Firefly *Chapter 1*

1

Fireflies are beacons for souls in the dark. Did you know that, Angie?2

3

It was something I'd heard from my mother when I was just five years old, something she'd said that had stuck. So why had it popped into my head when I locked eyes with the boy sitting towards the back of my science class?4

5

"Miss West, are you having trouble finding your seat?" Ms. Starr said dryly.6

7

My face heated up and I shuffled to a seat at the back of the classroom amid snickers from the other students. I wondered if it was possible that I could just disappear.8

9

"Hey... You're the new kid, right?"10

11

I turned and looked at the kid next to me. I hadn't noticed that the table I'd chosen wasn't empty. The boy beside me surveyed me, indifferently. His gray eyes flickered quickly over my face.12

13

"Yes," I answered. I was hardly the "new kid" since I'd been in school for almost a week now.14

15

"I'm Nick Hearst," he said shortly. "And you're my lab partner."16

17

"Okay," I said, showing less enthusiasm than he was, if that was possible.18

19

For the first half of class, I worked in silence, occassionally listening to some of the other kids talk. Finally I turned to Nick and said quietly, "Who's that?" I pointed to the dark haired boy who sat directly in front of me.20

21

"Devlin Calloway." Nick glared at the back of his head. "Why? Are you interested in him?"22

23

"Oh, no. I just... don't really know who anyone is right now." I finished my assignment and looked it over. Unable to restrain my curiosity I asked, "Do you hate him?"24

25

"What gave you that idea?"26

27

"You gave him a dirty look."28

29

"Hate's a strong word."30

31

"So you don't like him?"32

33

Nick gave an exasperated sigh. "Why do you ask so many questions?"34

35

"Why shouldn't I?"36

37

Nick stared at me, his storm cloud colored eyes narrowing. "Why do you ask so many questions about him? I thought you said you weren't interested in him."38

39

"I'm not. I ask a lot of questions about everybody."40

41

"You haven't asked any questions about me."42

43

I gazed out of the window to my right. Thick clouds blocked the sun, giving the entire town a sort of bleak look. "It's only a matter of time." I turned back to him, smiling a little. "It's going to rain later," I commented.44

45

The bell rang, an obnoxious trilling sound, and I started to gather my books.46

47

"I heard you talking about me." I jumped slightly, glancing up. Devlin was leaning over the table, his dark green eyes fixed on my face. His stony glare froze my insides, making it hard to speak.48

49

"I wasn't talking about you. Inquiring is a more appropriate word."50

51

"Whatever. Just stay the hell away from me."52

53

The moment he turned away from me, the icy feeling in the pit of my stomach faded and I could move again. But I couldn't get those eyes out of my head. Frigid eyes that held infinite sorrow.54