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It was four in the morning; we had been at the library for hours. No one said anything. We had stopped by the Teen
Center for some drinks. The Teen Center was owned and founded by Carmen Jockolva. It had a back room for games, a bar that stretched from one end of the building to the other. It had a stage for karaoke or when Carmen was able to get bands to perform. Liz liked to use the back room as her own personal art studio. The place was empty. It didn’t open until 2:00 pm.
Liz and Carmen had gone to the back room to unwind. I sat with Adam, sipping my grape soda. I was in desperate need of noise, something to break the silence. The air felt so tense, no one wanted to talk about what had happened, or what didn’t happen? Maybe I dreamt it all and I was just being weird. Yeah that’s it, we all fell asleep, and I had a weird dream is all.
“Emma?” said Adam.
“Yes?” I said. Adam never got the chance to finish his thought for out came Carmen running and screaming. “Help, Help!”
Liz was right behind her, paint brush in hand. “Carmen! Stop, you said you’d pose,” she pouted.
“I can’t sit still for that long,” Carmen answered in defense. In the process of running from Liz she had knocked over several chairs. The sight of them laughing and screaming automatically brightened my mood. Liz and Carmen had entered a paint brush fight, using the brushes as swords. Paint flew everywhere. Liz’s paint brush had caught a part of
Carmen’s green shirt. The red paint against the green made her look like a Christmas tree. Liz stopped running. “Oh Carmen, I didn’t mean to mess up your shirt,” she apologized.
As if on cue, Carmen clutched the red stain and groaned in agony, twisting to the floor dramatically. “Liz,” she whispered, “Come closer, closer, I forgive you my friend I don’t think the wound is fatal, my shirt on the other hand, not so much.” She continued her death scene, determined to juice all the drama she could into it. “To paint or not to paint! Oh, the agony!”
I busted out laughing. “You’re such a premadonna.”
They collapsed into a fit of giggles.
“Who’s up for a round of hot chocolate on me?” asked
Adam.
“On you? No thanks I’d rather have it in me,” said Liz jumping to her feet.
Adam rolled his eyes, “Sarcasm will get you Everywhere.”
“Says the one being sarcastic,” I retorted. He gave me his evil eye but I could see the hint of a smile in his twitchy little lips. All I had to do was flash him my smile and there it was, the grin that lurked behind his attempt to look serious.
“You know I had the weirdest dream when we fell asleep at the library,” I said. I waited for a reaction. I got nothing.
“Really, about what?” inquired Adam. He was leaning against the bar very nonchalantly, he had a whip cream mustache from the hot chocolate; I stifled a giggle. Liz was sprawled across one of the tables, content with playing with her hair. Carmen sat on the bar next to me fiddling with her necklace. Her necklace… silver chain, green pendant.
“Um Carmen, where did you get that necklace?”
“Hmm?” she responded, waking from her thoughts.
“Oh,” she looked down at her necklace as if just realizing it were there. “I don’t remember,” she replied.
“I had a dream about a ghost,” said Liz, still playing with her hair. My head jerked up.
“So did I, and you were all there and we were in a big bright room.” Adam’s jaw tightened, Liz stopped playing with her hair and sat up, and Carmen just sat there in her own thoughts, oblivious. I looked at Adam. “You had the same dream didn’t you?”
Silence, I took that as a ‘yes’. I grabbed my jacket, “I have to stop by my dad’s place. I’ll meet up with you later,” I waved good bye.
The air outside was dry and windy. The window of Adam’s car was cracked open so I reached in to take my skate board. Tarrasa’s apartment was only a few blocks down. I had seven brothers luckily Tim and Brad were off to college and Brody was working on finding his own place. I don’t think that will go very well though considering he just turned fourteen and didn’t have a job. He was hard headed like me. I smiled at the thought, maybe that’s why we didn’t get along; he was too much like me. My dad flew a plane for a living. You know the ones that have advertisements on the end. He also got paid to give people rides. Tarrasa was an accountant. I know what you’re thinking, what could these two people possibly have in common? They met on the internet about three months ago.
