Era of the Dark

early morning. day one.

Summer had just begun, and it was already in full swing. Parties were held to celebrate the end of junior year, which seemed to be the death of just about every student, and teenagers flooded to the local pools to escape the blazing heat. And while everyone wished to explore the heat, I only cared to sit by an open window and read any good book I could find.

"Emerson, why can't you just be normal and enjoy this sun?" Nova, my 14 year old sister had questioned as she walked down the stairs in a bathing suit I considered too showy for even my age.

"Of course you would be concerned with me being normal. All you want to do is be like everyone else." I argued back, hoping this would end all conversation with the teen wannabe.

"You know, some day, you're gonna wish you went out and enjoyed this weather more. But you just waste your time inside and grow paler everyday." Nova spat as she walked out to the backyard, most likely to get the tan that every girl wanted at this time of the year.

Her comments went in one ear and out the other as I was reaching the climax in the book. I leaned closer and closer, becoming part of the book, until a sudden door slam shook me out of my trance. "You will not believe who just asked me out on a date."

"Welcome to our humble abode, Leigh." Enter best friend of 10 years. We met in first grade and have become inseparable since.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. But guess." She urged me into her game.

"I don't know, a lot of guys want to ask you on a date. I mean who wouldn't." I spoke as I set down my book to give her my full attention.

"Chris. Chris Williams. He asked me to go to the movies with him. Ah!  Can you believe it?!" She spoke with excitement, but the look on my face quickly made hers drop as well. "What?"

"Honey, no. You can do so much better than that bottom feeder. He's nothing but a player." I quickly spoke as I knew she probably thought this was the greatest thing to ever happen.

"Are you kidding me?! He's heavenly. Tell me one girl that he played Em." She retorted to try and make a fool out of me.

"I can name you eight girls. From last week. Leigh, this is a path you do not want to travel. You know he's just trying to get freaky with you." I was genuinely concerned for this girl and her sanity.

"Okay well, whatever. What are you doing right now?" She questioned with a crazy look in her eyes.

"Oh, you know me. Just living the crazy life out here. I had some flame throwers ready to go and, you know, chainsaws." I said rolling my eyes. "Girl, you know I have absolutely nothing planned for the rest of summer."

At this point, she began to drag me off the couch and towards the front door. "Then get your lazy butt up and come to the pool with me. It's time to have some fun." She said. I knew I had a swimsuit at her house already, since I am constantly swimming at her neighborhood pool, so I let her drag me to the car. 

"Fine, you crazy woman. Let us go." As we walked out, the sun shone brightly. Unbeknownst to us, this would be our last day bathing in the sunlight.