ENTERNAL SUNRISE
By
Alida J Zaczyk
SMASHWORDS EDITION
*****
PUBLISHED BY:
Alida J Zaczyk on Smashwords
Eternal Sunrise
Copyright © 2011 by Alida J Zaczyk
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*****
ETERNAL SUNRISE
“Mom for the last time, yes I know what I am wearing, and no you don’t have to drive me to school.” I said amused as I rolled my eyes. I understood my mother’s feelings; she just wants to be the mother that I had grown up without, and I was proud that she was truly trying.
“I’m sorry Em; I am just excited my little girl is all grown up,” My mom gushed as she walked out of my room. “Dinner will be ready soon.” She said added on her way out.
My mom always treated me like a child, even though I am 16 years old and much more mature then a lot of girls my age.
But I will let her go this time, I really felt like I needed a little more comfort, for tomorrow is my first day to East Bay High School, and to be completely honest I wasn’t so much as nervous, I was panicking.
It’s not that I’m shy or worried I won’t make any friends, I just am missing all my old friends back at my old school, I feel like I’m betraying them all by coming here, and making new friends, all those memories of being there will stay with me forever.
I’m more worried about forgetting, about all of it, my father, my old life, I don’t ever want to lose that.
I have lived with my dad for the 14 years of my life; the other two was when I was first born, when my parents were still a happy family.
I had craved to be able to have that again to be a family, but obviously something had gone wrong, and it just made me more curious; my father would never tell me exactly what had gone wrong. It was always an ‘I don’t know, some things don’t work out like you want them.’ Or a ‘That’s in the past, let’s keep it there’.
After he died last week I had learned a whole new meaning of pain, I shivered at the thought of what I had to go through that night. The agonizing pain, and loss I felt as I made myself lay in my bed in an empty house knowing my father wasn’t there to protect me, and he never would ever again.
I now have to stay with my mom for a while at least until I’m of age to move out and be on my own. It’s not that I didn’t want to live with her, I just didn’t want to be there for her to worry about me, and I was fine being alone. Plus as much as it pained me to say I didn’t know my mother at all.
Of course I loved my mother, but she was a lot to get used to, my father was so mature, and always a gentleman and everything he said was always proper. He was the man who made me who I was today, and now he’s gone. Forever. Pain swelled in my chest again at that thought, but I caged it in, I was tired of the tears.
My mother she was giddier, and girlie, she acted more like a teenager then me sometimes, but it was funny to watch. Sometimes I wished I could be more like her, she could hid the pain, just lock it away as if it wasn’t even there, but I knew it was, I could see it in her eyes the day of the funeral, and when my father was ever brought up.
It still shocked me to this day that such opposites could find love, they were both great people, and even though I always felt like my father and I was connected on an even deeper level my mother also had something about her that just made us click.
Although my parents aren’t the only ones that would cross my mind, there was always someone that would just leap into my thoughts from time to time, and I was filled with sorrow every time.
My older brother Johnny, I had stayed awake for hours at night wondering what he had been like, if he was mature like our father, or crazy and outgoing like our mother.
I was 2, and Jonny was 18, when they had a big fight, and split up, Jonny ran away that night and was never found, even to this day his body was never found, but I try to not think about that as much as possible.
The thought still gives me chills, and fills me with sadness, for I will never know about my brother, the one to look over me, and protect me, I ached for that kind of feeling.
“Em,” My mom called from the kitchen knocking me out of my thoughts, and I shifted on my bed to turn towards the door.
“Yes?” I called back shaking my head a little to clear it.
“Can you help me with dinner?” She asked sounding a little frustrated.
Oh boy.
“Sure.” I said sliding off my bed, and walking down the stairs and into the kitchen.
My mother wasn’t the best cook, and I was very eager to try and fix our dinner before we ate. But I understood my mother was very spoiled during her childhood, she never had to cook dinner for her parents and they never had enough time to teach her, this was why she liked me having the chance to cook when ever.
I looked in to the big pot warily, nervous to what I might find this time, some of the possibilities made my stomach clench in sickness.
“Is this vegetable soup?” I asked unsure as I saw the yellowish water, and the grey clumps floating around in it.
“No it’s mash potatoes with gravy.” She said glumly as she looked into the pot with me.
“Oh … don’t worry mom you’ll get it.” I encouraged.
She smiled at me halfheartedly, and then signed.
“How bout you finish dinner tonight Em, I think I ruined it enough?” She said laughing weakly as she handed over her big spoon.
“Really are you sure?” I asked surprised.
She loves cooking for me, and would never let me cook for her, it was another part of ‘being the mom I’ve never had’ thing.
“Yeah, I need a break anyway.” She said, walking to the living room, probably to get back to reading her books.
My mother had a strong passion for reading, and was working on becoming an author, while she keeps her job as a nurse at Florida’s best, and only hospital.
“Ok.” I said eagerly.
“I think I’m going to check out that cook book again, I think I did something wrong.” She called out to me, and I bit my lip to hold back my laughs.
She had bought herself a cooking book the day before I had arrived; she said that if I tried eating one of her meals before she had read the tips in the book I would have puked my guts out.
Just the thought of someone that couldn’t cook was amusing to me, it wasn’t that hard, my father had taught me how to when I was twelve.
I think my father even cooked for us when we were all a big family, the thought was painful to remember, and it pushed another one into my head that had me in agony.
