Hello! To any of you who don't know me, I'm Ivy. This is my first time writing a story, so please, bear with me. I'd like to hear constructive criticism please. The story will be a bit slow going at first as I'd like to set up my background before I delve into the main plot. So please enjoy! The Falling Chapter 1 Zara's POV "Guess who?" I heard the voice as two hands were placed over my eyes from behind. I smiled at the sound of Chasitee's voice and removed her hands with my left one. I shut my locker door and spun the lock to zero. "Who else would it be, Chas?" I asked as I turned to face her. Chas is my closest friend, and my exact opppsite. She's tall, at six feet, and super slim and curvy. Long, curly golden-blonde hair frames her face and is offset by the deepest green eyes I've ever seen. Pouty pink lips and high cheekbones complete her modelesque look. "It could have been the new boy over by the fountain," she replied, with a hint of flirt in her voice. "He's been checking you out since the start of passing period." I glanced over at the boy Chas was motioning to. No way. No guy like that would ever be interested in me. He had that total "bad boy with an even badder secret" thing going on. I almost laughed. Almost. But, he was distractingly... pretty. He was wearing dark jeans that were torn at the knees and frayed on the hems. A Green Day concert t-shirt and a soft brown leather jacket. He had a farmer's tan and sun bleached blonde hair. And crystal blue eyes. Like the shallow part of the ocean where you can just barely see the sand that your toes are curled into. Like I said, pretty. He smiled sheepishly at me, turned and walked down the hallway in the other direction. I turned back to Chas, "No way. A guy like him would never make goo goo eyes at me." I knew this for a fact. I was short, only an inch over five feet tall. I was curvy, but nowhere near as curvy as Chas. I have long emo style black hair with purple tips. I have blue-gray eyes but I wear dark purple contacts. In other words, I repel boys as much as Chas attracts them. "He totally was, Z," Chas said with a wink. Chas has called me Z for forever. It's short for my first name, Zara. I shook my head at her and shifted my books to my other arm. We linked arms and headed off to our next classes; for her, Classic Lit. I, for me Advanced Art. Chas was first ranked, academically, in our class and I was right behind her at number two. When it comes to sports we're basically tied. She's captain of the softball team, while I'm captain of the soccer team. Most people think mine and Chas's frienship is based on some kind of competition to be the best. They're all wrong. Chas and I were born on the same day, so we've literally known each other our whole lives. Our friendship is deeper than some petty competition. We reached an intersecting hallway and Chas and I unlinked arms. She smiled at me and I smiled back. "See you later, alligator," she called as she turned right and headed to her class. "In a while, crocodile," I called back as I turned left. We had always parted ways that way, as we both hated the word goodbye. It meant you might not ever see that person again, and I couldn't live without Chas. We'd been through so many ups and downs, smiles and tears, dreams and fears together, that I couldn't even count all the ways I needed her. And I knew she felt the same way. I was really eager for Art today. Yesterday Fred has said we'd be starting on ceramics today, which is my favorite part of the year. I've taken Art since being a Freshman, and it was now April of my Junior year. I turned a left into the Art room and dumped my books at my usual table. I walked up to Fred's desk and rummaged through an old tin can for some sculpting tools. I saw Fred over by the window. To my surprise, he was talking to the boy from the water fountain. Fred's real name is Mr. Frederick, but most of us just call him Fred. He's a tall and lanky guy, with long arms and fingers. He has short salt and pepper black hair and dark brown eyes. He's not going bald. Not yet at least. Fred's got this whole laid-back, hippie teacher thing going. If we're not standing at easles or sitting on a bench at the ceramics tables, we're sitting in bean bag chairs and on pillows. Fred lets us all bring our own. He's got a closet with shelves stuffed full of bean bag chairs and pillows. I always feel at home in his classroom. I found the tools I was looking for and glanced over to see Fred alone by the windows. His stance said he didn't want to talk right then. I walked back over to my desk and stopped short. Sitting in the chair beside mine, the one that has been empty all year, was the water fountain boy. He looked up and I couldn't help myself from looking into his almost transparent eyes. "Hey," he said with a soft accent that was not quite French, but not quite not, "I'm Marcus."
