Secrets

Secrets: Chapter 1
        October 12, 2001 – Night - Tuesday
      Annabel and I have been working on this project for like, ten minutes now. Our Mythology teacher wanted us to write a paper about a certain kind of mythical creature. H e was nice enough to let us choose our own partners. Since Annabel and I already share a dorm room we thought it was easier for our selves to work with each other. We were assigned to research, and wrote a five paragraph essay about the Griffin. Luckily for us we have our own laptops so all we had to do was have one person search for facts, and another person to be typing the information in the computer. We are almost done with the assignment. If you ask me it was pretty easy. Well, mom sent me a letter not to long ago.
    She lives in America, while I’m stuck in boarding school in Germany. I is actually kind of boring here, I don’t know why she made me come here. I thought Germany was supposed to be great well not this side of Germany. She was telling me how the family was doing, what they were planning on doing, and how much she misses me.
Like any other mother, she didn’t bother leaving any details out. From everything she told me, it’s like I’m there with her right now. I heard Brandon and Samantha have been fighting with each more than usual. Probably because Brandon said something irritating, then Samantha got angry. I really doubt they were fighting over missing me. They probably already got over missing me I have been gone for a long time.
    The only thing mom said about dad was that he was doing well in work, and he got a new car. I miss them all well I truly have to admit that I don’t really miss Brandon, well not as much as the rest of the family. He was almost the death of me like when he pushed me down the steps the day before I left. He said it would give me a story to tell the people there. Well, I have to go. So, I guess I will write in you later.
Jennifer Missouri

    “Jennifer, what are you doing? Don’t forget that we need to finish this paper!”
    I took my gaze off my journal just for a second to see Annabel was waving her right hand in front of my face then stop. Annabel was my best friend since we got into this boarding school and that was when we were 5 years old.
    “Oh right! I promised my mom I would get good grades. So, where were we?” I said nervously sounding like an idiot.
    “Are you sure you kind of sounding odd. Please tell me you are not getting sick again?” I could tell Annabel was worried for some reason she was never sick.
    “I am fine! You just shocked me that was all! See all better!” I tried to sound like I was calm, but I don’t know if Annabel thought I was completely calm.
    “Okay… well we were describing its image.” Annabel explained to me perfectly. Then we went back to the usual talking and that brought us to night time so we went to bed, obviously. For some reason I had the weirdest dream ever. I don’t normally have dreams like this. I would usual dream of finally seeing my parents after such a long time, or I would dream of hanging out with Annabel random hallway. This dream was different then the others. The first thing that happened in my dream was that I was running in the woods that surrounded the boarding school. At first I was quite confused as to why I was even running in a place like that.
    The next thing that happened was that I fell to the ground because of a wild looking dog tackled me to the ground. After the dog succeeded in knocking me down, it was starting to pull me across the ground by dragging me by my left leg. I kicked the wild-looking dog in the face and tried to do a kind of crawling combined with running. Then from a long distance I saw Annabel and some other guy sprinting towards me. At first I screamed, “Just go, I’ll be okay,” but they kept on coming. They were determined to help me get out of the current situation that I had gotten myself into.
    I was surprised at the speed that Annabel and the mysterious guy possessed. It seemed that they were yards away and in a single moment they were by my side. Their speed was not human. When they were by my side the wild dog that was pulling me away simply vanished before my very eyes. I was only staring at Annabel for merely six seconds and the monstrous dog had disappeared. Annabel took her hand out and helped me off of the dirt covered ground and asked me if I was alright. I wasn’t badly hurt, just a bite mark and a scratch on my leg and my knee other than that I was fine.
     In seconds I was surrounded by two other women and two other guys. I couldn’t see their faces clearly but I could hear Annabel say, “We need to get back to the school before anyone finds out that we are missing.” Before long we went back to the school. Annabel and I returned to our dorm room to wait for the sun to rise.
    My dream was interrupted by a pillow smacking against my face.
    “Jennifer wake up, we have to go to our classes now. Did you forget?”
Some times I wouldn’t mind this happening, but since I really wanted to see why there was a ferocious wild black dog chasing me into the forest. I was irritated in my first class, which was math. For one thing Annabel’s seat was four seats away from mine so when we had to take our test I didn’t have much encouragement. There were two people sitting next to me, Jarrett and Dustin. Both of them would get in trouble for trying to talk to other people while the teacher would try to educate us. I wouldn’t get in trouble though. I don’t really talk to a lot of people. Annabel is basically the only person I truly talk to. If I was to talk to other people the conversation would be short.
    "Hey Jennifer, what are you doing after class?”
