Before anything, I'd like to clearly state that I did choose the wrong thing when I was in school. I made plenty of wrong choices, but maybe deciding to be left alone and not have friends around was the worst one. I'm sure that have I chosen something different then, I would've prevented a lot of pain and struggle in my future life.
This time, it was like a blessing. I was given the second chance to rebuild my life the way I want it to be, the way I deserved it to be. A rush of adrenaline ran through my veins as the tubular object seemed to electrify in contact with the shiny sharpener.
I know I needed friends back then. I know I made a mistake and I'm willing to do better this time although I have no idea what I'm doing, honestly.
I opened my eyes slowly and found myself sitting in the schools cafeteria. My second school apparently. I used to study by myself here at lunch breaks, for I always preferred to be left alone. But now I was surrounded by people I only knew by sight and they were all smiling at me.
- Ari, what do you think? Maya asked me sitting on my right and smiling friendly. She seemed a bit older than I remembered her from my memory, apart from that she was wearing casual pink clothes and the only different thing about her were her teeth, they were like reflections of a rainbow, really unusual for me to see.
- What do I think about what? I ask deeply interested in why would she even want my opinion regarding something.
- The party, silly, its my birthday, Im turning 14. she said to me biting onto her food.
- Um, I dont know what to say... I honestly answer looking around at the other people seated at the table.
- Come on, Ari! You have to come. It will be no fun without you! a guy opposite from me said enthusiastically.
- Well if you insist, how can I decline? I forced a smile at the guy and thought to myself that I made the choice to be surrounded by friends, so why not give it a try?
Maya clapped her hands happily and I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. I have never been the person surrounded by many friends, but I knew how to contain myself so I walked with Maya bragging about her party all the way to the next classes and back home.
Thinking about the past 'life', I only now understand how hard it is to maintain a friendship, to care, to listen and help. I accompanied Maya when she asked me to go to her house and get ready together.
- Blue one or red one? she turned to me theatrically holding the 2 options in her hands.
Honestly, I think this was the most cliche type of teen movie phrase I have heard in my whole life. I'm not that type of girl to discuss such topics with, but I thought that I might as well try to play my part in this friendship so I said:
- Red, because it reminds me of roses. This was probably the most stupid and childish answer that came to my mind, but she seemed to like it, so she entered her closet with both dresses.
I felt pretty good in someone's company. I helped her choose a dress, but im sure friends talk about a lot of choices and problems. Maybe I wouldve gotten over the drama with my parents a lot easier if I had someone like Maya in my life.
- What do you say? Does it look good on me? she asked me stepping out and looking at herself in the big mirror. She was wearing the blue dress.
- Im sorry, but you asked me which colour I liked more and I said red, but youre wearing the blue dress, why did you change your mind? I asked raising an eyebrow.
- Well of course, silly, I asked which one you would like to wear and took the second option. Go try it on. she said throwing the dress at me and giggling.
There was a feeling I was experiencing, that I have never experienced before. Why would she care about what I wear so much? I was so used to getting hate from other girls and competition, or be their leader, that Ive never felt this kindness around them.
- But Maya, its your birthday, you should be the most beautiful one there! I said still feeling impressed with what she did.
- If your conscience is not letting you sleep, we can use more make up on me and you wont steal the light. she answered taking out a whole bag of make-up and placing it in front of me.
- Ok, birthday doll, we'll make you look stunning then. I said reaching for the bag.
- Wait, do you know how to use that? Maya asked and I glared at her with a devilish smile.
- Lets find out. I was obviously joking, but she seemed pretty worried so I let out a laugh, which she soon followed.
The atmosphere was special. During my previous life I didnt have a lot of girl friends, but now I finally got a taste of that gossip, secrets, preparing for a party together kind of thingy you only see in movies. It was honestly interesting and for the first time since I got 'up here' I felt at ease.
After I did Maya's make-up, I took the red dress, which was still thrown on her bed and went into her huge closet to try it on. Surprisingly, it fit just perfectly and I stepped out to admire it in the mirror, which was in another corner of the room. A big wooden full size mirror. Before I could get to it, Maya took my hand and made me sit opposite from her. She sat on the bed and I sat on the chair that I used to seat her comfortably in and do her make-up just some minutes ago. She looked me intensively in the eyes and didnt seem as giggly as before.
- What? Is there something wrong? I asked as her gaze was fixing me.
- You can stay here. We will go to parties, we will gossip, we will go shopping and do each others make-up.
Maya said slowly not even blinking.
- Stay here? In this house? I asked slightly bewildered.
- No. Stay here in A.E.D. 1, with me.
She clarified.
- I, um... I dont know... Theres 9 A.E.D.s, why stay here?
I dont usually blab, or stumble onto my own words, but she took me by surprise. This world was so crazy and uncertain that I barely knew the concept of whats right or wrong.
- If I say no, then I can never return? I asked.
The purpose of my question was to get how this whole game works, so that I know if I can ever go back from other stages if I dont like them.
- No, you can't. We would have so much fun together! Please, stay.
This was not good news, but at least I know a bit more now than I did before.
Her words sounded really good to me. I wanted to stay and I was tempted to say yes for some 5 seconds, but then I crossed the room, looked at myself in the mirror, in that dress, with this teen girl who was trying to be a good friend and I understood that this isn't me. This is not where I want to be, this is not the point where I give up the game.
I took a step closer to the mirror and in the reflection I saw myself in casual clothes instead of this dress and as the background, my own room, that I had on Earth, featured. My heart skipped a beat and I felt a fulfilling bravery taking over me. I took another step forward and felt myself melt into the mirror.
The last thing I could hear was Maya's voice saying:
- How ...
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If you reached this point into the story you're probably (just probably) interested in its evolution.
To be fair I want to thank everyone who took the time (and brain cells) to read and understand my story💖 Shout out to you guys.
You already do a lot by only reading, but im a greedy lil' one and I want to improve using your opinions and suggestions. Its not obligatory, but for me as a former 'writer' (😂😂😂) feedback is very important.
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After death
Paranormal" They told you life after death is eternal peace? They lied. Remember what I was told in my first dead day: 'You were not prepared for life. Who said you'll be prepared for death?'. " Ariana James had a complicated life (which can be seen in 'Befor...
