Shy

Indianna Hughs had always been the quiet one; the shy one. She always stayed in the background. She blended in and never got noticed. She liked it that way. When she's forced to move schools, she is not happy. Everyone notices a new kid and she didn't want that attention. Especially not from Mr Bad Boy who seemed to be very interested in her.

Chapter 1

"You'll be fine," Indianna's mother said and waved her hand dismissively at her daughter. Indianna looked out of the car window and raised her dark eyebrows at the large red-bricked building in front of them. "Just be social and make friends!"

"Social," Indianna muttered and grabbed her bag from the back seat. "Sure." She climbed out of the car, ignoring her mother's cheerful wave goodbye. She slammed the door behind her and glanced up at the school, looking around the school car park that was flooded with many students, laughing and talking to their friends.

Students that noticed Indianna.

Indianna groaned quietly and swung her bag over her shoulder. She lowered her gaze as she made her way up the steps that led to the school and didn't look up as she walked through the bustling corridors, gritting her teeth and flinching every time she accidentally barged shoulders with someone. She thought that if she couldn't see anyone, that maybe they couldn't see her either.

She knew she was being stupid.

The town that Indianna and her mother had moved to wasn't small, but it wasn't big either. Not everyone knew each other personally, but they would recognise a new face from a mile away. This made Indianna's anxiety rise. She hated being noticed. She clutched her hands tighter around the strap of her bag and carried on down the busy corridor. She had come to the school a few days before and the Principle had shown her around so it didn't take her long to find her locker. She fumbled with the lock and hurriedly grabbed the textbooks that were stacked neatly inside, stuffing them into her bag.

Indianna hated that she could feel everyone's curious gazes on her. She hated that she stood out. She swallowed nervously and looked at the crumpled piece of paper in her hands. She scanned the timetable and saw that her first lesson was history. After putting her timetable back into her pocket she braced herself and walked down the rowdy corridors, hoping to find her class quickly so she could get a moment of peace before she was surrounded by a room full of new people.

Indianna let out a sigh of relief when she made it to her classroom. It was relatively empty so she made a beeline straight to the back of the class. Now there were no eyes on her. She let her shoulders relax and leaned back in her chair. One year, she told herself. She had to survive for one year in this new town and then she was free. She would graduate and be able to go wherever she pleased.

"Hi!" Indianna's heart jumped in her chest when a blonde, curly-haired girl appeared next to her. She was smiling brightly and had kind brown eyes. "You're Indianna, aren't you? The new girl? You've moved to town with your mother, right?"

Indianna stared at the blonde girl with wide eyes. She had wanted to go unnoticed, but this girl definitely seemed to know her. Indianna wasn't sure how to respond.

"Sorry," the girl apologised and sat down next to Indianna, noticing her discomfort. "I didn't mean to scare you off, I just thought I'd introduce myself! I know what it's like to be new in this town, I moved here a year ago. I'm Brooklyn, but everyone calls me Brooke."

Indianna nodded and looked at her hands. She picked at her chipped nail varnish and hoped this girl would go away. Indianna wasn't good with people. She'd rather be left alone.

Brooklyn blinked and waited for Indianna to speak. She frowned when there was an awkward silence and chewed on her lip. "Not a people person?" Brooklyn wondered. "That's okay, people would argue that I can talk enough for two people." Indianna's eyes flickered to Brooklyn who was smiling. "You can talk to me, I promise I don't bite, like some people in this school," Brooklyn said kindly with a laugh.

Indianna stiffened and shook her head. "No," she whispered. Her voice was gentle and soft.

Brooklyn frowned. "No?"

"Don't talk about that, please," Indianna said quietly.

"Talk about what?" Brooklyn asked, cocking her head to the side curiously.

"Biting," Indianna muttered, forcing the word out like it was poison. Brooklyn noticed how Indianna grabbed her wrist, her eyes flashing with panic.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Brooklyn said quickly. "I didn't realise that was a sensitive topic. Sorry, I talk a lot and sometimes I say stupid things- I'll... I'm going to shut up now- Brandon, thank god, hi!" Brooklyn looked up as a guy approached the desk. He had the same blond curly hair as Brooklyn and matching brown eyes.

