Gone

Chapter 1: High School

Haley POV:
"BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!"
I groan as I try to connect my hand to my alarm. I give up and finally get out of bed. Another day of high school, where I am a freak. Yay!
I grab clothes and go to take a shower. I only put on a little makeup, mascara and chapstick.
My shirt is an old Panic! At the Disco t-shirt with some sweatpants. I go downstairs, gloomy as always.
Ever since Mason disappeared, I haven't been the happiest person in the world.
My mom has made pancakes with strawberries, but I am the only one home. Both of my parents have already left for work.
My mother is a doctor, dad a lawyer, so I don't see them very much.
I grab myself some of the breakfast and start to eat but I soon hear a honk. Amanda must be here to drive me to school.
Amanda Jane. She is the person closest to me but not best friend close. She is mixed, her mom black and dad white. Amanda is absolutely beautiful, her milk chocolate skin flawless.
Mason was only ever the person that close to me.
She honks the horn again. I shove the rest of the pancake in my mouth and throw on some black converse as I run out the door, almost forgetting my back pack.
I run back inside and grab it. As I'm about to run out, I see a slip of paper.
Grabbing it, I hear," GIRL! GET YO' ASS OUT HERE WE ARE GOIN' BE LATE."
"I'M COMING!"

Closer by The Chainsmokers is blasting from the jeep as I climb in. As soon as I buckle, Amanda takes off and hands me my favorite coffee from Starbucks.
"Yes! Thank You!" I say.

She chuckles and says,"Yup."

I remember the note in my hand and open it up. It reads," Hope your school day is fun, Haley! -xx" in neat print.
Hmm, my parents handwriting doesn't look like that. They always write in cursive. Oh well, I'm too tired to figure it out right now.

I finish my coffee and try to sleep.

"You doin' 'k girlie?" Amanda asks.

She knows about Mason. She is the only one. I love her for always being there for me when I miss him too much. I honestly don't think I could've gotten through this long without her.

"I miss him," I reply.
A tear threatens to slip but I squeeze my eyes, hoping it will go away. I don't need people at school seeing me break down. I'm already a weirdo.

"It'll be 'k. He's probably happy where he is."

She is right. I hope.

We arrive at school and I go to my locker to get my books for another day of fun learning. Yay.

I sludge through the day as always and bring home extra homework as usual also. Mason isn't here so I have nothing to do. I never did anything without him so if I go out it feels wrong.

Lunch was uneventful. I didn't eat much though. Today was 'special' mac and cheese.

I think they just put rat turds in cheese and called it that.

Amanda drives me home too. She brought another friend though. I sat in the back as usual when she brings another friend. I stare out the window at the woods, where Mason left.

So far they have screamed the lyrics to Needed Me, Blank Space, and PillowTalk. I wish I was as happy as them.

I get home and kick off my shoes, grabbing and apple as I dash to my room. I have a lot of homework and books to study. It helps me take my mind off Mason.

I'm one of the top in my class because I'm always studying since Mason is gone.
"I wonder if you would be proud of me, Mason."

I finish studying and homework so I go downstairs and to the kitchen. I grab a glass and fill it with water. Soda seems better too me right now so I just set my glass on the counter, hoping my parents think it's theirs.

Sometimes I'm just in a soda mood.

I grab a soda from the refrigerator and am about to close the door when I see another note under the milk. Where are these coming from?

It reads,"I am so proud of you! -xx"

Who is this xx? I know I should feel creeped out or uncomfortable, but really I'm not. I feel like I know them.