Her Danse Macbre

Chapter 1

Heather bolted up in bed, sweat clinging to her forehead and running along her neck. The dreams were getting more and more intense and she wasn’t sure why. The dream always ended at that moment and made her wonder if the thief survived or not. The alarm at her side was playing the same song over and over, she had left the repeat on. It was the song from her favorite new, famous singer Alicia Coven. Reaching out she smacked the top of it, finally stopping the song from playing.

“You need to get up! Mom will be up in five minutes!” the voice of her little brother, Jamie called from her door. Heather looked at the clock and her eyes widened.

“I am going to be so late for your first year of the new school year!”she cried and pushed the covers off of herself. She ran around her room like she was on fire, grabbing up her uniform and pulling it on. After brushing her teeth she ran down the stairs calling out for her mom. Lucy, her mother already had her lunch bag in hand and offered it to her . “Have a good day dear” the light haired woman, who looked like she could be Heather’s sister instead of mother. Heather waved her hand and was out the door.

Opening the gate she was greeted by her best friend and neighbor Maryanne, who was a few years younger than she like a sister. Smiling she walked to her and stopped.

“We are so late for the first day. Ugh!” Maryanne said and chuckled softly. Heather shook her head and the two girls hurried off.

St. Agnes Academy sat on the top of High Street. It was a school for boys and girls with exceptional intelligence. Heather was on scholarship since her father had passed away as a child, leaving her mother to raise her. Maryanne’s brown curls bounced as she walked with her friend, clad in the blue and scarlet red matching uniform. The two girls walked to the open gate where other students walked through. It was their junior year and Heather hoped that it would be better than last year. St. Agnes was built in the 1800’s as a nunnery nestled on the tip of the Florida Keys. After four deaths and a mysterious fire it was closed down till the 1960’s when it was re-opened as a private school. The headmistress, Jean Black was a figure of mystery and poise. It was wise not to cross her. She was known for her punishment of disorderly students had become legendary. Passing through the gates the two girls entered the grounds of the school where kids were hanging out, talking, two boys were throwing a football around. The school was known for its football team the Key Largo Warriors were the reigning champions for three years straight.

Heather liked school, but didn’t like some of her fellow students. She was often teased, but not by the popular girl in school like in the teen flicks, but by a girl named Lexi Cleary, an art chick who was the queen of the unpopular cliché called the Claws. The Claws were the artsy-goth group that thought they were too cool for the Art Club, but hung out around the back of the school smoking and feeling used by the system. At a Catholic school this group was often in trouble with the nuns. The groups considered popular were usually the most religious and pious which put its own strange glint on things. Lexi was out with her group wearing black makeup and dark painted nails, smoking g a cigarette that was against the rules, but she never cared for these things, especially since her mother was the headmistress. The headmistress overlooked the bullying and the rule breaking her daughter and her friends committed, but heaven forbid anyone else breaks the rules. Both girls walked up the stone steps; skirting around the hacky sack players leaning against the railing, the girls sitting talking and the loners reading book close to their faces. Heather pulled the shirt of her uniform down, sliding her fingertips along the fabric. She was a bit tall for her age; her long blond hair fell down her back messily. Heather never thought of herself pretty, though her mother told her otherwise. She felt her face was too thin and her nose too long, her eyes too big wide, and her skin too pale. If only she could find the confidence to show people the her inside then she wouldn’t feel so awkward.

Walking to her locker she turned it in her fingertips and wracked her brain for the combination. Coming to the conclusion that she was too tired she grabbed hold of the side of the backpack. Unzipping a lower part she unfurled a piece of paper that held the four digit code. Reading it over and over she grappled with the turn dial and finally heard the click of success. Heather opened her locker and retrieved the books she needed and pushed them into her bag. Shutting her locker she caught sight of the Claw coming her way. Groaning softly she knew there was nowhere she could go to avoid the onslaught walking down the hall.

Lexi Cleary was walking down the hall wearing her school uniform with a tank top with skeleton cat plastered on it underneath. Her nails were painted black and her arms were covered in bangles. The girl’s clunky black boots clopped against the floor like a horse of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Those who got her in way usually felt her wrath. At her side was her boyfriend, Sean Renard walked at her side wearing his uniform, but around his neck he wore a black leather collar, his hair dyed black and messy. Behind them was the motley group that made up the Claws; boys and girls dressed the best they could to break from the conformance of their uniforms. Other students moved aside as they walked down the hall slowly. Heather saw them coming and gave a glance to Maryanne and squeezed closer to her locker. Thankfully Lexi was not in a bad mood and walked by without an incident. Heather’s eyes were on Sean whom she had a secret crush on. Of course she only told Maryanne about her feelings that they shared. Sean was the most the popular boy in school and of course Lexi’s boyfriend. Heather has known him since they were in middle school and had Theatre class together.

“Boy, Sean is so handsome” Maryanne said at her ear when the group passed. Heather could only shrug her shoulders at that. She liked Sean very much, but vocalizing it out in the open could be a dangerous thing. Shifted her backpack on her shoulder she walked to morning mass. The cathedral on the grounds was a simple brick building with high stain glass windows, and a single bell tower. The students and staff shuffled into the house of prayer. Heather wasn’t religious by any sense, but this school was known for popping out accomplished girls and boys into the work force. It was enough to make Heather roll her eyes.

After morning mass was over school officially started. This year her first class was Art with her absolute favorite teacher, Ms. Lillian Pond. The art teacher was young, vivacious and dressed like a bohemian with her long skirts and flowered blouse. Other than being a teacher she also sold pottery outside of her home. Ms. Pond looked up and smiled when Heather walked in.

“Hey. I am glad you’re taking my Art II class this year. I think your talent would be missed.” She said smiling at her student. Heather returned the smiled but saw the other students coming in. Ms. Pond was always a teacher and a friend to her since she came to town, and took employment in the school.

“Good morning class. Welcome to Art Class.” The teacher smiled at her students, most murmuring in exhaustion at the early morning. This did not deter her from greeting the each one of them with sunny enthusiasm. Heather took a seat and smiled at the teacher and pulled out her sketch pad and some pencils. The syllabus was handed out because it was the first day of the New Year. Heather glanced at her teacher and they shared a friendly smile.

Later that day after the day had reached its middle the lunch period started. Heather had gotten in line. The school had a hot meal option along with a cold breakfast bar. Preferring cereal over hot mac and cheese of questionable quality she shuffled over to the cold table filled with cereals and somewhat stale bagels and muffins. It took her a few moments to realize that she was standing right next to Sean, her crush. Gasping softly she felt the color rising in her cheeks. On his tray was a bowl of sugary puffs drowning in milk. She looked at him and quirked a brow since it was common knowledge that he’s diabetic and wears an insulin monitor.

Deciphering the look on her face he gave her a wistful smile. “I have a sweet tooth. Just don’t tell my mom.” he told her with a small chuckle. It surprised her that he was talking to her, and even joked about her talking to his mother. “I won’t I promise.” She told him feeling stupid after the words spilled from her lips. “Sorry, I don’t remember your name.” he said in an apologetic tone of voice. Heather found herself staring at his beautiful green eyes and contagious smile. “My name is Heather…Heather Miller.” she replied shyly. Sean nodded his head “Cool. Nice to meet you, Heather.” He said and took his tray and walked away to his table leaving her standing there catching her breath. Sean walked to his table where Lexi sat, thankfully with her back to her.