NEVE flinched when his hand touched her shoulder again, but it wasn't out of surprise this time—it was from anger. She didn't know where it came from, or why it was here now, but as she looked at the boy, she found that she didn't really care. She just wanted him to get out of her sight.

"Whatever," she said, side-eyeing him. "Is there something you need?"

The boy's eyebrows raised, smile faltering. "Well, um... I just wanted to introduce myself, since you've already met my sister and Alice."

Neve just stared at him.

He cleared his throat. "Anyway, I'm Lucas. Lucas Collins."

"Okay..." she trailed off, hoping he would leave now.

He didn't. "And what's your name?"

She sighed. "Neve Blythe."

He sat in the empty desk next to her. "So, hi."

She sneered at him. "Hi yourself."

His smile stayed firm in the face of her hostility. "Look, I'm sorry if you don't want to talk to me, but don't you think you're being a little rude?"

Neve's stomach lurched with what felt like guilt, but it quickly dissipated. "The thing is, I don't really care. Honestly, would you just leave me alone?"

To her surprise, he said, "If you want." But as he stood, he smirked at her, hands in his pocket. "See? All you had to do was ask."

He was gone before she could respond, fast to his seat. Neve crossed her arms as her face flushed. All former irritation at the boy receded, and she was stuck feeling embarrassed over her behavior. Why had she acted like that? In the moment, it had felt like the right thing to do, but now she felt like a child. She glared at Lucas' seat, temper rising. He'd practically scolded her.

She vowed to make an effort not to speak to him—not to speak with any of the transfer students.

They were all so fake.

Before Neve was completely in the back seat of Claire's car, she heard Claire say, "Wanna go to the movies tonight?"

She slid into the seat, waiting to hear Becca's response.

"Well? We're waiting," is what she heard from her instead.

Neve's eyes widened. "Me?"

"Do you see anyone else in this car?" Claire said, tone carrying a familiar edge to it now.

"I thought you were talking to Becca..." Neve's voice lowered as she spoke, face flushing.

"If you don't want to go, you can just say so," Becca said, sighing.

Neve glared at her. "And if you don't want me to go, don't hesitate to tell me."

"Stop arguing!" Claire sent a sharp look at Becca and face Neve. "Of course we want you to go. Isn't that right, Becca?"

Becca shrugged, head turning to look out the window.

"Anyway, are you coming or not?"

Neve squirmed under Claire's dissecting stare. "...Not like I have anything better to do."

Claire smiled. "Perfect. I'll pick you up at 7, okay?"

Neve nodded, not sure how else to respond.

Seemingly satisfied, Claire turned around and began to drive.

The car ride home was silent, but it didn't feel as awkward as usual. Neve sat back against her seat, eyebrows furrowed. Why had Claire asked her to go to the movies? She'd never done it before, and Neve couldn't think of anything that would've made Claire ask her this. Maybe she decided that she actually liked Neve?

It was such a ridiculous idea, she almost laughed. Granted, Claire was kinder to her than Becca, but Becca was so snide that it barely made a difference.

This day was more puzzling than Neve had thought it would be.

She still hadn't figured out the mystery by the time they dropped her off, and at that point, she just let it go. Her whole body had randomly started to ache, especially her head.

And she had a feeling she knew exactly who was to blame for this.

She heard nothing when she entered the house—no footsteps, no voices, nothing. Nate and her mother had probably gone out. Neve hurried up the stairs, anxious to get to the privacy of her room despite both of her family members not being in the house. She shut the door firmly once she was inside, heart pounding.

"Obscurity?" she said, struggling to keep her voice steady.

Oh, you haven't forgotten about me?

Neve felt the hope that had been brimming inside of her collapse. Of course she couldn't be rid of the goddamn voice.

Once again, it's awfully rude to be speaking to a goddess in such a manner. If you weren't—

"Goddess? Can you point me in her direction? Maybe she can get this disturbing voice out of my head."

I'd forgotten how annoying my own antics could be within other people. Perhaps that's why he trapped me there...

The words The Obscurity spoke were curious, but her tone was bitter. Neve flinched as she felt a sharp pain in her head. "Stop!"

Stop what? Is this another one of your human things?

When the ache subsided, Neve said, "Whatever you're doing in my head. And while you're at it, you could leave too."

What I'm doing? The Obscurity laughed. Of course. A simple human like you probably can't handle me. I'm really just too much.

"What do you mean?"

As I said, I'm a goddess, and my sentience is in your head. When I feel strongly, you feel strongly. Often times, for you, that comes in the form of pain, most likely because two lives aren't meant to coexist in the same body.

Neve groaned. "Then could you just... get out?"

I'm afraid that's not an option at this point. Even if I were willing to, I've almost completely connected to your brain, so me leaving at this point would kill you unless the utmost care was taken.

"Then take the utmost care and get the fuck out of my head!"

You honestly don't know how to keep quiet, do you? Obedience, respect—what are those? They clearly don't exist in this defective brain of yours.

Neve's skin crawled, but not because of The Obscurity's words. Her body felt like it wasn't her own, face cold. She could still move, but she floundered. She sat on her bed, clutching the sheets.

Look at you, acting like a baby. So vulnerable. But do you know true weakness? I'd think not.

Neve opened her mouth to speak, but her mouth quivered too violently for her to get a coherent word out. Her heart picked up its already painful rate, and she grabbed at her chest, falling face-first onto her bed. Her muscles seized, forcing her to stay still. Then they pulled, as if trying to move her limbs.

But she resisted, as painful as it was.

Willful one, are you? Just give in.

Neve wailed as her arms tried to move more, but she refused to give in. She wouldn't let The Obscurity win.

She stayed in this position for the next few minutes as The Obscurity struggled to move her. But at last, The Obscurity released its hold on her. Neve fell back onto the bed with a groan of pain. Her limbs felt like jelly, mind muddled with the stress it had been dealt.

Neve, cooperation and respect are essential in this relationship. We either work together, or I break you down piece-by-piece.

Neve didn't respond, not that she was even sure what she'd say. She was too busy trying to understand what The Obscurity had just done to her. Her whole body ached as if she'd slammed into a wall a good dozen times, and her mind had gone through too much to think of an even slightly reasonable explanation.

And every time she tried to think of it, the back of her eyes burned.

So she just laid there and cried.