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-CHAPTER ONE-

Swansea High

IT WAS THE SCARLETT KIDS FIRST DAY AT SWANSEA LeisureSchool.

It was exceptionally hard for them for several reasons;maybe because it was all five of them together, so there was

no need to make any friends.Maybe it was because theyd just came over from Ireland,

so their accent didnt help blend in.Maybe it was because all five were so beautiful, pale and

graceful, and that was why it alienated them from everyoneelse.

Maybe it was because (especially in Candices case) theywore slightly eccentric clothes, which made them stand outeven more in such a small town.

Maybe it was because people had already started makingjudgements about Stephanie and Olivers relationship.

Maybe because after seeing Candice and Jasper togetherpeople thought that they were together as well.

Maybe it was because all five of them were thirsting afterall the other pupils and teachers blood alike.

Or maybe just maybe it was because they were fangedVampyres with impossible speed, inevitable strength and

inhumanly strong five senses.Candice youngest of Scarletts, could hear the thoughts ofeveryone in or around the school. Jasper Scarlett couldcontrol electricity around him. Stephanie could control theweather. Evelyn could make her drawings come to life, andonce you think this family couldnt get any stranger, Oliverhad the ability to defy the laws of gravity, and he could fly.

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All five Scarletts had split themselves between thetwo modestly expensive cars; one black Porsche, which wascarrying Candice, Jasper and Evelyn, then a red coupe car,

with the other two.

Immediately all eyes were transfixed on them.Candice stepped out of the car first.When she stepped out, everyone froze and looked at her;

she stood there and looked at all the people looking at her.She smiled to herself, brushing her short black hair out of

the path of her eyes, revealing the electric blue eye make-upelaborately, showing-off how bright her turquoise eyes were.

She scoured the crowd again, smiling even brooder then spunon the tip of her heel, and waited for the other four to comeout of their cars.

When the had finally exited the cars, many eyes began towander and a nervous chatter started up.

As soon as the awkward moment was over, the teenagerscarried on doing what they were doing, and returned back totheir trivial little Human lives.

Candice stood at the front, as if leading them to the mainoffice. Jasper the tall brunet, had his hand in Candices andwas towering over her, as if he was trying to her protect herfrom peoples enquiring eyes, and the only problem was, hecouldnt protect her from their thoughts.

Candice smiled as she took a deep breath in, allowing thekids piranha-like thoughts around her to scorch her throat,then immediately their scents came to her after, their taste.

There was a lot of vanilla everywhere, it was as if the airwas thick with it. But what she couldnt understand was thatwhen it came down to the actual drinking, they would tastenothing like it

Evelyn was walking beside her. She started talking abouttheir new home and what they should do to her room afterschool.

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Stephanie was inserting her comments here and therewhile fiddling with her long, blond, curly hair.

Oliver said nothing much, a grin was still on his mouth.They laughed at regular intervals, passing more Humans -

and when Candice told them snippets of what the othersaround them were thinking, the laughter only grew louder.

When they got near to the main office, they saw peopletalking to their friends, yelling to each other on the sides ofthe corridors, whilst trying to manoeuvre around to get totheir lessons.

However, when Candice, Jasper, Evelyn, Stephanie andOliver, tried walking to the main office a path appeared as ifthe five of them were around their own private bubble - a

bubble no one else in school could step into.

When they were at the office Candice stood at the desk,while the pink stubby ginger woman at the desk sat there,blatantly ignoring her, continuing to shuffle pointless bits ofpaper.

Excuse me? We need our timetables please Candice saidpolitely, putting on a friendly, but incredibly fake smile.

The woman looked up insolently, and left to bring backanother person.

Names? she sighed, sitting herself down at the chair.She was a tall pretty blonde, with bright green eyes and a

sort of childish charm that came with her dimples.Jasper grinned, without knowing he was.Candice, Evelyn, Jasper, Oliver, and Stephanie Scarlett.

she said in alphabetical order.The girl stood up and went to an old filing cabinet in the

corner of the room.Candice smiled slightly at the corners of her mouth andgiggled under her breath. Jasper thought, intrigued aboutwhat had made her jovial on such a boring, repetitive daysuch as today

What? What is she thinking? Whats so funny?

