll sort him out."
Indianna nodded slowly. "Okay."
"It's wise not to pay attention to what Alice says," the final girl said in a gentle voice, earning a glare and a pout from Alice.
She was petite and had long dark hair that almost looked blue.
"I'm Violet. It's lovely to meet you."
"Hi," Indianna said quietly, looking between the three new girls.
"Indianna clearly is going to take some time to warm up to us," Brooklyn said. "I promise you we're all friendly, and we try to avoid Harry and Greyson like the plague."
Sasha, Alice and Violet all shared a look and chuckled amongst themselves.
Brooklyn looked at her friends and rolled her eyes.
"Oh, shut up," she grumbled and turned to Indianna. "Do you have a gym kit?"
Indianna shook her head.
"No worries, I have a spare. You can borrow mine until you get your own."
"Thank you."
Brooklyn reached into her bag and pulled out a gym kit. She looked down at Indianna and bit her lip, her eyebrows furrowing.
"Sorry, it might be slightly too big for you."
Brooklyn was a petite girl but had gorgeous curves and a plump bust. Indianna, however, was on the slimmer side, with long, skinny legs and a thin bone structure.
"It's fine, thank you, Brooke."
Indianna was given a pair of spare trainers from Sasha, and she changed into the gym kit: red shorts and a white T-shirt embellished with the school's logo.
The shorts were loose on Indianna's thighs and hips, but she pulled the drawstring tight, and they stayed up.
Brooklyn turned to talk to Indianna as she was pulling the T-shirt over her head, and Brooklyn gasped, spotting a distinct scar on Indianna's stomach a few inches above her hip.
"Oh my," Brooklyn whispered.
Indianna hurried to pull the T-shirt down, looking at Brooklyn with wide eyes when she spotted the scar on Indianna's wrist.
"It's the same as your wrist."
"It's nothing," Indianna mumbled, rubbing her wrist with her hand. "It happened when I was younger."
"That's why you don't like the word bite," Brooklyn said softly, making the assumption.
Indianna looked away and reached down to pull on her pair of borrowed trainers.
"I'm sorry," Brooklyn apologised.
"It's fine," Indianna muttered. "I'd just rather not discuss it."
Brooklyn nodded in understanding.
"Of course, of course. I'll shut up. Never be afraid of telling me to be quiet. I can ramble at times. Well, that's what everyone else says. I personally don't think I do."
Indianna found herself smiling at Brooklyn, who smiled brightly back.
"Thank you."
"Are you girls ready?" Sasha called. "Gym starts in a minute. Let's get going."
Indianna was sitting between Brooklyn and Violet on a bench in the gym hall, with Sasha and Alice on the floor in front of them.
Indianna was beginning to realise that the teachers at this school rarely turned up on time.
"So, Indianna," Sasha said.
Indianna internally groaned when the group's attention turned to her.
"What have you done to get on Greyson's radar?"
Indianna paled. "I... Nothing!"
"You're going to give us another reason to have to interact with them, aren't you?" Sasha said with a groan. "First it was Alice with her brother, then Brooklyn with Harry, and now you with Greyson."
"Um... No. That's not—no."
"You don't talk to Harry," Brooklyn said to Sasha. "None of you do."
"Because he's terrifying, and he still holds a grudge against me!"
Indianna was curious and asked, "Grudge?"
"I may have crashed my car with Brooke in it, and she may have ended up in hospital because of it," Sasha said quickly, her eyes flashing with guilt. "It's all in the past, unless you're Harry. So I make sure I stay far away from him."
"And I don't interact with Kal unless I have to. He's a dick," Alice said. "Brooke is the main reason I have to see my annoying brother. Everyone is terrified of them but also loves them. I feel like we're the only people who don't love them."
"We can hear you!"
Alice gritted her teeth and rolled her eyes when Kal approached the girls with Ace, Harry and Greyson.
Indianna shrunk back and refused to look at Greyson.
"And I love you too, sis."
"Go away, Kal," Alice said.
"But, A, I just love being in your company!" Kal exclaimed and crouched down, wrapping his arms around her and shaking her from side to side. "We're besties!"
