"Hey, Hey did you hear about that new occult shop that just opened up"

"Yeah do you wanna get our fortunes told after school"

"I dunno that sounds kinda scary"

"Hey what do you think Anne"

" I don't believe in that silly stuff" I exclaimed proudly to my two best friends Emma and Sophie.

I didn't blame them for being excited about the new shop opening. Nothing ever interesting happens in Eden.

"So are you coming or not then?" Sophie asked me.

"Of course I will"

" But you just said you didn't believe in that stuff" Emma laughed

"Yeah but I can't miss this opportunity to expose them"

" Okay, okay so let's meet by the bike racks after school agreed?"

"Agreed", we all said in unison.

***

I have lived in Eden all my life this small town is all I've ever known.

everybody knows each other.That was just how things were in a small town everybody knows every bodies business there are no secrets.

Sophie (my best friend) is a tall blonde and tanned girl with puppy dog brown eyes.

Emma (my other best friend) is also tall with brown hair that she usually wears in a high pigtail she also is pale with hazel eyes.

On the other hand, I am short with long auburn hair and green eyes. I always look up to my friends literally.

****

The Bell rang signalling the end of class.

Finally! it was time to go meet up with Sophie and Emma.

I sprinted down the hallway glad to leave my maths class behind.The last hours of the class had gone on and on.

When I reached the bike racks Sophie and Emma weren't there yet so I texted my mum telling her I was going to town and would be home before dinner time.

I loved my mum and didn't want to worry her. Call me a goody two shoes but I am the only person my mum has had. She often gets frantic if I don't update her on my whereabouts every hour.

I put my phone back into my pocket and leant on the rails of the bike rack. Not many kids used because mostly everything in Eden is within walking distance.

waiting I closed my eyes and felt the cool autumn breeze it's a pleasing sensation against my hot forehead.

I hear the footsteps of my friends approaching me before I open my eyes.

" Annnneee wake up sleepy head" Sophie said as she shook my shoulders.

" I know I'm awake"

"aaaaagh!" I shrieked as Emma jabbed her hands into my sides playfully.

" OMG Emma that was so not funny"

" Did you see your face" She poked her tongue at me and ran towards the school gate.

" I'm gonna get you" I yelled as I chased after her.

Sophie giggled as she ran close behind us.

Emma loved to pull pranks on people she was super mischievous while Sophie was more reserved.

We all ran giggling through the streets and alleys of Eden.

I was closing in on Emma until I slid on a banana peel that was laying in the middle of the street. I was running too fast to slow down as I skidded across the street and collided into someone before we fell down together.

" Hey, watch where you're going this is a footpath, not a race course."

" I'm so sorry" I apologised as I quickly got to my feet.

The person I had bumped into was a boy around my age with black curly hair he was wearing sunglasses despite it not being sunny. Who did this guy think he was a rock star?

"excuse me you don't have to be rude about it" I replied curtly trying to not get irritated by this guy.

" Well, then you should watch where you're going little girl".

Little girl? he looked about the same age as me how dare he talks down to me I may be short but I was not short on comebacks."

" Oh yeah well-"

I was just about to fire one of these comebacks at him when Emma put her hand over my mouth muffling the sound of my voice.

"We apologise for our rude friend". Sophie said while giving me the evil eye

" Yeah, we just wanted to pop into your shop to get our fortunes read". Emma butted in

"we'll why didn't you say so," The boy said changing the tone of his voice to a much cheerier one.

"come right in ladies," He said with a low elegant bow.

Emma and Sophie followed him inside the shop.

"not you," he said in a low voice waving me away.

the door slammed in my face, the lock turned and I was left standing alone in the street.

I glared at my reflection in the glass door.

The sign read Wonderland Emporium.