RIVER VALLEYS PAST

Chapter 14

    As the day rolled by, Anaya found herself enjoying Kennedy's company at school. Kennedy reminded her so much of Azaya's friends. She was sweet, kind, funny, and a bit too positive at times. She kept Azaya grounded and away from Rebecca and her minions the best she could, even with her constant zoning out lately. Somehow, Kennedy understood her.

"So you're not coming," Kennedy asked with a pout, as they made their way to the school's parking lot. It was the day of the senior camping trip, Kennedy was leaping with joy at the thought of spending time with her friends.

"I'm sorry, I told you my mother would never let me go," Anaya shrugged, her hands tugged deep into her jacket pocket. Even though she didn't ask, she knew the answer, so there was no reason to ask. Kennedy sighed, linking their arms together, leaving the conversation as it was.

"Have you decided on a college yet?" she asked, changing the subject. Anaya simply shook her head in response. In all honesty, she wasn't sure if she wanted to go to college. But she knew her mom wouldn't let her miss college. "Well, I applied for Stanford and Harvard, I really want to be a lawyer, like my dad," Kennedy said.

          "Okay, students, listen for your names," the teachers called out. Everyone silently murmured among themselves, listening for their names to be called. "Kennedy Blackwell, Adam stone, Alex Miller," the teacher paused, allowing the students to step onto the bus one by one.  Anaya waved goodbye to Kennedy as she boarded the bus with Alex and Audre. Turning on her heels, there was a sudden gush of wind that stopped her in her tracks. "Anaya Prince," the teacher called out to her.  Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Mr. Stone walking over to her. Mr. Stone was one of the new teachers, he was a mysterious one but he was hot. Being that he was young, with blonde curls and pearly blue eyes, his pale skin was flawless. His plush pink lips were definitely something to talk about.

         "Yes," she answered, turning to face him. He was only meters away from her when a sudden rush of energy shot through her body like an arrow. Something felt off about him, but she wasn't sure what it was.

          "Your name is on the list," he confirmed, Anaya stood in shock, glancing over at the list of names he had on display.

          "How my mother never signed the papers," she said, more confused than ever. "Are you sure?"

          "I received it on my desk this morning. You didn't know?" He questioned. She simply shook her head, her mind distant. "Well, there's no point in letting it go to waste. Come on," he smiled, stepping aside for her to pass him by. But she was glued to her position in shock. Did her mother really sign those papers? The weirdest part was that she's never even brought it up to her mother.

           Her body jolted forward as her body began to move, Mr. Stone's arm resting on the small of her back, leading her to the bus. "Just relax and enjoy the trip," something about the way he said it made her uneasy. Something didn't feel right about it,

         "Anaya," Kennedy exclaimed, rushing to her aid. Anaya stood frozen and confused as Kennedy dragged her and pulled her by her arm towards their seat in the second to last row of the bus. "So what happened," Kennedy asked curiously as they sat down. Anaya sat with a distant mind, pondering on the thoughts rushing furiously through her mind and the uneasiness she felt lingering in the pit of her stomach.

        "Amm..." she trailed off, her gaze fixated on Mr. Stone sitting up front with Mrs. Meyers. They were laughing and chatting about whatever they thought was funny. "I don't know," she simply stated.

        "Well, since you're here, let's me just say, prepare for the stupidity of being a senior," she grinned, clasping her hands together. Turning to Audre and Adam, who were seated directly behind them. "So guys, let's play a game." Kennedy smiled, glancing between the twins.

         "That's a brilliant idea, Kenni," Rebecca exclaimed, grabbing the attention of everyone on the bus. Kennedy groaned, Rebecca was seated directly behind her. "Let's play an innocent little game, shall we?" she smiled, and the wicked glint in her eyes made Anaya uncomfortable.

         "We're not playing anything with you," Kennedy retorted, rolling her eyes. Rebecca simply chuckled, turning to face her minions.

"Truth or dare it is," Rebecca said, her boyfriend Ryan sitting alongside her with his arm resting on the back of her seat. "So Naya," Rebecca dragged out, glancing over the seat at Anaya with a wicked smirk. "Truth or dare," Rebecca asked, Anaya, sat still. Not daring to make eye contact with the peppy blonde staring back at her sweetly.

             "Come on, NAYA," one of Rebecca's minions paused, spitting her name in disgust. "Choose one," she smiled.

            "She doesn't want to play," Kennedy blurted. Anaya sat still her gaze fixated on Mr. Stone who was busy talking to another teacher sitting beside him. His head turned slightly towards the teacher. She would occasionally see him glancing back at her before turning back to his conversation. Something about it made her uneasy. Something didn't feel right about the whole thing.

            "Whatever loser," Rebecca stated. "She's just scared we'll all find out the truth about her." This made Anaya freeze. Turning to face, Rebecca who held a sinister smirk. She looks as if she's won. "You look shocked. You think I don't know what you're hiding little miss goodie goodie," Rebecca snickered, shaking her head.

              "Anaya has nothing to hide," Kennedy butted in, taking a stand for her friend. "Unlike you, Anaya is a good person, so buzz off."

              "You haven't told your little friend yet have you," Rebecca asked nonchalantly, still holding her smirk.

              "Anaya," Kennedy said in a questioning tone, watching her as she glanced down at her feet. Kennedy knew there was something that she was hiding. She didn't know Anaya for very long, so she didn't expect her to share every little detail about herself. She just wanted Anaya to trust her.

              "Innocent little murderer"