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Candice spoke so quietly not even the queue of peoplebeside her could hear her say,

The other ones thinking if you would ask her out if she had

on some make-up today.

Well um whats the blonde one thinking?

She wants to go home and dump her boyfriend, Candybegan to giggle again.

The old ones interested? Thats a bit backwards is it not?Im old enough to be her grandfather - her great grandfather

even.

You cant tell her that, Jasper.

And the other?

Maybe

The others and Stephanie werent paying any attention tothe quick exchange that was going on between Candice and Jasper; she was too busy mauling over the fact boys werewalking into posts because they were staring at her.

At the best of times her mind wasnt a very nice place to bein, full of pictures of her own reflection and the reaction ofboys when they saw her, even though she really did loveOliver, she still lapped it up, when boys flirted with her.

It was awfully safe to say that Olivers mind was a simpler

place to be in.Full of jokes, pranks, and never ending forgiveness.Oliver was smarter than most people gave him credit for. It

was simpler because there wasnt much that he wouldntthink that he wouldnt say.

Evelyns mind was completely exceptional. It was full ofdaydreams. Doors that opened to imaginary worlds, full of

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moving pictures and strange memories.Jaspers mind was different to say the least; full of many

thousands of different ideas, thoughts, concerns.It amused Candy for hours just to sit in silence with him

while he read a book, or relaxed, just so she could listen toeverything that crossed his mind.

Candice was abruptly jerked out of her reverie by Evelynwho took the wad of yellow paper from the attractive-to-only-Jasper secretary and then after elbowing Candy in the ribsagain.

Thanks, Evelyn said pointedly and walked out, through theold, stained door and onto the dying grassy patch

She separated the bits of paper and handed some sheets to

everyone and they stood outside in the wind, allowing it tobrutally bash against their bodies, yet no one moved

Standing calm and silent, still not even moving an inch.Oh, great I have double biology. Evelyn moaned, she

broke the silence, and the others began to talk too.Jasper grinned and said,Yeah I do too, didnt we get a G.C.S.E in that before Ev?I dont know, she replied blas, waving her hand as if it

was no big deal. Maybe it was somewhere along the line, Idon't count them anymore.

What dyou have Steph? Jasper asked her.Oliver answered for her, seeing as Stephanie was not in the

mood to talk.Me and Steph have History now. He pulled a face and

began to think of millions of other things that he could bedoing with his time,

We should get going or well be really late. Jasper said.

Evelyn and Oliver nodded vaguely in agreement whileJasper continued, Come on then. Wait - what do you haveCandy?

She grimaced,Maths, double maths. All the time its always maths first

and Im aloneYoull be okay; if youre not - you can at least show of by

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knowing all the answers. Stephanie said encouragingly foronce, trying not to be self centred, that only lasted for abouthalf a second, before her thoughts rushed into a quick butseriously lame insult, Theres a piece of hair out of place on

your head Candice.Candy ruffled her top layers, and stuck her tongue out at

her. She turned her eyes back to the time table to see whereher lesson was.

Your lessons in class D21 - mine is D24 - Ill walk with you.Stephanie offered, before she said her class out loud.

In other words; Stephanie was thinking

You cant skip class, because if I have to suffer here, you

have to - too.

Stephanie took Candices arm and all but dragged her inthe direction of their next class,

Meet you later girls! Jasper said, waving half-heartedly,calling after them. Oliver started walking slowly behind.

He was humming along to Green Days American Idiot onhis headphones, thinking of his curiously similar friend Jason Tyler, who was the Scareltts extended and absolutelyamazing family in America.

In class D21, the teacher was Mr. Thomas.Thomas was an short, plump greying old man, who had a

grouchy temper and had been teaching maths for 24 yearsand wholeheartedly detested the modern day use.

From the outside of the door, Candy took a few seconds tosearch through Thomas thoughts, and get a look at the sort

of character he was.Thomas was in the middle of a long and winding lectureabout algebraic equations and how they made up 89.5% ofyour final grade.

She took a deep calm breath, and opened the door, withher icy hand firmly around the handle.

The door opened, all eyes pierced her with their jealous and

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admiring gaze - minus the dramatic windsweptness.Her straight short black hair shone sleekly, from the light

pouring through the window. She was wearing a black andblue stripy cardigan and a short black skirt and black and

blue stripy socks and black high heels, all of it standing outon her pale white skin.