     Who is that familiar voice talking to me? I turned my head to the direction of the voice that was trying to get my attention. It wasn’t a girl, so I suppose it was a guy. Usually other people would call them, ‘boys,’ but I prefer to call them guys. I don’t know why, but I just do. When I completely turned my body around I saw Mark trying to talk to me. First he waved to me to get my attention. I’m guessing he did that just so I would know that he was talking to me and no one else was.
    I could tell that Annabel heard Mark trying to start a conversation with me, since I saw her from the corner of my eye look away from her paper and put her attention towards Mark . I don’t want to get in trouble for talking, so I’ll just look away from him for now. I put my full attention to the paper that was in front of me. For some odd reason I feel the teacher’s eyes gazing down at me. Maybe if I just shake the feeling off, then I can work better, and not just better but it would be easier to concentrate.
    After awhile it was time to put our books and our papers into our lockers and change class rooms. I gathered my stuff together so I could switch class rooms. Every one was doing the same. Some finished getting there papers organized before others. I finally have everything I need to put in my locker, and better yet Annabel is almost done too.
    As I was walking to the door I could sense someone falling me from behind. I am not sure if I should look behind my shoulder to see if any one is following me just in case they find out that I know about it. Then again the class room is filled with people so they must be trying to get out of the door as well. I stopped in front of the class room door to wait for Annabel. As I suspected. The reason why she is taking so long is because people are either trying to talk to her, or they are all in front of her.
    “Hey, you didn’t answer my question. So, what are you doing after class?” Again it was Mark trying to start an easy conversation with me. It’s to bad he doesn’t know how shy I can be. There was a little bit of silence between our conversation. Mostly because I was trying to figure out what to say. It wasn’t like it was a hard question.
    “I’m going to put the papers and the books from this class in my locker. Then I’m going to take the supplies that I’m going to need for the next class out of my locker and head for my next class.” It was an easy and an obvious answer. What else am I supposed to do after a class? Obviously a student must get ready for the next one. Students don’t really have time to do anything else between classes. I saw Annabel staring at me and softly giggling to herself. I’m guessing that she heard the short conversation that Mark started. Although, I think Mark was trying to ask me something else besides, ‘what are you doing after class?’
    “I was actually thinking that we could hang out with the time we have between classes. Would you want to hang out with me?” Mark was calm. I don’t know why he would want me to hang out with him, I’m just like any other girl. Why doesn’t he ask any of them besides me? It would be the same as talking to me.
    At this point Annabel is standing beside me waiting for my answer. She was starring at me which kind of made me nervous. After all I was supposed to hang out with her after this class was over. I can’t stand thins. I’m just going to walk over to my locker and head over to the next class. I didn’t say another word to Mark . I just walked out of the class room. Annabel smiled and giggled again. She followed me to my locker. Annabel’s locker was only three lockers to the right of mine. I’m glad that we are close. I don’t know what I would do without her, and I don’t know what would happen to me if she wasn’t by my side.
   “Wow Jen, you rejected him. Then again that does sound like you since you don’t talk to anyone besides me.” Thank you Annabel. Thank you for making me feel a lot better for leaving Mark without an answer. You are a true friend. “What would you do if I was to say that I want you to meet some of my friends?”
    Meet her friends? Well, I’m not good with meeting new people. I’m not sure how I would handle, or even react to it. I would probably be to nervous and to shy to say anything. “I’m not sure what I would do. Why do you ask?” Annabel and I were only a few feet away from our next class, which was reading. Her eyes narrowed at me. I think I did something wrong. Did I say something to offend her?! Did I do something to her to make her act this way? “I’m sorry, did I say something to make you mad?” There was a couple seconds of silence. “I’m sorry.”
    Annabel sighed and told me, “Jennifer, please meet my friends after class. Think of them as extra protection from other creepy people that lurk in this building. Plus they are my friends, they aren’t going to hate you or any thing. Besides you need more friends. Stop being antisocial!” I let out a sigh and started thinking about her request. I should do it for Annabel. Besides it’s not like it’s going to kill me, but I’m going to be so nervous. We were outside the class room and more people wanted in side the room before they became late. I couldn’t be in other peoples’ way. I would only be creating problems for them if I did.
   “Okay Annabel. I’ll meet them, but I’m only doing it for you and because you asked.” Now she should be a little more happy. We walked in the room together with smiles on our faces. I could tell that it confused other people, but I didn’t mind. At least we weren’t late, and besides the confused students will forget it sooner or later. I was discouraged when Annabel left my side to sit at her spot which was two seats behind me. I could only wonder what she is thinking right now.
