Masquerade - The Complete First Novel

- 4 -

(Dakota)

I lie awake on my covered mattress, thinking about the several entries I read over that night. Entries Ana believed didn't matter.

November 2016

Mom got really mad over the princess costume. I didn't even know she could scream that loud. I bet my friend, Mallory, heard from down the road. After the yelling, I normally sit under my sheets with a flashlight and play. But now, I'm going to be twelve in November, 3rd so my mom threw away all my toys. So now I write in this. Sometimes I don't think my mom loves me. But she tells me every day that she does. She's so confusing. I hear something. I have to go to sleep, write later!

November 2016

I went to the ice cream shop with my dad today. I got my favorite ice cream, strawberry. My dad even put real sliced strawberries on top! I saw Mallory today at the park. She was on the swings with Cameron. Dad said I could join them so I did. Mallory said that she could see ghosts, but I don't know if that's true. My mom told me that ghost wasn't real. That after you die, it actually stops. That's why I know my mom could never kill anything. I think she needs to talk to someone, like how I talk to my best friend, Mae about my problems. I don't think mom has a friend like Mae. She needs a Mae. My mom and dad are very different. My mom is what she calls an atheist. She apparently doesn't believe in any religion, but my dad is Christian. I can even go to church with him on days that my mom is away for work. I don't really know what mom does, but my dad says he's a stay-at-home-dad. That made me laugh. I don't know what I'm going to do for my birthday. But my mom says I should have a small and cheap party. I had to search up the word cheap. Dinner is ready, mom is at work so dad and I get to say a prayer at dinner tonight. Write Later!

November 2016

I can't go outside anymore. I just turned twelve and I can't even do big girl things! I asked why, but I just got yelled at again. I'm under my blanket. I learned at school that none of my friends are allowed to go outside. That's just crazy! Mom learned that we prayed at dinner and she yelled at dad, then me. I was scared because I never saw her yell at dad like that. My mom is calling me, I have to go.

December 2016

Today I went outside. Behind my mom's and dad's back. When my mom found out, she yelled at me like she has never yelled at me before. I just swung on the wooden bench. She asked if people talk to me. No one did, a few cars were driving by, one seemed to be lost because that car drove past my house more than one time. But I didn't tell her that. Sorry, my mom just came in and did the weirdest thing. She actually hugged me and told me that I could not go out without one of my parents. I have to go to bed.

January 2017

Sorry I haven't written in a while. My mom hid my diary. Now, I can only go outside in a car with my parents. I still don't know why. I hate my mom. She has been yelling at me more often and dad. I hate mom. Truly.

The hatred for Jessi was something I never thought was possible. She was right, they do look like the perfect family. One quote from one of her entries stuck with me through this night I laid in bed in the darkness. 'Things are never perfect'. The words recycled itself and replayed in my mind, taking me deeper into my dreams. In the darkness, a pair of small almond eyes appeared. Sky eyes. Her sky eyes.

The light from the sun forced my eyes to open, and rustling originated the living room. I start to walk down the hallway, half asleep. I looked around the corner to see Ana sitting on the couch, counting a stack of money. "Ana, what are you doing?" Her dull eyes looked up at me and her lips curled into a smirk.

"We're going on an adventure,"

"What?!" I snatched the rectangular paper out of her hands, "Why do we need all this for? We're not taking a plane are we?"

"Of course not, idiot." She snatched the stack from my hand and continued counting, "I found out where the Fosters are and were driving there." I sit on the arm of the couch, scratching my head.

"Where are they?"

"Casper, Wyoming."

"Wyoming? Why would they be in Wyoming?" She starts to get up from her place on the couch, letting me sink down into her spot.

"I don't know, that's why we're going there," I could fully see her outfit now, she had on a leather jacket with a white tattered crop-top; that obviously went through some years of wear, some ripped up jeans and black military boots. The shoes she cherished. "Get dressed, I already packed your basic wardrobe in a suitcase." I could see the small light brown case on the floor, filled with my belongings, and another small light brown one filled with something, most likely her clothes. I walked back down the hallway, and into the bathroom. My hair was a mess and the bags under my eyes weren't very professional to show to strangers. I brushed my orange hair, letting the natural crimp wave it. I then turned to what Ana laid out for me on the counter. A black tank top with some light wash shorts, and my navy converse.

I turned back to the mirror, these bags aren't going to fix themselves. "Dakota, let's go! We don't have all day!" I put the makeup brush down, looking back in the mirror. I look down at my drawer, remembering my brown sunglasses inside. Those covered them well. "Finally, the car has been running." I jump into the driver's seat, not knowing where I was currently going when I left Seattle. "I pulled up GPS," Thank god. The robotic women spoke to me in words my mind didn't imminently understand.

"Turn left in 5.2 miles," I obey, turning left.