The Summer Anthology ✔

Story #23- Hiding Secrets

Written by user Gold_star21

No more school. No more class. No more worries. Spring break was coming and I was ready. Just five more minutes until it officially started, but everyone was starting theirs now.

"There's still five minutes! Pay attention!" Ms. Henley shouted. Despite her kind sounding name, the woman was ruthless. There was always a pop quiz up her sleeve - no, a pop test. I bombed her final with a 72%. Even Quinn Finn (who would name their kid that?), a well-known academic over achiever, got a B-.

One of my friends, Alex, leaned over and whispered, "What are we gonna learn in five minutes?"

With her ears of a wolf, Ms. Henley shoots him a glare. Alex never got in trouble with her. Neither did I, but the difference was I was afraid I would be caught by her wrath and Alex wasn't.

Those last minutes passed and the bell released us. Like a herd of wild animals, all the students rushed out of the room. Alex ran with the crowd, so instinctively, I did too.

The surge of energy brought me to the exits where Alex stood waiting. He was the faster runner out of the two of us. That was why he casually leaning against the door when I finally reached him.

"Hey, I have to wait for my sister today. I'll catch you later, all right?" He turned to me.

I agreed to see him later and made my way to the parking lot. From a distance, I could hear laughter and giggles. My eyes peered at the source of the sound.

It was Annalise Parker. The honey blonde haired girl looked at me with a smile that faded as she saw me. It sent a flood of sadness through my body. Although she's lived across from me for as long as I remember, we've never talked.

Annalise has always baffled me. She seems so sweet and innocent on her exterior, but I knew she always hid something deep on the inside. My finger was never put on it and it's kept my curious mind wondering.

"Anna and David sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!" Instantly, I knew who it was: Tara, my utterly pep happy sister.

"You know that's not true. Just get in the car." I say but not in a demanding voice. Tara was a freshman, same with Alex's sister. My sister often teased me about liking Annalise. I'll never admit to it, but it was sort of true.

Annalise has always had me intrigued. She was a good girl but was also experimenting with her wild side. There was something you could learn each day from that girl.

"Earth to David," Tara waved her hand in front of my face. "Drive. I want to go home. And stop staring at her. It's kinda creepy."

I rolled my eyes and began the drive home. While Tara incessantly blabbed about how amazing today was, I stayed silent and she took notice.

"I heard a rumor today. It was about Annalise." She peeks over to see if I'm listening. I try my hardest to look like I don't care.

Curious, I ask, "Really? What was it?"

"Just stop making that face. It makes you look as if a bee stung your eye. Just stop. It's freaking me out." Tara's eyes begin squinting like she's looking at the sun. Her lips curve up the slightest amount to reveal her teeth.

"Anyways, I heard she was going to sneak out tonight and go on an epic summer trip."

"You do know it's spring break right?" I cautiously correct my sister.

"Do you want to hear the juicy gossip or not?" I put my hands up in defense. "Hands on the wheel, mister!" She screams the last part. I immediately put my hands down and gripped the wheel tightly.