Decisions

Chapter 1

A moment to remember is when you walk up the steps to receive your diploma and finally become an adult. If you haven't already guessed so, short and simply put, that's graduation.

For those that have experienced this already, do you remember how it felt when it was all over? The feeling of the setting, the color of the delightful sky, the aroma and mood? The end of it all, you chase endlessly after your friends and take pictures that are cherished for a lifetime.

After these memorable times, you have now your own choices and paths in life. The story I am going to explain, deals with a boy and his choices and roads he decided, or forced to take. If this conceives any interest, please take the journey and learn something by continuing.

"Dan!" A short, brown haired, grey eyed girl waved and ran over to him and jumped up and hugged him.

"Woah! Chill, Joy."

Dan began to laugh a little. Joy had jumped back down and she was on the soft, earthly grass now. She looked at Dan with his styled blonde hair, and vast hazel eyes.

The way they shone showed something in his eyes, they looked almost as if they were planets, maybe like Mars. Either way, it significantly showed that Joy was lost in the intricate design of them staring deeply into his eyes.

While doing so, she shyly asked,
"Soo.. wanna chill at my house like old times and reminisce about life?"

He smirked a bit.

"That is, if you even have a life!" He teased.
"Oh please stop it!" Joy giggled at him and his corny joke. Dan gave her a little slight nudge on the shoulder.

Proceeding the question, he nodded and at last, they continued in the shed of final tears, goodbyes and hopes of seeing some classmates in the future.

Dan followed Joy to her Honda. She hopped in the car and Dan sat in the passengers turning on the radio as she started up the vehicle.

Strangely, the ride there was awkwardly quiet, some glances here and there but that was all. When they finally arrived at Joy Thorne's house, they entered through the back door which was originally unlocked.

"Where's your mom?" Dan questioned.

"She has to work until 12pm and her boss wouldn't let her off today even for my graduation... So no one is home."

As you might expect, Joys parents are divorced, with her mom living in New York with her and the dad living off in California. Last time she had heard from her dad was when she was hardly and harshly, 11 years old. Sickeningly, 7 years ago.

"Netflix?" Dan asked.

"Of course... Just like old times." She smiled.

They sat comfortably on the beige couch. Joy had heard a slight stir, it was Dan picking up the remote, pressing softly on the 'Netflix' button. It boldly stood out in red. It was very worn down to the point where the logo was very feint, showing that Joy was constantly watching her favorite, intriguing show, 'Orange is the New Black'.

"Hey.. Uh, Dan. So what after this? I mean, I don't want to get all touchy and cross-examine this subject here, but I'm going off the college soon in Florida. You know... I ju-"
Dan interrupted before she could speak anymore.

"Listen, I don't want to think about losing my best friend right now... I'm sorry. So I need to say, you're the only person I have, I'll go to Florida if I have to."

"I.. I.. I'm speechless. How would you get the ticket there. Where are you gonna go?!" She recklessly proclaimed.

"With you, if that's okay. I've been saving money for a long time, Joy. I've been taking care of myself for a while now and collecting my money and working at those terrible jobs, but I pushed through. When are you going?"

Joy trembled with her now even more bright grey eyes widened. She explained the date was in less than a week, June 21st. Internally she was elated and flattered by his offer and which she accepted.

"Well my dad bought out this house there for me, I mean I know it seems weird cause he's MY dad, but he bribes me to keep me away if that makes sense. He has his family now and all he tries to do is buy me off." She seemed agitated, but not even the least bit sad.

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Story created by my friend, Ashley Cloke.