Chapter 1

Just a little introductory note: I had a random burst of creativity, so I wrote down a chapter and sort of got an idea for a new story. :) (Which I will try not to quit, but you never know...) Anyways, I'm not gonna tell you what it's about this time. Just read and find out...that's what you do with a normal book, anyways. :P

The school bell rang and I headed to my usual spot to eat lunch: the last stairwell in the school. No one ever uses it because the only things that it leads to are the janitors' closet and breakroom. And they don't have the authority to put me in detention...it's not like I bother them. Most of the time I'm the only one here. Only 1 other student in the whole school knows about this place.

I looked out the window; it was so sunny outside. A squirrel was resting on the tree branch; I smiled sadly. So many bittersweet memories flooded in my mind. Was it really only a year ago?

I wasn't the only one involved in that event. Many of my friends experienced it - the terror, the guilt...but I think I'm the only one who had some glimpses of happiness.

Either way, we're all safe now, I thought, shaking my head. I shouldn't ruin such a bright day! Don't think gloomy thoughts, Jessie. Be happy with what you have.

Currently I'm a freshman at Belkins HS, home of the Beavers. A few years ago we were the Bulls, but some girls complained because they thought the school's mascot implied they were fat. Either way, it doesn't affect me. Pursing my lips in thought, I picked at a loose thread on my Orchestra shirt.

A shadow seemed to blanket me. It was probably just a cloud passing by the sun, but it made me shiver.

:) Thanks for visiting, reading, etc. I'm not putting anyone I know into this story so as to avoid hurt feelings...I'm not even in it. :) So this thing is really unrelated to us, but related at the same time. Does that make sense? :P