Deadly Secrets

Chapter 2

        Walking to history with Courtney she kept rubbing her eyes beneath her glasses.

“Hey, are you okay?” I asked. 

“Yeah, just a little tired.” She rubbed her eyes again, not noticing Bianca Whitherstone rounding the corner and bumped right into her. Bianca stumbled back into her horde of blonde twits while Courntey headed straight for the floor. I went to help Courtney stand back up.

“Like, walk much nerd?” Bianca spat out while her friends just glared. Courtney mumbled an apology and tried to go around her, but Bianca blocked her. “Did you say something? Like speak up little mousy.” Her friends laughed. “Or is the little mousy too scared? Huh, little mousy, are you scared?” Courtney flushed at Bianca’s words. I quickly grabbed her elbow and began pulling her along. I felt someone grab my arm and turned around sharply. “Where are you running off to Ellie? Why don't you go run to the Hills. I'm sure you'd find people of similar taste there darling.” She said with her voice laced with sticky sweet venom. I just pulled my arm out of her grasp and steered us into history class. Courtney kept her head down the entire class, her eyes downcast. I felt rage boil up inside of me. It was always like this, the kids from the rich families always thought they were better than everyone else. And because of their families money they felt like they could do whatever they wanted and never have to face the consequences. It made me sick knowing how that the best Bianca would get for embarrassing Courtney, was a stern talking to. The bell rang signalling the next class. I smiled at Courtney as we went our separate ways. I met up with Bryn in psychology and sat down next to her.

“So, ready to party tonight?” She asked me eagerly. I sighed and shook my head,

“It’s a school night Bryn, Jane would kill me.”

“So? Come on El, you’re eighteen, legally able to vote. Do something, time to make your mark on society!” Always the drama queen, it’s like she expects me to cure cancer or something.

“I just don’t know Bryn.” She sighed with exasperation. 

“Just for once Eleanor, would you at least consider the idea of an alternative?” I don’t like alternatives, I like structure. Structure is what kept me together after my parents died. It’s what keeps me sane, the alternatives of the universe are just one big toss-up. I wasn’t about to risk my structured life on some alternative that could destroy the foundation of my simple life. Yes, my simply life was boring, but it was better than the alternative that my parents got. The final bell rang and I followed Bryn out to the parking lot.

“So Jason has practice so I’m going to watch, I’ll text you later about the party okay?” I nodded and watched her curls bounce all the way to the football field. I threw my stuff in my car and drove home in silence.

        I walked into my quiet house and called out. Looks like no one was home yet. I let out a long yawn and went upstairs to my bedroom. I plunked myself down on my bed and flipped open my phone. I frowned when I saw Bryn’s message. Apparently she couldn’t go to the party because Jason was having a late practice. Well if she wasn’t going, I sure wasn’t. I stretched out my arms over my head, but I still felt a little off. I stood up and back backwards stretching my back but that didn’t seem to help either.

        Consider the alternative? I heard the front door open and called down to Leo and Jane. I sat on my bed and pulled my knees up to my chest. What should I do now? Maybe homework, text Courtney, maybe reorganize my room? I sighed, my life was so boring, and it’s stifling sometimes. Last month Bryn and I went shopping and she dared me to buy this dye for my hair. Being the chicken that I am it is still sitting in my bathroom drawer. I walked downstairs and poked my head into the kitchen.