As I stir the weird looking mash potato’s I thought back to the time my parents were fighting I could remember this like a nightmare.
*****
“Look Cindy, I can’t help that I work all hours of the day while you lie around and do nothing.” My dad yelled.
The living room had always been a light cheerful place to me when I was young but as pelts of hail, and snow hit against the windows it gave the inside an eerie look. Coldness set in the air making shivers to crawl around on my skin.
“I have plenty of work around this house, plus my schooling, the bills, and the house work, I never see you doing any of that.” My mother snapped.
My father was pacing the room in harsh steps, and would stop and glare at my mother with a coldness in his eyes that had me shaking in fear.
I was at the moment behind my brother Johnny, and peeked out to look at them in fear.
“In all my years I have never met a woman so…lazy, good for nothing, and couldn’t even make microwave popcorn if her life depended on it.” My father hissed loudly and I jumped.
Jonny turned around and picked me up and backed away slowly his eyes held nothing but protectiveness, concern, fear, and anger.
My Mom started to throw things at my dad which he dodged perfectly, and that’s when the threats and loud yelling started.
Jonny ran to his room with me still in his arms, and set me down on his bed as he wiped away my tears.
“Be a good girl for me Emmy, I got to go, but I’ll come back and get you when I get the money I promise.” He said with tears in his eyes.
I nodded, tears running down my face.
“Jo Jo.” I said.
“Yes Emmie?” He asked sadly.
“Here, please don’t forget about me.” I said giving him my favorite plastic teething ring, shaped like a key.
He looked like he was going to fall to pieces in that moment and gave me a gentle hug.
“Never.” He whispered.
He took it then turned to his window.
“I’ll never forget you, bye Emmy remember that I love you.” He whispered then opened his window, and jumped out the window and into the worst snow storm of the year.
A few minutes later my dad came in the room and picked me up, then my mom came in.
“Put her down Steve.” My mom yelled.
“When was the last time you fed her, bathed her, changed her, put her down for a nap, or even played with her?” My dad said his voice getting louder.
My mom didn’t say anything for a long time.
“I told you I didn’t have the time to do it all this month, I said I was swamped with schooling, and all the things going around that’s why Josh stayed around to watch her.” My mother defended.
“Don’t even have time for your own daughter, and you call yourself a mother.” Steve spit.
My mom looked away with tears falling down her face.
“I have to do this it’s what’s best to keep this family alive.” She said sobbing now.
“By neglecting your children, by putting your child last on your important things list, that’s not right Cindy, Emily is the most important thing in my life and I will not have her being raised by a mother that can’t even put her own child over herself, we are done… it’s a wonder Emily is even still alive… goodbye forever.” He said then walked with me still in his arms out of the door and into the night.
I heard my mother’s shrill pleads, sobs, screaming, things breaking, but the one thing that I could remember the most clear was that my mother’s heart wasn’t the only one that was broken, my father’s was to.
*****
My father still loved my mother, I know that, and I know that he never stopped after he left, so why did he leave, I still have no clue as to why.
I was so absorbed in my memory that I hadn’t noticed that my mother was standing right by my side waving her arm in front of me.
“Emily Elizabeth Smith you have been stirring that pot for 20 minutes.” My mom said worried as she watched me.
I jumped.
“Oh sorry I was just thinking.” I said still a little dazed from the flashback.
“About what?” My mom asked looking concerned.
“Umm … school, you know friends, mean teachers, hard tests things like that.” I lied smoothly.
Talking about dad always upset her, which hurt be even more, so we never talked about it, she still loved him, and it was just as hard for me to talk about him as her.
“Don’t worry Em you will make tons of friends.” She said hugging me tightly.
I never had trouble making friends I would always have to many, if that’s even possible a gift that I had gotten from my mother, my father was much more reserved.
I hugged her back lightly unable to help the motherly feeling that I could feel coming off her.
“I’m more worried about keeping up with all the other kids.” I said not really worried at all. My father had spend countless nights with me and my homework, it was easy to me now, there wasn’t much that I struggled to understand.
“Em you got straight A’s since kindergarten, there is no reason in the world for you to worry about that.” She said proudly. I blushed.
“I still worry.” I said trying to hide my embarrassment.
She laughed.
I quickly added a few touches to the mash potatoes, and grinned as my mother watched closely, as if taking notes on how I was doing it.
“Dinner is done mom.” I said putting the things on the table and getting out the plates.
“Ok Em, good job, it smells great, and looks like mash potatoes.” My mom said sitting down observing my work.
When she tried it she frowned, and panic hit me, did I make it worse?
“What’s wrong mom, did I do it wrong?” I asked worried.
“No, Em it’s just… your mash potatoes are way better than mine, it looks like you’ve saved dinner once again.” She said with a weak laugh, but I could tell she was upset by this..
“What no way, yours will always be the best all I did was add a few things.” I said quickly with a smile to her.
When she was upset it made me feel upset, and guilty, she is trying her best to make me happy here with her, plus with me being here it hurts her even more because I remind her of my father, and that night.
She grinned now seeming to feel better.
“Oh really?” She said with a smile that I couldn’t read.
“Of course.” I said matter- of- factly, as I took a bit of my mashed potatoes.
“Thanks Em that took a lot to say that, but I know you’re lying.” She said taking another bite with a smug grin.