Are you Mr. Thomas? she asked, holding her head up highas she took a fleeting look at him. Not waiting for his answershe carried on. Im Candice Scarlett.

She handed him a note and stood at the front of the classconfidently, while he was reading it.

She stood patiently at the front and noticed that basicallyeveryone was staring at her, apart from the odd person and

she stared back at them inquisitively, and then an elfin grincrept up on her face, blinding the class with her smile.

Almost immediately, Candices smile, was now admiredthroughout the whole class. Her lipstick-red lips outlining herwhite teeth. The grin reaching her turquoise eyes.

Everyone in the class noticed that she had a dimple on herleft check, most boys were so enticed with her that theirvisual obsession was short of taking notes.

Her attention snapped back to Mr. Thomas,His eyes lifted up from the note. It says here, you have four

siblings.Yes sir, I do, she still held a little smile around her lips - as

if on a private joke about him, yet still answered to himpolitely, ignoring his rudeness.

He looked a little taken aback by politeness and calmnessAre they going to be late as well?No sir, theyre older than me.

Very well, take a seat next to - he looked round the classand only saw one available seat, near the back next to a badinfluence-type boy.

He couldnt move anyone around, so against his betterjudgement he said,

Owen. Move your bag boy, make room for her.Owen looked startled at his name being mentioned, and

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then his eyes widened when he saw Candice. She gave him ashort smile, and moved towards his desk, and looking back atthe eyes still gaping and her as she sauntered to her seat.Owens thoughts were blank he was intent on being this

silent, until she said something first,

Wow! She is gorgeous! Better looking than Hayleyat any rate; and to think I once thought I had the prettiestgirlfriend in the school - maybe its time for an upgrade?

A boy thought somewhere near the front as she brushedpast him.

Candice felt a sudden pang of sadness for this Hayley.

Someone thought across the class.

OMG, if that bitch tries to get my man off of me I will killher - but its not like shes that pretty anyway. I am so muchmore naturally beautiful,

Candy realised it was Hayley, and instantly the pang ofsadness disappeared.

All the way walking to the back she heard what peoplethought of her.

For the thousandth time she wished that she had a stopbutton, or at least a mute.

When she finally got to the back of the long class room andsat down next to Owen, she pulled her legs under the greymaths table with remarkable poise. Although she was sittingnear the back the entire class still found a way to stare at her.

Owen sensing her discomfort from the thirty odd pairs of

eyes watching at her every move, looked around;What are you lot lookin at? Is there a problem? Owensnapped, clearly he lived up to the fierce person which Mr.Thomass thoughts had painted him out to be.

She smiled and whispered a thank you to him, her accentsinking through her mellifluous voice.

I hate it, when people stare at me. she added.

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Not a problem. Im Owen. I take it from athis youre thenew in class girl Candice.

Candy, she corrected him, thanks.Wanna see if Thomas at the front will call you that? he

grinned mischievously.

Shes different. Not like the other girls in this school.Maybe shell have a personality, he thought, quickly heamended his thoughts; Maybe not all the other girls - Jayniand Alexei have a personality. Enough personality to getthem kicked out anyway. Maybe shell stir things up and Iwont be the only one getting in trouble -

You know what? I might pass on that one she said,

returning his impish grin.He carried on staring at her and when their eyes met, just

for a split second, Candice felt like a thousand bolts ofelectricity were flowing into the pit of her stomach, and shenoticed his gorgeous green eyes and his pale skin, and howhis long-ish black hair outlined his cheekbones impeccably,and that his slightly long fringe (covering one of his eyes)made him look five times as cute.

After about five seconds, Candy broke away against herbetter will, to face the front, looking as if she was trying toconcentrate on Mr. Thomas lecture.

They faced the front, slightly embarrassed at themselves,until right at the end of the lesson with about three minutesleft.

Owen looked at her, and he had noticed her, completelyabsorbed in a drawing she had in front of her. Hed noticed

her long, slender, white fingers, smudged with black from thecharcoal. Her striking turquoise coloured eyes glittered withconcentration while her hands suddenly froze, intent criticallyon her work. Her mouth opened slightly in the trace of herconcentration.

