┌──❀*̥˚───❀*̥˚─┐
CHAPTER 1
└───❀*̥˚───❀*̥˚┘

1996, Chicago, IL

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Studying, studying, and more studying.

I felt like I was going to pass out at any moment due to how exhausted I was. I could barely keep my eyes open.

I have been studying for the past 4 hours, non-stop. No breaks, no time to eat, no time to even use the bathroom.

I rubbed my face tiredly and looked at my alarm clock to check the time. 4:35 pm it reads.

I groaned and plopped myself onto the bed, wincing, as I accidentally fell onto my pen that was laying there. I removed it from behind my back and put it aside.

I sighed and looked up at the ceiling for a moment, my hands on my stomach. I could hear my stereo playing "One Way Or Another" by Blondie.

I was going to be taking the biggest test of my life, which is why I was studying so hard. The most important test that will determine my next path in life; the SATs.

For months I have prepared for this, but have lacked sleep because of it. I don't think I remember the last time I had a proper 8 hours of sleep, or even more.

My parents understood how hard I was studying, but were concerned for my health, as I rarely ate dinner.

I don't not eat, but I lose track of time so much when studying, that it doesn't really cross my mind that I need to eat something. Especially sleep, considering I work an evening shift.

"Kara?" I suddenly heard my mom call, causing me to snap my eyes open.

I then realized that I had closed my eyes and dozed off for only a few minutes. I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes and blinking rapidly to fix my vision.

"Kara?" my mom called again.

"Scarlett Grace Ambrose, I know you hear me calling you! Get your butt down here right now, it's time for dinner!"

And that's how I always know when she's serious; calling me by my full name.

"Coming, mom!" I answered back. I slowly got off the bed, being careful not to sit on any of my notebooks and pen. I moved them aside to prevent that.

As I was about to leave my room, I noticed my appearance in the mirror. I cringed at how I looked. My eyes were red and puffy, dark circles visible underneath them. My blond hair was also frizzy, with strands sticking out in different directions, and my lips chapped.

"Scarlett Grace, I swear to god!"

Rubbing my eyes one more time and sighing deeply, I finally opened the door, and went downstairs.

I saw my dad, mom, and younger sister, Mia, sitting around the table. My mom had her arms crossed around her chest, giving me an icy glare as I made my way all the way down.

"She's here! Finally, now we can start eating!" Mia exclaimed, immediately digging into her food, but not before her hand was slapped away by my mom, causing the fork to fall onto the floor.

"Wha-?" She looked up at her, baffled.

"I have called you at least 4 times, young lady. I know you heard me the first time, so why didn't you come down?" she gritted her teeth, asking.

"I'm sorry, mom, I was studying." I explained, taking a seat around the table.

She sighed, dropping her arms from her chest and sitting down as well.

"Oh honey, again? I understand how important this test is for you, and I know you've been studying so hard for it, but you haven't eaten or slept in days! We're worried about you. Look at you, you're exhausted, sweetheart." She worriedly said.

"I know, mom, I know." I mumbled, my hand pressed upon my cheek as I played around with the food.

"You really need to take a break and start eating, especially getting some rest. This much fatigue isn't good for you, sweetheart." She replied with concern.

"Your mother's right. You need to eat and get some sleep. Being a doctor for 12 years, this type of unhealthy behavior could jeopardize your health." My dad chimed in, chewing on his food.

"I'm just glad I don't have to study this hard for the SAT's for the time being. The way she's putting this much pressure on herself for some test is preposterous! Like- why would you starve yourself over some dumb test, anyway?" Mia retorted, taking a huge bite of her pasta, then choking on it afterwards. I tried to laugh subtly, but was caught by her evil glare.

"This is not some dumb test, Amelia. This is a very important test that will determine your future. Lots of people work really hard to study for that test. Your sister is draining herself from exhaustion, at least have some sympathy." My dad defended me. "And slow down when you eat, we've talked about this."

"Fine, I'm sorry." She not so meaningfully apologizes.

"Just ignore her, sweetheart, eat your dinner. You need as much food in your system right now before you go back to studying." My mom said, giving me a warm smile.

I nodded, sighing, before digging into my food and began to eat.

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"Hey, close up, will you?" My co-worker, Gianna, ordered as she got ready to leave the restaurant.

"Sure thing. See you tomorrow." I replied, wiping the tables.

"You too, bye." She leaves, and I am now left alone inside.

Once I made sure everything was cleaned and properly turned off, I grabbed my coat
and headed out, closing up.

I usually take the bus home, but since I was short on money, I had to walk.

I stuffed my hands into my pockets, as they were getting cold. It was the middle of February, which was usually the coldest month in Chicago along with March.

I was only a few minutes from home, when I heard footsteps from behind me. I ignored it, thinking it was some people walking home as well.

The footsteps started to get closer and closer, scaring me a little. Tense, I turned my head, and my eyes widened in fear once I saw two men in masks following me.

Frightened, I frantically picked up my pace to get away from them, my heart racing.

I looked behind me again to see them walking faster towards me, and without hesitation, I ran.

I ran as fast as I could, not looking back. I could hear their feet pacing behind me, but I just kept running.

I have walked home alone before, and this has never happened to me. I was in complete fear for my life at this very moment.

I ran and ran, hoping to come across a safe location to hide. Suddenly, my prayers were answered at that very moment when I noticed a sudden flash of light at the corner of an alley. I thought little of it, as I desperately needed safety, so without a second thought, I turned in the light's direction.

ஐ〰ฺ･:*:･✿ฺ ஐ〰･:*:･･:*:･✿ฺ ஐ〰･:*:･･:*:･✿ฺ ஐ〰･:*:･

The first chapter is here! I can't believe I've finally written it. I'd been planning this book for a year now, and I can't believe I'm finally writing it!

While I already know the plot and ending, and what's going to happen in this story in general, I did have doubts about the pace of the chapters once I planned them out. I was thinking that maybe this is going too fast and needs a slower build up, or if this was cliche, or maybe I needed to change this to this, or add this. So I reached out to some really sweet people on discord who help writers, and they tried to help me with this problem. Well, only one person actually, whom I reached out to on Instagram first hand, who really only helped me with not making the second chapter too cliche with her immediately meeting the other main characters.

The others really did try to help though, but weren't really understanding that I only wanted help with the chapters exactly. So I pretty much just have to go with what I already have planned for each chapter. Just gotta trust the process I guess, haha.

I might also do double updates on this book as well, we'll see.

Also, some of the characters you see in the casts are gonna be minor characters, or will have significant and major roles in the second book. So if you see them mentioned less, that's why.

Hopefully I can try not to make this book too cliche unlike others.

But anyway, please vote, share, and comment! It would mean a lot.xX