Tarrasa is a good person. She is kind to my brothers and seems to make my dad happy, but I don’t like her. I live in Pleasantville, New Jersey, a misleading name if you ask me, but no one ever asks me. I skidded to a stop. There it was my new home, apartment 34B. I didn’t have a key but the door was unlocked so I let myself in.
My two youngest brothers, Joey and Al, rushed at me with hugs. Joey who was four jumped into my arms. “Emmy where have you been!” he whined. I squeezed him tight and bent down to give Al a peck on the cheek.
“Sorry I lost track of time,” I said. “What are you two doing up so early?” I whispered trying not to wake anyone. I left my jacket, sneakers, and skate board by the door and led the kids to the kitchen.
“We couldn’t sleep,” replied Al who was six. As the oldest still at home, second to me, Brody slept on the couch so he wouldn’t have to share a bed. This was a three bedroom apartment, so Joey and Al shared a bedroom, along with a bed. Zach and Damien were lucky enough to have twin beds but they had to share the closet with Brody. While my dad and Tarrasa shared a room. If I stayed here I would have a sleeping bag in Joey and Al’s room. There wasn’t much room for my stuff either. I sat Joey and Al on the small counter and opened the refrigerator door. To my luck we had milk.
“Alright, this should help you sleep,” I said. I poured two glasses of milk and put it in the microwave to warm it. “So how do you two like the new digs?” I whispered.
“I like it here Emma, will you stay here with us?” asked Joey.
I gave him a smile, “Yes Joey I’ll stay here with you.” I heard the beep of the microwave telling me the milk was done. I ushered the boys to their room carrying the milk. “Drink up,” I said handing it to them. They downed it, hopefully they wouldn’t wet the bed, I thought. I tucked the boys back into bed nice and tight. As I was about to leave Al stopped me.
“Emma, will you tell us the story?” he pleaded.
I gave a slight sigh, and then smiled. “Of course.” I climbed between the two and they snuggled up next to me waiting for their favorite story. I played with Al’s sunflower yellow hair, which always made him sleepy. Joey was in need of a haircut, I made a mental note to cut his hair after school.
“Ok, once upon a time there was a brave little bear named Anthony. Anthony was always looking for trouble, excitement, adventure!” Al looked at me with his big brown eyes and I smiled at them. “Adventure,” he mumbled back.
“Yes, adventure, little bear Anthony spent all day searching for adventure. Little bear Anthony you must be careful said his mother, you will get hurt and I won’t be there to protect you. His mother said this to him every day and everyday Anthony found something dangerous to do. When he fell from a tree his mother caught him. When he was being chased by bees his mother chased the bees away. When he fell down a hole she pulled him out. Little bear Anthony you must be careful she scolded, one day you will get hurt and I won’t be there but little bear Anthony new, she would always be there. No matter how many times she scolded or yelled at Anthony, she was always there. On a starry night she tucked little bear Anthony into bed, just like tonight,” I smiled. “Little bear Anthony one day you will get hurt and I won’t be there. The little bear looked at her and said, ‘yes you will mother, for you are a star and stars don’t die.’ He pointed into the sky and sure enough there she was.
She smiled at little bear Anthony. Yes my son I will always be here.”
My mother used to tell them this story. It made my heart ache every time I told it. Joey was snoring. “Is she really up there?” asked Al. He was looking out the window at the stars.
“Yes she will always be here,” I told him. And I knew he wasn’t just talking about the mother bear. At my answer he closed his eyes ready for sleep to over take him.
School started at nine I would have to be ready by eight thirty. It was six o-clock now. I wasn’t tired but I didn’t want to move, in fear I would wake the boys. Zach, Damien and Brody shared a closet so that means my stuff would be in Joey and Al’s closet. Carmen had plenty of room at her house, heck even Adam would take me in though he didn’t have much either, but could I really leave the boys? I decided I would stay here for awhile. I wasn’t sure how long but I would. At eight o-clock I squeezed out of bed to make breakfast. We had milk, eggs, cinnamon, and bread. So I decided to make French toast, my specialty. I put on some coffee and started making the batter.
