With a stack of crisp blueberry waffles on her plate, Ivory Nightshade happily watched as her mother poured maple syrup over them, her mouth already watering at the sight.

"I know it's not just breakfast that is stealing your smile." Her mother teased. "Am I going to be a grandmother already?"

"Mom.. I swear," she mentally groaned. "One of these days I'm going to come home and you'll be throwing a baby shower for your future grandson. I know how much this means to you but I'm about to graduate. How can I think about boys right now?" And it was true. She had been so busy these days, dating was the farthest thing from her mind. It's not that she didn't want to date, but how could she with the mounds of school work.

But for whatever reason this only encouraged her. She took a seat dramatically and to Ivory's dismay grinned with a dreamy look in her eyes. "I've seen how those boys look at you, and rightly so." She sighed in a thoughtful way. "Ah, I remember what it was like to be young and beautiful."

Her mother was right though, everyone truly did envy her beauty. Ivory's hazelnut, chocolate colored hair was long and luscious and she had a gift for keeping it naturally soft. Being almost of adult age her smooth healthy complexion was more radiant than ever but her true beauty came from underneath her voluminous lashes. Her bright green eyes are what gave away her fierce compassion and love for this world.

Ivory grinned in return and crunched into the waffles juicy goodness, before saying pointedly with her fork. "Stop that nonsense, naturally I get my good looks from you." She pushed her plate away after a few bites feeling content. "I better head to school, see you later mom."

"Have a great day, sweetie. Don't stay out too late."

If anything her mother was always punctual and she loved her for it. The fresh air felt invigorating and just what she needed on a full stomach giving her the courage to run. Spooksville High was only a couple blocks from her house so there was no need to take a bus, and with the fall weather it constantly kept her outdoors. This was always her favorite time of the year. There was just something about it that she loved that couldn't be explained.

Fall time was associated with halloween, so maybe it was the thrill of knowing that anything was possible.

As expected her good friend Lilith was waiting in her usual spot near the school entrance. "Ivy, somehow you're just in time to be late again. I don't know how you do it."

She huffed a few times finally catching her breath and grinned at her friend. "If you think about it, you're also late since you waited for me."

"If I don't keep after you, who else would?"

She tried to hide her laugh, still feeling winded from the run and said with a serious face. "Your right, your right I'm sorry." And started shuffling her towards the door. "Honestly sometimes what would I do without you, you're such a good friend."

Lilith paused for a minute, as if contemplating something serious. "Alright, that's better."

Ivory really could no longer suppress her laugh and Lilith joined her shortly after. It's not that this wasn't true but having said it so bluntly one could not help but laugh. Maybe it was from being friends since kindergarten or the countless teasing over the years but when all was said and done it was clear there was no one they'd rather spend their time with.

Still as they walked side by side down the empty halls Ivory's mind couldn't help but wonder. What was said as a joke suddenly felt more serious. Upon graduation their time together would grow farther apart.

It's not that they didn't talk about going to the same college together but it simply wasn't possible. Lilith's parents had their minds set on sending their only daughter to some big shot school outside the country and it had always been Lilith's dream to visit paris. Ivory on the other hand didn't have such ambitions and only wanted to escape from the small town scenery to a more lively playing field where she could meet new people and experience new things.

No matter how she looked at it this town was simply too small for one to grow in, and even if she wanted to go aboard for a few years, with her mother's job, the expenses would be too much to handle and Ivory wasn't going to ask her to do such a thing when that money could be used for something else. So with that, the topic was no longer further discussed.

As they passed into the classroom, students had their heads already buried in thick volumes of books, their pens idly scribbling away and as Ivory walked over she noticed a few familiar faces. Some even attempted a smile and waved at her offhandedly and she would smile back in a respectful manner but that's as far as it went.

Despite how close their town was, everyone kept to themselves. Or more like they avoided her with the speculation surrounding the incident that happened 10 years ago. Since that day when her father's building turned to ash, along with any trace of him and the people inside, the town's opinion grew warily with fear towards the Nightshades. Even till now no one knows how the fire started or what took place there.

If she was being honest, the most conversation she got out of someone was the older woman at the local bakery, who had always treated her well, and her mom, whenever they would pass through for apple pie or something sweet. Simple days like that she had hoped would last forever.

And with that thought she glanced back over at her friend one last time before letting her thoughts sink in.

But forever doesn't mean it will last.

. . .

With a frown Ivory stood in the parking lot thinking about her future and what it would be like on her own.

Her mom would obviously get along without her, pursuing her career as a full time nurse. Lilith would probably settle down with some guy, that is after dating every other guy first. It was really an empty cycle of thoughts, a loop, she would repeat over and over in her head until it made sense. They would be fine without her, so why was she holding herself back?

She had been in a daze ever since earlier and only just shook out of it when she ran into someone. "Ah shit.. Sorry." she mumbled.

The man snapped out of his daze and looked at her with widened eyes.

She took a step back not expecting his response.

Carefully he glanced behind him to see if this woman was actually talking to him. "Are you talking to me?" He asked earnestly.

Ivory rolled her eyes, her patience waning. "Yes, I'm talking to you. Who else is standing here stalking students?"

"I'm not..." He tried to protest, but trailed off and sighed. "Normally people don't run into me." He explained.

She turned around to walk away.

What a weird person.

When she really thought about it, who hasn't run into someone at least once in their life? To her dismay, she decided to turn around once more. "Look, just get off school grounds, okay? Someone will think you're a weirdo and clearly you don't go to this school so there's no need to justify yourself."

His mouth opened as she walked away. "Wait! Let me explain..." He said hurriedly, matching her pace to catch up with her. "You don't understand."