Hidden Flames

Chapter 1

[Monday - September 28th: Thompson's House]

Millwood, Pennsylvania—a town shrouded in secrets. From the outside, it appeared to be your typical small town, but looks can be deceiving. "Beneath the surface lies the truth" should be the motto of this town. 

Riptide by Vance Joy started filling Juliette's ears as she's slept in her bed. She rolled over aimlessly before hitting her alarm, turning it off. Juliette sat up and stretched her arms, yawning as she fully awoke.

The sun is beaming through her window, "Just another day in this hellscape" Juliette whispered to herself

She took a moment before getting out of bed and heading into her closet. She pulled out a pair of ripped black jeans with a simple forest green top and her beige Converse. Once her outfit was picked out, Juliette headed into her bathroom to take a long, hot shower, like she does every morning, to fully wake herself up. 

Once out, Juliette finished getting dressed before throwing her hair in a messy bun and completing her outfit with a few rings and a simple necklace. She placed her acoustic guitar in its case before grabbing it and heading downstairs.

As Juliette stepped down the last step, she was hit with the intense aroma of French toast, maple syrup, and bacon. She placed her case down before walking into the kitchen to see her mother plating breakfast as her dad sat at the table. Coffee in one hand, the newspaper in the other, "Good morning" Juliette said, gaining their attention

"Good morning, sweetheart" Her dad, Luca, said with a warm smile, setting down the newspaper, "Did you sleep okay?"

Juliette nodded her head, returning his smile, "Yeah, thanks. It smells amazing in here" Juliette said

Her mom, however, doesn't seem as pleasant this morning. In all reality, is she ever pleasant? No. Especially since the passing of Davie Adams, who until her death, Juliette didn't know her mother had known.

Hadley Thompson turned to her daughter with a furrowed brow, "Juliette, have you been practicing your guitar? Your recital is just around the corner" She reminded her daughter

Juliette cringed inwardly, knowing this conversation was coming, "Um, yeah, I've been practicing" She replied, trying to sound convincing

"How many hours a day?" She pressed

"Enough, Mom" Juliette replied

She doesn't seem satisfied with her response, "You know how important this is for your future. You can't afford to slack off" She reminded her

Juliette resisted the urge to roll her eyes, "I know, Mom. I'm on it" She saw the look in her mother's eyes and knew she is about to go off and ask way too many questions. Juliette looked at her watch, "I'm gonna be late for school" She grabbed a slice of French toast, "I'll see you guys later" She told them before walking away

Juliette popped the French toast into her mouth as she grabbed her keys and her guitar case and made her way to her car. She unlocked her Audi A3 before carefully placing her guitar case in the back. Juliette jumped in the drivers seat and made her way to the one place she called her personal hell, Millwood High.

As Juliette parked in the parking lot, she looked up to see the banner on the front of the school that read, Spirit Week. Juliette internally groaned as she realized that this was going to be the week from hell. 

And she had no idea just how right she was.

She got out of her car and grabbed her guitar case, sighing, "Kill me now" She whispered to herself before heading inside