Chapter One

 

There used to be 1,756 students in my school, around 440 in each class.

 

Used to be.

 

Now there are only 1,734.

 

I knew most of those twenty-two students who are no longer around. I didn’t know them very well; they were classmates that I hardly talked to, friends of friends, and random people that I saw in the hall.

 

But one of them was my best friend.

           

*~*~*

I met Chase Barker when I was twelve years old. She was a grade below me, only a little fifth grader, excited to go to recess just like the rest of the smaller kids. I thought I was pretty cool, strutting around the grounds of the school like I owned the place. Being the one that everyone seemed to look up to had been getting to my head, but my fellow classmates weren’t helping any. If anything, they only fueled my ego by constantly asking for my help in anything that didn’t include schoolwork.

 

It was close to the time when we had to go back inside, out of breath with pink cheeks and running noses, to continue our education. I was walking around the perimeter of the field, observing everyone and everything with an air of authority, masking my strange kind of interest. Being social had never been one of my strong points; I had a few friends, sure, but not many. I took entertainment in observing everyone else.

 

I’m not quite sure what happened next. Maybe I hadn’t been paying as close attention as I thought I was, or maybe she had been coming up from behind me. But whatever the reason, I didn't see the soccer ball that rolled in front of my path and I stepped on it, causing my feet to slip out from under me and catapult me onto the hard ground. Groaning upon impact, I barely heard the gasp of surprise that came from above me, and I slowly lifted my irritated gaze up to meet a pair of huge blue eyes.

 

“I’m so sorry!” her high-pitched voice told me, holding up her hand to help me up. I waved her off and pushed myself into a sitting position. I didn't need help. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to kick that in front of you. Oh, my mom is always telling me to be more careful! You’re sure you’re okay, mister…what’s your name?”

 

The end of her ramble had me staring at her with an odd look on my face. Never in my twelve years had I heard someone talk as much and change subject as quickly as she did. “I’m fine,” I informed her gruffly, getting up. As an afterthought, I figured I should tell her my name. I may not have been social, but I wasn’t exactly rude. “Chace. My name is Chace.”

 

A giggle escaped her, quickly turning into full-fledged laughter, and it sent me deep into confusion. Was there something about my name that she found funny? Was there something funny going on behind me? I had considered turning around to check, but that annoying pitch that she apparently called a voice was running again. “You can be my name twin!” I must’ve furrowed my eyebrows at her or something, because her smile grew wider and she quickly explained, “That’s my name too! I always thought it was a weird name for a girl, but my parents are weird, so I guess it’s okay. I like it, so I don’t really mind!”

 

I don’t think I moved a muscle at that point, still staring at her with that strange expression. Name twin? I had thought it to be a ludicrous idea at the time. How was I to know if I would ever see her again after that encounter? But my stiffness didn’t seem to throw her, because she continued on. “Okay, I think I’m gonna go play with my soccer ball some more. I promise I won’t make it trip you again. Bye name twin!” With that, she skipped off with that soccer ball held tightly under her arm. I watched her go silently.

 

I had never been the most social type. Little did I know that she would be the one to break me out of that. 

 

 

Author's Note

Reviews are love!

Reviews

[Falling Angel]

Oh my gosh! I love it! You are an amazing writer. This left me wanting to read more... Definitely looking forward to more!

[Annie]

I love this! There is obvious contrast between the two characters - Nice write! =)

[Floornine]

Hm... I'm interested to see where this is going... definitely leaves you wondering.