"Brooke, you're not terrorising the new girl, are you?" He teased. He had a wide smile and he looked at Indianna with inquisitive eyes. Everyone here was interested in the new girl. No one knew anything about her or her mother. To the town, they were a mystery, and in small towns, everyone liked to unravel the mystery of new people quickly.

"No!" Brooklyn laughed and hit Brandon's arm as he sat down next to Brooklyn. "Well, not purposely. Indianna, this is Brandon, my cousin. Brandon, meet Indianna."

"Hi," Brandon said warmly. "It's nice to meet you, Indianna."

Indianna swallowed and looked up at him, forcing a smile. "Hello."

"She's a little shy," Brooklyn said, pointing out the obvious personality trait that she had noticed in Indianna.

"After a few minutes with you I'm sure that will change," Brandon said, nudging Brooklyn's shoulder with his elbow.

Indianna looked up at the clock on the wall and groaned internally. Seven minutes of the lesson had passed. If the rest of the year was going to pass as slowly as this, she didn't know how she was going to survive.

"Oh, great," Brooklyn mumbled and sighed. Indianna looked up as three boys walked into the classroom and she noticed how Brooklyn slouched down in her seat and avoided eye contact. Brandon glared and clenched his hands into fists.

Two boys stood slightly ahead of the other one. There was a ginger-haired boy who was laughing loudly at the brown-haired boy who was smiling, showing off his dimples. Behind them stood a boy with dark hair. His face was blank and his eyes looked like cold, bottomless pits. Indianna's heart raced at the sight of him, in a split second he instilled fear into her and she didn't even know him. She noticed tattoos littering his arms and she raised her eyebrows in shock, she had to remind herself that he was the same age as her, not that you'd think that by his looks. He had an air of confidence around him and he looked mean, unlike the other two boys who didn't have a dark look about them. The brown-haired boy looked kind and the ginger-haired boy looked mischievous, but the dark-haired boy looked... Dangerous. Indianna swallowed nervously and swiftly looked away when the dark-haired boy's eyes scanned the classroom. All eyes were on them, the class seemed as entranced. It was as if no one had ever seen these boys before. Indianna wasn't sure if the looks they were receiving were of lust or fear.

An irritable expression flashed across the dark-haired boy's face when he realised the class were staring at him and his two friends. Although he was used to it, he still glared and snapped "what?"

Chills filled Indianna's body when he spoke. A wave of butterflies rose up from her feet that made her body feel on edge. One word was all that it took to make the class immediately turn their attention away from the three boys. His voice was deep and clear, it had cut through the silence of the classroom like a razor-sharp knife. Indianna couldn't imagine kind words leaving the lips of the dark-haired boy. From one look at him, you could tell that being nice was foreign to him. It was then she realised that the looks they were receiving weren't of lust, they were definitely of fear.

Indianna turned to Brooklyn as the three boys sat on the opposite side of the classroom. She heard a loud laugh from the ginger boy and she could see the dark-haired boy out of the corner of her eye, rolling his eyes at his ginger friend and kicking his feet up onto the desk in front of him. "Who are they?" Indianna asked quietly.

Brooklyn adjusted in her seat, turning her back to the boys. "People you should stay away from," she said firmly. "The ginger guy, he's called Kal. The brown-haired one is Ace. The dark-haired one is-"

"Greyson Evans," Brandon scowled. "He is not a nice person."

"He has no regard for anyone but himself and his few friends. He's a dick, he's dangerous and he uses girls for nothing more than sex. He's bad news and they are the one group in this town you should stay away from. Kal and Ace aren't bad people, but you don't want to get on their radar because then you'll be on his-"

Brooklyn was cut off but the deep, slow drawl. "I can hear you, Brooklyn," Greyson called. He looked at Brooklyn from his seat and she pursed her lips, turning to face him. "You're not gossiping again, are you?"

Brooklyn smiled sweetly. "I'm just telling the truth, Greyson."

"Well, I'm very interested to hear what you have to say," Greyson urged, raising his eyebrows daringly at Brooklyn. "Continue."

"I highly doubt you would like hearing what I have to say," Brooklyn said with a shrug of her shoulders. Indianna watched Brooklyn carefully and noticed that she didn't seem afraid of Greyson, unlike the rest of the class. She glanced at Brandon, who was glaring, at the same time as Greyson did.

