take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die.

chapter one

"Hadley, come on, you have school!" My mom yells from outside my door as I groan. I sit up, rubbing my eyes as my feet touch my cold floor.

I change into jeans and a white sweater, curling my blonde hair as I put my backpack on.

"Have a good day, sweetie."

"Thanks, Mom. See you after school." I put my converse on, exiting my house as I enter my Dad's car.

"Do you know who's preforming in the talent show?"" My dad asks as we pull into my school. Perry Middle School. The best school in Hackensack.

"I don't think so, why?"

"I was just wondering so mom and I can know what's gonna happen. Okay, have a good day, honey."

"Thanks, Dad. I'll see you after school." I exit the car, entering the school as I look at Junior Wheeler. My best friend since I was a baby. It's just weird now since he's dating Lexy Cross, the Mayor's amazing, perfect daughter.

Lexy Cross is a bitch. I mean, we haven't had any problems yet, but it's just that she thinks she can do whatever she wants since she's rich.

I wave at Junior as he smiles at me slightly before I go to my locker.

"Hey, Hads." I turn around, looking at my best friend, Cami.

"Oh, hey, Cami. Did you ever get your test back?" I open my locker, grabbing my english notebook.

"Yeah, and I got a 70 percent. But it's whatever, I could care less about spanish."

"True, Mr. Hansen can't even teach."

"I do not want to go to ela, all the kids there are so weird."

"Yeah, you got that right." I close my locker as we enter the classroom, my teacher smiling brightly at us as Cami and I sit down.

—

Class is about to end as everyone's phone dings. I look at my notification, a gofundme page popping up.

I look at Lexy Cross' profile. "Fight Poverty! Help Jake and Chucky!" A photo of Jake Wheeler and a ginger haired doll is staring at me as everyone starts cackling.

"Hey, what's so funny?" Mrs. Philips asks as the bell rings, everyone rushing to get out of the classroom.

"God, that Jake kid is so weird. What's up with him and dolls?" Cami asks as I chuckle.

"Maybe it's a phase."

"Isn't he Junior's cousin?"

"Yeah, but he doesn't really like to acknowledge him."

"I wouldn't acknowledge him, either." I look at Junior, Lexy surprisingly not by his side.

"I'm gonna go. I'll talk to you later?"

"Yeah." I walk up towards Junior.

"Hey, are you coming to the talent show with your parents?" Junior looks at me.

"Yeah, Lexy's preforming tonight. I'll see you there?"

"Yeah, of course."

—

I enter my house, which is way too big for our tiny family.

My parents are filthy rich, which is why we're so close to the Wheeler's and all that.

I enter the kitchen, "Mom?"

"Oh, hey, Honey. How was school?"

"Pretty good. What time are we leaving for the talent show?"