Shadow-Land - Heather Parsons (bill gates book recommendations TXT) 📗

save herself.

When she heard the faint sound of the school bell ring she stood up and walked back. With her head down she couldn't see anything but the ground in front of her and then all the sudden there she heard the honking of a car horn making her jump back. Snapping her head up in response to the noise she realized then that she'd walked out in the middle of the road and hadn't even known it. The shock that was shown on her face was the most emotion she'd shown all week. At least as far as anyone else has seen.

“Sierra, oh my God. I almost hit you. Are you okay?” Jasmine screamed jumping out of her car to run up to Sierra's side. She grabbed hold of Sierra's arms and saw the blank expression on her face. Cursing to herself for not paying more attention to the road in front of her and then horror struck her when she thought she'd almost killed a friend. One that meant the world to her.

Sierra's eyes met Jasmine's for a brief second before she dropped them and shook her head. Once again tears brimmed her eyelids and again for the millionth time today she hid her pain from the world. Without a word muttered from her lips, Sierra slipped out of Jasmine's hold and continued walking.

The moment she stepped foot in the school parking lot, she saw Jasmine talking to Travis. Maybe Jasmine was telling him that she almost hit her on the road or maybe not. Sierra hoped for the lesser because she didn't want the attention she knew he'd give her. But it didn't matter, she had no intention of talking to either of them. Not today and not until she sorted things out first. Which may never happen, she thought.

“Sierra come here please. I need to talk to you.” Teri said smiling and waving her way.

Sierra looked right at her but didn't see her. Her mind was so focused on other things that she didn't make a move towards Teri or even acknowledge her.

With no other choice than to walk closer to them Sierra did but only because they were stood near the entrance and when she was close enough to them did she overheard what was being said about her.

“See her. It's like she's not really here with us. What happened? Did someone die?” Jennifer asked. Her voice was way

to cheery to be asking those kinds of questions.

And hearing her ask if someone died crushed Sierra. Her mind replayed her nightmare right there and then in front of everyone, allowing them to see her pain. Fresh tears run down her face and even though she hid herself she knew they could see.

“She's not talking to anyone. Especially not me. I tried but it's like she doesn't hear me. And this morning when I went to pick her up, she was waiting outside for me. The whole way to school I looked back at her and she was crying and when I asked what was wrong. She just said to let her go.” Travis said in agonizing tone. First he faced their mutual friends while saying this and then turned her way. He knew she was hiding herself from him but he could tell just by looking at her that something terrible was happening. If only she'd talk about it then he could help her. But no she has to keep it all to herself and hide it so no one can see but she's not fooling him.

Listening to his voice brought on another wave of tears, there was nothing that Sierra could do to make him happy again. Sucking in deep breaths, she tried to mask her voice so it wasn't obvious that she'd been crying.

“Stop talking about me like I'm not here.” But it didn't work, they could hear the tears through her words, she knew it by the looks on their faces. Making a quick exit she ran for the doors. Once in the hallway she made her way to the restrooms and into a stall. Where she sat down by herself and let the tears ran freely.

“Sierra, girl, I'm here for you,” Jasmine whispered. “Please talk to me. I know something's wrong and if it makes you feel better I wont say anything to anyone about what we talk about. I'll take it to the grave if I have too. Just please talk to me.”

“Thanks but I can't.” Sierra wrapped her arms around her chest tighter when hearing her friends pleads. Would telling someone help? Sierra didn't believe it would so she didn't say anything about it. What could Jasmine or anyone else do to stop it from happening? Nothing!

“Do you want me to get Travis? Maybe he can help.” She asked and for a second she thought she'd said something right for a change.

“He can't help me! No one can.” Sierra voice rose then fell again catching herself before she lost control. Hitting both her hand and her head against the stall door to dislodge the pain in her heart and have it go some place else.

When Jasmine heard the snapping noises the wooden stall door made, she jumped back. Was her friend trying to hurt herself? She'd never seen Sierra act this way before and right now she was more scared for Sierra than what would happen to her if she came out swinging.

Trying to calm down the best she knew how to, Jasmine took a step towards the stall and placed her hand upon it. Feeling anguish and despair she lowered her voice to a whisper and spoke, “Sierra, I just.... I don't know what to say other than please don't do this. Please.”

Crying softer now Sierra opened the stall door and embraced her friend. Both were crying and both were holding on for dear life. Although Jasmine didn't know why she felt a sudden loss, she still held tightly to her friend until the tears had all but dried up.

“Can I at least give you a ride home after school. It's been ages since we did that. Then you won't have to talk to anyone and I promise I won't pressure you into talking.” She said.

“I'd really like that, Jasmine. Thanks.” Sierra whispered and pulled herself off her friend. When they exited the restroom the final bell rang giving them just enough time to get to their assigned classes. Neither of them seemed to mind the glances they were given as they walked together down the hallway. Nor did they mind that everyone could see that they've been crying. But Sierra was thankful that the hallways were mostly clear. Wiping her face clean with the sleeve of her shirt Sierra strolled into her classroom with her head down and slipped into her seat without cause.

The rest of the day went by the same as the beginning. In a blur. But thankfully there were only two classes to go and then the day was over. Those two classes went by just as the others one's had, quickly and without cause.

Sierra walked to the parking lot and located Jasmine's car without a problem. Although Jasmine was nowhere to be found Sierra walked down to the curb and waited. Hoping Jasmine would soon be out and she could go home. It seemed everywhere Sierra looked she could see the stares she was getting from her classmates and wished somehow she could be invisible. Maybe disappear completely, would be best.

However time seemed to be not on her side as she stood by and waited patiently for her friend. With her head down she didn't notice much of anything but occasionally she would glance up to see if Jasmine was coming. And each time she did this she also noticed Travis sitting on the benches staring back at her. The moment their eyes connected, she felt her tears returning. And even though she tried to keep them at bay some escaped and started streaming down her cheeks. Shaking her head, Sierra looked away and back to the ground at her feet. She hated the feeling of having something holding her down. Or of keeping secrets.

“Hey girl. What's going on?” Jake asked surprising her. He spoke in warm and inviting words.

One moment she was standing by herself hiding her pain and the next he was there so close she thought he'd see it. Where he had come from she didn't know but just having him standing this close was not good for either of them.

“Hi, Jake.” Sierra whispered. Taking a second to glance at his face then looking back at the ground before he could notice.

“Do you have a date for the dance?” He asked.

“I'm not going.” She said quietly.

“Your the most beautiful girl at this school and your not going to the dance. Why? Did no one ask you?” He asked in surprise. Raising an eyebrow then looked at Travis and shook his head.

“Thanks Jake that's sweet. But I don't want to go to the dance. That's all.” She whispered. Mentioning the dance brought back the conversation Jennifer had said in the car ride here this morning. Doubling the pain she felt in her heart.

“Didn't Travis ask you?” He asked and this time she looked up to see if he was serious. Taking the chance she also looked over at Travis but quickly looked down. Jennifer was with him now and she didn't want to see them making out.

“Why Jake? Why does it matter?” She asked looking back at him while fighting off the tears that threatened to escape one again.

“Because I wanted to know if you'd go with me. I'd even pick you up and take you to dinner. So what do you say? Will you go to the dance with me?” He asked. His eyes brightened up and as much as she hated seeing him fall, she also couldn't go with him or anyone else.

“Sorry Jake but as I told you. I'm not going.” She whispered.

“It's okay there's still time to change your mind. I'll try again later.” He smiled at her then started walking away before she could answer.

“Sorry, Jake. I just can't.” Sierra yelled louder so he could hear her but her voice never reached him.

Turning back around she looked again for Jasmine because