Little Things ✓

Chapter 1

The room is dark, empty, filled with cold air and there's nothing much apart from a bunch of sealed boxes, some scattered items here and there and the eight of us. My friends all look like crybabies who want to run away as early as they can. The point is, there's no other place we can go right now.

I know this is the most stupid idea I've ever had in my life, but, come on, who else wants to stay in a small bunk, telling each other bad puns and ranting about how pointless is life? I guess the answer can be deduced quite easily, so I won't say anything else about it.

***

This all happened because of a bet. When we finished high school and went our separate ways, we promised that we'd see each other again and that we'd not lose track of each other. However, there was a twist: we had to reunite in this little hut in the woods where we used to seek a refuge whenever we were sad or just wanted to escape daily routine.

My parents didn't like the idea of me going there and still tremble at the thought of that, but now I'm no longer a child. I don't see the point in listening to everything they say. I mean, I can drive to the woods, call my friends and make plans on my own. So, what's the matter?

Anyway, back to the bet. We made it—better say, I made it because I wanted to prove the popular clique wrong once for all. My friends and I weren't in good terms with them at all. The nicest among them, Sarah Kimbrough, used to be a friend of mine back in primary school but somehow changed as she met the leader, Katrina Yates, and the others.

Another girl from the clique, Joy Harker, used to date Aaron; they, however, broke up as she was allegedly caught cheating on him. In spite of her attempts to make it up with him, Aaron has never forgiven her. Perhaps it's better this way: I've never thought of them as perfect for each other.

Okay, I guess I should get to the point. According to the bet, we hid eight small objects that were connected to us, some of our most prized possessions, along with eight short notes. If we find them all, then we'll leave this town together, once for all. Otherwise, we'll part ways again, until we bump into each other again.

Weird, isn't it?

***

This place gave us goosebumps the first time we set our feet in it, and still gives them to us. Perhaps, it is because of some strange legend or something like that to scare folks. However, my friends and I are not afraid of almost anything. (Well, if we exclude death, of course.)

I'm standing at the center of the room, while my friends are sitting around me in circle, their legs either folded or crossed. Aaron, the only guy in the group, is throwing us glances here and there every once in a while, annoying some of the girls. In fact, Kaiti, the petite blonde looking like a Barbie doll, scowls, "Can you stop it, please?"

I, however, warn her. "Keep your voice down, Kaiti. Do you want someone to catch us?" She stares at me in a confused manner, believing that we're not supposed to be here. Fortunately for her, and for the rest of us, I planned everything in the slightest details.

Meanwhile, Rheta, the wild girl, points out, "We haven't got much time, Blen. How are we supposed to find the items? Do we have to look for them or what?" As she asks these two questions, Aaron, Kaiti and another girl, Shannon, raise their hands, but I gesture at them to put them down.

"It won't take that much, guys," I answer. "Do you remember where you hid them when we came here during senior year?" Everyone shakes their heads, except for Rheta, who recalls, "I actually remember where I placed my item. But I'm not sure if it's still here, so I'm going to check if that's okay for you."

She stands up and scans the room for her object (to be honest, I don't even know what the others chose to leave here), moving chairs, boxes and the old wooden table by the cupboard as well as picking the ladder to climb it. However, Aaron tries to stop her. "Don't," he pleads. "I don't think it's a good idea. Let Blen finish talking, at least."

Rheta ignores him and goes on with her research, much to my annoyance. Aaron shrugs before slumping on a chair. Kaiti follows him, sitting at his right. This also prompts me to sit down; unlike my friends, I choose the floor. After thinking of what to say for what seems an endless time, I reprise, "Rheta may prefer carrying her research on her own, but this doesn't mean that we necessarily agree with her."

Shannon and the girl next to her, Hailei, nod in sign of agreement. The latter adds, "This is exactly what I was trying to suggest! Why don't we look for them together? I mean, there's no point in doing it on our own. What do you think, Kaiti?" Kaiti is busy fixing her ponytail, which is so messed up that it's leaning more towards left.

Aaron elbows her to catch her attention, causing her to almost jump off her chair. "Hey! Pay attention!" she exclaims. As she realizes that four pairs of glaring eyes are pointed to her, however, she blushes and recollects herself. "Oops... sorry, I guess I wasn't exactly listening to you, Blen. What were you talking about anyway?"

I shake my head. "Well, I was talking about possibly looking for our items together, but, you know what, Kaiti? Why don't you come up with a better idea?" Believing that I'm annoyed at her, she frowns at me. However, her frowning expression is quickly replaced by a beaming one as she clasps her hands together.

"I say, let's take turns! That way, it's a lot more fun! Rheta is already looking for her prized possession, so why don't we take this chance?" she suggests. "Oh, one little thing: we must also tell each other why the object we retrieve is special for each of us."

While we can't exactly say everyone is excited about this little hunt, I see it as a chance to spy on the others' moves, their attitudes, their gestures, and perhaps even catch their true thoughts of each other. That's going to be a lot of fun.

I nod. "Let's do this, shall we?"