I Never Knew-Book/Part 1

Chapter One

I never thought anything like this could be of such importance. It was just a stupid, old teddy bear. "Alisha, what are you complaining about?" I yelled. "What could be so important about this¾this thing?" "Lana," the blonde-haired, gray-eyed girl began. "Do you even know how important this is to me?" she asked calmly, petting the stuffed animal's worn-out head. I rolled my eyes. "I think that's what I just asked." "Oh, well, it was…" She began tearing up for the millionth time, this week.

She looked up at me, with tired eyes. "Remember last week?" she asked, trembling. "Yeah?" I raised an eyebrow. "What about last week?" Alisha looked down. When she spoke, you could here the pain in her voice. "My grandma died."

Tears sprang to my eyes. Without realizing it, I had practically tortured her. I had teased her about hugging a teddy bear. If she were okay, it would make sense to question her. I mean, we were thirteen, at the time. It was kind of silly to even hold a teddy. Well, according to our friends. At the time, though I didn't know it, they weren't our friends.

At school, the next day, Alisha ignored me. She loved my dog, Jacque Bien, so I decided to bring him over, after school. She was really upset. After that uncomfortable talk we had, the day before, I left her house, immediately. I was so upset. How could I be so rude?

I walked up the steps, with my lovely cocker spaniel following behind. I knocked on the door, quietly, at first. I was nervous; afraid that she wouldn't open the door. After a couple of seconds, with the only noise playing out being my dogs panting, I knocked on the door, again, harder this time.

I was shocked to see my crush open the door. "Hello?" he said. "What's wrong, Lana?" I snapped out of my shock. "Hey, Chris, what's up? Do you know where Alisha is?" "Alisha? Well, I don't know. Doesn't she live three houses down, from you?" he replied. "Yeah, that's here," I said, matter-of-factly. "No, that's five doors down, from here. I think you went the wrong way." "Oh," I said, quietly.

I got an idea. "Well, she won't talk to me, cause I insulted her about her hugging a teddy bear. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings, but, how was I to know that her oma died? Will you come with me? I need to talk to her, but I'm afraid," I explained. "Sure, give me a sec."

Chris rushed back into his house. He came back wearing a new shirt, that looked totally cute on him. What wouldn't? I mean, he was the total cutie.

"Come'n," I said. He followed me, the whole way. He was one of my best friends, and really loyal, to me. He would do anything for me. He was just that kind of friend.

When we reached Alisha's, I heard whispering, inside. Chris and I peeked through the window. The conversation going on, inside, went somewhat like this:

Kelsey (snobby/popular girl 1): We should totally do it *snickers.*

Nicky (snobby/popular girl 2): Chya!

Anthony (bully): This is my kind of conversation.

Alisha (my ex best friend, who was plotting against me!): Of course! Wasn't I a good actress? She actually believed my granny died! Truth is, she died years ago. Pathetic.

Anthony: I can't wait to pound her *grins evilly*

Alisha: Be patient, we've just got to wait for the right moment, then…boom! She's gone, like dust in the wind *makes dramatic hand gestures.*

I I gasped; it was obvious that Nicky, Kelsey, and Anthony would plan to hurt me. They loathed me. But, Alisha? The person I trusted most? No…no, it couldn't be. I stepped back, in shock, shaking my head, my eyes wide with fear.

I nearly fell off the porch, but Chris caught me. He grabbed my hand, and pulled me to his house. My dog followed, growling at the direction of Alisha's house, every few seconds.

We ran inside, and slammed the door, shut. His parents were out of town. The house was eerily quiet. It was like a horror movie, but worse. It was reality.

"What do we do? What do we do?" I whispered, frantically. I was hyperventilating, and I was about to faint, but Chris grabbed both of my wrists, and stared deep into my eyes. His eyes were soft with concern, but hard with seriousness. "Listen to me, Lana. We will make it. Don't you worry."

I nodded; "You're right. But, I'm so scared." Chris hugged me, and rested his chin on my head. My worries seemed to fade away. "It'll be okay," he whispered, into my ear. I felt so happy. In my head "River Flows in You" played. It was like a dream. We held each other close…until we heard the voices.

"Let's go out the back," he said. My dog and I followed. We were terrified what was going to happen, but Chris was so determined to get us to safety. He was so dependable. I realized he wasn't my crush-he was my love.

Chapter Two

All three of us ran; we ran until our legs were sore. We ran until we reached the next town. We were so exhausted, it had taken ours, but luckily, we were so scared, and Chris was so worried, that we made it.

We had no idea what "The Four" as we called them, were going to do. We were terrified, because, we've heard reports of what the three bullies did. They were practically juvenile delinquents! They were cruel, harsh, and brutal! What could we do but run?

We literally went from house to house, searching for a shelter, at least for one night. No one took us in. We had to sleep in the streets.

Chris held me tight, offering warmth, to some degree. I didn't care if I was so cold that I might die, as long as I died in his arms. Obviously, though, I lived.

Those five years have been brutal. My story is strange, filled with romance and horror. It is the kind of story that makes you realize how good you have it, and you shouldn't be afraid to enjoy being a child. While you have your story plotted out to be a happy ending, keep it that way.