**Chapter 2: Science Class Crush**

Ariah Byone walked into science class, her eyes scanning the room for a familiar face. She spotted Finney Blake sitting at his usual desk, his head bent over his textbook as he scribbled notes. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt a flutter in her chest. She had been crushing on Finney for weeks, but she had never mustered the courage to talk to him. As she took her seat, Ariah couldn't help but steal glances at Finney. She admired the way his messy brown hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck, and the way his eyes sparkled when he looked at the diagrams on the board. She felt a pang of sadness, knowing that he seemed to be oblivious to her admiration. Finney, on the other hand, was lost in thought. He was still reeling from the encounter with the bullies the day before, and the unexpected intervention by Ariah. He had never really noticed her before, but he was grateful for her help. As he glanced around the room, his eyes landed on Ariah, and he felt a faint sense of recognition. Ariah's mom, Celeste, was a medicine woman who practiced hoodoo, and Ariah had grown up surrounded by the traditions and superstitions of her Creole heritage. She had always been sensitive to the spiritual energies around her, and she often sensed things before they happened. As she looked at Finney, she felt a shiver run down her spine. She sensed that something was off, that Finney was hiding something beneath his shy exterior. During class, Mrs. Jenkins droned on about cellular biology, and Ariah found herself zoning out. She stared at Finney, wondering what he was like outside of school. Did he have any hobbies? Did he like music or movies? She imagined him as a rockstar, with a guitar slung over his shoulder and a confident smile on his face. As the class drew to a close, Ariah gathered her things and stood up, trying to appear nonchalant. She caught Finney's eye and smiled, but he just nodded back, his expression neutral. Ariah felt a pang of disappointment, but she pushed it aside. She would find a way to get to know Finney better, even if it killed her. As they filed out of the classroom, Ariah lingered behind, hoping to catch Finney's eye again. She bumped into him in the hallway, and they exchanged a few pleasantries about the class. Ariah learned that Finney loved reading and playing video games, and she found herself feeling more and more drawn to him. As they parted ways, Ariah couldn't shake the feeling that she had just scratched the surface of something special. She felt a sense of excitement, wondering what the future might hold for her and Finney. That evening, Ariah sat on her bed, surrounded by candles and incense. She practiced her mom's hoodoo traditions, hoping to gain some insight into Finney's life. She closed her eyes, focusing on her breath, and suddenly, she was flooded with images. She saw Finney's face, his eyes haunted by some deep-seated fear. She saw a dark figure lurking in the shadows, watching Finney with an unblinking gaze. Ariah's eyes snapped open, and she sat up with a start. She felt a chill run down her spine, sensing that something was very wrong. She knew that she had to see Finney again, to warn him about the danger that lurked in the shadows. As she drifted off to sleep, Ariah couldn't shake the feeling that she and Finney were connected, that their lives were about to become intertwined in ways they couldn't imagine. She smiled to herself, feeling a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, she would find a way to make Finney see her, to make him fall for her. The next morning, Ariah walked into school feeling more confident, more determined. She spotted Finney in the hallway, and she caught his eye, smiling. This time, he smiled back, and Ariah felt her heart soar. She knew that she had a long way to go, but she was ready for the challenge. She was ready to make Finney hers.