All Your Secrets

I know all your secrets. I know all the things you think you've hidden in that deep, dark part of you that no one else can see.

I remember the first time I saw you – really saw you. We'd been in the same class for years, of course, but I don't think I'd even said a single word to you. At least, not until that day. Do you remember it?

It was the end of summer. In less than a week, school would be starting back up. The days would get shorter, and the verdant leaves would wither and die. But for now, the sky was blue and the air was warm. I'd decided to take advantage of it. Apparently, you'd had the same thought.

The forest just outside of town always had been one of my favorite places to go – it still is. It was so peaceful there. With only the melodies of nature surrounding me, it was like I could finally let my cares melt away.

My family had been going out there for generations – long enough that we'd started to consider it our forest. But you knew that, of course. At some point in history, it had become a point of contention between our two families. That always had seemed silly to me; of course it was ours.

The trail was narrow and a little rocky in places, but it wasn't hard to climb if you knew it like I did. I'd been walking for over an hour when I finally spotted you.

I hadn't expected anyone to be there; it was practically private property after all. Sure, we didn't technically own it or anything, but very few people actually made it this far out into the woods. Even your family tended to stay away from this spot. Yet there you were, lounging under that giant oak tree near the head of the creek. Of course, the first thing I did was hide, taking a step back and melding into the trees. I wasn't afraid or anything – that would have been ridiculous. How could I ever be afraid of you?  Still, I didn't know what you'd do if you saw me standing there, and I didn't want to take the chance.

I have to admit, I'd never really liked you. And before you say anything, it had nothing to do with your family thinking they owned our forest. Actually, it was just that I'd always thought you were a bit too pretentious. But then, I'm sure you already knew that; you'd felt the same way about me.

Still, as I watched you that day from under the leafy canopy, I found myself inexplicably drawn to you. There was a strange kind of beauty in the way the sunlight filtered through the emerald leaves and played on your unkempt hair. Your lustrous eyes watched the sky, and a small smile played on your lips.

I watched you relaxing in the sun, and I was almost transfixed by the sight. Sure, I'd been planning on marching over there and demanding you leave our forest, but something stopped me. Maybe it was the way the wind gently blew your hair to frame your face, or the confident sparkle in your eye. As I watched, I couldn't help notice your demeanor. You were lying there, looking more content than anybody has a right to – certainly more content than I'd ever been. I couldn't understand it. How could you be so carefree when I was in such turmoil?

That was when I made my decision: I would get to you. I'd worm my way into your life. I'd befriend you, empathize with you. I would learn just what made you tick. Then, it would be just me and you against an unjust world. We'd be a team; you would need me. The opportunity was too good to pass up; it seemed like fate.

You see, I'd been feeling kind of down lately. That was why I'd come out to the forest in the first place – to clear my head and hopefully find some answers. I had been slowly coming to the conclusion that my life just wasn't quite the way it should be. Something was missing. Someone? I wasn't sure.

But the more I thought, the more clear the answer became. I was going to have to put things right, and there was only one way to do that. Of course, I would need someone with me; I wouldn't succeed without a partner.

And then, there you were! Like a gift from the gods.

Talking to you was surprisingly easy – I hadn't expected that. I still remember the first thing you said to me when I appeared out of the trees. I laugh about it now, but at the time it wasn't nearly so funny. I would have thought you would have known better than to call someone something like that. Still, I guess it could have gone worse, considering our family history.

Do you remember that boy who lived just a few streets down from you? The golden child with the messy brown locks that everyone always seemed to inexplicably admire? Do you remember how they would fall all over themselves just to please him? He got everything he ever wanted; he was captain of the track team, and he had a bafflingly high place on the social ladder. And all he had to do was show up. You used to watch him like a hawk, teeth grinding and nostrils flaring.

Did you like him? Was that why he seemed to consume your every waking thought? I'm almost positive you did, though I'm sure you'd never admit it – especially not to me. Or was it something more? Jealousy, perhaps? No?

Then, he started pulling away – no warning given. I would have thought that would make you happy. After all, you clearly didn't like him. But it only seemed to enrage you further. He got a girlfriend and started devoting too much time to her. Was that it? Or the fact that he neglected his duties, ignoring all the things that you thought should have been the highest of priorities? But even with these new additions to his obvious shortcomings, he still managed to charm everyone around with those hazel eyes and that easy smile. No one could see what he was doing. No one but us.

We bonded over that boy. We were the only two who could see what he really was. You'd tried to warn people about him, about the dangerous company he'd been keeping. It wasn't just that his so-called friends were bad for him – they were bad for everyone else, too. You weren't making these comments about him to be hurtful – no, you were trying to be helpful.

But nobody believed you – nobody but me.

They told you that you were overreacting, obsessing over nonsense. Maybe even a little crazy. But we knew better, didn't we?

No matter who you told or what you did, nothing seemed to matter. He just got to keep doing whatever he wanted, with no one there to stop him. How is that fair?

So why don't we take him down a peg or two? A boy like that needs to be taught a lesson. He can't get away with doing whatever he wants; there have to be consequences.

I even have the perfect plan; it'll be so easy. And the best part is that no one will ever know. It's the only way to show him. And as a bonus, we'll prove to everyone just how right you were about everything.

I know you'll help me; it's exactly what you've always wanted to do. Remember, I know what makes you tick; I know you need me. Sometimes, you just need a little... push. So come on, what are you waiting for? You know I'd never lead you astray.

I know all your secrets. And I'm going to use every last one against you.