Chapter I
January 18, 1999
William Further popped his head into the back entrance of the school, checking to
make sure no one saw him. No one did. The hallway was empty. He kept a hand on the
door as it closed, so it wouldn’t slam and echo through the building.
He arrived twenty-five minutes late. He’d slept through his alarm, and his dad
hadn't noticed he didn’t wake up.
He took the back way to his locker to avoid the front office.
Before reaching his locker, he heard whistling from around the corner. He recalled
the melody but he couldn't place it. He stopped for a moment to think.
Then he saw her turn the corner. She wore blue jeans, a gray button- down sweater,
and a lime green shirt underneath. Her dark brown hair was tied in a ponytail with
two loose strands framing her face.
When she noticed him watching her, the whistling stopped. She tucked the loose hair
behind her ears. As she drew closer, her eyes locked with his. Neither broke the
gaze.
On most days, he would’ve passed her and gone about his day. But now they were
alone. All the other students were in class. This might be his only chance to talk
to her without the whole school watching him get rejected. He’d never approached a
girl before.