Thana's hand reached up for the necklace her mother had left her, as she walked up to the school. Kids stood in groups talking obnoxiously loud, when Penny came rushing up to Thana, giving her a quick hug. Thana wore her red curls loosely around her face, her bangs sweeping into her blue eyes.

"Woah, you look hot," Penny said gawking at her. Today Thana blended in more with the teens around her. Thana wore a green button-up dress that went to her mid-thigh. In her black heels, with a backpack hanging from one shoulder.

"Thank you," Thana said smiling wide. Last night she decided that Penny was a good way to wedge herself into Silas's life. Today she was playing her cards right, trying to accomplish what she came here for.

"So you still have to go to the office to get your class schedule, do you want me to come with?" Penny asked bouncing around Thana.

"Of course," they continued walking into the school. The tiled floors were a mix of blues, greys, and white looking as if you were walking on the ocean. The brick walls were painted a light grey, with posters and flyers taped to them. This was Thana's first time ever having to step in a school.

This could have been my life, Thana thought only for a moment.

Thana watched as a young couple leaned up against the blue lockers. The girl smiled up at the boy as they talked back and forth. Once in a while, she would giggle, and he would fiddle with her hair. They kissed lightly, looking utterly happy. The scene made Thana sick, making her happy she was a demon.

Penny and Thana walked into the office. An old lady wearing glasses at the bridge of her nose sat behind the desk. She smelled like the mothballs, elderly people use. Suddenly Thana missed the stench of death.

"Hello, how can I help you, Penny?" The woman said the corners of her mouth turning up.

"I have a new student with me today, her name's Thana." Penny glanced back at Thana. Thana gave a small wave, waiting there awkwardly.

"Let me print out her class schedule real quick. Be back in a jiffy." The woman rose slowly making her way to the copier.

"Thana," she heard the familiar deep voice. Silas stood there in a dark grey T-shirt and blue jeans. He looked good, Thana admitted to herself.

"Silas, what are you doing here?" Thana asked faking a smile.

"I'm your tour guide, here to show you the best of what West Lake has to offer." He bowed his head, his coffee-colored hair falling into his emerald green eyes.

"What a gentleman," Thana curtsied feeling silly.

"Here you go dear," the woman said handing Thana her class schedule. Silas snatched the paper out of her hands before Thana could even have a look.

"Lucky for you, you'll have a great homeroom and sixth period." Silas said handing Thana the paper. "We'll have those two classes together." Thana saw that she had creative writing and gym with Silas.

"We have third hour together," Penny said giving emphasis to the word hour. Penny glared at Silas, her lips pushed in a tight line.

"That's great," Thana said forcing a smile. She tucked the slip into her backpack as she followed Penny and Silas outside the office.

"I'll see you third hour, Thana." Penny gave Thana a quick squeeze before turning to Silas. "See you at lunch," Penny smiled.

"See you, lunch period." Silas smirked, chuckling.

"Ugh, do you have to use that phrase? You know I hate that. Lunch hour just says lunch hour." Thana finally found something that gets under Penny's skin. Penny shook her head before taking off down the hall. She squealed with some girls, back to her old self.

"So the least populated bathroom for girls is in the shop hallway," Silas said pointing straight ahead were mostly boys stood. They turned down a couple of hallways before coming to the lunchroom. "This is where the gourmet food is served every day, you can also sit in the courtyard. Seniors and juniors also can leave for lunch."

"Gourmet food you say?" Thana snorted facing Silas. "I guess New York better step up their game."

"They really should," Silas said as they moved on. "The arts hallway is this way through the English corridor." Thana watched as kids buzzed around before class, talking with friends. They all seemed to just stand in groups blocking the hallways. Thana wrinkled her nose at the smell of mixed B-o and too much perfume.

This is worse then Hell, Thana thought.

"Here is it creative writing," Silas said. "You ready?"

"As I'll ever be," Thana sighed. How could he have not killed someone here before?

They walked into the classroom, the walls were painted with words of wisdom, passion, and imagination. "Mr. Pretzer," Silas smiled walking up to the man with grey crazy hair.

"Good, morning Silas." Mr. Pretzer smiled wrinkles appearing around his blue eyes.

"I have a new student with me today, meet Thana, from New York." Silas moved out of the way, as Thana put on a smile.

"Nice to meet you Thana, from New York. What brings you to West Lake?" Mr. Pretzer leaned up against his desk that was filled with papers. Thana knew she couldn't tell them the actual reason she was here, she'd have to improvise.

