Can You Keep a Secret?

Chapter One: The New Girl

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to start all over again? To have your imperfect life made new? That was exactly what crossed my mind when my dad announced we were moving to a new town for a fresh start. I knew it would be tough to be the new girl in the 12th grade, but I also saw it as a chance to reinvent myself.

"Here we are, kids. Welcome to Bell Town," my dad said as we pulled up to our new house. It was a charming two-story home with a spacious backyard, perfect for my mom's gardening. My twin brother, Alex, quietly got out of our old jeep, his eyes wide as he took in the new surroundings. Since that night, Alex had never been the same. Actually, none of us had.

Suddenly, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I hate it when people stare—it makes me feel vulnerable.

"Ah, you must be the neighbors. I'm Leo, and this is my beautiful wife, Althea," my dad said, his voice carrying over to where I stood.

I turned to see a young man about my age staring at me intently.

"This is my son Alex and my daughter Alessa," my dad continued. As my name was mentioned, I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. I wished the ground would swallow me whole.

"The name's Jasper. My folks are away right now with my sisters, so I guess I'm the welcome committee," he said, smiling. Jasper was undeniably attractive, with a tan complexion, intense dark eyes, and a piercing in his right ear that made him even more intriguing.

He offered to help us carry boxes into our new home, and by the end of the day, we were all exhausted. My parents thanked Jasper for his help, and as he was leaving, he said, "I guess I'll be seeing you at school."

I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or Alex, but I couldn't help but smile. It felt good to have a new friend who knew nothing about my past. Maybe things were looking up—or so I thought.

"Help! Help me, please."

"Where are you? I can't help you if I can't see you!"

"I'm in here. Please, hurry."

I didn't know how I got here, but I knew someone needed my help. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I sprinted down a dark hallway.

"Hang on! I'm coming!"

"Hurry, they're almost here!"

The only sound was my sneakers pounding against the polished wooden floor. Then, a scream pierced the air.

"Aaaaaaah!!!"

"Oh no. Please be okay. I'm almost there."

My footsteps brought me to a stop outside a bathroom door. I quietly opened it and stepped inside. Silence. No screaming. No girl shouting for help. Then, I saw blood seeping out from under one of the stalls. Every instinct told me to run, but something compelled me to move closer. Just as I reached the stall, the door creaked open. "Aaaaaaaah!!!"

"Honey, it's alright." I sat up in bed, drenched in sweat. It was just a dream. Oh God, it felt so real.

"It's alright, honey. You just had a bad dream. Didn't your alarm go off? Anyway, I'd like you downstairs in ten minutes. Your father's driving you to your new school today," my mom said gently. Right, today was Alex's and my first day at our new school.

"Thanks, Mom." She smiled and quietly closed the door.

I took a quick shower, brushed my hair, and put on the outfit I had picked out last night. I decided to keep it simple: a white tank top under my favorite denim jacket, ripped jeans, and the gray boots my mom gave me last Christmas. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't shake the memory of my dream. It felt so real—the cries for help, the adrenaline, the blood, the way her eyes stared at me.

"God, Alessa, pull yourself together," I muttered to myself.

As I stepped downstairs, the comforting smell of freshly made waffles filled the air. My mom had gone all out for our first day at the new school.

"Morning, sweetheart," she said, placing a plate of waffles in front of me. Alex was already at the table, quietly eating his breakfast. The sight of him so withdrawn tugged at my heart. I hoped this move would be good for him, for all of us.

"Morning, Mom. Morning, Alex," I greeted, trying to sound cheerful. The dream still lingered in my mind, but I pushed it aside. Today was a new beginning.

After breakfast, Dad drove us to school. As we pulled up to Bell Town High, my stomach churned with nerves. I could feel the weight of everyone's stares before I even stepped out of the car. "Here we go," I muttered under my breath as I climbed out.

Walking through the halls was like navigating a minefield of curious eyes. Whispers followed me, and I felt the intensity of their gazes.

"Is she the new girl?"

"Did you hear she's a senior?"

"She looks so lost."

I kept my head high, trying to exude confidence I didn't feel.

Alex walked beside me, his presence a small comfort. We found our way to the office to pick up our schedules. The secretary, Mrs. Harris, greeted us warmly. "Welcome to Bell Town High, Alessa and Alex. Here are your schedules and a map of the school. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you," I said, taking the papers. Alex and I compared our schedules; unfortunately, we didn't have any classes together. "I'll see you at lunch?" I asked.

"Yeah," he replied quietly before heading off to his first class.

I took a deep breath and walked to my first class, English Literature. The room was already full when I arrived, and every head turned as I entered. The teacher, Mrs. Parker, smiled warmly.

"You must be Alessa. Welcome. Please take a seat. We were just discussing 'The Great Gatsby.'"

I found an empty seat near the back and slid into it, trying to ignore the curious glances from my new classmates. Jasper was in the corner, and he gave me a small, encouraging nod, which made me feel a little better. I focused on Mrs. Parker's discussion, grateful for something to concentrate on besides the stares.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of introductions and curious looks. By the time lunch rolled around, I was exhausted. I found Alex sitting alone at a table in the cafeteria. Grateful for a familiar face, I joined him.

"How's it going?" I asked, unwrapping my sandwich.

"Okay, I guess. People are...curious," he replied, glancing around.

"Yeah, tell me about it," I said, rolling my eyes.

Just then, Jasper walked over with a tray of food. "Mind if I join you?"

"Sure," I said, smiling. It felt good to have a friend who knew his way around. "So, what's the scoop on this place?"

"Bell Town's a pretty tight-knit community. People are friendly once you get to know them," Jasper said, sitting down. "Have you guys had a chance to explore the town yet?"

"Not really. We've been too busy unpacking," I replied.

"Well, if you ever need a tour guide, I'm your guy," he said with a grin.

For the first time since we moved, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe Bell Town wouldn't be so bad after all. But as the day continued, the memory of my dream and the unsettling feeling it left behind lingered in the back of my mind.