City of Secrets

Chapter 1

"Neo, Get up!"

            I groaned as my bubbly friend shook me awake. I rolled over to face her, and slowly opened my eyes, sending her my classic death glare. "What do you freaking want?" I growled, not understanding what could possibly be more important than my precious alone time with my covers and mattress.

            I tried to pull the covers over my head to block her out, but she pulled them right back down and onto the floor. I groaned and quickly sat up, ready to throw down. "Rachel!" I yelled. She just stood there, smirking and twirling her blonde ponytail in her fingers. "Yeees?" she said in a sing-song voice. I glared at her. "Give them back." I said. I was never much of a morning person.

            "Hmm..." Rachel hummed, her brown eyes narrowing in thought. "Nah," she said, "I don't really feel like it." After saying this, she turned around and ran out the door, dragging my blankets behind her. Instead of following my instincts and running after her, I stayed sitting on my bed. "You're a cruel person, Rachel!" I yelled, hearing distant giggles in response.

            I sighed, and decided to get up, seeing that I didn't have anything to cocoon myself in anymore. I went over to my dresser, and put on my usual yellow tank top and black cargo pants. Then I threw on my black leather jacket and dark gray high tops and looked in the mirror, brushing my raven hair and putting it up in a high ponytail. Once my appearance was decent, I headed downstairs, where Rachel was sprawled out on my couch.

            "I really wish you would stop barging into my house all the time." I said, heading to the kitchen to pour myself a bowl of cereal. "Hey," said Rachel, "it's not my fault you don't know how to close your windows." I rolled my eyes and headed back to the main room. When Rachel wouldn't make room for me to sit on the end of the couch, I threatened to sit on her legs instead. Immediately, she jerked her legs away.

            As I sat down and started my breakfast, I glanced over at my friend, who was lazily sprawled out beside me. "Why are you here, anyway?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Rachel looked back at me. "I'm waiting for you. Seriously, hurry up."

            For a moment, I was confused. "Waiting for what, exactly?" I said, completely clueless. Rachel looked at me like I had just killed somebody. "Do you seriously not remember?" she asked, accusingly. I didn't say anything. Rachel face-palmed. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe you. We've only been planning this for two weeks!"

            Suddenly, realization hit me like a bus. After choking on the mouthful of cereal I had previously tried to swallow, I shot off the couch and threw the rest of my breakfast in the sink. "Gosh, Rachel, why didn't you freaking tell me?" I asked, rushing to the door. Rachel rolled her eyes and followed me outside. "I assumed you remembered." She said as we ran down the street. "Come on, girl, keep up!"

            After running several blocks, we passed a sign that said "Radiant Garden Shopping Square." We both slowed to a halt, gasping for air. "Good..." I said, catching my breath. "We're... almost there..." Rachel was leaning forward, her hands on her knees. "Good... because... I'm done... with running."

"What's the matter? You two out of shape or something?"

            The sound of the all too familiar voice made us both turn around. There stood a tall male with red spikey hair and deep green eyes. He smirked at the two of us, and I shot a glare right back at him. "Shut up, Lea, we had to run the whole way here." Lea walked toward us. "Oh?" He said. "And why is that?" A sheepish look came across my face, and I looked at the ground. Before I could say anything, Rachel chimed in. "Well, SOMEBODY forgot about our plans for today."

            I sent a sharp look at my friend. "I didn't forget the plan, I just forgot the date." I said. "Besides, I remembered eventually, so shut up." Rachel rolled her eyes. "Yeah, after I basically spelled it out for you." I shot her another glare, and she returned it. "Stop staring at me with those pale blue eyes. They freak me out." I grinned at this, and we all started laughing.