He noticed how dazzling her lips were, the exact colour ofblood, and that all of her elaborate make-up suited her

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flawlessly.He sighed, mentally,

Shes so...so

He sighed again, only deeper this time.

If only she could ever like me, I could ask her to thebasketball court, but she wont come, shed wanna stay withher family and her friends...

He thought on about her. and, while Candice drew, shelistened to Owens thoughts.

She liked them, she sighed as she put the sketch pad into

her bag and thought,

But he doesnt know what I am, if he did he would hate me.Surly one day couldnt kill him, at least. And that way I

could truly repay him for stopping everyone staring at me...Owen I know you normally chill by yourself at lunch in

the basketball court near the back but I was wondering if you,know, wouldnt mind it if me and my siblings came to chillwith you. Its just, she rushed looking at his shocked facemisinterpreting it, I cant stand having to sit in a stuffy hallwith everyone staring at us.

The bell rung as Owen was about to reply to her, but whileeveryone rushed around to see who could escape the classfirst, Owen saw Candy slowly zipping up her bag, and hestood there next to her and said,

Yeah cool, you can if you want.Really? Right. Okay, I will be there in about five minutes

coz I need to go and get Evelyn and the rest of em, is thatokay?Fine, yeah, sure. Do you know where it is? The basketballcourt?

Yep - dont worry about it.

*

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You okay? It doesnt look like you hate maths so much!Jaspers thoughts called out.Candice waved at Jasper over Owens shoulder and said to

Owen, Speak of the devils. Meet you there in about fiveminutes. See you later Owen, she flashed another smile athim.

Jasper was feeling uneasy, it wasnt that he hadnt noticedCandy, he was always uneasy when she wasnt where shewas meant to be. It was that he didnt like the look of the boyshe was talking too; however she was grinning and lookedhappy more than usual, so that meant Jasper had to like him,for her.

Candice ran outside to meet Jasper and when they werewalking down the corridor, gave him a quick hug and took herhand into his, and before he could open his mouth she said,You okay Jasper?

He didnt answer, so she carried on, Maths wasnt ALL bad.I sit next to a cute boy called Owen and I said I would sit withhim at lunch, and youd come with. Is that okay?

Evelyn met up with Stephanie and Oliver at the canteenafter her second lesson, they were the first there, apart fromthe odd one or two people.

Evelyn grinned when she saw them, and let out a long sighand said to Oliver,

Fancy any lunch?Oliver grinned back, but Stephanie scowled at both of

them.So not funny, she said, demanding that their eyes avert

from the Humans.The three of them sat down just as people began filling intothe canteen and Candice defiantly wasnt wrong that peoplein the hall would be staring at them, when the hall was verynearly full up, Jasper and Candice appeared out of nowhere.

Candice looked very excited when entering, she went toopen her mouth, and that was when a group of seven or more

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older girls, stood at the corner of the table eying all of themup particularly Jasper for a reason which made her want tothrow up and go into hysterics at the same time.

The one at the front, clearly the leader of the group, stood

there and grinned smugly and said in a clear voice,I think you weird freaks should move this is ourtable. the

accent she used to mock them all was spiked into thesentence.

Stephanie was obviously older, therefore, she acted moremature, and pretended like she didnt hear.

Both Oliver and Jasper went to leave, (but them - beingmen and all - didnt quite understand about the whole girlsbitching and that they had their own egos, but didnt parade

them like men did.Evelyn too looked serene and uncaring, but Candice sat

there. She stood up square in front of the leader and said,Sophie, Id watch who youd be calling weird.

Sophies face was a pure picture, a mixture or shock andanger.

She was obviously not used to having people stand up toher, but she composed herself quickly and turned to herfriends and said,

Did you understand anything that Irish twat just said?That Irish twat has a name and that Irish twat could kick

the shit out of you if she wanted to.Candices face clouded and she took a small step forward -

Jasper stepped closer to her and put his hand calmingly onher back and she stopped and went rigged.

Candices voice was low and quiet, yet she knew Sophie

could hear.You dare say one more word Sophie and I swear to god Iwill not be held responsible for my actions.

Ooh threatening, you think Im afraid of you?You damn well should be, and I will give you a word of

warning you take the piss out of our accent again and I will fixit so you cant talk.

