𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬

One

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Climbing a fence to get to school probably isn't. I've done it so many time that I don't even realize how dangerous it could be—especially considering the gate is almost seven feet tall. But I still start my way up.

"Amie?" Zelaya—my very clingy lab partner—says pointedly. "Are you even listening to me? This is a bad idea."

"Thanks for the advice, Zel," My hand latches onto another chain link. My foot hood slips for a second and Zelaya gasps. I almost fall before I catch the top of the fence with barely my fingertips.

"Get down from there," her voice is more worried than strict now.

"Okay."

I pull myself up and swing to the other side of the fence to face her.

She shoots me a look before staring up to the top of the fence. "Do I have to do that too?"

"Nope." I open the gate of the fence for her and she walks through with her jaw slack.

"You could just open this the whole time?" she exclaims, opening and closing the gate rapidly.

I shrug.

She groans. "I swear, Amie, you are going to be the death of me

-

School is busier than usual. In this town, kids usually skip school more often than some can get away with and still get perfect scores. Some days I'm surprised this school is even qualified to teach students.

School isn't in session at the moment but they invited all the students for a social gathering before the new year started so freshmen can get comfortable with Lu Dartman High School.

We walk through the crowded halls filled with chatter and laughter to reach our lockers that are—unfortunately—right next to each other.

Zelaya says it's fate. I say it's a terrible accident.

"Are we supposed to go to the auditorium?" she asks as she puts her books in her locker. She explained since she bought her books early she'd rather have them already be there in the new school year, which is three weeks away.

"I have no idea," I reply.

When she finishes filling her locker, we head to the auditorium to check if her theory is right.

It isn't.

Instead we find two boys who look like seniors and have the same shaggy haircut but one is brunette and the other is blond. They're seated on the stage whispering.

I turn to leave, since obviously this isn't where the gathering is held, but Zelaya grabs my arm.

"Hello?" she calls, putting on her brightest smile.

The two boys look up.

"You guys lost or something?" Blond Boy assumes.

Zelaya shakes her head. "We're looking for where the event is. You know, the one that starts in, like, ten minutes?" She flashes the pink watch on her wrist that reads 11:47am. Only Zelaya Velasco would still wear a kids watch at the age of fifteen.

Blond Boy glances at Brunette Guy and they chuckle before the whispering resumes. It's a full minute until we get an answer.

"It's outside the gym," Blond boy drops down from the stage and takes a couple steps towards us. "Are you looking for escorts?"

Before Zelaya can respond I firmly say "No" and turn around, hoping that she'll follow me and not invite the creepy seniors.

"Wait!" A voice calls from behind me. It doesn't sound like Zelaya. I turn around and see a girl with brown skin dressed in a purple shirt with a black leather jacket and black pants. She carries herself where as she walks towards me. I debate running away.

She stops when she reaches me and smiles. "You're Amie Abras, right?"

I get distracted by the lovely shade of gray her eyes are before I reply. "Um, yeah."

"I have something for you," the girl says and holds up a white envelope with a navy blue seal. "It's an offer from Valentina Cadman—I'm her daughter. We live in Lille."

My jaw slacks. "As in—?"

"France, yes." The girl interrupts like she's used to the astonishment. "I know this must be confusing but my mother received high recommendation for someone under your name and it took me weeks to finally find you." Her captivating accent makes me hang onto her every word.

"Are you sure this isn't some kind of mistake?" I tilt my head, my tone is wary. "Maybe it's another girl you're looking for because I have no one who would 'recommend me'. Let alone someone from France."

She ignores my comment. "I'm Rox Cadman, I go to Hansen Falls Academy back in Lille. They accept excellent students like yourself."

I've been a straight A student since I got into school, I never though anyone would ever notice since my parents don't even check my report cards and assume I'm failing every class. I have a tutor that I 'go to' but in reality I sneak out to the firing range with Zelaya.

"How do you know my grades? How do you know who I am?" I'm getting more and more suspicious of this person. I should've been from the start but the way she never stops smiling puts me in an inviting trance.

Her gaze softens. "Perhaps you'd like to read the note before I answer any questions." She extends her hand out with the envelope almost falling from her fingertips that are colored black.

After a moment of consideration that she might grab me and drag me out of the school if I put my hand out—I take the envelope. I study the intricate loopy designs on the seal that I couldn't see before. My eye catches a tiny rip at one of the corners.

"Did you open this?" I look up at her.

She ticks a strand of curly black hair behind her ear and purses perfectly lined lips—the only time she stops smiling. "I may have. I don't mean to intrude, but my mother made it sound like I was being sent to find Jesus or something."

I look back down at the note. I twist and turn it in my hands trying to find a message that says; Just kidding! We totally pranked you!

"I suppose I'll leave you to your message," Rox complies. "My number is at the bottom of it, call me if you decide anything." She turns around and leaves, leaving me with a spiraling mind and a letter from Lille; a place I've never been to in my life. Maybe I have a pen pal I don't know about. Or maybe someone is stalking me and sent one of their minions.

I shrug off all the possibilities and decide to deal with the mysterious situation later. As I look at the people around me I realize that Zelaya hasn't caught up to me yet. I head back to the auditorium to see Zelaya talking to the blond boy from before with their phones in their hands. When she spots me her face lights up and she quickly says something to the boy before rushing over to me.

"I got his number!" She wiggled her pink phone in her hand. "His name is Sebastian—how cute is that?"

I resist the urge to roll my eyes as I hide the letter in my gray jacket so she won't ask questions. She's very nosy. "Super cute. Can we go now and get it over with?"

Zelaya ignores my pessimistic attitude. "Of course. But y'know, maybe I can get you his friend's number." She winks. She's been trying to set me up with someone ever since we met last year. "His name is Freddy and he likes the shooting range just like you."

"Fantastic. If he comes, can I use him as target practice?" I reply bitterly, turning towards the gym. "And I'm not looking for a boyfriend."

She matches my pace. "Are you sure? You look pretty lonely whenever I'm not with you."

"So you spy on me?"

"I just want to know that you're doing okay."

"That's creepy."