But I was glad it was that way. If anything was said, I probably would've exploded. I would've cried, screamed, probably died. The past couple of days had been bizarre. And even though I've told myself so many times I can't handle any more of it, I somehow manage to face something impossible.
It felt like one of those days where it should rain. But it didn't. I wanted it to rain, but I was also grateful for the sunshine. I pressed my cheek against the car window, pretending it was cold.
"Please get your face off the glass," mom said. We pulled up in the driveway. It was somewhere around 7:00 in the morning. I had basically spent the night at Jefferson's house, alone. I didn't know why mom had taken so long to get me, but I was too exhausted to ask. Although once we got inside, the interrogation began.
"What...do you remember?" Mom said, with emotion mixed with both anger and concern. I could tell that for the first time in years, she was trying to be gentle with me and spare my emotions. Her loose flannel dangled off of her a little, while she slowly ran her hand across her forehead, pushing her almond hair off of her face. We had similar hair, only mine was much longer, with a little more of a butterscotch tint to it.
"From what point?" I sat on the couch, hand in my lap. Mom placed her hand on her hips.
"from the accident."
"Well, i crashed. The when I woke up, I was in a hospital, and...I think I forgot everything. Like, I didn't know who you were. Then suddenly...I don't know, everything from that point is blank, until I somehow ended up at Jefferson's house. Do you know how I got there?"
Mom looked like she was going to shout at me, but contained herself. "No, Gwendolyn. Remember anything else? Anything...Strange? Inhuman?"
What was she talking about? Did something amazing happen while I was out? Or magical?
The second I had that thought, I felt a slight jolt in my lungs, as if they were being tugged. I couldn't breathe, and I squeezed my eyes shut. Finally the feeling stopped. My eyes opened, and I stood. My toes wiggled in something grainy...I must have been barefoot. I look down to see sand, warm and pink, with spots of orange. I knelt down, dipped my fingertips into the surface of the sand, moving them slowly in different directions. lines formed in the sand. I didn't know what I was creating, but when it was done, it was a beautiful circle, with one thin line drawn horizontally in the middle, with thick pegs on the end, so the line looked like a sideways capital I. When I lifted my finger, it glowed, and began to smell faintly of of poppy-seed bread.
I dug my entire fist into the sand, destroying the symbol, and spilled the sand in a tiny waterfall motion. When all the sand was gone from my hand, I looked up to finally observe my surroundings. The sun was setting behind the most unsettled ocean I had ever seen. the wind chilled my hair. This beach was filled with a sense of serenity and love, the the skies said otherwise. Winds got stronger, the skies got darker, and waves grew more dangerous. But no matter the rage of the storm, the sand stayed soft and warm and pink, the waves reflected the setting sun, which stilled colored the beach with peace.
I was alone, watching the scene of two personalities. The sand comforted me, but the rain pelted my face. I battled between emotions. I grew overwhelmed and at peace. My heart beat faster, my breathing slowed.
"Gwendolyn Taylor!"
My eyes felt like they were unblurring, then I found myself kneeling on the ground of the living room. What just happened? I missed it...but I was glad it was gone.
"What on earth is going on with you? It's like I was never even here! It's like YOU weren't even here! I need some answers! I jus-" I began to cry. I don't even know why. Everything had fallen apart in two days, my life was a mess. I was having horrible day-dreams...like nightmares. I was losing the ones I loved. I needed Jefferson-
Now I was standing. But I was still on the beach. I was in my favorite sweatpants and sweatshirt, hair up in a messy bun, but I was once again barefoot. I felt angry, looking at the raging waves and threatening sky. Without hesitation I starting screaming, thrusting my hands to the ocean. The waves rose, and formed into a blob the size of my house. My hands grew red and hot, clenching into fists, and the water began to steam and shudder. I threw my hands out, heaving as the enormous ball of water exploded like a wet firework. Water shot up from the sea level, like a water fountain show, turning black. Lightning struck it, and I could see the electric water calling for me.
I knew what this was. This was magic. This was me. I was....
Who was I?
"Be still!"
My heart dropped with the water. I turned to see a beautiful woman walking towards me, from maybe a mile away. I couldn't make out her face, but I noticed her caramel brown hair blowing in her face. She finally got close enough for me to really see her. She looked slightly older than I was. I considered blasting at her...or drowning her. I raised my hand, curling my fingers to shape the water slightly. It was so easy, like I'd been doing it for years.
"My, you do know what you're doing, don't you? Or do you simply do what comes to mind? Going to drown me, perhaps?"
