The Notebook Mafia

Chapter 1: I'm not Dyslexic

"How stupid could you possibly be?!" Rashi threw her hands up in the air. With her eyes shut and eyebrows furrowed, she held on to the bridge of her nose. "You had one job."

"I'm sorry, I was distracted." I yelled back louder. Now that definitely didn't sound like an apology. What was the big deal? It was one small harmless mistake.

The seven of us were sitting in a roofless abandoned building, with soda bottles, candles and a not so perfect Ouija board that I made. Me being the genius that I am... might have missed out four letters from the English alphabet; mainly "Q, R, S, and T". But most words don't even have these letters, what big deal?!

I take a look at my writing pad that I'd converted into a 22 lettered Ouija board. Okay, I can't really blame anyone else for this. I screwed up big time.

"Maybe this is a blessing in disguise?" Meenakshi forced a smile. She has a pretty smile but right now she looks incredibly uncomfortable. "If uh- Maybe it wasn't such a good idea so um- we could take this as a sign."

The candles were all already set. Two of the boys brought bug spray and a cricket bat to "keep away snakes and stuff" apparently. And by the way Rashi is glaring at me, I'm glad I have pepper spray in my jacket pocket.

Eventually the tension eased and Rashi sat next to me. Why do I find anger so soothing? It's like I'm more comfortable with people who get pissed off really easily. They're a lot more honest, even if it hurts.

"Thirty eight days and we'd probably never see each other again." Ravi was immediately attacked by Ramesh with the wooden Ouija-board-cum-writing-pad. "Well, except you." Ramesh and Ravi giggled like a bunch of four-year-olds. Fun fact: Ramesh and Ravi are fraternal twins. They make me low-key jealous about my relationship with my siblings. How I wish we'd get along.

I felt uneasy. All my life I felt like I was being watched. But when I'm with them, Meenakshi's comfort, Rashi's "motherly" overprotectiveness, the twins' energy, Chiran's sarcasm and Abhi's brotherly presence; I feel safe.

I felt a buzz in my pocket. A text message.

Mother: Where are you?!!! [23:47]

Oh no...

A rush of adrenaline shot through my body. Abhi was the first to notice. He pulled out the car keys from his pocket and raised his eyebrows at me. "My mom texted" I said blankly. I got up, ready to leave.

Something seems off. Maybe it's the fact that I've been caught for the first time. Sneaking out didn't seem so bad though. Meenakshi tagged along with Abhi and I.

The moment Abhi turned the engine on, my heart sank. The digital clock displayed a bright " 23:21". It's a gut feeling. I looked at my mom's text again, pointed at his digital clock and asked "Is this the right time?"

"What's the matter?" Meenakshi paused," My watch says eleven twenty but whatever."

I showed them my mom's text. "Even my phone says the time is eleven twenty-one, but here. How did the text come from the future?"

"Anulia, you're worried about that? The text she sent you is worse." Meenakshi's eyes were glued to my phone. I re-read the text message and you wouldn't believe me.

Mother: Don't come home! [23:47]

What?!

"No, this wasn't there before. She asked me where I was. She knows I snuck out." I blurted, sounding more suspicious. Abhi and Meenakshi glanced at each other with a worried look. "I think you shouldn't go home tonight Anulia. But you do need some rest. Wanna stay over at my place?" She offered.

I look back at the text message.

Mother: Don't come home! [23:47]

No change this time. I swear my phone's been acting up a lot lately.

Eventually, I made the decision to walk back into our hideout and sat in front of my pillar. Abhi explained to everyone about the situation and most of them said they'd stay the night here, in this rubble, with me. Chiran and Meenakshi said they'd head home after 3 am. "Y'all are seriously making plans for me right now? Yo I'm good. I'm fine. In fact I'll head home soon so..." I left my sentence incomplete. What was I even trying to say? That I didn't need their help? Or was I taking out my stress and confusion on my friends?

They said they're not letting me go anywhere.

I have my phone, tiny bottle of pepper spray and a plan...

Mother: They're coming. Hide. [23:47]