HOLLOWED

One {Part 1}

Being able to read one's shadow really isn't the best gift someone can be born with. Especially when it takes everything that person has to keep that little bit of information hidden from anyone they decide to have a relationship with. Psychics would probably be thrilled to have someone as rare as me in their (very) extended family. But that doesn't mean it makes me happy. I like the idea of normalcy, and reading shadows isn't normal whatsoever.

"Earth to Azrael!" My best friend, well my only friend shouts, palming my face, "Jeez, what the heck's up with you today?"

I glance at him, blinking my eyes rapidly, "Jack, do you think I'm strange?"

He frowns, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, "You're wicked smart compared to these other A holes, but no you're not strange. I love you the way you are."

I give him a small smile as his boyfriend appears out of nowhere, embracing the both of us tightly.

"Can't breath, Kade." I wheeze, desperately trying to pry his muscular arm from around me, "Need air."

"Oh, sorry. It's still hard to control my strength." He replies bashfully, kissing Jack on the cheek,"Anyways, how's your day been." 

Jack takes the liberty to converse with his boyfriend while I glance around the cafeteria curiously. My eyes land on Cyrus Warren, the hottest and sweetest boy in the whole school. With silky looking platinum blonde hair and gorgeous pale gold eyes, he's the interest of my heart at the moment. The only problem about crushing on him, is the fact that his twin brother Seth is a complete and total recluse who hates the world. Seth's wild black hair reaches his shoulders, and light stubble shadows his jawline in a strangely sexy way. What scares everyone is the wild, and predatory look in his pale silver eyes. Eyes that suddenly seem to know mine are watching.

Seth's hand moves in a slight wave, a sarcastic smile on his face. My faces heats up and I turn away, training my eyes on the floor underneath the cheerleaders' table. Where there's supposed to be several shadows. Instead out of six cheerleaders, there's only four shadows. Quickly glancing up, I check to see if it's just my mind playing tricks on me or the lighting is just off, but nope. The lighting seems to be illuminating the two girls without shadows. One of them glances up at me, and grins her smile and eyes a little to wide for a regular human. Almost like the Domino Effect, heads turn towards me, giving me the same creepy and unnatural grin as the cheerleader. Even worse, they too are missing their shadows. I blink my eyes several times, hoping it's an optical illusion or maybe something to do with my recent surge of insomnia. But instead the gazes seem to grow more and more intense.

I have to get out of here!

Snatching my tray off the table I mumble something to Jack and Kade before hurrying towards the conveyor belt, completely aware the eyes watching my every move. On my way out the doors, I stupidly trip on my shoe string, and tumble right into a pair of strong warm arms.

"Careful there, Azrael." A soft male voice whispers in my ear, "I don't want to see you get hurt."

I glance up, my breath catching in my throat. He knows my name.