Darkness surrounded me forcing me to feel around hopelessly until the clear gem around my neck began to glow beneath my shirt. I pulled it out shocked while it gleamed in my hand and onto my chest, it was lighting my way. I glanced down at my muddy clothes but the light bounced off them showing a red tinge. My hands began to shake as did my legs, suddenly my body felt like lead making me collapse. Mud splattered onto my surroundings while I tried pulling myself up with a near by branch but then the silence was broken and filled with the ear splitting noise of my alarm clock.
Slowly my eyes opened to be straight across from the clock "August 25th...no." I groaned, the dreaded day was finally here...the first day of school. I covered my face groaning letting the alarm chirp until I heard my mother come in singing "Time for school Dawn! Senior year is a big year!" Before turning off the alarm. Once she left I sat up rubbing my eyes and stretching maybe senior year would go by fast, probably not. Finally awake enough I got up and made my bed "Knock, knock!" Akira's voice chimed behind my door as she opened it smiling. She instantly shut it and spun around to show off her outfit. She wore dark blue jeans, her timberlands which were tied neatly, and a black hoodie with not a dog hair in site.
Akira wasn't the neatiest person so her clothes not swimming in dog hair was a new for her "What are you going to wear?" She asked plopping herself down on my bed. I rolled the question through my head a couple of times then answered "What I normally wear." At my answer her face contorted in almost disgust. "You serious? We're seniors now and you haven't even been remotely wild, take it from me. You're a stick in the mud." Her voice was cold. I shivered, and as fakely as I could sound I said "Oh no! I'm lame, holy shit well teach me your ways!" I pulled on a blue v-cut tank top as she rolled her chestnut eyes. A laugh escaped my throat while I wiggled into my ripped blue jeans that went over my boots easily.
I turned from my closet to see Akira shifting through my make up draw "You've never worn this." She laughed pulling icy blue eye shadow out. I made an attempt at a sarcastic laugh "You know my eyes are hazel and my hairs black, yet you bought that for me in 9th grade." I said tossing it back into the draw before shutting it. I pulled on my boots, swiftly brushed my long black hair and brushed my teeth "Ready to go?" I asked finally ready. Slowly she stood up, grabbed her bag and we walked to her beat up maroon Toyoata rav 4. My mother waved rapidly as Akira's car coughed out the drive way and onto the high way "Guess what I have last!" Akira complained " Gym!" She announced ringing my ears.
"Same." I answered watching her round face light up instantly "No I'm not doing your work." I growled dryly, every class we had together she'd have me do the work. This year would be different since we were seniors, she'd have to trick someone else. The car went silent as arrived at the oldest school in the state, it even had columns in the front; birds made nests in the tops. Once I got inside the vice principal gave me a new schedule, every class besides creative writing had changed. I waved to Akira goodbye and stepped into creative writing, my favorite class since I wrote book after book.
The teacher who usually taught, Ms. Swigart, was out and posted the seating chart on the chalkboard. Scanning over it I found my name next to a guy named Michael Niedzielski, not recognizing his name I assumed he was new, or even a freshman. Once I sat down I pulled out a red notebook covered in sketches and opened to a fresh page while people scurried around me talking about their summers; I recalled mine but nothing really happened to me, maybe Akira was right, maybe I was lame.
A slim, nicely built guy caught my eye in the doorway, his brown wavy hair barely revealing his mysterious eyes suddenly I knew that had to be Michael; and he was not a freshman for sure. He smoothly walked to the chalkboard instantly turned around and walked to my table I was speechless; up close you could see all his defined features.
Michael wore torn up grey-blue jeans that sat loosely at his hips, a black under shirt with a black button up shirt. He dropped his stuff onto the table startling me to reality "You ok there? Someone's jumpy." Michael chuckled melting me inside, his voice matched his looks until I realized his smile wasn't all kindness behind it was dark and mysterious. I nodded looking down scribbling down some random words pretending that I was thinking the whole time, my eyes burned through the page while I stared none stop. I felt Michael's knee bump mine so naturally I looked over at him, he was smiling again; that dark smile was engraved into my mind. "You're Misty right?" He asked making my blood freeze how did he know my real name?.. "I'm Dawn." I answered quietly trying not to let my voice crack in shock, Michael threw his head back as he laughed.
"W-what." I stuttered glancing at him sideways hiding my fear. Tell the truth Misty "I'm Misty yes." I blurted suddenly who told me to say the truth! Chills danced down my spine when I couldn't remember the voice only the words. Michael wasn't your average guy unless he was purposely making me uncomfortable for his own entertainment, getting lost in thought made my ears relax until the fire alarm screamed. My body instantly bolted up right as everyone raced out carrying their designer shit with them, only Michael sat there watching me. I opened my mouth when the emergency sprinklers began to spin shooting water in all direction.
I let out a growl of irritation while my clothes began to soak in the water "Um, Michael we need to leave." I shouted to ensure he heard me. His smile appeared once again as he stood up revealing he was much taller than me. "After you." Michael's arm outstretched motioning to the door. Quickly I raced out hearing Michael close behind me when suddenly a picture flashed through my mind. Startled I lost my footing and slipped into a near by locker, Michael silently hovered beside me smirking "Shoes untied?" He joked.
I pushed him away regaining my balance "Shut up, don't be a smart ass." I growled pretending like my stumble never happened "Hey I'm just trying to help babe." Michael said sounding offended. I let the comment go and began toward the exit until the ground began to shake causing me to cling to a door handle near by when the floor beneath me gave way. A scream slipped through my clenched teeth while Michael stood untouched a few feet away. "M-Michael!" I cried out in fear as my eyes darted to the ground below me, fire ate the floor that was once under my feet. Tears filled my eyes as my feet felt the heat climbing up; my hands began to slip making Michael smile what was he doing!
Suddenly one hand let go, so my body hung lower to the hungry fire ready to swallow me whole. With all my strength left I made one last effort to hold on with one hand when it just released. I plummeted into the burning flames and everything went black...
