It’s seven sixteen o’clock. The local bus has arrived as late as always. What else do you expect from an eighty year old man. Mr. Jacobs is the only person in this town that knows how to act right unlike some old lady we all know and are crept out by. The bus came to a screech. The doors chartered open to a row of steps to walk. Seeing how the little girl had an old chest as big as her, she had trouble getting into the bus. Stalling the people's time inside the bus of their evening plans made the elderly cranky. Mr.Jacobs was nice enough to offer, “Do you need help little girl with your luggage.” “UM?” Don’t worry I’m not that old.” For a feral old man he is pretty strong. The cranky… crazy old lady was in the back and like always she had a few words of her own to say for me again,” This ain't no place to be fooling around.

Sorry for the wait, the driver commented.

You OT to be, Right now I’ll already be at bingo chomping on a bucket of fried chicken with my new pearls by now

Don't mind her, she is a little, while twirling his finger beside his head, Have a seat sweetie, guiding her to her nearest seat.

Anna seated herself behind the bus driver. Seeing how he would be in her best interest for survival.

Why you off to this late, my dear. I hope your not doing something your not suppose to.

No, and the airport.

What would a girl like you doing at an airport all by yourself.

Leaving for California for school.

With that easing his mind he pulled off on the the road. Glancing back at the little girl in the rear view mirror he questioned, So you're the promising young lassie with the scholarship?

That’s me.

Well, good for you.

Goodbye to the crazy and hello to anew. The scenery is changing fast but I’m ready. I am but on my way to the place where I belong.” Starting today I leave from Ohio all the way to sunny California. At the break of dawn my new life is about to begin. By the time I got to the campus the rest of the girls have already finished unpacking. “Where do I sign in again, well I bounded to find it,” wandering around? Attached to her luggage is a piece of rope knotted at the handle. If the struggle was not hard enough a second obstacle is at hand. Her room is on the second floor. With no one willing to help, I gasped the rope tightly and dragged my chest one step at a time. Then down the hall I went slow and steady. By the time I made it to my door, the hours have passed by. I opened the door and slugged myself across the empty room then, plopped myself backwards on to the bed. I was drenched in sweat.

Staring off into space, she loses herself in the vast empty void. Floating endlessly into the deep abyss she disappeared. Waiting for someone to come a rescue her. The air thickens by every tap. She heard an unknown speech but no one in sight.Someone is approaching. The exit to the void was still enclosed. Looking back up to the ceiling she wondered what type of life form she was going to encounter. She dreamed of the possibilities at hand, a high fashion cat walking model or a super science geek gold medal champion or maybe, someone like me.

The creaking of the door strung her right back up and into a standing position. Her hand held out as stiff as a board. She didn’t get a handshake or a hello but a cold shoulder. She slowly pulled her arm back to her side like nothing happened. If she was going to find anything out about the trio of girls, she had to be brave. The silence stilled the air, but that didn’t stop her from cutting the tension. She walked to the group starting with a fresh start, "Hello, my name is Anna... nice to meet you all. And if you don't mind me asking which one of you three is my roommate.” An overpowering response made the mood of the room even colder than before. With a roll of the eyes, the girl with the ponytail stated, “I do. Anna scratching her head then said, “I guess that means you’re my roommate.”

“Not for long.” And with the comment Annabelle slowly slid away out of the room.

She leaves the dorm to follow a bunch of kids running off to the main building. What could possibly be so exciting? There was a girl in the center of it all, doing flips twists and tricks. To bad I can’t see her clearly. There are rows of girls cheering her on. Her face was half covered by goggles. Not even the first official day of the school year and Anna knew was in for a ride of her life.

With the return of Anna also was confusing and disappointing welcome.

Where is my stuff

What stuff

The mushroom then huge vintage wooden chest, it’s not hard to miss

Oh that, they're beside the dumpster

Why

How can I sleep in a room with junk all over? Besides some of your belongings made this room childish.

Some belongings that was all of my belongings

Really, Well at least you have more free space to put actual clothes and decorate from this century .

You took the rest of the room for yourself.

Well, how else am I going to fit my precious belongings in my room.

Your room? Anna glared

Yes my room. Besides don’t you have somewhere to be.

You're not getting away with this.

Oh but I already have.

