Secrets to keep

Chapter 1

Autumn. One of my favorite seasons. Fiery reds and vibrant orange and yellow leaves fill the streets. The cold breeze, the almost warm sensation it brings. Starbucks comes out with its pumpkin spice lattes; which obviously I'm all for it. My friends say I'm the most basic; and I agree. I also love to wear my uggs along with my long brown coat. Wearing lots of layers this time of year is a must because here in Marquette; Michigan (where I live), autumn is the second coldest thing next to winter.

​
It is Mid October; just a month and a half through the school year. I'm in grade 12 and this year I just have, to do well this year. I want to go to the Academy of Arts in California. In order to go, I have to do all arts for my extra credits every year. I also have to be involved in certain arts programs. I don't mind though, art is fun. This year I also have a spare each semester. First semester its 1st period and second semester its 2nd period. When I'm on my spare I usually work on my arts. Getting into this program is very important to me.

​I wake up. The sun shines through my un-dusted blinds. Dust particles can be seen floating in the air. My body lay stiff. I slowly move upwards to see my cat, Snuggles, at the end of my bed. His black fur covering my white sheets like an extra blanket.
​"Morning Snuggles." I say as I attempt to adjust to the light.

Mom must have been in here. Usually she comes in my room and opens the blinds to wake me up in the morning. It never works though. I try to get up, but I don't want to hurt Snuggles. He is a major drama cat. If you push him, he'll act as though he's been shot.
I lay up. I then "gently" push Snuggles off my bed. He then falls onto his humongous belly. Snuggles then looks at me with disgust and then walks out.

​As I continue to wake up, I check my phone. 8:37! Shit, I lost track of time. The bus usually shows up around quarter to 9, so I was screwed. Luckily I picked out my outfit yesterday. Still sleepy, and very much so still unaware of what I'm doing, I trip over my blanket and fall onto my bench; and it's padded, so I'm ok. My outfit was a white t-shirt, light blue jeans with a single rip on the knee and a brown cardigan. Then, I grab my wooden brush. It is much tatted with my thick, long dark brown hair. I then throw it up in a messy bun, with little effort of course. I get dressed and head downstairs.
​

​As I enter the kitchen, my Mom stands there.

"Morning Tessa, what'chu want for breakfast? Waffles or Scrambled eggs?"

I stared at her, dumfounded.

"Wafflessss... and with extra syrup."

"Okay then."

She dashes over to the stove and starts to make them.

​I then go over to the kitchen island and make my lunch. Strawberries, granola bar, and a chicken Caesar salad. Yum. I go over to the freezer grabbing a cold pack.
​Hungry, late and half asleep, I yell at my mom to hurry with the waffles. She tells me to sit down at the table. Grabbing my seat, I see my mom walking over with a plate of golden brown waffles. Maple syrup the shade of amber drizzled all over them; and to top it off, lots of melted butter.
​I count the number of waffles. One, two, three waffles! I look at them at they stare at me. With no hesitation, I eat them with satisfaction. They were gone within 5 minutes. Yet again, I lose track of the time. Mom knows. She looks at the clock hanging over in the corner of the kitchen.

​"C'mon hunny, I'll drive you."

My cheerless face turned to a grin.

​Finishing up from breakfast, I dash back upstairs to grab my phone. Mustn't forget that, I tell myself. My phone is very important. Mom got it for me to keep In Touch with me. She gets nervous when I don't text her for a while. It keeps her up at night when I'm at a party or away on a road trip. It worries her. "Why?" you may be asking yourself. It was when my Dad-died. He went on a business trip to San Francisco when I was 10. Mom called him to see if he was ok when he got there. Instead of my father picking up, there was a man. He had a deep voice. He was a police officer saying his sorrows. He had been in a full on collision with a tree. His car then set fire. He died on scene. Mom dropped the phone, breaking the cord. She collapsed. Tears streaming down her pale, face. Her striking blue eyes filled with anger and heartache. She then lied to me, he would never return; and until a few years ago, that's when I found out.

​Walking out, I grab the front seat of my Mom's Honda civic. My hair now windblown and partially undone, I buckle up. My mom then enters the car seconds after. She then puts the vehicle in motion. My school, Marquette High, is only 10 minutes away, so I will only miss the first bell (Thank God.)

​

​As I enter the front of my school, my mom goes to the nearest dunkin' donuts. I sigh but I don't care. She then takes me back to school and drops me off. I get out of my Mom's car, wave good bye to her and walk up to Rory. Rory, (She is one of my bestest friends,) was standing on the aged, stone stairs in front of the school. Her Fiery Red hair matched the scenery of the autumn leaves. Her freckles dotted each speck of her face. With a smile and wide eyes, she rushed over to give me a gigantic hug.

"Hey Tessa! Did you sleep in again?"

"Umm, yeah-"

"Hurry up! We're gonna be late!"
​

​Without any hesitation she whisked me away.