Senior Year

Chapter Three

I ran after him, going towards the front entrance. Jared stopped walking and looked at me. "What happened to your calculus test?" I shook my head and we started walking.

"It can wait. I'm just too fed up to go to school today." I admitted. He took my hand and pulled me out the door.

"Then let's go before the first bell rings!" We made it out to in front of the school. "Okay, so just stick with me and you'll be a pro at ditching school." I shook my head.

"I'm not planning on making this a habit you know. It's just a one time thing." I paused. "Where are we going anyways?" I asked him. He was leading me behind the school and towards the woods. "Why the woods? The woods can be dangerous you know." He rolled his eyes. By now we were on a dirt trail that was behind the school that led into the woods. I had to be careful so I didn't trip over rocks or anything. I was always a total klutz. One of these days I'll end up in a hospital, I swear. I looked around and didn't see the school anymore and we were surrounded by trees. I wasn't sure how long it was going to take for us to get to where we were going and I was nervous about skipping school in the first place. I felt my phone's vibration in my pocket and I quickly pulled it out. I looked down at the screen and saw I had a message from Matt. Where are you? I know you said you wouldn't be early but you're never late to school. Crap. I should've realized Matt would notice I wasn't in class today. What do I even tell him? He'll yell at me for cutting class. But he's my best friend. I can't lie to him. I'm not in the mood to go to school today so I'm not going. I hit send and waited for his response. I was so nervous. WHAT? You can't ditch school! WHERE ARE YOU? I sighed as we continued to walk. I'm in the woods behind the school. I'm with Jared. I hit send. Are you crazy?! I told you he's bad news. What if he like leads you into the woods and leaves you there? I would get to school right now if I were you! As I went to respond I heard Jared call out to me.

"Look where you're going!" He demanded. I looked up as my feet hit a large branch. I screamed and as I landed on the ground. Jared knelt down next to me and helped me up. He looked me over as I brushed myself off, looking concerned. "Are you okay?What were you looking at?" He asked me as I nodded.

"I was looking at my phone. I got a message from Matt asking where I was." Jared grabbed my arm, looking serious.

"Did you tell him where you were?! I swear to god if he tells anyone we ditched-" I interrupted him.

"He won't tell. I promise. He wouldn't want me to get in trouble." Jared let go of my arm and I picked up my phone from the ground, deciding to send a quick text to Matt. Just let me do what I want. PLEASE don't tell anyone. I'm begging you. I quickly put my phone back in my pocket and the two of us started walking again.

"We're here." He told me. I looked around and saw two other guys who dressed similar to Jared. There were large logs around in a circle in the clearing. "Alright Rose, these are the guys. This is Ryder and that's Mason." He said, pointing to the guys. Ryder had shaggy blonde hair and seemed kind of tall. Mason had bright red hair and tattoos covering his arms. Both of them were smoking cigarettes. "And guys, this is Rose, she's had a rough day and is going to join us for awhile." They waved and Jared went and sat down next to Ryder. He grabbed a cigarette from the pack they had and held it by Ryder. "Bro hook me up." Ryder pulled out his lighter and lit the cigarette.

"Rose, sit. We don't bite." Mason said to me. Oh, right, I was just kind of standing there awkwardly and staring. I walked over to one of the logs and sat down, putting my backpack next to me. Ryder smirked.

"Much." He added. I faked a laugh and looked around at all the trees and at the ground. There were empty beer cans all over the ground.

"So what's the deal with this place?" I asked them. They all looked at me.