Chapter 1

"Christ, did you guys buy the whole mall?" Nathanial was in our room once again. I don't understand how he doesn't get caught being on the girls dorm side, he was in here nearly every day.

Danielle has insisted on getting me a new wardrobe and room decorations. She found out my secret; well she knows the general. She knows I have no money to my name and no family to call but she doesn't know how or why. I didn't want pity or sympathy from anyone although she never gave me that. She continued to act like a normal human being; which is why we've gotten so close in a short amount of time. It's already been over a month since I've arrived, and classes were going great so far.

"Your sister has absolutely no self control. I suggest we put her in rehab." He smirked at me with a wink. I looked down at my finger nails as my face flushed. There are only so many times you see Nathanial come close to smiling. Especially towards me.

"Oh yeah, and what do you suppose I'd be in there for?" She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at me from her bed.

"Hi, my name is Danielle May and I'm a shopaholic." I giggled and fell back on my bed.

"I think Danielle in rehab would be quite entertaining." I looked over at Nathanial as he continued to speak to me, "Don't you think, Cat?"

I nodded my head vigorously, "I would most definitely record that and become the next biggest director."

"Oh you two are just hilarious."

The sounds of bickering snapped me out of a trance I hadn't noticed I was in. Nathanial was now standing up, walking towards the door.

"What in the hell are you two arguing about now?"

"He won't get my mail from the mail room!"

I rolled my eyes. Leave it to them to fight over absolutely nothing.

"Go with him Catty, please!" Her eyes looked as if they were going to pop out and she pouted her lip far more than necessary. I've gotten use to her calling me Catty. I'm not going to say it doesn't bother me, but it doesn't hurt as much anymore.

I sighed loudly, "fine." She smiled widely and threw me her mailroom key.

I glanced over at her, while I picked up my bag off the floor, just as she winked at me. I rolled my eyes and walked out the door behind Nathanial.

"I need to stop by my room to get the key to my mailbox first."

I nodded and followed him to the boys' side. We reach room 4B, and when I walked inside I noticed that there was only one bed, "You have a room to yourself?"

"Yes."

"Nice."

I walked over to his desk, sliding my finger across a picture frame. It was a photograph of a man holding the hands of a little boy and girl.

"That's my dad." I jumped at the sound Nathanial's voice so close. I spun around on my heels, "He looks nice."

"Yeah, I suppose."

"Um, where is he?"

"I wish I knew."

"I- um I'm s-sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry about." He smiled down at me then brought his right hand up to my face gently stroking it. Two smiles at me in one day, I looked down at my feet hiding my blush. I longed for the warmth of his hand as he pulled away and cleared his throat, "What about your dad? Or parents? Where are they?"

I could tell he was only trying to change the subject. It was my turn to clear my throat as I turned around to face the wall, "They um died, along with my brother and unborn sister."

"Oh god, I'm sorry Catalina. I shouldn't have asked."

I shook my head, "You didn't know; nothing to be sorry about." I turned back around to face him with a half-heartedly smile.

"You're too strong, you know that?"

"How so?"

"I see the way you react every time Danielle calls your Catty. I saw the look in your eyes when I accidently called you Catty a while back, I remember that look. There's a story behind that nickname, but you refuse to correct us. You keep it in as if it weren't hurting you."

My hands fidgeted. I was amazed at how he watched me so closely. I took a seat on his chair, "My brother use to call me that." I took a deep breath and looked up at him, "He was my best friend; my only friend. I should have been in that car, not him. I should have died." I could feel a tear slide down my cheek as I shut my eyes tight.

"Don't talk like that."

"It's true though." When I opened my eyes, Nathanial was leaning down in front of me, wiping the wetness off my face. He popped his thumb in his mouth, "Salty." I grinned at him, and then found myself in a fit of giggles.

He smiled evilly. I raised my eyebrow, he was up to something. The next thing I knew I was on the floor being tickled by him, laughing like there was no tomorrow.

"St-oop! Pl-e-ase! Na-nate! Okay! I-I get it!" I could barely speak through my laughter. "NATHANIAL!" I shouted when I got the chance. He was chuckling. I don't know how much longer I could bear with him so darn close without flipping out. And, Jesus, his smile didn't leave my brain. I think this is the most we've talked or anything since I've met him, but that didn't stop the thoughts of him. Oh please don't be falling for him.

He brought his hands close to my sides again and I quickly slapped them away, causing him to fall on top of me.

"Ow!" I pouted.

"That was your fault."

"You're heavy."

"I like this position."

I rolled my eyes, "typical."

He smirked at me looking into my eyes. I think I just died and went to heaven. He leaned forward, and now I could feel his breath on me. No, now I've died and went to heaven.

I looked down at his lips as he looked at mine. I fluttered my eyes close waiting for his lips to meet mine only to be interrupted by a loud banging on the door.

Then the person realized the door wasn't locked and barged in. I quickly pushed off Nathanial with all my might and jumped up to my feet. I looked up to see a terrified looking Danielle.

"I'm going to totally ignore the fact that you guys were on the floor together in here rather than at the mail room because Nate…." Her voice trailed off as her lips trembled.

"What happened, Danielle?" Nathanial's voice was firm and demanding.

