Secrets

Chapter 7

"Sure you don't wanna skip kid? It'll be fun!" Ryan offer's, flashing two gawking kids from the grade below mine a look as they pass us, before bursting into laughter as they take off and disappear into the school building.

"I'd love to. Really!" I laugh. "But...I'd prefer not to see your funeral anytime soon."

"My funeral?"

"If Noah found out that I was skipping school to go hang out with you and Rick, then he'd kill...well, never mind. I think we'd be sharing that funeral!"

Ryan rolls his eyes and mutter's something about Noah wishing he could kill him, then pats my head and grins.

"Yeah, yeah. Have fun I guess." He sighs. "I'll see ya after school."

Brushing my brother's hand away with a half-hearted frown, I wave once and leave him in favor of joining the crowd and heading in for yet another Monday at Cherry High.

Walking through the main doors, I turn and follow the hall to the left, straight to my locker, and waste no time in popping it open.

After shrugging off my new pink coat, a present from Ryan, since it might start snowing again thanks to some stupid south bound cold front -and he didn't feel like taking me to Noah's to get my old one- I stuff it in and grab my science book.

However, just as I go to pull it out, a slip of paper resting just to the side catches my attention, and so I pull it out instead.

Don't wanna repeat of the other night, so take this.

And next time, CALL ME!!

-G

Below that a number is scribbled down.

Slightly confused on how exactly Lance got this into my locker, I stuff the note into my pocket and grab my book, then head off to class.

Stepping through the door to the large, square room -which is always filled with different tubes and beakers of who knows what- my eyes immediately find Lance's.

Leaning back against his table, one which he shares with three other kids in the back row, Lance flashes me a small smile before turning his attention to the guy standing next to him, Erik I think, and I walk to my table, which sits to the far right in the front row.

"Mornin' Rose!" Mattie giggles, her voice as childish sounding as her curly blonde pig tails look.

"Mornin'." I yawn, dropping my book down beside hers as I fall onto my seat.

"Long night?" Elise asks suggestively, slipping onto the stool across the table from me.

"Are you seriously asking Rose that?" Amanda laughs, tossing her short pink hair over her shoulder, as she sits down beside Elise.

"Bitchy as ever Amanda?" Elise growls.

"Only speaking the truth!"

Elise and I share a look before I roll my eyes.

Amanda and I have had this...thing since we were in first grade, and unfortunately, fate decided to put us at the same table first thing in the morning each day.

Seriously? What did I ever do to deserve this?!

"So, did you dig up anything new about your stalkers?" Elise asks, scooting as far away from Amanda as possible without leaving the table altogether.