Anonymous

Chapter One

"Unless and until our society recognizes cyber bullying for what it is, the suffering of thousands of silent victims will continue." - Anna Maria Chavez

The frosty wind gusted within the gray skies, causing a shiver to travel down my spine. Snow lightly dusted the concrete sidewalks, as I walked down the road. An eerie silence filled the air, forcing this casual walk to seem sketchy.

"Boo!" I heard someone exclaim behind me.

I flinched lightly, already well knowing who was behind me. I swiftly turned around to come face to face with my two best friends, Celeste, whom was the one with silky blonde hair, and enchanting green eyes, and Dylan, the idiot, who I've known since we were in diapers.

"What are you dorks doing here?" I asked, grinning slightly. Celeste rolled her emerald eyes, giggling, as an ecstatic look appeared on Dylan's face. I stared curiously at him, as Celeste appeared to be mirroring me, watching him strangely.

"Well... A cupcake store recently opened on Fifth Avenue." Dylan announced, grinning from ear-to-ear. Celeste playfully slapped his arm, glaring at him.

 "You dragged me out of my bed... To tell us about a confectionery stand?!" Celeste screamed, a little bit too loudly. I chuckled, as I began following Dylan towards the cupcake bakery. I suppose that from time-to-time, if anyone ever awakened Celeste at the wrong times, she could became a... well, a fire-breathing dragon. The clouds began swirling subtly, warning us of a terrible storm. After motioning Celeste and Dylan, we began running towards the bakery, in hopes of arriving there, before the thunderous storm.

I suppose that it was simply a lucky coincidence that the droplets of rain began to shoot from the skies, simply seconds after we had closed the delicate glass-pane doors. My jaw almost dropped at the breathtaking sight of the delicate bakery. Everything seemed so... soft and beautiful; from the high glass confectionery displays, to the pastel color palette chosen for the walls, to the subtle, yet sweet decorations. The cakes were tiny, and flawlessly created. While staring at the creations in awe, I bumped into a familiar face, consisting of a pair of icy, feline-like eyes, and red lips, curved into a sly smile.

"Maya... Hi..." I mumbled, after regaining my balance. I, being the short girl I was, had to look up at her towering height, as she stared down at me, as though I was a hairy bug she had found on her bathroom sink.

"Ocean! It's so nice to see you here. I'm afraid that these beautiful cakes are probably way out of your price range, sweetie." She stated, with a chilly, fake smile. I hated to admit it, but she was right. As I glanced swiftly at the floral price tags, I cringed at the prices. A gourmet cupcake that was covered with fragile hand-made flowers was a hefty 30 dollars. For a cupcake.

Maya continued to stare at me with venomous eyes, as her closest friend, Sara, began strutting towards us, clicking her high heels.

I stole another glance at the expensive treats, as I subtly began to panic. Maya knew that I couldn't afford the cupcake.

She's always known.

"Mommy, where are you?" I cried out with a lisp. I raced behind the fluorescent pink slides, in hopes of finding my mother.

I continued running, and racing, until suddenly, I ran right into a young girl, whom of which was roughly around my age, as I was only five years old at the time. She had long, blonde locks of hair, and a pair of sparkling crystal eyes.

"Oops, sorry!" I exclaimed loudly. She giggled childishly, and suddenly gasped. I looked at her with mere curiosity and scrunched up eyebrows.

"We're wearing the same skirt!" She cheered.

"We should be best friends."

"Forever! My name's Maya! What's yours?"

I'm Ocean, like the water!"

I stood there, in silence, thinking about the forgotten past. It wasn't always like this. We weren't always sworn enemies.

I sighed, as I continued pondering over the hidden past, as Maya continued to stare at me, challenging me to back out of purchasing the cake, as Sara watched us amusingly. I rolled my eyes, and started to walk away, when suddenly, a petite woman with blonde tresses strutted towards us, sporting a pastel pink apron.

"How may I help you young ladies?" She asked sweetly.

Maya glanced towards the delicate treats, and smiled.

"I'll have the coconut cream gourmet, Sara will have strawberry rose mini, and Ocean?" Declared Maya.

I sighed heavily. I was completely fed up with Maya rubbing in her wealth in my pale face. I ran out, shoving the glass doors, rolling my blue eyes.

"Pft, what's her problem?" Sara scoffed loudly. I suddenly remembered that I still hadn't seen my best friends since my mini encounter with Maya. I turned around, desperately trying to search for them. After hopelessly giving up, I began walking home, drenched in the rain.

~

I woke up in the morning, outstretching my arm, as the early sunshine shone through my curtains. I yawned lightly, as the alarming sound of my phone swiftly awoke me.

"Hello?" I answered, still yawning quietly.

"Ocean? It's Dylan's mom."

"Good morning, how are you?"

"I'm not very well. Would you happen to be with or seen Dylan anywhere, honey?" She asked frantically.

"No... Mrs Matthews, is there an issue?"

I heard a quiet gasp, and the sound of a dropped phone, and quiet sounds of exasperated murmurs. I waited for a response, when after a few moments, Mrs Williams picked up the phone once again.

"Dylan's been missing for the past fifteen hours, Ocean."

~

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So what'd you guys think about the first chapter? I'm sorry that this chapter was a tad bit short, but II simply had to leave it at this cliffhanger. This is the first book I've written, so I'm sorry if it's a bit sloppy. I honestly hope that you'll like this book, as I'm working quite hard on it.

Fun fact: This book is based on a true story; an event that had recently surpassed in my life! Well, obviously this book will not be exact to my life, as the real-life version probably isn't as interesting, and read-worthy.

Love you all!

- Christie :))