Underwater World Behind A Mirror (ONC 2023)

Chapter 1

It was now dinnertime, and I was at the table, my eyes fixed upon a hefty serving of meatloaf, overloaded with the rich texture of beef gravy, with mashed potatoes, also flooded with gravy.

"Why didn't you use ketchup?" I asked.

"Gravy is much better, that's why," snapped my mother.

"I prefer ketchup," I protested.

"Just shut up, and eat!" barked my mother. "Don't you dare argue with me, Lorraine Brewster!"

My mother always addresses me by my full name, whenever I'm in trouble. My life is boring. I'm not allowed to have friends over, and I'm an only child. My life is so boring. I hate school so much. I just want to run away. Somewhere far, that I can be me.

With an exasperated sigh leaving my mouth, I ate my meatloaf, soaked in gravy, and washed it down with some grape juice. My dog, whom I consider to be my best buddy, came up towards me, licking my red socks. He is the only friend I have, that keeps me company. What would I do without Bucko? Golden retrievers are the best breed of dogs I know of.

"When you're done eating, you can wash the dishes," said my mother.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Ahem!" said my mother, arms folded.

"Yes, Ma'am.

I don't understand why she has me address her Ma'am. We don't live in the South. This is Montana. I talk how I want to talk. Sometimes, my mother can be a real jerk. Yeah, I keep this to myself, to avoid getting slapped.

I was done eating my dinner, and added some dish detergent to eliminate the gravy. The water started splattering everywhere, dampening Bucko.

"You got the water on too high, you idiot!" hollered my mother. "Turn it down a notch!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" I turned the water down a notch, and made sure every dish was sparkling clean. I put everything away, and just trotted upstairs, with Bucko following me. I entered my room, and closed my white door, and collapsed onto my soft, but messy bed. I let out another exasperated sigh, while my eyes were gazed at the ceiling.

"I just want to to run away. I can't deal with my mom no more."

Bucko laid in the corner of my room, and dozed off. He was always out like a light, that canine buddy of mine. I got up and got my purple comb, and used it to smooth out my sunshine, blonde hair, with my mint green eyes, gleaming in the mirror before me, which made me resemble Avril Lavigne.

My mirror had no smudges of any kind. It was as clear as a windshield on a 1976 Lincoln Continental coupe. I touched my clear spectacle with my finger, only for it to ripple. My eyes were taken aback, as I witnessed this strange observation. I touched it again, only for the same thing to happen. It was like ripples on the ocean. Then, an idea suddenly came to mind.

I could dive into it!

I quickly dug into my closet, to get out my bathing suit, snorkel, goggles, and flippers. I quickly changed out of my aqua blue shirt, dark blue jeans, and red socks, and into my red colored swimwear. I sat down on my bed to put my green flippers on, and my snorkel and goggles.

"Good bye, Bucko, I whispered, fighting back any tears that would fall from my eyes. "Be a good boy, okay? I love you." I patted him gently one last time, and made my way to the mirror. I sighed heavily, and dove into the mirror.

I was now swimming underwater, bubbles coming out of my snorkel. The world before me was a whole lot different. I swam past a school of fish. So far, there were no man eating sharks. This is actually fun! Who knew that you can escape into an ocean from a mirror? This is definitely no dream, I'll tell ya that much!