Changing

Chapter 1:

I hear the sounds of my feet hitting the ground in a rapid pace. I’m running, I’m trying to get away. I feel the panic in me worsening, he’s fast, too fast. As I’m running through the darkened woods I beg for mercy and hope I don’t stumble over my feet. One moment of hesitation and he’ll get me. I plead to myself, I’m too young to die, please, I’m only 17. I hear nothing, quietness, I look back and notice he’s gone. Relief comes over me as I’m about to stop running, then my body slams into what felt like a wall. It was him. He’s got me, and he grabs his knife and slams it into my side, then chest, with no sign of ever stopping.

“Scarlett…wake up, were here”, my sister Riley yells. I awake to our new surroundings finding broken branches and rotting fences. Further up the small hill, an old house sat vacant, for what seems like many years, until today. The house stood with pale blue siding and has massive front porch inviting us to use.

“It’s cute, I like it”, I proclaim.

“Good, mom is tired of hearing you complain”, Riley crinkled up her nose in annoyance.

Riley and I used to be close, but as we got older and when the incident happened, we both changed. She would go out and party, drink, smoke, and who else knows what. She’s 19 and should be in college but was kicked out of her university due to poor grades and academic integrity. Riley has long blonde locks that have the perfect wave to the point she doesn’t even have to try, she’s gorgeous. Her body was the right amount of curve and fitness, always showing it off and grabbing the attention of boys. I’ve always been a little jealous of Riley because of her good looks and confidence, making me seem like the other child, always in her shadow.

I on the other hand was the complete opposite. I have dark chocolate brown hair, and it does have waves like Riley’s, but it always looks like a mess. My body isn’t perfect, I have a bigger build than my sister, and I wouldn’t say it was bad but compared to hers it was a noticeable difference in size. I always compared myself to her, that’s why I never truly felt confident enough to go out and be a normal, sociable teen. I’ve never really been a typical teen, I enjoyed reading and swimming. I had been on the swim team since I was 9, back in Wisconsin. Things are different now; I don’t have the energy to continue with swimming and no motive to make new friends.

Things haven’t been the same since dad passed away 7 months ago and taking a piece of mom with him too.

Our dad had gotten into some trouble with these men a couple years before he died. I wasn’t ever told what got him caught up with those despicable men. One-night mom and Riley went out to go to the movies, I wasn’t feeling up to it since I had a swim meet the next day and decided it was best to stay home. Dad opted to stay home too so he could catch up on some work around the house that he had kept pushing off. Dad and I had our own little dinner and I gave him a kiss goodnight and went up stairs to my room. I slipped into my t-shirt and shorts, something I always wore to bed, and then jumped into bed eager to get some sleep.

I woke up around 11:00 p.m. to muffled voices that sounded angry. I thought maybe mom and dad had gotten into an argument but realized mom wouldn’t be home for another 30 minutes or so. I had made my way over to the stairs in hopes of hearing what they were talking about. As I had approached to the top of the stairs two unrecognizable male voices were heard along with my dad’s. I still couldn’t make out what they were saying but I could hear the fear in my dad’s voice. At one point I could make out him saying it was just him and that no one was home. The men then started beating him with such force I didn’t know existed. I gasped in fear and begged silently for them to stop but I couldn’t stay long enough to know if they did. I had crept to my room and dialed 911 and hoped they would get here in time to help dad. After speaking to the 911 operator for what seemed like hours, I heard a loud bang. It wasn’t from objects falling or being thrown or even broken. Panic started to fill me when I finally figured out what it could’ve been. A gun shot.

Petrified, I dropped my phone making a loud thud on the floor. Unfortunately for me, the men downstairs must have heard it because I then heard fast paced footsteps that managed to get closer and louder with each one. I had run a locked my door panicking, I grabbed my phone and hid in my closet. The 911 operator was still on the phone trying to calm me down and keep me on the phone. Every few seconds she would tell me the police are close and getting there as fast as possible.

My doorknob had begun rapidly shaking, telling me they were trying to get in. I then heard yelling from them telling me to get out and they were going to get in. Next thing I knew my door was busted opened and then police sirens were prominent. The police opened the closet and found me sitting in the corner with the phone in my hand shaking.

The men somehow managed to flee unnoticed leaving behind no DNA or any form of evidence that would be able to identify them. That night felt like days but it had only been 20 minutes or so. My mom and Riley showed up to the scene and was told the news of what happened.