I looked at her surprised with a raised brow.
No matter what she could always catch me lying, almost no one could but her, and one of the closest friends I’ve ever had Lucy Mist.
She moved last year, which was the hardest thing I ever went through, it was like being taken away from a twin sister.
Even thinking about it caused me pain, so I turned my thoughts to a different subject.
We ate in a peaceful silence which was fine with me, of course Cindy loved to chat about her job at the hospital as a nurse so she would always talk about her days which were fun sometimes, and I had to admit though I knew I would not want to be a nurse at all.
It seemed like it took a lot of patience, patience that I don’t have, I have always had an explosive temper, which my father made sure that I controlled quickly, and it worked most of the time.
But I was never really pushed too far in the anger department so I didn’t know what would happen if I ever got to angry, the thought of blowing up sounded like the closest thing to me if possible.
When we finished our dinner Cindy order me to go get ready for school tomorrow.
“But what about the plates don’t you want any help cleaning up?” I said with a frown.
I hated doing the dishes, but anything to get my mind off of my father.
“I’ll get them tonight Em, go on I might be old but I think I can handle cleaning up.” She said pushing me to the stairs.
“Well all right, and you aren’t old.” I said happy, but reluctant.
Cindy laughed.
“I suppose so, I guess I just feel old, well go one Em get ready for school.” Cindy said with a grin and went back to washing dishes by hand.
I jogged up the stairs and tried to calm myself down as I realized that when I woke up in the morning I would be going to a whole new school, with new kids I didn’t even know, so I ended up deciding on a quick shower to relax me.
With my long hair blonde hair that reached my ribs it always took me longer to get it washed it was pretty thick, and it always smelled like my sweet Jasmine shampoo no matter how long or short of time I wash my hair. That reminded me of how my father had brushed my hair every day when I was little, and he would always complain about me being cursed with his thick hair.
After a nice warm shower I brushed my teeth, I put on an old t-shirt, and my soft flannel colored pajama pants, and went to my bed.
When I was tucked under my covers I looked around my room for something to do to calm my nerves so I could fall asleep.
My room has changed completely from the time I was born. The walls were yellow, my carpet was a brownish color, and my crib had been set up in the very middle of the room.
Now with pink walls, and pure white carpeting, I had a small bed, and all the books I have are above my bed on a bookshelf, and the window outlooks the front yard, I brought my bean bag from home putting it in the center of my room which my dad bought me before he died, my old TV sitting on my dresser, and of course my stereo.
I haven’t really had enough time to go through my room, or get used to it, but the bed was comfy, and the beautiful moon was gazing at me through my window, that was something you never saw in New York, so it’s presence calmed me, an filled me with happiness.
I tossed and turned under my covers until I began to think, and after a few minutes of deep thinking; wishing tomorrow wouldn’t come, wondering what this was going to be like, and hoping that I would magically become sick when I wake up in the morning I finally fell asleep to a dreamless sleep for the first time since my father died.
But it wasn’t completely blank there was a small light, as if someone had lit a candle in a dark room, the light held a warmth to it, and all I wanted to do was go closer to it, embrace the warmth, and I watched in a daze as the flame changed colors, from red, to blue to green, but it would always come back to its original color, I didn’t know what this dream meant, but I was just relieved it wasn’t the nightmares I had be suffering for days.
When I woke up I felt strangely excited, the dread I felt for the first day of school was gone for some reason, but I didn’t complain, I held onto the feeling with my life, praying I wouldn’t lose it.
I walked to the bathroom, took a shower just to get myself awake, and after getting out I brushed my teeth, and then went to my closet to find the perfect outfit to wear.
I decided to wear a pink skintight tank top with a light button down jacket that’s sleeves stopped at my elbow and that I left unbuttoned, jean short shorts, and a pair of pink sandals my dad had given me the night before his death.
The thought made my insides turn to ice as I imagined his ghostly pale face as I said my final goodbyes to him. I brushed the thought away, wanting to move on from the past, and just look ahead today.
I looked in the mirror and brushed my hair, and put it in a ponytail, but no matter what I would still look like any other teenage blond haired girl, with boring brown eyes, who has a normal height, skinny, with very tan skin, and comes with an explosive temper.
I wouldn’t call myself a hideous monster, but I wasn’t a goddess.
I grabbed my book bag off of my chair, than jogged down the stairs to the kitchen to find there was a note on the table.
It said.
Dear Em, I’m sorry I had to go to work earlier today, have a great first day. I love you loads. Mom
I put the note in my pocket, then grabbed a pop tart, and went to my pink mini cooper, taking a second to admire the color, m father had done the paint job himself, it looked just as nice as if a professional did.
I had already memorized the way to my school, only a few miles from an old graveyard.
I heard many stories saying the school was haunted by the ghosts in the graveyard, but I never believe in ridiculous stories like that, but it was amusing to listen to how scared people got about the stories, an how serious they were. I heard it was the only reason not a lot of people wanted to move to East Bay High.
But I still can’t help but wonder if this school is really going to be the most amazing school in Florida, and that I am so lucky, and brave to be going.
Lucky to leave all my closest friends behind, and move to a completely new school, yeah I’m so lucky.
As I pasted the old cemetery I couldn’t help but slow down and gaze at the slightly scary looking grave stones. I normal would have shrugged it off, but there was something about that cemetery that made the hairs on my arms stand up.