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Shut up. Youre just jealous.Really, now why the hell would I be jealous of you?

All the Scarletts family felt on edge then, mainly because if

it wasnt for Jasper and Evelyn yelling at her mentally,DONT KILL HER. DONT KILL HER,They all knew that Candice would be in her attack mode,

and that Sophies head and other pieces of her body wouldbe strewn across the canteen.

She seemed stumped for a second then said, At leastwhen you look up minger in the dictionary there wont be apicture of me there, there will be a picture of you.

Candice smiled slightly, thinking about how Sophie had just

walked right into that one,Yeah, but Im not the one who had to look up minger in the

dictionary.Oliver and Jasper put their arms around Candices and

pulled her away from her. AND DICTIONARIES DONT HAVEPICTURES! she added as a bitchy after comment.

Oh my god! Grrr!!! She is such a vile evil piece of scum!She thinks shes so much better than us because were Irish,Candy fumed.

Candice, Evelyn gripped her by the shoulders holding herstill, Relax! She is evil but we can get our revenge, but Ibelieve that you have invited us to see your boyfriend.

Hes not my boyfriend - but youre right we have to meethim, oh and Jasper, Oliver be nice.

When the Scarletts finally got to the basketball court theysaw Owen shooting hoops by himself.

It was undeniable that he was good and in a game wherethey would be playing fair, as Humans, with no cheating.Hiya Owen, sorry we took so long, there was a problem

with Sophie Rowest in the canteen.

Well youre gunna have fun in dance... he thought as hewalked over to great them.

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Candy ignored this and allowed Owen to think she had notheard.

You okay Owen? This is Stephanie, she pointed at theone standing nearest the back, looking very angry; however

she was amazingly gorgeous, she had long blonde hair andpale pink lips, however she didnt have the same type ofquirky beauty Candice beheld.

After her small pause she carried on, with a smirk on herface,

Oliver she nodded at Oliver standing next to Stephanie, hewas tall, blonde hair.

He obviously had amazing muscles, they were basically

popping through his tight vest top. Evelyn, she nodded atEvelyn standing just behind Jasper she smiled nice enoughand said,

Hiya,Evelyn had shocking red hair, not really like ginger, but

proper red. And this is Jasper, she said, and Owen noticedthat when she said his name his hand tightened around herwaist and when she made a slight swaying movement to theleft.

There was an awkward pause until Oliver said noddingtowards the discarded basketball in the corner of the court,

You wanna game?Sure. What about you Candice? You playin?Yeah why not. Girls vs. Boys? You in Ev? Steph? Jasper? Jasper and Evelyn nodded (as Candice knew they would)

but Stephanie shook her head and said in a haughty voice,No chance, why would I play anything like that?

Ew, Human! No thanks, unless hes offering himself forlunch - I doubt it - Im outtie. Were only here cause Candysliterally drooling over him. He didnt even look at me! Thatsso unfair - I wonder if its because my lippy smudged? Theteacher in music after history was funny - he didnt give meany homework when everyone else got tons

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Candice didnt say anything to Stephanie, she just turned herback on her, trying to block out her thoughts.

She turned her attention to Oliver instead, he caught her

looking him, while Evelyn, Jasper and Owen talked about thenewest addition to a basketball team someplace (sportwasnt really Candys forte) and Oliver changed the track ofhis mind suddenly,

You think Jasper will have a fight tonight? Play one. Thenyou and me. But no cheating, okay?

How could I not? Candy sat on one of the benches. The

corners of her mouth twitched,

Yeah well even using your gift I still managed to beat youlast time Dee and you know it! No, wait I have a better idea,lets play chess!

Candy stifled a laugh, remembering last time she playedchess with Jasper.

Jasper tapped her shoulder, informing her that Stephaniewas being her usual snobby self and refusing to play so theteams would have to be odd.

Evelyn and Candice versus Oliver, Jasper and Owen.Owen, who hadnt even touched the ball, since Stephanie

threw it out of his hands and into the air.They managed to win 5-7.After the match ended, Jasper said in a voice so low, that

Owen couldnt hear from where Evelyn was talking to him.