The police still haven’t managed to find the men who had killed my father. My mom didn’t feel safe anymore and decided to move us to another state, one with gorgeous mountains that prevented you from getting decent cell phone service. I didn’t mind not having great service but Riley on the other hand demanded for us to get wi-fi as soon as possible. One of the greater things about us moving here is that our neighbors are about a mile away, meaning less chances of bumping into them. I hated making small talk, especially with strangers.

“Are you going to grab your bags or not?”, Riley said in a snarky tone.

“Yes…geez…can you quit being so rude?”, I asked.

“Can you quit ruining everything?”, she spit back.

Dad would always be the mediator between Riley and I, Mom just lets us deal with it ourselves, which in a way could be good or bad. Mom has been out of it since dad passed, she normally drinks her sorrows away which ends up just making it worse. She’s trying to get better but I know it’s tough for her. As much as I didn’t want to move, I was optimistic about it, knowing it would be better for all of us.

Riley was the first to run into the house, looking for the stairs to go to the second floor. She was determined to find the best room and leave me with the one she didn’t pick. I was fine with any room if I would be able to read in peace and be able to get away from my thoughts.

Riley of course picked the biggest room, besides moms. As I was making my way up the stairs, I could see the dark flooring of the staircase connecting to the same flooring in the hall. It was a nice house, big, old, but homey. Straight across from the stairs was a room, no, more like an office. It had built in shelves and an old desk with a chair sitting next to it. Looking to my right from the stairs I noticed Riley coming in and out of the last on the left, the one before hers was moms. The two other bathrooms were on the right side, it was an odd layout, but I didn’t mind it. Passing moms room, then the bathrooms, I made my way to the very last door at the end of the hall.

Perfect.

It was a nice cozy room, not too big, not too small. It gave me the comfort of a small room but wasn’t so claustrophobic. It was a good size and to make it better there was a little nook that had a window pointing to the most beautiful scenery. The mountains were clearly visible from the window and you can see trees for miles, there’s even a little pond that some animals go to in order to get a drink.

I think I might enjoy myself here, more than I had originally thought.

…

I start to unpack my room and get everything set up in the correct place. The movers had already brought our big items in and managed to put most of everything where we wanted, all I had to do was put up my little items. I set up my essentials for tomorrow, clothes, toothbrush, hairbrush, and my bag for school. I start my first day of my new school tomorrow, I was nervous but excited, I liked learning. I wished we were given at least a week to move and settle in, but mom said it’s for the best. I think she wanted us to be out of the house so she could do some day drinking. Riley hasn’t signed up for any community colleges but she plans on spending the day looking for jobs, to me I think she just wants to find some guys to hang out with.

I hope my first day of school will be average, no bullies, no new friends. I would eventually like to make some friends but I’m not ready yet. I needed some more time to cope with dad’s death and I know making friends would be good but I can’t bring myself to make any right now.

I finished unpacking most of everything and decided to take a quick shower. I grabbed a t-shirt and some comfortable shorts and made my way in that direction. The bathroom is very old fashioned, and I honestly love it. I’m starting to really enjoy the house a ton more than I thought I ever would.

As I take my shower, I ponder what life will be like from here on out, will I have friends, maybe 2 or 10. I wonder how things would be if dad was here still, or if I had managed to help him somehow. My thoughts start to darken and I start to become sad and tired, irritable. I shake off my thoughts and hop on out of the shower. Changing and then grabbing my things, I head back to my new room and jump into my bed. It’s the same one from Wisconsin, uncomfortably comfortable. I soon drift off to sleep.

Chapter 2:

“beep…beep…beep…beep”, My alarm blares.

“ugh…”, I sighed

It is 6:30 a.m. and my first day of my new school. I felt the urge to throw up, I don’t want to go but I do. The thought of meeting my new teachers excites me, but the overwhelming feeling of nervousness keeps coming out at the thought of the students who attend there.

Snaking my way out of bed, I start to get ready

…

I could feel the butterflies in my stomach resurfacing, the urge to throw up making its way back. I can’t tell if I’m excited or nervous, maybe both. It doesn’t matter anyways because were here. As we pull up to the school, a sign saying Miltons Hills High School appears out from behind the trees that covered it slightly. Being as I am already enrolled all I need to do is go grab my schedule from the front office.

