Bizzare

Chapter 1

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I have debated about this so much times in my head but right now I can't seem to decide. It seems like this choice I'm going to make is going to affect-

"Hurry up already, we can't wait here forever! Just blindly pick one before it's too late."

I turned and shot a playful glare. "I'm pretty sure we have more than thirty minutes left, just wait for me."

She rolled her eyes. "If you can't choose what ice cream flavor you want, you can't do anything." She said then looked up to the ceiling as if to send a silent prayer. "Please, if you don't pick right now I will order the worst flavor here and shove it inside your mouth."

I zoned my gaze on the ice cream flavors behind the thick glass counter of the shop. My eyes skimmed from color to color and finally landed on my latest craving- for the last two years.

I turned to my best friend who is getting a little impatient. "I'll take one scoop plain vanilla."

She nodded at me and turned to order. "We'll take one extra large chocolate brownie fudge with the chocolate sprinkles topped with a chocolate syrup, and one small..." The hesitated before adding: "plain vanilla."

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After a few minutes we were called back to collect our ice cream. We both rushed towards where it is waiting for us to claim what's ours.

As soon as Catherine saw her masterpiece, her eyes lit up like a thousand fireworks. She eyed it as if it was her future and not the reality where it's just ice cream. Well, it's just a chocolate ice cream with tons of chocolate sprinkles and dark brown hot chocolate syrup drizzled on top in a glass bowl.

I turn my gaze to my vanilla ice cream in an bright pink paper cup sitting on the beige marble counter. It had a tiny pale pink spoon sticking out. It's looks didn't disappoint me and it is just the way I imagined it- simple, plain, boring, but tidy and small. I was content with it.

I heard Catherine's footsteps as she walks closer to the ice cream and picks it up.

I decided to follow her and I inspected my order from up close, imagining how it would taste in my mouth. When I felt satisfied enough staring at it, I picked it up with my right hand it feeling its light but slightly heavy weight.

I heard Catherine moaning with delight after tasting her ice cream invoking a sudden urge for me to try mine too.

I picked up the plastic spoon and dig out a piece from the white goodness that we call ice cream and raise it to my mouth. I await for the taste my tongue is begging for, but it never comes.

All I got was a hand shaking my shoulder and hearing a distant mumbling of "wake up" over and over again. I scrunch my eyes to prevent the image of the light pink shop from going away. But it didn't work.

The next thing I knew, all I could see is black from behind my eyelids. The sound of my mom's voice got louder forcing to do the one thing I really don't want to do. The contraction of my levator palpebrae muscles makes my eyelids flick open.

I squint my eyes through the darkness to look at my mom's figure. "Finally!" She sighs in relief standing next to my tall bed tapping her foot. "I thought I'd have to get the cold water spray bottle again. Now sit up and get ready."

"Mom! One more minute!" I whine as I close my eyes again and turn around burying myself further into my bed, cuddling with my blanket. Suddenly the warmth surrounding me was gone and I sit up to see my mom holding it with a smug look on the face.

I rub my eyes trying to make the moisture in them to go away and cross my arms beginning my morning rant.

"Firstly it's dark outside clearly indicating it's way too early to get up. Secondly, you know I hate waking up early in morning and thirdly," I paused for a dramatic effect. "I said five more minutes." I said as I pulled the end of my long royal blue blanket from the ground and pulled it on top of me with a force that made my bed rock slightly. I returned to my original position and soon to my original sleeping form.

My mom also crossed her hands mocking me with her brown eyes containing a playful glint in it. "Firstly, this is the right time to get up knowing you will take a decade to get ready. Secondly, you better get used to it sleepy head, summer is officially over. Thirdly, did you forget? You. Have. To. Get. Ready. For. Your. First. Day. Of. School?!" She said pausing between each word in her last statement.

My eyes widen remembering what today is. Today's the day I leave for school. I sat up again and stretched on my light blue bed and I hear a satisfying crack sound.

"I don't know how you would get ready for school this year." She mumbles to herself in a motherly tone as she made her way to the door. It closed with a soft thud as I got up from my precious, comfortable, soft bed.

I rotated my neck clockwise once more and trudged to my bathroom after feeling stretched out enough. This is going to be a long day.

After doing my daily morning routine I found myself staring at my half eaten apple as I took yet another bite out of it. As much as I'd love to be in school right now. As much as I've dreamed of how this year would be. I can't help but feel sad as I think about how fast my life is going. This year is the last year of high school. I'm officially a senior.

My train of thoughts ended when my dad walked into the living room and made his way towards me. He pulled out a chair from the dining table and sat down next to me smiling. "Good morning Elaine."

"Good morning!" I wished back taking another bite out of the apple.

"So, are you ready for the big day?"

"Yup." I smiled cheerfully.

Before I could say anything thing else, mom walked in throwing question after question at me. "Did you remember to pack everything? Even your toothbrush and toothpaste after using it this morning. What about your wallet. You also packed some snacks, right?" I nodded after every question meeting her vivid dark brown eyes. She turned to my dad. "Do you want to add anything?"

"Did you pack your suitcases last night?" He asked. I nodded. "Then make sure you remember to take your suitcases." He shrugged grinning.

After taking a glance at Mom's annoyed face, I bit my lip to cover my laughter. "I will." I said to dad with a wide grin. I turned my attention back to my apple. Better finish this up.

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March, 2018