The smell of coffee woke Brody up.
“When did you get here?” he asked with a big yawn.
“A little after five,” I said.
He poured himself some coffee and sat at the counter watching me cook. It wasn’t long before I had four done. I put two on a plate and handed it to Brody. “You’re an angel,” he smiled.
“And you need a brush,” I said indicating his hair. “Why don’t you wake dad and Tarrasa?” I asked. He finished off the rest of his breakfast before waking the others.
“Good morning sweetheart,” said my dad walking in. he hadn’t even noticed I was gone. Dad and Tarrasa were soon followed by Zach, Damien, and Al. since Joey wasn’t old enough for school I let him sleep in. By the time everyone had finished breakfast Brody was ready for school. He had claimed first shower, lucky. The rest of the morning was hectic with everyone trying to get ready at once. There was only one bathroom in the house; it might as well have been hell. Zack and Damien had taken showers the night before so they were already dressed but they still needed the bathroom to brush their teeth. Tarrasa called second shower and she always took forever. Zach and Damien were twins they were both nine with light brown hair and brown eyes. I imagine that when Al gets older he’ll look much like them, accept for his sunflower hair, they’d look like triplets. Joey looked more like me. We both had strawberry blond hair and blue eyes but he had more freckles. I was told I was the spitting image of my mother. Brody was the outcast. He had dark brown hair that could pass for black and blue eyes. In the face he looked just like my father, just in the face. Tarrasa was African American with black curly hair. She was taller than me, about five seven I would have to guess. She had big eye lashes and a killer smile with full lips. She was beautiful. I hated her. I made sure Zach and Damien had all their school supplies. Al’s book bag had broken so I patched it together with some duct tape I found. It was almost eight thirty, we should be leaving. Brody had already left; he always walked with his friends. Tarrasa would be taking the younger kids to school. Dad didn’t have to work till ten so he would stay with Joey until dropping him off at daycare. Crap, I was going to be late. Everyone was out the door and on their way and I hadn’t even had time to shower. I grabbed my clothes out of my closet, took a three minute shower and didn’t bother to dry my hair.
Racing towards the door I grabbed my book bag and skate board.
I arrived on campus just as the bell rang. Whew good timing, I thought to myself. I slipped into home room and took my usual seat next to Carmen. Mr. Dick, yes my teacher’s name was Mr. Dick, was chattering on about Mendel and pea plants. Carmen glanced at me. “You look like crap,” she said. My strawberry blond curls hung down my back, still damp and a bit frizzy. I was 5ft 6in. I wore sneakers, black jeans, a black shirt that said in green letters, ‘the zombies are looking for brains, don’t worry your safe,’ and a grey hoodie. Carmen was 5ft 7in with long dark brown hair. She had flawless skin and frightening green eyes. Today she wore flip flops, blue jeans, and a yellow and white striped tank top. She was a bit larger in the hips than me but she also had bigger boobs so it evened her out.
“Thanks,” I retorted. She handed me a hair tie which I gratefully accepted, pulling my hair into a bun. I hated biology.
I find it interesting, it’s just the note taking and the listening to someone with the most boring voice on the planet that turns me off. Carmen on the other hand, Ms. Bookworm, loved every subject known to man. She read more than anyone I had ever met. This still surprises me because that girl cannot sit still for her life, but put a book in her face and she shuts off like a light.
Sometimes it’s as if she has two personalities. Homeroom had flown by nicely and second period was almost ending. Ms. Hawthorn had just finished handing out assignments. She was my English teacher, one of the few teachers in the school I actually liked. The bell rang, ah the sweet sound of freedom. It was time for lunch. I headed for one of the picnic tables outside. As usual I hadn’t brought lunch. I turned to look behind me and nearly fell off my seat. It was Adam, he had come out of nowhere, freaking ninja, geeze. A moment later Carmen had joined us.
“Ok I have to talk to you guys and please don’t throw me in the loony bin,” said Carmen.
“What’s on your mind chica?” I asked.
She took a breath, “There is voice in my head, that isn’t my own, telling me things.”
