Okay, firstly, the next chapter of To Love You More, will be up either tomorrow...er... today (it's one a.m. over here), or tomorrow, I swear.Secondly,this story has been floating around in my mind for the longest time and I finally got it down in words. My first attempt at a female/female story. I have a feeling it'll suck, but oh well. I hope you like. :)

“Oh, God, look at her.”

“She’s so gloomy!”

“She makes depressed people want to kill themselves, ugh.”

“I can’t believe she’s back.”

“Even after what she did! Oh my gosh, she was like, put away, right?”

“Yeah, in an, oh my gosh, mental hospital!”

I tried to ignore the whispers as I headed down the hallway and towards my locker. I lowered my head slowly, in an attempt to avoid the glares I was receiving from the students. My hair tumbled over the sides of my face and I sighed with relief when I reached my locker.

I tried the combination a few times before finally succeeding and searched for my Law textbook.

“Another day… another reason to go and kill myself,” I thought to myself, wrapping my spider-like hands around the thick textbook. I felt another ocean of tears spring to my eyes and shook my head furiously.

“Don’t cry, Quinn,” I chanted to myself quietly, “Please… not here.”

I closed my eyes and stood still; waiting for the power of my tears to die down. God I hate this stupid school. I hate these Catholic uniforms, I hate the kids who whisper about me, I hate the girls who think I can’t hear what they say… I hate it all.

When my tears died down, I opened my eyes and sighed. A shiver trickled down my spine and I sensed someone watching me. Slowly, I turned around and my eyes landed on a girl leaning against the farwall. She was leaning lazily, one foot propped up against a table. She had short, velvety red hair with an army green bandana winding through it. I couldn’t distinguish the color of her eyes but she looked like a bad-ass. She was wearing the St. Theresa uniform pants, with a tight army green tank top and white St. TheresaOxford long-sleeved shirt. On her wrists, she had black sex bracelets, one Livestrong cancer bracelet, and about a dozen other wrist bands. She wore a shiny silver dog tag around her neck, along with maybe six or seven other chains. She kept her eyes on me and I bit my bottom lip.

“Probably another person who wants to ruin my life,” I thought, exasperated. Wrenching my eyes away, I turned back to my locker and shivered. She was still staring at me…

“Hey, Quinn!”

I plastered a smile on my face and turned to meet the eyes of Ephraim London.

“Hey, Ephraim.” I smiled and he shoved his hands in my pockets. I had always loved Ephraim. He was a very good friend, and very handsome, as well. He had shaggy navy blue hair that fell to the nape of his neck, radiant blue-green eyes and a beautifully crooked smile. His sense of style was just as amazing. Outside of school, he would wear such vivacious outfits, it often frightened and amused me. As far as I was concerned, he didn’t have any flaws.

“Welcome back.” he smiled at me and I nodded slightly.

“Thanks…” I mumbled and bit my bottom lip as his eyes shot to the girl watching me.

“Why is Caine Asher watching you?” he asked, looking back at me.

“Who?”

“Oh, sorry,” he laughed nervously, “You weren’t here when the Ashers arrived…”

“Well, obviously,” I joked and waited for him to tell me more about this mysterious Caine.

“Her family moved here from California.” he began, “Boggles the mind. Why would they want to move to Toronto, right? Well, we just found out that Caine’s Mom lives in California. Her parents are separated. And her Dad is a military freak and is transferred a lot.”

“But Toronto?” I narrowed my eyes in confusion and he shrugged.

“That’s what her sister is telling everyone. Cadence Asher.” Ephraim shrugged, “Caine doesn’t talk. Well, at least no one has heard her. She only talks to her sister, but in private. I saw them behind the school once, but never heard Caine’s voice. She only answers questions with facial expressions or gestures.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you know, with a nod, or a frown, laugh, smirk, etcetera.”

“That’s odd…” I mumbled and Ephraim nodded.

“Yeah. Indeed it is. Her brother, Alden comes here, too. He‘s a senior. She sure is a looker.

“Ephraim London,” I laughed, “Your mother would be appalled.”

Ephraim laughed and shook his head. His eyes were still on Caine.

“You must’ve done something to catch her eye.” he said softly and I fought the urge to turn around and look, “She’s looking straight at you.”

“I know. I can feel her trying to burn a hole through my head.”

Ephraim laughed and leaned against the locker next to mine.

“St. Theresa’s was nothing without you, Quinn.” he said quietly and I sighed.

“I know what you’re doing, Ephraim,” I sighed, “But I’m sorry. I can’t do it.”

“Why not?” he sighed loudly, “Just one date, Quinn. I swear, you’ll have fun!”

“I’m not doubting your ability to entertain me,” I looked at him, “I just don’t want this to be destroyed.”

