Where The Shadows Rise

~ Chapter 4: Part 2 ~

As I reach the end of the hallway, I pull out my phone and start to text Mikey.

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Shade - Mikey I won't be coming home tonight because I'm going out with my friends.

Mikey - Oh okay, just be safe Shade.

Shade - Yeah I know.

Mikey - Also, if you need anything let me know.

Shade - Just let Dad know that as well. He isn't picking up my calls.

Mikey - Dad always picks up our calls.

Shade - It shows that his phones turned off. 

Mikey - That's odd. Don't worry I'll check it out. Have Fun!

Mikey - And send me PICS!!

Shade - :D Will do.

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I walk out of the building with Zach. While we stood outside under the scorching sun, Zach and I caught up on some stuff. I quickly pulled out my sunglasses from my bag and wore them.

Zach and I lean against the wall next to the entrance of the school to avoid the boiling heat.

Zach turns towards me and leans against the wall with his elbow. "So, am I not supposed to say anything?" He asks while giving a sly smile.

I turn to Zach, clutching on to my phone looking confused. "Pa-lease! He's so into you" Zach says while ending with a wide smile.

My eyes widen the second Zach finishes his sentence. I start to bite my bottom lip, "What? Um.. No.. That can't be. You're delusional" I responded with concern.

Beep Beep

Zach and I start walking towards the car.  I try to block the sun but the burning heat blazes my bare arms. Zach gets in front of me and opens the door like a gentleman. Before I enter he smirks and says, "Well, if you say so.." I don't respond and sit into the car greeting afternoon to Zach's mother. Zach gets in the car after me.

The engine starts up and I turn towards the window. Zach places his bag on the middle seat and starts to chat with his mother. I stare out the window as we drive down the bumpy school district roads.

It felt like a train ride. It felt like a train ride that I had once been on before. It was confusing, comforting, but it was different, though different in the sense of my past experience. The day I changed myself, the day I now regret it.

Thud

It was the speed bump that brought me out of the abyss, it brought me out of my memories, it brought me out of my secret.

The radio was turned on in the car and Zach and his mother were carpooling to the songs. I wanted to join but couldn't. I was concerned about tonight, I didn't know what was going to happen.

We reached Zach's house and I grabbed my stuff and then got out of the car. I walked behind Zach and Zach walked behind his mother. I looked around and noticed big trees overlooking this street. It seemed like a forest but I wasn't able to put a pin in it.

Zach's mother opened the door and Zach and I followed her in.  Zach headed towards the kitchen while I waited near the doorway. I tooled around the house, it was a pleasing aesthetic.  A retro theme for the house. The leather red couches in the living room to the weird-looking chandelier like the ones in the diners. At the end of the were a bunch of cassettes and to the right of them under the staircase were a collection of records.

It was the look and the feeling that was pleasing and calm, it reminded me of the diner we used to go to every Friday's, it was something we didn't do anymore, nor could we ever.