Screen Time

Chapter 1: Roll Credits

When I first opened my eyes I was in a car. I don't know how I got there or where I was going. It was like everything felt suffocating. Like I was trying to scream but couldn't. An immediate sense of panic came over me and just when I was about to yell at the top of my lungs someone spoke to me.

"Emma are you ok?", I soon realized there were people in the car with me. Of course, there were people in the car with me. It was moving after all and I can't drive or at least I don't think I can drive. But why couldn't I see them before? Had I just not noticed them? But that doesn't make sense. It was a small car with only 5 seats. There's no way I couldn't have noticed them.

"Emma is something wrong?", my thoughts are interrupted by the same voice. It was Maddison, my best friend since childhood. Yet when I try to remember any of my childhood or even anything that happened before I was in this car my mind goes blank. But I don't have the chance to ponder on this because if I don't respond to her now she's gonna get worried.

"Oh yeah sorry about that I'm good I just had a bad dream"

"Are you girls ok back there?", said the driver. He was Maddison's dad, who she had an awkward relationship. But it didn't feel like I knew this information because I've known her all my life. It felt like I only knew this because someone told me.

"Yeah Dad we're fine Emma was just nervous that's all"

"It makes sense that she's nervous. I mean you guys are coming back to high school after summer break. There's nothing weird about being a little bit nervous."

That whole conversation made me feel weird. It didn't feel like I was speaking to an actual person and instead felt more like dialogue you'd see in a video game

"We're here", as soon as he says that my body starts to move on its own and I get out of the car.

"Stay safe, ok girls?"

"Don't worry we will Dad. C'mon Emma let's go we're going to be late", I don't have a chance to get my thoughts in order before she's dragging me along with her.

"We're back at Lincoln Wood High. Are you ready for the start of the worst year of your life?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, I guess so."

"Emma, you don't look so good are you sure you're ok?"

"I already told you im-", I don't have a chance to respond before I'm pushed to the ground.

"Oh sorry, I didn't notice you there. You're so fat that I thought you were the door", a pretty girl in a bright pink outfit is standing there laughing at me with two girls snickering behind her. They leave but not before they call us losers and throw other stupid insults at us.

"Geez I can't believe she would do something like that"

"Do you know her?"

"What? Of course, I know her. Everyone knows her. She's Katie Tyler, the most popular girl in school."

"Why do you keep talking like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you're some kind of TV character-", again I'm interrupted because of course I'm interrupted. At least this time it's not because someone pushed me and is instead due to the sound of a motorcycle stopping near the school. The guy who's on it gets off and immediately Maddie starts freaking out.

"Omg it's him"

"Is it ok for him not to be wearing a helmet?"

"You don't need helmets when you're the most popular guy in school."

"Oh you know him too?", I ask while ignoring her bizarre excuse for his lack of safety gear.

"Of course I do. It's Zack Hudson. I've been in love with him since the 3rd grade." It's weird how she describes everyone like she's giving me a summary of who they are but it is kinda helpful.