*Work in Progress

A Story by AlisonKay

This was due for a class but I never completed it. I have yet to end it. It has a bit of romance and mystery to it.

Down. Down. Down. Sinking. Was anyone going to miss me? Probably not. Maybe I deserved this. I struggled. “Hello?” I couldn’t hear my own voice. “Someone? Will anyone help me?” I panicked. He had a right to be doing this to me. Alone. Forever Alone sinking. Down.

…

I woke up gasping for air. It was only a dream, nothing more. But it was so vivid! This is the third time this week that I’ve had this dream. What is happening to me? Gosh. I get so paranoid some days.

My alarm clock flashed 7:37. I pushed the covers off my bed. “No! No! NO!” Late again? I can’t be! I epically failed at my ninja jump and flopped on my hardwood floor like a fish out of water. I mumbled “Way to go, graceful. Thank god I showered last night”

My room is always a mess but I somehow manage to know where everything is. I grabbed a pair of crinkled jeans from the third drawer of my cherry wood dresser, pulled them on, and yanked a random shirt out of my crowded closet that I barely used.

Right before I ran out my bedroom door I cat a glimpse of myself in the mirror above my dresser. “I look like poop!” Ugh. “Let’s see here. Mascara, eye shadow, more mascara, and some powder. Good enough.” I slammed the makeup back on top of the dresser and proceeded to run down the stairs.

“Jess, are you up yet?” I just rounded the upstairs corner to see my mom hollering at me from the bottom of the stairs. “Oh, there you are.” She handed me my book bag after I clambered loudly down the stairs. A muttered “thank you” escaped my mouth when I blew by her. Breakfast was not an option today. The microwave in the kitchen read 7:58. Crap. School was a ten minute drive if I slightly sped and school started at 8:10.

After a quick wave, a “bye mom”, and a slam of the old front door I was rid of worries for a few minutes. I walked the short eight steps to my sad looking little white 2004 Bonaville. My squeaky driver’s door opened with a tug and I threw in my book bag before myself. The ignition was sticky but I jammed the key until she started up.

My mother was waving from the kitchen door as I put the car in “R”. She’s a nut. I nodded a smile towards her and back out of the driveway. Looking behind me I saw an empty road. Freedom. I slammed on the gas sending my car flying backwards and cranked the wheel hard to the right, throwing the tail end sliding. I didn’t dare look at mom; I knew she was probably having a heart attack.

…

The hallways in school were buzzing. Every other word I kept hearing was “party”. Great, another party for the cops to bust! It’s probably Jordan Clue’s. HE always throws parties.

My locker door had just screeched open when my best friend, Beth, ran up to me.

“Jessica! Have you heard the news?”

“No. What news?” She gasped and put both of her hands on my cheeks. She smelled like lotion and perfume; like always.

“You haven’t heard! Gosh,” she fluttered her hands above herself, “I have to fill you in on everything!” Nag, nag, nag. I swear that’s all she does. I have to love her for it, though. “Jordan is having a party!”

I knew it. “Again?”

“Yes silly! WE are going!”

Did she just say what I thought she said? “We? As in you and me?”

“No! The cookie monster! Yes! Me and you!” Beth did a quick faint.

“Alright. When is it and how did we get invited?” I really didn’t want to go but I had nothing better to do.

“Tonight! I’ve got an outfit for you. Come over after school and we can get ready.” She smiled and ran off.