story of another us 》michael clifford

Chapter 4: People

Two days pass by, two days from now was the night was the homecoming game. Amara has been practicing non stop, and so was the cheer squad. But tonight, they rest and tomorrow was the pep rally, and after that was the parade, and in the night was the homecoming game. Amara was sat by the table at lunch, with her two friends, Yvie and Eleanor. She was absent-mindedly playing with her mashed potatoes.

"Is your mash lumpy?" Eleanor asks Amara. Amara snaps out of her thoughts, "It kind of is." Amara says. "You're kind of like in outerspace lately, are you okay?" Eleanor asks her. "I noticed that lately, too. You can't be like this tomorrow." Yvie agrees with Eleanor.

Amara wasn't sad or tired. She was deep in thought of how odd these past few days has been. Meeting Michael, her stories, and how they connect together. She had spent the past few days rereading some of her drafts of unfinished stories. The endings she had in mind were doomed. The characters were somehow very similar to her and Michael. She had no idea why.

"I'm fine. I just have a lot of things on my mind, I guess." Amara shrugs. "Anyone in particular?" Eleanor wiggles her eyebrows. "She said things, El." Yvie says.

"Well. El and I talked the other day, about us going on a roadtrip this summer! Us, Maxwell and if you want to bring another one then it's set!" Yvie says. Amara perks up at the word, 'summer'. She hadn't told anyone yet about her advanced course. "I can't go." Amara says.

"What?" Yvie and Eleanor asks unison. "Why not?"

"Because I got accepted into UNSW Sydney for their Summer Program for Creative Writing." Amara looks at both of her friends. "Oh my God! You little ripper! You did it!" Yvie says as she hugs her.

Despite of living in Australia for three years, most of the terms is still a blur for her. Mostly because Yvie and El try to talk in proper terms due to Amara. "Okay I maybe living Australia, but I have no clue what you just said." Amara says as she embraces her as well.

"What she meant was that's fantastic. And it is! It must be pretty exciting for you!" El says to Amara. "How did your dad react to it?" Yvie asks, retracting from the embrace. "He was happy, although moving to Queensland might have to wait." Amara says, as she remembers she forgot to tell them about them moving to Queensland in a span of few months.

"What?"

"You're moving?!"

"Not yet. I don't think we'll be. Me getting into UNSW Sydney might've changed things a bit." Amara says. Both friends let out a sigh of relief, "Thank God." El says. "Although you have to let us read some of your stories! I'm sure you've had some that are finished." Yvie says. "The endings are tragic, it's probably not your genre." Amara shook her head. "Are you kidding? I'm a sucker for tragic endings!" El says.

"Okay, I'll send some chapters." Amara says. "Yay! Can't wait to read it!" El says excitedly. The bell rings, signalling that lunch was now over. The three bid their goodbyes and head to their respective classes.

As final period comes to an end, Mrs. O'Malley had asked Amara to stay behind for they had something important to discuss. Amara strolls forward to Mrs. O'Malley's desk. "You asked for me, Mrs. O'Malley?" Amara says.

"I did. I just wanted to ask for an update on that story of yours." Mrs. O'Malley put her glasses down, clasping her hands together.

Mrs. O'Malley was the teacher who helped Amara discover her potential in creative writing. The teacher had taken interest in Amara's talent. Once she read her essay about a well-known fiction book, she insantly saw talent. But as the years gone by, the fascination turned into obsession. The teacher would ask for chapter everyday, demanding that she should learn that writing isn't just for past time, it is a profession.