"You're here!" Sara exclaims, her arms crossed, "Finally! I was seriously going to leave without you."
I bend down on my knees, trying to catch my breath from the run.
I smile, "Thanks for waiting for me. You know how hard it is to walk down the damn hill."
She nods, and starts to walk ahead on the road.
The sun is brighter than usual for a winter morning, giving off a comforting warmth on my face. But that doesn't mean that it isn't cold. I shiver, clutching myself tightly as a catch up to her.
"Where's Dustin?" I ask, frowning.
"I don't know." She replies, "And I don't care."
I roll my eyes, "You're being extra cold today."
She smirks her 'I-know-and-I-love-it' smirk, as she explains, "He's late. And so were you. I was just about to leave but you showed up so consider yourself lucky that I didn't leave you."
Sara, Dustin and I have always walked to school. We'd all meet at the town's square and walk up to school- only ten minutes away. Sara always reaches first since her house is the nearest to the square.
I shake my head at her. I've known her for so long and yet her attitude never changed- not even a little.
I give a few glances over my shoulder wondering if he'd come or not.
"I guess he won't be going to school." I finally conclude.
My head is still throbbing from yesterday's conversation with Dad. I barely slept last night, the rage wouldn't let me. All I could think about was why won't he let me go? Surely, it can't just be about him wanting me to be a doctor? It can't...
No one can be that stubborn.
But aren't you stubborn too, Charlie? I think to myself.
I don't know..
But the anger in Dad's eyes back then, it was hiding something more. More than what I think.
It's something I don't know about...but Jason does. He knows.
I want to ask him what he knows. But I'm sure he won't tell me.
"You ok?" Sara asks me, "You look pale."
I hesitate for a moment. Should I tell her what happened?
She is my best friend after all.
"Actually..."
Suddenly, someone yells loudly behind us.
"Traitors! BOTH OF YOU TRAITORS! STOOOP!"
I turn behind to see Dustin jogging clumsily towards us. His face red with the run.
I immediately burst in laughter.
He glares at me, "Sure, go ahead and laugh! You think it's easy to wake up early in the morning?"
Sara grins, "Well, we're standing right in front of you, aren't we? What more proof do you need?"
Dustin scoffs, adjusting the strap of his bag on his shoulder, "No, don't give me your examples. I'm talking about 'humans' here. Seriously, no one bothers to go to school as early as you two."
"We only started to go without you because we thought you weren't coming." I say.
Dustin gives me a look, "Don't lie. I know it was all Sara's doing to ditch me like that."
I give a sheepish smile, "That obvious huh?"
"You have no idea."
"Anyway," Sara changes the conversation, as we cross the road to our school gate, "What's up with the writing competition then?"
"Oh yeah," Dustin nudges me one my arm, "Can't believe I'm gonna become the best friend of a writer. Shortcut for becoming famous."
I raise an eyebrow at his as he laughs.
"Well... something happened yesterday so I don't think I can take part in the competition anymore." I explain, acting as blunt as ever.
The two of them freeze on their tracks and look at me.
Sara scowls, "What?"
Dustin stares at me with wide eyes.
I nod, "Yeah. I told my family yesterday and they were all happy but then Dad started yelling at me that I won't take part in the competition. Of course, Jason tried to argue but things got weird-"
"And you didn't say anything?" Sara hisses.
"Well I-"
"Did your old man Edison really just cut you out like that?" Dustin growls.
I sigh, "No and yes. I DID fight back but you know how it is, he slammed the door, and that's how he won."
"But-but-" Dustin tried to think of something to say but no words comes out of his mouth.
"At this point I have no idea what to do." I mumble, "I mean I did claim that I will participate in the contest no matter what but.."
"And you will." Sara says firmly. "I will not have you wasting your life like this."
"Waste my Life?" I smile, "You're taking this seriously."
"There's no way you're not going to take part!" Dustin exclaims, "I swear to god it was a damn long process to get you entered in the contest without you finding out. The fact that you're going to give up right now only means that I dug up an X and there was no treasure underneath."
"Woah." I blink, "Since when did you start talking like that?"
Dustin grins, "Since two minutes ago."
We push through the crowd and noise of students as Sara pushes the door open to reveal the loud chatter of the hall inside.
"At least we're not late." I say.
Dustin looks over to see his group of friends calling him over.
"I better get going." He gives us a thumbs-up before walking up to the guys.
"I need to go early to my class for a presentation." Sara explains, "I'll catch up with you later."
I nod, "See you for lunch."
Sara grabs hold of my hand and squeezes it, "We're not done talking alright?"
I smile meekly, "Yeah, I know."
***********************************
I grab the two books from my bag and put it on the counter. The librarian takes them from me and returns me my card. It's a simple procedure, but today, I feel more anxious.
I've been noticing something for a long time. I didn't really have the guts to say it before.
I've felt an itch on my neck ever since I left home. Even when I was walking with Dustin and Sara something seemed off.
I wasn't sure at first but now I know.
Someone's following me.