"WINTER GRACE HOOD, HALT RIGHT THERE!!!" Turning around, I see my best friend, Maple Smith, running down the crowded hallway towards me, her sandals thumping on the floor while her dress flows out behind her. Her maple syrup and blonde mixed locks bounce on her back while her green eyes are bright and filled with excitement. She soon comes to a halt beside me.

     "What's up, Maple?"

     Her body shakes with excitement as she looks me in the eyes. "GUESS WHO JUST INVITED ME TO GO WITH HIM TO THE PARTY TOMORROW?!"

     I take a moment to process who she could be talking about. My eyes widen as I realize who it is. "No way! Ashton Woods?!" Ashton Woods has been Maple's crush since he first moved here back in the 6th grade. His brunette hair and bright blue eyes made him fit in with the popular’s immediately. Maple and I, on the other hand, have always been part of our own crowd. Not really fitting in although, with Maple's looks, she could instantly join the popular crowd without a second thought but she has decided to stay with me.

     "Yep. Hey Winter, you should come to the party too. Maybe someone would finally notice how hot you are!" Maple replies with a giggle.

     "Maple, we've been over this before. I am not hot and never will be." My grey/brunette hair is pulled up in a fishtail braid while my grey/blue eyes shimmer with humor. 

     "That's what you think." She says in a sing-song voice. I smack her lightly on the arm.

     "Come on, let's get to lunch. They're having pizza today girl!"

     As we walk down the hallway toward the lunch room, I get a feeling that I am being watched. Glancing over my shoulder, I see a student I've never seen before, hanging with a group of popular guys, looking at me. He has on a black hoodie with a matching pair of black rectangle glasses, denim skinny jeans and a pair of black Van's. His brunette hair is slightly messed up while his brown eyes seem to stare straight through me. He turns back to them, saying something causing them to all look my way. I quickly turn around before they decide to do something. I have a feeling this guy is trouble.

     "Ooo Winter!!! That guy is totally crushing on you!!" Maple's voice rings through my ears as we walk into the cafeteria.

     I turn to her, glaring at her with a smile on my face. "Oh my God, Maple, shut up!" My smile instantly turns to a frown. "Maple?"

     "Yeah?"

     "I don't have a good feeling about that guy. Plus, he's hanging with that group of shady popular guys. I don't trust him."

     Grabbing a lunch tray, I put a slice of pizza on it, along with an apple and a bottle of water. Maple gets her food and we head towards our booth in the corner of the room. A catcall whistle rings out from behind me. I turn around and see the dude from earlier smirking at me while his friends are snickering. "Hey beautiful, how about you come over here and sit with us?"

     A new frown finds it's way onto my face while my eyes narrow. I flip him the bird and mouth "go fuck yourself" to him before turning around and continuing on my way. I hear his friends oooing as a smile replaces the frown.

     As I arrive at the booth, Maple is smiling. Her green eyes shimmer with amusement. "Damn girl. You totally roasted him."

     I smile back. "It's just one of my specialties." I sit down sideways in the booth, with my feet resting on the seat. I take a bite of my pizza, the cheesy goodness oozing through my mouth. I close my eyes as I savor it. A sudden loud bang next to me causes me to jump. I open my eyes to see that idiot from earlier sitting next to me. I take another bite, closing my eyes again hoping he will go away. When I open my eyes, he's still there. Staring at me, again. "May I help you, idiot?"

     "First of all, names Mason, not idiot. Secondly, you're going to regret what you did earlier, princess. And lastly, your going to be a hell of a lot of fun to break. You will be mine."

     I narrow my eyes as I sit my pizza down on my plate. "First of all, don't call me princess. Second of all, don't fuck with me." With that, I proceed to kick Mason off of the seat. I finish my pizza and give Maple my tray to take up with her. I turn on my Bluetooth earbuds that are already paired with my phone and put them in my ears. I turn on My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up) by Fall Out Boy, turn up the volume and tune out a pissed off Mason. As he’s walking away, he gives me the I'm watching you sign to which I give him the bird back. Soon Maple arrives back and the bell rings, signaling the end of lunch.

End of school day

     I’m at my locker, collecting my stuff that I need for the weekend when Maple comes bouncing up beside me. "So you coming to the party tomorrow, Winter?"

     "I don't think so Maple. Parties are always bad news."

     Maple puts on puppy dog eyes and starts to pout. "Pretty please, Winter? You never go out and have fun!"

     “Fine.” I sigh but with a smile.

     "YAY!!" Maple skips out of the school to the student parking lot with me in tow. I shake my head and smile at my best friend. All to soon that familiar sense of being watched hits me. I turn my head to see none other than Mason watching me with a smirk on his face while his gang crowds around him. The gang includes Ashton and Jacob White, along with some other juniors and seniors I don't know. I ignore him and put my sunset themed skateboard on the ground while Maple gets into her silver Honda Accord. "I'll pick you up at 6 pm tomorrow Winter! No wait scratch that, I'll be at your house at 9 am tomorrow to help get you ready!" And with that she takes off out of the lot like a bat outta hell.

