Unseen Strings

Chapter 4

Angelina

 My body shook awake violently. I felt heavy, sore, and my mouth tasted disgusting. My eyes forced themselves open as the dull ringing of my alarm filled my popping ears.

"Oh my God," I groaned as I stretched and grabbed my phone. It flashed at 7:30 am. "Damn," I cursed, I wanted to sleep, but I had class in an hour.

I dragged myself out of bed, a wave of nausea washing over me. My pajamas were still on, and I couldn't recall how I'd gotten home. Rushing to the bathroom, I emptied my stomach. Thankfully, I hadn't worn makeup the night before. My hair was a tangled mess, and my reflection was a sight to behold. I splashed cold water on my face and pulled my hair into a messy bun. My second alarm blared, jolting me back to reality. It was 7:50 AM. Panic set in as I scrambled to get dressed. I couldn't wear anything tight, so I opted for an oversized shirt and tights. The shirt was practically a dress, but I didn't have time to worry about it. Grabbing my backpack, I rushed out the door. As I slipped on my shoes, Laci's door swung open. A shirtless John stood there, his presence filling the hallway.

"Oh my god!" I shouted, averting my eyes.
In the morning light, John Mark was a whole new man. I had not looked at him enough the night before. He looked like a young Dustin Nguyen from 21 Jump Street, but his hair was a bit longer, he was just a bit leaner, he stood about 5'9, and his face was more angular.

"Laci!" He shouted. "She's right here!"

I tied my shoes, keeping my eyes down. I hadn't known they were so involved.

"Rosie!" Laci's voice came out from behind him. My eyes hot up at her as she snaked under his arm and appeared in only his missing shirt. "Where have you been?!" She rushed forward and grabbed me up.

I just stared at her for a moment.

"Rosie!" She shook me a little, "where have you been?!"

I felt my eyes widen. "I was...here?" I answered tentatively. The last thing I remembered from the night before was drinking whatever Marcus had brought back to the table. After that, things got hazy. Just then my third alarm rang, warning me it was 8:00.

"Rosie-!" Laci began.

"I've got to go! I'll be late!" I interrupted her and hugged her back before rushing out the door. I decided it was best not to chance waiting for the elevator, which was notoriously untrustworthy, and began running down the stairs.

Every weekday, I caught the 8:10 bus to school. It was always crowded and if I wasn't waiting at the stop by 8:05, I risked being left behind. I could feel time counting down as I tried to race against it. I hated living on the 8th floor, but it was better than the 12th. Just as I managed to reach the bottom floor and race out of the double doors, I saw the bus pulling up to the stop a few feet away. I yanked open the door.

"Wait!" I shouted.

The bus doors opened.

"Wait!" I called again as an old woman walked to the doors. She eyed me as she got on

the bus, but did not say a word. "Stop!" I panicked.

The next moment the doors closed and the bus pulled away.

Stanford-Freemont University was not far, but the bus made a significant difference. It was one of the most prestigious schools in the area, and it was the jewel of Emerald Bay, but it was a large sprawling campus. Walking would take nearly an hour, and I was already running late. Defeated, I slumped to the ground, cursing my tardiness.

"Hey," I heard a familiar voice from above, "wanna explain why you're on the ground like that?" He asked.

My head turned upward and saw JJ standing over me.