1.2 Not As Light As I Thought
DaBlueSky
Writer's Block Incarnate
- Location
- South Dakota
[X] Attison High school-- A public school downtown. The school bus route doesn't come to your part of town, so you take the public transport to get as close as possible, then walk the rest of the way. This is your last year before graduating. Nothing crazy will happen, right?
[X] Female
[X] Beatrice Heart
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
Your alarm clock was insistent, it's irritating chimes following you even when you tried to roll your blanket into a ball with you inside. Beep. Beep. Beep. With a groan, you finally sat up in your bed, smacking the snooze button with some vitriol. You blearily blinked away the sleepiness and slid out of bed, glancing at your mirror again. The bags under your eyes were evidence of restless slumber. Brushing your dirty blonde hair out of your face, you made your way to the bathroom to begin the day. School days usually didn't start out this annoying.
The morning's ritual, per usual, was quick; brush teeth, comb hair, clean clothes, face moisturizer, aaannnddd too late for makeup. Again. With a sigh and a shake of your head, you grabbed your backpack and shut the apartment door behind you. In complete contrast's to last night's flight up the stairs, you were taking your sweet time. Buses in this city were usually on time, so there was no need to rush. With a final yawn, you pushed the glass door open and felt the cold breeze rustle your hair.
It was september, a little over month since the school year started, and getting extremely close to fall. The trees with hints of yellow in their leaves and early morning light frost was a testament to that. With some trepidation, you began walking your usual route to the bus stop. This was where the paranoia had overcome you last night. The dark figure peeking out behind buildings and shadows every time you looked over your shoulder. A chill ran down your spine that had nothing to do with the morning cold.
Everything's fine. You told that to yourself as you continued. In a few minutes, you stood at your bus stop. Suddenly, there was a light buzz from your pocket. Whipping out your phone, you noted it was from Benjamin, a friend you made at school.
SoRry, i was asleep last night. u ok? that text u sent seemed prett y freaky.
...For a moment, you considered actually telling him it wasn't the first that this had happened, just the only time you noticed it'd been so overt. Then you decided against it.
yeah, I'm good. See ya at school.
This was something you could resolve on your own. Even if that wasn't the case, the police were always an option. But you'd rather avoid that. Your mother already felt guilty for leaving you alone for the foreseeable future. No use in burdening her. Looking up, you saw the bus approaching from down the street. Finally. As you stepped on, yawning, you swiped your bus card with a beep. The rest of the trip was uneventful.
With the bus door's closing behind you, you quickly checked your phone's clock. 7:54. Class started at 8:30. Nodding to yourself in satisfaction, you halfway considered walking into a coffee place and getting a doughnut or something. There was a bit of time to mess around, seeing as how the school was just a block and half away.
Suddenly, a voice, "Hey, girl! Got some change to spare for an old lady?"
An old woman sat on a bench a few feet from you. A shawl was draped over her head, and despite her light shirt, didn't seem to be all that cold. You hesitated. Something something don't talk to strangers? But instead of ignoring her, you pulled out your wallet. The expenses your mother sent you was more than enough for a month of food. It was actually a rather exorbitant sum. But the question was whether or not you actually had physical money on you. Lo and behold! A twenty dollar bill peeked out at you.
"Yeah, last bill. Here ya go," You handed it to her.
But just as you were about to turn away, she spoke up again, "Pretty generous of you. I'm usually lucky if I get a single dollar bill. Thank you. But I can't just take it like this. How about I read your fortune?"
The image of an old clock where a duck figure jumped out at every hour ran through your mind. Coo coo.
"I don't have the time. School is just about to start and--"
"Bah, you kids worry too much. It won't take too long. Just give me your palm and a few seconds."
Fine, let's just get this over with. You extended your hand, and your brow furrowed as you felt her hand in yours. Hers were freezing, with no bit of warmth anywhere. How long had she been out here? You bit your tongue though, as you waited. Maybe that was a rude thing to ask or something. She didn't look particularly homeless.
