Chapter 1; Michelle's Journal Entry
I guess I have to apologize, because apparently I've done something pretty bad for the universe to put me in this mess. It's kind of funny how things can change in the shortest amounts of time or how we still make plans even though we all know that something is going to get in our way. I certainly didn't plan to probably be the only girl going to the "Valentine's Day Dance" lonely. I have one week left to find a date, but I have to follow my philosophy of letting the guy ask me out due to my tendency to come on too strong. I've gotten a lot of help from my parents, or my adoptive parents I guess. Sometimes I forget that they aren't my real parents, they're one of the best parents to ever walk the earth. My biological mother and father had died from a burglar who came when I was at my aunt's house. The burglar saw that we were poor and ended up killing them before they could call the police. Shortly after I went to live with my aunt who died six months later from lung cancer. I was left with no family, but when I went to the local foster home organization they immediately found the Smith's. Bill is a tall man with the brownest eyes I've ever seen. His deep black hair parts to the right side on his forehead; he's about 35 years old and his wife Tina Smith is around the same age. Tina is average sized and has bright red hair cut to her shoulders. She would've made a great mom, but she was told she was incapable of having a child, but she has always treated me like her own. My original name is Michelle Charleston, but Bill and Tina have raised me for so long that I just go by Michelle Smith.
Now that I've started this entry I want to make one thing clear; this is not a diary, it's a journal. If there's one thing I hate, it's people getting into my business and if someone find's something that says "Michelle's Diary" they just have to read it. A journal on the other hand is not going to capture someone's attention. I never really found interest in diaries and those kinds of things, but Tina got this for my birthday and insisted that I used it. Now I'm not a real good writer, but I think I have a good enough grasp on pop-culture and teen trends to provide genuine information even if my summary itself sucks. The standard diary has pages just filled with scribbled on with hearts that have their crush's name written in the middle of it, or flowers, or on rare occasions maybe a sentence or two. Well, I'm sorry, but that's a complete waste and besides, now matter how cliché, making your problems seem much bigger than anyone else's is the major goal of every teenager.
The truth is, the juiciest topics are pretty much just based on relationships, break-ups, or crushes. All of which every regular teen has experienced, and has spent twenty minutes listening to a song that they think totally relates to their problem. Now that I've explained the importance of the subjects, I guess I have to tell my experience and opinions on them. As I have already explained, I am currently single even though the time before the annual "Valentine's Day Dance" is quickly running out. I remember almost a year ago when I thought that I wouldn't have to worry about this. I can't believe that seventy percent of the important things in my current life were all derived from the same dance a year ago. The worst part about it is that I can remember every single detail of it.
I was in front of my mirror reveling in my victory; I had the steadiest relationship among my peers. Chase and I had been together for a total of two years even though we were just freshmen. Chase had dark brown shaggy hair and is sort of a nerd, but it was better than dating some self-centered, overrated jock. Luckily, I'm pretty short so even though Chase isn't that tall I don't have to be awkwardly placed in the vertical field. Being half of the power couple makes you think you're on top of the world, but it also gives you what is called "the bliss of ignorance." It's like being so high on happiness you forget how to be sad or depressed. Anyways, after I was done drowning confidence, I slipped on my purple dress. It complimented my dark brown hair and my hazel eyes. The dress had ruffles and had one strap that went over my left shoulder, but I couldn't have cared less. The shoes were the most special things in my life; even though my mother had died poor she had left one nice pair of high-heeled shoes. They were all silver with a red puff on the highest strap. I stepped in them and closed my eyes and imagined that my mom was right next to me helping with outfit, but reality took its toll and I was now alone in my room.
Tina had dropped me off in front of the building and I made my way in with my head high. My best friend Diana was leaning against the wall next to the main doors. Diana had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes; she was wearing a simple black dress with a band that wrapped around her right above the stomach. I met Chase next to the main office; he was wearing a nice black button down shirt, red tie, and black dress pants.
"You look great," he said.
"Thanks," I replied pulling part of my hair behind my ear.
After about half an hour of dancing and socializing, Chase tugged on my wrist and tilted his head towards Mr. Nicholson's room. I followed him into the dark classroom and as I reached for the light switch, I felt Chase's soft lips touch mine. I dropped my hand away from the switch and felt Chase's warm breath against the cold February weather that came in through the open window. Even though we had been dating for nearly two years, this was the first time Chase had kissed me; it was also the first time I had been kissed. Then, Chase pulled away pretty suddenly and I found myself smiling at him, but I couldn't see his reaction in the dark.
I walked into the cafeteria and was splashed by a cup of punch that ended up in my eyes. I couldn't see very well, but when I saw the figure of the assailant I immediately became confused and enraged. Diana was holding the empty cup in her right hand and had her left hand on her hip. I stomped over to her, pushed her backwards, and stuck my foot out so she would fall. Once she was down, I grabbed the nearest napkin and started to wipe my face and when I could clearly see again I wished that I could've been blind. Chase was sitting next to Diana helping her up and asking if she was ok. I don't think I had ever been so infuriated in my whole life; I walked over to wear he was crouched down and kicked him in the stomach with all I had. He immediately fell on his back clenching the area where I knocked the wind out of him.
"What the hell, Chase?" I asked in the angriest voice I could manage.
"You're comforting the girl that soaked your girlfriend?
"I...I'm sorry, but it's kind of what it looks like," said Chase, still trying to catch his breath.
I just shook my head and thought to myself that it wasn't happening, but I had to show that neither Chase nor Diana were going to get off just because I physically hurt them. They had stepped into dangerous territory and they were going to face a fitting penalty.
"Well then, I hope you know what this is." I said as I held up my middle finger.
As witty as I may have sounded, I was trying my best to not to burst into tears. Next thing I knew, Diana was getting ready to slap me. I tried to duck, but I was too late and my left cheek became red. I was getting ready to shove her against the wall, when Chase stepped in between us and held us back in opposite directions.
"Break it up you two!" Chase exclaimed.
"Looks like we're not the only ones breaking up," said Diana with a cocky smile on her face.
That pushed me over the edge. I shoved Chase's arm aside and tackled Diana with full force. The vice principal rushed over as I prepared to bash Diana's face in. After what happened I got two weeks of detention as well as a lecture from Tina, who, after twenty straight minutes of begging finally agreed to not tell Bill.
