What Lurks Beneath

CHAPTER 1

Summer

Kids don't look forward to school. In fact, they even try to avoid it. But the first day of school is different. This is the one day that they look forward to. Me? I think it will be an interesting day today. I'm Summer Adams, a soon to be 11th grader and the newest addition to Rosewood High and I am adopted. My plans you ask? Survive high school. Simple. I may even add "make a friend" to that list.

When I was walking towards this school, I noticed the monster columns that make this place look like a palace. No joke. Ever seen the White House? Picture it twice as big. Inside, there was a high school senior girl waiting for me.

She walked up to me and said, "Hello! Welcome to Rosewood High! I'm Judy and I will be giving you a school tour. What is your name?"

"Summer Adams," I said shyly.

"Well Summer, if you will follow me, I'll give you a tour and show you where your classes are," Judy replied excitedly. I followed her around to school, checking out the different rooms and what not. It took a while because, as I said, this school was huge. Looking around, I saw trophies from school sports and art work and pictures.

"And that is Rosewood High in a nut shell," She says with a continuous gleam in her eye. There is something weird about this school. Every person acts way too happy.

John

Science is my all time favorite class. Easy. Every other class? Not so much. I'm John Brewer and going into my 3rd year of high school at Rosewood High. I'm also adopted. Anyway, on the first day of school, I mainly ignore the teachers and check out the things. But in Science, something else caught my eye: a new kid. Now, this rarely happens, so I want to be the first person to welcome her. I got up and walked over.

"Hi. Welcome to Rosewood High," I say nicely.

"Thanks," She replies quietly.

"Yup," I replied as I walked back to my seat. That was awkward. She seemed a little weirded out, but its her first day, so she should kind of feel that way. Right?

Summer

"...and that is how volcanoes are formed," says my science teacher, Mrs. Parker. Then the bell rang. Time for english.

When I walked into class, the SAME guy that welcomed me to this school was there. Now that I take a good look at him, he is basically the only normal person in the school. Everybody else are a little off in some way, looking too happy to be here. He also looks familiar. So, do you know what I did? I did what every other normal person would do: tell him my name. I'll just tell him my name and walk away.

"Hi. I never told you my name. I'm Summer," I say politely.

"I'm John," he replies with a smile. He really does seem nice, considering the fact that he doesn't smile creepily. Then the teacher begins to explain how terrorist groups are created. I just tuned her out and day dream. Class comes and goes and John is trying to get my attention.

"You awake?" He asks jokingly.

"Oops," I said sheepishly.

"Do you want to sit by me at lunch today?"

"Sure." So I went to lunch with him. We ate and talked about school and our families. I looked up from my lunch tray and crowd starting to form around one of the students.