Cheryl [Before The Fire]:
I crouched in the janitor's closet, covering my mouth tightly. They could be anywhere around, listening attentively to any noise I made. I stood up and looked through the peep hole; they were gone. I quietly opened the door and slipped out. My heart was thumping loudly in my chest, as I carefully crossed the hallway.
"Hey!" Came that one voice from behind. I didn't have to turn to know who it was. I took quick steps and then began to run. Just when I turned to the left, a girl crossed my path, blocking me.
"Where do you think you're going?" Her face was serious. She came and grabbed my hair, pulling me away. The one behind me caught up with us and followed. They dragged me to the old basketball court and and beat me up. Why? You may ask.
Last Tuesday, I caught them engaging in an act that was quite unpleasant...yes, the two sisters! Seeing them was a mistake but they'd been threatening me since then not to tell anyone. It was hard running from them everytime, since I was already a target of bullies.
One morning as I stocked my locker with books, I noticed a large book leaning against the wall of the locker. Where did it come from? I picked it up and scanned it. It had the title 'Happy For Us'. Who put that there? A note fell from the book. It read, "Hey, try this book...focus particularly on Page 92. By the way, the library is the best place to hide. That's what I do everytime." A smile crept on my face. Who sent this note?
I put the book in my back and shut the locker, heading straight to class.
Immediately school closed, that is, after hiding from those bullies, I went straight to the community library. I felt slightly noticed becasue of the note kept in my locker. Maybe the library was indeed the best place to hide. At the front desk was a young girl my age with blonde hair and large brown eyes. She was probably the librarian's assistant. When she saw me, her face lighted up.
"Welcome." She smiled. "Please register your name here." There was a file with a pen attached to the table by a string. I wrote my name and proceeded to sit in the corner, reading the book I found in my locker. I caught the girl at the desk stealing glances at me from time to time. She was writing with her left hand and seemed to be focused on something else. She was really pretty, especially when the sun rays fell on her face.
I was so engrossed in the book that I didn't notice that time had flown by so quickly. It was practically evening now and I only noticed it when the girl came and prompted me that it was time to close up. We conversed for a short while and then departed to our individual homes. One thing she said kept ringing in my head, "Come again next time. This place is the best to hide." The note...that's the same thing that was written in the note. Was it her who wrote it? If so...why? I left the library and quietly walked home, feeling lightweight. Someone actually noticed me for good...for once.
The library became a regular visiting site for me. I went there during weekends and even during the weekdays when I was free. The girl at the desk, as I liked to call her, became close to me...not 'friends' kind of close. She was apparently the one who put the note and the book in my locker. So thoughtful! I never knew she attended the same school I did...I'd never seen her there before.
When I was done reading the book after a few days, I wanted to return it to her at the library but I was told she had already left for home. With the same energy and passion she used to make me feel better, I walked all the way to her place to give it back to her and to thank her for making me feel less jaded over the week. I'm glad she mentioned where she lived once.
My slippers splattered against the wet ground. There was a slight drizzle earlier and I prayed the rains wouldn't come when I was still on the way home. I saw her house in the distance. There was a girl...a tall girl in a tight black dress exiting the house. It looked like she was in a hurry. At the other side was a black Mercedes parked by the sidewalk. She quickly crossed the lane and then hopped into the car. It sped off, leaving a whiff of dust in the air. Who was that?
Before I could think, I heard a blast. Boom! Flames emerged vigorously from one part of the house, spreading quickly. My breath hitched...my heart pounded hard. What is happening? What do I do? Was she okay?...She can't die...'The girl at the front desk'...no...she can't die!