Chapter 1

Many people tell my story, except it’s never told the right way. There’s always a couple important things that are left out here and there, or it’s just really hard to describe if you weren’t there in person. I want people to know what really happened, so I took it upon myself to explain it. The easiest way I can too. This is the story of me.

It was 8:45 and already Woodsboro High is a group of walking zombies.  Mr.Chip sits at his desk sipping his daily coffee after hitting us up with a pop quiz. His bald head looks extra shiny today under the fluorescent lighting. He has to have his seat back a bit to fit his stomach behind his desk.  Jacob Morson is to my right trying to cheat answers off the frail blonde behind him known as Tina. I look to my left at Beth and she rolls her eyes. The only thing good about Mr.Chip is he’s too old to hear people talking instead of working.

I rest my arm on the cold metal bar connecting my desk and chair while resting my head on my wrist. Jake Dullinger sits in front of me speeding away on his test, one day Jake. Without notice I send I smile facing him, he doesn’t see me. I let out a sigh and try to tune out the annoying sound of pencil rubbing against paper.

I’m not complaining though, I am used to this weekly routine.  Monday I wake up exhausted and irritated from little to no sleep. Stumble to my closet to throw on whatever's available. slip on the bus and head to my nightmare/school. Then receive a pop quiz over something I haven’t learned yet. Finally repeat previous steps for rest of natural life.

Maybe I’m complaining a little, but Monday at least has one good thing going for it. Every Monday after school I get to see my Uncle Roy, the only person other than Beth left in existence that I actually care about.

There used to be more than just Roy and Beth on team Jessica though. There used to be a father. A father that loved me and read me a bedtime story before I fell asleep every single night. A father that actually gave me a hug every day after I got home from school. A father who wasn’t ashamed to say “I love you Jessica”.That father left me too soon though.  Left me alone  with a terrible mother. A mother that would rip all of the finely woven threads from the once perfect quilt known as my family.

Thinking about what used to be of my family causes a tear to slide down my cheek and splatter against my math quiz. I wipe my face and push the memories back deep in my subconscious.

“I can’t have anyone see me like this.” I think. Anymore social humiliation on me would be unbearable. I already have a year's worth of it every week.

“Time's up.” Mr.Chip interrupts just before the 2nd period bell rings over him. “Turn in your quiz and have a nice day."

I look down at my paper and see that it’s blank. I was too sidetracked with my emotions to get anything done. This is going to be a great one to explain to my birth giver. I stand up out of my desk as it releases a creek and toss my quiz in the recycling bin. There’s no bother to turn something in I am already expecting a zero for. As I’m leaving the classroom in disappointment Beth stops in front of me.

“Okay what’s wrong?”

“Fine.” I respond.

“Jessica I can tell when you’re upset, and you’re obviously upset."

Beth was always able to read me like an open book. Actually now that I think about it everyone throughout my life could read me like a book. Except for me!

We continue our conversation as I make my way to the cafeteria.

“So what’s wrong.” she demands.

“I’m getting another big fat zero on my math quiz. Which will lead to a big fat F on my report card,  maybe an F+ if I am lucky." Beth lets out a small laugh.

“Don’t be like that” she laughs. “It’s only one math quiz.”

“A math quiz that I failed in case you forgot.”

“Even if you do fail math I’ll still be here for you Jessica.” “You and I have to stick together.” She has a concerning look on her face.

Maybe everyone can read me like an open book, but Beth is the only person that can fix all the wounds and put the book back together. Maybe even add a couple chapters too.

“Okay” I tell her.

“Great” she exclaims. “Are you still coming over tomorrow?”

“Of course.”  “It’s either go to your house or stay at home and pretend my birth giver doesn’t exist while she nags me.”

“See ya there.” She turns right and heads to her science class while I continue my way to the cafeteria.

I stop at my locker to put my books away just as I’m interrupted by the intercom telling me otherwise.

“Jessica Vine to the office please, Jessica Vine to the office, thank you.”

It’s muffled but I can understand it well enough to know that I’m going to be late to lunch. This is just the best way to start a monday. I can almost taste the sarcasm pouring into my thoughts.

