Death Vows

Chapter One: Stare

Chapter One

Stare

I surveyed the grounds with open-mouthed awe, drinking in the Greek inspired fountains and statues, the little clumps of flowers that adorned the otherwise bare lawn, and the ivy twisting its way up the bricks of the school. I never laid eyes on the building before, but still...

"Bri?" My mom stared at me, so I checked my expression.

"Nothing." I started up the sidewalk, forcing her to follow. An eerie half knowledge of the high school niggled at me, like I'd intuitively know where to find all the classrooms.

I shook off the feeling, turning my attention to the students for distraction. Girls in ivory skirts and boys in stifling black dress suits loitered near the entrance of the building. I grimaced, disconcerted by the wealthy atmosphere.

Snobs.

Bullies.

Jerks.

Those thoughts slowed my pace as I made my way to the front entrance.

As predicted, kids stared, whispered, and skirted to the side as I passed. Alone, teenagers were capable of decency and maturity; together, they became gangs and warmongers, beating down anyone who appeared different or vulnerable. Finally, we reached the end of the pathway and Mom held open the large oak door of the school for me.

When it closed heavily behind us, Mom walked confidently through the automatic doors and into the throng of noisy students. Admiring the antiquated beauty of the atrium, a nagging sense of deja vu ate at me again.

Ivory wallpaper flashed proudly with gold bullion accents that glinted in the light from the glass domed ceiling. Gray swirls in the white marble floors resembled smoke wafting from extinguished candle flames. Even the perfect circular shape of the room itself seemed inspired by a ballroom design.

Mom stopped at a large map on display to locate the administrative offices, so I took the opportunity to appraise the room full of students.

Everyone stared at me.

I held their gazes, bewildered, as they watched me like lifeless statues. No feet shuffled, nobody coughed...

"C'mon, Bri. It's this...Bridgette?" Mom's bright brown eyes narrowed as they swept the gawking crowd. Then, like dogs called by their masters, the students disbanded. Mom took me by the arm and led me through another door, shutting out the creepy student body.

"You'd think they never get new enrollments here," Mom said, rummaging in her purse for something.

I chewed my lip. "Do I really have to go here?"

Mom sent me a look of pure sympathy. "I'm not sure."

"There's actually this online school I really liked--"

"Let's just see how this works out first, okay?"

"Yeah, sure," I quickly agreed, savoring new hope. "May I help you?"

We both looked up at the sound of an elderly lady's voice who sat behind the receptionist's desk.

My mom stepped forward and introduced herself, explaining that she needed an enrollment packet, and I allowed my eyes to wander about the room. Lamps hanging from distressed silver chains cast warm, amber light over the old furniture. The room calmed me, a welcome oasis from the stares and bright lights of the atrium.

"Bridgette? She needs to take your picture for your school ID."

I stepped beneath one of the low-hanging lamps, focusing on the secretary just as her face violently paled. And she stared at me.