I froze, the water dropped, sparking still with electricity. The sun seemed never moving, it was still setting on the horizon. "Who are you?"
"Never mind that, child."
"Child!"
"Merely, yes. Calm yourself. You do know this is all your doing, don't you?" she said, pointing to the scene. Then she sighed. "No, of course you don't. Tell me, how did you get here? Do you remember the last thought you had elsewhere?"
"I...I don't know. A person. I thought of...someone..."
"Ah. yes."
"Do you know me? Why I'm am here?''
"Well let's begin with why you're here. Something-or someone- brought you here through thought. That thought was your trigger. I sense your thought here and then, but I'm afraid you need not know now how I know, or what you were thinking,"she said. Her voice softened into a mutter, as she gazed at me, barely walking closer. "Maybe two of you is best at the moment..."
She seemed to snap out of her gaze, and moved her eyes up and down my figure. She giggled. "Feeling fancy?"
I looked down. I must have not been wearing this before...what was I wearing before? Now I sat here, in awe of my flowing dress. It was dark cassis blue, and wide and flowy, much like the dress I'd worn before. The straight-across neckline lead to dazzling blue lace sleeves that ran from my mid-upper arms to nearly the end of my forearms. The dress was incredibly silky, with tool-like material draping over the surface to give it more density. My hands reached up to feel that my almond butterscotch hair was put up into top messy bun with a small bejeweled crown.
The woman sighed. "You should know a young man is thinking of you. And some others you know. He's concerned...and confused. You seem to have a better control of this than he does, you should help him out a bit."
"who?"
"Never mind. You'll know when the time comes. But here's a warning. Most books, stories, and people say that magic is hard. wears you out. It's not true. The more you use it, the easier it is. But abusing it does have consequences, as does not using it enough."
I was confused.
"You're flickering, dear. You need to decide."
My sweatpants were being blown around by the storm. Between every second, I either knew I was Gwen, or didn't know who I was at all.
"Decide? Why won't you answer anything?"
She laughed. This woman was a mystery, but something about her was good. I knew she was on my side.
"You're just not ready. You clearly have much going on. And if I were you, I'd leave. You've got something to take care of."
The sky thundered, but it was nothing like the sound of a storm. It was a voice.
"Gwendolyn! Wake up!"
My mother. Oh no. Where was I, where was she? How-
"Go, Gwen. And control your flicker," she said. The wind swirled around me so hard, I was practically in my own tornado. But it was a beautiful one, with streaks of sparkling orange. Sand flew around me, scratching my skin. The woman turned around, starting to walk away.
"Wait!" I screamed. She turned back around to look at me. "Who are you?"
She smiled. She really was good...she was here for me. "My name is Ilarene. I'm here to help develop what you are, and hopefully, save you."
"Save me? Wait, what am I?"
"Well, that depends on WHO you are, don't you think?" she turned, and ran. Back to wherever she came from, as I kept screaming at her to come back. But the sand blinded my eyes and I shut them tight, screaming.
"Gwendolyn!"
I was awake. "What!"
"You.....you were...."
I looked at mom. She looked absolutely terrified. She was on the floor of the kitchen, clinging to a chair. "..Mom? What happened?" I looked around the room. Another shattered window. A broken dish on the kitchen floor. Mom's cheek was bleeding.
I could feel tears already on my face, but ti didn't stop more from coming.
"Mommy.....what's happening?"
"You......f-f-flickered.....into another person. You were beautiful.....but you were horrible..."
"You're saying...this was me? Did I-"
I was speechless.
"Please go to your room. I need....to think."
"Okay."
I walked slowly to my room. Down the hall, on the right. My phone sat on my bed. I picked it up and texted Claryn.
Me: Window tonight?
Clare:
Me: Claryn??
No answer. Where the heck was she? I moved on to another contact.
Me: Jefferson?
Jefferson:
Me: I miss you
Jefferson:
Me: I love you
Jefferson:
Me:
I set the phone onto my bed. I could here mom blasting her music. Whenever she stressed, music was her go-to place. Today, she played "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode, an 80's song that reminded her of things from the past. Memories always comforted her.
Vows are spoken
To be broken
Feelings are intense
Words are trivial
Pleasures remain
So does the pain
Words are meaningless
And forgettable
All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm
There was only one person left to text before giving up. I picked up my phone again.
Me: Hey guppy
Guppy: We've been over this. Don't call me that.
Me: lol and we've been over this too: I'm gonna do it anyway. U busy?
Guppy: No, why?
