The Curse

Chapter One: Jocelyn

                       Chapter One
                             Joss

        Over christmas break I had been tidying up my apartment and making sure that it was clean. My parents had gone on a vacation away from there 9-5 jobs so that they could relax for once, the last thing I wanted was for them to come home to a messy house.
  “Luke and Will’s christmas party is in two hours!” I said as I jumped up from my bed in a rush. It was December 30th, 2017, 5:30 pm in Littlesville, Missouri.
  I frantically grabbed my denim, high rise jeans and my black sweater with cute little shoulder cut outs and ran to the washroom. I always made sure that I had enough time to get ready before having any type of gathering with my friends. I am always at my best when I am with them.
  Luke, Will, Jacob, Nikita, Charlotte, Essie, Grace, Emmy, Gracie, Levi, Geoff, and myself are the perfect "squad". We have known each other since 6th grade. The beginning of our friendships. We all have different skill sets and personalities that suit each other perfectly.
  Luke is funny and can always think through riddles. He never fails to amaze us with the way he thinks through things. He makes complicated riddles and difficult tongues seem like child's play.
  Will is smart and amazing at math. He is always there when you need him and never unable to help. He never backs down from a problem. Him and his twin brother, Luke, make a great and inseparable pair.
  Essie has amazing hearing and is a deadshot, never misses a single target. She is always right on the money when it comes to shooting and hunting. She is crafty as well.
  Grace is witty and amazing at science. She would make an amazing science teacher. She always knows just what to say in sticky situations. She's planning on becoming a surgeon, which means she's done a lot of studying for it and at this point she knows how to use so many things! It makes my knowledge of medical care look toddleresque.
  Charlotte is smart and great at history. She talks a lot which is understandable sometimes, but other times it’s just a lot. She is always trying to hang out with the ‘cool kids’ even though she doesn’t need to.
  Levi is quick thinking and can keep his cool in the toughest of situations. He maybe be short but that has its advantages. He has always been the best at hide and seek afterall.
  Geoff is intelligent and easy to talk to and get along with. He is a year younger than all of us because he skipped a grade when he was little. He has taught me a lot and vice versa. I feel like we make a pretty good team.
  Emmy is patient and creative. She is amazing at art and is always doodling. She is my best friend and is always by my side. She doesn’t show it that often but she is actually really sensitive.
  Gracie is a short tempered yet somehow tolerable person. She is able to make a crowd silence with her shouting. She may be ill tempered but she is a nice person nonetheless
  Jacob is kind and lively. He never fails to astound me with his amazing theories and utter nonsense. He’s always hyper, but can keep us all in check.
  Nikita is painfully annoying but he’s willing to risk his life for any of us. He would- and has -jump in front of a car for someone. Long story.
  And then there is me, Jocelyn. I’m the mom. That’s what everyone calls me, anyways. I assume it’s because I always carry my backpack with me and I’m forever taking care of everyone. Yeah yeah, my friends always tease me about it but it doesn’t stop me from doing it.
  “Ok, honey. Get in the car and I’ll drive you there!” My friend Essies mother called to me as I got out of the shower. I dried my shoulder length, dirty blonde hair with a blowdryer, fixed it out of my face with a black bow, and grabbed my backpack. I know it’s a silly thing but it's helpful.

Backpack contents-
First aid kit x2
Extra shoes/socks x12
Brand new chapstick x15
Phone charger x3
Batteries x100
Flashlight x14
Hat x3
Pants x9
Pocket knife x10
Granola bar x20
Handmade Journals x5
Pencils x15

    Yeah, it’s a bit heavy but the backpack doesn’t phase me at this point. I’ve carried it around since I was nine, about 6 years. My friends and I are freshman, all 15 with the exception of Geoff.
    “Okay Essie! I’m coming!” I yelled out to the car as I pulled on my seafoam green, high top Converse and grabbed my spare key, running to the car.
    “Why do you always carry around that silly backpack?” Essie asked me. She was actually completely different from me. She was more of a 'do what you want to' kind of girl.
    “In case I need it. What if one of you gets hurt or needs something? I’m prepared.” I said as I threw my backpack into the backseat, climbing into the front.
  As we started to drive I looked out the window. “I should probably text Emmy and see if she is coming.” I mumbled to myself as I pulled my phone out of my back pocket.
  I held the white and grey case in my fingers and unlocked my phone with my fingerprint. 2017 was a revolutionary time. When I opened my phone I was immediately flooded with tons and tons of current news. I had about. . . 5 news  apps. I had to stay updated. I pulled up my messenger app and looked through my contacts “Em Tem. Found it.” I said as I thought of what I should write in this text. I finally decided on a text reading: ‘Hey, are you going to L&W’s party? I want to know if I’ll actually have someone there to talk to. It’s hard at these parties =/ you keep my anxiety down. Make me less paranoid.’
  After sending the text I looked out the window at the beautiful scenery, getting lost in the beautiful colors I started to doze off.

A/n:
Thank you guys for reading chapter one of The Curse! I'll publish more when I can! This is one of the first books I ever started writing and I hope you all enjoy! Comment below any suggestions that you have for other chapters or just tips for writing. -jOjO