Shadows

1. Before Hell

It was another day in Brockton high school. The sky was a blue with a mixture of gray, the school was littered with condoms that boys place as a joke. While the sight of couples made out under the nearby cherry trees. Just another day in hell, I suppose. Nothing new came out of the horrid experience.

I sat under a tree reading Stephan Kings latest novel, Sleeping Beauties. I loved his books, especially his horror books. I was almost done reading the page when Grayson, the schools player, slapped the book out of my hand." Why do you always read? Did you know that it is bad for you?" I looked up at his face. He had a nice jawline and chin, but he wasn't that masculine

"Because I want too." He sighed in frustration, he probably wanted me to snap and fall into his trap. He lowers girls self-esteem so that when he asks them out, they say yes. He always tries to that to me but I'm not stupid. I hate him. He pretty took advantage of every girl in our grade. He dates them only for their body and sex. He's a jerk and I want to punch his perfect face so much. But I had to hold myself back, to not pounce and kill his dumbass.

Grayson was known to act such a way, it often was to be misconstrued as though he'd had a reason for his actions, which was not the case. He enjoyed the suffering and torment of others, the cries and please to stop hurting them, he'd love it all. In his sick demented mind, he'd perceive as though it was his own pleasure to do so to countless victims.
His shaggy black hair covered his gray, dull, eyes. It was almost as though they had the previously been drained from their original color, the possible soul being ripped from his body. Practically a dead man walking.

The bell rang. I grabbed my book and tucked it under my armpit and reached for my bag. As I grabbed it, I shivered. I  felt like I was being watched...I shrugged it off. I'm being paranoid, like always. Throughout the rest of the day, I still felt...off. That feeling...I got goosebumps. Shrugging it off, I slung my backpack strap over my shoulder and trotted quickly towards the large school.

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The day was over and the next thing I knew, I was riding the bus home. I mostly sat all the way in the back so no one bothered me. I like to read and trust me, don't ever bother me while I'm lost in a book 'cause the next thing you know, either your dick or vagina will be crying.

I opened my book and began to read until I was home. I unlocked the front door and opened it to see my mom scuttling around and arranging things. "Hey mom? Why are you scuttling?" She looked up at me, her eyes were the color of a clear ocean with a hint of green.

"My boss and her kids are coming over for dinner with knight and the house needs to be perfect." My mom responded nonchalantly, fixing her glasses that were placed upon her eyes.

Another voice chimed in. "She has a daughter that's the same age as me, and she is so fucking hot." Mom sighed in frustration as she had a hard time trying to shove another flower in a already full vase. Luke was the total opposite of me, I was the good kid and the kid who does great in school, the nerd, the 'whore', for some reason. He had was a natural ginger, such as my father, Matt, with light facial hair, such as a beard he was growing. His eyes were the shade of a dark brown that seemed vaguely similar to one torn off of a willow tree. He was the hottest, the popular kid, the outgoing guy, the jock. We were opposites and everyone knows that.

The door rang, right after mom finished dusting her grand piano. She loves to play the piano, it helps her forget about-never mind. She smiled and whispered out loud," Please act mature." Like I was not going too. I'm way mature then Luke in some cases. She opened the door and flattened her dress. 'Darla, you made it!" Darla smiled and hugged my mom.

" May we come in?" Mom smiled awkwardly.

" Yes! Please do!" I rolled my eyes. She acts like the queen of England is here.

Darla stepped in and a girl walked after her. She was pretty and wore a red dress to match her black high heels. Her hair was curled and a orangish reddish color. She was rather attractive. Luke smirked at the girl and stared at her cleavage lovingly, she seemed to notice since she covered her chest with her mothers discarded overcoat. Luke rolled his eyes at her, roughly grabbing his phone from the nearby table besides him, mumbling curse words as he flipped me and her off, trotting upstairs. Neither Darla nor Mom saw this, simply chattering away with each other. That was until mom heard my obnoxious brother's loud stomping.

