The Truth

Chapter 1

May 29th - Sunday

..

This day

changed her life completely

because the truth is,

when you look at somebody

and you think that you know them,

they're wearing masks

that cover who they truly are.

The truth is that love isn't simple.

The truth is that I miss you.

The truth.

..

Those very words were written on a crinkled paper placed on the wooden desk of my basement/bedroom. A crack of the orange sunlight leaked through the thin window as I stuck a No. 2 pencil behind my ear. The clock next to the window read 5:46. 14 minutes until work, I thought as my mind raced for more words to write. Words to continue my project for my creative writing class.

The project was a learning experience from sophomore year, and I honestly wasn't too sure what to write.

Soon I would be 17 years old, and I had never really interacted with other students at Ringstone High School. My day basically went: school, writing, work, and then homework. It was that continuous cycle over and over. I worked at my dad's homemade ice cream stand that was about block away from my favorite old fashioned, renovated movie theater and another block away from my home. I wanted to become a journalist when I graduated high school, so I worked my butt off on school work to make that dream come true.

"Hey, Bea! Logan is gonna get mad if you don't get to work on time, so I suggest you leave now." my mom hollered from downstairs.

I checked the time. It read 5:52. I knew I had to walk fast if I wanted to make it to work on time.

Logan was a year older than me, but had a close bond with my dad and treated me like a little sister since his parents weren't in the picture. His tough interior was the complete opposite of his exterior appearance, tall and lanky. He had dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. He hung out with a lot of the computer geeks at school, and was constantly picked on because he said things that offended people. He would get furious if I was even a minute late so my mom was smart to tell me to leave ASAP.

I raced quickly up the creaky, wooden stairs, and ran past my mother who, while cleaning the dishes gave me a wide grin, and reminded me to tell Logan that she wanted him to look at her computer she spilled her energy drink on the day before. I jolted out of the door, and stormed off down the street. The orange sun was soon blanketed by grey skies, and the night was starting to settle in. The smell of salt water drifted up from the sandy beaches that were located a few blocks away. I rounded the street corner, dashed up the stone walkway, and soon enough I had entered Ringstone Ice Cream. My family had lived for generations in the same town, with the same lifestyle, running the same ice cream stand, and everyone of them also had a problem with being tardy.

"You're late!" Logan shouted as I entered.

"No I'm not!"

"You're late by approximately two minutes and thirty three seconds." he murmured as I entered the back room and threw myself onto the stool.

Logan had his stop watch out, as I noticed there wasn't a single sign of life other then himself.

"Well, the amount of customers has obviously been low." I muttered.

As customers ironically entered, Logan smirked and smoothly talked to the guests as I put on my apron, and my tiny, white, ice cream hat. One of the visitors who entered was a short, older woman with tousled grey hair and a wrinkly face, and the other was an older man with slicked back grey hair and the same wrinkly face. Logan was taking their order, as he suddenly gave me a stern look.

"Bea, get these customers a two scoop chocolate ice cream cup with whipped cream and a banana split."

"Coming up your majesty." I sarcastically replied, receiving another glare, and a small chuckle from the elderly.

I scooped the ice cream, added the toppings, and then handed the finished desserts to Logan. As he gave the elders their ice cream, they smiled and waved goodbye. Logan was acting unusually happy as a smile stretched across his face.

"Have a nice night!" Logan chirped as the door shut.

"Wow, I'm so surprised you didn't give your phone number to them. What's with the good mood?"

"What's with the all sarcasm?" Logan smirked.

"You're avoiding the question."

"The videos went viral." he sighed still holding the same smile.

"What?"

"The time capsules are released. We outcasts at school finally have a chance to see what the popular kids are really thinking."

I froze as embarrassment embraced me. I took my cell phone from my jean pocket and typed in the URL. Columns and columns of the videos of seniors and juniors opening up to talk to their future selves were presented online.

**

I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter! I'll try to balance my schoolwork and other activities so I can finish the next chapter by next week. :)