Frost

XVII.

Dakota wasn't there in school today, and neither was Hazel. 

I looked for both of them during first period and felt a little disappointed when I didn't see him stroll into his usual seat, smirk plastered across his face. Since last night's conversation with Hazel Fleming, I have made it my mission to avoid her completely and ignore the problem until graduation day. 

Lately I haven't been getting enough sleep, and it was obvious due to the large purple-blue bags under my eyes. I felt drained of all my energy, and I had no doubt that it was because of Alfred's magic lessons. It seemed like one thing was getting piled on top of another and I couldn't keep track of how many things had happened over the last month. It was like someone pressed 'fast mode' on my life. 

Belle Ricard's attack had everyone on edge since this morning. Everybody was talking about it- even the teachers, who had worrisome looks on their faces whenever Belle's name would come up. The students were scared. We all wondered what happened, or who could it be, causing havoc on the school. People thought Thornhill was supposed to be safe. Alfred told me that since recently, parents have been phoning in, angry and confused about the current events. Poor Ms. Belcourt. 

Belle was a sweet girl, or so I've heard. She was petite, mousy brunette with a small voice. She was with her boyfriend at the time, sneaking off into the forest, thinking they could get away with a romantic rendezvous. He ran but she wasn't fast enough. Something happened. More like- something's happening.  I needed to find out what, and I still haven't heard anything about my real parents. 

Okay Aspen, you need to prioritize. I felt like I needed to make a list. At the top would be figuring out the parent situation, who were they, and how to get in touch with others like me. That would be question one to deal with. Then I need to find out who James Westley is, where he is, and how to avoid him. Next I would have to learn how to control white fire to protect myself if James ends up finding me. Then I need to figure out who wrote those bloodied words on the wall, who attacked Belle, and above all- who killed Johanna? Dakota- well, Dakota comes dead last. I'll sort out my love life when my regular life is stable. 

God, I felt like the star of a teen drama. 

I walked to lunch clutching my books to my chest. School was another thing that should be higher up on my list. I was doing well in the regular subjects, math, english and such. But defence class was kicking my butt, literally we were working on kicks the other day. History was also something that I easily fell behind in, despite Miss White becoming of the most entertaining teachers, it was hard to learn about the history of something you didn't even know existed until last month. Every other student already seemed to know everything from wars to peace treaties, all learned in their elementary school days. I, on the other hand, only knew about world wars and 1812.