"Brandon, if you keep glaring at us I will punch you," Greyson warned and his eyes flickered to Brooklyn's, glittering with dangerous amusement. "I know I shouldn't, considering that you're Brooklyn's cousin, but you both know that I don't care."

"Greyson!" Brooklyn said sharply. She narrowed her eyes at him. "You are not going to punch Brandon!"

"And what could you do to stop me, Brooklyn?" Greyson wondered. "You may be surprisingly high up on the school social ladder, but I know of a guy who can keep you on your leash."

Brooklyn's cheeks flushed red and she pursed her lips when Kal snorted, smirking at Brooklyn's discomfort. "Shut it, Kal," she grumbled.

Greyson tutted. "Don't try and tell me what I can and can't do, Brooklyn. You will always lose, remember that."

"Speaking of Harry," Kal said and winked at Brooklyn. "Where is he?"

"Yes, great question, Kal. Where is Harry?" Greyson said to Brooklyn. "I know he was looking for you this morning."

"I don't know where he is! Why would I?" Brooklyn said quickly and crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes at Greyson and his friends. "Now, please leave us be!"

"As you wish," Greyson scoffed and Brooklyn turned back to Indianna.

"As you can see, he's an ass," Brooklyn huffed and rolled her eyes. "Keep away from him. From them."

Indianna raised her eyebrows curiously and spoke quietly. "Why don't you?"

Brooklyn frowned. "What?"

"Your boyfriend is his friend, isn't he?" Indianna observed.

"B-boyfriend? What? No!" Brooklyn spluttered and Indianna smiled ever so slightly.

"Harry, that's what they said his name was, wasn't it?"

"Observant."

Indianna jumped when Greyson appeared behind her and he leaned back against the cupboard, crossing his arms over his chest. She stared at him, suddenly going silent. "Now," he said and looked Indianna up and down. "Who are you?"

"I think it's better if you don't find out," Brandon muttered. Greyson ignored him.

"Her name is Indianna and that's all you need to know. So if you can just leave-"

"I'm pretty sure she can speak for herself, Brooklyn."

"She's shy," Brooklyn said, glancing at Indianna who looked like she wanted to be anywhere but in the classroom, talking to Greyson.

"Well, come on. I don't bite," Greyson urged and Indianna stiffened, just like before.

"Don't talk about that," Indianna said, her voice was still quiet but it was firm.

"Struck a nerve have I?" Greyson wondered. He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Somebody likes it rough."

"Jesus, Greyson!" Brooklyn gasped. "It's her first day, leave her alone!"

Greyson looked at Indianna with a scrutinising gaze and she squirmed uncomfortably. Indianna hated people staring at her. She had always lacked confidence and had always struggled to see the beauty she was lucky enough to have been born with. She was naturally pretty, with big green eyes, olive skin, high cheekbones, a button nose and long brown hair. She hid behind large glasses and clothing that was on the baggier side. Pretty was a word she had never used to describe herself.

"Indianna?" He said and frowned, thinking to himself. "Hughs," he murmured.

Greyson had spoken quietly and Indianna wasn't sure if she had heard him correctly. "What?" She asked, staring at him cautiously.

Greyson smirked. "So, she speaks."

"What did you say just then?" Indianna asked shyly. She avoided eye contact.

"It was nice to meet you, Indianna," Greyson said slowly, dragging out her name. He pushed himself away from the cupboard and made his way back over to his seat, with Kal and Ace. Indianna watched with furrowed eyebrows as he whispered in their ears and immediately they both looked at her. Slowly, she noticed their gazes travelling to her hand that was holding her wrist.

Covering her scar.

"What is wrong with you three?" Brooklyn gasped, noticing the three boys looking at Indianna. "Gosh, leave the poor girl alone! It's her first day, she could do without the attention from you!" Brooklyn rolled her eyes once the three boys looked away, talking amongst themselves. "I'm so sorry. Just because everyone is scared of them they think they can get away with anything. They're a freaking nightmare!"

