Always

Chapter 3

It wasn't much longer until school ended that next day. Harper placed her bag on her back, weaving in and out of the hundred of students to make it to the drama department. As rehearsal wasn't expected to begin for another forty minutes, she sat down on the tile floor and began skimming through her script.

"Hey," a voice sounded, their black converse tapping her teal backpack slightly, "you're Harper, right?" She look up to see someone whom she'd seen around school once or twice yet never knew their name. Harper nodded her head, taking his outstretched hand to get on her feet.

"And you are..?" she questioned.

"Blake," he stated proudly, "Blake Cashio." His maroon colored hair flopped to the side like one of those classic Beiber haircuts from a few years ago. Now that she was standing she noticed that he was a tall six feet even, skin nicely toned most likely from playing soccer judging from his t-shirt. Just wait until I tell Ashton about this, she thought.

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"Band ten hut," the band director announces as we all move into formation, "Forward march." The band was currently traveling the length of several football fields to get to our stadium. Don't get me wrong I love performing for people and all just not for those who not appreciate us enough. Also known as our precious football team. I'm not sure why my school invests so much money in these guys, they haven't even made it to districts since 1989. Plus the weather is always awful so that sucks.

The band begins to set up our space in the bleachers, fitting together as tightly as possible. As we play our songs and cadences, I begin to notice a repetitive flashing at the top of the bleachers. I begin to wonder if we're all going to get rained on then realize that isn't the case.

Someone in the bleachers was taking photos.

I squint my eyes to focus across the field since I chose to leave my glasses back at the school. It was none other than Cassidy Finch. I begin kneeling on the ground, only standing when necessary. My best friend, Griffin, a few moments later knelt down beside me.

"Ashton, what's wrong?" he asked softly careful not to alert our band director. Mr. Ewell always tries to get to the bottom of things

"It's that Cass girl I was telling you about from a few day ago. She's here," I said, trying to look past his shoulder. Griffin spun around on his heels, spotting only the student section doing some type of roller coaster beginning from the cheerleaders who were standing on the track.

"Well I don't see her now, are you sure she didn't just go home, it does look like it's about to rain after all. Maybe you just saw some lighting in the distance and just thought it was a camera flash or maybe a flashlight." I stand on my feet, turning towards the field, trying my hardest not to look at the girl in the corner with the camera. Griffin offers to drive me home that night, saying that I've been on edge the entire time. I thank him for the ride, heading upstairs to my shared bedroom. Harper is sitting on her bed, feet curled up against her chest and her eyes rimmed red.

"Harper what's wron-" I'm cut off by Harper clutching onto my shirt tightly.

"She's here. I saw her," Harper gritted out between her teeth, eyes wide.

"Wait, who's here?" I ask. The only person i know that Harper would have been freaking out like this is-

"I saw Cassidy outside underneath the streetlight," she whispers so softly I can barely hear her. I turn and lock the window and bedroom door. I suggest for her to sleep and that I'll keep watch for the night. I watched as she rolled over onto her side, her breathing slowing. I reached into my nightstand and grabbed the switch blade I had bought for summer camp in seventh grade. Perhaps I wasn't hallucinating after all.