     'Damn you Maple. How did you get your license again?'

     Pulling out my phone, I go to my music and get my playlist consisting of the following bands ready: Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, Imagine Dragons, My Chemical Romance, Evanescence and Bleed It Out by Linkin Park. I go to put my earbuds in when a hand grabs my shoulder, spinning me around. I see Mason standing in front of me, his taller frame towering over my 5'4" one. I glance to my sides looking for a way out but I realize him and his goons have me surrounded. I recognize Ashton and Jacob but the rest are a mystery to me. Turning my attention back to Mason, I glare at him. "What do you want Adams?" I know what your thinking. 'How does she know his last name already?' Let's just say I have my sources.

     Mason proceeds to smirk at me. "I overheard you and Maple talking on your way out. I heard your coming to the party at Ashton's this weekend. Just wanted to let you know that I will be there and what I said earlier is true," Bending down, he whispers the last part in my ear. "you will be mine." He grabs my butt, causing me to gasp. Chuckling, he turns to leave but not before a cracking sound fills the air. I realize I just slapped him on the face. 

     Smirking, I duck past him and take off down the sidewalk, shouting "FUCK YOU MASON!". Throwing my skateboard down, I jump on it and glide out the school gates leaving one pissed off Mason behind. Making it to a hidden corner nearby, I put on Alive by Sia instead. Setting it to repeat, I put my buds in my ears and take off down the sidewalk. The wind blows my hair behind me and I smile as I'm in my own world.

     Turning into the drive for Morewood Stables, I continue towards the barn. Greeting the owner, Sam Swan, I run into the tack room, dropping my board and grab my equipment bag. Changing into my riding apparel, I walk out to great my baby, Storm Runner or Stormy for short. She leaves out a soft nicker as I approach. "Hey Stormy, ready to go out for a bit?" She stomps her hoof in agreement. Opening her stall door, I put her halter and lead rope on. I take her to the wash stall where I tack her up and put on my helmet. We go out to the indoor arena where I check everything before mounting. Gathering the reins in my hands, I steer her toward the gate using very light leg commands. One of the many things I love about this horse. Once outside, Sam walks up to us.

     "Where do you think you're off to?" She says with a smile.

      "Out for a trail ride with Stormy before the weather gets bad. I heard a storm is supposed to roll in later tonight."

     Sam narrows her eyes at us. "Ok but if any alerts come across your phone, get back here ASAP. Can't have my best rider stranded in a storm."

     "Ok Sam!"

     With that, I apply light leg pressure to Stormy and we walk off toward the woods.

     I hear a faint rumble in the distance. I sit deeper in the saddle and pull on Stormy's reins. 'That was definitely not thunder.' I think to myself. That feeling of being watched soon returns. Looking around the open field in front of me, I look for movement, anything, something. But there's nothing. 'It's nothing.' I tell myself. But my gut tells me different. Stormy stumps her hoof beneath me while her coat ripples with excitement. "You want to run, don't ya." As if in agreement, she gives out a little buck. "Ok, let's go girl." Giving her rein, I give her a gentle tap. She shoots out of the woods gaining ground. "Woohoo!" Every time I come out here, I feel free. I feel alive. Something tells me to look behind me because that rumbling sound from before gets louder as some asshole or should I say assholes on quads come dangerously close, flying past Stormy and me. Stormy is use to this so thankfully I don't get thrown off but it still shakes me. I swear one of those riders touched me. I flip them the bird as they take off into the woods, disappearing from sight. "Let's go Stormy." We continue across the field and soon enter the woods.

     Arriving home, I am welcomed home by my Maine Coon, Katara. Petting her grey and white fur, I relax some. I grab a quick snack from the kitchen and retreat to my room with Katara in tow. Turning on my phone as I plop down on my bed, I'm greeted with my phone blowing up with thousands of texts. Most from Maple about the party, some from my mom telling me she won't be home until late and to behave myself at the party tomorrow and one from an unknown number.

     'I'm always watching you' ~Unknown

     My eyes widen as I text back. 'Leave me alone, creep'

     I walk into my bathroom where I take a long shower and get ready for bed. Coming back out, I turn off notifications from that number and plug in my phone. Turning on my fairy lights, I curl up with Katara as I binge watch Nexflix's Spirit: Riding Free. What can I say I'm a kid at heart. Around 11pm, I turn the TV to  my sleep playlist and soon fall into a deep sleep.

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Hey guys, this is my new book. The Ex From Hell will be on hold until I get my creative juices back for it.

Did Winter make a mistake by messing with Mason? Did she mess up by agreeing to go to this party? Who do you think is watching her? Who's the unknown number? What do you think is going to happen to Winter? Find out in Chapter 1 of Falling.