"It's fine," Indianna said quietly and she looked at the door of the classroom, praying that the teacher would arrive quickly so she wouldn't have to talk to anyone else. Brooklyn turned to Brandon and Indianna zoned them out as they started a conversation. Indianna tapped her foot impatiently and rubbed her forehead as a headache started. She so desperately wanted to run out of the classroom, away from all of these unknown people. Indianna liked to be by herself. She-

*What happened to your wrist?*

Indianna jumped in shock when she heard a voice, it was loud and clear, ringing in her head. She looked around in panic, wondering where it had come from. She wasn't certain if the voice had spoken out loud... or in her head.

"Are you okay?" Brandon asked, noticing Indianna's wide eyes. He and Brooklyn both looked at Indianna in concern.

*Don't panic, you are not going crazy.*

"I, er..." Indianna choked on her words. The voice was definitely in her head. Was she imagining it? Was the stress of moving to a new town, being in an unfamiliar environment, surrounded by people who wanted to talk to her, making her go crazy?

*You're not imagining it.*

"Indianna?" Brooklyn said softly. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Indianna whispered and rubbed her eyes. "I think I just have a bad headache coming on."

*What happened to your wrist?*

Indianna swallowed nervously and tried to control her breathing before she started to panic. Hearing voices was never a good sign.

*I told you, there is no need to panic. Just speak to me.*

Indianna furrowed her eyebrows, she couldn't help but notice a familiarity about the voice. She wondered if she had met this person.

*Who are you?* She spoke in her head. It felt incredibly strange and this whole exchange between her and the unknown voice felt horribly invasive. Indianna didn't like it. *How do you know my name? How are you even in my head? Am I going insane-*

*No. Calm down. You are not going insane. Now, answer my question, what happened to your wrist?*

Indianna paused, thinking. She wondered what harm could come from talking to this voice. It clearly wasn't real. She guessed it was like talking to a figment of her imagination.

*Indianna.* The voice was growing impatient and seeing as Indianna had no idea how to get rid of it, she decided to answer its questions.

*It happened when I was younger.*

*I'm going to need a bit more information than that.*

*I was... Attacked.* Even in her mind, her voice sounded fragile talking about it.

*Wolves.* It wasn't a question, it was a statement. Indianna had a feeling that the voice already knew the answer to the questions he was asking.

*Observant.*

Indianna's head snapped to look at Greyson and his friends, but this time he wasn't looking at her. He was looking down at his desk, drawing absentmindedly on the surface. She tried to remember his voice and wondered if there were any similarities between his and the one in her head.

"What are you looking at?" Brooklyn wondered, snapping Indianna out of her thoughts. She followed Indianna's gaze to Greyson and frowned.

Indianna shook her head and looked at her hands, mumbling, "nothing."

Brooklyn caught Greyson's gaze and she narrowed her eyes. He smirked and raised his eyebrows challengingly. Eventually, she looked away.

*Who are you?* Indianna asked. *You're not real, are you?"

*I am most definitely real, but who I am doesn't matter.*

*It does if you're in my head.*

*You talk a lot more when you aren't physically speaking,* the voice observed.

*So I've met you. In person?"

*I didn't say that.*

*You implied it.* Indianna was a mixture of scared and irritated. She wanted to know who the voice was and how he was in her head.

*How old were you, when you were attacked?* The voice asked.

*I have a feeling you know.* Indianna's voice was hostile. She hated remembering the attack. *I was 5.*

*Your father, he died, didn't he?"

*H-how? How do you know this?*

*Lots of people know the story of the attack, but they don't know that it's your story, Indianna.*

*What do you mean?*

*Clearly not even you know the whole story.*

*Then tell me, seeing as you seem to know so much.*

*No.*

*Why not?*

*It's not the right time.*

*You are a voice in my head, I don't care! You are scaring me, now tell me how you know so much about me!*

*Just focus on making friends, you're shy, take the chances you get. Brooklyn is a nice girl, don't ignore her by talking to me. You'll hear from me soon.*

*Wait!* But the voice was gone. It was almost like there was a presence in Indianna's mind, and now it was gone, along with her headache.

"Are you listening, Indianna?"

"Hmm?" Indianna looked at Brooklyn who smiled.

"You're shy and not very talkative, but I like you, Indianna," Brooklyn said with a laugh.

"Um, thank you?"

"You are very welcome," Brooklyn grinned and looked at Brandon. "What do you think of our new friend?"

