BEGINNING

Saying your in-love with a certain time in the day sounds, at first, quite strange. But when the sun is still hidden behind the horizon, instead of darkness, the room becomes a light, almost silver darkness, echoing a deaf silence through my brain. It's this time, right before the sun greats the world, that I am eager for every single day. Today, I find myself savoring the loud silence more then normal, the prospects of the impending day weighing on me more than I'd care to admit.

I was starting my new life today. It all I went very fast. A month ago, I was an honor student in one of the most prestigious schools in New York. It was the beginning of my senior year. Now, I was beginning the rest of my final year at school, in a forgotten town in Alaska. I suppose the targeted murder of both your parents and the rest of your remaining family will do that. The reality was, this was where I would be safe. Or so the protective unit assigned to me said.

Now, sat on the freezing marble flooring in my bathroom that didn't match the tone of the rest of the house, looking out onto dense, green forest. I was completely and utterly numb. So numb that I was unaware of the sun rising up over the tree tops, the steady awakening of forest animals, the shift in tension throughout the house as my 'bodyguards' slowly awoke. All I could do was stare intensely at the green, let it fade into my mind.

"There's something I have to tell you Andrea" my dad whispers, his hands shaking as they hold the side of my arms. "Your mum, brother, they're dead" his voices cracks at the end of the sentence.

"No" I respond, shaking my head frantically, "no, no, no, no" I can't help the hysterical tears that start pouring out my eyes.

"Sweetie, focus please focus" his grip around me tightens, "I have to go, don't leave this car, someone will come and get you" he's shaking me now, "Andrea do you understand?"

"Yes" I sob, "don't leave me dad please" I try hold him but he shakes me off easily.

"I love you sweetie, I'll see you soon okay?" He exits out of the door despite my pleading. Sirens start wailing in the distance, getting closer and closer..

A light tap on the bathroom door gently snaps me back into reality. How long have I been shitting on these cold tiles, two hours?

"Andrea?" Christophe questions gently from the other side of the door, "we need to leave in ten minutes" he pushes the door open slowly, an attempt to warm me he's coming in. I twist on the floor to look at him, he's wearing jeans and a hoodie, different from the black suit I've become accustomed to, an attempt to blend in I suppose. He eyes my bare legs, sticking out from under my black hoodie.

"Here" he sighs, placing jeans, my favorite sweater, and sneakers on the floor next to me, "there's coffee in the kitchen". He stands up and walks swiftly out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him. I silently sigh through my nose, quickly changing into my clothes for the day. Alaska is just coming out of winter, the air still has a bit of a bite to it though. I finally look at myself in the mirror. My once bright blue eyes look dull, complemented with the dark blue underneath them. My blonde hair lies flat against the side of sharp cheek bones. Sighing, I grab the mascara sitting on the bench, and lightly bring in over my eyelashes, at least now I can look somewhat awake.

I hear Christophe's deep voice whispering as I enter the kitchen, he stops abruptly when he see's me. John is sitting on the stools sipping a cup of coffee, he's also wearing jeans and a hoodie for the first time since I met him.

"So," I begin, pouring some coffee in a mug, "what are you two my uncles? Parents? Brothers? What do I tell people?" I lean against the counter, taking a small sip out of my mug.

"Since our age gap is not extensive, we will both be your older brothers, but we will try not be too involved or seen, we don't want people asking you too many questions" John explains to me. Him and Christophe do look like brothers, both have dark hair and chiselled faces, they both look like they came out of a magazine. Both only three years older than me. Christophe pulls a backpack from the ground, shouldering it.

"We have to go Andrea" he says lightly, grabbing the keys and walking towards the front door. I watch him until he disappears outside. I avert my eyes to John, who is giving me one of his famous tight, grimacing smiles. "It'll be okay Andrea, I know you don't believe that, but it'll get easier".

"You're right, I really don't believe that" I reply, pushing off the counter and making my way outside, and into the old truck they purchased on arrival. Another way to blend in.

---

"Andrea?" I whip my head to look at him, how many times had he said my name?

"Huh yeh what?" I stutter out. He looks at me, eyes roaming my face, "we're here".

I look out, taking in the front building. It was a lot smaller then my previous school, instead of big concreted buildings, it was more brick and wood. I feel my shoulders cave in. Watching the happy groups of friends walk shoulder to shoulder, laughing and smiling. God I wanted to vomit. All my friends probably believe I'm dead, along with the rest of the world.

"Okay, I'll uh see you later" I say over my shoulder while getting out of the truck. Not giving him time to respond. I pull the strap of my backpack further up my shoulder before making my way to a building that says 'Office' on it.

"Hi sweetie how can I help you" a round face ladies questions excitedly the second I step through the door. I scan the wooden desk, supporting the box looking laptop, the deer horns mounted above her.

"Hi um I'm new and I just need to get my time table" I put my hands lightly on the desk in front of me.

"Name honey?" She questions, pulling out a stack of papers from her draws, "uhh Bec, Bec Dwyer" I inform her, studying the deer horns more intently. They must be real.

"Ahh here we are!" She holds up my paper triumphantly, "so honey, your first class is Math's and luckily for you its right around the corner of this building, first door down the corridor, do you need help finding it?" She questions excitedly.

"No it's fine, I'll manage thanks" I take the sheet from her, swiftly exiting the building and making my way around the side. I quickly realize that my classroom is apart of many, surrounding a courtyard.

Much to my dismay, the courtyard is swarming with life, a large group of boys taking up residency in the middle tables. Keeping my head towards the class I walk as far away from them as possible. I can feel the unmistakable sensation of eyes piercing my back. I don't turn around. A few girls glance at me as I walk past them, no one speaks. I'm grateful. I don't particularly care about being apart of some new-girl saga, having to keep up a lie about my life just feels too draining already. At this point I don't think I have it in me. Making friends, forming relationships, honestly what's the fucking point. I'll probably be shipped off somewhere else anyway if they figure out where I'm hiding. How did my life turn into this much of a fuck-up?

Eventually, I make my way into the classroom, luckily, mostly empty. I move towards the back, sinking down onto my chair and pull out a book. I don't even have a phone anymore. I guess I might just fit right in. Before I can get too comfortable the entourage of boys from outside pile through the door, shoving each other laughing.

"Sucked in mutt, your sitting at the front," a tall, broad guy shoves his smaller companion.

"Oh bite me Brian" he shoots back, taking the seat right in-front of the teachers desk. The rest of the group all make eye contact with each other, before bursting into laughter. "Only if you're lucky Shnitt" Brian walks past, sitting right behind him, making kissing noises with his mouth.

"Alright, alright enough boys" a lean, muscular boy walks in. His navy sweater hugs him nicely, exposing the outline of a muscular chest, strong arms. His mop of black hair and dark eyebrows frames the tan skin of his face. The thought dawns on me much to my irritation, he's beautiful. Just as the thought arises, he looks up from the two boys and meets my eye, I quickly look down at my book. I see him out the corner of my eye turn, almost to start walking towards me when the teacher walks in, telling everyone in a sing-song voice to take their seats. Much to my relief.

"So ya'll we have a new student joining us, why don't you stand up honey and introduce yourself" I'm sure I look mortified as I stand up,

"Hi, my names Bec and I'm from Livingston" I look around the room as I speak. It's hard not to notice all the kids giving each other pointed looks. "Well hello Bec it's so nice to meet you darlin, you can take your seat again," her thick Texas accent is almost too overwhelming for me.

Luckily, she launches straight into the class without any further questions. I pretend to follow along while subconsciously doing little drawings around my book, trying my hardest not to think about the boy with raven hair.