CHECKMATE

Chapter I

I listen the flow of the wind rustling through the leaves as it makes its way to me, caressing my skin. Chills run down my spine as I grip on to the maroon sweater draping my body, pulling it closer to me. Looking up, I admire the faint tint of yellow shoving its way through the bleak, grey sky. It's that time in which bugs hibernate away to avoid the icy breeze of the Autumn air. Sometimes I wish I was one of them; I could hide away when I didn't like the conditions and not have to worry about consequences. That, unfortunately, isn't how the world works.

Being the goody-two-shoes Christian at the top of my class comes with expectations. My parents raised me on what we like to call the "Christian Diet". This diet includes getting above perfect scores, studying for hours on end, and having little to no contact with my friends unless I'm at school. Even with that my parents don't hesitate to remind me of my wrong-doings.

My mother and father were raised at a private Christian school that spent six hours a day teaching that God's view of the world is the only way to live. It has been a struggle growing up under their roof because no matter what, their way was the only way. I am expected to maintain a clean composure, always recite the word of God, and under no circumstances allow their reputation to be tarnished. My mother and father happen to own the largest corporation in town; it is expected of them to be role models to the citizens living here. Any wrong move I make negatively impacts the way our town views my family, and my mother will let no wrong move go undisciplined. All of the family stress is the reason I couldn't be more grateful for the friends I have.

Booker Lee is captain of the baseball team, too smart for his own good, and happens to be my best friend. Booker arrived in town six months ago after his father was transferred to my parents firm. It was one of those cheesy rom-com moments where the boy runs into the girl as she trips and falls into his arms. Unfortunately, when I tripped, the only arms I fell into was the arms of the hallway floor. It was like best friends at first sight.

Etta Harper comes in at close second to Booker. Etta and I have gone to the same school for eleven years and we just recently became friends. Etta is what you could consider the school slut. I wouldn't necessarily say she has slept with every guy in the school but I wouldn't hold it against her. She gets around.

All three of us have spent every day together since the beginning of the school year. Granted, I have yet to introduce them to my parents as they are extremely picky about who I'm allowed to befriend; I don't think the jock and school slut with making the cut with them. My parents prefer I make friends with people who worship God by day and study by night. I get picked on enough for being too good, I don't think I need to add fuel to the fire with my friend choices.

I take one last look at the leaves blowing through the wind as I enter the school doors. Looking around, I see the usual cliques bunched up together like vultures feeding on dead animals; and I wouldn't be surprised if they were feeding off the brains of innocent nerds for their own benefit. This is high school after all. I walk straight down the hallways lined with lockers until I found the magical 246, which happened to be my locker number. As per usual, Booker and Etta were patiently awaiting my arrival.

I don't know if it's the eerie vibes radiating from the sky or if it's the fact I stayed up all night studying for my chemistry test, but I'm not much in the mood for conversation this morning. I made my way to my locker as I tried to block out the meaningless conversations of those around me.

"Hey, Everly! So, Booker and I were thinking about going to The Vine tonight. You should come."

The Vine is a nightclub on the other side of town where all of the snobby rich kids go to a party and sneak away with their much-forbidden romances. I've only ever been on that side of town to look for Rose, my dog when she ran off. Even then my parents yelled at me for ruining their reputation.

"I don't think that is such a good idea, Etta. You know my parents, they yelled at me last night for falling asleep with my light on."

"Please, Eve? You never go out of the house anymore. Don't you want to act like a normal teenager for one night?"

I know if I tell Etta that I'd prefer to sit in my bedroom with my fuzzy socks and hot cocoa she would be disappointed in me. Sometimes I wish the people in my life didn't expect anything from me, but that isn't reality. Maybe one night wouldn't hurt? I'd have to sneak out of my window, but maybe Etta is right. I don't want to be that girl who graduates from high school and the only story I can tell is how I sat at home every night studying for hours on end.

"I-I guess. But you guys will have to wait until my parents go to sleep. And don't expect me to do anything too bad. I do have a life to continue tomorrow."

The eyes of the kids around me looked to the ceiling as the morning bell buzzed throughout the hallway. Etta and I exchanged hugs and went our separate ways. I trudged my way to first-period chemistry- dreading the exam I stayed up all night studying for.

                                ***

My front door creaks as I open it and step inside, throwing my backpack on the chair in the entry. Normally I would walk straight into the kitchen and make some Mac n' Cheese while watching a pointless drama show on TV, but not today. I can't tell if it's the stress of my chemistry test or the fact I'm breaking every rule my parents have ever given me, but I'm feeling too anxious to eat. I wonder if Etta would be mad at me if I got sick as an excuse to not go tonight... but I told them I would.

I walk upstairs and head into my bedroom, closing the door behind me. I've never snuck out of the house before so I'm not sure what to wear or how long it is going to take for me to get ready. I'm exhausted and all I can think about is getting sleep. I look over at the clock sitting on my bedside table. 3:32 p.m. I have until 10 when my parents go to bed to get ready giving me a few hours to nap. I lay down on my bed and close my eyes, wishing my life was a dream so I could wake up to something more... something better.