I angrily stuff my books into my broken down red locker and slam it shut. Then I storm of to the office.

Mrs.Nance is the first person to greet me when I walk in.

“Uhh...You called me.”

“Oh yes your mother wants you to ride the bus home today.” Her voice is quiet and meek.

“Is there anyway I could call her.”

“Sure thing you can come back here and press 9 then the area code for long distance calls.”

Why does she want me home? Is she drunk again? A million questions race through my head as I walk towards the phone. I press 9 first then I dial my birth givers number.

The phone rings once. Hopefully she doesn’t answer

Two rings. She probably hungover and too lazy to answer the phone.

Three rings. I might get out of this.

There’s a fourth ring but it’s immediately interrupted by a clicking sound which is followed by my birth givers voice. She lets out a small moan. She is obviously suffering from a terrible migraine which means I get double the nagging.

“Yeah” she answers.

“Why do you want me home. I’m going to Roy’s today remember?”

“I have a massive headache and I need you to clean the house today.” She snaps

“But I planned this a week ago you can’t just tell me to clean the house for you.”

“I’m your mother so I can tell you whatever I want to tell you and you will listen or a certain brat won’t go to her uncle’s ever again!” she is shouting through the phone at this point.

“But mom…this isn’t.” The phone clicks and turns into a dial tone cutting me off.

I put the phone back on the hook and walk out of the office. Not even showing Mrs. Nance my face. Tears fall down my cheek.

I run to the bathroom and shut the gray stall door behind me and begin to weep not even caring to notice if someone else was in the bathroom. My cheeks are hotter than fire and my tears are soaking my blue sweatshirt.

After what felt like an hour of sobbing I leave the stall and head to the sink to rinse my face.

The water is cold and relaxing against my face. I could just stay in here for hours and let the world pass by without anyone knowing. I let out a deep breath and shut of the water. I look in the small mirror above the sink.

It seems like now matter how long you watch yourself in the mirror you never remember your own face. My long blonde hair looks almost brown in the bathrooms poor lighting. It also cast an odd shadow across my pale skin.

I lose track of time in the bathroom trying to shut out the world and a red head from my math class walks in. An awkward situation is not something I want to add to my list today so I decide to leave the bathroom before she starts to question things.

Class after class goes by hour after hour. Barely making my way through one school day waiting to hear the final bell telling me I am free from my nightmare for the rest of the day. I sit in anticipation waiting to hear such a bell. Telling me science doesn’t matter for another 16 hours. Not like anyone was interested in AP Biology in the first place.

The glorious bell rings and students begin to flood the halls while the science teacher mumbles something about a test next week. The school walls instantly fill with echoes of gossip drama and immaturity as friends meet back up for one final word before the end of the day. As the river of students slowly start to drain to the buses and parking relief comes over me. School is actually over. At least for today.

What am I to do though? Ride the bus to Roy’s or obey my irrational birth giver. Three thoughts instantly pop in my head. Why should I listen to my mother in the first place. She didn’t even have a reason for me to stay home. Except she’s too lazy to clean her own house.

My part of the river finally reaches the doors and the sunlight blinds my eyes as I stumble to the buses.

I obviously don’t want to go home but what if it’s the right thing to do. Rebelling against my birth giver especially when she is in this bad of a mood turned out horrible in the past. Her warning from today's phone call lingers in the back of my mind.

Not going home will result in terrible consequences while at the same time not going to see Roy will result in terrible regret. Now that I think about it what’s stopping me from doing both. Now that I think about it what’s stopping me from doing both of those.

An elaborate plan instantly springs into mind. A plan that will either be concrete and perfect or get me grounded for the rest of my natural life.

I wait for Beth before I walk to my bus but she is nowhere to be found. She must of already left without me.

Not like it matters though. Much bigger things are on my plate. I cut through the crowd of students gossiping about everything dramatic that happened at school today and I walk on the bus in slot 17.

The bus that takes me to my birth giver. With a plan that will take me to Roy’s

Author's Note

Chapter 1 of 15. Feel free to comment!

Reviews

[Tatum]

This first chapter is so intriguing and leaves the reading wanting to read more. I can't wait to see what her plan is. I definitely want to read chapter two.