When I was about to look away my eyes caught a figure moving slowly around the graves.
Fear crawled up my back as I watched it, and I felt my feet twitch towards the gas pedal, wanting to peel out of there as fast as I could, but I paused.
As it came closer I could tell it was a boy, he looked about my age, but I couldn’t really tell what he looked like. He seemed to walk with no fear, yet his moves were sneaky.
Just another boy that probably just wants to trash the cemetery and break things like all guys do.
I quickly speeded on feeling better that the old graveyard was now behind me.
When I finally got to my new school I was no longer nervous, the little scare at the cemetery must have scared it out of me.
I took a brief look around the student parking lot, and pretty much the only interesting or flashy vehicle was a dark black shiny motorcycle.
It was built for two, and had a built in radio, and there was a big dark red line going across the body, it almost just looked like someone was bleeding, and wiped a line across the bike.
I couldn’t help but take a few minutes to stare at it in awe.
I wasn’t in to motorcycles or anything, but I have never seen one so shiny, and new before, and I could only imagine the money to buy this bike.
I carefully chose a parking place far away from the bike, for whoever owned it was probably rich, and wouldn’t think twice to sue if there was even a scratch on it.
I looked at the school, it looked super old, but it was nice, a large sign above all the doors said go phantoms, in green, purple, and white colors.
Great more talk of crazy made up monsters, but it was pretty clever with the graveyard being two miles away.
The school was all made out of black bricks there were a few picnic tables in the front, and a large sign near the parking lot entrance that said Welcome to East Bay High school, and tons of beautiful flowers where planted all around brightening the school up.
After I Parked I walked to the office not ever a little nervous. That’s weird normally I am the shy, and nervous type, but today I am nothing but calm.
“Hello may I help you?” The lady behind the desk said.
She looked like she was in her late 50’s; she had brownish hair, and had hazel eyes, and looked like she deeply loved her job.
“Yes, I am Emily Smith.” I said confidently.
“Oh you’re the new girl, ok here you go sweetie, here is you’re schedule, and a map, have a great first day Emily.” She said sweetly, and handed me my papers.
Yes she is definitely a little too happy, but who am I to judge.
“Thanks.” I said cheerfully.
She waved to me pleasantly, and went back to her work.
I had English first, which is room 12. When I found the room with some friendly help from a girl who was beside my locker I took some deep breaths then opened the door. As soon as I walked through the door all eyes were on me.
Usually I would be all nervous and jumpy with all of the people staring, but strangely it didn’t bother me. My first day to this school, and I am all ready a completely different person, but I think I’m like the new me better.
When I got to the teachers desk the teacher looked up, and smiled at me a little more warmly then necessary.
“Hi, I’m Emily Smith, the new girl” I said politely.
“Oh, hello I’m Mr. Steele, here is your textbook, if you need anything please don’t hesitate to ask, and you may have a seat in the back of the class, beside Amy.” He said softly handing me a small yet a little heavy book.
I’m not so sure I am going to like this teacher, I have always stunk at English, and he has already set me in the back of the room. But I smiled at him anyway then went to sit in the back. When I sat down the girl beside me was bouncing in excitement.
“Hi, I’m Amy Cooper.” She squealed looking at me.
I laughed quietly at her silliness.
“Hi, I’m Emily Smith.” I said, and shook her hand as it came out to me.
“So were did you move from?” She asked looking curiously at me.
“New York City.” I said with a small smile.
Her eyes widened. And I wanted to laugh at how innocent she looked when she did so, like a little mouse.
“I have always wanted to go there,” she said.
I laughed again.
“I think Florida is way nicer though, it’s so much cleaner, and warmer.” I admitted.
“Really, but won’t you miss those city lights?” Amy asked curiously.
“Nah, they always kept me up at night, plus here in Florida I can see the stars.” I said with a grin.
“Wow, you never saw stars before?” Amy asked shocked.
I shook my head no in amusement that she was so surprised by this. She and I continued to talk, she was a really fun girl to talk with, and we seemed to be getting along great.
“Hey do you want to sit with me and my friends at lunch today?” She said hopeful.
“Sure.” I said surprised I made a friend so fast.
“Great!” She almost screamed sounding overly excited.
The teacher frowned at her as he stopped in the middle of his lecture.
She grinned sheepishly.
“Sorry Mr. Steele.” She said.
I had to bite down on my lip to hold back the giggles threatening to escape.
I think Amy, and I am going to get along just fine.
When the bell rung Amy, and I walked to our next class together, and talked about random things.
Mostly about me, and New York City, but I didn’t mind, it was just fun talking to someone so ecstatic all the time like Amy; it was funny, and almost contagious.
She really brought the fun out in me, and soon I was squealing, and bouncing all over the place like her.
What is this school doing to me?
After second period I sadly didn’t have any more classes with Amy, and I didn’t meet anyone else because almost all the teachers put me in the back of the room.
Why, did they think I was going to be a trouble maker, but I didn’t really care, I’ll just have to prove them wrong later on.
When I went to my locker to put my things away for lunch Amy was waiting for me.
“Hey Em.” She squealed as she began her constant bouncing.
“Hey Amy.” I said with a smile as I put my books away in my little purple locker.