"Don't be mad please."

"Damn-it Danielle, what the fuck happened?" I've never seen Nathanial so….angry. It was like he knew what she was going to say. His face was straight and his hands were in tight fists. So tight, they were starting to turn white.

I touched his arm softly, rubbing my thumb against it. "Nathanial, calm down and let her explain. Please." I whispered quietly and carefully. His face instantly softened.

Danielle looked up with tears in her eyes. "I tried to contact him. They've found us."

Ice.

There was ice in his eyes now. I took a step back as a reflex because I could tell he was on the verge of losing it. He glanced over at me and said nothing.

"We have to leave; now. Go tell mother."

"Oh, please don't make me be the one to tell her." Danielle begged.

"Don't make me angrier Danielle, because, god forbid, I do something I'll regret." His voice was steady but I sensed the strain behind it.

She quietly nodded and exited the room. That second, he sat down roughly and opened his laptop. I watched as he logged into his school email account then I looked away to give him privacy.

"God damn it, I knew it!" He shouted.

Although, I knew he was talking to himself, the words were already out of my mouth before I could stop them, "Knew what?"

"The bastard got a hold of my email." I couldn't keep myself from peaking over his shoulder any longer.

From: Rick Vargas

To: Nathanial Grey

I've finally found you and your sister, Nathanial. It's a pleasure to see you again. That girl is awfully pretty, wouldn't want something to happen to her, now would we? Too bad you couldn't kiss her without Danielle barging in. Silly little bitch. See you soon.

Sincerely,

Rick Vargas, an old friend.

"Shit." Nathanial jumped up from his seat and closed his curtains. He began to pace around the room, in circles.

I could get myself to stop staring at the email. How does he see us? And what does he want? I've got to get out of here. My heart was racing as I stood up and shuffled towards the door, almost tripping on my bag that was on the floor. I regained my balance, picked up my bag, and reached for the door knob only to be pulled back by the waist.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

I stared at him not knowing what to say.

"You're not leaving my sight for one damn second."

"But"

"NO BUT'S!" I flinched as he yelled. He quickly loosened his grip on me, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. It's just, you read the email. He's seen us." A quick splash of realization washed over his face, "Shit Danielle!"

He took hold of my hand and led me out the room. I struggled to keep up with him, but holding his hand helped. I was confused as to what was going on.

We soon reached the Headmaster's office; I furrowed my eyebrows wondering why we were here. He barged through the door with me close behind. He let out a sigh of relief to see Danielle standing there with Headmaster Grey.

"Thank god." He muttered.

"What's happened Nathanial? And what is this girl doing with you?" Headmaster Grey questioned gesturing towards me.

"He got a hold of my email. He saw me in my room. He's seen me, we have to leave."

She sent daggers towards Danielle then returned to look at me.

"Please don't tell me he brought her into this."

Nathanial stood his ground, not a flinch or hint of fear in sight, "He must have been watching us for a while now because he knows we've been hanging out."

"You had to be so careless!" She snapped at Danielle. Danielle continued to look at the floor, too ashamed to look her in the eye. "Take the girls and get out of her Nathanial, I will hold him off as long as I could. You remember the plan, correct?"

Nathanial nodded.

"Good, now go and don't be seen. Take the secret exit, and don't take either of your cars."

"Let's go." He demanded. I held out my hand for Danielle to take, which she did, and followed Nathanial out of the room. His jaw was locked and his hands were in fists, once again. Nathanial could look scary if he wanted to and right now was definitely one of those times.

When I thought my life had finally escaped drama, this is thrown at me. I have no idea what was going on, but I was not going to go on without being informed. I must know the truth. "What's going on? Where are we going?"

Danielle silently cried, letting me know she was unable to answer her. Nathanial stayed quiet, face hardened and unreadable.

"Well Nathanial?"

"What?" He snapped.

"What the hell's going on?" I had questions and I demanded answers. I was not going to be forced to leave, against my will, without knowing why. So as he continued to ignore me, I released Danielle's hand, and halted my walking. It took a few seconds for Nathanial to notice the lack of footsteps behind him since Danielle turned around to check where I was.

He sighed and groaned. He can moan and grunt all he wants, I want answers.

"Do not do this right now." Nathanial's face was still straight, but his eyes were easily read as begging. I wasn't going to give up. Not without a fight.

"Tell me, now. Or I go nowhere with you."

He sighed loudly, "Jesus Christ." He whispered in frustration. "If you don't continue walking, I will carry you." His voice was now louder.

Is that a threat? I rolled my eyes and dropped to the floor, proving my point that I was not leaving this spot.

"Please Catalina. Let's go." Danielle begged.

I huffed and crossed my arms, staring Nathanial down.

He threw his hands up in the air, "Fine you want to stay there? Be my guest, you got a death wish apparently." He fiercely turned around, stomping away.

Did I just hear the word death?

I jumped up to my feet and chased after him, pulling on his arm, "What the hell do you mean 'death wish'? Are you saying I have a possibility of dying?"

No reply.

"Oh my god, I'm going to die." I whispered trying to keep up with them. Fresh start, my ass. Here I thought coming to Grey's Academy will keep me safe from danger, away from my uncle and away from drama. Boy was I wrong.