Written by user Gold_star21

No more school. No more class. No more worries. Spring break was coming and I was ready. Just five more minutes until it officially started, but everyone was starting theirs now.

"There's still five minutes! Pay attention!" Ms. Henley shouted. Despite her kind sounding name, the woman was ruthless. There was always a pop quiz up her sleeve - no, a pop test. I bombed her final with a 72%. Even Quinn Finn (who would name their kid that?), a well-known academic over achiever, got a B-.

One of my friends, Alex, leaned over and whispered, "What are we gonna learn in five minutes?"

With her ears of a wolf, Ms. Henley shoots him a glare. Alex never got in trouble with her. Neither did I, but the difference was I was afraid I would be caught by her wrath and Alex wasn't.

Those last minutes passed and the bell released us. Like a herd of wild animals, all the students rushed out of the room. Alex ran with the crowd, so instinctively, I did too.

The surge of energy brought me to the exits where Alex stood waiting. He was the faster runner out of the two of us. That was why he casually leaning against the door when I finally reached him.

"Hey, I have to wait for my sister today. I'll catch you later, all right?" He turned to me.

I agreed to see him later and made my way to the parking lot. From a distance, I could hear laughter and giggles. My eyes peered at the source of the sound.

It was Annalise Parker. The honey blonde haired girl looked at me with a smile that faded as she saw me. It sent a flood of sadness through my body. Although she's lived across from me for as long as I remember, we've never talked.

Annalise has always baffled me. She seems so sweet and innocent on her exterior, but I knew she always hid something deep on the inside. My finger was never put on it and it's kept my curious mind wondering.

"Anna and David sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!" Instantly, I knew who it was: Tara, my utterly pep happy sister.

"You know that's not true. Just get in the car." I say but not in a demanding voice. Tara was a freshman, same with Alex's sister. My sister often teased me about liking Annalise. I'll never admit to it, but it was sort of true.

Annalise has always had me intrigued. She was a good girl but was also experimenting with her wild side. There was something you could learn each day from that girl.

"Earth to David," Tara waved her hand in front of my face. "Drive. I want to go home. And stop staring at her. It's kinda creepy."

I rolled my eyes and began the drive home. While Tara incessantly blabbed about how amazing today was, I stayed silent and she took notice.

"I heard a rumor today. It was about Annalise." She peeks over to see if I'm listening. I try my hardest to look like I don't care.

Curious, I ask, "Really? What was it?"

"Just stop making that face. It makes you look as if a bee stung your eye. Just stop. It's freaking me out." Tara's eyes begin squinting like she's looking at the sun. Her lips curve up the slightest amount to reveal her teeth.

"Anyways, I heard she was going to sneak out tonight and go on an epic summer trip."

"You do know it's spring break right?" I cautiously correct my sister.

"Do you want to hear the juicy gossip or not?" I put my hands up in defense. "Hands on the wheel, mister!" She screams the last part. I immediately put my hands down and gripped the wheel tightly.

We eventually made it home and the evening rolled by. Mom and Dad came home late once again. Before the parents arrived, Alex stopped by to hang out. I noticed Tara got flustered by his presence. She began stuttering and intertwining her finger like they were vines, thing she only does when she gets nervous. How cliché, she likes her brother's best friend.

Balled up notes were sprawled across my room with only a few in a can. It was obvious the ones that made it in the can were Alex's. In that time, my parent came home. I eyed the clock. 9:48. My window had the perfect view of Annalise's house which lay across the street, not that I used it to spy on her.

Ten minutes later I hear a car door slam shut. It was Mr. Parker, Annalise's father. My eyes follow to the window. I see a figure looming in the shadows. The figure waits until Mr. Parker goes inside until he or she makes a move. Hints of honey blonde hair left me in shock. Tara was right; Annalise was sneaking out.

"Alex, look at this." I call him over.

He snickers. "I wonder what dark secrets she has."

A faint ding came from my pocket. My hands fumbled for my phone. When I looked at the screen, my eyes blinked twice to make sure I was seeing it correctly. I wasn't seeing it wrong.

ѕнe нaѕ plenтy тo ѕнare wιтн yoυ. wanт a нιnт aт one?

I stare at the screen for another moment. Then another text comes in. Only this time, it's a photo. There's a girl. She's kissing someone. It was clear the girl seen in the image was Annalise. I didn't know she had a boyfriend.

Alex put a hand on my shoulder. "What's that?" He asked before the realization hit him. "Oh, sorry."

Another text came in.

go now and ѕee wнo тнe real gιrl ιѕ ιn тнe pιcтυre

"Are you going to do?" Alex questioned. I honestly didn't know. Instincts took over and the words slipped out of my mouth.

"I guess I am," The words come out like a waterfall. "You can come too."

I shove some clothes in a bag and stash money in a wallet. Alex barrels down the stairs. Before I go down, Tara stops me.

"I heard your plan. Don't do anything stupid and call if you need help." She looks at me with worried eyes.

"Were you eavesdropping?" I scold, and Tara shrinks. "You know you shouldn't do that! I give you your privacy and you give me mine."

"I'm sorry, but I'm just worried. It's not a good idea to go."

I assure her. "We'll be fine. I'll make sure to bring him back in one piece so you can stare at him all day."

"That's not what I meant! Just don't die." She pushes me away.

I stumble down the stairs to hear my mom shout, "Have fun at your sleepover!"

I place my hand on my forehead. "Mom, it's not a sleepover. I'm just staying over at Alex's."

"Right, but you are sleeping over at his house."

"Bye, Mom!" I wave and walk out the door.

Alex was leaning against his car when I saw him. I carry myself over to the passenger seat and fall in. Before Alex can say anything, I warn him in a slow voice, "Don't say anything."

"Sleepovers, huh?" He snickers as the car starts.

I sigh. "Just drive and don't talk."

Surprisingly, that's exactly what Alex did. The car drove to the neighborhood exit. Annalise's ride was no where in sight. We lost her barely five minutes into the chase.

тaĸe a leғт. yoυr welcoмe.

Another text came to me. This person even put the wrong "you're." Alex sees the text and goes in that direction. Another text didn't come, however there was only one way to go: straight. We had to stop at the light when I saw a familiar vehicle. Annalise. Alex takes note and followed my implied message.

My eyes grew tired. The last thing I saw was a light, reminding me of how bright Annalise's smile could be.

"Hey, wake up." Alex nudges my shoulder. "She stopped here."

I rub my eyes. Blurry images come to me but soon become clearer. The place is somewhere I don't recognize but must mean something to her.

Alex asks the same thing I was wondering, "What is this place?"

"I have no clue." I answer with all that I know. "Annalise, what are you doing here?"