When The Darkness Sets In

Chapter One

"For the last time Jane, I'm not going to explore the creepy woods when I could lay in my warm bed and read a thick ass romance novel and mourn my dead love life."

Jane flops onto my bed and groans. "It's your eighteenth birthday tomorrow and all you want to do is read. You know maybe if you were adventurous, you wouldn't have to mourn your dead love life." I roll my eyes at her and sip my cinnamon tea, caressing the cup and embracing the warmth it provides. "It'll be fun Kassandra", she whines. I shift in my seat and stare at my best friend. "Yeah! Getting bitten by mosquitoes and scratched by branches is sooooo fun", I say with fake enthusiasm, sounding like a peppy cheerleader that hates her life. Jane rolls around in my bed, getting the purple sheets wrinkled and let's out an exasperated sigh. She rolls onto her tummy and lays her chin on her hand, looking deep in thought. Her eyes sparkle as if she's come up with an idea. "I'll buy you a new book if you go." My ears instantly perk up and I search her face to see if she's messing with me.

"You promise?"

What? Don't judge me, I love books!

She jumps from my bed and squeals in delight, clapping her hands and running towards my chair. "I promise." I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. I already have a feeling this is going to be a long night. "I'm gonna invite Tory and Iris. Can Joey come too?" Joey is Jane's new boyfriend for the week. She changes her boyfriends like she changes her shoes and trust me, this girly can never get enough of her shoes. She smiles when I agree and pulls out her phone. Her bright glittery phone case reflects the light which hits me in my face. I swear if this girl could barf sparkles and poop rainbows, she would.

After various phone calls are made she tells me to get ready. I get up from my comfy chair and go to my closet. I grab my black hoodie and put it on. I don't bother changing my jeans, it's just the woods and I'm not trying to ruin my good clothes. I slip on my black sneakers and pull my hair into a messy bun.

"By the way, Andrew is tagging along. Joey invited him", Jane informs me. "Woah, Andrew? Andrew as in Andrew Cruz, the notorious bad boy?" She smirks at me and I glare at her. I know what she's thinking. "Oh no Missy, It's not like that. I was just getting the facts straight. I don't even know the guy." She swipes lipgloss across her full pink lips and turns away from my full length mirror, "Yet you know his the notorious bad boy." My eyes narrow at her, "That's what all the rumours say." She grabs her purse and takes one last glance in the mirror. "Jane we're going to the forest, not a beauty pageant." She rolls her eyes at me, "A girl has to look good when she's with her boo. Who knows maybe you'll get a boyfriend out of this." I throw my head back and laugh, clutching my stomach and wiping my tears. "Yeah, no. I'm doing this for a book, not for a boy."

"And you wonder why you're single."

We hear a honk outside and I grab my phone. "It's the girls, let's go Kass." I follow Jane, exiting my room and shutting the door behind me. I run to the end of the hallway where grandma is in her room, watching television. I enter the room and she turns her attention towards me. "Grandma I'm going out with some friends, I might be late so don't wait up for me.", I inform her. I walk towards her bed and kiss her wrinkly forehead. "Be safe my dear." She glances at my ruby necklace as always and then smiles at me. I tell her goodnight and run downstairs, opening the front door and locking it behind me. I walk towards Tory's BMW and get in. "Hey girlfriend." I greet her back as well as Iris and we're off on the road. "So Joey and Andrew said they'll meet us there.", Jane tells us. Iris sighs dreamily and places her hand over her chest, "Andrew is so gorgeous." I shake my head and stifle a laugh. "That boy has the looks of a god", Tory agrees.

"Don't you agree Kass?"

I glare at Jane and she smirks at me. "I don't know the guy." Iris rolls her eyes at my statement, "But his so hot, how can you not like him?" I shrug my shoulder, "It doesn't really matter if his attractive. What's the use of having a guy that looks gorgeous but treats you like shit and doesn't even give a damn? I'd take personality over looks any day." Tory nods in approval but Iris, however, is determined to defend Andrew. "Come on, his a bad boy. Every girl wants a bad boy", she throws her hands in the air and huffs. "This isn't some movie or book Iris. Bad boys in reality don't give a damn. They lure you in with their words and all they'll ever do is use you. That's what makes them bad boys, they don't care about anyone but themselves. You know girls should really stop being so naive. They should fall for a guy's action not his words."

"How would you know? You haven't even been in a relationship." If this girl wasn't my friend, I'd slap her so hard that her make up will fall off her damn face. I love her and everything but she's way too bitchy sometimes. "I'm not living in a fairytale. I know what's reality", I retort back.

Music fills the air which I'm thankful for, no one wants to hear awkward love advice from someone that didn't even have a boyfriend to begin. It's not like they'll listen to me anyway.

After an agonizing twenty minute drive the car comes to a halt and I look out the window. "We're here.", Tory chirps. Everyone gets out the car and huddles in a group. The wind breezes past us, rustling the leaves on the trees. The forest looks like darkness that has no depth. Why did Jane think this would be fun?

"Where are the boys?" Iris questions.

"Maybe they're in the forest already, let's check." For a girl that is extremely girly, Jane is really brave.

The four of us walk into the forest, the moonlight providing a little light that seeps through the trees. I take out my phone and turn on the torch and everyone does the same. We walk around for a few minutes until we hear a twig snap. "What was that?" Tory asks, startled. "Probably just a bunny", Iris says.

Wow, cue the facepalm please. Which bunny would decide to come out and decide to play in the dark forest at this part of the night?

Something runs past us and we jump. Our heads bump as we stay clued to each other as if that would offer protection. A hand grabs my waist and I yelp in surprise. The girls scream but is soon deafened by the deep laughter of boys.

These jerks!

I turn my torch to the person that grabbed my waist and my breath hitches in my throat.

Holy shit.