1. When Prom Turns to Crimson

"You forgot your inhaler!"

Mom's panicked shout from the window made me freeze. I swallowed hard. Why did she have to do that? Now, all the East Bridge High students walking past me were giggling and whispering.

This is me—Bernice Jennings, a senior known as the "unknown object. "People call me the Krank Girl, the Asthmatic, sometimes just "Hey You" or "Her." I wish these labels would disappear from my life, but what can I do?

And tonight, for once, I just wanted to make a sweet memory for my future. But before it even began, Mom tore that dream down.

It's not that I hate Mom's attention. In fact, I'm grateful to have been born from her womb. She's smart, she's kind, she's principled.

Mom's concern has never waned, even now that I am seventeen. Since her divorce from Dad last year, she's become even more protective.

I walked over, grabbed the inhaler from her hand, and shoved it into my purse. Ew... the thing was too big, making one side of my clutch bulge awkwardly.

"Why are you using that clutch, Bern? You've got other bags big enough to hold your meds—I mean, your stuff," Mom said, puzzled.

"Mom, it's prom night. Did you expect me to bring a backpack?"

"Oh... you're right! Okay! I hope you have a great night! You look beautiful!" Mom looked nervous but proud, maybe because I looked different than usual. "I'll pick you up at ten?"

"Yes, Mom. Thanks."

A limousine rolled up, grabbing my attention. It stopped right in front of Mom's old car. The driver opened the door, and a couple of couples got out.

I took a deep breath and saw real beauty and charm; cheerleaders, beauty pageant hopefuls, and their hot dates from the hockey and basketball teams.

I knew I'd never be part of that "shining, shimmering, splendid" circle. Just watching them made me feel tiny, like stardust in a galaxy.

"Sweetie pie? Are you okay? Are you sure you want to go to the prom?" Mom's voice snapped me out of my daydream.

Shrinking back into myself, I shook my head quickly. "Oh, I'm fine!" I flashed a big, fake smile. "See you, Mom!"

"Call me if you need anything, feel anything, and—"

"Bye, Mom!" I pushed my glasses up on the bridge of my nose.

I walked quickly toward the school's back hall. I couldn't run, or Mom would scold me again. My body had always been weak, treated like delicate glass—Bernice, the breakable girl.

Someone waved at me at the entrance. I puffed out my cheeks as I approached Sara, my best friend. She's the only one who acknowledges my existence. Maybe because she also feels like an alien at East Bridge High.

Sara looked gorgeous in a soft blue dress that flared at the knees. Her dark hair was styled like a fairy princess' updo.

"You look beautiful," I told her sincerely.

Sara scoffed. "Like an upside-down tulip."

Truth be told, she looked much better than me.

What's it like to wear a long-sleeved, straight-cut medieval dress? My thin, light brown hair was braided like a zebra's tail. My pale skin clashed with the deep red of my dress, and my heavy glasses made me feel even more out of place. I looked like a grumpy, fragile European queen.

"Come on, let's go inside!" Sara sounded excited.

The hall had been transformed into a fairy tale theme, which was amazing. The DJ's music made my heart race. This was my first time out at night, and I was experiencing what prom was all about.

We stood on the sidelines and watched everyone mingle. They all looked so beautiful and confident, making me feel more insecure. How could I even think of mingling? No one knew me except Sara.

Why is this happening to me? I sighed.

Just as we reached for our drinks, someone bumped me hard from behind. I almost fell, but Sara caught my arm. The guy didn't even stop—he just glanced at me and kept walking.

Cold. That's the word.

My eyes followed him. Who didn't know the mysterious new guy, Zach?

Zachary Archer was a sensation at East Bridge High because of his cold, mysterious vibe—almost antisocial. But with that handsome face and tall frame, Zach was the exception. His aloofness had become a trend.

"Is it really that hard to say sorry?" Sara muttered.

"Maybe he's in a hurry."

"This isn't a train station, Bern."

I studied the tall guy with slightly long dark brown hair and piercing eyes. Zach had sharp features—a strong jawline, thin lips, and a perfectly sculpted nose. There were muscles under his shirt, visible on his arms.

