r life as a high school senior with two best frie
y had been inseparable, and Denise c
r cheer squad, of which she was captain, had recently won the state championship
s in the kitchen preparing dinner
ious. Her mother patted the couch next to her and said, "Hey, sw
out it made
ppear composed. Before her father spoke,
pen. "What? "Why?" Her parents informed her that they would be relocating to Arazona in two
ding as she made her way to her bed. Alex sent me an SMS about it. I write, "Hey, gorge
about the relocation for hours. After speaking with him, Denise felt somewhat better, but she was still concerned about leaving her life and her friends behind
er eyes. "I'll miss you too, baby," Alex replied, but we'll get
eling slightly better, Denise grinned. She w
r called her. "Denise, we need to talk about something
she said, a little nervously. He
epeated quickly. Her mother, however, simply shook her head. Her words, "You'll find out soon enough," "Just be careful in Arazona, okay?" Anxiously, Denise nodded. What had been happening i
ell asleep. The following morning, Denise awoke with a sense of unease and uncertainty about what was ahead.
to ignore the thoughts. Nevertheless, when she entered the kitchen, she saw her mother waiting for her at the table, looking solemn. She said, "Denise, we need to talk," in a quiet, serious tone. Denise believed her heart sank. What follows? She tried to seem nonchalant as she aske
ly about the kitchen, as though she was afraid someone could be listening in. "I'll tell you everything when we get to Arazona
feeling she was having as she left to catch the bus. She was unaware of the plot and felt as though she was living in a mystery book. As Denise went about
er mother some questions. Alex, however, was waiting for her with a worried expression on his face as she left for the bus.
ecretive about something," she stated. "And I have no idea what's going on." Alex's face
ther," he replied. "And I'll be here for you, no matter what." Denise grinned and expressed her appreciation for Alex. Knowing that she could always
was waiting for her in the living room when they arrived at Denise's residence.
us as she held a little box. "What's going on, Mom?" Denise asked, feeling apprehensive. Before speaking, her
inely crafted stone in the package. It had a sense of alien intensity despite its beauty. "What is this?" Denise asked, feeling astonished. Her mo
d Arazona hold for her? Startled and frightened, Denise gazed at the ston