The Secret Door

Chapter 1

It was dark. The only light that was coming was from the full moon that was lit in the sky. Dark clouds thundered around it and if I didn't hurry they would soon engulf the moon, making it impossible to see at night.

I was walking in the woods. Alone. Tall giant trees lurked over me. As I walked I could hear the crunch the fallen leaves made but I had no idea how I had gotten here. The place seemed awfully familiar. I kept walking with no destination in mind. And suddenly I heard someone behind me scream my name.

"Scarlett!"

I turned around, expecting to see someone but no one was there except endless trees. My heart started thumping and my ears rang as my name echoed throughout the woods. Fear started building up inside me.

"Scarlett! Scarlett, Get up! SCARLETT!"

Startled I woke up from my bed and back to reality. Massie, my best friend, was beside my bed glaring at me.

Unfortunately, I was still at Cedar Woods Boarding School. The most horrible place on earth. We had to learn from 7 o'clock to 3 o'clock and then we were free to roam wherever we wanted except the woods near the school. Those were completely OFF LIMITS. We slept in bunk beds that were lined up alongside the walls in a long room we called the Sleep Hall. Between the bunks were dressers where we could put our things. I shared mine with Massie but most of my stuff stayed under my bed anyways. The bathroom was located at the end of the long room which had multiple showers, stalls, sinks and thank goodness mirrors too. So all those girls could put on their make-up and glare at their hideous faces without fighting for a mirror. I, on the other hand, like the natural look.

"Hurry up, it's 5:30 and we have to be at the cafeteria by 6 for breakfast," said Massie. I hopped off of my bed and ran off to the bathroom. I quickly brushed my teeth, took a shower, brushed my hair, and threw on a blue Tshirt and jeans. I look into the mirror to make sure I didn't miss anything.

I stared at my brown eyes and long natural eyelashes that curl perfectly. I look at my dark thin eyebrows, round nose, and thin mouth. My wavy dark hair was flowing at my sides, the tips touching my elbows. I look down at my big thighs that are built up from running and playing soccer which looked thinner than usual in the jeans I wore. I am shorter than most 16 year olds but I guess I could say I look decent.

I thought about how much I looked like my mother. My parents had died when I was six in a car accident. I didn't remember them very well but I have seen pictures. I even have one under my pillow. My uncle and aunt were then made my guardians and they put me into this boarding school. They said that it was the same one that my parents went to and this was where they had met and fallen in love. I only saw Uncle Frank and Aunt Julie during the holidays. I love visiting them.

Remembering I was late, I ran out of the bathroom into the Sleep Hall where Massie was waiting for me.

Massie is fairly tall with green eyes and straight brown hair. She always looked gorgeous and was always dressed up. Massie ended up here after her mother's death. Her new stepmom persuaded her dad to send her to the boarding school so they didn't have to watch over her. We both met when it was her first year in 2nd grade and I had invited her to eat lunch with me. Massie had a thing for fashion and make-up. She's always wanted to give me a makeover but I've never given her the chance. I like my face as it was.

On our way to the hall, Massie asked, "You had one of those dreams again. Didn't you?"

I looked at her surprised. "How did you know?"

"You were tense and sweating on your forehead. You're always like that when you're having nightmares." She had known about these dreams for a while. She looked worried.

"I don't want to talk about it," I said as we entered the cafeteria.

The cafeteria has rectangular tables that run in rows with seats on each side. Most of the students had already gotten their breakfast. They were all seated in groups that were separated throughout the cafeteria.

Massie and I walked over to where we usually sat. Conner and Mason were already there. Conner and Mason are best friends and we met them in 5th grade and have been friends since. Conner had blond hair and blue eyes while Mason had dark brown hair and green eyes. They both worked out together so had muscles and were fairly the same height. I came up to their shoulders.

"Hey guys," said Massie as she sat down next to Conner. Massie and Conner had a love hate relationship. Conner had an obvious crush on her and Massie secretly liked him but was too embarrassed to tell anyone. I knew she liked him because every time she saw him, she blushes.

"How are you two this morning?"asked Mason as I sat down next to him.

"We got your lunches for you," said Conner as he slid a plate towards me and another towards Massie. It consisted of two pancakes, syrup, butter, and orange juice. I opened one of the syrup packs and started pouring it onto the pancakes.

"Did you guys finish that English essay?" I looked over at Mason for an answer but his mouth was full of pancakes. I laughed.

"Did you guys hear about that new student?" asked Conner.

"Yeah, I heard he's in the same grade as us," said Massie.

Conner started,"I heard from someone that he moved here from-" Before Conner could finish something smacked him right across the face. It was a food tray and it slid off of Conner's face leaving him covered in sticky syrup.

I turned around to find exactly who I expected. It was Peter, known for fighting, beating, and hurting others for fun. Peter was bulky and big. He had dirty blond hair that was short and was accompanied by his two henchman who follow him around everywhere and do everything he says. They were twins with ginger hair and freckles.

Peter had a nasty smirk on his face. I remember when he had asked me to go to the homecoming dance last year and I had said no. Ever since then, he had been bothering me and my friends.

Angry, I prepared to get up but Mason grabbed my wrist stopping me. I looked at him and he nodded at me, telling me that he can handle it. Mason got up and stood in front of me.

"Listen Peter, we don't want any trouble." Mason was calm but Peter just laughed which angered me even more.

"Whatcha gonna do about it?" Peter took a step forward. Everyone in the cafeteria was now watching the commotion.

I had been trying to control my anger but I lost it. I got up and my fist flew to Peter's jaw, knocking him off his feet. The cafeteria erupted in cheers.

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This is my first story! I hope you guys like it!