The Vanishing

Chapter 2

There it was again, that feeling of being watched. I keep getting that feeling. It's been three days and every time I feel like I'm being watched, my hair stands up on the back of my neck and I get a sinking feeling in my gut. I looked around, I didn't see anyone. I'm starting to feel paranoid.

I was a little behind in my classes due to the transfer, and they were a little different.

Today I had Theatre, English, Math, and Archery.

My theatre class was fun. The teacher was fun to listen to and it was more of a discussion than a lecture. We were studying theatre history for this unit.

My last class of the day was Archery. It was a total relief to not have to catch up. My math class was way over my head because they are at least a month ahead of where I was at McKinley.

Archery was held in the greenspace of the courtyard behind the fountain.

The professor explained to me how to hold the bow and how to aim

"Now just, release it." Mr. Schaffer said.

I did. I hit the target.

"Wow! We have a natural in our midst everyone!" Mr. Schaffer announced to my dismay.

Everyone was looking at me. Great.

A few people smiled at me, others just looked annoyed.

I actually hit a few bullseyes today in archery. Either Mr. Schaffer is right and I'm a natural, or it isn't that hard when the target is directly in front of me. Regardless, it made me nervous. I don't want to stand out too much and have more people looking at me than usual.

I rounded the corner for my room and ran right into someone who just harrumphed and stood there.

"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention" I said, looking up at him.

He shrugged. "I'm Patrick."

"I know." My cheeks flamed and my voice faltered. "Wyatt introduced you the other day after we saw you in the hall. I'm Arden." He chuckled at my awkwardness.

"See you around, Arden." He said as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked away.

I went into my room and closed the door behind me, leaning against it and letting out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding.

Why am I so dumb? "I know". So weird. I was mentally kicking myself when Nina's voice from her desk made me jump out of my skin.

"So who's got you all hot and bothered?"

She was sitting at her desk with an eyebrow arched and a smirk of satisfaction that said oh, so there is someone.

"Would it sound crazy if I said Patrick Abbott?" I said carefully.

She laughed like I was kidding then stopped when she noticed my expression.

"Arden. I know you're new here and he's extremely hot, but seriously, don't go there. The kid has bad anger issues." She said.

I sighed. "I can't help it, but I will definitely try not to be too 'bothered' by him." She giggled as I flopped onto my bed in dismay. "Why are the hot ones always tortured and out of reach?" I grumbled into the pillow. Nina laughed but went back to her homework.

"Want to take a break from homework and explore with me?" I said as she turned to see my devilish grin.

She chuckled. "Yeah, just give me a few to finish this page"

"So what are we looking for?" She said as I closed our door.

"Hidden passages." I said. She rolled her eyes. "No, really." I confirmed.