A Locked Box

Chapter 1

    "Sit down everyone!" the teacher demanded, standing at the front of the classroom. The students quickly settled into their assigned seats around the room. "We have a new student,"

   Quiet murmurs bounced around the room. A couple of students stared at Kat who stood at the front of the room just in front of the teacher.

   "Everyone please welcome Katherine Frost to our classroom," the teacher announced, smiling warmly at the new student. After a couple seconds of crickets from the gathered students, the teacher scowled. He said nothing about the uncooperative room of teens but directed Kat to an empty seat.

   Kat sat down at the back of the class, ignoring the judgemental whispers that were passing her ears. Pairs of eyes never left her as she stared at the front, watching the teacher. She glanced over to a boy around her age staring unblinkingly at her. His hair was dyed a soft lavender purple, styled to the side of his head. Sending a warning glare, she returned her gaze to the front. The boy's eyes never stayed on her for more than a second afterward.

   "Please remember your homework," the teacher shouted to the disappearing students when the class ended. Kat shuffled out with rest of the students.

   Her first day had gone boringly. As she walked out of the public school, she took in every little detail of her surroundings. She didn't particularly feel like heading back to her dimly lit, cheap apartment and her shift at the local diner didn't start for several hours. She had the afternoon to herself. Sighing, she turned in the direction of the park.

   The blue sky was clear, the early autumn sun warming the earth below it. Only a few brightly colored leaves lay askew on the green grass and park pathways. Kat sat down on a bench, body relaxing with the sound of the wind. No matter the weather, nature always seemed to calm her. After a stressful day or even the few days when she had been allowed outside. It was always there for her. The world disappeared around Kat, nothing but the faint smell of wet dirt and the slight breeze that rustled the leaves overhead.

   "You're in my class," a male voice said from beside her.

   Kat crashed back into reality. She bolted forward on the bench, surprised. Running a hand through her light brown hair, she leaned against the bench. She recollected herself before glaring at the boy from her last class. The boy with purple hair. "You know stalking is illegal right?" she grumbled.

   The boy cocked his head in confusion. The cute gesture had no effect on Kat. "The school and park is a public place,"

   She rolled her eyes. "Whatever you want to believe. I don't care,"

   "Your name is Katherine right?" the boy asked.

   Kat cringed at the mention of her full name. "Kat,"

   "Well, nice to meet you, Kat," the boy extended a hand.

   "Is this how you make friends?" Kat sneered. She was starting to get annoyed with this boy.

   Another head tilt. "Pardon?"

   "Stare at them for a few minutes and then follow them creepily until they stop in a secluded park to speak to them," she elaborated gruffly, earning an amused smile.

   The boy chuckled. "I apologize for staring, and I'm not a stalker," he tried to catch her gaze.

   Kat scoffed. "Sure,"

   "My name is Devin," the boy continued, looking at Kat expectantly.

   She looked at him. "What? Do you want me to fawn over you like the cliche girls at school?" she knew her way around sarcasm like her own name. It just rolled off her tongue.

   Devin chuckled again. "No, I just expected you to say something a little more friendly,"

   "Friendly isn't in my vocabulary," she said coldly.

   "Are there any words in your vocabulary?" Devin retorted back.

   Kat's jaw clenched in annoyance. Licking her lips, she stayed silent as she watched a few people walking by. Touche.

   He smiled in victory. "Why are you so cold?"

   "Why are you so annoying? Look we all have questions," Kat replied scathingly. She glanced down at her wristwatch impatiently.

   "I think you are mistaking annoying with assertive,"

   Kat turned to Devin. "Look at the first three letters," she said nothing more. She stood and shouldered her schoolbag. Briskly walking, she started out of the park. She felt satisfied with the silence that followed. Devin watched as she walked away, smiling. This was going to be interesting.