Beneath the Dark

Chapter One: Returning

“The welcoming committee meeting today is going to be epic; I can’t wait to share my ideas, what did you think of them?”  I turned and looked at Tawny even though I could barely see her face through that thick black cascade of hair.

“I think a welcoming dance will be new, original, I really like it and I’m sure everyone else will too.”  I smiled at her, it really was a great idea, and there was no doubt everyone else would love it too.

“What will everyone like?” Jasmine asked as she and Kelly approached us.

“Hmm… nothing it’s a surprise but you’ll find out if you guys come to the meeting tonight!” Tawny squealed, I can’t remember a time that I have ever seen her this excited for anything.

“You know how I hate those bloody meetings, why can’t you just tell me now?” a bit of harshness dripped at the end of Kelly’s words.

“Is being impatient a British thing? Cause if so I would hate to see your grocery stores!”  I offered trying to lessen the grip of her words.  We laughed but I could tell Kelly was a bit insulted and I immediately wished I could swap it for another joke.

“Haha, you’re so funny Cecily, you should become a comedian.” Kelly added sarcastically but I knew she was only trying to hide her wounded pride so I said nothing, I mean I could have been more considerate of her.

“Hey guys walk with me to my locker? I gotta put some of these binders away before I tip over!” we giggled off any present tension and began walking to the D wing of the school.

“D156, D156…. D156, here it is! My new locker, not too shabby huh?” I said with satisfaction.

“Hmm, I hate to break it to ya darling but all the lockers kind of look the same…” Jasmine said looking down the rows of lockers.  I couldn’t help but laugh at her facial expression and soon everyone joined in.  Honestly I’m so glad to be back at school most people hate it but I love everyone here and I love being part of this team.  It maybe corny but I look at this school as a second home and the people in it as a second family.  I completed the combination to my locker and stored my second and eighth period binder closing the locker door shut.

“Anyway, so what are your topics for the meeting tonight?” I said backing up to the water fountain but no one answered they all just stared at me in awe.

“What are you guys stare….” Then I ran into something rock hard and stumbled forward. “What the heck was that a wall? I swear if I were any clumsier…” I turned to see a guy who looked to be about my age but was so tall I wouldn’t be surprised if he was 6’6.  His auburn hair stopped around his ears, he wore a gray sweater, black pants, a black bracelet on one arm; a watch on the other.  He stood in front of me with his arms crossed, an intrigued look spread across his face.

“Hey could you watch where you’re going I couldn’t see and…”

 “I believe you’re the one who ran into me.”  His voice was deep and warm like Pacific Ocean; it could easily entrance any victim wading.

“I was trying to say I couldn’t see where I was going, so if you were watching this might not have happened.”

“But what if I wanted it to happen?”

“Wanted what to happen?” I said.  Was he trying to confuse me because he was doing a mighty fine job at it.

“Hmm, I don’t know” he said looking me up and down as if he was looking to buy a new car.  I blushed and looked away, was he really checking me out in front of everyone.

“No worries it was an accident.”

“EXCUSE ME! What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, don’t run into anyone else you might hurt yourself,” he smiled and winked at the girls behind me, looked at me one more time then left in the opposite direction.