This chapter is kind of short so I apologize for that, but hopefully you'll enjoy the story. Thank you for reading!

''What a cold night!'' I said, pressing my lips to my scarf to keep them warm. My best friend Jake nodded in agreement. We were walking home from an extremely boring party and the only thing that was lighting the way were the street lights. Not to mention it was snowing! You could tell it was close to Christmas since your eyes would see snowmen practically every way you look. I got a temptation to walk over to every single one of them and kick them. It's not like I hated Christmas or anything, I mean, kicking snowmen and destroying what children made with joy just seemed like a lot of fun. I looked to one of the snowmen, then to Jake and back to the snowman, wanting him to join me. Jake was the exact opposite of me and people were often surprised how could so different people like us be friends. Correction, BEST friends. His hair was dark as night, while mine were blonde and long a bit past my shoulders. His eyes were sky blue and mine were green. He was a kind and open person, while I didn't like talking to anyone but him. It amazes me actually – the way he puts up with me. I'm sure, he must sometimes find me annoying, since we spent literally all our free time together, but i'm really thankful I have someone as wonderful as him in my life.

''Don't be ridiculous, Alice!'' he said, ''let's go home and you can release your anger on your pillows.''

''But I'm not angry. I just want to have some fun, since that party failed to do so,'' I opened my mouth to catch one of the snowflakes. Jake grabbed my hand and we ran home for the rest of the way.

My house was covered in lights – I guess my mom already did the decorations, and went a bit overboard like she always does. I sighed. I turned to Jake and he seemed to be stunned by the lights as well.

''C'mon lets go in, I'm going to freeze to death!'' I said through gritted teeth and reached for the house keys in my pocket. I unlocked the door and as usual, my mom was wearing her green jumper with santa on it as she always does after she decorates the house. My mom just really loves Christmas.

''Alice! Jake! You're home so early!'' she said with a goofy smile on her face.

''And you've already decorated the house.'' I tried to say without sounding riled. She smiled.

I ran upstairs to my room with Jake following me. As I entered my room I grabbed a book from my desk and sat on the floor, Jake doing the same. We always did this. We liked to read together.

''So what book shall we be reading this fine night?'' he asked and tried to grab the book. I held it up only so he would miss it. I laughed and showed him the cover of the book.

''AH! As usual!'' he smiled. ''Peter Pan!''

''I can't help it alright? You know it's my favorite book!'' I returned him the smile.

''I know it is dear Alice. Would you mind giving me the honor to read the first chapter?'' he stretched out his hand for me to hand him the book.

''Alright! Lets get down to busine-'' he failed to finish what he was saying since the windows suddenly burst open thus making the snow fall in my room. I let out a small scream. Jake seemed to be taken by surprise too.

Jake quickly got up and said he'll get my mom and ran downstairs. I quickly ran to the window to close it when I saw something that seemed like a shadow looking back at me. I closed the window and stared at it through glass. I must've been just imagining stuff but I could've sworn the creature's lips were forming my name.

''Alice,'' the shadow whispered. She blinked to make sure she wasn't making up things. She couldn't turn her eyes away from the shadow which kept repeating her name. She made a few steps towards the window. Following the sound of her name she kept getting closer and closer to the shadow. She was just reaching for the window to open it when she heard footsteps approaching her room. She quickly turn her head around to see my mom and Jake coming a few moments later behind her and both completely out of breath.

''Mom! It's just stairs!'' I say, looking at her green Christmas sweater. It was hideous and funny in a way which amused me. Mom kept breathing faster and didn't respond. Jake looked at me and asked if I was alright. I nodded. I mean, nothing serious happened? Except for the fact that I got paid a visit by a weird creature that completely freaked me out. Speaking of THAT, I turned my eyes to the window only to see if the shadow was still there. It wasn't. How odd, I say to myself.

''Huh? Did you say something?'' I heard Jake say.

''Nope,'' I lied. I looked over to my mom and she looked quite alright now. She was sitting on my bed and looking at the window and then Jake. He must have already told her what happened.

''How strange,'' she quietly says but I could hear her. ''Well kids, seems like the weather's just being a B- tonight, if you know what I mean. Not a big deal and nothing to freak out about.''

She was looking at me while she said the last sentence. I don't understand. I wasn't even making a big deal out of it? She must've heard me scream before I suppose, but that was just out of surprise and definitely NOT fear. I looked at Jake, noticing he was returning the look.

''Hey Jake, where's the book?'' I asked, noticing it wasn't in his hand anymore. Jake looked at his hands and seemed surprised as well. His eyes widened and I curled the corners of my mouth because he looked like a terrified boy.

''OH MY GOD!'' he nearly screams. ''ALICE I DONT KNOW!''

I started laughing like crazy when suddenly mom interrupted my happiness.

''I took it. When Jake came for me, he accidentally dropped the book and didn't even notice it,'' she said giggling. I sighed out of relief. Oh thank god.

''Oh where did you put it?'' I asked her. Mom got up and started walking out of my room. I closed the door and stepped between it and my mom.

''Where did you put it mom?'' I asked again, this time louder.

''Away, dear,'' she said with a smile. ''But it's not like you'll need it or anything. You're eighteen years old now Alice. Don't you think it's time to stop wasting your time with such childish stories?''

I looked at her as if she just slapped me. ''Excuse me!? I'm not wasting my time and for the record, I absolutely love this story! What's wrong with being attached to something?''

''Or someone,'' she says under her breath. ''What?'' I say, crunching my eyes. I could completely hear her. ''What's that supposed to mean?''

''Oh nothing dear. Lets just forget about it, alright?'' she said all this STILL keeping a smile on her face. What the hell is wrong with her?

''No,'' I say. ''Not until you return what's mine. I want my book back.''

My mom sighed, grabbed my shoulders and pushed me from the door so I was no longer blocking it. I didn't even fight back though I wish I would the minute she left the room.

''Well…'' I heard a voice behind my back. Oh god, I had completely forgotten Jake was in the room with us! ''You know what? I know how much that book means to you, so I'm going to help you find it. BUT,'' he says ''only if I get to read not one, but TWO chapters! Deal?''

I smiled. ''Deal.'' My goodness, how I'm thankful to have a friend like Jake.

It was almost 11pm and it was dark, plus my mom was at home so we couldn't look for the book now. We decided he'll come over tomorrow, when my mom's at work and we can search for it in peace. Jake was putting on his coat and I hugged him in goodbye. We said good night to each other before he headed back home. Meanwhile I was walking back to my room I saw my mom in the kitchen, sitting behind the table twirling a fork between her fingers. She seemed to be thinking about something and I was wondering what it was. I was still curious about the reason she took away my book. It made absolutely no sense. I quickly turned my eyes away, hoping she wouldn't notice I was staring at her and ran back to my room. As I entered my room I noticed the windows were open again. Did someone open them? But who? I rapidly closed them once more. As soon as I turned around, I saw a black figure approaching me. I thought it was the shadow and my thoughts were confirmed as soon as I heard it saying my name again.

''Alice.''