The Fools of Remington Street

Chapter One-Ryn

Chapter One - Ryn

    I sat with my head down- hands together. This wasn’t my place. The room had always had a certain smell that seemed to linger. Every time I walked into the room, all I could think of was the grotesque odor. Old soda and polished wood.

    I glanced up at the tall golden haired boy who always sat with his head raised toward the ceiling. I knew his story. He had been in a motorcycle accident and his best friend had been killed. I guess he suffered from survivor’s guilt. Next to him sat a younger looking girl. She told the room that her dad was stabbed in the streets while her mom had killed herself out of heartbreak. The girl seemed to speak with ease; as if she was merely speaking of the weather.

             Eventually, Mr. Fredrick (the man in charge of the group) had gestured toward me and I slowly opened my mouth, unsure if I'd freeze up or not. In seconds, words were spilling from my mouth like a waterfall. “My sister jumped off of a building before, after, or during a terrorist attack. At least, that's what the police said.” I paused. “I actually saw her body only yards away. They hadn't covered it by that point because they still had to investigate.”

            I swallowed, holding back a cry. Some people gaped while others just hid behind their hoods. I was surprised. I thought that if I had opened my mouth at all, I'd start balling. Maybe I had gotten over Sadie’s death. Maybe I had gotten used the pain.

            Other teens started reciting their depressing pasts and I just slipped my Porta out of my pocket and hid it behind my jacket, messaging my two best friends to come and rescue me. They instantly shot back a sarcastic comment and I rolled my eyes, holding back a snort.

            As soon as the timer went off, I jumped up from my chair and bolted out the door, getting some curious looks from the other kids and even Mr. Fredrick. I flew out the doors of the building, relieved to see Serena’s rickety old Ion parked in the roundabout. Accompanying her would be the one and only blond, shaggy haired Jeremy. He was waving vigorously from the passenger seat and I couldn't help but giggle.

             “Jeremy! Serena! It's like I haven't seen you in years.” I hopped into the back as Jeremy buckled himself in.

             “We dropped you off an hour ago.” Jeremy smirked. “Was it really that boring?”

             I solemnly nodded, remembering why I had been there in the first place. Your sister is dead and now your parents are saying all these things. And so are your friends. They say it will help you so just do it. It'll make them feel better knowing you're getting “help”.

             But really, there's no getting over my own sister’s death. I can get used to it, but there’s no way in hell I could get over it.

             I watched closely at the window to see a raindrop roll down the glass- like a tear. A rare summer storm? I rolled down the window as we pulled out of the parking lot. I was excited to finally leave the area to go back home. Where Grandmother and my parents lived. I wasn't excited to sleep in the same room I had shared with Sadie. I remember waking up, panting at three in the morning a few days ago. I had had a nightmare about guns pressed against my head and knives at my throat. My mom drove all the way to the nearby pharmacy to ask for pills while I waited at home, clenching my fists and rocking back and forth.

             Once we had merged onto the main road, Jeremy reached a hand out to the stereo and turned the music all the way up. Serena had nearly swerved off the road and I had a miniature heart attack. He started laughing and Serena flipped her silky, curly black hair out of her eyes, clenching her fists into the steering wheel. “Jeremy Scott, I swear to God, you do not want to mess with me today.”