When I finished she grabbed my arm and pulled me to the lunchroom, and into line. When we paid for our food she pulled me to a group of kids at a table.
“Em, I’d like you to meet Beth Zanata” She said pointing to a girl with green eyes, and gold hair, with a couple of freckles here and there.
“Hey Em.” She said cheerful. “Hey Beth.” I said excited.
Beth was obviously the big sister to her friends, the one that stands up for her friends, but I could also see a shyness, and slight fear, but all in all she was a good person.
“Susan Nillan.” Amy said pointing the girl beside Beth.
Susan had long black hair, blue eyes, and extremely skinny, way skinner then me even.
She smiled timidly, and waved.
“Hi Em, it’s nice to meet you.” She said shyly. “Hi Susan, nice to meet you to.” I said waving back.
Susan was the shy meek one, the one that wouldn’t stand up for herself, and is extremely self-conscious, but deep down she was sweet, excited, and even wild, she was also a great person, and very loyal. There was a lot I could see in people, just by looking into their eyes.
“Travis Monroe.” Amy said pointing to a cute guy sitting beside Susan.
He had brown hair, brown eyes, and is probably a football player judging by his jersey he had on. He seemed completely relaxed sitting at an all girls table, which made me wonder a bit.
He winked at me as I looked at him.
I had to fight back the urge to gag, he is not my type; I liked the mature smart ones, which he was obviously not any were near being.
He was very vain, and I could tell he thought he was better than the others, and he was very sarcastic, I didn’t like him to much, but he did seem like an okay person, but one no one could stand being around for long.
“And Brittany Kane.” Anna said pointing to the last girl, but unlike the rest of them she was scowling at me. She grunted, and looked away.
She had short blond hair, with brown highlights, and blue eyes that held nothing but coldness. She was the leader obviously, everyone followed what she said weather they wanted to our not, she was mean, I don’t think anyone could stop her when it came to ruining someone’s life.
I sat down beside Beth, and Amy sat on the other side of me. Then we all talked, but mostly asked me questions about New York City, except for Brittany who ignored me completely, which I was totally fine with.
“So how come you don’t have an accent?” Amy asked curiously.
“Not all people from New York have different accents.” I said amused.
“Hey Em?” Travis said shyly.
“Yeah?” I said struggling to sound nice, and warm.
I am sensing Travis may like me a little more than just a friend. The thought made me uncomfortable.
I don’t like hurting anyone’s feelings, but I just don’t find guys attractive like a normal girl would, I mean there are those ‘Whoa that guy is hot!’ but I am not at all interested in a relationship in any guy, I never have, except for one time when I was very little, but after it ended I never got any more feelings for an guys again, not even a puppy crush.
“Will you come to my party I’ll be having in a few weeks?” He asked hopeful.
Beth, Susan, and Anna all looked excited, and hopeful, while Brittany glared at me hatefully.
“Sure, I love parties.” I said excited, and half relived he didn’t ask me out on a date.
“Great!” Everyone said excited, except for Brittany who said it sarcastically.
But I didn’t care, people like her can’t get to me, and when they do they unleash my temper which they don’t want to ever see. When lunch was over everyone walked with me to my next class, except for Brittany which didn’t bother me in the least, she probably is just having a hard time dealing with something.
“Brittany aren’t you coming?” Amy asked confused.
“No I got to go.” She snapped, and walked away.
“Don’t mind her Em she is just jealous that Travis invited you before her to his party.” Beth explained. I looked at Travis then to Beth.
“Why?” I ask confused.
“Brittany has had a crush on Travis since 6th grade.” Beth said amused.
I heard Travis grumble at that in annoyance, and I fought back my laugh.
“I wasn’t planning on marring him.” I said rolling my eyes. They all laughed, except for Travis who looked irrigated.
“We know Em, it’s just how Brittany is; you’ll get used to her.” Anna said with a grin.
I nodded at that. I just hoped Brittany wouldn’t be trying to ruin my time here, because so far this place wasn’t so bad.
We all split up after that, and went to our own classes. I was sad that none of my new friends were in any of my classes for my 5th, 6th 7th, 8th periods, and I was stuck with Brittany for 7th. But overall this school was great, everyone was so nice to me, and none of the classes seemed hard.
While the teacher was lecturing in my 6th period class a piece of paper was thrown at me.
The piece of paper said Call me and had a number at the bottom.
I rolled my eyes and put the note in my pocket before the teacher saw it. I wanted to turn around and tell the thrower ‘Yeah right’, but I just ignored it, I didn’t come to this school to deal with a bunch a stupid boys.
In 7th period I got two more notes with the same thing on it but the numbers were different. Brittany threw me a glare as she watched me look at the numbers.
Why would someone want me to call them, they don’t even know me yet, and to tell you the truth it was beginning to annoy me.
Then again at 8th period I got one more, but this was different it was in neat cursive handwriting. The initials were Q, P.
I didn’t know why but this one felt special, better then all the rest, but I don’t even know who threw it at me.
Whoever it was had a special first name, for it started with a Q. It must be a very uncommon name. I shook my head a little, and crammed the note in my pocket, I was being dumb this note was no different than the others.
After the final bell rang I went to my locker slowly trying to think of a name that starts with a Q to find Amy, Susan, and Beth surrounding my locker.
“Hey guys.” I said cheerfully greeting my new friends.
“Hey Em.” Beth said with a nice smile as the others waved.
