What Lies Beneath

Chapter One

Preface

I remember being here, looking at this kitchen and opening the cabinets. I remember working in the office just in the corner of this kitchen, buying this computer and working for hours at a time into the night. I remember watching my wife cook meals for my child everyday after school and for dinner. I remember seeing his beautiful face every morning when he got his lunch before school. My wife would get up in the mornings and I remember our morning routine that we had done for years that hadn't changed one bit. I remember the little things that really didn't matter to anyone but meant the world to me.

Remember me?

I haven't been here for some years now, and time has changed everyone for the better. No one knows me like my family, but they never knew the real me. I was simply another person that walked into their lives, but to me they were so much more.

How could they not remember me? I was the biggest part of their life; they just didn't realize it yet.

But one thing's for sure, you will remember me.

Chapter 1

I sit down in my seat, kissing a girl hanging off my shoulder. Alicia I think her name is? Oh well, it doesn't really matter who she is, all I know is she is extremely attractive.

We sit in class together as the rest of the students flow into the classroom paying no attention to us until my teacher, Mrs. Arnett, enters. "No public display of affection during class please and this is the last time I'm telling you."

She walks away and Alicia rolls her eyes at her. No one ever listens to that stupid rule anyway, what makes us any different? We start kissing again and although we are in a small crowd of people, she doesn't seem to mind. She likes the attention so I'm alright with it. Mrs. Arnett starts teaching after the late bell rings and I gently push Alicia away.

"We should probably pay attention," I say to her lightly without offending her.

She scoffs and slinks back into her seat. "Whatever," she says and stares aimlessly at the chalkboard. Nothing I do ever seems to please her, but what more does she want?

As class drags on I try to pay attention to what Mrs. Arnett is saying but only every other word sinks in. I attempt taking more notes but it still doesn't make sense. I've always had this problem but this year I'm taking more serious. I'm nearing the end of my junior year of high school and I'm ready for a new year, a new life, and new people once I graduate. This nonsense with balancing my mom and school is getting too stressful. I could probably handle it better if Alicia weren't involved but she's the only thing that keeps me grounded.

When the bell rings, I pack up my bags and look toward Alicia but she is already gone.

She stomps toward the door with the rest of the crowd, not even bothering to wait for me. I exit the classroom and yell down the hallway. "Alicia!" and she stops in her tracks.

She turns on a dime and asks, "What?" She's so impatient, a trait of hers I'm getting tired of dealing with.

"Can I talk to you?" I ask as I close the space between us.

"I'm going to be late," she says and walks off to her locker without another word.

Seriously? Whatever, I'll deal with it later. I go through the rest of my day in a daze saying pointless hellos to my 'friends' in the hallway and ignoring all the people I can't stand. Damn, high school needs to end.

The dismissal bell rings and I jump on my bus before it leaves me. I sit in my normal spot talking to my usual two friends I wouldn't talk to if we weren't in an enclosed space together. When the awkward conversation ends, I stare out the window as the bus slowly leaves town and escapes into the woods. My mood sinks slightly; I don't want to go home. I always feel this way, not wanting to be at school yet not wanting to be home. The one thing I am thankful for is my bus stop - it is about a mile away from my house and that gives me some time to be by myself. Also my house is a bit of a disgrace, a hard concept to explain if you don't see it.