"I felt like I was being watched. No, that's stupid. I knew I was being watched. I had felt a presence observing me my whole life, however, today it felt stronger. Stronger as in it wasn't being as subtle as it usually was. "
My name is Aliya Mende...
'Aliya Mendez?' rung out Mrs Grusha's voice. I didn't notice until someone nudged my arm. Glancing up from my drawing, I called out a simple 'here' before returning to it.
'Well, someone's going deaf' whispered a mocking voice next to me. My head snapped up to my left side before I realised it was my best friend, Lucas.
The guy can be a pain in the ass, honestly. I sent him a glare before replying with 'look who's talking, grandma.'
He feigned hurt by placing a hand over his heart and announcing dramatically 'that hurt Aliya, it really did. I think I might need counselling now because my heart can't take the pain.'
Rolling my eyes at his antics, I returned my attention back to the drawing. It was turning out quite amazing, if I do say so myself.
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'Children, textbook, now' Mrs Grusha called out, her beady eyes scanning the room to see if anyone forgot. It was last period on a Friday, so it was obvious some idiot did.
Of course, all the jocks and cheerleaders' hands went up. 'Detention, after school, one hour' she curtly replied and glared at everyone else before turning to the whiteboard.
I continued to add to my drawing all lesson, only stopping to take notes and look like I was busy whenever the teacher passed by.
Ten years later, the period bell rang and everyone rushed to pack up their stuff. This was cut short by a shrill yell.
'Where do you think you are going?' Mrs Grusha looked ready to murder everyone. Honestly, the women needs to calm the fuck down. 'I have not dismissed you yet.'
You could hear the silent groan of everyone as they slouched down into their seats again. 'Your homework this week is to write a comparative essay between World War One and World War Two, due on Monday' snapped Mrs Grusha.
This time, everyone really did groan. She dismissed us and everyone crowed out of the classroom, excited that the weekend had arrived.
I ambled to my locker and set on opening it. What I didn't notice is that Lucas was creeping up on me. He yelled 'boo' in my ear and my books and notes ended up on the floor.
By now you've probably noticed that I'm a pretty oblivious person. I sent him my death glare before reaching down to pick them up.
As I was about to pick up my last note, another hand grabbed it. Shifting my gaze from the paper to the person, I realised it was Noah Bealt, Ivermorey's most popular senior.
I blushed as he handed me the piece of paper, mumbling a small 'thanks' because I didn't trust myself to say anything else in front of him without looking like a weirdo.
He smiled at me before running off to join his friends down the corridor. I smiled to myself as I turned to face my locker, instead, I came face to face with Lucas.
'What was that?' he asked me, looking like I somehow pissed him off. 'What was what?' I asked as I manoeuvred around him and started to place my history textbooks away.
'That little moment you had with Noah right now?' he continued to interrogate me. I raised an eyebrow at him and replied 'it wasn't a moment, I dropped my notes thanks to your sorry ass and he just returned a page to me.'
Lucas opened his mouth but then shut it again, looking like he wanted to say something but not start an argument. I took the silence to finish placing my textbooks away and gathering my materials to take home over the weekend.
'Wanna get some ice cream?' Lucas asked in a little kid voice. I gave him a look before deciding that ice cream might actually do me some good right now. 'Sure' I replied, 'but you're paying since you made me drop all my notes.'
'Alright' he responded and proceeded to walk down the corridor to his locker. I shook my head, smiling as I closed my locker and gathered my bag. I knew Lucas would meet me at our meeting spot, the old tree next to the carpark, so I made my way there.
Arriving at the tree, I dumped my bag and sat down to lean against the tree trunk, looking up at the branches inside. It really was a beautiful tree, with its long oak branches coated with green, lobed leaves.
I let myself succumb to the moment, content to just let myself curl up with a good book or fall asleep. However, something was nagging at me.
I felt like I was being watched. No, that's stupid. I knew I was being watched. I had felt a presence observing me my whole life, however, today it felt stronger. Stronger as in it wasn't being as subtle as it usually was.
I scanned everything around me but there were no signs of life anywhere. That is, until my eyes fixed on a certain figure waving at me. It took me a moment to figure out it was Lucas and he was beckoning me to the gate. Snapping out of my daze, I grabbed my bag and ran towards him.
'Congratulations, I'm now fifty years old' he monotonously answered when I reached the gate, panting and wheezing. 'Shut up' I responded in a playful banter, shoving his arm while I tried to catch my breath.
Together, we made our way to Creamery, the small ice cream shop at the corner of the road. Lucas was complaining about the history assignment when we reached there and pushed open the door.
'Honestly, she's such a bitch' he complained. 'Like, how am I supposed to write a whole comparative essay in two days? We do have lives, you know?' I just smirked at his complaining and approached the counter to order when I noticed something.
In the reflection of the napkin holder, you are only supposed to see yourself, right? Well, I saw myself and a figure, hovering above my head. Its face was expressionless but it looked like it wanted to tell me something.
Unfortunately,that wasn't the first thing that came into my mind. I could feel a scream building up in my throat but before I could let it out, darkness took over my eyes.
So that's the first chapter! Let me know if you like it down below in the comments :) I am currently working on the second chapter, however, when I'll update has not been confirmed yet. Until then, peace out!
