The Third Year

Prologue

Hey guys! So I never got any title suggestions or covers so I figured I'll go ahead and post the Prologue and Chapter 1 and then let you guys use your creative minds and help with title and cover!! Let me know if you have any questions about the art terms used!!

Prologue: Darkroom 

So I think 2get 2know each other better, we shuld c wat each others likes/interests r. I texted Michael during lunch.

Michael and I had been hanging out and talking more and more over the past few weeks. Thanks to Jackie and Emily's plan, Michael finally started talking to me, and we just hit it off. One of the things we had agreed on was we didn’t have to be the cliché couple and sit together every lunch period, but we could sit with other people. My friends agreed with me and I really liked having the freedom to be with my friends.  He liked to go and work on his projects during lunch anyway, so it all worked out.

My phone buzzed with a reply from Michael. Sounds cool 2me. U 1st?

Sure. Meet at lockers after school.

I had to admit, I was pretty pleased with the arrangements we had made. For never having a boyfriend before, everything was going rather smoothly.

“So Jackie, Michael and I have agreed to meet up after school,” I said, putting my phone down and turning to the curly brunette next to me.

“Look at you go, Iv,” Jackie said, using her nickname she had given me in grade school. “So, I assume you’re going to take him to the art room?”

“I was going to ask you what you thought about me taking him into the darkroom. I have some stuff I need to grab and I figured, why not show him around?” I said to Jackie.

Jackie looked at me with a sly smile. “Sure, that sounds like fun, though I’m not sure how much showing around you can do in a darkroom. Would have to be more of an imagination kinda experience,” she said with a wink. I just rolled my eyes and turned back to my book I was reading for Lit, Jackie giggling quietly next to me. This should be an interesting afternoon.

***

“Are you ready?” I asked, turning to Michael, who looked quite unsure of the door in front of us.

“Um, what exactly is in here?” he asked, his eyes moving across the door. I turned to see the sign reading KEEP DOOR CLOSED. DARKNESS WILL LEAK OUT.

“Oh that. Ya don’t worry about it. It’s really not that bad,” I said glancing up at to look at his hesitant face.

“Come on,” I said, and mustering up my last ounce of courage, I grabbed his hand and pushed the door open.

“V, I can’t see anything,” Michael murmured.

I laughed. “We aren’t even in the darkroom yet. Here just hang on a sec while I open the other door and let your eyes adjust. There are faint lights in here that will help you see.” I closed the door behind us and felt around for the second door. Michael was still clutching my hand, and I couldn’t help but be slightly grateful for the darkness enveloping us hiding my flaming cheeks.

I felt for the doorknob in front of me and pushed the door open. Making sure Michael was still with me, I walked forward slowly, dragging him along.

Once we were in, I turned around to close the door, only to run right into Michael, who had stopped just inside the room. “Oh, sorry,” he said, as he instinctively caught me before I could fall back. Only then did I realize that he had his hands on my hips to steady me.

“It-its fine,” I said clearing my throat nervously. Michael released his hands and cleared his throat awkwardly. “I just need to close the door so the dark doesn’t seep out,” I whispered, scooting around him carefully, and closing the door. I took a few deep breaths before turning back to the direction where Michael was. I could feel his body heat in front of me. I timidly reached forward and brushed my fingertips along his back. I could feel him stiffen beneath my touch, causing my breath to catch.