Mysterious Ties

Chapter 1

1980: She walked in looking for someone in particular. All she had was some note telling her that she should meet him here, but why? Walking into the wide-open space of the O'Connor mansion, she called out "Michael?"
No response.
"Michael, if you're planning something, I swear to God I'll kill you myself."
Still no response.
Sighing, she takes her flashlight and shines it straight ahead. Walking deeper into the house, Lilly grows impatient. With a shaky voice, she speaks, "Michael, this isn't funny. Let's just head back to the diner, okay?"
Headed up the grand staircase, she holds onto the mahogany railing and exhales. Placing her feet on flat ground, she turns a sharp corner as her foot slips. Falling onto her back, she groans and reaches to retrieve her flashlight. Her hand touches something, an unknown substance, and her heart stops for a second. Pulling her hand toward her chest, she stands up and dusts off dirt from her faded jeans. Turning her flashlight on to see what she slipped in, a scream escapes her mouth as she beholds the mutilated body of her best friend and lover, Michael.

18 years later...

Walking into English literature, Mr. Hagen greets me with a friendly smile. Continuing to write today's lesson on the chalkboard, Ulanda Hemmings tapped her nails on the desk in the back. Meeting my gaze, she rolls her eyes as I ask "Is this seat taken?"
Taking her backpack out of the seat, I sit down and get out the materials I need. Minding my own business, class starts as the teacher speaks, "Shakespeare, the famous writer of all time." His black leather shoes click down the aisle. Holding his hands behind his back, his curiosity grows, "Can anyone name something that he wrote?"
      Ulanda speaks "Why do we need to know about some dead guy in the first place?"
A few people in the class snicker as Mr. Hagen points out "Shakespeare wrote many wonderful works, tragic romances to laughable comedies."
I chuckle and raise my hand, "I agree. Shakespeare was a genius."
    Mr. Hagen raises an eyebrow "What works do you know of?"
"Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, Antony and Cleopatra."
   Seeming impressed that I know so many, Ulanda rolls her eyes and mumbles "...show off."
The teacher gives a slight smile, "Very good." Walking through the aisles, another student raises his hand. Calling on the person, I glance over at the human speaking.
    Clearing his throat, he states "Shakespeare did write books, and he also wrote 38 plays in total. Including his earliest, which were Richard III and Henry VI."
I raise a tiny smile to my lips and think, "He likes Shakespeare as much as me. This could be interesting."
   The teacher gives a nod for a job well done, "Excellent, Mr. Callaway."
The man leans back in his chair and gets back to drawing. Cracking his knuckles, another man gives him a high-five as Callaway smirks. Still looking in his direction, our eyes lock for a second and I give a slight blush. He gives a half-smile and turns back to his friend.