The sun shone brightly and passed its rays through Cassie's window and into her purple room, causing it to be beautifully lit. But somehow even with the light coming in, Freetown still managed to keep its idiosyncratic gloomy feel.

Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!

Cassie slammed her hands on the alarm to stop its irksome noise; it was it was a parrot incessantly urging her to wake up-- it did the job every time.

She stretched her arms as though she were trying to elongate it. She let out a long yawn and scratched off any sleep from her eye with the back of her hand. After much hesitation, she dragged her body off her bed. She picked up her phone, glanced through a few messages and then set up her shower playlist. Once she was done with her mini concert in the shower which lasted a gruesome fifteen minutes, she dried herself up and slipped on a romper which she had placed out the night before. She accessorized with a heart-shaped pendant and some bracelets which constantly clinked together to produce some musical sounds. Once she was done putting up her makeup she stared at herself in satisfaction in her vanity mirror.

"Morning Cassidy," her mother greeted her cheerfully, as Cassie made her descend into the kitchen.

"Morning momma," she replied and walked to her mother to plant a kiss on her cheeks.

"Would you like to have breakfast? I've asked Martha to make some pancakes," her mother asked with a smile plastered on her face.

"Yeah sure," she replied as she carelessly shuffled her feet through the wooden floor of the kitchen. "And why do you have that smile on your face?" she asked with her eyebrows pulled together.

"Oh it's nothing," her mother shrugged her shoulders.  "It's just that you remind me of myself when I was young and in the industry, that's all." Cassie rolled her eyes, picked up her phone and bag and walked towards the door. 

"Cassidy! Where are you going? you haven't even had breakfast yet," her mother chased after her..

"Mum, I'm going to school okay, I don't feel like having another 'modelling vs criminology' conversation with you, I promised myself that today will be a good day, and I'm not letting you," she said pointing her index finger at her mother, "ruin it for me." With that, she turned around, pushed open the door and walked out, not bothering to wait for her mother's usual apology.

She searched her bag for her keys and finally located them in a side pocket, she pulled them out and unlocked her red 2015 mustang GT premium convertible. She inserted the key into the ignition and started the car. She listened as her car roared heavily to life and then she connected her Bluetooth to her car. She chose to play music from her Celine Dion playlist and the first song that came on was 'I'm Alive,' and that was the perfect song to match her mood because she truly felt alive and on top of the world as she drove to the first day of her final year in high school. 

She parked her car at her usual parking spot and stepped out of the car and walked straight into her high school. As soon as she got in, she spotted her best friend Phoebe from a distance, leaning against her locker while blabbing something to Danny. The poor boy, boredom was written all over his face. 

Phoebe spotted Cassie through her peripheral vision and let out a child-like squeal as she ran towards her, leaving a relieved-looking Danny alone. He let out a sigh of relief and dramatically wiped some invisible sweat off his forehead. 

Phoebe hugged Cassie tightly, as though they had not seen each other just the day before. They locked hands and walked to Danny who was now smiling like an idiot as they approached him.

"Hey Cass baby," he greeted cheerfully while pulling her in for a hug.

"I've told you to stop calling me that," she scowled at him playfully and flicked his round nose lightly.

"Shit, that hurt" he complained while rubbing his nose.

"Stop being such a baby," Cassie hissed. "It's what you deserve for being terrible at giving nicknames," she stuck her tongue out at him like a child and flicked his nose again.

Phoebe obnoxiously cleared her throat and pulled their attention to herself. "Excuse me kids," she said gesturing her hand at her outfit. " Why hasn't anyone told me I look hot today? I put a lot of slutty effort into this outfit," she pouted and flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulders.

It was then that Cassie noticed  Phoebe's appearance. She wore a black romper that clung tightly to her lean figure, and revealed a bit of cleavage. 

"You're gonna get kicked out of school with all that cleavage showing, babes," Cassie said.

"I hope so, being sent home for being too hot? my greatest dream accomplished," she laughed.

"I have no idea what I was thinking when I choose you to be the sister I've never had," Cassie shook her head and laughed. "Anyways, it feels so good to be back," Cassie said changing the topic while surveying the whole school as though it was her first time setting eyes on the place. Everything looked the same but felt so different. 

"I know right?" Phoebe concurred.

"We are finally seniors!" Danny cheered as he placed his muscular arms on both their shoulders and took in his environment. "It seems like just yesterday when we walked through those doors for the first time," he said as he pointed at the school doors.

"Yeah, you were so short and dorky back then," Phoebe reminisced "you still her to be honest."

"Shut up," Danny said."let's promise to make this the best year," he added. "No distractions," he said seriously,  while looking at both of them deep in their eyes. They all nodded their heads in unison to signify agreement to what Danny had proposed.

"This is lame, but I agree, no distractions," Phoebe said.

"No distractions," Cassie promised and then she turned around to face her locker which was right next to Phoebe's. She felt familiar large, manly arms wrapped around her tiny waist, she didn't need to turn around to be sure that it was Tyler welcoming her in his usual way. The warmness of his back hug was so comforting and the woody smell of his cologne brought a seductive smile to her face.Tyler spun her around so that she was facing him, he took in her appearance and gave her his winning smile.

