Under the Floorboards

Chapter 1: Introduction

It is the last day of school and summer starts in only a few hours. As a senior in Woodsville, Pennsylvania, this is the scariest day of the year. This is the night that everyone makes it their mission to do something crazy. I'll never understand why that is.

I sit down at my lunch table with all of my friends. I sit my tray beside my boyfriend, Mark's. Mark Devontae is the captain of the football team, one of the most popular guys in school, and has at least half of the girls that go to Woodsville high just dying to even talk to him. I was the lucky one he actually took notice to. Basically all of my friends are what you would call, "the popular group," but I've never felt like I entirely belong. They aren't stuck up or obnoxious or anything like that, they pretty much get along with everyone.

Biting into an apple, I pull my long brown hair out of braids and the curly strands fall loose on my shoulders. My brown eyes meet with Mark's darker brown. Smiling lightly, I look back at everyone else. Across from me sits Nina Hau and her boyfriend, Chase Smith. Nina is Korean, she has long black hair and fierce eyes. Chase is a peach skin-toned, blonde flippy-haired guy with blue eyes that Nina never stops talking about.

The rest of my best friends scattered about the table eating and chatting.

Arizona and Alaska Pizano are twins, they are very skinny with brown eyes and medium length hair, the only distinguishing trait between the two is Arizona's dyed blonde hair and Alaska's natural brown hair.

Damon Miller is a tall brown-haired guy with icy blue eyes, he's the brain of the group. Whenever there's a problem to be solved, he's the guy to go to.

Hazel Montez is a mixed girl with brown hair and dark-brown eyes. She's the tallest girl in our grade, a destined sprinter for the school track team. Despite her friendly personality and avoidance of conflict, nobody would want to pick a fight with her.

Yvoni Foster is a Hispanic girl with long brown hair and dark brown eyes. She's extremely independent, much like myself.

Lazaro Martinez is a dark-skinned, very tall guy with brown eyes. He's the goofball of the group, he's the kind of guy to go to when you just need a good laugh.

Zane Sisco is a short Hispanic with dark hair and brown eyes. He's a reckless decision-maker and never hesitates to take a risk.

Ivy Cosgrove is a short Indian, sort of like me, and she has long brown hair and eyes as well. She's a very deep thinker and she often secludes herself from the group. I sometimes like to seclude myself with her.

Mark is usually the one who got us into stupid situations, the rest of us will just go with the flow and follow whatever his next adventure planned is. This year however, we wouldn't agree to follow along with his plan.

"Yo, Mark! What up, bro?" one of the football players asks as he stops at our table and takes a sip of Arizona's water without her permission as he kneels with one leg on the bench seat. Arizona eyed him with a look of disgust. I'm surprised she doesn't slap him.

"Keep your wet dog mouth off of my water bottle," Arizona flicks her eyebrow and challenges him. The guy laughs, shaking his head.

"Just trying to plan something crazy for tonight," Mark sips his Gatorade as he rests his arm over my shoulder.

"Dude. You know what would really wow people?" the guys face lights up with excitement.

"What are you thinkin'?" Mark raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"Babe. Don't do anything stupid," I shake my head as I look up at him.

"You know I won't," He winks before looking back at the guy.