Hidden Temptations

Chapter One

“Addie, Addie, Addie! Are you ready for graduation?” Running in her blue and red cap and gown Sarah dashes towards me, Her long dark auburn hair flowing behind her.

“Stop running! You’ll ruin your hair.” I say as I turn her around and touch up her hair. “I just want to get this over with.” Putting my cap on my head, fixing my tassel, I pushed my long blonde ponytail behind my shoulder and linked my arm with Sarah’s.

Sarah and I have been best friends since before kindergarten. Our families are neighbors and we grew up with each other experiencing everything together. Our first kisses, first boyfriends and for Sarah, losing her virginity. As for me, I have yet to experience that. I am waiting. I’m not sure exactly, but I just have always had this feeling that I had to wait.

“Adeline.” By the sound of my full name, I know that it is my mother, she is the only one that calls me that. To everyone else it’s Addie.

“We need to get a picture of you two. You’re final steps before adulthood.” My mother starts to tear up and takes her phone out of her purse.

“Ugh, mom. Come on, can’t we do that after with our diplomas? It would be more sentimental”. I use air quotes because I am the total opposite of my mother, pretty much the total opposite of this entire city. Everyone is so glam and into expensive things. I keep it simple. I wear jeans, a t-shirt and my hair in a low ponytail everyday.

“Yes, we will do that but I want one right now!” My mother snaps the picture. “Oh, you both look so grown up.”

“Okay mom, we have to go to our seats now. Bye!” I rush off with Sarah and find our seats. We are right next to each other because they put all of our last names in alphabetical order. Principle Downie starts calling names off “Drew Advent, Marsha Brewer,... Sarah Nelson.” I cheer as does most of the crowd for she is the most popular girl at Seattle High. Head cheerleader, prom queen two years in a row, student council president and not to mention valedictorian. As for me, I’m just along for the ride.

“Adeline Marten.” Well that's me. I stand up and walk across the stage. The only people who stand and cheer for me are my mom, Sarah and Sarah’s parents. I got my diploma from Mr. Matthews the biology teacher. I had his class all four years. He was my favorite teacher during my high school career. He always pushed me to be my best and helped me with anything I needed. Not to mention he is the most beautiful thing I’ve laid my eyes on.

I walk up and look directly into his deep blue eyes, I couldn’t help but blush. I reach for my diploma and my hand touches his. I gasped and froze for a second, I just stare at his chiseled jawline, his jet black hair, and his perfect body.

“Frank Potts.” I snapped back into reality and quickly walked off the stage. Sarah is waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. She has to be by the stage, she has a speech once everyone walks across the stage.

“Addie, you like, totally froze up there.” Sarah said.

“What no.” I looked back towards the stage and Mr. Matthews was looking right at me and smiled, so captivating. I look back at Sarah, she has a smirk on his face. “Well how could I not? He’s so handsome.”

“Ew gross, he’s our teacher!” She grabs my arm in disgust.

“Not anymore.” I winked at her, “Plus, he is only 24.” I started to walk away and go back to my seat when I noticed something sticking out of my diploma booklet. A yellow piece of paper. I get back to my seat and open my diploma. Is it from Mr. Matthews?

“Now ladies and gentlemen, a speech from our valedictorian Sarah Nelson!” Everyone cheers again.

“This is it everyone! It’s our last day together before we start the rest of our lives!...” That’s all that I heard of the speech. I am so focused on this yellow piece of paper sticking out of my diploma. I pull it out, it’s folded, but I can see there is writing on it. I open the note slowly, but curiously.

“You have no idea what is about to happen to you. Get ready for your life to change.”