“Evil things,” I teased.
“It’s a she, her name is Lynashia. She says she is a witch; that she died many years ago but that her soul was placed in my necklace so that she could guide new witches. She says her son was the second Jade Magician, or the first reincarnated one. Emma, I had the same dream as you. Am I insane? I want to say that this voice in my head isn’t real, but she’s hard to ignore.”
Adam lifted the back of his shirt slightly. Between his shoulder blades was a sword with intricate carvings of dragons.
“I think that dream was real,” said Adam.
“Hit me,” I said.
“What!” said Adam, taken by surprise.
Shrug, “I’ll do it,” said Carmen reaching over the table. I stopped her, “Slap me hard, not one of those lame taps, hit me like you mean it,” I said. She looked at me to see if I was serious. Instead of the smack sound of a hand meeting a cheek, I heard, “Shit! Emma!” hissed Carmen, clutching her hand.
“Lately some sort of armor seems to appear anytime I am in the way of physical harm,” I responded.
“And you couldn’t have just said that?” glared Carmen.
“I’m going to need ice, that was mean,” she said.
“I have to work after school from five to ten,” said Adam.
“I have to pick Joey and Logan up from day care,” I said. “I’ll meet you at your place?” I asked Carmen. She nodded. “Meet up with us at Carmen’s,” I told Adam. So that was it. Whatever was going on we would figure this out together.
Fourth period was nearly over. For me this was the
longest class of the day. Algebra II, math had never been my strong point. Although Liz was a grade lower than us she was in the same class as me. They had bumped her up to the next class when they discovered her math scores were exceedingly high. I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Liz, sitting directly behind me.
“Pssst Emma,” she whispered. Instead of turning around I passed her a note. This teacher hated me enough I didn’t need to give her more reasons to dislike me. I didn’t want to attract attention to myself so I stretched, yawning. I threw the note at Liz. ‘What is it?’ was scribbled onto a sheet of torn notebook paper. ‘Look, it’s the hottie from the video store!’ was scribbled on the return note. I looked up. I hadn’t noticed any new faces when I walked in. I scanned the room. There was tweedle de and tweedle dumb, jerk wad Johnny, sweet heart Sam, and hey what do you know, there was a new guy and he was really cute.
He had the whole tall dark and handsome deal working for him. I turned to Liz and pointed at him. She nodded. So that was the guy. As the bell rang I packed up my stuff, ready to leave.
The new guy walked over to Liz. She tried to hide the blush working its way up her cheeks. “Hey,” she said. He smiled, wow what a smile, this guy had to have a flaw Somewhere.
“You remembered me,” he said, looking pleased. He was like a big puppy. I just wanted to eat him up. Instead I walked out of the room. I turned back to Liz before I left, “Meet you in the parking lot,” I said.
“So, ah,” he shuffled nervously. “How bout that date?” he asked.
“Sure, when?” she asked.
“Tonight?” he suggested.
“I can’t tonight, how about tomorrow?” offered Liz.
“Yeah that would be great,” he answered excitedly.
“Pick you up at seven?”
“I better just meet you somewhere,” answered Liz.
“How do you feel about Chinese food?” inquired Fu. “Love it,” she smiled.
“Great, then how about you meet me at Jin Jins,” he said.
Fu walked Liz to the parking lot where they met Carmen and me at her car. “Fu, these are my best friends Carmen and Emma,” said Liz, indicating us.
“Hi I’m Fu,” he reached out to shake our hands.
“Nice to meet you,” I responded.
“I’ll see you later Elizabeth,” he bent down to kiss her cheek. “I can’t wait till tomorrow,” Fu smiled and walked away.
“He’s cute Liz,” said Carmen, climbing into her car.
“Let’s go, we’re going to be late,” I said. I had to pick up Joey and Logan from daycare. I had to call my dad and let him know that Joey and Logan would be staying at Carmen’s tonight with me and that I would drop them off at daycare tomorrow morning. “Can we stop by my house real quick before heading back to your place?” I asked Carmen. “All my clothes are still there,”
“Sure,” she answered.