Hidden Temptations

Chapter 2

The graduation ceremony is over and I’m still thinking about the note I got. Maybe everyone got the same note or is it just me?

“Addie! What did you think? Wasn’t my speech just perfect?” Sarah comes up, wraps her arm into mine, she is glowing from her valedictorian speech.

“Uhh, yeah it was great.” Forcing myself to not look her in the eye. The fact is I only heard the opening line and not a single word after that. Should I keep the note to myself? Sarah and I share everything, so I decide to ask her. “Did you get a note in your diploma booklet?”

“No! Why did you?” She seems overly excited about it like it was a love note.

“Yeah, here.” I hand her the folded yellow paper, she reads the note.

“Wow. That’s kinda scary.” She handed the note back to me and walked off to give her parents a hug. She didn’t say anything else about the note just acted like it was nothing important. But if she didn’t get one, then I must be the only one who did.

“Alright girls. Time for a picture!” My mother says as she motions for us to get close and smile. I couldn’t smile. I’m so confused. “Adeline, smile.” I forced a smile, but after a few seconds it became genuine. I realize I’m finally done with high school. I got through it with my best friend, so I take some time to enjoy this moment. My mother snapped probably about a hundred photos of Sarah and I. Serious ones, silly ones and ones that show the love and bond of best friends.

Back at home after graduation I can finally take off my cap and gown and relax. I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling, thinking about this note I got. Who is it from? I pull the yellow piece of paper out of my booklet.

“You have no idea what is about to happen to you. Get ready for your life to change.” Who wrote it? Maybe Sarah did. She didn’t seem too surprised it was in there. Maybe it was about our 18th birthday that was coming up. Sarah and I have the same birthday, June 21st. It is only two weeks away and Sarah always throws the most glamorous parties for us. She treats me so well, she never lets me help or even pick a theme for our birthday parties. This year she told me our party is going to be a masquerade ball. She wants to go all out for our 18th birthday.

Ding.

My phone off, it’s probably Sarah. I pick my phone up and look to see who it is. My phone screen shows that I have a text from Unknown, that’s weird. I don’t usually get texts from anyone but my mom or Sarah. Is it connected to the note? I unlock my phone, click on my messages and read what it says.

“Be ready.”

“Who is this?” I respond hoping they would reveal themselves. Hoping that all this is a giant joke that Sarah had planned around our party.

Ding.

“You will know soon enough.”

I have to tell Sarah to stop this. It has to be her. The only reason I can think of is because she’s setting me up for the party. She always tries to set me up. She thinks I am too lonely.

“Mom! I’m going to Sarah’s!” I rush down the stairs and right out of the front door over to Sarah’s. I ran across our yards and up her front porch and knocked on her big dark walnut door. I stand on my tip toes to look into the window at the top of the door. All I can see is dark brown hair in a high bun walking up the door. The door creaks open and I push right in.

“Sarah you have to stop this.” I walk right past her, turn around and cross my arms.

“What are you talking about?” She closes the door.

“This.” I show her the texts that came from the unknown number and she takes her time to read them. There were only three texts, why is it taking so long? She looks up at me.

“This wasn’t me. I have no clue who sent this.” She hands my phone back and crosses her arms.

“So the note wasn’t you either?”

“What note?”

“The note I showed you at graduation.” She raises her eyebrows at me like I never did anything of the sort. “Really Sarah. You didn’t even read it?”

“No. I was focused on “graduating.” She motions her fingers in air quotes as if I didn’t know what I was there for.

“So you’re not setting me up for our birthday?” I drop my arms and try to make myself look less angry at her.

“Well I never said that.” She smiles and winks.

“Sarah, don’t do that. I’m too focused on who is sending me this stuff. I’m really freaked out.” Sarah came up and hugged me. It is the warmest hug, she has such an infectious warmth to her.

“It’ll be okay. It will stop soon I bet. Someone is just trying to scare you. Just act like you aren’t scared and they will stop. I guarantee it.” Sarah rubs my back.

“How can you guarantee that?” I took myself out of the hug, suspicious of her again.

“That’s how it always works Addie. It’s like bullying. If you don’t show it affects you they always stop.” She shrugs her shoulders and puts her hand on my back, nudging me towards the door. “Okay, now go. I’m in the middle of planning the rest of our party. Remember to be here exactly at 7 o’clock, Saturday the 21st!”

“Sarah, I know when our party starts.” I say as I back out of the door.

“Okay. Go get your dress I reserved for you and don’t come back until the party. I’ll be busy with planning and decorating till then. I will see you in two weeks.” She blows me a kiss and waves as she closes her front door. I won’t see Sarah for the next two weeks. This is going to be difficult.