Hope to get more feedback on this update, thanks! ^^ Chapter 2 Zara's POV I looked from him, to my chair, then back to him. "Um," I managed to say, "Hi, I'm Zara." He smiled like I'd just told him he'd won a million bucks. Wow, I thought, He's even prettier up close. His smile faltered for moment and I realized I was still standing. I sat down quickly, probably looking like a complete idiot doing so. He smiled again and let out a little chuckle. It was a beautiful sound. "So, how are you today?" he asked in that strange accent of his. His voice was alluring and I found myself leaning towards it. I forced myself to face forward and I lay my carving tools out on the ceramics desk. "I'm fine," I replied a little unsteadily, "How are you?" His smile grew brighter, "Better now that I finally get to talk to you." I look at him with an astonished expression on my face, "F-Finally?" He nods and his expression suddenly becomes serious. "I've said too much already," he mumbles just barely loud enough for me to hear. I look at him, confused. "What do you mean 'too much'?" He shakes his head, as if to clear his thoughts, and looks back up at me. He's smiling. A sweet, boyish smile that's full of life and happiness and it reflects in his eyes. Buddha, his eyes and smile are gorgeous. All of him is. "Nevermind that," he says brightly, "What are your plans for lunch?" "Well, I usually eat in The Grove with my friends," I say and sneak a glance at the front of the room. Fred is walking up to his desk. "May I join you?" I hear Marcus ask, and turn back to him. "Of course," I can't help the smile that spreads across my face to match his. •°•°•° Marcus's POV I let Zara lead me to the place she called The Grove. She was being literal when she said that. The Grove is a small clearing behind the school where a lot of students ate their lunch. The clearing was about half a football field long. There was a huge, old oak tree in the middle. In it was a treehouse with a balcony wrapped around the four sides. Off of each side came a bridge. Each bridge went out to four platforms on four big branches. "Our parents built it when they were kids," Zara said as we walked closer and.pointed out a few kids. She named them each, but all I could focus on was her. My focus was broken about two seconds later when a beautiful, tall blonde girl came bounding up to us. She stopped in front of Zara and raised both of her eyebrows. She glanced at me then back at Zara. "So, Z, are you gonna introduce me?" she said with a meaningful smile. Zara started to say something but I cut in, "I'm Marcus, and you are?" She smiled at me approvingly, "I'm Chas, Z's best friend." "Well, it's lovely to meet you, Chas," I said as she fell into step on Zara's other side. "Likewise," she replied as we reached the base of the oak tree. Chas climbed up first and then Zara. As I started to climb up, I could feel someone watching us. I looked behind me, and seeing nothing suspicious climbed up after Zara. As we sat down on the edge of the balcony and began to oull out our lunches, I hear a whizzing sound. I quickly grabbed Zara and pulled her towards me. After a few moments I looked at where Zara had sat before. There, embedded in the trunk of the tree, where Zara's heart would have been, was an arrow.
The Falling Chapter 3 Chas's POV I yelled as I saw the arrow whiz by Zara. My eyes grew wide and I saw that she was shaking. I scooted closer to her and pulled her away from Marcus. It was my job to protect Z, not his. I was Z's best friend. I glared at Marcus. To my surprise, he ignored me and the arrow completely. His eyes were searching the edge of the trees around the clearing. Forget him, I thought. I looked down at Z. "You okay, Z?" I asked and she looked up at me and gave a small nod. "Is that an arrow?!" she asked, her voice rough and kind of squeaky. "Yeah, it is," I watched as her eyes widened, "Are you okay?" "I-I think so," she said a little shakily. I shake my head, "How 'bout we go inside?" I ask as other students look over and notice the arrow. "Sure," she says, here voice growing steadier. As we walked back up to the school, Z and Marcus stayed close to each other. I clenched my fists and followed behimd them. •°•°•° The Huntsman's POV I saw the trio leave their perch on the treehouse balcony and sighed. This was the only time I'd ever missed my mark. The Queen was going to be extremely dissapointed. Or outraged. Unless I could kill the girl by tonight, I thought and a grin spread across my face. •°•°•° Zara's POV Chas had softball practice today, so I had to walk the mile home alone. Chas and I live right next to each other, so we usually walk home together. But, Chas's team is going to the state championships, so they practice almost everyday now. I shifted the weight of my backpack and looked over my shoulder. I'd felt as if someone was watching me for a few minutes. I saw nothing and looked forward again, sighing. The arrow at lunch had really put me on edge. Suddenly I heard footsteps and looked behind me again. Nobody was there so I turned around. A few feet ahead of me a man stepped out of the woods. Oh, the footsteps. He smiled at me. It was a cruel smile filled with predatory rage. "Little girl, should you be out walking by yourself?" His voice was ice cold and sharp. "W-Who are you?" I said and took a step back. "Dear girl, I am the Huntsman." His smile grew wider, "And the Queen has sent me to kill you, Snow White."
No Problem!! Let's Hope This One Makes It, Fingers Crossed... No Not Really. I Wouldn't Be Able To Type!!