Chapter One

Parker Campbell
Burton Michigan September 14, 2014
Oh God, Parker thought to himself as he arrived on his first day of his senior year at
Cydell High School. Casually dressed in a Hollister t-shirt and an old pair of blue jeans,
Parker was not one to draw attention to himself. To be honest, to less attention the
better. Walking towards the front door, he noticed two, what must have been
freshman, (from the fact that he had never seen them before) sucking each others'
faces, both of their tongues missing their partner's mouth. Gross. Next to them were
the popular sophomore girls, their noses held in the hair, while their jock boyfriends
follow their every demand. Everything is so clich around here, Parker's thoughts
continued. Sometimes I wish I could just get out of this stupid ass town, Parker's
words were soft and under his voice. He hoped that if he said it long enough it would
eventually happen.
Parker reached the front doors of the high school and walked right into what seemed
like utter chaos. Teachers and administrators screaming from left to right, and without
a break in between their words. You would have to listen extra carefully to get a
grasp on what their were saying, but now that was not possible. Freshman wondered
around with a map of the school in their hands, bumping into almost every body in
their path. In the middle of everything sat 4 large tables, with each one labeled with
a different grade level. On top of these tables were neon yellow papers, all organized
alphabetically. They were almost impossible to miss. Parker knew what they were the
minute he saw them. The dreaded student class schedule. He walked up to the
tabled labeled as Senior and began to search for his name. Let's see here....
Cabby.... Cade.... Ca -
At that moment a pair of hands covered Parker's eyes, tightly. In total darkness, a
faint scent of Dior perfume found its way to Parker's nose.
Guess who, a soft voiced whispered into his ear.
Parker took a minute to respond. He already knew that it was his best friend Sherrie
Powers. They had met freshman during a study hall class and has been the closest of
friends ever since.

I don't know, tell me, Parker teased, trying to keep all seriousness in his voice.
Sherrie dropped her hands from his eyes and allowed Parker to see who she was.
Glad to see that you have already forgotten about your friends. I guess four years
wasn't long enough for you to recognize my voice.
Behind Sherrie walked up Nicole Andrews, Parker's and Sherrie's friend and true
confidant. Regret maybe but not forget, no way, Nicole joked. She held out her
hand for both of them to see the shiny diamond ring that now sits on her finger.
Oh. My. God. Did Jimmy buy that for you. Sherrie gasp. She reached out to hold
Nicole's hand, taking a closer look at the ring.
Well, I sure as hell didn't buy it. Nicole said excitedly. Maybe a little too loud, she
wanted to make sure that every one within earshot could hear her. The girls
continued to talk about the details of the ring, how Nicole and Jimmy are now
officially a thing, and how Nicole can now buy anything she wants because Jimmy is
rich, well he isn't but his parents are. Parker's smile stretched across his face. He hadn't
seen his friends all summer, mainly because him and his family took a trip to
Uncertain, Texas, A seriously middle of nowhere town that has no more than 150
people there, to see some relatives. He had always considered himself an outcast
and somewhat socially awkward, but he wasn't worried about labels and was happy
to have friends that didn't try to change some aspect of him. He could totally just be
himself. Now, being senior year, he hoped they would at least have a few classes
together. He was so anxious to see his class schedule. It was a game of hope for the
best, prepare for the worst.
Good morning, children, A female voice said sternly.
Parker couldn't believe his rotten luck. Mrs. Bennett was the strictest teacher in the
entire school, maybe within the entire country, she was that bad. He noticed that
Nicole was busy on her phone taking a picture of the ring. Clearly she hadn't noticed
who spotted them.
Young woman, I'm not afraid to write you up on your first day if you continue to use
your mobile device, Mrs. Bennett said. The way she said mobile as if she put more
emphasis on the b made it sound weird.
Just sending a quick tweet, Ma'am. Be done in just a second. Nicole responded.
She kept her head down with her eyes fixed on the phone.

Well, you're phone better be off in ten seconds or you won't have to worry about
tweeting or even going to class. Mrs. Bennett raised her voice, as if she couldn't do
anymore to get her point across.
Nicole sent the tweet, turned her phone off, and mumbled an apology.
So sorry about that Mrs. Bennett, Nicole should pay more attention to the rules. How
are you this fine morning? Sherrie said with just a slight smirk on her face, almost
unnoticeable.
I don't need your platitudes, Ms. Powers, Mrs. Bennett dismissed her, Aw Parker,
you're still here and coming to class I see, she noted.
Yes, Mrs. Bennett, he said quickly, and good morning to you. he added.
Mrs. Bennett seemed to smirk. Hopefully you will think so after checking your
schedule, she said in a cryptic way and walked off without another word.
This confused Parker. Why would a teacher be that interested in his schedule.
Heaven help the poor souls that have to sit in a class with the Devil's Bride, Nicole
muttered using the nickname students gave Mrs. Bennett behind her back, She
sends shivers down my back, I mean she bit Sherrie's head off for being pleasant.
Clearly that's not what she wants from her students, Sherrie said clearly hurt, What
she wants is obedience and silence. Hardly anyone speaks in her class."
She hates me, Parker said, I'm mean she really does hate my guts, last year she
failed me for no good reason, he whined, and I actually did the work.
Maybe it's because you're a devil worshiper, Nicole laughed.
Har, har, that's not true, I bring a Ouija board to school one day and everyone thinks
I do dark magic Parker said. He looked back down at the table and continued to
search for his schedule. He searched through countless names until he finally reached
his. His smile began to fade as he looked it over. Oh. Crap. You're kidding me, right?

What? Sherrie and Nicole asked in unison.

I have Mrs. Bennett for my Government class, Parker moaned, Now, I'm really
gonna get it.
Bummer, Nicole said. She turned back on her phone and once again her face was
glued to the screen.
Sorry, Parker, She said. She reached out her hand and patted him on the back, as if
to give her best effort to comfort him.