Chapter 1
I lean up against the stop sign, pulling my hood further over my head. I shuffle my feet on the cracked sidewalk. The rain trickles down my shoulders, off my coat and drips onto the ground. I look up at the building in front of me. An old shop that sold wedding dresses closed down a while ago. The upstairs windows are completely blocked out, and the main floor is dark. A wedding dress sits in the window on a mannequin. The dress is a long beaded gown that trails the floor. The trim suggests the age of the dress, which is clearly vintage. I look back down at the ground, a puddle forming around my feet. I twist my gold bracelet around on my wrist, tracing my finger along the message engraved on its side. Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. I pull my phone from my pocket and squint at the tiny screen as it vibrates.
Want a ride? -Bryan.
A smile tugs at my lips, and I pull my hood off my head. The facial recognition unlocks my phone, and I type back.
Sure, I'm at the bus stop.
I hear a car roll down the street. Bryan pulls up to the curb and rolls down his window.
"Get in the back, my guitar has shotgun." He smirks, propping his elbow up on the armrest. I chuckle, and I roll my eyes.
"It always does," I step to the right and open the door to the back. I grab my backpack and slide onto the leather seats. I close the door and the car pulls away from the curb and heads down the street. "You're forgetting something by the way..." I lean back against the headrest.
"What's that?" Bryan looks back at me in the rearview mirror.
"Happy Birthday Erica," I look down at my phone, opening the camera app.
"Oh geez, sorry I forgot." Bryan chuckles.
"How could you forget the most important day of the year?" I glance up at him in the mirror. He rolls his eyes.
"I've got more important things to do then remember every single national holiday," he turns a corner, and my backpack slides towards me.
"But not the most important holiday?" I pull my hood off my head and examine my hair.
"Who said it was an important holiday?" Bryan comes to a stop at a red light. I look up at him and glare at him in the mirror.
"Have you made any new friends in college yet?" I pull my headphones from my bag.
"No... Not yet. I'm just really busy right now." He shrugs.
"Speaking of college, you should've heard this one guy's argument in debate class the other day." I look out the window, watching the raindrops slide down the car's window.
"Tell me about it," Bryan looks back at me again in the rearview mirror.
"It was so ridiculous, he was talking about women's rights and some super radical stuff. Saying stuff like how 'Women should be able to go to college'." I roll my eyes. "Like that's ridiculous, could you imagine?" I slumped back in my seat.
"I... I don't know really, I mean... Maybe he just meant women should be allowed to access a higher education if they can't bear children." Bryan lurches forward as the stoplight changes.
"Maybe... Anyway, how are things going with Sherri?" I ask.
"Things are alright I guess," he flips his turn signal on and looks over his left shoulder. The car turns into the traffic lane that leads up to my school.
"Alright? Bry, if you don't ask her to marry, you don't want people to start thinking you're..."
"I know, I'm trying... I'm just waiting for the right moment." He pulls up to the curb.
"Well, that moment better come soon. If you end up getting arrested and sent off, don't say I didn't warn you." I slide across the seats and open the door.
"Ok, I know. Have a good day, bless you." He turns and waves as I step out onto the curb.
"Bless you," I wave back and sling my backpack over my shoulders. I slam the door and turn towards the school. I hear the car speed off and I start into the building. An administrator pulls open the door for me and I walk inside.
"Good morning, Ms. Freedon." The administrator smiles down at me.
"Hope you have a wonderful day, sir." I start into the main lobby of the school. Students mill about the lobby, talking, laughing. A normal day. I wave over at Marilyn across the room, who comes skipping over to me.
"Good morning Erica!" She beams at me.
"Good morning Mari," I giggle.
"How are you today?"
"I'm doing great, how are you?
"Fantastic as always," she sets her bag on the floor. She unzips one of the pockets and pulls out a container. She opens it and pulls a cookie out and hands it to me. "Made them fresh this morning!" She slips the rest of the cookies back in her backpack and slings it over her shoulder.
"Thank you, Mari. Well, I'm off to class now. I'll see you at lunch."
"See you there! Bless you, Erica." She laughs.
"Bless you too," I wave at her and start off. I walk through the main lobby of the school and start towards the stairwell. I start up the stairs and I look up. Lukas Ramsey is walking down on the opposite side. My eyes widen. He has always caught my attention in a lot of ways. I avert my eyes as he walks past. I hear him call my name as I reach the top. I bite my lip and turn to him.
"Good morning, Erica." He waves up to me. I feel nausea rise up in my stomach.
"Hi, Lukas..." I look up at him.
"Bless you today," he smiles up at me.
"You haven't gotten arrested yet?" I scoff and turn away. I start into the hall before he can react. I walk down to my classroom and walk in. I slide my backpack off my shoulders and sit down in my seat. I pull my phone from my bag and scroll through it for a few minutes before the bell rings. I shut it off as the voice of the principal comes over the loudspeaker.
"Good morning students, bless you all. This morning we have the privilege of having a very special guest. An assembly will be held during first period, in which President Hardings is joining us to give a speech." The class gasps, looking around at each other. "The assembly will dismiss and students will return their first period classes. That is all, now please stand and face the flag for the pledge of allegiance."
I stood up from my chair, clasped my hands and bowed my head.
I pledge allegiance,
To the flag,
Of the holy states of America.
And to the Republic,
For which it stands,
One nation,
Under God,
Indivisible,
With faith and justice for all,
To oppose the forces of evil,
To dispel those who sin,
And above all else,
Destroy all forms of homosexuality,
For it is evil,
May we be blessed,
Amen.
Author's Note: This series might be discontinued if no one finds it interesting. Thank you.
YOU ARE READING
The Identity Crisis
ActionI have forgotten what it feels like to be free. To have a voice. I can't say anything, or else they might catch me. My parents would never forgive me. I'll be arrested. Maybe even killed. Probably killed. We didn't open our eyes in time to see the t...
