The Story Doesn't End With the Book

The convenient destruction of everything

Maryn, March 2020

Crazy. That's the word to describe how I felt when I heard the news. I still can't believe it. I grab my phone and jump ungracefully onto my bed, cursing the dust that flies up from the floor; I haven't vacuumed in a while. Well, now I'll have enough time, and more, to clean my bedroom and probably every other room in the house. I dial my best friend's phone number, eager to share what I've just seen online.

She answers after a few rings.

"Hey, what's-"

"River! Did you hear the news?" My voice probably sounds childish over the phone, but right now I'm too excited to care.

"I've been watching Netflix and putting off the project that's due after the March break, but I'm assuming that's not what you're talking about." River says lazily, and I can picture her lying on the couch at her house, food in one hand, phone in the other. I roll my eyes. She won't be worrying about that project anymore.

"We have an extended March break, two whole weeks extra! It's because of the Coronavirus that's going around. That'll be cleaned up soon, but in the meantime, we can have loads of sleepovers and do all sorts of fun stuff!"

"WHAT!? AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME EARLIER?"

I laugh, "River, calm down, I just found out too. Isn't it great?" I can hear her getting up, then she brings the phone back to her ear and I know to expect a snarky remark.

"Maryn, you're asking me if this is great. No, this isn't great, THIS IS AWESOME!"

She starts off on a rant about all the things we have to plan for our break. 

"This is unbelievable. A miracle, if you ask me. I really needed a break." River sighs peacefully, and then says, "I should really get back to my show. Dedication is the key to success, you know."

"Ha, okay, I'll see you tomorrow. Last day!" I smile, and she replies,

"Three, two, one,"

We each jump off of our respective pieces of furniture, a ritual we started at the beginning of grade eight.

"Bye!" She says, laughing so hard she drops the phone.

"Bye."

I laugh breathily, then lie back down on my bed, enjoying the few minutes of peace before the rest of my family gets home. I enjoy the chaos, but I need some peace every once in a while. I grab the book I've been reading, and prepare to lose myself in the fictional paradise. My mom says I read too much, I say it's better than being addicted to technology. She can't argue with that. 

Of course, as soon as I start to open the book, my door bangs open. My older sister Lara walks in, frowning at the dust bunnies under the bed.

"Hey, Mar, where's dad's phone? I need to take a picture of something for school. Also you should really vacuum your room, it's so dusty."

Lara's only two years older than me, but many times more infuriating, and completely the opposite from me. She doesn't believe in having excessive technology, hence why she needs to borrow our dad's phone. 

"Yes, I'll do it soon. Since he's still at work, I'd assume it's with him. Now shoo, I'm reading."

She makes a face at me, and walks out, off to do who knows what. I turn to my book for the second time.

I could really get used to staying home like this.

...

Snow dusts the top of my hat as I walk to the bus the next morning. The last day of school before I can go home and relax. I slightly acknowledge the people waiting for the school bus.