“Can that happen?”

“Anything can happen, Ephraim.”

He sighed heavily just as the period one bell rang.

“Well I’m off to English.” he grumbled and ran a hand through his curly blue locks, “Where are you going?”

“Law. With Stein.” I held up my textbook.

“You’re in Asher’s class.” he started to walk away.

“Which Asher?” I grumbled, hoping he wouldn’t hear.

He did.

“Caine Asher.” he called back, low enough so only I could hear. I grabbed my backpack and hitched it over my shoulder. I patted my roaring hair down and chewed on my bottom lip as I shut my locker door and snapped my lock back on.

I closed my eyes and whipped around, almost hitting her.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” I gasped when my Law book jabbed her in the ribs.

Why was she standing so close?! Wait, how did she get so close… and so fast?

I expected her to yell, slap, or even flip me off, but to my amazement, she simply smirked.

Swiftly, she picked up my textbook, which had fallen to the ground, and placed it in my hands again. She then raised her eyes and stared at me. They were silver. Not black, not light, light, light gray. But silver. An actual, sparkling silver. It rendered me speechless as I gawked at her two mini disco balls. They were fascinating. I had never seen someone with silver eyes before.

Her ample lips twisted themselves into a smile and she slowly walked away. Everything about her was perfect, from the hair and skin — which was beautifully pasty — to her astounding eyes and figure. The way she wore her uniform amazed me, as well. Nobody would have dared to abuse it like that. She kept her pants baggy, and kept her shirt un-tucked, and unbuttoned. I looked down at my own uniform.

A kilt that fell to my knees, and a navy blue polo shirt with white socks and black shoes.

I was so boring… compared to her.

“Miss Ryder. It’s your first day back, do you wish for a trip to my office?” Ms. Anniston, the principal screeched from the front doorway. I smiled nervously and rushed to my Law class.

“Ah, Miss Ryder. Welcome back.” Mr. Stein said nonchalantly as I walked into the large bright classroom. All twenty-four heads jerked up at the sound of my name and glared.

“Her hair is longer.” I heard one girl whisper as I walked down the aisle to my seat.

“I heard they don’t let you cut it in asylums.”

“Actually,” I turned to face the speaker.

Sidney Rollins. I almost laughed out loud.

“They force you to cut your hair. Mine just grows quickly.”

The class snickered and I rolled my eyes before sitting down. I refused to look at the person sitting next to me. I knew who it was. I could feel her silver stare, her fresh breath reached my face and my skin tingled.

“All right, all right,” Mr. Stein rolled his eyes, “We’re all glad that Miss Ryder is back.”

More snickers.

“Open your textbooks to section twelve point seven. We’ll go over the death penalty. Miss Asher, would you like to read?”

Everyone, including myself, turned to stare at her. She averted her glittering eyes from me to the teacher. Obviously everyone was anxious to hear her voice, to hear the words roll off her tongue as she read from the textbook. But a groan escaped each of us, when she shook her head and raised an eyebrow.

“Miss Asher, are you even able to talk?” Mr. Stein asked sarcastically. Nobody laughed. Caine glared at him, her eyes hardening, but still, she didn’t say anything. She simply leaned back in her chair and shrugged.

Exasperated, Mr. Stein turned to Sidney, the student council president.

“Sidney, humor me.” he sighed and Sidney giggled.

“The death penalty…” her voice trailed off as I continued to gaze at Caine. I couldn’t look away. Slowly, she cast a sideways glance at me and smirked. I felt my lips twist into a smile and looked back down at my textbook.

Brilliant.

:-:

“How was your morning?” Ephraim asked as we stood in the cafeteria line. I grabbed a tray.

“It was okay. I hate Biology.”

“I don’t see why.” Ephraim snorted, “You’re a science freak.”

“Freak, yes. Smart, no.”

“You’re not a freak, Quinny.”

I turned around and squealed when my friend Akia threw her arms around me.

“Hey, Kiki!” I laughed and she leaned against the counter.

“We missed you!” she exclaimed and earned weird glances from several students. I smiled and blushed at the same time. Akia Regan was the only girl who could make me feel loved and embarrassed at the same time. She also had a way of making me feel ugly. Akia was a very pretty girl. She had a wicked sense of style. Today she was wearing her infamous tye-dye polo shirt (Anniston had given her hell for it), and her tight uniform pants. She had cut her hair, so now instead of thick layers of brown, it was an ebony black Mohawk. She had ditched her glasses, and wore green contacts.

“You look great!” I exclaimed, amazed with her transformation. It was amazing, how one simple haircut could change the entire appearance of one person.

“Me? You look great!” she widened her eyes and I rolled my own.

“Sure.”

