Through The Rabbit Hole

Part One: Wonderland

"Turn that junk off," I mumbled as my head hung off the edge of the couch. I was hoping that if enough blood rushed to my head it would drown out the noise of the countless songs and cheesy story line. So far, it wasn't successful. I seemed to be the only one not enjoying it because the girls were all close up to the screen while the guys threw in a few sounds of sympathy for the character. The only other person that seemed to not voice his opinion was Ryan, who sat next to me.

"What! How could we? Ariel and Eric are just too cute!" Cindy squealed from the chair. I sat up, glaring at her openly girlishness. I couldn't believe people just said things like that without feeling embarrassed. Also, how could you find this junk cute? Romance was definitely not my cup of tea considering I was 16 and still had never experienced any form of it.

"Come on Alyssa. Why are you always so against Disney movies?" Rory asked as she shifted into a sitting position on the floor. I had no response because I've already told them plenty of times why. They were too cheesy and none of it was real. It was full of mythical things that could never happen in the real world. So what was the fun of that?

"Whatever, I'm going to the kitchen," I grumbled as I headed towards the fridge. Before I could reach it I collided with my brother and my mom. My brother was fumbling with his things as he tried to hurry. Why was he always in a rush to do things? My mom calmly packed a lunch basket and greeted me with nothing more than her eyes. I froze realizing what was going to happen today. Family picnic.

"Honey, I hope you didn't forget, but, this is a mandatory family activity. It was recommended by our therapist. Remember?" My mom sounded like a dictator. She was always laying down irrational rules with irrational consequences. I swear, if there was an intruder she would demand it to be 'off with their head!', or something like that. My mom and I have been having problems lately and she's been making us go see a therapist. He suggested we have some family bonding activities.

"Mom, I know it's a family activity but, can my friends tag along? I think it would help us bond if you got to know who I hung out with. So, you don't think I'm just friends with punks. You know?" I tried my best to convince her because if my friends were there it would be less painful to hear about her being the president of this new company. She hesitated but, reluctantly nodded her head. I shook with excitement and was about to run off when she stopped me.

"But, we get to take the playing cards," she said, which was followed by my stamp of disgust. My mom loved playing cards because she could win no matter what game was played.I figured I should just go with it since she was being so considerate. I nodded my head and walked into the living room to deliver the great news. I don't know what her deal with cards was though. It was like she could rule them one day.

It was hot. super hot. I sat under a giant tree in the park, cooling myself with a paper fan. Why did she pick the hottest day of the year? My friends ran around playing Frisbee while my mom set up the picnic blanket. I should really be out having fun with my friends but, I couldn't bear to get up. I laid down and stared at the green leaves rustle in the almost imaginary wind. I closed my eyes and gripped the gold necklace that hung around my neck. My fingers traced over the small design and I felt bliss in the summer heat. I was about to nod off when a voice above me shook me awake.

"You bored?" His sweet voice caused me to shoot up. Ryan. His brown wavy hair hung over me as he looked down. My cheeks turned red, and it wasn't because of the heat. I cleared my throat and flustered for a minute before actually responding.

"Uh, y-yeah. I just-you know," I stuttered out, cursing myself inside my head. He sat down next to me and leaned against the big oak. His head stared up at where my eyes were once placed and, I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. I found myself staring at him too and looked away before an awkward conversation happened. I held my locket without anywhere else to put my hands, turning it and feeling the rigid pattern.

"Is that important to you or something?" I froze and realized I forgot that he was here. Wait, was he staring at me? I hope so. I looked at where his finger was pointing and then down at my necklace.

"Yea, my grandmother gave it to me," I shyly said. He didn't seem satisfied with that answer so I kept talking. "She told me it was important to her because there was something special in it."

"What's in it?" He blurted right when I finished my sentence. I gripped the locket, surprised at the sudden response.

"I don't know. I never looked because I was saving it for a special occasion," I half whispered. His eyes softened as a small smile formed.

"Can I see it?" he asked from out of nowhere. I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to give it to him because I don't trust people with it. He was someone I really like though and I didn't want to seem rude. I unhooked the necklace and placed it in his hand. He stared at the design intently and traced it with his finger. It turned in his hand, being inspected thoroughly.

"Aren't you going to open it?" I asked. He gripped it in his hand.

"No. You should be the first to see what it is," he said coolly. I almost fainted at how sweet he was. "Plus, maybe one day it would mean more to me to know what it is." My heart stopped as I thought that he was implying that we would be together. In the heat of the moment I went to swipe it from him and it slipped from my grasp. I saw the glint of gold as it fell into a hole that seemed to just appear. It was tiny, but big enough to gulp up the locket. My eyes grew wide with terror. The hole started to expand. I rolled to the side as the hole grew bigger and separated us.

Horror filled me as I soon realized what happened. This was insane. This hole just opened up and swallowed my only prized possession. I desperately got on my stomach and reached into the empty void. I felt for something that seemed impossible to grasp. It just felt like nothingness. I didn't know what to do but move over and reach further. it just felt the same, though.

"I'm so sorry Alyssa!" Ryan yelled as he went to the hole and felt around too. I cringed at the thought of it being lost forever.

"No, it's my fault. I snatched it from you," I said on the brink of tears. Ryan called over Cindy, Rory, and Belle to help feel around in the black hole. I sat in disbelief of this situation. How does a hole just, appear? I was then filled with determination to get my locket back from wherever it fell to.

Crawling over, I stuck my legs in and kicked around for some kind of surface. I didn't feel anything, not even walls. This was going to be a leap of faith then.

"Alyssa what are you thinking? You're going to fall!" Belle shouted for my attention and everyone else tried to knock sense into me. I didn't give away though. I was getting that locket back. With one sudden push I threw myself into the hole, never to come back again.