chapter 1

It was five am when my alarm buzzed next to me. I was already wide awake, gazing at the ceiling all night had become my new hobby. I would give the owls a run for their money knowing how I'd become an insomniac for more than six months.

I couldn't sleep even though I tried to follow my therapists list and ended up cursing her for wasting my money. But I know, it's not her fault that I can't sleep. It's just my head is a cluttered mess and whenever I try to organize it, it leads me to overthinking which leads me to lose sleep over trivial matters.

But who's complaining. I've already mastered the art of staying awake for more than sixteen hours.

I look outside my window and everything's white. The snow has piled up everywhere and and all of it looks so pure and fresh. The air inside my room is cold and crisp. I snuggle against my duvet and let the warm fuzzy feeling inside my chest wash down.

I get up from my warm bed and go to my bathroom. After quickly washing up, I change my clothes into some comfortable oversized sweater and wide legged jeans, with warm thermals inside. I still need to go to school in this cold weather.

I walk downstairs and make myself some French toast and heat up some milk for breakfast. Everyone's fast asleep and they should be. It's the perfect weather to sleep in cuddling with your pillows and then drinking a hot cup of Cocoa.

"Hey Oli. You're up already?", asked my mom as she came down the stairs into the kitchen. She had her hair in a messy bun and a huge shawl was wrapped around her petite body.

I looked at her woolen pajamas and I wished I could go back to bed to catch some sleep. But no the school couldn't shut it down even if the snow piles up on our desks.

"Yeah. I've got school to finish. Deadlines to meet. Everything is a mess but I got to figure this all out sooner or later." I said frowning at the cup in my hands. The cocoa got cold so fast.

"Okay honey! All the best. Drive safe." my mom kissed my cheek and I took the car keys and rushed out into our garage.

After reaching school, I make a beeline for my class and sit at my usual place. My best friend Neil isn't in Maths AP with me so I've to bear it alone.

After four classes I'm finally done so I go to the cafeteria to grab lunch but I see Rori in the hallways and I wave to her. She is one of my closest friends after Neil. She's been with us from elementary school and in the beginning we didn't get along much but slowly we started hanging out and everything is good between is.

"Hey Rori, grabbed lunch yet?" I smiled at her.

"Hey Liv. No, I was just about to grab some. You wanna come?" she packed her bag quickly and threw her hands around my shoulder.

"Did you see the new transfer student? He looks a bit weird I think and I haven't seen his type before." Rori glanced at me hoping I would know something about him but I didn't even notice him.

He must be a new student here I am not very much interested in people so I guess I won't be know him. I entered the cafeteria and walked to get my lunch. They had Pizza rolls and cream buns for lunch today, my favourite.

I grabbed it and took a seat at my table and started eating as I was really hungry. I couldn't continue with more classes. My head would explode.

"Did you join any new AP level classes for the college grade Rori?" I clean my mouth with a napkin and glance at her. The only priority right now was getting into universities.

"Not right now. I'll do that a few months later. I've got previous projects to work on. My teammates are so dull, I've to do everything to get the grade." She sighed heavily and I felt bad for her because these group work was really tough to work in.

I have her a terrified expression and she laughed at me because I don't want other students tardiness have any affect on my grades. I was lucky enough to get to choose my teammates in my own for group projects.

"Must be tough Rori. Keep it up." I encourage her but I don't think she's listening anymore. She's busy tapping away on her phone.

"Hey listen, I'm gonna go complete my next classes and head home. See you around." I quickly threw away the leftovers and the napkins in the trash.

"Bye. Don't let your head explode." Rori threw a smile at me and continued doing something on her phone.

After I'm done with classes I head to the parking lot of the school and make my way to the car

and I see a few students gathered near the exit looking at someone and whispering back and forth. what is this new drama happening now. I thought to myself. Can't people just mind their own business and go home.

I quickly get into my car and start the engine. And that's when I see a girl and a boy who were definitely not of our school. They were so pale and white, so different from us. The girl had streaks of red I'm her hair and she was dressed in black leathers. The boy also had similar leathers but his hair was raven black.

I caught his eye and I felt a chill down my spine. Something felt wrong. His blue eyes glinted as he looked at me. It felt as if he knew me from ages and had come to look only for me.

After the trance broke I looked away and avoided his eye contact until I was out of school. Wow Olivia, your imagination has gotten so unreal. Why would someone who I don't even know come look for me. It wasn't something to be even joked about. It was weird but I have other things to worry about right now.