The old lady grumbled, "How straightforward, yet interesting. You can kiss your quiet life goodbye, girl, looks like you're gonna have a mess of trouble with men. And women too!"
The woman laughed as she let your hand go, "Good luck to you. At least it isn't anything dangerous, relatively."
You nodded your thanks, pushing your hand into your sweater pocket. You swear it had gotten even colder since the old woman held it. The large brick building of the school was in sight, just across from the street. With a bit of curiosity, you looked back at where the old women...and she was gone. Probably going to buy a coffee or something. Shaking your head, you rushed across the street, minding the cars.
Already, there was a mess of other teenagers flooding the entrance. Some hung outside, talking with their friends. Others rushed inside, intent on getting out of the cold. Those ones are the smart ones. With your head down, you joined the crowd struggling to get in. You sidestepped a few overstuffed backpacks, and grasped the metal handle of the clear door.
Finally inside. As with most mornings, you immediately zoomed off to the library. Ben usually messed around there before class started, which was in...ten minutes.
"Good morning, Beatrice!" A cheerful voice and extroverted voice, yet strangely formal greeted you. The speaker departed from a crowd of students that was gathered around her and stood in front of you.
"Ah...yeah, morning, Autumn." Your eyes darted to the ground. Autumn was....popular, to say the least. Unnervingly nice, she charmed anyone she met. Not only that, the boys absolutely fawned over her. But there was always something about her that weirded you out. Despite the constant smile on her face, it never seemed to reach those beautiful emerald eyes.
"Did you have anywhere you needed to be? I just wanted to ask you about last night's homework."
Last night's homework? SHIT. Completely forgot about that.
"Autumn, you don't have to ask her, y'know. We all did it."
"I'm aware, ladies. But in truth, I just need an excuse to talk to Beatrice. She seems reclusive." There were no thorns or malice in Autumn's voice, but the girls behind her giggled. You turned away from them, and looked at Autumn in trepidation. Those green eyes searched your face intently. Immediately, you glanced away again. Autumn was emitting an overbearing aura.
What do?
[] "Sorry, I have a friend waiting in the library. Some other time?"
[] "Yeah, I guess. I didn't actually do my homework though."
[X] Female
[X] Beatrice Heart
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
Your alarm clock was insistent, it's irritating chimes following you even when you tried to roll your blanket into a ball with you inside. Beep. Beep. Beep. With a groan, you finally sat up in your bed, smacking the snooze button with some vitriol. You blearily blinked away the sleepiness and slid out of bed, glancing at your mirror again. The bags under your eyes were evidence of restless slumber. Brushing your dirty blonde hair out of your face, you made your way to the bathroom to begin the day. School days usually didn't start out this annoying.
The morning's ritual, per usual, was quick; brush teeth, comb hair, clean clothes, face moisturizer, aaannnddd too late for makeup. Again. With a sigh and a shake of your head, you grabbed your backpack and shut the apartment door behind you. In complete contrast's to last night's flight up the stairs, you were taking your sweet time. Buses in this city were usually on time, so there was no need to rush. With a final yawn, you pushed the glass door open and felt the cold breeze rustle your hair.
It was september, a little over month since the school year started, and getting extremely close to fall. The trees with hints of yellow in their leaves and early morning light frost was a testament to that. With some trepidation, you began walking your usual route to the bus stop. This was where the paranoia had overcome you last night. The dark figure peeking out behind buildings and shadows every time you looked over your shoulder. A chill ran down your spine that had nothing to do with the morning cold.
Everything's fine. You told that to yourself as you continued. In a few minutes, you stood at your bus stop. Suddenly, there was a light buzz from your pocket. Whipping out your phone, you noted it was from Benjamin, a friend you made at school.
SoRry, i was asleep last night. u ok? that text u sent seemed prett y freaky.
...For a moment, you considered actually telling him it wasn't the first that this had happened, just the only time you noticed it'd been so overt. Then you decided against it.
yeah, I'm good. See ya at school.
