bed. As usual, it takes a few hours for me to fa

above me, and crickets sing below me, and the distant sound of pounding steps grows from behind. Roots pull up from the ground and tangle around my ankles. I yank my feet free and tread on. When I grab onto trees, the bark sticks to

s free and heave forward, but I'm not strong enough. Just when

s touch lingering on my skin. It wa

the morning and shakes her hea

a little. Maybe I just have

pancake, but I can't

me comes around, I go back and forth in my mind, but ultimately decide

nd Vivian turns right aw

ambitious. The stranger, a girl with black hair, looks to Vivian then

ok at us,

and mouths something I can't mak

" I

. "Don't worry about her," she says. "She's just in a bad mood. Oh, you know what, you should come

far. I'm sorry, Wrenley, you seem like a ni

Vivian starts an argument. "I'm ac

ustion. I can't help but try to take a nap when I get back, but my mind won't shut off. At this point i

up and going somewhere together. Eli said she was crossing a boundary by inviting me—I wonder what boundary that is. Everyone here is much different than the people back home. Teens my age only ca

der mist in my room after telling me that it helps her sleep. My mom gets me a glass of water and even tucks me in. "Just don't t

nk my thoughts were the problem. The iss

front door. My bare feet hate the cold ground but continue on toward

cozy spot on the ground where moss has grown like a bed just for me. I lay down on it and shut my eyes—finally feeling at peace. As my body winds

like a cat and roll over. My alarm is set to ring in a few minutes. I slept th

dma sees me,

the garage, but I take what I need to my bedroom to unpack. All of my little nothings are organized around my room. My mom helps me carry in my desk—there's just enough room for it. I set up my desk la

ift the bed skirt and see an article of clothing. I reach under and grab it. Holding it up, the first thing my eyes notice i

ands cover my face. Something

I hide it under my pillow,

n feels more regulated than usual as she asks about my interests and where I'

ut by being here, but there's no point in turning back now. Walking through the parking lot, I avoid students as they leave for the day. No one seems to notice me as they talk to one another in their polo shirts and navy swea

in the air—that smell. The one from the s

. They must be meeting with their private school friends again. No wonder the co

ed since I was a child and I'm not sure why. There must be a difference between visiting this town and living in it. Things lurk in the darkness and the people aren't normal. Why does Vivian reach out to me then keep me behind a wall? So

hat reminds me of mens cologne. I need to get inside that school. The only issue is how. Everyone wears the same thing, and I may be able to disguise myself with this shirt, but that's only half of the uniform. Looking at

as some guy

day as she makes her way down the

hi, how

wondering about the pr

but I wouldn't know. Find me at l

her head falling down as

as last time. When the familiar woman comes by with a men

ise. "You look

. "I can ask Paul. H

through boxed things in her bedroom. Before

b? Wh

across from

I didn't know you wanted to get a job.

my schedule. You know, weekends, afte

what will y

and before you say it, La

" She q

She said she's happy to have m

her. "It's alright with me, just remem

pefully be uncovered through my new job—it seems the diner is somewhat of a town favorite. Between th