WHISPERS BENEATH THE PINES

s looked too perf

cks beneath it all, especially the way people glanced too long at the woods, the way conversations sto

ust an outsi

he one th

the one th

-

Monday morning to the s

didn't even t

e she

e the scar

d during class and r

ks to th

ignor

them

lled her hood lower, and stared at the clock, coun

dropped into the desk w

you haven't s

t," Aven

nced as she turned to

ld I keep guessing? Because so far, I'm between vampire, cul

r a long moment. Then

oying, you

ill

idn't

n't stop lo

l for that in a way

-

was

when the fan

boy since middle school. Smart, athletic, rich, and, most importantly, mysteriou

tomboyish, weird-eyed Aven had been seen with him near th

the Danielle B

were five. They weren't dating, but in her head,

even know hi

ast n

ng at her now from across the cafeteria, whi

y're planning someth

ell sab

sy, and hair spr

ried t

the way to the vending machine. Her tray

er fol

s when Av

g it onto the table hard enough to make everyone jump. Th

azing, "and I swear I will make you

le

oice, Danielle

cursed. Go back to whatev

u try saying that in the forest a

held it

cked up her milk-soaked tray, flipp

n't loo

-

l, she didn

t to th

h

ll him this time. Riv

day?" h

te pe

kno

hink I'

might

ot him

ng, but close enough that she

is wouldn't be

rying to g

y wo

rotect me al

protect you w

snapped

fr

ilted h

them," he

ha

s. The ones who

. "Are yo

n no

h, giggling echoed f

flash f

ough the woods. "Smile f

xpression

he said, loud

er. Mo

with Danielle picked

square in

ck, pain shooti

ke that the

t yell. He

ust

t he stood in front of Danielle, who g

yes g

" he

the rocks d

all

aming while cryin

o

nned. "You didn't

n't ne

shoulder, win

d to her

have calle

o drag you into

t a normal

d softly.

s when he r

Not out of

.. ge

r, and something warm moved from his

did y

gives me w

ked up

lose

und him, like even they

care?" she

esit

to laugh like the sun lived in your throat. And I'v

art sk

idn't

t bre

, she thought he

he d

epped

omorrow, we