For the First Time

Chapter Two

"I'm telling you, I'm not lying!" I laugh loudly, covering my mouth with my hand to surpress the laugh from becoming louder.  My Internet friend and best friend, Gemini, grins at me through the screen, crossing her arms over her chest before saying in her thick, British accent "Yeah, sure.  You totally met a really cute guy in the middle of an abandoned tunnel."

I roll my eyes, crossing my legs in front of me, leaning back onto my assortment of pillows "I'm not lying, oh my God."

"Alright, whatever, Arden, I'm going to bed, it's like 2 in the morning over here." Gemini says, mid yawn, her eyes scrunched shut.  I nod and blow a kiss at the screen "Alright, good night.  Love you."

"Love you too, weirdo, have fun with cute guy if you see him again." My friend giggles before ending the call, leaving me sitting in the silent room by myself.  Blaire went off to some party with some friends and probably won't be home until tomorrow so I have the house all to myself.

School starts on Monday, so I should probably go school shopping tomorrow if I can. I sit on my bed, crossing my legs and frowning before standing up. I walk across the room, flicking the lights off with my finger. I fall back against my bed, letting out a quiet sigh. This boy, Grey has somehow managed to make me happier than I've been since the accident. I didn't think it was possible, quite honestly, but somehow, he went against the odds.

I wake up at 10:34 in the morning and climb out of my bed.  I walk out of my room and down the empty hallway filled with family photos.  God I miss those days where we did normal family things.

I quietly open the door to Blaire's room, hoping to see her asleep in her room, but she isn't. Her bed is empty and unmade, covered in dresses and clothing.  I stare at the scene for a moment before turning on my heel and walking back down the hallway.  I hop down the stairs and stop by the front door, peaking ot the window, hoping to perhaps see Blaire's car out front, but it isn't. I trudge to the kitchen, pulling a box of cereal out of the cabinet, and dumping it's contents out into a bowl. I grab a carton of milk from the refridgerator and pour that in as well. I sit down on the couch with my bowl of cereal, flipping the TV on. The first thing on, is Keeping Up with the Kardashians.  Clearly, Blaire was the last one to watch it. I eat my breakfast slowly, my eyes staying glued to the screen the entire time.

After I finish my cereal, I head upstairs, searching through my dressers, pulling out a pair of denim shorts and a grey teeshirt. I change into them quickly and then grab my wallet and walk outside, locking the front door behind me. My very old, blue bike is leaned against the side of the house by the hose where it's been for a long time, a faint memory of the time before. I pick it up, mounting it, and pedalling away towards town without a helmet.  I like the feeling of the wind blowig through my hair. It's hot outside today, but with the cool breeze, it feels awfully nice. My long, brown hair billows out behind me, blowing in the air like a flag.  I enter town, passing by cars and different shops on my way.  I recognize a few girls from my store, earning myself some stares.  Fun.

In front of a small, white washed building, I squeeze the brakes on my bike, hopping off.  I carefully set it on the small, bike rack, not bothering to use a lock.  Not like anyone in this town would bother stealing it.

I step into the small stationary store, the small bell above the door ringing.  I stay standing in place for a moment, inhaling the thick aroma of paper.  The young shopkeeper, Laurie, smiles at me from behind the counter, her floral apron covered in snippets of paper.

"Hello, Arden, how are you?" She asks, her eyes returning to the sheet of paper she was cutting.

"Good, Laurie, how about you?" I ask, skimming through a rack of notebooks.