Saturday, ten thirteen AM. Sun was out, not a cloud in sight. Naturally, Bark was indoors. He sat in his usual spot at his desk, playing away at some game. Meanwhile, I sat at the desk beside him, working on an assignment.

Jealous, I glanced at Bark disdainfully. "You know this assignment is due on Monday?" I asked.

Bark frowned, keeping concentration on the game. "So what?" He replied.

I sighed and slumped backwards in my chair. "So, get it done and then you don't have to worry."

"What makes you think I'm worried?" He said, genuinely confused. "Why would I do something now when I can do it at the last minute?"

I glared at Bark. "You suck."

Pausing his game, he rested his hands on his keyboard. "Who sucks more, the one who spends hours on an assignment to get a passing grade or the one who does it in thirty minutes and gets an A?"

My hands shot into the air. "The second one! Very clearly the second one!"

Bark shrugged and returned to his game. As he did, the tip of his tongue poked out, meaning he was in the zone.

Barely resisting the urge to smack Bark, I returned to my assignment. He was annoyingly smart and could use minimal effort to score well on tests and exams. The exception to that rule was English for some reason. Me however, I had to work for a decent grade.

I trudged through my drama assignment, very slowly working away it. If only Evelyn took drama with me, then we could work on this together.

My brows drew together. Leaning my cheek in my hand, I tapped my face curiously. When had Evelyn snuck into my thoughts? It was weird to think about but seeing her would probably make my day better. She couldn't help with my assignment, but I'm sure it would be easier with her there.

I was still thinking about Evelyn when there was a knock at the door. Not bothered to get up, I simply yelled, "come in!"

The door opened and June let herself in. Wearing denim shorts and a green tank top, she walked past us, flopped onto my bed and groaned. "What are you two doing in here? It's a beautiful day outside!"

I sighed. "I'm doing an assignment. He has no excuse," I said, jerking my thumb at Bark, who was still engrossed in his game.

"I have an excuse," Bark retorted. "I prefer it in here. Why would I go outside if I don't need to?"

June sat up and pouted at him. "Because I asked you to?" She whispered softly.

Bark frowned and kept focused on his monitor. "June, I swear, you better not be pouting."

June smirked at me for a second before resuming her pouting. Now she added in some quiet whimpers.

Bark tried to ignore June, but he couldn't help it. He turned around to scold her, but her expression made him melt. He pointed accusingly at her and went to say something but wound-up muttering, "Damn it."

Standing, Bark closed his game and pushed his chair in. "Only for a little while," he said, shooting her a serious look.

"Yay!" She cheered, jumping from the bed and hurrying out.

"Come on," Bark said, kicking my chair before heading out.

Grunting, I closed my laptop, grateful that I had an excuse to study no longer. My head was foggy, and I couldn't think straight anymore. Everywhere I looked I saw actors.

I shoved the thoughts from my mind and strolled to the oval. Bark simply stood on the grass, a bored expression on his face. June ran away before turning and pulling a frisbee from seemingly nowhere.

"Where did that come from?" I mused quietly.

"Don't question it," Bark advised, raising his hand to catch the speeding disc.

Jogging backwards, I put some distance between us and waited. Sure enough, the frisbee came flying my way seconds later. The light blue colouring blurred into something darker.

So it went, we tossed a frisbee. Plain and simple. Nothing more to it. Though, my brain didn't know that. My eyes scanned the oval and noticed my peers. Not one looked like another, apart from the twins, but forget them. Everyone here was different; everyone was talented. There was something they excelled at. Whether academics, athletics, wit, or something greater, each one had a weapon.

That's when it dawned on me. Everyone in this school is dangerous. I'm a sheep amongst wolves and when they sniff me out, I'll be alone. Though, I'm alone already, aren't I?

These people, they only think us friends because of my deception. With this lie, I have isolated myself. I am alone. I am scared. Fear coursing through me, adrenaline flooded my veins.

Fight or flight? Stay or run? My brain screamed at me to do something, but I could only stand there. My eyes flicked between Bark, June, and the many others milling about the courtyard. I'm surrounded.

Surrounded? By whom? Enemies? Am I in danger? Do I fight or run? Too many. There are too many enemies. I can't fight. I must run.

My eyes grew wide as the frisbee whizzed past my ear. I stumbled backwards and fell. Blinking slowly, everything seemed so slow, but the noises were loud.

"You good?" June bellowed, her voice deafening.

Fingers clawing at the dirt, I scrambled backwards and to my feet. My tongue tripped over itself in desperate search of an excuse.

"I'm assignment. My, uh, assignment. My assignment, I need to do it." Hastily turning I began to jog for the dorms, but escape wouldn't be so easy.

June frowned, her eyes narrowing. "Fine, but at least throw the frisbee back."

Right, right, frisbee. The frisbee is. Ah, yes. Collecting the frisbee, I rushed a throw, and it flew wide.

"Sorry," I called, running towards the dorm.

I could feel their eyes on me and a pulse in my forehead. Safety, must get to safety. Past the dorms, trick them, fool them all. Then escape to the trees. No one is there. There is peace. Right?

Safety? What safety? These trees are tall, and the bushes are thick. Enemies could be hiding anywhere. This forest is safe? Nowhere is safe.

The urge to scream rose in my throat, but I tripped on a root and crashed to the ground. Hardly aware of the pain, I scrambled to my hands and knees and dragged myself to a nearby tree. Pressing myself hard against the trunk, the last remnants of sense escaped me.

Each second brought fresh horrors. Suddenly, I couldn't breathe. My gasps for air were ragged and pitiful. Every sound was a threat, and everything was against me.

Those thoughts filled my mind as a terror I had never known swept over me. I was safe. I could breathe. I was fine, but I didn't know that. All I knew was fear. It gripped me tight, and I couldn't escape its grasp. So, there I sat. Arms wrapped around my knees, I gently rocked myself beneath the shade of that tree.

After what seemed an eternity, my heart stopped racing and my breathing returned to normal. My eyes were still wide though, and fear still plagued me. I became aware of tears streaming down my cheeks.

Wiping away the liquid emotion, I took a deep breath. Deliberately trying to control my breathing. Eventually, I stood. Though, my body was shaking. I waited in a vain attempt to relax.

No matter what I tried, I could not calm myself. However, I did a good job of fooling myself. Thinking I was alright, I gathered my thoughts and returned to the dorms. One single phrase rang through my mind and pushed me forwards.

"A little farther. Just a little farther," I muttered creepily.

When I finally arrived back at the dorms, several hours had passed. The sun was past its peak and already dipping back towards the horizon.

I shoved open the door to my room and stumbled in. I didn't notice Bark, seated at his desk. Collapsing into bed, I lay my head on the pillow and thought I was relaxed, but my calm exterior hid a rigidity and a brewing storm.

"Where'd you go?" Bark asked, turning to look at me.

I didn't hear him. I only stared at the wall and felt my thoughts drift away.

Bark smirked. "Ah, you were with Evelyn," he said suggestively. Again, I didn't respond, making him frown. "Are you okay?" He asked.

Are you okay? The question ricocheted through my mind. Though, I was only dimly aware of it.

Is it possible to lie to yourself? It's not, right? If it were then that would mean that I'm not okay. I am okay. How couldn't I be?

"I'm fine," I muttered.

Bark was silent for a moment, but then quietly said, "Alright."

A sick smile slowly spread across my face. A giggle rose within me, but I fought it down. I've lied to you twice now, Bark. I wonder, will you ever know the truth, or will I be left to drown under the weight of my own lies?