This was something you could resolve on your own. Even if that wasn't the case, the police were always an option. But you'd rather avoid that. Your mother already felt guilty for leaving you alone for the foreseeable future. No use in burdening her. Looking up, you saw the bus approaching from down the street. Finally. As you stepped on, yawning, you swiped your bus card with a beep. The rest of the trip was uneventful.
With the bus door's closing behind you, you quickly checked your phone's clock. 7:54. Class started at 8:30. Nodding to yourself in satisfaction, you halfway considered walking into a coffee place and getting a doughnut or something. There was a bit of time to mess around, seeing as how the school was just a block and half away.
Suddenly, a voice, "Hey, girl! Got some change to spare for an old lady?"
An old woman sat on a bench a few feet from you. A shawl was draped over her head, and despite her light shirt, didn't seem to be all that cold. You hesitated. Something something don't talk to strangers? But instead of ignoring her, you pulled out your wallet. The expenses your mother sent you was more than enough for a month of food. It was actually a rather exorbitant sum. But the question was whether or not you actually had physical money on you. Lo and behold! A twenty dollar bill peeked out at you.
"Yeah, last bill. Here ya go," You handed it to her.
But just as you were about to turn away, she spoke up again, "Pretty generous of you. I'm usually lucky if I get a single dollar bill. Thank you. But I can't just take it like this. How about I read your fortune?"
The image of an old clock where a duck figure jumped out at every hour ran through your mind. Coo coo.
"I don't have the time. School is just about to start and--"
"Bah, you kids worry too much. It won't take too long. Just give me your palm and a few seconds."
Fine, let's just get this over with. You extended your hand, and your brow furrowed as you felt her hand in yours. Hers were freezing, with no bit of warmth anywhere. How long had she been out here? You bit your tongue though, as you waited. Maybe that was a rude thing to ask or something. She didn't look particularly homeless.
The old lady grumbled, "How straightforward, yet interesting. You can kiss your quiet life goodbye, girl, looks like you're gonna have a mess of trouble with men. And women too!"
The woman laughed as she let your hand go, "Good luck to you. At least it isn't anything dangerous, relatively."
You nodded your thanks, pushing your hand into your sweater pocket. You swear it had gotten even colder since the old woman held it. The large brick building of the school was in sight, just across from the street. With a bit of curiosity, you looked back at where the old women...and she was gone. Probably going to buy a coffee or something. Shaking your head, you rushed across the street, minding the cars.
Already, there was a mess of other teenagers flooding the entrance. Some hung outside, talking with their friends. Others rushed inside, intent on getting out of the cold. Those ones are the smart ones. With your head down, you joined the crowd struggling to get in. You sidestepped a few overstuffed backpacks, and grasped the metal handle of the clear door.
Finally inside. As with most mornings, you immediately zoomed off to the library. Ben usually messed around there before class started, which was in...ten minutes.
"Good morning, Beatrice!" A cheerful voice and extroverted voice, yet strangely formal greeted you. The speaker departed from a crowd of students that was gathered around her and stood in front of you.
"Ah...yeah, morning, Autumn." Your eyes darted to the ground. Autumn was....popular, to say the least. Unnervingly nice, she charmed anyone she met. Not only that, the boys absolutely fawned over her. But there was always something about her that weirded you out. Despite the constant smile on her face, it never seemed to reach those beautiful emerald eyes.
"Did you have anywhere you needed to be? I just wanted to ask you about last night's homework."
Last night's homework? SHIT. Completely forgot about that.
"Autumn, you don't have to ask her, y'know. We all did it."
"I'm aware, ladies. But in truth, I just need an excuse to talk to Beatrice. She seems reclusive." There were no thorns or malice in Autumn's voice, but the girls behind her giggled. You turned away from them, and looked at Autumn in trepidation. Those green eyes searched your face intently. Immediately, you glanced away again. Autumn was emitting an overbearing aura.
What do?
[] "Sorry, I have a friend waiting in the library. Some other time?"
[] "Yeah, I guess. I didn't actually do my homework though."