Me: I need someone to talk to. Can we meet up for a while?
Guppy: Um...sure. You feeling okay?
Me: K thanks see you at the TinderPond Park in an hour!
*Gwen if offline*
I couldn't help but giggle. I always teased him. I got ready and came downstairs. "Hey, can I go to the park to get some fresh air?"
Mom was sweeping. She looked up. "Only if your phone is with you."
"Always. Bye,"I said, already halfway out the door.
"Hey Guppy," I said sitting next to him on the bench.
"Sebastian would be fine, ya know. So what's up?"
"Okay, Sebastian. First, I needed to say thank you."
"What for?"
"Bringing me to the hospital."
"If I didn't, I might have died. In every way possible. I had to for my own good."
"Glad to know you care for me."
"Hey, any time."
I tried to think of how I was going to put the next few words. I needed to tell him about everything. I had to tell someone, and Sebastian usually listened to me. But in this moment we sat, awkwardly looking at the pond in front of us. I wasn't the only one who sensed the awkwardness. He was tapping his fingers on his knee, his mouth moved to the side of his face into a little pucker, like he was trying to bite the middle of his cheek from the inside, making one of his dimples show.
"So what's been going on? Everyone says there's something...strange happening with you."
"Everyone meaning who?"
"Well, I heard it from your mom, and Claryn the other night...by the way, where is Claryn?"
"I.....don't know. That was one thing I wanted to ask you."
"Well, there's something I wanted to ask you."
"What?"
"Has anything crazy happen to you before?"
"Yeah I guess. Why?"
He held up his hand for some reason, and was about to say something, but I could see a quick wheel turn in his head, giving him the "don't do it" thought. He shook his head.
"Nevermind."
Was he hiding things?
"You can't just ask something like that and move on. Come on, Sebastian. What is it?"
"I...I think I'm going crazy."
"You've always been crazy. Are you just now realizing this?"
"No Gwen, I'm serious! Something weird happens to me sometimes."
"oooooookay, is this going to turn into a TMI thing? No thanks, dude-"
"Gwen!"
"Okay, what?"
"Please. Watch this."
He pointed to a tree dramatically, glaring at it. He sat there for a while, just glaring at a tree. Every once in a while, he'd bring his hand back and try again.
"You know what Sebastian? I think you're right! You have gone crazy! Is it my turn to bring you too a hospital?" I started laughing. He looked at me, he hand falling into his lap. He looked so upset, like he just lost a comic book. My laugh slowed, and I managed to look more serious. "Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't-"
That's when it happened.
I felt my entire body tingle, and I looked down at my feet. Starting from my shoes, I saw my sneakers dissolve and transform into black platform high heels. My sweatpants began to fill with air and join together, puffing and turning into a soft, light and fluffy material. Soon the outfit had become a dress, Draped over me like a waterfall of black and white tool, with overlapping layer of soft cloth. The silver sleeves ran vertically from my chest over my shoulders, leaving my arms bare, down to the side of my lower back, leaving the dress backless. My hair was curled and half up, loose strand hanging everywhere.
I stood, and saw a boy sitting on a bench. He looked absolutely terrified, shaking. He quickly ran his fingers through his hair, and gripped the bench. He looked mostly relaxed, except for his white knuckles and frantic eyes.
"Gwen...y-you look different," he said.
"Honestly, why do people keep calling me that!" I shot my arm out with my arm in a holding position, feeling a phantom grip around his throat. Clawing at his neck, he gasped for air. "I rose. People search for me, but I remain."
"Who....who..." he choked out. Suddenly he clenched his fists, and my arm was knocked back down. I looked at it, then back at him. He was gulping fresh breaths, staring at his owns hands.
"A Thek! I knew you were trouble!" I don't know how I knew the words (or what they meant),I raised my arms into the sky, summoning lighting to kill him off, when he frantically threw his finger in the direction of a rock, which came flying towards me. The moment it hit my head, I felt my power drain, my clothing change, and saw Sebastian running for his life, away from me ( I thought he was whimpering a bit).
"Seb-!"
And yet again, I was out cold, forgetting how it even happened, lying on the pavement of TimberPond Park, in my sweats, abandoned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey, readers! Maddie, here! Hope you're enjoying the journey so far.
Before I sign off, I'm going to offer you a little treat. From an author to a reader:) So far, I know you have lots of questions. Well here's your chance! In the comments below, go ahead and let us know your thoughts on the story! What questions do you have? What do YOU think should happen next? What are your favorite things so far, or your favorite characters? Or email us at madelindie@gmail.com to tell us some feedback!
