Total Darkness

Chapter 1

I open my eyes and turn off the stupidly annoying alarm that wakes me up every day when I have school. I then stare into the ceiling for a while. I roll over to the right and stare at the huge mess that is my room. Still feeling really sleepy -How can someone even sleep in here?- I think to myself as I wipe my eyes, yawn, then slowly sit in bed. I take a look around my room and place both feet on the floor, which is mostly covered by blank papers, sketches, paintings and even some acrylic paint,...or it could be watercolor. I stand up and walk to my desk, trying my best not to trip over the piles of dirty laundry and unfinished drawings. I get to my desk, turn on my PC and play some Warframe.

It's summer and a friend from art class invited me, along some other people I've never met before, to a road trip to see different types of houses and learn about their architecture. I'm not studying architecture, but I thought this would be a good chance to do some sketches of Victorian houses. I find everything about the Victorian era really fascinating. I'm kinda excited for today but I'm definitely not a fan of getting up this early in the morning. I've always been more of a "night owl". "Wow I totally suck at this game" I say as I run my hands through my messy hair, which right now suffers from severe bedhead. I look to the bottom right corner of the screen -6:40 am...?- "It's 6:40 already!? Crap!" I exit out of the game and try turning off the PC as quickly as possible. "Shit! I'm gonna be hella late!" I run to my closet, I don't know how I did it, I might have flown above all the mess, but I did it. I pick out the first decent clothing items I see and make myself an outfit, which consists of a grey "Bring Me The Horizon" T-shirt, some black skinny jeans, my boyfriend's jacket, and black boots. I then sprint to my bathroom, take the quickest shower ever, and get dressed. I don't even bother in putting that much makeup on. I rush to the kitchen, take a bag of cookies I had in the table and my car and house keys and run to my car, well, mom's car "And...I almost forget to lock the front door. Oops" I walk back to my front porch, lock the door, then get in the car.

I'm on my way to the art school's parking lot where everyone was going to be waiting. While driving I plug in my phone to the radio and put on some music. "Ah shit. I didn't clean my room before leaving the house" I sigh "I mean, what is the worse thing that could happen, eh?...mom taking away my car keys...ah!" I immediately turn up the music and try to forget about it. It's a 20 min drive so I have time to sing along really badly to a couple of songs.

I arrive at the school's parking lot and notice everyone is waiting outside the school in their cars. Possibly waiting for me. I see the only person I know there and she waves at me. She seems surprised. Another car pulls over and we start driving to the first house of the day.

We all arrive to the first house which seems to be a white, one-story, simple house at a very rural place. I get out my car and suddenly notice that everyone is taking out bags and luggage out of their cars. -Was I supposed to bring anything? I mean, I've got a sketchbook and some drawing pencils, but no one told me about a suitcase...- I go up to my friend, who is part of the group people who planned the road trip. "Hey, Ana!" I say to her. "Andy! Oh my Gosh! I thought you weren't coming!" She immediately hugs me tightly. "Because I was late?" I ask and laugh. "Well, that but also, you weren't in the group-chat for the Stay-in" Ana says while looking at me. I get really confused and ask "What group chat? And, Stay-in? You mean road trip?" "Oh! Right! You don't know about the stay in! Oh my gosh!" She says while taking out a big, heavy suitcase out of her car. Then looks at me. "I should've asked you personally if you were coming! I'm so sorry" Takes my hands and makes a sad face, not in a sarcastic way, but in a 'Please forgive me I'm your best friend ' kind of way. I smile "Ana, it's okay. But please explain to me this Stay-in thing" "Oh right! In the group chat, we all agreed that we wanted to appreciate each house's architecture and how it affects the style of living and shit. So we decided on staying at least one day and a night at each house, and maybe get to know which kind of house we'd want in a future." I open my eyes in surprise "Oh so you guys are staying in every house?... I didn't bring any clothes though, or anything at all really. I only have 20$ in my wallet" She looks at me and says "Sweety don't worry! On the way to the second house, there is a shopping center, I could buy clothes for you there! Problem solved!" She smiles to me, grabs two of her suitcases and heads inside the house" -I always forget, her husband owns a company. He's really rich. But he is the lucky one for having her-

Anastasia is my best friend, even though she's older than me. When we first met, we instantly connected because we were both so awkward an shy. After she met her husband, she became more confident, and eventually helped me open up a bit and step out of my comfort zone. We also connected over a similar hobby. Also, did I mention her husband is a very rich businessman?... -I can't imagine my life without her now- I think to myself, as I grab the remaining suitcases and bags and bring them inside. As soon as I enter the house, I get a weird vibe from it...

(To be continued)