Chapter 3

The next morning, Alice found the place covered in spilt beer and the girls sprawled over each other, asleep. She covered her nose, smelling vomit, and she got ready for school. She grabbed a quick breakfast bar and headed out the door, knowing she would be early to school. But, anything to get out o that house, she thought. She stopped at the crossing just before the school, daydreaming again. She looked up at the sky, wondering what would happen a week from now.

"Hey," a voice said from behind her, causing her to jump. She turned to see Hater. "Sorry."

"That's okay," she said. "I'm not paying attention again is all." They walked across the road and when they reached the other side, Hatter stopped her.

"Hey, stop for a sec," he said, gesturing her to sit down. She sat on the grass with him, and he expressed his worry.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm fine," she said, wondering what he was referring to. "Why?"

"I just...I'm just a little worried is all," he confessed.

"Why?" she asked, getting more curious.

"Well, I, and I apologize, I followed you home, and... I can smell that stench from outside... is that really your house?" Alice laughed.

"No, It's Maggie's. I usually go there after school to hang out..." he sensed trouble.

"Define 'hanging out'," he said, now really concerned. "That place is not who I met yesterday." Alice sighed.

"Well, to shorten," she said. "I go there, listen to them stay up all night. I fall asleep in the process and I wake up to a...not so pleasant room. It's not really mine, it doesn't describer me at all." Hatter sighed.

"I'm sorry for interfering, but why do you hang out with them if they don't even respect you?" he asked.

"I need some people to hang around with. Otherwise, school... I'd be suffering," she explained. Hatter sighed again, shaking his head. Alice sensed an issue.

"Hatter, what's wrong?" she asked.

"I'm... do you really want to know?"

"Yes."

"I'm worried about you," he said, and her eyes looked away, unable to face him. "I was worried before that that house was yours and all those girls, the smell. I was afraid you lied to me about who you are. Then, I hear this. I'm worried that one day, you will be like that...and..." he forced himself to stop.

"It's okay," she said. "I've tolerated them for a few years now. I never took a fondness to them, but they're the only people I've got." Hatter looked at her with shock consuming his eyes. The only people she had? he thought. What? He shook his head, trying to disable the shock.

"The only...Alice," he said, stuttering. "I'm...sorry." Alice looked at him this time, telling him there was no need for him to apologizing. It was common life for her.

"Let's forget this," she said, focusing on the positive note. "let's walk." As they reached the school building, Hatter stopped her once more.

"Alice, look at me," and she did. "I just want you to know that you can tell me anything. Please, if anything is bothering you, please come to me," he said. She only nodded. They walked in, awaiting the day.

Over the next week, her and Hatter became closer and closer every day. She trusted him much more than she ever had anyone else. They sat together at lunch, even had a few classes together. But the next week came, and so much happened at once. They were walking home, and Hatter was still worried.

"Look, I've seen your grades," he said. "Are you just too lazy or what?"

"Yeah, and that house doesn't help," she said.

"Look, I want to come into that house one day if you wouldn't mind," he said.

"Sure, that is, if you know what you're getting yourself into. Just not today," she said. "I actually have something to do." He nodded, not asking and not wanting to know what it was.

"See ya, Hatter," she said, waving as she made her way up the street. Hatter went home, thinking about Alice, worrying too much about her. He thought about what she was going through right now as he lay awake in bed. He didn't know why he thought of her so much, but he was getting very worried about her. He couldn't explain why, not even to his friend, whom he called March, over the internet. He had been on the webcam a while ago, and March thought he as just going through a phase. He hoped March was right. But, something about Alice wasn't right yet to him.

Meanwhile, Alice was on the trip of her life. She was walking with Jeff, who was attempting to flirt with her, but she wasn't getting it. The place she went with him was breathtaking, and she could not forget it. He hadn't kissed her or anything, but it was a huge step for her to be out with a boy. When he returned her to Maggie's they hugged and he walked off, wishing her a good night. That was the night when she got the most sleep she'd gotten in a while. The noise did not bother her tonight. While the curious explored, the insane was worrying. And he had a good reason too. Even better than he knew yet.