Jezebel

Part 2

Twenty minutes later they arrived at school and Natalie hopped out of the back of the car, stopping to yell goodbye at her mom before racing inside to find her best friend Lea. Rounding the corner of the hallway she almost collided with Lea, who was not watching where she was going. Lea looked up in surprise, her open mouth morphing into a smile when she saw who it was.

"Hey Natalie," Lea said, hitching her backpack strap higher up on her shoulder. "How are you?"

"I'm doing great," Natalie replied, her body thrumming with excitement. "Guess what?

"What?" Lea asked, shifting her books to her other arm.

"My mom gave me an antique porcelain doll for my birthday. She said it used to be her mom's doll when she was a child. It's really old, but it's still in good condition."

"Wow, that is so cool! Have you named her yet?" Lea exclaimed excitedly.

"Yeah. I decided to name her Jezebel," Natalie beamed.

"That's a really pretty name! Can I come over soon and play with her?" Lea asked.

"Yeah, sure, and bring your American girl doll along with you. I've got to go, but I'll text you later after I ask my mom." Natalie glanced at the tiny floral watch bound to her skinny wrist, alarmed at how little time they had left to get to class.

"Great, I'll see you later." Lea waved and turned, walking briskly to the red door at the end of the hall.

Natalie slid into her seat just as the bell rang, breathing a sigh of relief. The rest of the day seemed to fly by because all she could think about was Jezebel lying at home. The last bell rang and Natalie shot out of her seat, running quickly out the door to find her mother. She spotted her mother's car, opened the back car door, and plopped down on the seat, buckling her seatbelt.

"How was your day sweetie?" Sarafina asked Natalie, glancing at her in the review mirror before pulling away from the curb.

"It was good. I told Lea about Jezebel and she wants to come over and play. Would it be okay for her to come over today?" Natalie asked.

"That should be fine, but I should probably double-check with her mom. I like the name Jezebel; it fits her." Sarafina smiled in the review mirror at Natalie before returning her attention to the road ahead of her.

The rest of the drive home was quiet, except for the quiet strains of classical music coming from the car's stereo.

Sarafina and Natalie arrived at home and Natalie jumped out of the car first, rushing inside to clean up her room. She tripped over something when she entered the room and looked down, surprised to see Jezebel lying face-up on the floor. She assumed that Buster (that cat!) had moved Jezebel when she was gone so she found Buster and chastised him. She then checked Jezebel for any teeth marks or cracks. She seemed fine. Natalie breathed a sigh of relief and set Jezebel down in her makeshift bed, pulling the covers over her.

Natalie began making her bed and picking up stray clothes on the floor when she heard a sound behind her. She turned, ready to scold Buster, but Buster was nowhere to be seen. Her eyes shifted over to Jezebel and she found herself staring into Jezebel's crystal-clear, blue eyes. This unsettled her so she walked over and turned Jezebel's head the other way so that her eyes were facing the wall.

*How are you guys enjoying the story so far? Creepy enough? Don't worry it will get better, a lot better. 

P.S. Sweet Dreams ;)