“Here Em, this is a list of all of our phone numbers.” Susan said handing me a stack of phone numbers. This must be a new girl thing; you have to throw all you’re phone numbers at her.
I laughed.
“Great more phone numbers.” I said amused as I put them in my pockets with all the others.
“What do you mean?” Amy said.
“Well people have been throwing their phone numbers at me since 6th period.” I explained.
They all laughed at that with shocked girlie giggles that I haven’t done since 7th grade.
“You’re lucky, there must be some perks to being a new girl.” Beth said wagging her brows at me.
I rolled my eyes at that but laughed with them.
“Nah, no one here has really struck me as impressive, or attractive in the slightest.” I said with a shrug.
“Don’t worry Em you’ll see some sooner or later.” Amy said patting my shoulder with a huge smile.
I wanted to tell her I wasn’t really looking for a boyfriend at the moment, or probably ever, but I decided that these three would probably take a no, so I went along with it in hopes to change the subject.
I nodded to her with a slight smile, as got into my locker and got my things, listening to the others naming off people they thought was a good match for me.
Once I was ready we all walked out into the parking lot together, still talking excitedly about the boys here, until Amy stopped them.
“Hey Em want to come to the mall with us today?” Amy asked hopeful.
“Sure, I could use some new clothes.” I said eager to get off the last subject.
“Great we’ll pick you up, you’re in that big house on the beach side of town right” Beth said digging the keys out of her pocket.
“Yep, the white one.” I said shocked that she had known here I lived. But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, my mother had been here all her life, this whole town knows her well, with all the donating time, and helping out she had done here has made her a very well respected woman.
“Kay, see you in few Em.” Amy called out as they all left for their cars.
As I walk to my car I couldn’t help but smile; I got some great friends; it took me weeks to become friends with the kids back at my old school, but here I just walked in and got three good friends just like that.
When I got home I ran to my room, and changed my clothes for something more comfortable, add on some makeup, freshen up a little, and to switch my book bag for my purse. I looked in the mirror excited for a night out with my new friends, and surprised that I was already forgetting about all my old friends.
I frowned at myself at that thought, I promised to all my friends I wouldn’t forget them, ever, I locked them in my mind after a while, but even then I didn’t miss them as much as I once did.
After slipping my cell phone into my pocket I walked down the stairs as I head my mother pull into the drive way.
“Hey Em.” My mom said as I opened the door for her.
“Hey mom, I am going to the mall with some new friends.” I said looking at her hopeful that she would approve.
“Well that’s great Em; I knew you would make friends easily there.” My mother said patting my head as she walked into the living room to set down her things.
I smiled at that.
“So how was work?” I wondered as I watched her flop down on the couch with her cooking book.
“Long, and quite annoying, this man that I had done surgery on kept asking me if he could have his backpack back when it was over, and I said yes eight million times.” My mother sighed as she rolled her eyes.
I laughed at that, but I felt bad for her, she had to deal with a lot of stuff as a nurse there, it always surprised me that she was able to come home without falling asleep as soon as she hit the couch.
“Alright, well I’m going to head on out, and wait for my friends ok.” I said as she picked her book back up and continued to read.
“Alright, please be back before ten please.” She said not looking up from her book.
“Ok, see you later,” I said with a smile.
“See you Em, have fun.” She called out to me as I walked over to the door and opened it up quickly. I waited on my porch until a green mustang pulled into the driveway, all the windows down, and loud music rolled out from it. Amy was waving from the passenger seat excitedly; I waved back with a grin, and made my way over to the car and got in.
“Hey Em!” They all squealed, except for Brittany who looked out the window, and ignored me coldly. Her presence did seem to bother me a little bit, but I told myself that I wouldn’t let anyone ruin my time here.
“Hi.” I said excited to all the others.
Beth was driving, Amy was in the front seat talking in her crazy bubbly tone to her, and Susan was sitting between me and Brittany in peaceful silence.
We talked about school, and cute guys they have seen, hard homework, and what they were planning on getting at the mall except for Brittany who didn’t say a word or look away from the window.
I wasn’t sure if this bothered me or amused me, that someone that had no idea who I was could not like me so much so fast.
*****
When we finally got to the mall we split up. Beth, Amy, and I are going to “Pac Sun”, while Brittany and Susan went to “Route 21”. I noticed Susan’s reluctance as Brittany pulled her into the store. I felt bad for Susan now, and I hoped that Brittany’s meanness only was directed to me, and not anyone else.
“Pac Sun” was huge, which got me excited, I had a deep love for shopping, and of course I was used to large stores living in New York.
“Hey Em check this out.” Amy squealed.
When I got over to her she practically threw a cute pink V-neck shirt in my face.
“Aren’t these cute?” She said smiling as she held up the same shirt just in different colors.
I looked the shirt over, it was sleeveless, and had a lollipop on it, it really was cute.
“Yeah they are cute.” I said looking them over for a price, and beamed when I saw there were on sale.
“You should get them me and Beth is getting the exact same, just in different colors.” She said bouncing in a thrilled tone.
“Ok.” I said amused.
It’s a good thing my dad gave me an extremely large amount of cash in his will, but I’d rather have him here with me than spending all his money, I felt a little guilt about it, and promised myself that I would keep spending to a minimum.