"Well, I heard the food wasn't too bad." Thana smiled looking over at Silas. Mr. Pretzer laughed, slapping his knee, as he stood.

"I think Miss. Cook would like to hear that," Mr. Pretzer said as the bell rang. "Take a seat where ever you like, we never have assigned seating in this class."

"Thank you," Thana nodded as she followed Silas, towards two desks in the back. They sat as other kids filled into the classroom. The second bell rung, as everyone sat giving Mr. Pretzer, their full attention.

"Good morning, everyone! Today I want you to choose a partner in the class you don't know. You will write a poem about each other and present these poems to the class on Friday." Mr. Pretzer smiled his teeth a shade of yellow. Thana looked from the teacher over to Silas. Silas grinned and Thana smirked.

Boy, you don't know what you are getting yourself into, Thana thought.

"You may use the rest of the class hour to start," Mr. Pretzel said. As if a bell rang kids started moving desks and switching seats. Silas moved his desk right in front of Thana's, the chatter and laughter grew in the classroom.

"How should we start?" Thana asked watching Silas pull out a notebook and pen. He immediately started to chew the end of the pen.

"Do you need paper and a pen?" Silas asked. Thana glanced at his pen before looking back at him.

"No, thank you. I have some." Thana pulled out a notebook and pen for herself. "Where should we start?"

"Basics, what is your name?" Silas asked.

"Thana, you know that." She blinked at him as he chuckled.

"No, I meant like I'm Silas David Calloway. Your name is?"

Oh, Thana thought to herself. She didn't really have a middle name or a last. Thana knew her mothers maiden name was Hollis. She read somewhere that the name Maya meant death, and this was a perfect occasion.

"Thana Maya Hollis, " it would have to do.

"That's pretty, Ms. Hollis." Silas's smile spread across his thin lips, showing bright white teeth. His green eyes seemed to sparkle for a moment, before Silas looked down at his notebook. He scribbled something down, before looking back up at Thana. "Favorite color?"

"Red, I guess, " Thana said. It was the color of her hair and the color of blood. "Yours?"

"A dark purple, my mother loves using purple in her artwork," Silas explained.

"Your mothers an artist?" Thana wondered if her mother might have liked painting. She sat up straighter leaning back from Silas.

Focus on the target, Thana reminded herself.

"In her spare time mostly. The ceiling in my room has a mural of a night sky with purple, pinks, and blue. Trees surrounding the stars. You'll have to come and see it, for the project." Silas added quickly.

"I will, " Thana said with a smile. It would give her a good layout of his house.

"What about your parents?" Silas asked chewing on the edge of his pen.

"My mother died when I was young."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Silas said reaching for Thana's closet hand.

"It's okay, I didn't really know her," Thana said pulling her hand away. "My father, on the other hand, runs his own business."

"Okay, got it. How about today after school you meet out front. I have a surprise and it's for the project." Silas grinned waiting for Thana's answer.

"Deal, " Thana nodded. The bell buzzed and kids hurried out of their seats.

"See you later, Ms. Hollis." Silas stood throwing his bag over one shoulder heading out the door.

The rest of the school day was uneventful. Penny was her normal self in third hour, she didn't stop talking almost the entire time. Silas at lunch had sat with the baseball team. Apparently, it was something they did once a week all year round to keep unity. Thana found it to be a bunch of crap. She figured most of them will end up alcoholics, cheating on their wives and stuck in this small town forever. High school would be the highlight of their lives, how sad.

When the last bell signaled the end of school teens ran out like they wouldn't have school tomorrow. Thana made her way to the front of the school where Silas waited up against a black sleek car. When he saw her, Silas opened the door for her. Thana got in the car as Silas closed the door for her. "Where to?" She asked.

"Surprise remember?" Silas flipped on the old car radio, classical music played on the station.

"You like classical music?"

"I like all types of music. You can pick any station you'd like." Silas said keeping his eyes on the road. Thana started playing with the dial finding a rock station.

They were passing the homes and towns to the gas station just on the outskirts of town. The gas station was run down, the yellow and white paint chipping. "I'll be right back, " Silas said slipping out of the car. Thana waited, thinking about who Silas could murder. She was still leaning towards Claire. Silas slid in the car interrupting Thana's train of thought. He put two brown paper bags in the back, he recycles of course.

"Let me guess another surprise?" Thana asked pointing towards the bags.