"I think that you're going to take a while to warm up to us," Brandon said with a chuckle.

"Sorry," Indianna said, forcing herself to talk louder. She smiled nervously. "I don't trust easily."

"We've got time," Brooklyn grinned and soon all attention was turned to the teacher who entered the classroom and began the lesson. Indianna was grateful to blend into the background once again. She spent the whole lesson lost in her own thoughts and she couldn't help but look over at Greyson. She had realised why she thought the voice in her head sounded familiar.

It sounded so much like his.

"Hello, Indianna."

Indianna looked up in surprise when Greyson sat next to her in their next class, French. She quickly lowered her gaze when he met her eyes and fidgeted nervously in her seat. She didn't say anything.

"Now, this would be where you say hi back, otherwise it would be considered rude, Indianna," Greyson said in a low voice. He smirked and his dark eyes twinkled with amusement when Indianna's eyes widened and forced out a quiet 'hi'.

"I don't think I introduced myself in our last class. I'm Greyson Evans." Greyson spoke with a confidence that Indianna had never had. You could tell that this boy was not used to being questioned or argued back to. He was used to being in charge and he liked it.

"Yes, Brooke told me," Indianna told him. She was certain that she was not going to forget who Greyson Evans was any time soon. Just the thought of him being within touching distance was making her nervous. Her skin was buzzing from their close proximity and he seemed to take over all of her senses. She could feel his body heat, smell his cologne, she was drawn to look at only him, and when he spoke all she could focus on was his deep, velvety voice.

"Brooklyn," he murmured and nodded. He was watching Indianna carefully, studying her. He was very aware that she was avoiding his eyes. "You'd do well to stick with her. Brandon, however, he's a miserable dick."

Indianna's eyes flickered to Greyson's for a split second. "He seems nice."

Greyson rolled his eyes. "Not everyone in this town is who they say they are, Indianna."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Indianna asked curiously, her eyebrows furrowing.

"Just be careful who you make friends with," Greyson warned. His tone was firm and Indianna couldn't help but wonder why he cared.

"But Brandon and Brooke-"

"They are good people. I just don't like Brandon." Greyson waved his hand dismissively. "It's not them that I'm talking about."

"I've not met anyone else." Unless she counted the voice in her head.

"I'm not surprised."

"Why?" Indianna found herself meeting his eyes.

"You're not exactly approachable, are you Indie?"

"Indie?"

Greyson ignored her. "I get it, you're shy, you're not used to people, are you? I plan to change that though. It's not every day I get to help out a social outcast?"

"What? I'm not a social-"

"I'm teasing," Greyson interrupted and chuckled. "Besides, do you know how many girls would kill to be in your position?"

"No?"

Greyson leaned closer to Indianna and she sucked in a breath, staring at him cautiously. "With a click of my fingers, I could have anything I want," he whispered. "People are terrified of me, but they also want me. And here I am, talking to you."

"Oh. Okay." Indianna didn't know what else to say. She wasn't good with conversations or being sociable, especially when she was talking to someone as confident, self-assured and cocky as Greyson.

"So, Indie, why did you move here?" Greyson asked when it became obvious that Indianna was not going to carry on the conversation.

"My mother wanted a change of scenery," Indianna answered, but her voice was quieter, distant. She did not want to talk to Greyson anymore. She wanted to be left alone. She hated the looks she was receiving from students in the classroom, watching her with curious eyes, gossiping with their friends about how Greyson Evans was talking to the shy new girl.

"Do you live with your father?" Greyson pressed, very aware of the students whispering about Indianna and him. However, he didn't care about what other people had to say about him.

"No," Indianna answered after a silence. She fiddled with the ring on her finger. "He's not with us."

"Away," Greyson murmured and raised his eyebrows. "Okay."

"Why are you talking to me?" Indianna asked suddenly, surprising herself that she had the confidence. Indianna knew of boys like Greyson and she knew that they did not waste their time with girls like her.

"Because I want to. And I always get what I want." There wasn't a sliver of doubt in his voice.

Indianna frowned, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear, wondering what Greyson truly wanted, but she nodded and said, "okay."

"What's this?" Greyson asked, catching Indianna's wrist and turning it over.

