The next morning was class. I had math first.
"You ever gonna get up?" Mary was over my bed, her hair scattered and her eyes sagged with black rings.
"Did you sleep?" I asked her, smirking, sitting up in bed.
"Couldn't. I was too scared. Raleigh, I hate this. I want to go home." Mary sat on my bed, her eyes swelling with tears.
"I know, I'm nervous too, but you'll meet new people. And anyways I'm-"
"I know you're here. That's halve of why I hate it!" Mary screamed her face red.
I sighed, and propped my back against the pillow behind me. I waited for her to stop crying. Finally she looked up.
"Raleigh, I'm sorry. I really am. I…I'm not sure how to act around you."
"Let's start by getting to class. We can figure this all out later." I got out of bed, patting her shoulder gently, hoping I could finally get her to trust me. I needed someone; also, I couldn't be alone in such a big school. For once, I needed to trust Mary.
Mary and I got dressed. Janice, our room mate, was in the showers. As I pulled on a skirt and white top, Mary stopped me.
"Did you hear it last night?"
I wasn't sure exactly want she was talking about. I raised an eyebrow, and began to collect my books. I stuffed them in my book bag.
"I heard a scream. I heard someone in water, splashing. I heard a howl, and I was so scared. Tell me you heard it." Mary sounded unsure. Maybe she thought she was going crazy.
I straightened up. I scratched my hair, and looked at her.
"I dunno…" I spoke. I thought it was just my dream.
"I heard it, Raleigh, I know I did. I wasn't dreaming it. This place gives me the creeps."
I thought it over. Maybe it wasn't a dream. Maybe…maybe I actually heard it. But, if people heard us talking bout this, people might think we where going crazy. I didn't need that right now.
"Sure I did. But, Mary, I don't know how many people heard it, so…let's keep this between us. Alright?" I whispered. I didn't notice that Janice had come in, drying her hair with a towel, behind me. Mary didn't notice either.
"Sure." She agreed.
"I heard it." She spoke, her voice cracking.
I turned. Janice was smiling, but her smile was weak. Her long blonde hair was wet, and looking a little messy. Her green eyes flashed.
"See?" Mary cried her eyes like shinning apples.
"Maybe we where just dreaming." I tried, my hands waving.
And then it was there again.
"There!" Mary cried, triumphant.
It couldn't be anything serious. Maybe just the howling of the wind.
And again…
"Don't worry." Janice placed a steady hand on my shoulder, "Your not going crazy."
"Easy for you to say." I muttered.
"Maybe we should ask a teacher…" Mary wondered allowed, now heading for a position at the window. I looked out quickly, but turned my head. Maybe I was afraid of what I might see. Those silver eyes, staring back at me, threw those deathly scary bushes. I was afraid of what was out there.
"No." Janice said harshly. " teacher's won't believe me."
She said 'me' as thought she could care less about what happened to us. But she turned and grinned at me. I just nodded.
But, right then, all I could think about was class. I leap for my bag, and without another word, I headed out the door.