5th Generation

Episode 10: The Sleepover (Part 2)

Jacqueline opened her eyes. Never a good sign. She hated waking up. Who didn't? Sleep was great! It was like dying, but not. As much as she claims, Jacqueline feared death, like most mortals, and wanted to avoid it at all costs, which is why she loves sleeping so much. Plus, she was always so tired. Waking up sucks. She thought. What time is it? Her head was still fuzzy from sleeping as she turned around and checked her phone. It was almost noon. Jacqueline resisted the urge to smile. Sleeping in was good. Unless you had somewhere to be. But according to her screen, it was Saturday. Perfect. She slid out of bed and went straight for the kitchen. Her dad was there, probably making lunch for himself. 

"Good morning," he said casually. "Any idea what time it is?" Jacqueline nodded, grabbed a bag of cold cuts from the fridge and returned to her room. That was enough socialization for the day. She didn't like people too much. It goes with the territory of being an edgy goth girl. Yeah, she was a goth. Her clothes were always black, she wore black makeup, even her room was decorated black. And as much as she didn't WANT death, it still fascinated her regardless. She knew a lot about different culture's views on the afterlife. It was useful to her, because she was a writer. 

This was a well kept secret that would stay one. She hasn't told a single person about the book she was writing. It was currently over a quarter done and it was pretty good so far. Sometimes she wished she could get some feedback, but she refused to tell anyone. Besides, she didn't want people reading her stuff and judging it for her. She would wait until it was published to get a review. The only people she even liked at all were her friends. She had three of them. There was Hazel, who was WAY to chipper and optimistic. The girl once spent an entire school year skipping places. And she's always obsessing over stuff. Right now its Gravity Slides. Jacqueline was forced to watch the cartoon last summer by Hazel herself. It was meh, but Hazel treated it as a life source. Then there was Paz. She was nice and pretty good at art. Plus, she didn't talk a lot, unlike Sandy and Hazel, who never shut up. Sandy especially. She was way too talkative and a theater geek. She always wears flowers in her hair. As annoying as they all were, Jacqueline cared about them. Not that she would ever admit that. She finished her breakfast/lunch and put the bag back. This time, she didn't run into anyone.

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I stuck my head out the window and felt the cool autumn air rush over me. I leaned as far out the second story window as I dared, and held my camera to my face. I absolutely love sunrises. And sunsets. They're so beautiful with their reds and oranges and pinks. So I get up every morning to get a picture. Today's was gorgeous. A bright orange and pale pink. Sometimes I really hate myself for setting my alarm so early, but it gets easier when school is in session, which it has been for a few weeks. I'm up at around that time anyway, so it's no big deal. I hold on to my precious camera tightly as I snap photos. I didn't want to damage it. I couldn't. It had taken me over a year to save up enough to buy it, and it was my prized possession. 

 "Marigold!!" My mom yelled suddenly. I nearly dropped my camera. Quickly, I pulled myself inside, hitting my head against the sash in the process. I had a younger brother and older boy/girl twin siblings. That being said, there was a lot of yelling in my house. 

"What?" I called back, pretty irritated. 

"You have to get going or you'll be late!!" oh crap. I had been so distracted with my pictures and stuff that I hadn't been watching the clock. I sighed in frustration and put my camera in it's case. Then I put the case over my shoulder like a bag and grabbed my already packed bookbag. This wasn't the first time this has happened, so I always get as ready to go as possible the night before. Just in case. I raced past my mom, who handed me my lunch and called out "Have a good day!" as I ran past. I lived pretty far away from the school, so it usually took me a while to walk. About a half an hour, I'd say. But it isn't so bad. Just tedious. Besides, I liked the calm and quiet of the more rural part of our county. A little bit of walking was worth that. Besides, out here there was nothing to obscure the sky. It was still nice, although the color had faded a little. I'm pretty sure I could still see part of the moon.