Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I sat in the coffee shop by the large glass window, tapping my foot and glancing out into the sky, waiting on a waitress to come take my order. It was early in the morning, just about 6:30. School started back today at 8 a.m. I needed a boost. The aroma smelled of sweet caramel candies and coffee. The sky twinkling with a beautiful sunrise. Aimlessly picking up the coffee menu, I scanned the various choices. The little bell dinged by the door; some nicely dressed young man swiftly looking around stood in his place. He spotted me and started to come forward. My eyes wondered back down to the menu. About a few short seconds later...

" What a fine young lady doing in a coffee shop alone on this warm September morning?" A sweet talker.. I placed the menu down, glancing up at his bright smile. I responded," The same reason you're in here alone." Surprised, he sat across from me. He cleared his throat.

" Oh," he said," Maybe I came on a little strong there."

I mumbled to myself looking down again, sighing," Yeah maybe." He held out his hand," The name's Levi Gene. But everyone calls me Mista." I looked at his hand for a second then shook it. " Sabrina, Sabrina Fierre."

Finally a waitress came up with pen and paper. Not like I was waiting well over ten minutes for her, but whatever. I get a bit grumpy in the mornings. She asked if I was ready to order. " Ah, yes. A vanilla frappe and a bagel, thank you." Her pen stopped moving, she turned on her heel to Mista. " And for you, sir?"

He looked up at her for a second," Same thing she's having." His attention was back on me. The waitress walked away. The awkwardness sat in, at least for me. Mista was just staring, what was he thinking? I tried not to make eye contact.

" What is it that you want from me?" I asked carefully, subconsciously gripping my purse beside me. He licked his lips," I've already introduced myself, and I can tell you, Mrs.Fierre, that I mean you no harm, so you can loosen up your grip up on that there purse." Doing what he said, I stopped him," Miss... I'm not married, I'm seventeen." I smiled a little, confident that he'd think I was a minor to him and leave me alone.

" I'm eighteen," oh?... he continued," I can tell you that I attend Northridge High, here in Crycline, California. I've never seen you around? Judging by your small southern accent, you're not from around here, eh?" I told him," I attend just regular old Southridge High. And no, not really. My family moved from Atlanta, Georgia about three years ago. That's probably why." He went on.

" Little miss Georgia," he chuckled," Well, I have been in California just about all my life. I am very wealthy, indeed. My father owns three companies and my mother is a very successful lawyer.."

I held my hand up," Listen, I'm not really into guys like you-"

" I can buy you things, girl." he interupted looking me in the eye. I told him," I'm not the type of lady who would just go out with a man for money. That's a gold digger." Mista gave me a look, the kind of look as if he thought that I thought he was up to something.

" I'm not calling you a gold digger. See. I just want to get to know you a little better." he confirmed that quite clearly. I blinked at him, I must have offended him in a way. The waitress was almost done with our order, thank goodness. I reached into my purse and took out my wallet, and I could feel Mista watching me.

" How about after school, I take you out on a date? To the finest spot in the city" I looked at him, " Excuse me?"

Clearly, I didn't know what to tell him. The waitress came up with tray in hand, I paid her up front as I took my frappe and bagel. Thanking her, I got my purse and was about to walk to the door until Mista grabbed my wrist. " You never answered me." he said kindly, still smiling. I gently snatched my hand back. Putting his hands on me like that, who does he think I am? Some child, I hope not.

" Um, I'll think about it. Okay?"  Not hoping for a quick response, I immediately said," I'm sorry, I have to get goin'. I don't need to be late on the first day. Neither do you, I suppose." He looked down at the floor and scoffed," Yeah, yeah. You're right." I nodded a little, making my way to the door.

" Nice meeting you, Sabrina." he called out. I turned my head and put on a fake smile," You too, Mista.." and I was gone outside, feeling the warm sun rays fall upon my face.

On my way to school in my nice black car, I stopped at the red light. It was 7:45 a.m. 15 minutes before school officialy start. I looked over to the side of me, making sure I have all of my things like my school bag and purse. That's when I looked up and saw some man walking on the sidewalk. His hair was in a short curly pony tail, his light skin, tall, lean. Maybe about 5'10 or 11''. Why did he have half of a white masquerade mask on? I didn't notice the light had turned green, until people were blowing their horns at me. All the commotion got his attention and he looked at me, but only for a brief second. I drove on.

...

I finally made it into the parking lot of Southridge High school and parked next to a familiar car. My best friend, well one of them. She was older than me, only by a year; eighteen. Her name is Sharon Eviery, she had the most beautiful hair to me; long, wavy, blonde with black streaks. The thing is, her hair is naturally like that, which is unique about her. I got out the car, apparently so did she. Was she waiting on me?

" Hey, girl." she brung me into a hug, we were both 5'3''. I grinned at her then took a sip of my frappe. Sharon looked me from head to toe and said," We haven't seen each other all summer, and all you're going to do is drink your coffe and smile?" I took another sip.

" No one told you to go to New York for two months." I smirked. We always liked to play with each other. She said," well it was for family matters." smiling. About nine minutes before class, we hung out side just talking about our summers and gossiping about the same things that happened last year. Sharon was now a senior, I was happy she made it this far. Her background history is kind of messed up...

She asked me," Sabrina, you have a boyfriend yet?" Hoping she wouldn't ask that, I gave her a look, biting into my bagel. " No." eyeing her suspiciously.

" I'm going to get you a boyfriend this year." I rolled my eyes and scoffed," what ever". I hate when she does that, maybe I'm not looking for a boyfriend unlike her, who's dated too many to count on fingers. But I know she's only picking.

Another car pulled up beside mine. Sharon and I turned our attention to it. A young lady about my age got out the driver's side, a younger boy getting out the passangers side. My other friend, Dren Herron and her little brother Mark. She was starting her third year of high school along with me; Mark starting 7th grade. Dren walked up to him," You know where your first class is right?" He nodded and she hugged him," okay, don't get into any trouble." Dren looked up smiling as hard as she could, happy to see us. More than likely happier to see Sharon. She went up to hug her tightly.

" I missed you Sharon."

Sharon giggled at her energy," I missed you more! I missed all of you. Have to admit, I was sort of lonely with out you guys." I grinned to myself looking down, finishing my bagel and vanilla frappe. Our little reunion was cut short by the bell, and I got my bags out the car. Sharon complained," Why does summer vacation have to end so early?"

" I know right?" Dren answered. We all walked through the automatic doors, going to class. Sharon only had four classes, Dren and I had six. By the fifth hour, I couldn't stop thinking about that man I saw on the sidewalk. He seemed a little familiar. Even though I only got a little glimpse of his eyes, I felt something. A sort of connection. I don't know what it is. Then there was Mista, maybe with any luck, we won't meet again any time soon. Then it was the sixth hour, Geometry, I had Dren thankfully.

Before the teacher came into the class, she came up to me asking," Remember that terrorist attack that happened on the white house in Maryland back when we were in 7th grade?" I hated talking about it, she knows why. I inhaled.

" Yeah, what about it..?"exhale.  She hesitated," Well.. you know how they said he or she was never caught? There is a rumor going around that they're living here in Crycline." My eyes widened, that struck a nerve. Who ever it is, they better hope they don't meet me. I will try to kill them myself. Well, call the police or something. I asked Dren," Do you know anything else?" She shook her head no.

" Mm mm... I don't, sorry. I know you hate them, I hate them too for what they did." she tried to show sympathy but the teacher came into the classroom. Even if it was just a rumor, I don't see why he would escape to here.