Another Day

Chapter One 

            I feel the cool warmth of the sun and breeze on my already tan skin making me flutter my eyes open, taking in my surroundings. I’m in the middle of an open meadow surrounded by looming trees. I spin around looking for a sign of why I’m there when I see him; my raven hair falls over my shoulders and face as I take in his sight. When he opens his eyes, I almost drop to my knees and weep. My body is suddenly overwhelmed with emotion as he strolls to me placing two warm, gentle fingers on my flushed cheek as he approaches me.

            He smiles softly as his fingers lightly brush my cheek, “Have you decided?” His voice is like clear Caribbean water on a warm summer night and his hazel eyes bear into my soul. Two small tears fall from my eyes as I reach up to touch his hand. “I cannot imagine my life with or without you…does that even make sense?” He smirks his perfect full lips and runs his hands through his shaggy brown hair in a way that makes my stomach flutter. “No, it doesn’t, but does anything really make sense?”

            I open my mouth to rebut but he turns his gaze on me, staring deep into my dark green eyes. “Why can’t you just accept that I want you…that I need you?” I tap my fingers on my thigh and manage to only whisper after clearing my throat, “Because you don’t exist.”

            I wake up in a shock, my long hair falling around me like in my dream. I take deep gasping breaths and almost fall out of bed at the sound of my alarm. I reach over and slam my fist on the clock and drop my head in my hands still gasping for air. “Aleka! Get your ass up!”

            I continue to breathe with my head in my hands, “Another day.”

            I walk down the hallway into my small kitchen and throw my backpack on the table. My mom turns around to face me in her black sweats and purple zip-up hoodie and pulls her cigarette from her lips. “You look good.” I put my hands on my small hips, my too large sweater falling off my shoulder. “And you’re smoking.”

            My mom smiles as she exhales a plume of smoke and crushes her ashes onto a plate. “Sorry, work is getting to me.” I shake my head and walk to the fridge. I pour myself a glass of apple juice and grab a banana.

            “You sure you wanna go to school dressed like that? It’s pretty cold out.”

            I peer down at my red and orange striped sweater, black high waisted shorts and brown combat boots and roll my eyes at her as I peel my banana, “Yeah, I’m sure.”

            She smiles brightly and turns to walk out of the kitchen, “Alright then, you little slut.” I smile sarcastically to myself and shake my head. I love my mom more than anything, she’s all I have family wise, but ever since my dad left us she’s changed. She tries to be my friend rather than my mom and it hurts when I can’t come to her about any of my problems. It’s almost like I lost both of my parents and for the longest time life just didn’t seem fair; I would see all my friends out with their complete families smiling and laughing, and there I am, alone.

            I slam the door shut as I walk into the cool breeze of Alton, Illinois and hug my sweater closer to my body as I walk down the street. Maybe wearing shorts was a bad idea. I shrug it off and continue walking, my hair blowing around my face. I pause briefly before hitting the old cemetery and shudder. Everyone hated this cemetery…it was so creepy. The most recent headstone reads ‘died 1865.’ I adjust the straps of my backpack and hug myself tighter as I speed walk past.

            “Aleka!” I spin around and see my best friend, Thomas, running towards me covering his eyes as he runs past the cemetery. I roll my eyes with a smile, “Hey, Thomas.” Thomas is really tall, really tan, with really blonde hair, and really geeky…but also really hot. All the reasons to love him. As he reaches me he tumbles over his own feet crashing to the ground. I forgot to mention really clumsy.