Anna stormed off out the room in a huff. Stomping down the hallway she heard her roommate comment “You don't mind if I hang some of my clothes in your closet do you,” sarcastically. And with that in her mind she paused but, it was not worth it. With her train of thought back on track again she headed off down the hallway.Stumbling around the campus in the jungle not yet explored. Looking high and low for the missing treasure, Anna traveled a vast distance on the tedious trail around the campus. “Even if it takes all night I will not surrender. She will not get her way. In the end it will be the evil Queen that will smell defeat,” shouted Anna within her head. Climbing high in the trees, she scouted out for other foes. Her guard was up and on high alert. Footsteps were lurking closer by the second. As the closer the two girls got she realized it was the other two girls back from the room. She had no time, her cover was about to be blown. Her gears working at top speed made her mind was overworked. The steam cleared the way for a brilliant plan, a plan was brewing. A light bulb went off. She picked an acorn from a branched and throws it away from her direction. It did not get the girls attention. The sound was not loud enough. She quickly gathered all she could and though it as hard as she could. This time it caught the girl's attention along with a few others. Anna fled from the scene. The constant pelting of the acorns accidentally broke a nearby window. With curiosity on her side she was bound to win for now.

On she went, back on the path to find her treasure chest. The sun was cruising across the sky. The day was halfway over. Finally, she stumbled upon her stuff behind the girl's dormitory. “Of course it was behind the building I was staying at. Like that stuck up girl would drag my belongings across campus or should I say her worker bees. Well at least I have my stuff back, for now,” Anna commented.

The challenge has yet to start. “The true question that bothers me is how am I going to get my stuff back to my room before curfew without anyone noticing. The hardest part is keeping Queen Bee and her Workers from doing it again, but how.” Anna plopped down on her chest and resumed thinking position. Searching the premises for the best route she finally found one. With only little time to spare, Anna’s luck is all she had left to go on for the time being. She went back for her chest of treasure, slowly bringing it to safety. If it wasn't for the campus staff I would have not be dragging my belongings to my room twice. It is like they have no eyes. It's all up to me. Getting closer to the front of the building a sound of a group of girls were approaching. She sprung behind her chest hiding from her enemies or at least total embarrassment Besides It not like they would believe me over the campus’ own royal, Queen Bee. As the footsteps ceased to exist. She continued her journey. The most difficult part was the towering mountain. Anna had no choice but to climb, being the only path to the castle in the sky. But that was not going to stop her, so close to the end of her journey. She was close to her deadline with the girls at the dining hall eating their supper it was the perfect chance to hall the loud,thumping making noise of a chest up the staircase with no one wandering eyes to see. With the cries of the staircase steps against the case just begging for mercy. The creaking of the boards made Anna jump as she tugged the case up the staircase.

But everything has to come to an end. The girls were on their way back from the dining hall. Hurrying up the steps and down the hall, her life depended on it. It mattered more than the world itself. Her social life was on the line. Finally, in front of her room she opens the door and shuffles the case inside the room and quickly closing the door behind her. Anna opened her closet door to find it untouched for now. Seeing it be the only place to keep out of Chloe's direct line of sight, Anna shoved the chest in the closet. But that did not stop the ones lurking behind her. Anna didn’t know how loud she was being,until she heard whispers down the hall. While Anna was busy on her part a group of girls followed the noise all the way to her room. And just as the girls of the dorm were about to open the door, she quickly tiptoed to her closet shutting the door in front of her as the other one was opening. She waited in the closet for the girls to be done with their search. Just as it was about to end the, bees came flying back into the hive. The others leave with their heads held down some mumbling sorry on their way out. But for me it seems I’m stuck in here for the night.

Sitting in this closet is ridiculous. I should just open the door and go sleep in my bed. In the end, I still find myself inside the closet every time I open my eyes. It’s not as bad as I thought. I can rest my back against the hard wall and sit on the splitting floor. Well, it could be worse. Miss Queen Bee could have opened the doors revealing me in front of the other girls earlier (or the other way around.) I would be the highlight of the school. Extra Extra read all about the new girl hiding in her own closet. People will think I’m a freak! Total embarrassment would have fallen upon me. How would I be able to survive the six years left of school? And on top of it all it is just the first day. What else can possibly happen? After all I am just an average girl in an average school. Right?

