G.U.A.R.D. Book #1: Clandestine

-3-

    On Monday morning, I woke up before Winter, which was a normal occurrence. Soft snores crept through the air from her bed. Standing, I picked out some jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, changing in the bathroom. When I put away my pajamas—now cleaned from the snowball fight—I went over to Winter's bed and stared at the clump of brown hair covering her face. Leaning down, I plucked the wavy strands from her skin and felt her gentle breath on my hand.

"Winnie," I said softly.

When she didn't respond, I flicked her hair away and shook her.

"Winter."

She groaned a little, flipping onto her other side. I rolled my eyes, realizing she was awake. With a sigh, I pushed against her back.

"Hey!"

"Get up," I ordered in a strained voice.

She let out a short yell when I pushed her over the edge, taking along her blanket and sheet. I laughed and looked over the bed. She glared up at me.

"That was uncalled for," she said.

"We have to get ready for school," I told her.

While she changed, I ate breakfast with the boys. In half an hour, I had brushed my teeth and hair, applied the little makeup I usually wore, and nestled myself in my olive green coat. Even though I woke before Winter, I was still the last one ready. Which wasn't that unusual. The others waited for the bus by the door. I stood next to them after grabbing my backpack.

Winter let out a yawn, stretching. "Why can't we just skip school on Mondays?"

"Because then you'd hate Tuesday," Bess answered, grabbing her purse and keys. "I'll see you guys after work, okay?"

We all said "goodbye" before she left.

"Why is our last day of school even on a Monday?" Dustin questioned.

"Huh. I never thought of that," Winter said. "Why is our last day of school on a Monday?"

"DS High is weird," Conner said.

"Don't worry." Winter grinned. "You still have four years before you're a freshman."

"Three and a half," he corrected indignantly.

"Oh my goodness, Winter. How could you have gotten that wrong?" Dustin demanded sarcastically.

Winnie put on a face of shame, touching her heart with her hand. "I don't even know. What kind of sister am I?"

Conner rolled his eyes. A few minutes later, the Spring Hill Elementary bus rolled in, and Conner left us. He was a fifth-grader, and his break would come at the end of the week. Our bus took a little longer, and by the time it came, thunder rolled in the background. We all hurried to get on. Rain pellets began lapping down the front window.

DS High was a relatively small school, and we knew pretty much everyone on the bus. Dustin and Max were quick to greet their fellow basketball-players, clasping their hands and hitting each other's heads. Winter and I went a little further in, where we came across a sophomore working on some homework.

"Isn't it a bit late for that?" I asked, sliding into the seat in front of him.

Anthony Long glanced up, surprised at our arrival.

"I still have a few hours," he defended.

"C'mon, Anthony," Winnie reprimanded, leaning down and unzipping her backpack. She got out her own homework. "You should really come more prepared."

I glanced to her. "Seriously?"

Winter ignored me, instead looking back to Anthony. "Finals, am I right?"