We'll do our best to include all your interests in the book...but we don't promise anything!
Happy reading,
Maddie
-P.S. Lindie: Good luck answering things even I don't know the answers to!
"Hey Guppy," I said sitting next to him on the bench.
"Sebastian would be fine, ya know. So what's up?"
"Okay, Sebastian. First, I needed to say thank you."
"What for?"
"Bringing me to the hospital."
"If I didn't, I might have died. In every way possible. I had to for my own good."
"Glad to know you care for me."
"Hey, any time."
I tried to think of how I was going to put the next few words. I needed to tell him about everything. I had to tell someone, and Sebastian usually listened to me. But in this moment we sat, awkwardly looking at the pond in front of us. I wasn't the only one who sensed the awkwardness. He was tapping his fingers on his knee, his mouth moved to the side of his face into a little pucker, like he was trying to bite the middle of his cheek from the inside, making one of his dimples show.
"So what's been going on? Everyone says there's something...strange happening with you."
"Everyone meaning who?"
"Well, I heard it from your mom, and Claryn the other night...by the way, where is Claryn?"
"I.....don't know. That was one thing I wanted to ask you."
"Well, there's something I wanted to ask you."
"What?"
"Has anything crazy happen to you before?"
"Yeah I guess. Why?"
He held up his hand for some reason, and was about to say something, but I could see a quick wheel turn in his head, giving him the "don't do it" thought. He shook his head.
"Nevermind."
Was he hiding things?
"You can't just ask something like that and move on. Come on, Sebastian. What is it?"
"I...I think I'm going crazy."
"You've always been crazy. Are you just now realizing this?"
"No Gwen, I'm serious! Something weird happens to me sometimes."
"oooooookay, is this going to turn into a TMI thing? No thanks, dude-"
"Gwen!"
"Okay, what?"
"Please. Watch this."
He pointed to a tree dramatically, glaring at it. He sat there for a while, just glaring at a tree. Every once in a while, he'd bring his hand back and try again.
"You know what Sebastian? I think you're right! You have gone crazy! Is it my turn to bring you too a hospital?" I started laughing. He looked at me, he hand falling into his lap. He looked so upset, like he just lost a comic book. My laugh slowed, and I managed to look more serious. "Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't-"
That's when it happened.
I felt my entire body tingle, and I looked down at my feet. Starting from my shoes, I saw my sneakers dissolve and transform into black platform high heels. My sweatpants began to fill with air and join together, puffing and turning into a soft, light and fluffy material. Soon the outfit had become a dress, Draped over me like a waterfall of black and white tool, with overlapping layer of soft cloth. The silver sleeves ran vertically from my chest over my shoulders, leaving my arms bare, down to the side of my lower back, leaving the dress backless. My hair was curled and half up, loose strand hanging everywhere.
I stood, and saw a boy sitting on a bench. He looked absolutely terrified, shaking. He quickly ran his fingers through his hair, and gripped the bench. He looked mostly relaxed, except for his white knuckles and frantic eyes.
"Gwen...y-you look different," he said.
"Honestly, why do people keep calling me that!" I shot my arm out with my arm in a holding position, feeling a phantom grip around his throat. Clawing at his neck, he gasped for air. "I rose. People search for me, but I remain."
"Who....who..." he choked out. Suddenly he clenched his fists, and my arm was knocked back down. I looked at it, then back at him. He was gulping fresh breaths, staring at his owns hands.
"A Thek! I knew you were trouble!" I don't know how I knew the words (or what they meant),I raised my arms into the sky, summoning lighting to kill him off, when he frantically threw his finger in the direction of a rock, which came flying towards me. The moment it hit my head, I felt my power drain, my clothing change, and saw Sebastian running for his life, away from me ( I thought he was whimpering a bit).
"Seb-!"
And yet again, I was out cold, forgetting how it even happened, lying on the pavement of TimberPond Park, in my sweats, abandoned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey, readers! Maddie, here! Hope you're enjoying the journey so far.
Before I sign off, I'm going to offer you a little treat. From an author to a reader:) So far, I know you have lots of questions. Well here's your chance! In the comments below, go ahead and let us know your thoughts on the story! What questions do you have? What do YOU think should happen next? What are your favorite things so far, or your favorite characters? Or email us at madelindie@gmail.com to tell us some feedback!
We'll do our best to include all your interests in the book...but we don't promise anything!
Happy reading,
Maddie
-P.S. Lindie: Good luck answering things even I don't know the answers to!
No comments:
Post a Comment