ALANA

A small frail girl stares back at me. Her brown locks of hair covering her milky lilac and brown eyes and the scar that's just above her eyebrow. Her lips are set in a firm line, her nose scrunched up in concentration. Her skin was sickly pale and a purple bruise lays upon her upper arm where she was slammed into a locker.

It was my reflection. But it was different. It was as if I am seeing myself on the outside but not the inside. It was dark inside whereas in my reflection there in nothing. No darkness. Just me looking at myself.

A voice from downstairs brings me out of my thoughts and back down to Earth

My feet carry me down the stairs two at a time and into the kitchen where a aroma of bacon fills the air. Lucas stands behind the stove a 'worlds best mom' apron wrapped around his waist. My older brother spins around , pan in hand and smiles when his clear blue eyes meet mine "Good morning sunshine"

I give him a small smile. It feels tight on my lips and his own smile falters for a second before returning bright as ever.

He begins to fill two plates with food but before he can I put up my plate, grab a apple, kiss him on the cheek and rush to the door. Slipping on my rusted converse and grabbing my keys I rush out his protest lost from behind the walls of the house that haunts me....

I pull up to the 'Riverside High' sign parking right beneath it using it as a shade from the sun against my torn leather seats. I hop from my car, a rush of warm air blowing against my face and tossing around my hair. Slinging my bag over my shoulder I stare up and the schools polished quartz walls that sparkle like a million little bioluminescent organisms against white water.

Glancing down at my attire once more (ripped jeans and a flannel) I begin to walk towards hell.

When I step inside, it's like all eyes are on me. Judging me, shooting small daggers into my skin. It's like I was burning at the stake.
Do you ever just walk, and then you think about how your walking, so then you start to awkwardly walk?

Yup , that's me.

I lower my head to the ground, refusing to make eye contact because knowing if I do, I will instantly regret it. Knowing that if I did look up, and endless thread of hate will pound at the walls of my heart and I would break.

I slowly make the walk to my locker across the Clearing, occasionally tripping over my shoe laces or even my own feet.

It was so silent, it was like the silence where is so quiet that it's extremely loud. Where nothing is loud in your ears.

Don't get it?

Take a minute, stop everything you're doing , turn off any music your playing, any conversation your having, any work you're doing. Just stop and listen to the silence. If it is truly silent, you'll realize how loud it feels.

I finally reach my locker which felt like forever to get to. Fumbling with the lock my palms begin to sweat and my heart rate picks up. Everyone is watching .

I thought I finally got the number right so in effort to advert the attention I yank down on the lock, only it doesn't budge and it leaves my palm stinging.

Laughter erupts from all around me and I feel my cheeks heat up. I try again, but it still doesn't budge.

Laying my head against the locker I let the laughter in. There's only so much you can block out.

Ever so softly , I feel a light tap on my shoulder. But I don't turn around because I knew what awaited me. A coca cola to the face. But then I'm tapped again.

"Leave me alone" I grumble. Another tap, more impatient this time. I finally spin around on my heel closing my eyes tightly and awaiting my fate. But it never comes. Instead a husky low voice speaks unsurely to me.
"Uh, Alana, Right?" The voice speaks. My eyes flutter open coming in contact with piercing blue eyes. I almost gasp at the sight.
I'm so lost in his eyes that I barely hear him asking to get my attention.
"Alana??"
I snap from my daydream and glare at the boy in front of me.
"Go ahead do it, throw it all at me. I'm ready for it "
The boy only tilts his head confused
"Uh I was gonna ask if you needed help opening your locker.."

My eyes widen in shock and amazement as I am unable to currently utter any words.

"Um Alana?"

"Huh, oh yeah sorry. Sure, Thanks "

He gives me another unsure look before turning towards my locker. For a minute we just sit in silence . Again.

"What's your number?-"
"-I don't have a phone-" more giggles erupt.

"Locker number. I meant locker number"

I mentally smack myself across the face groaning at my idioticness. Of course he meant the locker.

"Oh uh, 12-20-32"

He starts to spin the numbers in, all eyes upon the two of us. I shift my feet uncomfortably my cheeks flaring up even more.

A clicking sound, followed with a pop and the screeching sound of the locker door opening causes me to look up in relief. He turns back around a small smile playing on his lips.

I quickly grab my books out placing them in my bag and offering him a small smile back.

"Uh thanks" I whisper for only him to hear. His blue eyes lighten to a even brighter shade of blue "Don't mention it"

Her gives me a lopsided smile, his messy platinum blonde hair falling over his forehead. I don't realize it till now, how his eyes bring out the freckles across the bridge of his nose and cheeks. And the small tattoo peaking out from beyond his collar bone.

I'm brought to attention when he speaks, his voice sending blissful chills down my spine.

Um, what?

"Ill see you around Alana Jacobs"

Yet again I'm stunned into silence.

Little did I know right then, Elijah Hoffman would change my entire life.

................................................................

So would you think of the first chapter?

Question// In the beginning of the story, it only mentions Alana's brother. Where do you think her parents are?

Sincerely,
Trinity.