Do You Believe?

Chapter 3: The Bittersweet Threat of Change

I set my pencil down and smile in relief. 'Im through. Finally!' I think as I stand up, grab my stuff, and turn in my completed final for Music Theory I.

I could still see the frustration etched on the handful of students who remained, trying to scribble down acceptable answers in the 12 minutes remaining of class.

Full of self satisfaction at my most definite A, I head out of the music building into the crisp November air of Southern Georgia.

Winter has always been my favorite time of the year; and no it's not the receiving of gifts- although that is a bonus- that makes this time appealing.

It's the fact that death is approaching. The end of life for trees, the end of activeness for those animals that hibernate.

Change is always so noticeable during the winter. So stark and... Real. It makes you stop and reflect; things you've done that you wished you hadn't, things you want to do, and things you will never know because fate is cruel.

I'm snapped out of my sullen state of mind as I'm tackled into the embrace of my best friend Jo.

Jo is one of those girls who can wear anything and look flawless. Her long wavy black hair is down and it catches in the slight wind. Ripped skinny jeans, black combat boots, and an Otep band T adorn her body today.

Her makeup is fierce and perfect, bringing out her brown eyes. She always fusses at me to let her give me fashion tips; but I refuse every time. Makeup has never been my thing. Which could explain my severely lacking love life.

I focus on Jo as she starts to speak in an exited shout, "Omg! Guess what I just found out?" She hopped up and down like a three year old on their birthday.

"Oh God..." I cringe playfully as we continue our walk through campus to the parking lot.

"This is real shit bro. Criss Fucking Angel will be in town in three days!!" She all but screams in my ear. People passing by give us dirty looks but who gives a shit.

"Jo, bae, you could be heard all the way from Mars." A deep voice says from our right and my arm is released as Jo jumps into the arms of her boyfriend, Drake.

He's is six foot and two hundred bounds of black beauty. We've been in school together forever; and he's a really great friend. Jo may have the makeup skills, but I have the love matching skills; sadly they don't work for the owner.

"So what's this I heard about Criss Angel?" Drake asks as we continue to walk.

"Oh right! Well I heard on the radio that he's doing this challenge where he has to pick a super amateur illusionist, and they become his apprentice for like six months." She says excitedly.

"Oh no. You can't be serious." I say as it finally clicks what she's implying.

"Come on Krim! You know you'd get it! And Criss Angel is smokin hot!" She says in a melodramatic voice. "But not as hot as you babe!" She giggles as she pecks him on the cheek.

I laugh at their cute coupleness. I say goodbye as we near my car.

All the way home I have this nagging feeling that something is about to change. Just like the winter threatens. I can only hope it won't leave me too scarred.