I sped down the winding back roads of my sleepy town, desperate to make it to school on time. While my grade point average remained intact after the tragedies of the last few years, my attendance record had taken a hit. Over the last few months especially, I'd had an increasing amount of tardies, demerits for sleeping in class due to the unending nightmares; some days I skipped school all together, unable to face the pitying eyes and audible whispers from my peers. Luckily for me, I spent most of my time alone pouring over school books to keep up with my studies. A scholarship to an out of state school was my only way out of this town, away from all the memories that left me crying out in my sleep.
As I pulled into the student parking lot, I could hear the bell for first period sounding. I glared at the clock in my car, willing it to be wrong. I jerked my car into the first available spot darted for the door, slamming the door of my beat up Honda Civic and smashing the lock button on my key fob twice as I ran through the front doors of the school.
As I ran down the nearly deserted hallways, past the other stragglers who had the luxury of leisurely strolling to first period, I caught sight of one of the few friends I still had, June.
June was a wisp of a girl, with features that resembled that of a pixie. She stood no taller then 4'8. Her short blonde hair spiked out in all directions; with eyes as blue as an ocean that sparkled with a hint of mischief. We had been friends since we were in diapers. June was one of two people that knew absolutely everything about me.
"Ainsley, where the hell have you been? Kate is doing her best to distract the teacher, but if you're late again you are 100% screwed." Her face scrunched in on itself with her last few words.
"Yes, I know!" I said, exasperated. "Royally screwed. Let's go." June and I rushed hand in hand off to first period, Occult studies. I silently preyed to myself that Kate was successful in her attempts at distraction.
Mr. Martin was a rather observant fellow in most circumstances, but Kate had a way of bending people to her every whim. I couldn't blame anyone who fell victim to her charms. Kate was possibly the most beautiful female, human, vegetable, or mineral I had ever laid eyes on. Her dark hair cascaded down her back like black silk over her smooth, brown skin . Her eyes were dark and mysterious, but she △⃒⃘lways gave off an air of innocence and wonder. June and I often jokingly referred to her as "the Snake charmer" with her radiant smile and powers of persuasion, she could convince even the strongest soul into seeing things her way.
Kate wasn't just beautiful though. She was charming, loyal, and kind. When my sister disappeared, Kate was one of the few people other then June that wouldn't allow me to shit her out. In fact, she outright refused. Day after day, she offered words of condolence and support, inviting herself to sit with us at lunch despite being ignored by me for weeks. June gave her a much warmer reception then I had, and even invited her to walk with us between classes, as she shared a similar schedule to June and myself. After a few weeks, I warmed to her presence in my very small circle. Since then, Kate, June, and I had been inseparable. They were the two people I would allow to see past my icy exterior.
As we approached the classroom, I heard a familiar voice, but not that of Mr. Martin. No, this voice was feminine, but didn't match the charming lilt that Kates often took on.
"Must have a sub today, shouldn't be a problem. Kates got skills!" The corner of June's mouth turning upward as she uttered the last sentence.
I rounded the corner and froze in place, my gaze first landing on the name written in neat script across the board before meeting with the honey colored eyes that closely resembled my own. Behind them, lingered a controlled and collected fury. Every explicit word I knew raced through my mind at once, jumbling together in a cacophony of curses. Screwed indeed.
"Ahh, Ms. Summit" my mother smoke coolly, "How nice of you to see fit to join the rest of the class. And you as well, Ms. Oliver" she gestured knowingly to June. I glanced over at Kate, her eyes pleading as she mouthed "I'm sorry!" Across the room. I couldn't blame her, or even be upset. If there was anyone who could see through Kate's charm, it was my mother.
"Ladies," my mother cleared her throat as I remained frozen, "Please take your seats, and Ainsley...I expect to see you after class."
As I quietly shuffled through the tittering whispers of my classmates to my seat, I couldn't help but wonder what fresh new hell I'd wandered into.