Yeah sure(!) Like that was a fair game! he said, She canread minds, so she knows all about what we are going to do,like we had a chance in hell of winning,

Jasper and the guys werent annoyed much, though withStephanie if she lost, she went into a huge strop about howunfair life was, and shed demand a rematch. But that wasStephanie, none of them expected any different from her.

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The five of them sat on the benches and messed around.(Stephanie had finished her nails. and had moved onto

reapplying her make-up still ignoring them and refusing to

join in a conversation apart from when she threw them theodd dirty look)

They started playing truth or dare and when Owen was halfway through making everyone there piss themselves fromlaughing so much, about the time Sophie Row asked him out.

Stephanie called over Owens story, as if no one had beentalking.

You all do know that youre half an hour late for yourlessons?

Candices mouth fell open and Evelyn called out,You could of said about half an hour ago,I didnt feel like saying it half an hour ago - I felt like saying

that now.Oh well, I guess that we will have to skip this afternoon,

Evelyn sighed and pulled a face of mock sadness.Ev, its best notto skip on our first day. Not the brightest

thing you have ever thought of.

*

Oliver and Stephanie were in their shiny red Lexus withpromises to pick them up after school.

Oliver and Stephanies year had a study afternoon and theother four were running along the empty corridors and across

the class gardens to get to their dance class. The dance, P.E and drama classes two years were heldtogether. Years seven and eight are together and years nineand ten, so that meant that Evelyn and Jasper were in thesame class for dance as Candice, which made them veryhappy, because Candy loved dancing and performing.

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The first thing they noticed was a girl on the floor having afit surrounded by a circle of people, then he noticed thatCandice and Evelyn were hiding behind them because theywere laughing so hard. When Jasper turned his eyes away

from their faces, he realised that the girl having a fit on thefloor was Sophie and she wasnt having a fit, she was inactual fact dancing - or - a better phrase would be trying todance.

She walked over, her cronies following her in suite, herblond hair reflecting a washed out shade of grey as shewaltzed under the bright lights.

Seeing that Im the head of dance here - as soon as thosewords came from Sophies mouth, there was a loud sputter of

suppressed laughter erupting from some of the girls thatwere behind Jasper. Sophie frowned and continued, its myduty to inform you that youre half an hour late - again shewas cut off - but this time by Candice;

Yeah funnily enough we noticed that.Evelyn and Candice had started to guffaw flamboyantly,

clutching at their stomachs, exaggerating. The sentence wasnot really that funny

And, Sophie continued, I want to know why.

Bet the weird emo orphan wont say. I would love a reasonto send her to the head on her first day. That would be sogood. I might ask her to dance in a minute all on her own. Betshe will refuse - but she wont be as good as me -

After that Candice left Sophie to her own thoughts whenshe realised that Sophie was vainer than Stephanie.

Candy straightened up, her pale white face pouring overwith hatred and anger.It startled Evelyn and Jasper, since they knew, that it was

difficult to get Candy to calm after laughs, sometimes itdtake her hours.

Now she could of murdered her with her bare hands andlaughed about it when Sophies remains were at her feet.

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Yeah well - we dont always get what we want - do weSophie? snarled Candice.

Well I do. And I want to see you dance. Now. Sophie said.Ha ha she wont by herself, or if she does people will laugh

at her because shell be rubbish!Candice pulled her purple iPod and speakers out of her bag

and said,Youre on.Sophie was sorely disappointed.

A few minutes later Candy was standing on the largestage, her high heels discarded on the floor and then a hushcame over the crowd as they all stood in anticipation.

All waiting to see if she was any good, Candice looked over

and saw Owen and Evelyn standing near the back, shewinked at them then looked at Jasper next to the stage, shewinked at him as well and he pressed the play button.

The familiar tune to Candice started (Man eater by NellyFurtado) up as she stood perfectly still as the drumming windup began and as soon as they lyrics started

Everybody look at me, meI walk in the door you start screamingCome on everybody whatcha here for?Move your body around like a nymphsEverybody get your necks to crack aroundAll you crazy people come on jump aroundI want to see you all on your knees, kneesYou either want to be with me, or be me

She was off. It was unquestionable to say that she could

dance; she was all over the stage, moving to the beat of themusic. Street dancing was her favourite, but clearly none ofthe others watching her had ever seen anyone so good, butthen Sophie was the head, so that meant supposedly she wasthe best, yet her dancing could easily be mistaken for anyheadless poultry.

