Secrets in the Shadows: Chapter One

Haeley Gibbs

Another boring old Monday. It was only 7:30, and we still had a whole week ahead of us. “Hey! Get down here right now!” I glanced farther down the bleachers and saw Katie Hammerman. She was the only person that could brighten my day. “Chill out, I’m coming.” I scolded her. I couldn’t help but smile when I said this.

I sat beside her. She hugged me tightly and continued talking to Axel. Katie was twirling her hair, no attention on Axel whatsoever.“I know you’re worried about me, but you can’t leave Axel hanging.” I told her. My smile faded shortly after. I kept an eye out for Isabella, but she still hadn’t shown up. As if she heard me, Isabella walked in. “It’s squeeze Monday!” she said in her lilac voice.

Katie chuckled. Here we were about to graduate, and yet, Isabella still hugged us everyday. Samantha came in right after Isabella, already finished with breakfast. “Here comes the most mature of us all!” I said, smiling. The group laughed while Samantha took a seat beside me. “I like your shirt.” I thanked her and watched the basketball boys practice.

I felt a tapping on my shoulder. I was lost in my thoughts as usual. I turned around and faced my cousin.

Isabella shook her head. “I was asking if you wanted to go to the woods after school.” I thought about it. “Sure, why not?” Katie squealed. “Yay, now the whole group is coming!” 

Isabella sat up and spotted Axel. Soon, a pencil was in her hand and she was poking him. “Katie, help me!” He begged. I giggled. Poking people was Isabella’s thing.

Isabella rolled her eyes and continued to poke his arm. His face was scrunched up in a fake pout. The whole group laughed. I was cheered up by their jokes. I glanced around the gym we were sitting in. 

I could hear the jocks laughing on the other side of the bleachers. A boy close to them stood out to me. His whole body seemed to be pale.“That kid needs to get some sun.” Katie said behind me. I nodded. I caught him staring at me. Shaking my head, I turned back around. Katie was leaning on Axel’s shoulder, half asleep. I smiled. They made such a good couple.