The teacher started by telling us to open our books to page fifty-one and to read the following chapters five, six, and seven. To remind us he even put the directions on the chalk board in a specific order. I was only a page short of finishing the seventh chapter before he interrupted me with the next set of directions. He began saying, “You should be down reading the chapters. Now I want you to write a summary of what just happened.”
    I guess I can start the summary. As I was writing the summary I figured out that there was people starring at me. I don’t know why they would be starring at me now. I took a look at my pencil, then my hair, and I finished with looking at my clothes. There was nothing wrong with me so why are they starring? Oh, Mark is sitting by them. That’s probably why they are starring at me. I wonder if he told other people about me not giving him a straight answer. I also wonder if he lied to them about it, but then again why would people lie to other people about me? I know I haven’t been talking much, but is that really a reason to lie about someone?
    “Pack your stuff up. What ever you didn’t get done today, you will get done later tonight.” The teacher made it very clear that we would get the work done tonight. I did the usual, gather my things together and head for the door. This time Annabel was waiting for me at the door. She had a smile on her face, and she was calm. I had a couple of questions about her friends, but then I guess I should ask them the questions and not her.
    “Hey Jen!” I turned my whole body around to see who was calling my name. It was Mark ’s friend, Mike. I gave him a stare, I wanted him to realize that it was my way of saying hello. “Hey, I thought that I would never caught up to you. So, what are you doing?” I took a glance to Annabel, she was waiting for me at her locker. I could see that she was talking to two other people, both of them were guys. So maybe Annabel’s friends are guys. I almost forgot that Mike was in front of me for a second. I guess I shouldn’t tell him, he might take it offensive.
    “I was just going to walk over to my locker.” I guess since Annabel wants me to meet other people, I should keep talking.
    “Um. Mark wanted to know why you bailed on him. Can you tell me why so I could tell him.” Mike was nice, but I felt uncomfortable with the question he had asked. I mean seriously, why can’t Mark ask me this himself, in person? I could feel my whole face get warmer, but I don’t know why it would do that. Mike raised an eye brow, this might not be good. My face just got warmer too. What’s happening?
    “Jennifer, are you blushing?” Mike did a small laugh, but it was thankfully not loud enough for other people to hear. Wait, I’m blushing? I don’t understand why I am blushing. Is it because of the question? I haven’t felt this under pressure in a while!
    “I, um. I,” I have no idea what to say. This is why I don’t talk to people like this! “I left Mark because I was going to do something with Annabel.” It wasn’t the smoothest conversation I have had, but it answered his question. I quickly turned around and walked slowly and calmly to Annabel. I saw this handsome guy lean on one of the lockers that I was about to pass by. I think it is partly scary that he is looking at me. I can already feel my self blush. Annabel says I blush when a guy looks at me, and she thinks I some times blush for no reason.
    “Hey Jenny! What have you been up to?” It was Marissa who was talking to me this time.
    “I’m just walking to Annabel.” I can tell that Marissa didn’t really like Annabel. To her, Annabel is different. I am aware that Annabel isn’t like the other girls, but that’s why I liked her. She wasn’t like every day snobby girls.
    “Oh, I’ll just let you do what ever you were doing before then.” Marissa hurried to another girl talking to her and looking at me at the same time. That’s when I knew she was talking about me. I took my eyes off her and put it back to Annabel, but then I noticed the handsome guy again. This time he was surrounded by girls. From the way he looked, he wasn’t interested in any of them. I wasn’t going to waste my time with any boys though. I had better things to do then to hang out with anyone other than Annabel. Surprisingly the handsome guy pushed his way through the crowd of four girls and it looked like he was trying to get to me. I guess loud and super talkative girls wasn’t his type. I just kept my head done and continued to my locker.
    When I finally reached my locker I was entering the combination to the lock when the Handsome guy took a hold of my arm. I didn’t know what to suspect. Maybe he just needs directions. I looked straight at him with my ice blue eyes. My blue eyes and his enchanting brown eyes met each other. There were only seconds of silence before he started talking to me.
    “Hello, is your name Jennifer Missouri?” I thought it was odd that he knew my name, or at least he thought he knew my name. “You have blue eyes, light blonde hair, you are very shy around others, and you like to keep to yourself by the looks of it.”
    “You know there are other girls that look like me, by the description you gave me there could be over fifty Jennifer Missouri’s.” He gave me a smile and I think he actually knew that I was indeed Jennifer Missouri.
   “Yeah, but the other girls aren’t exactly like you which means that there could only be one Jennifer Missouri in the whole school. Besides, the other girls don’t look exactly like you and they aren’t like you. They are loud, gossip freaks, and outgoing. They are not shy, quiet, have such beautiful blue eyes as you do, and they are not as gorgeous as you.” My face got from cold to hot. If I’m not blushing then I guess, well I don’t know. I can tell that I’m blushing, but more importantly who is this guy? How does he know about me? And what does he want?
