Forest of Secrets - Shadows

Instructions

I wake up to my alarm going off. I sigh and drag myself out of bed, starting to get dressed for school. I pull on a white collared T-shirt, a pair of ripped blue jeans, and my favorite sneakers. I put my hair in a messy bun and do my makeup. I walk downstairs and eat a quick breakfast, then I walk out the door to get to school. The rest of the day is boring. Classes, more classes, and more classes. Until the last class of the day. I walk to the last class of the day. My favorite class; history. Because I get to see Ms. Fletcher again. I must remind myself of one thing every time I go to this class; she’s 27, I’m 15. I sigh, walking into the classroom. *** I must have zoned out in class again, because I hear that familiar voice behind me, “Lilliana?” Ms. Fletcher says from behind me, she puts a hand on my shoulder. She lowers her voice so that no one else can hear as she says, “Are you daydreaming again?” she laughs softly, quietly. I try not to blush but I fail. I don’t turn to face her, I just speak, “Yeah… sorry.” I try not to think about her hand on my shoulder. I can tell she’s smiling, “Okay, just try to pay attention in the future.” Her hand drops from my shoulder as she walks back to her desk to continue teaching the lesson. *** Again, school lets out. I call my dad to say that I’m going to be hanging out with friends- which is obviously a lie -after school. He’s hesitant at first, trying to come up with excuses to get me to come home. But after a long conversation, he finally lets me go. I hang up, smiling, and sneak away to the forest again. But just as I’m about to step into the trees, I hear a voice behind me, “Lilli? Where do you think you’re going off to?” I spin around and see Ms. Fletcher standing there, looking concerned. I have to make something up, quick, “Uh, me and my friends are meeting up in the woods.” She doesn’t look convinced, so I continue, “Me and my homeschooled friends. You know Olivia and Taylor, right?” She hesitates, seemingly un-convinced. Then she speaks, “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Have you been looking at the news lately?” She pauses, biting her lip before continuing, “There have been deaths in the area lately. The news said that there’s a killer on the loose, and I don’t want you to get hurt.” I freeze. Taking in what she just said, “A killer…?” There’s a tense silence before I speak again, “Okay. I’ll go home then.” Ms. Fletcher smiles and tilts her head. Seeing that, I add quickly, “And I’ll tell Olivia and Taylor too. I wouldn’t want them getting hurt either.” I smile before quickly walking away.