The Dark Ones

dn't have been further away. From class to class, wherever Georgia went, she felt the back of her neck burn. Hayden Ryder always managed to get in before her and sit at the back. Every class she

had taken the seat directly behind Georgia. Her eyes were fixed on his face as he passed, as were every girls' in the class. Some of them even giggled unashamedly and openly catcalled him, which Mrs. Jordan was no

in looked bad? Was she hairy there? These questions plagued her mind as she felt like Hayden's eyes were on the back of her head throughout the class. Benny picked up on her daze. He became su

ss, he was already there each time; sitting in the last row, head down, and refusing to look up or

eaving the street that morning? What happened to him?

ilky rows. It wasn't just that he was cleaner and not dressed in clothes anymore. Somehow, he looked tamer too. Still a beautiful specimen of a boy, but not as edgy and w

ny's voice broke throug

ed more bluntly

He's good

but Georgia could sense a

w guy? He's

s everyon

sively, like he coul

oy. You're not the only

ng attention again, she realized what Benny meant. The cafeteria at Beldon High was the one saving grace that kept the school from being engulfed by mediocrity. It was an expansive roo

g around it now, she found herself hating it for the first time. Why'd so many other students have to like it too? If they didn't, the

er, Pearce. W

ted to him in some weird way. Plus, she'd seen him first. She'd known of his existence before any of them. He sat on a single seater table, eating a sandwich with a look of pure disgust for every

ys had to be the object of every boy's lust at school. They were too far away for Georgia to hear but she could see that H

teach yo

more. She had to tell someone about the morn

ut up for

, looking affronted but

tell you

herself. When she was done, Benny openly stared at Hayden with his lip curled into a smirk. Georgia could almost see the wheels turning and the satisfact

uld he have been coming from loo

all over his shirt. Do you th

it did kinda look like blood when it starts to

k he's a ser

en

ha

us here. A seria

or exhibiting any of h

show and covered in what might be blood and you're not concerned? I mea

ything about him right now, so maybe there's a valid explanati

ost their fire

dealing with, I just think we sh

time that he nursed a secret crush on her. She didn't want to think about the implications if

aid of him,"

ce to tell me who I s

ou think he's hot

ed her eyes

ond hot

ng in the air. Before Georgia could react, he lifted his head and looked straight at her. His dark pupils were piercing and they locked eyes for a moment. Georgia was frozen, while his

ll me from all the wa

used her forehead to

perfect! Sweat

to dull the hypnotic effect it had. He looked down again and Georgia was grateful to be released from his rapture. Benn

d father. "If he ever comes to school in a bla

ed eyes in the cafeteria. She willed herself not to sweat from the anxiety of knowing he was behind her. Each time she thought this, i

grabbed her bag and scooted out of the class. The usual rush of scraping chairs and chattering students followed her

ea

y repacking her bag when she hea

it go. Stop bei

ing him back. Hayden stood in front, pressed up against the wall. All the other students stopped what they were doin

a simple question,

e was frightening. Most guys that got picked on by Tyler and his crew were usually trembling by now. Georgia recognized the same wild-eyed e

to be taught a lesson" Joey w

le, only it wasn't with fear. It felt menacing somehow, more like he was b

lled as she saw Jo

ound emanated from his mouth. It was the weirdest sound Georgia had ever heard, except she had heard it before. It was the same sound he'd made that morning when the man he knocked d

o look nervous and actually stopped Joey in his tracks. For a moment, Georgia clearly saw in his eyes what she and everyone else there were feeling-fear. It cross

Tyler, Joey, get away

le makers glared at Hayden like he was lucky he intervened. Georgia could

said as he wrapped his arm around Luc

ng again. His face softened back into his default scowl but the rage wa

grunted back

nd walked towards the exit. Every eye was on him but he did

out of it next time!" he said as