It is the middle of the night and I have not slept all day. How could I, I was busy getting my stuff back and hiding it and myself in this old closet. The only thing calming about the situation is the beam of light coming from the bottom of the door. I guess I finally got to see the moon... (Light). Shimmering off the wall, revealing all the cracks and creases and the pilling of the wallpaper was revealed by the light. Behind the piling wall there is a wooden door. What could be behind the wallpaper? Quietly tearing the wallpaper off the back of the closet, I try not to wake the majesty. Behind the old wallpaper was a door, but to what. I go to open the door but it will not open. I wonder what is behind the door? Where would the key be to this old forgotten door? She sat back down staring at the old door, wondering. Before long she drifted into a deep sleep.

CHAPTER 2

The sun was up and shining at its brightest but not bright enough. Waking up to silence she thought it would be safe to clear out. She is alone walking to breakfast with nobody in sight. She got to the dining hall and sat down and waited to be served. No one else was there. She thought maybe she was just early. Still waiting she sees no one is coming for breakfast. One glance at the clock Anna knew what was wrong. Without a second thought she rushed to first period. What she thought was early was actually an hour after breakfast. It was eight thirty. Just as she was about to reach her first class the bell rang. As the people rushed out of the classrooms into the halls Anna merged into the crowd. Anna went throughout the day as if she never missed first period until lunch came.

On her way out of math the principal was waiting for her. Miss Cunning, "May I have a word with you.” Anna internal screams echoed through her head a thousand times over. With a pause she replied with the low tone, “yes". Following the principal she listened to the sound of her steps. A click and a tap, click and a tap reaping in hear head. The principal stopped in front of the door to her office. On the other hand a girl with a huge plant bumped into the principal. Stepping back she raised her head and stared at Ms. Brickley. No comment on the accident from Mother Earth,but Ms. Brickley did “You would think with a name Grace you would demonstrate more often,” with a growl that could scare wild beast away and a slight rise to her eyebrow. It was bad enough to look at her with a non expressive face. To see her cold dead eyes, eyes of a true principal gazing at Grace was horrifying. The crawling of her skin down through the decades made her eyes even more frightening. And to think we haven't even started.

Making her way around her desk Ms. Brickley commanded me to, “Take a seat.” I scuttled to the chair. I tried to present myself with utmost dignity. My lack of posture showed a different view. One strong suit I wish I had for me at the moment.

I hear you weren't at supper yesterday evening or morning breakfast Miss Anna

You're right, I was busy

Exactly which engagement made you be absent is everyone ones present not once but twice.

I was unpacking

Surely it didn’t take that long

It took longer than I thought

And would it be because you were not unpacking but occupied with other matters

What else would there be?

I don’t know, how about potential vandalizing school property

Anna’s eyes shoot wide open and with a single droplet of sweat rolling down her forehead gives away the answer. Her grip on the office chair was so tight the wood would split any time now. Anna has dug her grave. Well, her poor aim didn’t do the right work. It is her bed to lie in now.

So I take it was you who broke the dorm window and with ...acorns no less

But…

I wish not to hear your excuses! Seeing you are here on a scholarship plus the highest ranking on the entrance exam out of your whole class. I expect more from you. Not only it will be bad for you to get expelled by it would hurt the schools ranking. Instead I will give you sympathy, one year of detention. While you are still here in privacy of my office, put out your hand. Crack! I hope that will help you remember your place. And you will also serve one month of clean up duty plus, 48 hours of community service for your mistake. This is to learn to respect the property of others. Do I make myself clear!

Yes

IT’S YES MAM!

Yes mam

Any questions?

No mam

You may be excused now

Anna left the office to find herself in an interrogation. Boxed in on all sides with no way to run. Quietly standing waiting to be stung by the bees Anna braced herself.

All always thought you would be trouble, Queen Bee commented

I don’t know what you mean

You know exactly what I’m talking about. Everyone does. After all, it really isn't hard to figure out who did it. Besides it was just a matter of time. Also I was wondering if you might what some roasted acorns.

How did you know it was acorns.

So, it was you

You're the one who told on me.

Pause before a false “No”

And also a liar too. But I will give you prompts I didn’t think someone like you could do such a thing. And here I thought Carmen did it.

I’m not a liar and so what if I broke the window. It has nothing to do with you.

It has everything to do with me. Unlike some people I care about my fellow classmates record and their safety.