I walk into the massive front entrance looking around at everything. It’s nice. Old fashioned too, it looks like the rich kid schools from the movies. I locate the sign that says office and nervously taking steps towards it.

Not many people are in the hall considering class was about to start. I wasn’t late, I just didn’t think about having to find all my classes and the offices. I stepped into a room filled with the school’s staff, printing papers, typing, and getting lesson plans. I walked to the front desk and told them my name which then they presented me with my new schedule. I looked over it confirming the classes I already knew I was taking. I then make my way and head back out to the hall and hope to find my first class.

I look around and can’t seem to find the room number of the class I was supposed to be in. When I was about to give up and go back to the office, I hear a deep scratchy and powerful voice from behind me, shaking me to my core, “you lost?”. I whip around to find a man, no boy, who looks very mature for his age. His jet-black hair was messy and flipped to one side of his head, he wore a black t-shirt with the words Nirvana on it. I thought to myself that must be the band when I realized I didn’t answer him back. I looked back up at him and was embarrassed to find his icy blue eyes staring down at me. He had to be at least 6 foot 2, I’m 5.5 and he towered over me.

“Y…yes…”, I stuttered out embarrassed.

“Do you want me to help you out”, he laughed amused.

I nodded in agreement and he took my schedule from my hands motioning for me to follow him. As we walk towards my first period, I couldn’t help but notice his muscular build, he must be on the football team or any sports team. We approach a dark wooden door with the numbers 103 and the name Harper above the door frame.

“Alright this is your room…geometry”, he says looking down at me. It’s like he’s staring into my soul, mysterious, frightening, yet exciting. I wasn’t sure what I was feeling but I think I like it.

“Names Levi…yours?”, he asked curiously

“Scarlett”, I quietly pronounce, too nervous to say it aloud.

“Nice to meet you Scarlett, I’ll see you around since it looks like we have the same 3rd and 5th period”, he exclaims with a hint of amusement in his voice. He then walks off keeping his eyes on me for a little longer, then facing away to go to his class.

I take a deep breath and wait a few seconds then I open the door to Mrs. Harper’s geometry class. As soon as I stepped inside I felt everyone’s eyes dart towards me. Embarrassed I quickly glance at them then back to the floor.

“Ah you must be the new student…Scarlett right?”, she asked looking for my approval. “Alright you can sit next to June, June raise your hand”, a girl with short black hair raises her hand. She has this rocker vibe to her, she’s wearing mom jeans, vans, and of course a band t-shirt. For a second, I thought maybe this school has a dress code that you can only wear band t’s, but that would be ridiculous.

I sat down in my new seat June turning towards me curiously, staring. I look back at her, her bangs touching just below her brows, she was very pretty, and I couldn’t help but stare. Finally, she whispers, “I like you, sit with me at lunch”. Shocked that I might’ve already made a new friend despite not wanting to, I look at her questionably.

“Relax, I know what it’s like to be new…just figured I could keep you company”, June exclaims.

I nod my head in agreeance, then turning to listen to Mrs. Harper.

…

I made it through my first two periods, June helped me find my second period. In the time of walking to my next class, we talked a little and she seems genuinely nice. I hope it will stay like that.

Managing to make it into my third period with no issue, I talk to my teacher who assigns me a seat in the second to last row to the back. Fortunately for me no one else has come in yet. I take out my phone to read a little of the book I had on there. As I was reading, I see a drop-dead gorgeous girl walk in.

She flipped her long, straight, blonde hair over her shoulders, staring at me for split second then turning and going towards her desk. She had on a short pale blue dress that complimented her already naturally tan skin. I stared in awe for few seconds then looking back at my phone.

The students had roughly five minutes left before class started, I made sure I used that time to my advantage to read a little. When I was about to read the next chapter, Levi came in. I had forgotten he said we’d have this class together. A form of excitement filled my stomach, I wasn’t sure as to why, I barely know him, in fact I don’t know him at all. I saw him glance at me for a second and then look away and head to his seat. He sat down next to the blonde and looked back at me quickly again. I started to feel self-conscious and nervous now. Why didn’t he say anything? Did I do something to upset him? Am I ugly?

I shook my head to bring me back to reality. I didn’t want to already have these thoughts before the day even ended.