“Seriously!” she nodded, “I mean, the long dark hair, tanned skin, the violet eyes! You’re a knockout! How’s your day so far?”

“It’s all right, actually.” I laughed, “Where are the others?”

“Elle and Diego are eating lunch on the roof, shhh, nobody’s supposed to know.” she winked, “I don’t think they know you’re here… Nathaniel and Faelin aren’t in school today, and Garrett is sick.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. Hopefully Elle and Diego will come down later.” I shrugged and grabbed a carton of vanilla yogurt.

“So, Quinn…” Akia lowered her voice when we reached our table, “Why did you do it?”

“Do what?” I pretended like I didn’t know what she was talking about.

“You know, what.” she hissed, “It had to be bad… they threw you in one of the most recognized asylums in the country. How was it?”

“Not as bad as you think.” I replied, tiredly, “I wish I was still there.”

“Quinn, it was a shock when we found out, you know. Everyone wondered how you could have been living a secret life. You used to be so open with us.”

“Honestly,” I stood up and shoved my tray away, “It’s none of your business. I don’t want this to go around. Sorry.”

I whipped around and walked away, leaving Ephraim, Akia and my yogurt behind.

:-:

I thrust open the front doors and stalked outside. The May sun blared in my face and I shielded my eyes.

“I hate the sun.” I grumbled to myself, shoving my hands in my pockets. I heard a small musical laugh erupt from behind me and turned to see Caine standing there, leaning against the wall. Her eyes were closed, but her lips held a small smile.

“Wasn’t funny…” I grumbled and took a step back when her eyes flashed open. The stunning silver sparkled and I squinted slightly. The sun didn’t help the glare.

“Sorry…” I mumbled and her eyes softened considerably. Slowly, she descended down the front steps. Her steps were smooth, and graceful. It seemed like she was gliding on ice. She stepped towards me and her scent filled my nostrils.

Sweet…like caramel…or cotton candy…completely mouthwatering…

I tried not to make it obvious as I breathed in the delicious scent. She noticed.

Caine laughed her melodious laugh once again and walked by me. Her shoulder brushed mine and I shivered at the touch of her smooth, glossy skin.

I turned and stared after her; watching, as she gracefully glided across the grassy knoll. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t wrench my eyes away and at the top of the knoll, she spun around, her hair swirling around her neck like a gentle wave. Her eyes were sparkling like newly discovered diamonds and she flashed me another smile. I was taken aback and stared back at her. She turned around again and continued to walk. I watched until she disappeared behind the knoll.

“Quinn Ryder?”

I turned around and blinked at the speaker. I had never seen her before. She had long red hair and bright blue eyes. She wore her uniform like I did, and was carrying a few textbooks in her hands.

“I’m Cadence.” she held out her hand and I took it, “Cadence—”

“Asher.” I nodded, remembering Ephraim'smorning words,“Your sister is in my Law class.”

“Oh. Has she spoken to you yet?” Cadence asked and I shook her head.

“Nothing more than a simple laugh.”

“Oh…” she smiled at me and I wondered if Caine’s voice was high and bubbly like her sisters, “The reason I caught up with you is, well, I was wondering if you would allow one of the student council to interview you?”

“Um… I’m sorry, what?” I narrowed my eyes and Cadence smiled softly.

“Well, the school knows what you tried to do, and the student council is launching a school newsletter. The theme this week is peer pressure, so we were wondering if we could interview you…?”

“Um… actually,” I tried to be polite, “I’d rather not. I don’t really want my ‘dilemma’ for lack of a better word, getting out to the entire student population.”

Cadence tried to smile.

“Well,” she laughed slightly, “They already know, so who would it hurt?”

“All they know, Cadence, is that I tried to commit suicide. They have no idea why. And I’d like it to stay that way.” I replied, running a hand through my hair.

“Well…” Cadence face fell slightly, like she wasn’t used to hearing no, “Well if um… you change your—”

“I’ll tell you.” I responded and she smiled faintly.

“Yes… well, if Caine talks to you,” she turned to walk away, “You must be one special girl.”

Before I could respond, she walked back into the school.

“Um… right-o.”

:-:

I stalked towards the large oak tree in the back field and sighed with frustration before throwing myself on the grass. A cool breeze tossed my hair around and I rolled over on my back, closing my eyes in the process.

“This day is biting.” I grumbled to myself, frowning. I felt a faint tingle travel down my spine; as if someone were watching me, but refused to open my eyes.

“They’ll look away.” I grumbled to myself again. Many long seconds passed and the tingling sensationdidn’t go away. Sighing with exasperation, I snapped my eyes open and gasped loudly.

Caine was lounging on one of the large branches above me. Her silver eyes were blaring at me and on her lips, I could detect the faintest little smirk.

“Good, Jesus!” I exclaimed.