"Get your slimy hands off me!" Alice groaned. "My fist is going to be besties with your face if you don't get off me!"
Kal laughed and released his sister, but not before kicking her in the back.
"Oi! You asshole! That hurt!"
"Oh, relax, Alice. It was a nudge," Kal scoffed and ignored his sister's glare.
"A nudge? A nudge! I'll show you a nudge, you disgusting worm!"
Harry looked between Alice and Kal and rolled his eyes. He turned to Brooklyn and held his hand out.
"C'mere, Brooklyn."
Brooklyn raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms over her chest.
"We were actually having a delightful conversation before you guys decided to join us. We would very much like to get back to that."
"I can guarantee you that your conversation is a lot better now that I'm here," Kal grinned.
"It most definitely is not," Alice protested.
"Guys," Brooklyn groaned. "Go and harass some other people."
Harry cleared his throat and raised his eyebrows at Brooklyn challengingly.
"Come here, babe."
"Go away, Harry."
"Brooklyn."
Brooklyn smiled innocently. "What, Harry?"
"Don't be difficult."
"Don't be demanding."
"You're making me angry, babe."
"Shocker."
"Oh, you two are arguing. It's not like that ever happens," Greyson said and rolled his eyes. "Either stop it or do something about it."
"This is none of your business, Grey—hey!"
Brooklyn was cut off when Harry grabbed her hands and pulled her up from the bench, whisking her away from the group before she had a chance to protest.
Seconds later, Indianna saw them kissing in the corner of the gym.
One down.
Indianna jumped at the sound of his voice in her head and looked at Greyson, who was staring directly at her.
What do you want, Greyson?
Alice is next, he told her as Kal spoke to Alice.
"Hey, sis," he said and grinned widely. "You know your shoes? Yeah? Well, I may have broken into your locker and dropped them in dog shit. You might want to go and check them out."
Alice's eyes went wide, and she shot up from the floor.
"You did what?"
She didn't give her brother a chance to respond before grabbing him by the ear and dragging him out of the gym.
Sasha is next.
"I'll go and make sure they don't murder each other!" Sasha declared and followed Kal and Alice out of the gym, leaving Violet and Indianna with Greyson and Ace.
"You know, I've just remembered I have somewhere to be," Ace said and smiled kindly at Indianna. "Lovely to see you, Indianna."
When Ace left, Violet looked between Greyson and Indianna awkwardly.
"Er... I—"
"Was just leaving? Brilliant. Fuck off."
Indianna's mouth dropped open.
"That's rude," she told him.
"I don't care," Greyson said dismissively and narrowed his eyes at Violet. "Go. Now."
Indianna looked at Violet pleadingly, not wanting to be left alone with Greyson, but Violet glanced nervously at him before turning to Indianna with an apologetic look.
"Sorry."
Indianna groaned and covered her face with her hands as Violet left.
"What do you want, Greyson?"
"To talk," he said and sat down next to her. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine."
"The truth?"
Indianna sighed. "Like crap."
"Would you care to elaborate, sugar?"
"My head hurts, I feel sick and I'm burning up," Indianna grumbled and rubbed her eyes tiredly.
"Have you eaten today?"
"No."
"You need to eat."
"I'm not hungry, and I'll just puke it up."
"Indianna, trust me. You need to eat."
"I don't want to, Greyson. Just leave me alone."
"I can't do that."
Indianna pursed her lips and crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at her feet.
"I feel like our conversations are very repetitive."
"And why is that?"
"You always tell me what to do and never do as I say."
"Seems they are," he smirked. "But things would be a lot smoother if you actually did as I say."
"I'm not doing anything you say until you give me answers."
"I will give you some if you eat something," Greyson said, raising his eyebrows at Indianna.
She watched him cautiously.
"I don't believe you."
"Sugar," Greyson said, staring deeply into her eyes and making her squirm. "I promise. You have my word."
Indianna debated her answer for a few moments before nodding. She wanted answers.
"Fine."
Greyson smiled and stood, holding his hand out for Indianna.
"Come with me, sugar."
