Masked

Chapter 1

Who is she?

I've been wondering for so long. What could possibly be under that mask? Everyone calls her "Dark" but I doubt it's her real name. What could she be hiding?

I walk outside my house, backpack in hand, waiting for the bus. Dark goes to school with her mask on and nobody seems to care. I can't stop thinking about what could be under there. Dark slowly walked outside the house with her dark blue hoodie over her head. I watched as her feet dragged across the concrete, onto the side of the road where the bus would be. As the bus approached, I noticed a paper drop as she took her hands out of her pockets to get on. I started to yell "Wait, you dropped your-" but she was already on the bus. I ran up to the concrete and picked up her paper. Should I read it? What would it say? I decided not to open it and keep it in my backpack. Suddenly, I heard the bus engine start and realized I wasn't on it. I ran towards the bus but it was too late. It left without me.

—

At school, I noticed Dark was looking down into her pockets. Should I give the note back? Sure, it's the right thing to do, but I still have so many questions. Maybe this would help. I walked over to Dark, not knowing what would happen. "Hey," I started as she began to look up. "You dropped your paper earlier." I wish I could see her expression as I said that. "Oh." She said with almost no emotion. I took it out of my backpack and started handing it to her. "Here." Dark reached her hand out and grabbed the paper, but didn't let go. "You didn't read it, did you?" Dark said, her hands shaking. I shook my head and she placed the paper in her pocket. "Thanks." She sighed and walked towards her next class as the bell rang.

I walked towards my class with an unsettling feeling. I haven't talked to Dark since she first arrived. I welcomed her to the new house and let her know she could always come to my house if she needed help. To my surprise, she never came once. I heard a snap and looked up.  It was my principal, Mr. Stein. "Is there a reason you aren't in class Julie?" He said with a stern look. I sighed. This is not how I planned today. "Sorry Mr. Stein, I lost track of time." He grinned. "There's a bell for a reason honey. Go get to class before you get in trouble." I grabbed my backpack tightly as it was falling out of my hand. "I will!" I exclaimed as I ran into my classroom.

As I entered, my teacher turned to me with her finger over her mouth. I suddenly realized I just slammed the door as I came in, while the whole class was taking a test. She handed me a pencil and paper and I sat down.

—

After school, I thought I should talk to Dark again. She was sitting on a bench, fidgeting her hands with headphones in. I started to walk over and she lightly jumped, startled by my sudden appearance. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." I said, starting to regret walking over. "It's okay, I just didn't know you were there." I didn't expect to hear that from her. But to be fair, I didn't have a clue what she would say. "Can I sit?" She nodded her head, seeming not to mind. "So, i've been wondering what your note said..." I started to realize that I shouldn't have said that. "Oh, it's just a note my mom gave me before she left. It's only going to be a month, she didn't need to leave a note." I started to feel guilt fill my stomach. This was definitely not the topic to be asking about. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked. It has nothing to do with me." I started to look down at my feet swinging back and forth, faster and faster. We both sat in silence for what felt like a lifetime. Dark suddenly looked up at me.

"Why are you talking to me?"