The Impending Doom of Anna Grace (HIATUS)

Every End Must have a Beginning

A story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. And so every end must have a beginning. And this, this is my beginning.

"Anna Grace." As soon as my name was called, I walked from the X taped onto the floor. My feet felt clumsy, like I was going to trip over them at any second, despite the weeks of practice we'd endured. As I neared the principal I shakily smiled. Left arm over my right, I shook the Principal's hand with my right hand, and took my diploma from the Vice Principal with my right.

I continued walking down the makeshift "aisle". Past the speakers, past the microphone. I made a sharp right at the line of my fellow classmates, and another sharp right as I entered my row, and sat down in my seat again.

As soon as I sat, I let out a breath of air I hadn't known I was holding. That was it. I had just graduated. I tuned out the rest of the names, clapping for each and every person, but not knowing who they were.

"Congratulations Class of 2013."

This was our cue to stand up. I hadn't realized they had already given the speeches. As the band began to play, I followed my classmates out of the gym and into the hall. As soon as I crossed the threshold, I was greeted with havoc.

"YEAH BABY!" Caps were in the air, tassels flying with them. Everyone was hugging and screaming, and more people rushed in behind me. I slipped my hat off my head and walked over to the lockers, leaning against them. As I watched my classmates, I smiled, I would miss them, even though I was glad that this was all over.

-GCMF-

The cold wind nipped at my hands as I walked down the sidewalk. My hair flew around my face. The bell ringed as I pushed the door open. I stepped into the local library, wiping my feet on the carpet.

"Anna! Congratulations my dear!" Ms. Hartel, the widowed librarian rushed out from behind the desk and gave me a hug.

"Thanks Ms. Hartel," I smiled.

"I have a book for you today, my sister recommended it, it's not your usual, but you may like it, and besides dear, I think you need it."

Ms. Hartel and I had an agreement, I would work at the library for a few hours a week, stacking shelves, and she would loan me books, more than the library's limit of 3. Since Ms. Hartel knew what I liked and what I didn't, she'd usually recommend a few for me. Ms. Hartel's sister, Abby, was an avid reader, but she and I had clashing tastes. She was a Harlequin reader while I was a mystery fan.

I grimaced, "It's not another romance is it?"

Ms. Hartel laughed, "No," She said, "It's not, I actually have it here, Abby gave me a copy."

She fished around her desk for the book. "Ah! Here it is!"

She handed me a paperback book, the cover was a map, and the title was written across the top in squiggly letters. "The Gap Year Guidebook" I looked at it in confusion.

"What is this?"

She wrung her hands, "Well, it's...okay, Anna, don't get mad at me, but it's a guidebook."

"I know that, " I said, "But why did you give it to me?"

She sighed, "Well, I know you. You don't plan on going to college."

It was true. I figured it was kind of a waste. It wasn't like I was going to get a good job anyway.

"And?"

"For god sakes Anna, you're 18! You don't have any friends but Abby and I and I'm the town librarian! This is practically the only place you go to other than your own home and school and you never do anything even remotely fun! You need to live a little Anna! You're too uptight!" She sighed, "Abby wanted me to give this to you so you can have fun and do something for once in your life."

I was shocked. For one, that anybody had noticed my pathetic life. And two, that the town librarian had just told that I led a boring existence. I found this sad. Really, really sad.

"But..." I struggled for the right words, questions flew around my head. I wasn't sure which to ask first, "What's a gap year?"

"It's a year you take off...between high school and college..."

"But I'm not going to college." I replied.

"I know." She sighed, "But you can still take off a year."

"And do what?" I questioned.

She pointed to the book in my hands, "That will tell you. Anna, you really need this. Trust me. I talked to your parents already. They agree with me."

She'd talked to my parents? God, save me.

"But-"

"Anna, just please, take a gap year. Read the book."

I sighed, "Fine..." It wasn't like I had anything better to do."

"Great," She smiled, "Now, help me clear the shelves I need..."

I glanced down at the book in my hands before following her.

I could tell this was going to be a long read.