Chances, Stakes and Fangs

Chapter-3: Eloise

I kept running— my breath seemed heavier than the foggy air surrounding me. For a second, I closed my eyes and let down a drop of tear from my flooded eyes, knowing it very well that I might never see my dear sister ever again. I just wished I could for just one last time look at those innocent bright eyes and hold her dainty cold cheeks in my hands. My knees bent suddenly and I rolled over one stone after the other ending up bumping into the foot of a bench. While catching my breath, I looked up at the shiniest star and whispered, "Dear Agnes, may you always shine bright like this. Every time I'll look up at the sky, I'll always notice you because the brightest star will always be you."
I felt a baby’s finger drumming on my shoulders; looking behind, I saw my son trying to climb up to my shoulders. “Hey hey you’ll fall, look out,” I whispered almost breathlessly again. “Don’t you have school now?” I gulped the pill down my desert-dry throat while putting on Sam’s school uniform.
My phone buzzed.
“Hello, Mrs. Reynold?”
“Yes,” I answered in my choking voice.
“This is the Times Square speaking. We need to schedule an immediate interview with you regarding your mind-blowing book, “An Escape of Soul…”
“Oh,” my hands flew to mouth even though I knew it had to make a good book anyway.
“Yes, and we would like to know if you’ll be available in our office by 5a.m..”
“Mmm..” I thought, trying to ponder about my chances and calculating my schedule
“Yeah is it possible?”
“I don’t think I wanna do an interview though. I mean I’m not sure I have my child’s school today and I have to drop him off soon.”
“Well Ma’am you’re losing quite an opportunity but I’ll speak with my Boss again— we have such a tight schedule. Ok anyways have a good day,” her voice had a certain jolliness.
Arnie came in with a cup of coffee and reminded me he was going out for some business trip. He kissed me goodbye for one last time and flew his way out the door. He always seemed to vanish from our married life once or twice every month!
“El! For God’s sake, stop daydreaming again and again, jeez,” Arnold halted and took a deep breath. I rotated my head in all directions. Arnold handed me a few pills, pressing them hard against my delicate hands, forcing red spots until the veins could be felt. A word wasn’t uttered from his my mouth, mostly because – was that even happening? The dire need for visiting my therapist, lingered in my mind the whole day.
Driving at 25 mph, the car paused after a long haul on the banks of a red-bricked building camouflaging among twenty more, with apartments stacked on each other. The same old tires screeched again, and I get down, stand at the entrance of Leaside High School, watching as students stream in for the day. The air is crisp and cool, with a slight breeze that rustles the leaves on the trees that line the sidewalk leading up to the front entrance.
 
I watch as students arrive in groups, chatting and laughing as they catch up on the latest news and gossip. Some are dressed in the latest fashion, while others wear comfortable clothes that they can move in easily. There are backpacks slung over shoulders and books clutched tightly in hands as they make their way into the building.
 
Except one particular youngster caught my attention- she picked up the sleeve of her white sweetheart neckline blouse that slid off off shoulder and gawked at the crowd of students rushing into school. I assumed she was a new exchange student.
 
I stepped into the school premises siding with her and stared blankly as her addled look altered instantly into one with a wide smile, as such I could discern her unable to conceal her delight; as if her spirits were flying high.
 
As she wend her way slowly, inquisitively watching the other students, I couldn’t help follow her around.
Suddenly,   Emma pressed her hand on that girl's right shoulder. Alarmed, she grabbed Emma's wrist with her left hand tightly and turned around with the hand in her grip, Emma also turning around, her back facing the new student. She pressed Emma's hand hard on her back and she grunted loudly.
 
"Ow, ow leave me. What's wrong with you?" She then pushed her from the back which caused her to fall on her back. Still fallen on the ground, Emma turned around, her stringy red hair tumbling over her shoulder.
 
"What were you trying to do, huh?" She menacingly bore my eyes into hers.
 
"I'm sorry! I meant no harm! I just tripped on my shoelaces and held your shoulders for support. That's it! I mean, I don't look like some goon being your nemesis." She whined, rubbing her forearm. Woah, even I, being a side viewer couldn’t notice the action.
 
She looked around, a crowd surrounding them.
 
"I-I didn't...I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I thought..." she instantly stepped forward, extending her hand. Emma held it and got up, straightening her A-line skirt dress.
 
"I apologize once again. I'm new here, and just came from a place where things are very different, so...I just..."
 
"It's alright. Mistakes are common, especially when you are new to something." She smiled warmly, extending her hand, "I'm Emma Reeds. And you?"
 
"Ambrosia Wen. Nice to meet you, Emma." She beamed back. Instintively my lips curved into a smile, as it evoked a certain feeling of familarity. A sudden spark of memory including her face jolted up but I could barely comprehend what was going on.  I shook off my thoughts and continued eyeing them.
"Which class are you headed to?" She inquired, beaming brightly.
 
Ambrosia looked down at the schedule paper in her hand, and read the first point, "It's um...chemistry. And you?"
 
"Oh, it's calculus. By the way, you're new here? Mind if I show you the classroom?"
 
"Yeah sure. What about you? Won't you be late?"
 
"No, not a problem. Let's go."
I had a feeling that she was going to be trouble, but I couldn't put my finger on why. Maybe it was the way she carried herself, or the fact that she seemed to be hiding something behind her bright smile.
As a teacher, it was my duty to keep an eye on all my students, and I made a mental note to keep a closer watch on Ambrosia.
But for now, I was just happy to see Emma making a new friend. Maybe Ambrosia would be good for her, I thought.
Little did I know, the events that were about to unfold would change everything.
 
 As she disappeared, I made my way to the teacher’s room. I sat there for a few minutes, lost in thought. There was something about that girl that had piqued my interest. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew that I wanted to know more about her.
-
 
As I drove home, I couldn't shake the feeling that something strange was happening. It was as if the universe was trying to tell me something, but I couldn't decipher the message.
 
When I got home, I sat down at my desk and tried to focus on my work. But my mind kept wandering back to Ambrosia. I couldn't help but wonder what her story was. Where had she come from? What had brought her to our town?