Indianna paled and her eyes went wide. Greyson felt her whole body go tense and he could feel her pulse quicken. "Greyson, l-let go of me."

"What is it?" Greyson asked again, raising his eyebrows at her.

"You're making me uncomfortable!" Indianna squirmed and tried to pull her arm away, but she was not successful. She looked up into Greyson's dark eyes and swallowed nervously, he seemed annoyed and she was pretty certain that he was not going to let her go without an answer. "You can see what it is," she whimpered eventually.

Greyson blinked once and said, "how did you get it?"

"How else do you get a scar of a bite mark on your wrist?" Indianna asked with a bitter edge to her voice that Greyson was surprised to hear. "You get bitten."

"You were attacked?"

Indianna was silent.

"Answer me, Indie. I do not like being ignored."

Indianna gulped and looked away from Greyson. He was starting to scare her but she knew that the easiest option was to answer his questions, no matter how uncomfortable they made her. "Yes, I was attacked."

Greyson released Indianna's arm and she immediately shot out of her seat, attempting to get away from the boy that was intimidating and scaring her, but as quick as she thought she was, Greyson was quicker. He blocked Indianna's path and looked down at her with an amused smirk. "Where do you think you're going?"

Indianna looked up at him in shock, her eyes widening in anger. "Are you insane?" She hissed. "Do you like terrorising the new girls? Is that what gets you off-" She groaned in frustration when Greyson blocked her way again and pressed her palm to her forehead. "Please, just let me pass!"

"Don't move," Greyson said sternly.

"You can't tell me what to do!" Indianna snapped. Indianna was quiet and reserved, she had a temper but it was buried very deep down. Greyson seemed to have no trouble digging up. As Indianna's temper grew, her shyness faded away. "Get away from me!"

Greyson's jaw was clenched and he grabbed Indianna's arm, holding her in place. "I said," he whispered in her ear, his voice resembling something very close to a growl. Shivers ran down Indianna's spine. "Don't move. Now sit the hell down and do as I say."

At this moment, Indianna was scared of Greyson, however, her anger was easily overpowering her fear and shyness. She thought she had met boys like Greyson before, but she was wrong. She had never encountered this before. "Who the hell do you think you are?" Indianna demanded. "My father? You can't order me about, you're freaking crazy! Now, get the hell out of my way or I will scream."

Suddenly, the cold look on Greyson's face was gone, replaced with an expression that wasn't kind, but a lot softer than it was. His grip loosened and Indianna's arm slipped through his fingers. His eyes darted back and forth as he looked at Indianna. Her eyes were wide and her cheeks slightly flushed. "It's anger," he said after a moment of silence.

Indianna blinked, shocked at his sudden change in personality. "W-what?" She spluttered.

"Anger," Greyson said. "It brings out your confidence. It helps you to stand up for yourself."

Indianna's mouth dropped. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You did that on purpose! Didn't you? You were trying to piss me off?"

Greyson's lips twitched. "I wanted to test a theory," he shrugged and dropped back into his chair.

"You were scaring me! Why would you do something like that?"

"I wanted to see how quickly you'd get angry."

"Why? That's cruel!"

"Don't worry about it," Greyson said dismissively and he gestured to the chair next to him. "Are you going to sit back down?"

"Tell me, Greyson!"

"It's not the right time."

Indianna suddenly froze. The voice had said that to her earlier.

*It's you.* Indianna looked at Greyson as she spoke the words in her mind. He was looking up at her, but there was no change in his expression. His face was blank. With a sigh, Indianna sat back down in her chair, not seeing Greyson's lips form a smirk.

*I have no idea what you are talking about.*

The voice made Indianna jump and she immediately looked at Greyson, growing. She realised that she could feel a presence in her head. It felt like this person was pushing his way through her mind, forcing himself in and invading her privacy.

"Are you okay, Indie?" Greyson asked with a curious tone to his voice.

Indianna narrowed her eyes and looked at her hands. "I'm fine," she muttered and focused on the presence in her mind.

*You do know what I'm talking about.* She insisted.

*No, I'm afraid I do not.*

*Just tell me who you are and what you are doing in my head! If you're in my head does that mean...* Indianna stopped herself but the voice answered her unanswered question.

*Yes. Yes, I can read your mind."