"No, " he chuckled. "It's snacks, drinks and I got you some clothes for the occasion. Heels and a dress won't exactly work." Silas said glancing at Thana's attire.

"We could have stopped by my place." Thana grabbed a bag looking at the blue jeans and hiking boots. "Hiking boots?"

"It was either that or sandals."

"How much longer?"

"Not too long, " he said.

"Like an hour or thirty minutes?" Thana asked.

"You ask a lot of questions. You sure your dad isn't a lawyer?" Silas smiled side glancing at Thana.

"Hilarious," she rolled her eyes.

"We're almost there. Sit back and enjoy the ride." Silas turned up the radio singing to 'Sweet Home Alabama' off-key. He tapped the steering wheel, Thana chuckled. It felt weird for her to laugh at something that wasn't cruel or her own joke.

They pulled into a don't parking lot that was surrounded by trees. "Where am I supposed to change?" Thana asked not seeing any buildings.

"In the car, " Silas grabbed the other bag getting out. He faced away waiting for Thana to change. She pulled on the jeans, they were a little big. The boots we're a perfect size she tied her dress at her waist, making it into a shirt.

"Ready, " Thana said stepping out of the car.

"Alright this way, Ms. Hollis," Silas said pointing towards the woods. They started off into the woods, Thana followed Silas in silence. The birds were chirping, and the wind rustled the leaves slightly. It was peaceful. This was what Thana had liked about the surface. Not the people but nature, the soul of the planet. Thana felt a lightness surround her, soaking into her skin. She shook herself focusing back on Silas.

You are here to do a job.

"Here, " Silas said stopping. Thana gazed up at the waterfall tumbling down into the crystal blue water. Forests encircled the wet rocks, the place looked incredible.

"It's beautiful, " Thana nodded before turning towards Silas. "Why did you bring me here?"

"My grandma used to bring me here. She said she felt close to God here. It brings me peace." Silas pulled out snowballs. "Another thing you should know, I love snowballs."

"I've never had one," Thana shrugged. Silas's jaw almost dropped to the ground.

"Now you have to eat one. Have you been living under a rock?"

"Something like that, " Thana said taking a bite of the snowball. "That's good actually."

"New York doesn't have snowballs?" Silas said whooping down the desert.

"I'm sure they do. I just don't know anyone who has ever eaten one till now."

"People in New York don't know how to live." He said looking out over the water. "I know you're not from here but do you have anything special to you?" Thana touched the necklace that was under her shirt. These were things he didn't need to know.

"No, my father isn't the sentimental type."

"Okay, not yet," Silas said nodding. "Soda or water?"

"Soda and there's not much to tell about me." That you can actually know, Thana thought.

"Well, I think Shrek was right in this case. You're an onion just gotta peel you one layer back at a time."

"Shrek doesn't know what he's talking about." Thana took a few sips of her soda. "We should get going, homework and all."

"Right, we'll pick up tomorrow after school," Silas said matter of fact.

"Sure, " Thana agreed following Silas out of the woods. How was she ever going to get this guy to kill somebody? Maybe if Claire were to get caught cheating or something? She'd have to figure it out and soon. They had made their way back to the car and headed back to town. Thana had let Silas pick the music, terrible mistake when he put on pop. His singing was truly terrible, cats dying was all she could think about.

Silas pulled in front of the bookstore, Penny's car was out front. "Ms. Hollis I looked forward to getting you better. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, me too." Thana gave a small smile before climbing out of the car and heading inside.

"Hey, Thana!" Penny said. "How was the first day of school?"

"Not bad, thinking about going again tomorrow," Thana said as she walked towards the back. She grabbed a random book off the self bringing it upstairs with her.

"Night!"

"Night!" Thana yelled going up the stairs. She laid back on the bed her red curly hair falling over the pillows. This assignment seemed like it would take longer than she originally planned. The boy seemed a little mushy, not the usual jock type. At least a typical jock would have been easier, they were usually hot-headed.

Thana kicked off her boots tossing and turning thinking of ideas. She needed to find a weak link. Eventually, her eyes closed and she fell into a restless sleep.

***************
I would like to say thanks for reading. I hope you have enjoyed the story thus far. How do you feel about the characters? Do you like the MC Thana? Is there anything you dislike about Thana? What do you think will happen next?

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Maybe if you leave a super great comment/criticism I'll give you a dedication or a shout out!

Happy Readings,
Comatose7🖤