• It was freezing, I thought as I pulled my scarf closer to my neck. The lantern I had brought with me hung loosely from my hand, swinging gently without letting its candle flicker out. Its brass frame felt cool against my skin. With my free hand, I reached into my pocket to grab my gloves. Realizing that they weren’t there, I let my hand fall to my side, turning red from the chill.
    I paused in front of the large iron gates of the cemetery, pondering how old they were. I knew there was no way I could get those gates open without making a lot of noise. I looked around for an alternative, spotting a low tree nearby. “Maybe I can climb up it.” I muttered to myself.
    I must not have been paying attention, because I tripped over something. The lantern fell from my hand. The flame flickered out, and darkness surrounded me. There was no way the streetlight would provide me with light; it hadn’t for as long as I could remember. I pushed myself against the gates of the cemetery, hoping no one would pass by me. I was scared, and feeling nervous about Shane.
    I reached into my pocket to pull out my cell phone. Before I could grab it, something touched my shoulder. I started to scream, but a cold hand covered my mouth. I tried kicking whoever was behind me, struggling hard to loosen the grip. “Shhh…” I heard from behind me. “Shane?” I said, but my voice was muffled by his hand. A bright light was suddenly visible, and I sighed in relief as his hand was removed from my face.
    “I almost had a heart attack!”
    “But you didn’t,” he said as he smiled.
    “I was still scared!”
    He looked at me like I was crazy, and I shoved my hands into my pockets. “Where are we going tonight?” I asked, looking at him from underneath my hood. “Your house.” He said, his grin suddenly forming a frown. “Why my house?” I asked, confused. He didn’t answer me as he turned towards the way I came, beckoning me to follow.
    “Shane.”
    No answer.
    “Shane!”
    He stopped walking and faced me. He looked towards the ground, trying not to look at me. “Shane.” I repeated, nervous from his sudden silence. “Please, Shane. What is wrong?” I asked him. He seemed to think for a moment before he turned and began walking again. Worried, I followed him. We were almost at my house, and something was tugging on my heart. In desperation, I reached up and ran a hand through his matted black hair.
    Usually he smiled, but this time he gave me a cold stare. “What’s wrong?” I asked again, beginning to feel hurt from the way he was treating me. Did I say something wrong in school? Did I annoy him in some way? The possibilities were endless, and I began to feel sick. He opened his mouth to speak.
    “Do you really want to know?”
    “Yes. Please just tell me, Shane.”
    “I can’t talk to you anymore.”
    “What?” I was confused. “Then we can just change it to any other day! It doesn’t have to be today…” I said, wondering why this hurt him.
    “It’s not like that, Alice. We can't keep meeting like this. I can’t talk to you; at all.”
    “Not even at school?”
    “Not anywhere.”
    “Why?”
    “It’s a secret.”
    Those were the last words I heard from him before I was suddenly dizzy. I began to fall backwards slowly. This couldn’t be happening.