Entwined

Ch 15 Entwined

F A S T F O R W A R D T W O D A Y S

"Talia.. Talia, you must do it." An elderly woman cups my hands in hers. Only when I lift my eyes off our entwined hands, I see the pure and unbridled terror in her eyes. The kind that chills your heart and makes goose bumps run up and down your arms, as if a cold breeze is blowing.

I look around. We're standing in the middle of a clearing, in front of an ancient looking oak tree. However, what the tree has gained in years, it hasn't lost in height. It is the tallest tree I can remember seeing. Ever. It shoot straight up from the ground towards the normally star filled night. But on this particular night, it's anything but. Great rolling grey clouds rumble in the sky, lighting up every couple seconds like demented Christmas lights.

"Where.. Where am I? Where is everyone?" Panic boils up from my stomach.

"Child. Talia stop it. Focus. You have to do it or all is lost. You are chosen. You've been chosen." The woman tighten her grip on my hands as a ferocious wind tears at our clothes.

"But.. But I can't do it! I don't know how to do it! Everyone's gone. Everyone's gone!" I feel my knees give way.

"Talia, focus. Talia. Taliaa. TALIA! WAKE UP!" The woman shakes my shoulder.

"What? No. Stop it. STOP."

"TALIA! YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR BUTT OUT OF BED BY THE TIME I COUNT TO THREE!"

"AH!" I bolt up straight in bed. Calm your shiz, Lia. It was only a dream. Whew. I breathe a sigh of relief. Eh.. Better get out of bed if Mom is that insistent. Why would she be so on top of my seleeping schedule though. Birthday? No.. Mother's day? Nope. Father's day! That's got to-school. Oh it's first day of school. Damnnnit.

Sure enough, the outfit I laid out last night is on the chair, just waiting for me to put it on. Finally, after more debates with my mom than a school debate team has in a year, mom and I agreed on an appropriate first-day-of-school outfit.

After I put the outfit on, I look at it in the mirror. A white sheer blouse (with an undershirt of course) paired with faded light blue pants greets me. Slip on those blue flats and I'll be ready to go! I thought to myself. Yeah.. Casual but not too casual, you know? I fix up my hair by putting it up into a messy bun and clipping a cute white bow in. Ah.. All done.

As I walk down the stairs, I see a hot pink blur race down past me. Oh, the interesting outfits of Connie.. Sure enough, with the clothes Connie has chosen for herself, I am almost in need of sunglasses! Mom disapprovingly shakes her head. Well I would too if Connie were standing in front of me in a sparkly, sequin-covered pink dress with sparkly, sequin-covered leggings.

"Now Connie.. Remember we talked about.. Maybe, opting for more neutral.. Toned-down clothes? Umm.. Look at Talia for example.. Nothing too flashy, blending in type of thing. Your outfit is.." Mom searches for words.

"Halloween worthy." I supply, dramatically shielding my eyes for.. You know, emphasis on how Connie cannot possibly think that wearing clothes based on the color palette of neon pink is fashionable.

Connie jaw drops, a look of shock on her face.

"Uh, excuse me sister. If your gonna get all up in mah face about Halloween worthy, better take a good long look in the mirror, cause damn girl. Plus this," Connie waves a hand over her outfit as if presenting it to an audience, " is my princess look. Better take notes! Oh and Mom.. The outfit stays." And with that, Connie turns and flounces off into the dining room to eat breakfast.

As soon as Connie is out of sight, Mom and I burst out laughing.

"Cause damn girl! Bahahahah! Connie is really too good!" I snap my fingers in front of my face, imitating Connie's speech. "Well at least she'll make an impression."

"You can always count on her to make an impression.. Let's just hope it's the right one." Mom says fretfully.

"Mom! Come on! We gotta get this show on the road!" Connie calls from the hall.

"We're coming we're coming.. Just wait for Talia to make some toast and we'll be right there."

-----

Gravel crunches under our tires as Mom pulls up to the driveway of my new school - Seabrook High. Just as picturesque as the rest of the town, the small white school stretches clear blue sky. You would almost mistake it for a huge white cloud, it's that clean.

"Yeah.. I know it's small but it makes up for it in height. There's.. 3 floors, I think. Except I don't know if the 3rd floors really counts 'cause it's basically made up of the science department.. The science lab and the wood shop. Oh, and someone told me that they even have a place up there for like botany and stuff.. Never seen it though.."

I spin around to find Sonya gazing thoughtfully up at the building/

"Ohmigod! Sonya you scared me! But yayy!" We give each other a hug. Sonya looking uber-cute in a sheer ombre blue shirt and white capri pants.

"Girrl, you look, um how you say.. Très chic!" Sonya puts on a bad French accent and giggles. "Come on! I have people you need to meet!" Sonya runs off in her white sneakers, tugging me behind her. Finally we stop in front of a cluster of about 4 people.

"Sonya! Where did you get all these adorable clothes?? You just haave to take me sometime!" A curly haired redhead with a British accent steps out from the crowd. Apparently, all girls in Seabrook look like models. Her hair is perfectly curled, she's wearing a turquoise peplum shirt (that I would kill for) that perfectly matches her eyes and black leggings that highlight all her curves at just the right places. Her shoes are actually ones I've been begging my parents for since, like, ever. White Keds with black polka dots.. LOVE.

"Guys, this is T.. Or Talia. Whatever. Anyways, she's pretty cool soo be cool to her." Sonya laughs. "Just.. Don't make us seem too too weird, otherwise she might go right back to where she came from.. And I don't want that!" She grins at me. "Was that good enough of a welcome speech?"

"Haha well I don't get that many welcome speeches but it's the best one I've heard!" We all laugh and one of the guys hollers 'gold star for Sonya!'.

"So I guess I should introduce you! Soo the redhead - Britan's Finest - is Ailsa..' Ailsa smiles hugely and waves, "Then comes Charlotte.. Or Lottie is what we call her. She's actually staying at Ailsa's for a year on exchange with Addie, Ailsa's twin! I've always wanted a twin!' Lottie giggles, and the wind blows through her glossy straight blond hair making her look like one of those supermodels dressed in a black shirt and a flowy light pink skirt, "Jared, Ailsa's boyfriend.." A fit-looking guy puts his arm around Ailsa's shoulders and shoots me a relaxed smile, "And last of all.. And probably least haha just kiddingggg! Ok ok this is-"

"I know you!!" A guy with mussed blond hair says excitedly. Hmm.. Haven't I seen you before? Where though.. I think as I twirl a piece of hair around my finger. That's it! He's the guy I bumped into at the hair salon! What was his name again?? Warren, Wesley...

"I'm Will!!" Will says will a huge grin.

"Oh right! I saw you at the hair salon!"

"Ummm.. Ok cool so you guys know each other I'm assuming." Everyone is giving Will a strange look.

"Uh yeah.. I ran into him after getting my hair done." What are all the weird looks for??

*BRRINNGGGG*

"Oh there's the bell! Who do you have first? I'll show you where to go!" Bonnie tugs me along as everyone rushes for the doors.

I glance at the paper I have in my hands. "Um.. Mrs. Doltey I think.."

"Oh you better not be late for her class!" Sonya grimaces. "Come on! Let's go!"

And we join the stampede for the doors.