After a few minutes of shopping I got two new pares of jean skirts, and a yellow flower tank top. When Amy and Beth were done they came over to me with bright smiles.
“Now we should find some new shoes for our new outfits.” Beth suggested.
“Yeah we should.” Amy said thrilled.
I laughed, and nodded in agreement as I followed them to pay for our things. On our way out of the store something caught my eye, making me freeze in my steps.
It was a group of people by the fountain. They were all unusually pale, for kids who live in Florida, they all looked my age, yet there was something about them that was different.
There was a girl with brown hair, and blonde highlights in it, she had bluish gray eyes, and she was thin. She looked like the bubbly type, the one with the biggest smile, and naturally the most friendly, the kind of person who I usually like hanging out with. There were also two guys.
One was very tall he brownish black hair, and his eyes were muddy brown. He looked like the quiet, responsible one, the one with all the right answers, but would never be smug, and when he did say anything it would always be kind.
The last one easily the most gorgeous and perfect of the 3, and once I locked my eyes on him he was the only one I wanted to look at.
He was shorter then the first one, he had adorable brown curly hair, crystal blue eyes, and a pretty muscular body. He looked like the gentleman, the polite, kind, unselfish, perfect guy, the guy everyone would love to be around, but I could sense an explosive temper from him same as me, but it was a short one, he was the kind of guy I have always been attracted to, smart over strong, respectable over handsome, but he also was nothing but pure gorgeous.
I have never seen any guy like him in my life he seemed like a dream, a beautiful dream.
The boy with the curly brown hair looked right at me causing my heart to speed up. His blue eyes seemed to explore me, clouding my thoughts as I got lost in his gaze.
I couldn’t look away; I didn’t want to, I got the urge to go over to him, and stroke his dream-like face, just to see if it’s real, but I fought the urge and quickly looked away before I embarrassed myself.
“Em hello, what are you staring at?” Amy said waving her hand in front of me when she noticed that I had stopped walking.
“Umm…” I said trying to think straight, but all my thoughts were a jumbled mess.
“Are you coming?” Beth said asked looking at me with a raised brow.
“Oh yeah, sorry I was just thinking.” I lied smoothly, not wanting my new friends to know I had been staring at some random stranger; they would probably drag me over to them.
They both grabbed my arms and pulled me to the next store chatting excitedly about what they were looking for, but I couldn’t get into the conversation.
I looked over at the pale kids one more time, unable to help myself. The boy with the curly hair was still staring at me with an unreadable expression, the other two were staring at him with complete shock on their faces, and then they looked straight at me then back at him making my insides twist.
I blushed but didn’t look away.
I don’t know why I felt so much attraction to the boy, but I felt a lot for this strange boy.
I secretly wished that he would follow us, and take me far away.
I reluctantly looked away, and tried to regain my thoughts again as the realized how stupid, and naive I sounded.
“Come on Em lets go in this store.” Amy said pulling Beth, and I in a giant store on the opposite side of the mall.
I let them pull me along, just wanting to think about something other than the drop dead gorgeous boy I had just seen.
Upon entering the stood I quickly threw myself into shopping, making sure my mind was nice and busy at work, after a few minutes of shopping I got a few pares of high heels, and pink sunglasses, but I still couldn’t tear my thoughts away from the curly haired boy. “Wow Em you are a great shopper.” Amy said looking at all my bags as she knocked me out of my thoughts.
“You might even beat Brittany.” Beth said amused after counting all my bags.
I smirked. I would like that.
“Let’s take a quick break at the food court, they have super yummy food here Em.” Amy suggested and began to pull me again.
I walked without complain as we began to walk back in the direct of the fountain, but as I saw that he was no longer there I frowned, in slight disappointment, but then I thought to myself maybe he was going for a snack break to.
As we made it to the small food court I looked around to see the curly haired boy, but sadly he wasn’t there, I mean sure he’s good-looking, and obviously was from my school judging by the jacket he was wearing, but I didn’t know anything about him, I’m usually the one to get to know the person before I really look at them as a friend, or more.
This is stupid why I would be looking forward to see a complete stranger. None of it made any sense, which annoyed me, and confused me farther, was I losing my mind already from staying in Florida?
Amy texted Brittany, and now Susan and Brittany were coming to get a snack with us, which darkened my mood again. I wasn’t the mean type of person but when I was in these kinds of moods it wasn’t wise to stretch my self control.
When they came I noticed Brittany had eight bags, and Susan had two. They must both have different views of shopping.
Also Brittany had on giant hoop earrings on, and a ridiculously big ring on that hadn’t been there before. Brittany either is a ridiculous spender, or she was filth rich, the first one sounded like the closer answer to me.
As Brittany and Susan stopped in front of us I noticed Susan looked very sad about something; I have to ask her about that later, because something told me it had to do with Brittany.
“Are you guys ready to order?” Amy asked looking at all of us with a huge smile.
“I’ll have a salad.” Susan said glumly. Brittany grinned at that with a snarky laugh.
“Me to.” Brittany said smugly.
“I’ll have a hamburger.” I said.
“Me to.” Beth said.
“I change my mind I want a hamburger to.” Susan said quickly. Brittany glared at her, and I think I heard her say cow, under her breath.
I glared at her.
Susan must have heard. She looked so sad it looked like she would start crying at any minute.
“Good choice Susan, you are so skinny you don’t need to eat salad.” I said.
