I blinked my eyes open, the morning light coming through my window burned my eyes.
I sat up and groaned. My body was so sore, and also a little grungy.
I smelled like the inside of a box that has been left untouched in an attic for fifty years.
Just a downright musty, dusty, dirty smell. Ugh.
I got out of bed and stretched my sore muscles.
Then I made my way to our bathroom.
I stripped down and stepped into the shower, turning on the water.
It soothed my aching muscles to the point where I lost track of time.
Eventually the water became cold and I shut it off.
I stepped out and shook the excess water off, then I wrapped a powder pink towel around my body and a light lilac one around my hair.
I opened the door and stepped out of the bathroom, I shivered as the cool air conditioned air hit my skin.
I quickly pranced back to my room and shut the door.
I glanced at the clock. Oh no! I'm going to be late for school!
I dropped my towels and ran to my closet.
I flung the door open and grabbed the first things I saw:
I pair of flare jeans in a very light powder blue, a light purple tank top with lace details.
I fling open the drawers of the small dresser next to my closet and grab:
A plain white cotton underwire bra, and a pair of light pink cotton Hello Kitty panties.
I snatch the brush from on top if the small dresser and ran everything over to my unmade bed and plopped it down.
As quick as I can I pull on my underwear and yank on my jeans, then I hooked on the bra and pulled the tank over my head.
I rushed over to my light green framed full length mirror and ran the brush through my messy tangled hair.
I gave myself a once over, then grabbed my baby blue socks with the little white flowers out of the bottom drawer of my small dresser.
And I grabbed my white converse sneakers out of the corner.
I glance at the clock again as I pulled on my socks and shoes.
I think I might actually make it!
I grabbed my little powder pink backpack out of the same corner, and I rushed out of my room, ran down the stairs and out the front door.
I got on my light green bike with blue flowers that was leaning against the side of our house and rode hard and fast towards the school.
I was sitting in class while the teacher talked about the importance of all the different microorganisms and how they help or disrupt our daily lives.
The image of those eyes... And that face! It's all so clear, the memory replays over and over in my head. I didn't know what to make of it. Aerie told me it was just my imagination...
But I know what I saw! And it WAS real! I just know it was...
Aerie's still angry at me for making us leave before she was able to get the proof, which is what we went there for in the first place. Lost in thought, I sighed.
Then someone cleared their throat. I looked up and Mrs. Hennagen was standing in front of me with her arms crossed, tapping her foot.
"Day-dreaming again, Miss Vying?"
I looked down at my entwined hands, shameful.
How could I let myself get distracted from my work...again? Ugh. I'm so ashamed...
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Hennagen..." I said quietly, letting the shame I felt color my voice.
She shook her head in disapproval, turned around, and walked back to the chalkboard.
She continued with the lesson while these thoughts continued to assault my mind.
When class let out I made my way to the lunchroom.
After I got my lunch I glanced around and found Aerie.
She was across the room, sitting at one of the tables with a few other people.
As I walked up to her I tuned in on what they were saying, they were in the middle of a conversation.
"-not get it?!", said one guy.
I don't really remember his name...
"Don't worry, Aron.! We're going back tonight, anyways. Don't make such a big deal", said Aerie.
Right. His name is Aron. Aron Connors. We have History class together.
I put my tray on the table next to Aerie and sat down.
"We're going where tonight?", I asked as I picked at my food.
"To that old house in the woods, of coarse!", replied Aerie.
My finger froze on my cinnamon roll.
"What? We're not going back! We have no idea what that thing was!", I exclaimed.
"There was no thing! It was just your imagination. Admit it! Your fear got to you and made you see things that were not even there!", Aerie exclaimed back.
"It was something! I know it! I know what I saw!", I exclaimed even louder.
Everyone at that table went "Shhhh!".
Aerie said, "What are you trying to do? Get us caught?!"
She saw the light bulb spring on in my head and said,
"If we get caught they'll tell the authorities. Then we'll get arrested. Then we'll be suspended from school. Then they'll hire people to destroy the house...and you'll lose all those precocious old irreplaceable books that you treasure so dearly..."
And just like that the light bulb in my head not only went out, but shattered completely.
I frowned as Aerie grinned. We finished lunch in silence.
