The Serpents' Ritual

Chapter 1. Starting Point

I was so late.

As I furiously brushed my teeth, I held my cell phone up to my ear with my shoulder as Freya yelled at me on the other end.

"I can't believe you over slept. I woke you up and made you set your alarm and everything!" I could tell she was pacing even from over the phone. It was just something she always did when she was nervous.

"I accidentally set it to a.m. instead of p.m. but, I promise, I will be there on time. I've already left the house." I lied through a tooth paste covered mouth. I decided to put her on speaker as I closed my tooth bush between my lips while I flipped my head over to gather up the mess of curly hair and wrap a pony tail holder around it. That was the only way that seemed possible to tame the frizz that grew whilst I was asleep.

"If you're not here in 5 minutes I'm going to explode and you bet your ass you don't want that." She was serious but I laughed anyway. I could never take her seriousness seriously. 

"Okay, okay." I said, holding back my laughter. I looked in the full body mirror, taking in my whole appearance. "I love the dress, by the way."

It was a royal purple. Freya knew I always looked good in purple. It's was fitted out the top while it flared out at my waist and ended at the top of my knees. It was simple but gorgeous. I couldn't help but wait to rub it in a certain someone's face.

"Do you have the shoes on? It looks totally kick ass with the shoes." I couldn't help but smile. I was always jealous of Freya for her sense of style. I could never picture an outfit with out trying it on but she always knew exactly what she was looking for.

"Yes, I do." I said, taking her off speaker and running down the hall to my room. I grabbed the tan wedges and my purse as Freya started talking again but I was too worried about getting every thing I needed to process was she was saying.

I ran down the hard wood stairs and to the door when I stopped in my tracks with my hand on the door knob. "... I know this past month hasn't been the best but you-"

"Whoa." I cut her off. "Can we not do this today? I want to be in a good mood when I graduate." She was silence for awhile. "I have to go. I'm leaving the house."

"But you said-" And I hung up on her.

I hopped into the car, making sure I had every thing I need before I put on my seat belt and backed out of the drive way. I tried to ignore the clock, not wanting to rush myself into getting to the school faster.

When I got to the school, they had just started walking out to be seated. I quickly jumped in line as I slipped into my blue cap and gown. Mentally giving myself a pat on the back as it was my turn to walk out with three other students I have known for my whole high school career but wasn't really friend with.

As we stepped out into the view of the family and friends, I heard someone yell my name over the music that was playing. Turning my head towards the sound, I saw Freya waving frantically then trying to snap a picture. I waved at her with a smile on my face.

Even though we weren't in the best of terms, I was happy that she was here. It's not like I really had any one else to be here to watch me walk across that stage and start the rest of my life.

I walked past her and down to the rows of chairs they had set up for us and sat down with the others. We had a very large class and with my last name beginning with B, I watched more than half of the students walk out and take their seats like I had. Nearly all of them had the same experience as I did with their loved ones yelling for their attention.

When they got to the M's I paid more attention as I searched for the twins. They had only come into my life at the middle of the year but I was grateful for them all the same. They were my best friends and I don't know what I would've done without them over this past month.

I saw Joel first. He was a clown. Even when he didn't mean to, he always seem to get a laugh out of someone. That was just the kind of guy he was. Plus, he was handsome. I wouldn't argue with the girls that thought he was jaw dropping but he was my friend and that's really all I saw him as.

He walked next to his sister, Olivia. She was smiling her sweet smile. Olivia might have looked innocent on the outside but once you heard her talk, you could tell she was no such thing. She flipped her long, blonde hair over her shoulder before her eyes met mine. Her smile grew as she waved at me with such enthusiasm, I couldn't help but return the excitement. After all, we were graduating.

After seeing twins, the only other person I was really worried about watching walk out was Will White. When I saw him, my stomach twisted and my breath caught. I can't believe he still had that effect on me. Even when I haven't talked to him in weeks, just the sight of him makes me feel this way.

I always liked him in blue. The color made his dark hair and caramel eyes draw me in closer and hold me there till I couldn't take it anymore. Will White was the first person I've ever loved. He built me up, tore me down and I still could hardly stand being away from him.

I turned in my chair, looking away from him. Sinking into my chair, resting my fore head on my palm, thinking how I could let myself think like that. We weren't together anymore. I needed to let it go and move on.

Once I walk across this stage, I'm going to be down with Will White forever.

Soon after that, all of the students were seated and ready to go. They played a presentation that showed pictures of a selected few of us through out the years we've been in high school. I was mentally thanking God that I wasn't on it.

Finally, every one gave their speeches and they started calling every ones names to come up to get your diplomas.

When my whole row was motioned to come to the stairs leading up to the stage, I started to feel nervous. I can't believe this is really happening. I know Freya is probably crying right now but I was actually happy. This was the beginning of my new life away from drama. And, boy, did I need it.

"Callie Brenner." The principal called through the microphone. I squealed to myself before a smile broke out on my face.

I walked across the stage towards the gray haired man in a suit and tie and shook his hand before he gave me a piece of paper and a pat on the back. Looking out into the crowd, I saw Olivia give me a thumbs up and Joel was yelling my name.

Finally, high school is behind me.