Anna shoved her way out of the group of surrounding girls. Storming off with tears dripping down her face, Anna wanted nothing but to run far away from everyone everything. Pacing students on the way Anna got stared at all the way down the hall. She ran into the nearest stall. With her luck the restroom was full of girls in front of the mirror. Curled up on the floor she heard the girls on their why out say, “What a freak.” Anna cried her eyes out for hours until the janitor came to clean.

Anna left her room early just to get away for Chloe but finds her walking into the same homeroom with both of her workers.  Anna had better things on her mind than worry about Queen Bee. She spent most of the morning drawing the key lock to the door when Chloe was in the shower room.  She was almost finished with it until the Queen took her privilege away. Not only her workers but the Queen herself too. The whole hive in one place first thing in the morning no less.

"Nice picture, you don't mind if I have it."

"actually..."

"thanks i'm glad you agree."

The teacher walks in the room.  It’s the same one from detention.  Mr.Glutton necktie had a big strange  sauce stains and crumbs on the corner of his mouth.  I had a big old cup of hot coffee in his hand. The smell was more like hot chocolate than coffee.  What are the odds of getting all my enemies all one way from HELL!

"Everyone please take your seats the final bell has rang."

Strolling to her throne as if she won the battle and the war.  The queen takes one look at the paper and crumbles into a ball.  She throws it to her one of her workers to take care of it. Just as about as she was about to throw it away the extreme Blades rolled in snatching it from her greedy mitts.  Carmen makes a U-turn around the desks into her seat right behind Anna. Quickly Carmen grabs her bag and put in front of her skates before the teacher turned around.

"Miss West I hope that wasn't you skating in."

"No Sir"

"You better be right for your sake."

Anna looks over her shoulder to see Blades with her drawing.  Watching her unravel the crunch up paper to reveal the lock. A look of disappointment and confusion fell across Carmen's face tucking the paper away, until she looked up to seeing Anna expression. Time has passed and the bell has rung.  When anna goes to leave Carmen hands her the picture.

“I think this yours”

“Thanks...How did you …”

“I saw the way you looked at it. So is it something you do often.”

“What do you mean?”

“Drawing, what do you think I was talking about.Does it have to do with your picture.”

“Uh no nothing at all.”

“If you say so”

Carmen rolls out of the class.  Anna waits in the classroom decide to follow.  In the end, Anna decides to sprint up to Carmen, but she is too fast.  With a corner coming up Carmen with have to slow down. In the time span Anna might have a chance to catch up.  Blades had no intent in slowing down by her movement and speed. Then all the sudden she halts screeching and mucking up the floor.  Anna stumbles past Carmen trying to stop. Then Carmen grabs Anna by the back of her sweater to stop.

“Shall we continue.”

“U mm yes”

“ssoooo”

“Actually , I was wondering what key went into this lock.”

“It looks old.”

“It is trust me i was almost forgotten.”

“Did you find anything special in it.”

“What, um no”

“Why not”

“I don’t have the key”

“Just get it replaced”

“I don’t know what kind of key matches to the lock”

“Exactly what is the lock on? Come on you can tell me.”

“It’s on a door.

“If was me I would just pick it. All it takes is a bobby pin and some elbow grease.”

Isn’t illegal to break into something that is not yours.

So it’s not yours, you are more sly than I thought.

Thanks, I think?

You know what they always say don’t knock it until you try it.

“Sure I’ll try it

Well I go this way.”

“OK see you.”

~

During lunch break Anna goes to her room to try Carmen's advice in lock picking.  The only problem is Anna does not own a bobby pin of any sort. But for once being the roommate of one of the most high fashion beauty queens comes with a plus.   Her side of the room is full of a million different clips, clasp, fastens scattered all over her vanity. With one of the bobby pins Anna tries to open the lock by twisting and turning but the door will not budge.  The pin got stuck in the keyhole. It would not come out by just pulling by hand. It was wedge in deep. Anna had to think fast. Looking around she was searching for a hook of some sort to pull the bobby pin out. A light bulb went off in Anna’s head.  She scared her way over to Chloe's closet and took the shirt off of a hanger. The cured edge threaded through the loop of the pin. Holding on tight Anna pulled out the pin. Anna hid all the evidence and scurried to what time was left of lunch. With a bust of plan Carmen comes plan B eventually.