I looked back at Levi and the blonde. I saw her flirting with him, or at least what I believe to be, I’m not very good with those kinds of things. He seemed to be doing the same back, I then realized that must be his girlfriend, of course. How could a guy like him be single; the hope that I once felt drifted away.

Class just ended and I made my way towards the door when all of a sudden I ran into the blonde.

“S…sorry”, I muttered out.

“Sorry? …How about watch where you’re going”, she spit back.

Obviously shaken by her words, I stared with astonishment. She didn’t seem to take that too likely and decided to step closer to me.

“Why the fuck are you staring”, she screamed in my face while some spit came out and got on me.

“I…I…I didn’t mean to”, I said shaking with anger and embarrassment. She walked even closer to me with her face right in front of mine and her hand getting in a swinging position. I was about to close my eyes in fear she was about to hit me when I heard “Camilla!?”.

Levi grabbed her hand before she could officially hit me and pulled her away. He pulled her with such force that she had fallen back a few steps. The sight of him doing that frightened me a little. He made it look as if she weighed nothing.

Everyone one gasped and was in complete shock due to his actions. It seemed as if people were afraid of him, I couldn’t understand why since he seemed so nice earlier. Then suddenly, I hear him scowl “she isn’t worth it…look at her, pathetic”.

In complete shock I could feel tears forming in my eyes and ran to the nearest bathroom.

I slammed my body into the door and rushed to lock the door. I slid down to the floor crying, why? What did I do for this? He was so nice at first? Who is she too him? Why was she so rude? So many questions filled my head making the tears fall harder. I managed to stop crying and made my way the bathroom mirror. I stared at myself in disgust, wishing I could’ve stayed back in Wisconsin and lived alone. I wouldn’t have minded it, but of course I couldn’t.

Working up enough courage, I unlocked the door and stepped out. There weren’t very many people in the halls and luckily for me my next class was in this same hall too. I headed to class and fortunately for me neither of them were in it.

…

Fourth ended and fifth period was coming around. I made my way to class dreading knowing he was going to be in it. We didn’t have assigned seats so decided to sit in the far-left corner in the back, so I could be a little secluded. A few more students walked in and then Levi did. I looked away as quickly as possible and stared out the window. I could see the trees that hid the school from the roads and the mountains that popped out from behind it. Lost in my thought I felt a breeze as someone sat down next to me. I looked over to notice it was Levi and he was staring at me. I anxiously looked away in fear that he was going to say something else that was hurtful.

“…Sorry…”, he exhaled.

I was shocked. I looked at him, staring for what seemed like a couple minutes. He looked like he was genuinely sorry. I almost accepted it until the memory faded back in and tears started to well up again. I looked back at the window in hopes he didn’t notice, but I could still feel him staring. I waited till class started to look away from the window, it felt like hours but finally the teacher started.

Class ended and lunch was beginning. I waited till everyone had left so I could avoid bumping into Levi. I got up once the last person left, but before I could exit someone pushed me back and locked the door. I shake off the shove and look up seeing Levi staring with his piercing blue eyes. I instantly got nervous in fear of what was going to happen. Trying to leave I go to the door, but Levi grabs my arms and turns me around and shoves me against it. He leans forward and whispers in my ears, “next time I’m talking, you better answer”. Fear starts to build up more and more each second, he has me against the door. I start to tremble and hope to get out of this in one piece. Next thing I knew he pushed me aside and walked out the door. I decided to just hide out for the rest of lunch.

Eventually the day ended, and Riley picked me up. She blared her music as loud as she could making me even more agitated than I already was. I started to hear this loud sound of what seemed to be a vehicle. All of a sudden, a motorcyclist zooms past us making Riley jerk to the left a little.

“What the fuck dude…watch where you’re going”, Riley screams out the window while flipping him off.

I take a closer look and notice it’s Levi, making my heart drop down to the floor. I guess he heard her somehow and flipped her off too making me even more nervous.

We pulled into our drive way when Levi drove past us revving his engine loudly, making us turn towards him. I could see a smile coming from him as well, I scowled at the thought of it. I then notice he made his way towards a house that was about a mile from ours but you could still see it. He parked his bike and went inside, showing no sign of leaving anytime soon. I realized that must’ve been his house, dread deepening inside of me.

I walked up to my room and plopped down on my bed; my eyes seemed to have a harder time staying open till suddenly I was consumed by sleep.