   “Well then to answer your question I am Jennifer Missouri.” I really want saved from this moment. Before I knew it I saw Annabel from the corner of my eye. Soon enough she had a tight grip on my arm.
    “Hey, Caleb. I see you have already met Jennifer.” Annabel could clearly see that I was still looking at Caleb with confusion, and she could tell that I was a little embarrassed. “Jennifer this is Caleb Hart. He is one of my friends I wanted to introduce you to.”
     So that’s why Caleb wanted to know if my name was Jennifer! Then why didn’t he just go with Annabel and wait for me? It would’ve been easier for him, right? I turned my head to look at the other two guys that were talking to Annabel earlier. Both of them were standing beside Annabel, and they both were starring at me. I kind of feel uncomfortable. I wonder what they think of me. I guess I can’t just stand here being a frozen ice sickle, but I still don’t really know what to say. By now I was surrounded by Annabel and three other people that she knew. Caleb was leaning on the locker beside me, Annabel was on the left side of me, and the two other mysterious guys were standing in front of me. It was like a half circle with an extra person in the middle. I was the awkward person in the middle.
    I took a second to observe and describe how the three men looked like.
   “Jennifer, this is Pouge,” Annabel pointed to the guy with black hair, “and this is Kevin.” Annabel then pointed to the guy with reddish hair. I happen to see the clock that was on the hallway wall. The clock indicated that our next class would start soon. “Caleb, Kevin, and Pouge just came here about a week ago. I hope you don’t mind them hanging out with us for a while. Most of them have the same classes as us, so we should get to know each other more.”
    I don’t know what to say. I would like to know them more, but then I don’t want to. It’s Annabel’s request that I try to get to know them and open up a little more. If I didn’t do this for her then she would be disappointed that I’m not trying to do anything social. What if I get stuck in an awkward situation. How am I supposed to get out of that? Annabel won’t always be with me. Oh well, I guess if I don’t live a normal life then I will be all alone when I get older. But it wouldn’t feel any different then now since I’m basically alone without Annabel.
  “Okay, that’s fine by me. I don’t mind them hanging out with us.” I put a fake smile on my face to cover up my worries. I have to admit that I am a bit worried about all of this. My fake smiles and my cheerful self seems to be fooling people, but that’s is what I wanted. I didn’t want people worrying about me. If they did I would feel like I put a burden on them. I don’t really think of myself I think of others instead. I took a look at the clock again.
   “Annabel, it’s about time for our next class. We should be going now. I’ll see you after class, okay?” Annabel and I had a different class this time. My class was English, and her class was dealing with technology. Basically, she is dealing with computer stuff.
   “Okay, I’ll see you after my class. Um, I think Kevin is coming with me, Pouge is going to his reading class, and I actually think that Caleb is going to your class.” Caleb, the same Caleb that the other girls were basically drooling over? I would expect him to have all different classes then me. I kind of hope he won’t try to talk to me to much. I wonder where his assigned seat will be at in class.
   “Are you going to English class now, Caleb?” I do hope he has the same class as me though, I would like to get to know him, if not then being around him and Annabel would be enough for me. “Yeah, why do you ask?” I’m just going to guess that he doesn’t get the hint that I’m going to English class too.
   “That’s where I’m going too.” I can’t really stand this right now. I don’t completely know why, but I feel awkward. I turned my self to the direction of the class room that I needed to be in. I left Annabel alone with Caleb. I wonder what they are talking about, and I wonder what they think about me. Sometimes I wish I could read other peoples’ thoughts so I know what they think of me.
    Before I walked into the class room I heard Annabel say, “I apologize, Jennifer is a really shy person. She’s nice though, and she isn’t like all the other girls in school so we all should get along great.” I feel bad that Annabel had to apologize for me, but I guess I wouldn’t have the courage to do it. I hope I didn’t hurt their feelings or anything. I sat down in my assigned seat and got all of my papers and my books organized. I was fully prepared for class. I felt something hit my shoulder. It didn’t hurt; it was more of a poke then something serious. I wondered who tapped my shoulder so I looked behind my shoulder to see Mark ’s best friend, Mike. I had forgotten that Mike sat behind me in English class.
   He gave me a smile and began to say, “Hey, Mark told me to tell you that he wants to ask you a question.” Mike’s voice was dull. There was no excitement what so ever, but I still wonder what Mark wanted this time. I took my attention off of Mike and put it on my work.