Excuse me that’s my seat.  After all the center table is meant for people that deserve attention.

While biting down on a bologna sandwich Anna looked up with just her eyes to see the Queen Bee.  She ripped off a piece and began chewing during the time of replying back to the Queen, but…

UHHHHH NO NO NO, just leave, commanded pointing toward the loser table.

Anna gulped down the sandwich and scurried to the table.

The Loser Table a vacant wasteland.  It sits right up against the trash cans.  People throw rappers all the way from the other side as if it were a basketball game.  A trust me their aim not so good. But with no more seats left in the cafeteria Anna had nowhere else to go.  Another disappoint added to the book with all of Anna’s secrets.

Anna slide all the trash to the side and sat down.  As soon as she sat down lunch ended and then came the line up missing every shot but instead landed on Anna.  In the background she heard wheels grinding against the floor coming closer and closer. Turning and Carem was coming in hot.  As usual Anna closed her eyes and braced for the impact.

Did you do it?

Anna uncovered her face to see Carmen waiting.

What was that again?

The lock, Anna the lock!

Oh, yeah no luck.

To bad I was looking forward to seeing wants hiding in there.

There is, no there…

Yeah yeah a big secret right.

No it's just…

By the way, why are you sitting at the salvage yard?

The what?

The salvage yard you know. Anna looked at Carmen will complete absence of mind. You don't know, replying to Anna’s shoulder shrug! It’s the most disgusting place on this campus.If I were you, don't ever find yourself here again. You will surely be an outcast by the end of the week. You should come with me during lunch next time in the courtyard. Carmen glanced up at the cafeteria clock. Well,I got to go.

“Today we are counting the history of Egypt.  More pacific the pyramids and their hidden secrets.  Many archaeologists discovered that the pyramids are an ancient burial ground.  To get to the bodies you have to find your way through the maze while avoiding bobby traps.  You would have to do much research to figure out the meaning of the hieroglyphics to safely make it through the pyramids.  If not you are at greater risk at putting yourself and others in danger. Some archaeologists spend decades studying the history before entering the sites. First, research than putting the plan in action that is always the right way to go about things.  Don’t you think class.”

“Yes Mr.Bull,”the class responding together with a long and lengthy breath.

A light bulb above Anna lit up. Busting out of her seat,“THAT’S IT!”

“What would that be miss Anna?”

“U mm what you said, I agree.”

“Well I'm glad to see a student so thrilled over the history of Ancient Egyptian culture,but next time keep your excitement down a little.  After all we are still in class.”

“Yes Mr.Bull.”

Anna goes ahead and slides out her diary when the teacher isn't looking and jots down her idea.

School library history section is the best place to take a glimpse back into the past.  After school Anna went to search for clues in the school’s library. It was a two floor building in the campus central perimeter. Waking into the library the decor was magnificent.  It looked like it came from the pages from a princess fairy tale. The bookshelves were three times higher than an average adult. They were full to the brink of explosion covering every nook and cranny.  It went on for miles. And at the other end of the building was the librarian. She had her hair pulled up into a tight bun. The only thing keeping her face from hitting the ground. Blue circled her bugged eyelids all the way to her fake eyebrows and her cheeks were two big pink circles with bright red lipstick.  The teachers at this school really are ancient history. I wonder which pyramid they were dug up from.

Excuse me

May I help you

Uh… yes...i need a book on... a history of ...not really sure but it is from along time ago.

If you don't know what you are looking for how do you expect me to know.

Well, I do know it has to do with the town’s local history.

The lady pointed her finger in the direction of world history section.  Anna’s eyes followed the path her old saggy arm no the tip of her long red nailed finger full of gory jewelry to the direction of the second floor. Anna looked back at the librarian but there was no response other than the direction of her finger.  Anna bowed will a short thank you and headed left to the history section. The librarian is cruel on the eyes but see did send me in the right direction. Maybe I was wrong about this school they all can’t be terrible, I hope.

The shelves were full of books but none on what she was looking for.  There were multiple copies of well known books by famous authors. Rows on the history of the two World Wars. Some books just had pictures of tragic events.  In the back Anna found news articles. The paper was a failure and discolored. Some of the print was smeared from the humidity. This truly was gonna be a challenging  problem for Anna.