Compared to me—small, skinny, practically light enough to be blown away—I had zero chance of being noticed by Zach.

"He smells expensive. How many bottles of cologne has he sprayed?" Sara tried to be sarcastic but didn't stop staring.

"At least he doesn't smell like a corpse. I feel like I'm dying."

"What? Don't say that! You'll be fine, Bern!"

"Probably..."

I didn't have many dreams, but tonight was one of them. Just a little happiness at the prom. The real joy? That was reserved for the stars of the school.

Suddenly, my chest tightened. Sadness hit me hard. Why did I feel this way on prom night? Ugh, this sucks!

"Hey, you!"

The call made both Sara and I look up. I pointed at myself—was she really calling me? It was Maggie, the head cheerleader. She nodded and motioned for me to come over.

Was this a dream? Had I just been noticed?

"W-what is it?" I asked nervously.

"Can you get me some tampons? I think my period just started. This can't happen tonight!" Maggie looked distressed.

I blinked. "Tampons?"

"Yes!" She leaned closer and whispered, "And a couple cans of beer. Meet me in the woods behind the hall. You'll help me, right?"

She shoved a pile of cash into my hands before I could say anything. Beer? Wasn't that against the rules? I didn't want to get in trouble.

"But..."

"Keep the change!"

As Maggie strutted off, Sara ran over.

"She asked me to buy tampons," I explained before she could ask.

"Give the money back! You're not Maggie's runner!"

But how could I say no to Maggie? Ugh, this was a mess.

"I can take a shortcut through the woods," I said.

"Don't be stupid!"

"When else is the cheer captain going to talk to us? Come on, Sara!"

Sara wasn't happy, but she followed me out. We walked along the dimly lit path leading to a woods trail.

"Are you sure about this?" Sara swallowed.

"There's nothing out here! Come on!"

Something inside me sparked courage as we turned on our cell phone flashlights. Yes, it was kind of stupid to cut through the woods. My gut was asking, "Why are you doing this?"

Yet there was this strange excitement. Maggie asked me for help. After almost three years at the same school, she finally noticed me. Maybe tomorrow, she'd say hello again. Perhaps we'd be best friends before graduation.

Okay, that was just a delusion. But who wouldn't want to be part of the popular crowd?

The half-mile walk through the woods went well. We bought the tampons and a few cans of beer. Everything seemed okay on the way back. Sara also relaxed a bit.

These woods weren't scary. They bordered the school and were often used by the kindergartners for nature activities. Practically safe.

"Are you cold?" Sara looked over at me.

I knew she was worried. I was starting to wheeze, and my cheeks must have been flushed.

"Do you have your inhaler?"

"In my purse." I showed her the clutch. "Relax, I'm fine."

Sara just nodded and said nothing else. We kept walking. The beer cans clinked in the plastic bag, leaves crunched under our feet.

Then we heard it. A twig snapping—not far off.

Sara and I froze, eyes wide open.

"You heard that?" she whispered.

"Probably a skunk."

Another snap. Louder. Then again. Sara flicked her phone's light around nervously.

"You think it's a skunk, Bern?"

"I don't..."

Then something slammed into Sara. It was huge. Dark. Her scream pierced the air.

"Sara!! Sara!!" My voice felt like it was disappearing.

I heard ripping. Snarling. Growling. The thing crouched over her limp body. Oh, God! Sara!

"No... no..." My voice broke.

The growl made my blood freeze. I couldn't move. I couldn't scream. Its glowing red eyes locked onto mine, starving.

"Please... please..." I choked out.

It lunged, slashing across my chest and tearing into my skin. I hit the ground, pain exploding through my body. I gasped for breath as the creature loomed over me.

A monster. With a snout. Sharp, blood-soaked teeth.

"Mom..." Tears streamed down my face.

The pain was unbearable. This was it. My last night alive.

In the distance, I heard a howl. The beast turned and ran, disappearing into the woods.

I could smell my own blood pooling on the ground.

"Mom... help... Mom..."

My vision blurred. I knew I was dying. One last figure approached—was it Zach?

Then everything went dark.