Half Dead

Chapter one

[Warning: Dark themes ahead]

  "Starr! You're going to be late if you don't hurry yourself out the door!" My mother's Norwegian accent called.
"Yeah, I'm coming." I quickly took one last glance at myself in the mirror, my ginger to blonde ombré hair perfectly flowing at my shoulders. I smiled my signature grin, one with my tooth gap proudly showing, as I grabbed my bag, kissing my dog's forehead before dashing out the door.
     My mom smiled at me lovingly. "Have a good day." She called, watching me run out the door and down the driveway. I yelled a 'thank you' as I skipped down the sidewalk to school.

"Starr! There you are!"
A familiar voice rang in my ears. I stopped putting my binder in my locker and I whipped around to see my best friend, running towards me with his dark brown hair flying behind him.
"So, can you make it?" He asked, pure hope in his heterochromatic eyes.
"Gretchen! Happy birthday!" I gave him a tight hug, smiling widely. "Of course! I wouldn't miss your birthday for the life of me! Oh, my parents said I could even stay the night tonight like we planned!" I exclaimed, smiling at him with sparkling eyes as I clenched my fists in excitement. It was my absolute best friend's birthday today, as he was finally turning fourteen to catch up with me. Gretchen meant so much to me, so I had to make sure today was the best day ever!
Gretchen beamed and tightened his grip in the hug. "Yes! It's gonna be so much fun!" The bell to get to homeroom rang. "Well, gotta go! See you later!" Gretchen waved and ran off, his long legs getting him far quickly. I sighed happily and shut my locker, heading towards my homeroom.

The school day went by pretty quickly, thank god for all of my friends and fun classes helping time go by faster. Thankfully it was Friday, though, as the weekend meant I could spend a lot of time with my two best friends; Gretchen and Lucifire. I was also excited for the walk home, because it meant I could see them then as well. We always loved our walks home together.
"Wait up!" I yelled, running to catch up to them as they exited the school building.
"You think we'd leave without you? You must be crazy." Lucifire said, flicking some of her perfect platinum blonde hair behind her. Everything about Lucifire was perfect. We were merely fourteen and she already looked so mature and gorgeous.
"Never know." I laughed and they joined in. We began heading down the sidewalk home.
"So, Lucifire, you're gonna be at Gretchen's party tonight, right?" I asked, facing her with my ocean blue eyes glistening in the sun.
"Of course! I would never miss Gretchen's birthday!" Lucifire said, a huge smile on her face.
Most days I was happy we didn't live so close to the middle school. It meant our walks home were considered time to hang out. I lived a street away from Lucifire and Gretchen's neighborhood, which was amazing.
"We are gonna stay up alllll night and watch horror movies!" I exclaimed.
"Horror movies? Knowing you that means the scariest you can find, huh Starr?" Gretchen chuckled, bumping his hip into mine.
"Of course! You know me so well." I laughed and nudged Gretchen's shoulder.
"And we can paint our nails!" Lucifire beamed, always wanting to do makeup and skincare with us.
"I want mine purple." Gretchen said, trying to sound serious, his face straightening as he placed his hand straight out, looking at his nails sassily.
I giggled and Lucifire rolled her eyes. "Want pink polka dots with that as well?" She teased.
"That sounds perfect." Gretchen said, smiling. He always played along with our girlish antics, never being bothered when we dressed him up or made him do girl things with us.
"Yeah, whatever you say." Lucifire laughed, nudging him with her elbow.
We reached their neighborhood and said our goodbyes for now, until six when the party started. I pouted, as I wanted to still see them, but we had piles of homework, and our parents said to finish it quick before the party. You know how middle school is. Eighth grade was such a pain sometimes, but I was excited to step into high school, and maybe make even more friends to hang out with us, and to get to feel like I was growing up.
"I'll see you two tomorrow! Ha det! (Bye!)" I waved, and they waved back. I walked the last bit myself, reaching my house and unlocking the door with our pass key.
I stepped into my house and kicked my shoes off, tossing my bag to the floor. "Hallo? (Hello?)" I called. The house was oddly dark inside, and no one could be seen around. None of the lights were turned on, not even the tv. Weird. I lifted an eyebrow and I walked into the kitchen, where I spotted a note on the table.