When the song ended everyone clapped and Sophies face

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was a still, when Candy stepped off the stage grinning fromear to ear.

Sophie stormed over to her and demanded to know whereshe learnt that,

No where special, the school I was in over in Ireland,was er - big on chorography. She looked at Evelyn and theyboth seemed in danger of exploding in a fit of laughter again.

Sophie turned around and said,I may want to learn how to dance, but Id never go over to

a scuzy place like that to learn it. Anyway I dont know howyou could call that dancing; it just looked like she was havinga fit to me. she muttered to her friend.

Sorry what did you say? Candice voice cut through

the air like a sharp knife and when Sophie ignored her, shesaid again, I said what did you just say about me bitch?

Sophie turned around and looked mildly afraid byCandices evils.

A circle had formed around them people sensing thetension between the two of them and no one else wanted toget involved.

Just that you looked like you was having a fit up there, areyou sure youre okay?

Better than you. If you have something to say just say it.Or are you afraid none of your cronies will back you up?

Theyd back me up more than your parents will. Your realparents that is.

Candices knuckles went whiter than her already whiteskin (if that is possible) as her hands went into tight fists, herbody went rigged.

I dont know what youre talking about Rowest, I have my

parents Carlyle and Jada. And they would back me upcompletely if I were wanting to rip your head clear off of yourshoulders.

No wonder your real parents didnt want you. You are ahorrid, stupid, vile excuse for a Human and they were soashamed and horrified by you they couldnt bear to look atyou when you were born, so they gave you to the most

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crummiest parents they could find because - AARGH!!!

Before anyone could do anything, or even blink, Candicewas on top of Sophie slapping her and yanking her hair out in

handfuls.In a sense it was a mixture of good and bad luck that a

teacher had come to check on the lesson at that particularsecond in time. It was good luck in the fact that the teachermanaged to pull Candy away from her, without Candiceactually seriously hurting her.

It was bad, that she and Jasper where sitting in the headsoffice, while Evelyn was on the phone to Carlyle and Jadaasking them to come in.

Jasper and Evelyn didnt have to be there, but Jasperrefused to leave her side and Evelyn was sitting in the chairsoutside the office waiting for them.

Five minutes later and a slightly disgruntled Carlyle andJada turned up.

The head of the school was a porky man. He had a pot bellyand a balding patch on his head and looked much like a pig inevery way. He looked as if he lived at his desk, the grey suithe was wearing looked as if it hadnt ever been ironed, letalone washed.

When Jada and Carlyle stepped into the office, his eyes justglanced over him.

Carlyle frowned, his short blonde, tight curled hair was letloose, he was as pale as the rest of the Scarletts and had thesame turquoise eyes.

He then looked at Jada, his eyes nearly popping out of his

socket.She had the same pale face and turquoise eyes as the restof them, she had wild brown curly hair pulled into tightbunches and looked younger than twenty five (which sheclaimed).

I can now see what the other teachers meant, they all

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look alike particularly Candy and her step-mother. I wonder iftheyre related. They could be, though clearly not their own,too young to have a sixteen year old child.

Candice smiled slightly.

The public story was that Steph and Jasper were bloodrelated, Carlyle and Jada were their adoptive parents and thatCandice, Oliver and Evelyn were Carlyle and Jadas otheradopted children.

When they came in, he motioned at them to take a seatand he turned to Jasper and said,

You can go now, Jasper remained rooted as ever right by Candices side,

when Carlyle and Jada sat down on the other hard wooden

brown chairs they said;Jasper please its fine, you go and wait outside with Ev

please. Jada said gently.Jasper didnt budge, instead he thought,

Candy would you like me to wait outside or stay here?

She murmured back in such a quiet voice, that only Jaspercould hear her,

Yeah dont worry - the worst hes thinking is exclusion, andI can keep my temper I think, and thank you. I really do meanthat.

Dont mention it,

Jasper stood up and in one flowing movement he left theroom.

Right so, Mr. and Mrs Scarlett Im sorry I had to call you in,especially on your first day here in Swansea and on such badnews. Im sure your other daughter on the phone

Evelyn, said Jada, looking at Mr. James.Um, yes, Miss. Evelyn when she rang you Im sure she told

you that there had been an incident in her dance class thisafternoon.

