The Hunt

CHAPTER TWO •••

"Talon C'MON!" Amira yelled to me across my driveway. "I'm coming!" I smiled at her. She glared back at me. I walked toward the car in slow motion just to get a reaction out of her. "You're real funny, Tal'." She said. "What was in your Cheerios this morning?" I chuckled. I continued on to Amira's car. Amira drives me to school every morning, and after every long day. Let's just say her parents aren't short on money. For her birthday, she was bought a brand new car. What car you may ask? A Porsche, in white. As I got into Amira's car she plugged in her iPhone 5s and began to play her usual morning playlist, and we were on our way to 7 hours of hell.

When we drove into the school parking lot, we received our usual stares. The stares are usually toward Amira's car. Or maybe it's the blaring music. Amira and I climbed out of the car and headed toward the courtyard. When we were halfway to the courtyard, Amira was already being greeted with Hey's, and "You look great today!." I wasn't too different from Amira in any aspect but one. And that, was social skills. I've never had a best friend other than Amira, so it seems odd to make new. When we approached the table at the middle of the yard, Amira sprinted over. A wide path was made for her, and I, did contemplate going with, but I decided against. I left Amira and her social skills behind and headed for the never ending hallways of lockers.

I live in Pasadena, Florida. Let's just say, the schools are fairly large. There are hallways upon hallways. I remember last year as a freshman, I was so nervous. I got lost on my first day and I never thought I would find my locker. I stood in the middle of the hall, apparently waiting for a miracle, until a passing student mentioned their locker number as 278. I remembered mine from sign up as 279. I followed her all the way there. Now, I have no trouble at all, even though it is quite a walk. When I reached my locker I entered my code and went for my first hour class book, calculus. I am a straight A student. I always hear how people don't enjoy school, but for me, I don't mind. Maybe it's because it's not that difficult for me. But, the down side is always having others ask to copy your homework. Although in a way it makes me a little more social, considering I have one friend and I am socially awkward, even though they do use me. When I had grabbed the book I needed I closed my locker and headed back toward the courtyard. Amira was running toward me. "Hey! Talon! Can I use your calc homework?" She pleaded. What did I tell you. I handed her my homework from last nights assignment. She dropped her bag on the floor, got out a pink pen, and began copying. "You really have to start doing your homework Mira'." I said. "I do!" She yelled back. I gave her a look, one to signify that I definitely know she does not, and she can't fool me. "Sometimes.." She trailed off. I laughed at her. Just as she was finishing the 5 minute bell rang. Amira got up and brushed off her jeans and we walked off toward calculus.

It was the 6th hour of the day. I was in English 2, right in the middle of an essay when the class intercom rang. The teacher, Mrs.Estes, picked up and quickly called over to me. "You're being checked out, Talon." She said quietly. I thought this was quite strange, considering I've never been checked out for any reason. I gathered up my things and headed toward the office. As I neared the office I caught sight of my mom leaning against the doorway. My mom and I looked extremely similar. Her features identical to mine, the long brown hair, tan skin, emerald green eyes, freckles splashed against our cheeks. I wasn't quite sure if I shared anything in common with my father. He left when I was very young, and so happens my mother doesn't speak of him much. It's been my mom and I on our own for a long while. But I guess it's turned out alright. "Mom? What're you doing here?" I asked. "It's a surprise!" She says excitedly. I raise my hand to her forehead as if I was checking her temperature. "Are you feeling alright?" I said questioningly. "Very funny, missy." she continued, "but, I am here for a reason and if we don't go now, we're going to be late, so let's get going!" She scurried off to the car and drug me along. My mothers bubbly attitude always refreshed me. We both climbed into our SUV almost simultaneously, and drove off to my surprise destination.

I always loved living in the state of Florida. The warm weather always inviting and crisp. As we drove through the city we bypassed shops, people with their dogs and palm trees swaying in the wind. I was in a zoned state when my mom yelled "We're here!" I leaned closer my window to peer out at the scene in front of me. A parking lot with multiple cones in lanes were set up in front of a brick building. "Mom, what is this?" I asked, clearly puzzled. "Well, since you are such a great student in school and wonderful daughter, I decided to bring you to..." She trailed off, "TAKE YOUR DRIVERS TEST!" She screamed. I was stunned. Pleasantly, of course. I had stopped asking to get my license for my 16th birthday ahead of time two years ago. My mom always believed it would interfere with my school work. Which I never understood fully because I had been a straight A student since the 4th grade. But I knew better to argue with my moms strict rule. "This is a joke." I said. I looked over at my mom in astonishment. "Not the slightest bit is it a joke!" She yells back. I think she's more excited than I am, and I'm really excited. We hopped out of the car to view the parking lot. There were already cars driving the course. "Those women over there are waiting for kids to take on the test, just walk over and one will bring you over to begin." She told me. She gave me a nudge toward them and smiled at me. I smiled back at her, my excitement on my face and began walking toward the women.