Chapter 6 Gold Eyes at the Bonfire

VANESSA'S POV

The North Shore isn't just a beach. It's where everyone from Cresthaven Point goes when they want to forget the school rules. By the time Lena and I reach the sand, the bonfire is huge, a tall tower of orange flames throwing sparks into the dark sky. The music is so loud I can feel it thumping in my chest.

Everything's total chaos. The sporty guys are tossing a football by the water, and the air smells like salt and smoke. It's loud, messy, and honestly, way too much for me.

"See? I told you it was great!" Lena yells over the music. She grabs my arm and pulls me into the crowd. "Look at everyone. They're staring at you like you're famous."

She isn't lying. As we walk past a group of younger students, they actually stop talking to point at me. A few guys nod at me like they respect me now. After eight weeks of being a ghost, having everyone look at me feels weird.

My wolf is already restless. The noise is too sharp, and the heat from the fire makes my skin feel tight. I just want to find a dark corner and stay there until it's time to go back to the dorms.

"I'm going to get us some drinks," Lena says, pointing toward a big group near the water. "Don't move. Stay right here, okay?"

"Lena, wait—"

But she's already gone. She disappears into the crowd before I can stop her. I sigh and pull at the bottom of my black top. I feel like everyone is watching me. I look around, trying to find a face that isn't staring, and that's when I see him.

Adrian is leaning against a big piece of wood, holding a red cup. He's talking to his friend Christian, but he looks bored, he's looking at the fire. Then he turns his head, like he knows I'm watching. Our eyes meet, and my heart starts beating fast. I look away first, my face feeling hot.

"Well, if it isn't the girl who loves pasta."

The voice is sharp and mean. I turn around and see Melissa. She's standing on a big pile of sand with two of her friends behind her. She looks perfect in her leather jacket, but the way she's looking at me? Like I'm dirt.

"I'm not in the mood, Melissa," I say. I try to keep my voice down, like I don't care at all. "I just want to get through the night."

"You've got guts showing up here," she says. She steps down the sand until she's right in my face. The crowd starts to go quiet, wanting to see the fight. "You think dumping food on me makes you special? You're a scholarship kid, Vanessa. You're poor. You don't belong on this beach, and you definitely don't belong in this school."

"Whatever," I mutter. I turn to walk away because I'm already done with this.

"I'm not finished!" Melissa snaps. She reaches out and grabs my shoulder, spinning me back around. "You ruined my expensive sweater. You think you can just walk away?"

"It was an accident," I lie. I can feel my anger starting to grow. "Just like you tripping with your drink was an accident, right?"

A few people nearby go ooh, and I see Melissa's face turn bright red. She's losing her temper, and she hates that people are watching. She steps even closer, her chest almost touching mine.

"Watch your step, freak," she says quietly.

I turn my back on her to find Lena. I'm done. I just want to go back to my room.

But I don't even get two steps away.

Before I even hear a thing, Melissa pushes me from behind. She hits me in the shoulders, and I stumble on the soft sand.

I start to lose my balance. My feet slide and I'm falling forward, right toward the fire.

Just fall, my brain screams. Just fall.

But my body won't listen.

It all happens too fast to even think. My body just takes over. I twist in the air and land on my feet, knees bent, keeping my balance so I don't slide into the fire.

Everything around me goes quiet for a second. The music is still playing, but it feels like nobody is breathing.

I look up, gasping for air. My heart is beating like a drum. For a tiny second, I know my eyes aren't brown. I feel my eyes flash gold for a second before I blink and hide it.

"Whoa," someone whispers.

"Did you see that?" another voice says.

Most of them look confused. They didn't even see how I moved. They only saw me standing there suddenly. Melissa is still standing on the sand with her hands out. She looks like she just saw a ghost.

Adrian is already watching me.

He hasn't moved at all. But he isn't looking at the fire anymore. Something in his face tells me he knows. He saw the speed and the way I landed.

He knows that wasn't normal.

Fear hits me all at once. I jump to my feet, my hands shaking so hard I have to hide them in my pockets. I can't wait for Lena and I don't want to say anything to Melissa.

I turn and run. My head is spinning and I just want to find a dark place to hide. But I don't even get five steps before a hand grabs my wrist. It's a strong grip, like he's never going to let go.

I spin around, ready to fight, but it's Adrian. He's standing right there, his face so close to mine. The fire is dying behind us, but there's still enough light for him to see me.

"Let me go," I say, my voice shaking.

"No," he says, holding on. "Tutoring starts Monday, Vance. But I think we're going to talk about that move right now.”