"Oh my gosh," Indianna whispered. *Who are you?*

*I can't tell you yet, Indie.*

Indianna gasped and she looked up at Greyson who was now on his phone. He slowly turned to her. "Do you want something, Indie?"

"I... Er." Indianna shook her head hurriedly. "No, it's nothing."

*You're going to drive me insane,* she said to the voice in her head.

*I'm glad I could be of service, sugar.*

*Sugar?* Indianna questioned.

*Is there something wrong with me calling you sugar?*

*Yes. I don't like it.*

*Then it's perfect.*

Indianna had only had two conversations with this boy, but she could imagine him smirking. He was making her blood boil. She already hated him.

*Aren't you just a bundle of joy?*

*Stay out of my head. Leave me alone.*

*You're no fun.*

*Get out of my head!*

*I'll be back, sugar.*

The presence in her head disappeared and Indianna let out a long breath. It was only the second period and she already felt drained.

"Are you alright, Indie?" Greyson asked.

Indianna sighed and rubbed her eyes tiredly. "I have no idea."

Indianna had made it to lunch and she couldn't be happier. All she wanted to do was find a quiet corner of the library and be by herself for the first time that day. During her third lesson, she had Ace, Greyson's friend, trying to talk to her and then Brandon in the fourth. They both seemed nice, but Indianna hated them talking to her. She was better alone. Being alone was what she was good at.

The voice hadn't spoken to her again and Indianna smiled as she opened her locker. Maybe she was just nervous and was imagining it? Indianna crossed her fingers and hoped that was the case. She placed her books into her locker and when she shut it, Brooklyn appeared out of nowhere. "Indianna!" She grinned, making Indianna jump from fright.

"You scared me," Indianna said and Brooklyn smiled apologetically.

"Sorry," Brooklyn laughed. Indianna wondered if Brooklyn was ever not happy. She had yet to see her without a bubbly smile on her face. "So, I thought, considering you don't know anyone, did you want to sit with my friends and me at lunch?"

"Oh..." Indianna bit her lip, shifting awkwardly on her feet. She avoided eye contact. "Um, thanks, but I was going to go to the library."

"You don't want to meet everyone?" Brooklyn's face dropped slightly and Indianna felt guilty for turning her down, but she still shook her head.

"I... I er, I need to get some work done at the library." Indianna made up an excuse as Brooklyn's attention was drawn to someone behind Indianna.

"I told you that you were a social outcast."

Indianna turned round to see Greyson looking down at her, raising his dark eyebrows in amusement.

"Greyson!" Brooklyn gasped. "Don't be rude!"

Greyson smirked. "What? It's the truth."

"You're an asshole, but you don't see me telling you that!"

"I know very well what you think of me, Brooklyn," Greyson said dismissively. "Why don't you run along so I can have a chat with your new friend?"

Brooklyn narrowed her eyes at Greyson and crossed her arms over her chest. "You're such a dick."

Greyson glanced at Brooklyn with his dark eyes. "You better watch your mouth, Brooklyn," he warned. "I was just with Harry and he's looking for you. It'd be wise to find him before he finds you."

"Tell him to piss off," Brooklyn shrugged and looked back at Indianna just as Ace and Kal approached them, followed by a boy with blond hair that was pushed back, a few strands falling forward, grazing his high cheekbones. His eyes

"Speak of the devil," Greyson murmured, giving Brooklyn a knowing look. He turned and greeted the blond guy who was staring at Brooklyn who was trying her hardest to avoid eye contact.

"Indianna, shall I show you to the library?" Brooklyn suggested and stepped to the side but the blond boy was in front of her immediately, tutting and shaking his head. He placed his hands on Brooklyn's hips and gently pushed her back onto the lockers. "Harry, I-"

"You've been avoiding me," he whispered and narrowed his eyes. "You know I don't appreciate you ignoring me, babe."

"I totally haven't been ignoring you," Brooklyn said with a sweet smile. "Why on earth would I ignore you, Harry? You're a total delight to be around, aren't you? I can't think why I would want to be away from you. Now, do me a favour, and leave me alone so I can show Indianna to the library."

The blond boy, Harry, turned to look at Indianna, not having noticed her before. "Find your own way to the library," he said, barely sparing her a glance and he turned his attention back to Brooklyn who's mouth dropped.