"You look gorgeous," he gently whispered in her ears.

"And so do you, sexy," she said and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

The school bell interrupted their sweet moment. Tyler reluctantly withdrew himself from her and she bit her lower lip and smiled at him so wide that it cause her nose to crinkle. "See you later, babe," he said with a wink, as he walked over to his first period for the day. She could see a glister in his eyes and it warmed her heart because it assured her of how much he was in love with her. 

It was only after Tyler was out of her sight that she realized that Phoebe and Dylan had been there the whole time. They gave her the famous 'next time get a room face.' She giggled and pushed them forward leading them into their first period. They had English first period with Mrs. Williams who was Cassie's favorite teacher teaching her favorite subject.

 English class was a great start to their senior year because Mrs. Williams didn't show up and luckily there was no substitute. They spent the entire lecture telling stories about their summer's, which was not far from what they would have done had Mrs. Williams been present.

The first three periods passed by quickly because it was only the first day. Once the fourth bell rang - the bell that indicated it was break time, Cassidy, Phoebe, and Danny met Tyler and some of his soccer buddies in the hallway and together, they all walked to the cafeteria while making jokes and laughing. That was a usual routine for them; they would all meet In the hallways during the break and walk together to the cafeteria. It was never planned, it was just something that happened and eventually grew into a habit for them.

Tyler wrapped his arms around Cassidy's shoulders as they walked and Phoebe's boyfriend Tucker, gave Phoebe a soft kiss and did the same. They all gathered around their usual lunch table each person taking a seat at their usual spot. Cassie sat between Tyler and Danny. Phoebe sat opposite Danny and Tucker right next to her, And finally, Jesse sat beside Tyler and  Matt beside Phoebe.

"Hey, did you guys watch the news last night? The part where they talked about some serial killer?" Cassie asked trying to start a different conversation.

"Cassie, you're the only teenager that actually watches the news," Matt joked. " I read about it online," he said while picking up his iPhone and gesturing towards it. "Now this is how normal people get information," he teased.

Matt picked up Cassie's phone and handed it to her "You should try it some day."

"Yeah, yeah," Cassie rolled her eyes and snatched her phone from Matt.

"Whoever is killing those girls is really sick," Phoebe shuddered and scrunched up her nose in disgust.

"Don't worry I'll protect you, babe," Tucker said while putting his muscular arms around her shoulder and pulling her closer to him. 

"Tucker I'm pretty sure Phoebe will be the one protecting you, you wimp," Matt teased and they all laughed in unison.

Tucker flipped him the bird, but also laughed obnoxiously at the joke.

"But I'm really scared though," Phoebe confessed. "The killer has killed a lot of beautiful girls and just look at me!" she exclaimed in all seriousness as she motioned her hands over to her face. "I could be next, I'm oozing beauty," she pouted. 

"Hey I'm also good looking, I could be next on his list" Matt objected.

"Or it could be me," Tucker smirked as he gestured to his face,  Cassie rolled her eyes at him in response.

"I can't believe you lunatics are arguing over who would be the next victim," she laughed.

"Well if I die I'm glad it would be because I was too beautiful that people couldn't handle it," Phoebe flipped her hair.

"Guys enough about the crazy killer," Tyler said abruptly, changing the topic "yo all I can think of is Caleb's party this Saturday, it's gonna be so sick," he exclaimed.

"Omg yes!" Phoebe squealed while excitedly clapping her hands like a child

"So what's his new house like?" Jesse rose up an eyebrow and leaned in.

"You finally talked," Danny said while sipping on his soda

"Whatever dude, the cafe food tastes good this morning," Jesse replied.

"His place is so cool," Cassie replied excitedly. " I'm like so jealous. It's huge; it has two floors, three bedrooms, a freaking pool and game room. Caleb's doesn't deserve it, he'll burn down the house in a month," she rolled her eyes.

"I say a week," Danny raised his hand.

"Woah," exclaimed Tyler " That sounds sick," he banged his palms on the table in excitement.

"Tell me about it!" Jesse exclaimed, while picking up an apple from his tray and sinking his teeth into it.

"How could he afford all that? Your dad helped him out? " Phoebe asked with her eyes wide open which gave a clear view of her beautiful green eyes.

"Yep," Cassie replied

"Why didn't he just get him a simple house ?"Jesse asked.

 "I asked my Dad that same question and he said that's the only way that he's sure Caleb won't come back home. If he has a gorgeous place he'll never want to leave," she giggled. "Also, my brother is an extravagant twit, he wouldn't settle for less."

"Tell Caleb that if he needs a roommate I'm his guy," Jesse lifted his hand.

"You wish," Cassie said with a sigh, "he wouldn't even let me move in and I'm his sister for chrissake!" Cassie said with her hands raised up, in exasperation.

"Yeah, that's because you're a girl, no guy wants to live with his baby sister," Danny reasoned.

"He doesn't need some annoying PMSing female destroying his crib and dampening his manliness, you'll probably redecorate with pink wallpaper and flowers and scented candles," Matt teased.

"True that," Tucker said pointing at Matt with his fork and nodding his head in agreement.

"OMG you guys are idiot, you probably think girls don't poo too," Cassie said while rolling her eyes  "I'm just happy to finally be away from my idiot brother."