"Luke, come sit with us, I must introduce you to Darla's daughter!" Her voice seemed rather fake, and both Luke and I knew never to mess with our mother when she used that voice. It notoriously translates to, "I swear to God, if you don't come here, you're going to get your ass kicked."

Annoyedly, Luke came down, the same frown he wore when he went upstairs. His eyebrows furrowed angrily, standing next to mom with his arms crossed, eyes as blunt as possible. Darla's daughter remained sitting, smiling innocently but her eyes saying something different. She smiled at me but her eyes were reading foul language towards Luke. Which Luke could not read, since, he's a guy. Darla smiled at me and Luke, waving her hand slightly and stuck her hand for Luke and I to shake. Luke was hesitant at first, still holding tightly onto his dignity, but sighed in defeat, and shook Darla's outstretched hand. Darla, in return, smiled.

"Hello, there! I'm Darla, your mother's boss, it's nice to meet you, Luke!" Darla smiled as Luke sits down next to mother, who stealthily kicked Luke's leg to keep him in his attitude in check." Your mother tells me so much about about you! Mia, oh goodness, you are so much more beautiful than your mother had described you! I'd like you two to meet my lovely daughter, Jenny!"

I placed a plastic smile upon my face, trying to be nice and shook her perfect looking hand. Jenny smiled and shook it in return, not wanting to, but did it to be kind. I could tell she did not want to be here, to be honest, neither did I. It was not unusual for me to act awkward, but it was unusual for me to act as an extrovert.

We all sat down and began to dine on my moms cooking. I shoved a mouthful of potato's in my mouth. It tasted bland, as usual. I took a glance at everyone. Mom was smiling and talking to Darla, who was also smiling, Luke was staring down Jenny, who was too busy separating the potato's from the rice. I looked down at my plate and thought of a way to break the awkwardness," So, Jenny, what school do you attend?"

She didn't not even bother to look up, "Beachside High School." A charter school, of course. I've heard about it, it's a mile away from my school and really expensive. They are very strict and have uniform, only the rich students are able to attend a school like that. The girls wore skirts that were above the knee, a dress shirt with a green-gold tie, a green cardigan, black shoes with a green and gold buckle, and white knee high socks. The boys wore white pants, a dress shirt with a green-gold tie like the girls and black shoes.

"Are you in any sports?" I said and placed down my cup of water.

She finally looked up, "I'm in cheer." Luke wiggled in his seat, probably got a boner thinking of her in a short skirt doing the splits. I rolled my eyes, kicking Luke in the leg. He grunted and mouthed, "It's not what you think, you fucking bitch." Even though, I knew he was just being stupid.

"Well, that's cool, I suppose. Umm...do you have any friends?" I asked, trying so hard not to sound rude when I really wanted her to leave my house.

"Uh, yeah. Half the school are my friends. How about you? 3 or 4 friends?" I wanted to punch her face until it was caved in.

"Actually, I'm in waterpolo and the whole team are my friends. There's 30 people in the team, so." She sneered and went back to eating.

What seemed like forever, they were leaving. She picked up her bag and smiled." Nice knowing you all." She looked at Luke and winked. He turned red, in both anger and embarrassment. We waved goodbye and closed the door. I sighed loudly," Finally!!" Mom sighed too and began to walk to her room. I was tired too.

"She's hot, hotter then you." I docked his shoulder and he winced. I moved a piece of dirty blonde hair out of my face. I began to walk to my room too. Then; I shivered. I looked out the window, it was dark, no one was in sight, except a couple walking their dog. I continued to make my way to my room. I closed the door behind me and sighed once again. I can wait to sleep. I began to change into my pajamas and lied in bed, pulling the covers to cover me. I looked out the window that was right next to my bed and gazed at the full moon. What a beautiful night. I closed the see through curtains and fell asleep, for tomorrow is another day in school.