Can You Keep A Secret?

19. Liam

Daily School Page:
Welcome, my fellow BrookSville High students, to the most anticipated day of the year. It's the month and date when the Alexander family, our well known wealthy and famous Elite family, throws a party that is unforgettable. People call it indescribable, surreal, and an experience they can't wait to relive. But, as we all know, it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt and is forgotten. The recent disappearance of our Ice Queen Sylvie Quinn has sparked wild theories and crazy ideas. It's like a puzzle with pieces that don't quite fit, but the more you think about it, the clearer the picture becomes.

Some may have thought that with everything that has happened over the years, the Alexander family would cancel their annual party. But once again, I was proven right: the show must go on. And if the show must go on, then so must the people. Perhaps it has become a rivalry and competition between Elite families - the best of the best. But the real question is, who will come out on top and who will be the sacrifice, watching their empire crumble.

I never considered myself an honest person. If honesty and I were two beings, we would be destined to be forever separated. People often misunderstand and confuse words. If I'm not honest, then I must be a liar. I can't be both, I can't be different. Society has a funny way of labeling and forming reputations based on appearances. It's ironic how one day you can feel on top of the world - like Mount Everest - but at night, your thoughts consume you. That's why I find myself staying up late.

Sleep didn't come easily to me. I used to think it was because I stayed up late and woke up early, feeling tired and drained. But over time, I realized it wasn't time that affected my sleep, but my mind. The overwhelming emotions, intrusive thoughts, and constant flow of information keep me up at night. The room may be quiet, but my mind is loud and chaotic.
That's how I knew she was planning to run away. I observed quietly, shrouded by the darkness, as I took another drag of my cigarette. I had promised myself long ago that I would quit, that I wouldn't continue to harm my lungs. I only allowed myself to smoke when absolutely necessary. I had become accustomed to this routine - smoking while deep in thought, pondering over various things. And then I saw her, her unmistakable figure illuminated by her silver hair. "Where do you think you're going, Silver?" I interrupted her, causing her to come to a sudden stop with her bags in tow. She attempted to cover her figure with a hoodie, which did little to hide her figure. "You could have just taken the front door," I suggested, throwing my cigarette to the ground and extinguishing it with my foot.

"What are you doing?" She looked annoyed, probably realizing that with me keeping watch, she wouldn't be able to escape. Her main question, however, was why I was awake in the middle of the night instead of sleeping like a normal person. But this night was no different from any other. She must have known about the party and my parents being away. It was the perfect night for her to make a run for it. What she didn't know was that I was still home, enjoying the peace and quiet and gazing up at the stars.
"I think I asked the question first," I replied, making room on the bench in case she wanted to sit down. I heard the sound of a zipper and keys jingling. Instinctively, I caught the keys as she threw them. "I'm returning these to you," she muttered as I heard the car unlock and the headlights flash. "It's not going to make you feel any better, you know."

I stopped her once again as she let out a shaky breath. There was something about the night that I loved, something that made it special and enjoyable. Most people preferred the heat of summer, the beach, the water, the hottest season of the year. But for me, winter would always hold a special place in my heart. The cold air, the stars shining above, the blue of the sky...
"You have no idea what you're talking about," she laughed, shaking her head and not wanting to listen to me. I couldn't let her leave, as I had promised to bring her to the annual BrookSville party. A party I had heard about but never been invited to, since I didn't belong to the Elite category. But things had changed. Moving into the manor, making money - I was now considered the newest and possibly final addition to the group. But that wasn't entirely true... It was a way for them to deny that the girl with silver hair standing in front of me wasn't part of their circle.