Trucks Are the Most Troublesome Things, You Know.

Chapter 1

8/10/18

 It was a not-quite regular day.

The first day of school had gone by, with nothing more than introductions and papers requiring signatures being given out, and to be quite frank, the students were noticeably disappointed by such a lukewarm reception, from both their peers and their teachers, considering that it was going to be their last year of junior high.

 The bell had rung, and they had gone home to prepare for a party.

It was a birthday party for one of their dearest friends. Indeed, one of their most cared about and most cherished friends, whose birthday just luckily, or unluckily happened to fall on the same day.

Janice had gone home to tie up her ribbons, and change into her casual clothes.

Harold was planning a great big surprise for his cousin in the form of a great big cake.

Vanessa was picking out her best clothes to wear to the party.

Lila was brushing her hair and dressing up as well, giddy as always.

Toby was pulling on his usual blue-grey coat and cap combo.

And the birthday girl herself, was nodding off on the couch, as the decorations magically set themselves in the blink of an eye.

"Ah, magic? Yeah, it exists," she'd answer if you'd asked her.

But she wouldn't admit it to the people around her because she had a very dark secret.

And that would cost people's lives if they knew about it.

So naturally, people were fated to die that day.

She herself knew this, being who she was. But it was usual for her, having grown up alongside death and murder, What could she do, besides how she had moved dozens of times, watched people close to her die, and merely stand by as her parents changed around her, some blinded by greed, others scared of her?

But this time was different. She'd been here for three years, after she'd been adopted by two unsuspecting foster parents, while the ones before had died in a car accident. At age 10, she had learned not to trust people as easily as she'd trusted them before, and it was nearly a miracle that she'd made such friends without having to manipulate anything. However, she was always on edge, because just one thing could set off a chain of events, and she would be alone again.

It was for that reason that she'd adopted a nonchalant, sassy attitude in order to get along with everyone. But facades were fated to eventually fade away, or become the truth. That was why, even if it was a little bit, she wanted to believe that she was really like that- a happy, regular girl.

"A few more hours... I hope they'll enjoy my party- after all, I'd hate it if they weren't having a good time..."

A few hours passed by, as she set up the party with that kind of mindset. Finally, it was time, and she waved off her loving parents, as she had convinced them to leave to go on a date, by themselves, so she could spend "quality bonding time with her friends", as she put it.

"Here I am!" Lila yelled joyfully, as she jumped into Caroline's arms, her side ponytail bouncing with her. Lila, as spunky as ever, was wearing a modest lace dress, which made Caroline's hair and outfit pale in comparison, but it was her trademark- a pin pinning back her short blonde hair, and a corn yellow cardigan.

"Lila! I'm glad you're here!"

"Happy to be here," she said, smiling at her. "I'd give up almost anything to be here right now!"