Susan smiled at me. “Thanks.” She said with a smile but thankful smile.
Brittany glared at us.
I rolled my eyes at her, then went to a table, and sat down. Susan and Beth sat down beside me, and then Brittany came over, and threw me death glares. Something turned in my stomach, and I could feel myself getting mad.
“Are you going to sit down, or stand there like a retard all day?” I snapped at her, surprising myself at my outburst.
Susan and Beth giggled at that in shock, and amusement.
Brittany’s eyes widened, and then with out saying anything she sat in front of Beth, and glared at all of us, with eyes full of hate. When Amy came back she pouted.
“I wanted to sit with Em.” She whined as she set the tray of food down.
I laughed.
“You can sit in front of me.” I suggested with a grin.
She smiled in excitement. “Ok.” She said sitting beside Brittany.
“So what did you get Susan?” I asked as we all began to eat our food in peace.
She grinned. “A glow- in-the-dark shirt, and sweat pants.” She said a little nervous.
“Cool, I love sweat pants.” I said with an easy smile.
“Me to.” Amy said with a bubbly squeal.
“Really I thought I was the only one.” She said looking at Brittany with narrowed eyes.
Brittany grumbled looking away from all of us as she ate. We all continued to chat without her, not at all minding her not joining in the conversation.
When we finished we all decided to go to the movies.
“I want to see ‘Haunted’.” Brittany said looking at each of us with a cold frown.
“Or maybe ‘A walk to remember’” Amy suggested.
“I want to see--- “No one cares what you what to see Susan.” Brittany sneered cutting her off.
Susan had tears in her eyes, and she struggled to hold them back.
“Brittany!” Amy and Beth yelled angry. I glared at Brittany, and hugged Susan as her tears continued. It was obvious that Susan was a very sensitive person, and didn’t deserve to be treated this way.
She hugged me back, looking as though she really needed it.
“You may not care about hurting your friend’s feelings, but I do.” I said angry as I narrowed my eyes at her. Back in New York I have always been very protective of all my friends, and if anyone would have been mean to them I was the one that puts them in their place. Well at least I wished I could be brave enough to do it, but this place was changing me.
Beth and Amy nodded in agreement with glares at Brittany..
“Whatever when the baby is done crying I will be in ‘Haunted’.” She snapped, and then walked into the movie theater without another word.
“Are you ok Susan?” I asked as I let her go.
She sniffed as she tried to get a hold of herself
“Yeah I’m fine, but I am not Brittany’s friend anymore, I can’t take the games anymore.” She stuttered a little.
“I’m not being her friend anymore either, she just keeps getting worse and worse.” Beth said shaking her head.
We all looked at Amy curiously, Amy had to be the nicest person I know here, and for her to actually not like someone was hard for me to believe.
Amy shook her head slowly after seeming to think something over.
“I’m not either; she has to learn to treat her friends better.” She said with a frown.
“Hey let’s get back at her for everything she’s done to us.” Beth suggested smiling evilly.
“Yeah let’s leave her here and go home.” I said with an evil smile. I was shocked how my I liked this idea, but I couldn’t help it, I could tell Brittany was a completely bad person.
Everyone laughed.
“Perfect, let’s do it.” Amy said excited with a smirk.
Beth nodded eagerly as she hi-fived Amy.
“Good thinking Em.” Susan said with a smile.
Amy grabbed my arm, I grabbed Susan, then Susan grabbed Beth, and we ran to Beth’s car laughing the whole time. That would teach Brittany for messing with my new friends, now she better be ready what she’s going up against.
When we were half way to my house I heard an annoying ringing sound from Amy’s purse. She laughed, but quickly hushed us, and answered the phone.
“Hello.” Amy said innocently.
Then a bunch of yelling on the other end of the phone, asking where we were; sounded.
“Route 21, why?” Amy said biting her lip to hold back her laughs.
There was more yelling, and a few words I couldn’t understand, but Amy was having a hard time not laughing.
“Susan wanted to show us something.” Amy lied smoothly.
Her lips quivered as she held back her laughs, and clicked it on speaker phone.
Brittany’s yelling, and swearing echoed through the car now, and we all were covering our mouths tightly holding back our laughter. This was too good!
Amy quickly clicked her phone back when Beth began to die of laughter, her face turning pink.
“Ok bye.” Amy said quickly clicking her phone shut. “I’ll tell her we left later.” She giggled.
We all laughed at that, making fun of Brittany the whole way home until we stopped at my house.
“Bye Em, see you tomorrow.” Beth called out to me with a grin.
“Bye.” I said, waving to them.
When I got into my house my mom was sitting in the exact same place she was in when I left.
“Hi Em did you have a good time.” She said still reading the same book.
“Yeah I had a great time.” I said with a grin.
“That’s great dear; I knew you’d find you’re crowd.” She said looking up at me from her book with a smile.
“They are pretty great people.” I nodded with a chuckle.
“Good, well I’m off to bed then.” My mother said getting up with a tired smile, and I followed after her.
“Me too.” I said starting to feel tired myself.
“Goodnight Em.” She said before entering her bedroom.
“Goodnight.” I said, and then went to my bathroom to wash up from my night.
After I took a long relaxing shower, brushed my teeth, and jumped into bed, I thought about the boy with the curly brown hair I had seen at the mall.
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