"You can't-" Brooklyn was cut off when Harry leaned down and kissed her. Immediately, Indianna noticed Brooklyn relaxing in Harry's embrace and her lips moved in sync with his. She gripped his arms and Harry tangled his fingers in her curly hair. It was as if they had forgotten about the world around them and they were entirely focused on each other.

Indianna looked away, feeling awkward watching their intimate moment, and she caught Greyson rolling his eyes at the couple. They pulled apart when Kal, the ginger boy, made gagging noises and pretended to be sick. "God, you'd think you two don't spend every night going for it-"

"Kal!" Brooklyn cried, her eyes going wide. "God, stop talking!"

Indianna quickly realised that no one was paying her any attention so she slowly took a step backwards, confident that she could slip away unnoticed. Greyson, however, was entirely focused on Indianna and he noticed her immediately. He turned his head, raising his eyebrows at her.

"Going somewhere, Indie?"

Indianna felt her cheeks going red when all eyes went to her. This was the opposite of what she wanted. "Er... Yeah. The library. I'm just..." She took another step back and pointed behind her. "Gonna go."

"I don't mind showing you where to go?" Brooklyn suggested kindly, stepping away from Harry.

"No," Harry interjected, his voice blunt. He wrapped his arm around Brooklyn, holding her to his chest, causing Brooklyn to narrow her eyes and elbow Harry in the stomach. "She does." He leaned down and whispered something into Brooklyn's ear which made her roll her eyes but a faint smile formed on her lips.

"It's fine," Indianna said quickly and she hurriedly turned around and walked away before anyone else could say anything. She pushed away the guilt she felt from being rude and focused on making her way through the crowds of students littering the cramped school corridors.

Indianna felt utterly exhausted when she finally sat down in the library. She let out a long sigh and closed her eyes, basking in the calming silence of the library. For the first time today, she felt at ease, surrounded by books and the few students that went to the library during lunch. Even the scent of dust and the poor ventilation of the library soothed her.

She was alone.

*Sugar?*

Indianna sighed when she heard the voice. It didn't make her jump this time, she was expecting it, having felt the presence creep into her mind. She chose to ignore the voice.

*Indianna, don't ignore me.*

Indianna scowled. *Leave me alone,* she told the voice and reached into her pocket for her phone, attempting to distract herself.

The voice didn't give up. *Indianna?*

Indianna shook her head and scrolled through her messages, ignoring the voice.

*Indianna!* The voice was so loud it made Indianna's brain rattle and she gasped as a sharp pain seared through her head. It passed quickly, but she felt disoriented and she rubbed her eyes, trying to focus properly on the world around her as she recovered from the burst of pain.

*Did you do that?* Indianna asked the voice in her head cautiously. *Did you hurt me?*

There was a silence. *I think I did.*

*You think!* Indianna didn't think it was possible to yell in her mind, but clearly it was. *You think? That hurt! You hurt me!*

*I can find it hard to control my anger at times, sugar. It'd be wise to do as I say and we can avoid that happening again in the future.*

*You hurt me because you got angry?* Indianna hissed. *What the hell is wrong with you?*

*This is new for both of us, sugar, I didn't plan on causing you pain, but you made me angry and it just happened.*

*Are you even going to apologise?*

*Are you going to apologise for ignoring me?*

*That's not fair! You're insane! What do you want with me?*

*I can't tell you.*

*Why the hell not!* Indianna was growing increasingly frustrated.

*I want to tell you, sugar-*

*Stop calling me that!*

*Don't interrupt me. I want to tell you, but I don't know if you are ready.*

Indianna frowned and closed her eyes, rubbing her temples with her fingers. *Ready for what?* She asked eventually.

*The truth.*

*What do you mean?*

*I can't tell you until you are ready, sugar.*

*I'm scared. You're scaring me,* Indianna admitted. Her head was full of emotions and she wasn't sure what to feel. Anger? Fear? Confusion?

*I'm sorry about that, Indie. It's not my intention.*

*Answer me one question?*

*That depends on what the question is.*

*Do you go to this school?*

The voice paused. *Yes, I do.*

*Are you in-*

*Only one question, sugar.*