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Yes she did, she also told us that there had been a slightargument, Carlyle said reasonably, but Candice read thisthoughts and he knew that Evelyn told him that a completecow called Sophie provoked me and I lost my temper. End of.

All Carlyle cared about was that I didnt murder anyone andfor him that was good enough.

Well, yes, there was. One of our model students -You mean she is a stuck up teachers pet, mumbled

Candice.Was somewhat, violently, attacked by Miss Candice here -

Sophie is now in Swansea Valley Hospital; and they arepatching up her broken nose,

Candice allowed herself a slight congratulation - And I am

very ashamed of Candice,Candice felt her temper flair up again, how did he have the

right to tell her how ashamed he felt of her, when he wouldntlisten to their side of the story?

Ashamed? ASHAMED!?! If you had someone taking the pissout of you and telling you how up were adopted because youare a stupid vile piece of scum! Maybe youd be that tadviolet too! she had rose to her feet and was yelling at the topof her voice, balling her hands into tight fists out of purefrustration.

Carlyle touched her hand and said softly,Come on Candy, you need to calm down that isnt helping

anything, nor anyone.Candice slowly sat down, instead of breathing heavily like

anyone else who had just been yelling, her breathing wasnormal. If not, slightly irregular.

Well, Mr. James said, You should learn to ignore these

things... Anyway there is never any need for violence. I havejust been talking to Mr. Davey, and we have decided that youare to be suspended for a month, because we have to makean example. And I also have to ask you Mr and Mrs Scarlet tocome back to school for a meeting tomorrow morning.

Carlyle spoke up,Im truly afraid that my wife and I will be unavailable

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tomorrow. May we be able to come another day?Candice tried to figure out about what was going on, but

Carlyle was being clever by translating everything James hadsaid into French and Jada was adding up everything they had

spent in the last fifty years (so far the price was up to900,8906083, not bad, but she hasnt come to how much Ihave spent at Camden yet) thought Candice proudly.

Very well, the school secretary shall call you whenthe diary is in front of her.

He gestured at them to leave. They turned and leftCandice at the front.

***

When Candice got outside to where Carlyle had parked thecar, she noticed that all four of them were by the car.

Jasper and Oliver were talking in animate expressions.Evelyn had her usual daydreaming expression and Steph wassitting in the car texting someone.

Wow Candy, on your first day! Jasper sighed,I know you make enemies but come on. But hey, its not

like the first time - when Oliver drew up close to Candice togive her a high five, he noticed that when Sophie Row foughtback, Candice actually got a split lip and a slightly purpleblack eye.

He ran this thumb over her lower lip quickly where the cutwas,

Did she do that to you?Oliver dont. Im okay. She was acting in self defence. And I

can take care of myself. And, she added suddenly trying to

distract them all from the fact she was suspended, what arewe doing tomorrow?In response Carlisle handed Candice a scroll of thick,

yellow coloured paper.

Dear Dr, and Mrs Scarlet,You have all been invited to a ball occurring this

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morning at seven, starting in the underworld; the hostessMiss. Renee Elder has invited your family of eight to thisoccasional ceremony, in reason of their new image. Do not belate. The pass code is: 75823625002

And the dress code is; male- black, female white.

Great, Great. Thats great. Meredith is going to bea barrel of laughs after last time - thank you Jason andOliver(!) And people like Gerard will be there. I cant go. Icant. And white and black come on can you say tacky?

Candice muttered, re-reading the note. Tracing the wordswith her fingers trying to get some kind of read on them.Trying to see if she could tell what the people writing were

thinking.After a few seconds of her tracing the words she allowed

the tension of her family staring at her, began eating at herconcentration, she quickly stuffed the letter into her bagbefore anyone could ask her anything, she dashed away intothe trees and yelled out behind her.

Come on! Last one home has to by me drinks tonight!Hmm Evelyn started going slower, since drinks were not

the expensive - not Vampyre drinks anyway.The alone could max out ya credit cards, let alone all the

damage I could cause, with that she was gone.Jasper looked at Oliver, than Evelyn and said,Well Im so not buying her drinks, I need some left on my

card for later. He dashed off away from them followed byEvelyn than Oliver.