Removed

15

 My brain won't stop spinning; constantly moving like a clock on steroids. Yesterday, I found that mysterious note in my locker. That note threatened everything I've began to believe in, the small rebellion that has blossomed hope within me. Kaylee, the girl I've been 'friends' with for years, had to blow up on me. It's almost like normality is a ticking time bomb; eventually, it explodes into chaos. At the beginning of yesterday, I believed my only problem would be Eva and Jared's bickering. We had assembled a team of Chip haters, dare I say created a group of my new friends. Then, like a time bomb, normality flew out the door and danced on the way out.

"Autumn, hey!" Eva beams, joining me outside against the dull gray wall.

"Hey!" I feign enthusiasm, plastering a fake smile on my face.

Of course, Jared and Cody walk up. Instantly, Jared sparks an argument with Eva by criticizing her outfit. Enraged, Eva pokes him in the chest with her slender finger while spewing hatful words at him. Instead of observing the argument, I decide to spark a conversation with Cody.

"This is pathetic," I mutter, jerking my thumb in the direction of my bickering friends.

Cody nods, lips pursed as he observes our surroundings. "So is our world."

A smile graces my lips. "Yeah, it is. It's great that someone else gets it. Thanks for pulling me out of my shell, Cody."

He smiles, exaggerating a bow. "You're welcome, Autumn."

We both chuckle before falling into a comfortable silence. The only noise is emitted by Eva and Jared, their voices rising and tension brewing.

"Hey, Cody," I start, a thought popping into my head, "Jared's mom's name isn't June."

His eyebrows furrow. "What?"

"I mean," I elaborate, "You said your aunt June owns June's Ice Creamery. Jared's mom's name isn't June."

He rolls his eyes, a playful smile on his lips. "June is my aunt on my dad's side. Jared's family is on my mom's."

"Oh," I laugh, smacking my forehead. "I never thought of that."

His smile widens. "Yeah."

"You know, I don't really know much about you or your family."

His face instantly falls, his shoulders slumping. Quickly, he attempts to fake a smile and fix his posture before I can take notice. The thing is, I already have.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, staring into his hazel eyes as they portray his true emotions, "I'm guessing it's a sensitive subject."

Instantly, he shrugs, the motion seeming like an automatic response to the subject. "My dad's, uh, dead."

My eyes bulge as I bit my lip. "Wow. I'm so sorry."

"I'm sorry about your cousin."

I nod, acknowledging his consideration of my feelings. Well, maybe he's trying to divert attention from his own. "It's been two years. Two years and I was finally told the truth, that she was part of a rebel organization, the Anti-"

A finger is placed over my lips. "Don't say that name out loud. They're watching us."

As I slap his finger away, my breath hitches. "Then why haven't we been arrested?"

He shrugs, but his eyes hold a look of fear. "They probably don't think much of a bunch of fifteen-year-olds."

"You're scared," I whisper, taking a step closer to him. "You know the consequences. We all do. They'd kill us, especially me. I've managed to-" I purse my lips, realizing I shouldn't divulge that information out loud.