The Secrets Of Journey Reynolds

Chapter 10: Halloween

As he inched closer my thoughts rushed. I couldn't do this. I put my hand on his chest to stop him, "I...I can't do this..." I trailed off.

He looked down and sighed. "I have to go...I have school tomorrow, I'm very sorry," I said as I rushed up and gathered my things.

"You can't just stay for a little?" He asked from the bed.

"No, no I can't," I was about to open the door, "I need to get my life together." Then I left. What I said was true. I needed to get it together. For real this time. No slips.

When I got home, I drank some water and went to sleep.

In the morning, I followed my routine and got to school ten minutes early.

Not many people were there yet, so I leaned against my car until the doors opened.

I was walking up to the school when Terrance's motorcycle almost hit me. I remembered back to that first day, when we first met. How angry I had gotten, and now I was angry again. Not because he almost hit me, but because I didn't want to see him again. Not yet. He was still toxic. Still a poison.

I stopped for a moment, glared at him, then kept walking into the building. I went straight to my locker and grabbed everything I needed. I then rushed to my first class, avoiding Terrance all I could.

While waiting for the teacher I overheard conversations about Halloween parties. The most spoken of was the one at Kayla Amber's house. Apparently it was an annual party, better each year. Almost everyone in school was supposedly invited. I wondered if I would receive an invitation. I doubted it.

The day went by slowly. During lunch I sat at the artist's table. No one ate, including me. They all just sketched or shared sketches. I stole a glimpse of one of the sketches. It was quite amazing.

After lunch I went to my locker, when I opened it a small, black envelope fell to the floor. "For Journey Reynolds Only" was written on the back. I carefully opened it and discovered an orange and black card. On the card was an address, a time and date, and the words "costumes only!" The date was Halloween, and the time was at 10:00. I guess I had been invited.

~~Two days before Halloween~~

I still needed a costume to wear to that party. I was at the mall, wandering aimlessly through the costume store. Everything looked so slutty.

After thirty minutes of wandering, I stumbled upon the idea of a mad hatter. I chose the black and white costume that came with a top hat with black and white cards on it and a short, mad hatter dress that was also black and white. I found some thigh-high, white socks with a black trim to go on underneath.

I bought it all and checked my watch. It was 5:00, I needed to get to the hospital before visiting hours ended. I rushed out of the mall and hopped in the car.

I had been visiting my grandmother every day after school. She would act strong and fine every time I walked in. Even though I knew, deep down, that she was falling apart. I almost cry each time I see her.

When I got to the hospital, I checked in with the usual nurse and went up the hospital room. She was lying in bed, reading one of her older books, as usual.

I knocked on the door and she looked up. She smiled and I smiled back as I sat in the chair next to her bed. "How are you feeling?" I asked with a kind voice.

Her reply was shaky, "yes dear, I'm fine."

I tried to give her the most reassuring smile I could and grabbed her hand, "I'm going to be going out for Halloween, but I'll try to come by before I go." She nodded in reply, "I won't do anything stupid, I promise." I could tell she needed that.