Indianna ignored Greyson's hand and stood, walking past him and towards the exit of the gym. Greyson chuckled and shook his head, catching up with Indianna in a few strides.
"People are staring," Indianna said quietly.
Eyes followed the two of them as they walked out of the gym.
"Ignore them," Greyson said. "They're just nosy bastards."
Indianna opened her mouth to talk, but a loud bang stopped her in her tracks.
The lights above them flickered on and off, and there was a rumble of thunder from outside. Indianna and Greyson both looked out of the windows lining the hallway and saw that the skies, which had been clear earlier that morning, were now dark and full of grey clouds.
Heavy rain was hitting the ground, and the wind was picking up speed.
"Get back from the window," Greyson ordered, sliding his arm around Indianna's waist and pulling her back just as a flash filled the sky, followed quickly by a deafening clap of thunder.
"It's just a storm," Indianna said, hyper-aware of Greyson touching her.
"It's not just a storm," Greyson said, looking down at Indianna. "When they've started this suddenly in the past, they've shattered windows and doors and injured people. We're usually instructed to stay inside and away from any windows."
"Okay, but we can do that without your arm around my waist."
Greyson smirked and slowly let his arm drop.
"Let's go, sugar."
"Where?"
"Away from any doors and windows. You don't want a tree smashing through a window and hitting you in the face, do you?"
He raised his eyebrows at Indianna, and she rolled her eyes.
"I'll go to the library, then—"
"Oh, no, you're coming with me," Greyson said and pointed down the hallway. "Let's go."
"I said I'll go to the li—"
The windows across from them rattled when there was another crash of thunder, and Greyson shook his head.
"The library is on the other side of the school. You're safer if you come with me and get somewhere safe quickly," he said sternly.
The lights flickered again and then went off, sending the school into darkness.
Indianna rubbed her bare arms, feeling goosebumps, and looked around the dim hallway, squinting to see through the darkness. She could just make out Greyson next to her.
"Fine," she gave in.
"Take my hand, sugar," Greyson said. "So you know where to go."
"I don't—"
"I'm pretty sure that I can see in the dark a lot better than you can. Now, let's get somewhere safe, Indie."
Somehow, Indianna found her hand in Greyson's. She let him guide her down the darkened hallway and to a long hallway lined by lockers, where there were no windows in sight.
There were other students around now, filling the hallway with light from their phones as they sat on the floor, huddled in groups. Teachers were starting to appear, instructing those who looked scared and confused.
Greyson sat down, and Indianna crouched down next to him, leaning back on the lockers.
"Here," Greyson said and slipped his hoodie off, placing it around Indianna's shoulders.
"I don't—"
"Just take it. I can feel you shaking," Greyson muttered.
Indianna let him wrap the soft material around her, grateful for the warmth.
"Thank you," she murmured and leaned her head back, closing her eyes.
"Tired?" Greyson asked quietly, watching Indianna, who nodded.
"Exhausted," she admitted. "Is there no way we can leave the school?"
"If you want to get killed by a flying tree, then you can walk right out the front door. If you don't, then I'd advise you to stay put."
"Well, seeing as we're stuck here, you should give me some answers."
"I don't think I should."
"Greyson! You told me you would!"
"Yes, if you ate, which you have not."
"There happens to be a freak storm preventing me from doing that."
"Now, that is a shame."
"You're a nightmare!" Indianna gasped and turned to face Greyson. "Please, Greyson? You were going to tell me later. Why can't you tell me now?"
"You're not ready," he murmured.
"Ready for what?" Indianna groaned. "Greyson, you don't know me. You can't decide what I'm ready for."
"I know more about you than you know yourself," Greyson said firmly.
"How?"
Greyson just smirked, and Indianna narrowed her eyes, going to stand up.
"Whatever, I'm leaving—"
Greyson's fingers wrapped around Indianna's wrist, holding her close.
"Wait."
"Greyson, get off of me!"
"It's not safe. Wait for the storm to pass, and then you can run as far away from me as you want, sugar. I won't stop you, but just let me make sure you remain safe until the storm is over."
Indianna gave Greyson a furious look. She wanted to scream at him.
"Please, sugar. Stay."