Deranged Youth | book one

Chapter 1

I standing in front of my finger print covered mirror to admire the outfit I'm wearing while "Bad Blood" by Taylor Swift booms through my Beats pill speakers.

Tonight I'm going out to the carnival with Josh and Emma to hang out for the last time before I move to Minnesota for my dads new job. I've known Josh since 3rd grade and Emma since 5th, and they've been with me through the craziest of rides. Literally.

There was this one time when Josh and I went on this one ride called The Incredible Hulk in an amusement park in Florida. I wanted to go on that ride so bad but Emma chickened out, so I dragged Josh to come with me. During the line he was chewing his fingernails, shaking everytime the riders screamed, and trying a bucket load of excused on me about why he should bail on me right then and there. Even though he almost passed out in the middle of the ride, I was having the time of my life! I would of went on that ride a million more times but Josh kind of threw up and Emma and I had an arguement on whether we should take a break or not. Guess who lost that arguement. Yup, me...

I heard my phone chime and looked at myself one last time. I wore a white sheer crop top with studded light-washed jean shorts paired with my white converse. My wavy brown hair fell over my shoulders carelessly and I walked across my room and to pick up my phone.

Emma 4:26

Josh and I will be at your doorstep at prescisely 4:28. Knowing you, you probably haven't even done you makeup yet. Get your booty moving, bitch!

I reply,

For your information I DID have my makeup done already.

Then a second later,

I'm just not COMPLETELY done.

After changing my song to "Shut up and Dance" by the Walking Moon I walk over to my bathroom, that's attached to my room, and finished my makeup. I walk out and threw on a grey cardigan, knowing that since we'll be out late it'll definately get a little chilly. I grabbed my phone and carnival money and scramble out the door.

As I'm half way down the stairs I hear the door bell ring. I scream,"I got it Dad!", once I reach the end of the stairs I make my way towards the front door.

"Not unless I get there first." My dad said firmly, surprising me that he was already in the foyer. He opens the door and, sure enough, Josh and Emma wait at the doorstep.

"Hey Mr. Archer!" Emma says a little too enthusiastically. Josh just gives a nod and looks over at me, "Hey Maddie."

I furrow my eyebrows at him, confused. He's never been this weird before. Usually he's loud and happy. Now he's quiet and distant. I guess it's because I'm leaving but, we already took time to cry out it together. Now it's time to make the best of it before I go.

I smile and say, "Hey guys! So, dad, I'll be home at around" I glance at Em and Josh, "11?" I turn my gaze back to my father who nods aprovingly.

"Sure, kid. Just make sure you'll be able to leave bright and early tomorrow!" He ruffles my hair and sends a smile my way.

"Sure thing." I start my way out the door and yell, "Bye!" as I close the door. I turn around to my best friends,"Who's excited!"

"I sure as hell am!" Josh says calmly, as if he doesn't know the number of rides I will be making him ride with me tonight.

Reading my mind,Emma adds, "Yeah, like how you were so excited to ride the Incredibly Hulk roller coaster with Maddie that made you puke all over a child!"

Oops, I kinda forgot to mention that tiny detail.

"Hey! I apologized! Wasn't that good enough!" Josh says defensively.

I scoff, "Obviously not, the parents were pissed!" Emma joined me in laughing as we stumbled to the car door.

Josh, who was all red, muttered, "Good thing I didn't puke on them also when they started yelling at me."

****

With pink cotton candy in my hand I ask, "Anyone want to ride the Spinning Whirle Wind with me?" I look at my friends who had shocking faces, it was like I asked them who wanted to torture me first.

"Are you kidding me?" Emma started. "I nearly trampled a kid cause I was so dizzy!"

Josh rose his hand to speak, "I almost threw up."

Ignoring their comments I finish my cotton candy, tossed it in the nearest trash can, and grabbed Josh's forearm. Josh pulls back but I give in all my strength and drag Josh into the line. It's like he wanted me to drag him because he's definitely stronger than me.

Luckily we went at the right time so we went on right away. We sat in our seats and our seat belts lowered and the ride began. The ride was like a the big claw in a crane machine. Except the seats were at the end of the claw and the claw was attached on a big bar that moved it. First, the claw started spinning slowly. Then, at the same time, it began to swing back and forth, swinging us higher and higher into the air. Towards the end there was a very fast swing that made our stomachs drop.

"Woooooo!" I holler, shooting my arms up. I laugh as Josh replies with an ear splitting scream. I enjoyed the moment until a wave of sadness washed over me as we began to slow down.

"I swear we spun faster than last time." Josh mutters and launches off the seat right as the seat belts rised. Josh gets a good grip of the rails as we exit and bows his head to collect himself.

"You're such a big baby!" I nudge him, "It wasn't that bad." I leave him alone as I look around for Em. Then some jerk felt the need to spill his soda all over me. I gasp as I watch the soda, which I guessed was Coca-Cola, drip down my white shirt and stick onto my skin.

"What the hell, man?" I look up at the guy responsible and curse under my breath.

"Hey Mads! Long time no see!" He exclaims and gives me a friendly side hug, as if he didn't spill his cold soda all over me just a moment ago.

I roll my eyes but he didn't catch me. So, I fake a grin, "Martin!" I respond trying not to sound the slight bit irritated and searched my mind for the best excuse to leave. "Kinda need to skip the chit-chat and bring Josh over to Em before she freaks out."

I guide Josh, who was oblivious to the situation I was in, to the nearest game booth and continued my search for Em.

I had to wave of Em, who kept asking me how I got the Coca-Cola stain on my shirt. I was glad I had to go home soon because I didn't want to run into him again. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that was Martin, the manwhore. The heartbreaker. The faker.

But hey, tomorrow I'll start a whole new life.