Forever Falling

A Requiem for Normalcy: Chapter 4

   Summer's eyes fluttered open, the room's early morning light filtering through the blinds to cast a soft glow across her ceiling. She stretched, her fingertips grazing the cool metal of her new blade, hidden from view beneath her bed. It had become a comforting presence, a silent sentinel in the darkest hours. Her heart thumped a little faster as she wrapped her hand around it, feeling the familiar weight and texture. With practiced ease, she pulled it out and performed her solitary morning ritual, each movement a silent declaration of war against the invisible enemy that had been haunting her for months.

   Once done, she tucked the blade back into its hiding spot and padded to the bathroom. The cold porcelain of the sink was a stark contrast to the warmth of her skin as she turned on the faucet, letting the water run until it was almost too hot to touch. She scrubbed at her wrist with a gentle soap, the scent of lavender filling the air as she worked to erase the evidence of her nightly battle. A crimson stain swirled down the drain, joining the countless others that had come before. Her reflection in the mirror showed a girl with a forced smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes.

   Summer applied a thick layer of concealer, blending it meticulously to match her skin tone. It was a dance she had become all too familiar with, a masquerade she performed every day. She painted on a façade of normalcy, complete with a spritz of perfume to mask any lingering scent of fear. The face that stared back at her was a lie, a carefully crafted illusion to hide the turmoil within.

   Her phone buzzed with a text from her best friend, Tomika, asking if she was okay. Summer replied with a thumbs-up emoji and a promise to meet at school. It was a lie she had told so often, it almost felt true. She grabbed her backpack and headed downstairs, her feet dragging slightly on each step.

   The aroma of sizzling bacon and eggs filled the kitchen, and she saw her mom standing at the stove, flipping them with a spatula. Her mom was a whirlwind of efficiency, her apron fluttering around her as she moved. Summer's stomach growled, a traitorous sound that she quickly tried to silence. Summer's mom looked up, her eyes warm and concerned. "You okay, honey?" she asked, setting a plate down on the counter.

   Summer forced a smile and said she'd eat at school. She didn't want to admit that the mere sight of food made her nauseous. Her mom nodded, telling her that she'd be working late, so dinner would be solo tonight. As Summer took in the information, the weight of her secret grew heavier. She knew she'd be alone again, with only the echoes of her thoughts for company.

   The walk to school was a blur of faces and sounds. She nodded and waved to familiar faces, but their words floated by like leaves on the wind. The blade in her pocket felt like a lifeline, a constant reminder of the control she had over her own pain. When she finally reached the school gates, Tomika was waiting, her eyes searching Summer's face for any sign of distress.

   "You sure you're okay?" Tomika's voice was a gentle prod.

   Summer nodded, her eyes scanning the schoolyard. "Yeah, just tired."

   The sun blazed down on the blacktop as the schoolyard buzzed with the laughter and shouts of students, the smell of hot asphalt rising with the heat. Inside the stuffy classroom, Summer felt the sweat beads form on her forehead as she stared at the clock, willing the hands to move faster. The last bell of the day was the sweetest sound she knew, a promise of freedom and the sweet escape of music that awaited her after school.

   Tomika and the boys trickled in, their faces a mix of excitement and wariness. They had all heard the rumors of Mr. Finn's latest escapade, but none of them had dared to believe it could be true. As the final chime faded, Mr. Finn strode in, a grin so wide it could've split his face in two. He slammed the door shut, and the room fell silent, the anticipation thick enough to cut with a knife.

   He strutted to the front of the room, his eyes scanning over the ragtag group of misfits who had somehow found their place in the world of rock and roll under his tutelage. "Alright, gather 'round," he said, his voice a little too cheerful for their liking. The kids inched closer, their curiosity piqued despite their better judgment.

   "So, I've got some news," he announced, his tone a peculiar blend of pride and mischief. "Prom is just around the corner, and I figured, why not spice things up a bit?" The whispers grew louder, the air electric with the anticipation of what was to come. "I've scored us a gig." A collective gasp echoed through the room. The secret band that had been their sanctuary, their rebellion, was about to be thrust into the spotlight of the school's most prestigious event.

   Summer felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She had never been one for the limelight, and the thought of performing in front of the entire school, especially in a band that was supposed to be a secret, made her palms sweat. But Mr. Finn's enthusiasm was infectious, and she could see the hope in the eyes of her bandmates. They had come so far together, and maybe, just maybe, this was their chance to show everyone who they really were.

   "But we can't just play at prom," she protested, her voice the only sound in the otherwise silent room. "We're not even allowed to be in the same room with our instruments after school hours, remember?"

   Mr. Finn chuckled, his eyes gleaming. "Don't worry, I've got it all figured out. You'll be playing undercover, so to speak." He reached under his desk and pulled out a bag, tossing it to the floor. "Costumes. They're all yours."

   The band members looked at each other skeptically as they cautiously approached the bag. One by one, they pulled out the disguises: flashy wigs, oversized sunglasses, and glittery outfits that were the antithesis of their usual attire. Tomika held up a hot pink tutu, her eyes wide with horror. "You've got to be kidding me," she groaned.

   But Mr. Finn was undeterred. "These costumes are foolproof. No one will recognize you, and the music will speak for itself. Now, I need you all to be on board with this. We're going to rock this prom so hard, they won't even know what hit them." His words hung in the air, a challenge that none of them could ignore.

   The band exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them. This was it, their moment to either rise to the occasion or crumble under the pressure. With a collective sigh, they nodded in agreement. They had come this far together, and they weren't about to let fear or doubt hold them back now.

   Over the next few weeks, they practiced in secret, pushing themselves to new heights. The costumes became a symbol of their unity, a reminder that they were in this together, no matter how ludicrous it all seemed. They were School of Rock, and they were going to give the performance of a lifetime.