The Talisman

Chapter One

        I slide down the cool concrete wall, replaying that moment over and over in my head. I should be used to this, I thought. I had just had yet another, terribly embarrassing moment. I was running on the treadmill after school, like I do every single day, and I somehow managed to fly off and smash my shin into the elliptical behind me. So now I have to sit in this cold and horrendously smelling bathroom while trying to get my leg to stop bleeding. This is just so fucking great, I think to myself. I’m used to these kind of situations, it’s actually a norm for me. I usually wouldn’t be upset about this type of thing, but tomorrow is my aunts wedding, and my dress won’t cover this monster gash.

        I finally get the bleeding to somewhat stop, by wrapping my leg in paper towels and holding it with a scrunchie. I dart out of the bathrooms and head to my car, which just happens to be falling apart from all the rust, and the shitty engine. When I first bought this car from an old lady in my neighborhood, It worked fine. But now that I have had this car for almost a year, I’ve learned what a piece of crap it really is. I drive the ten minutes home, and half limp into the house. I immediately smell pork chops, which incidentally, is my least favorite thing to eat, as I am a vegetarian. I make myself some Easy Mac before wrapping my leg up with bandages. I pull my long, dark red hair into a ponytail and listen to some music, thanking the world that its Friday.

After almost falling asleep at 5:30, I hear my phone vibrate. I pick it up from my nightstand and see a text from my best friend, Olivia.

“Hey, me and some other people are gonna go to the heart around 6. I’m picking you up in 15 minutes, and you better be ready.”

The heart is actually The Heart Coffee, which is a coffee shop placed in our home of Portland, Oregon. Its like the hangout place for hipsters, and my friends. We go there practically every week, the owners even know our names.

I groan before getting out of bed and changing out of my smelling work out clothes and changing into a cozy sweater and leggings. Autumn is just ending, and the first snow is predicted next week. I love autumn and all, but unlike most people, I love winter. There is hot chocolate, sweaters and snow (but we barely get any). I hardly get to put makeup on before I hear an obnoxious beeping sound coming from my driveway. I run downstairs before my mom has a chance to yell at me, deciding that I’d text her on the way to the heart. There isn’t much talk between Olivia and I as she drives because it “distracts her.”

We walk into the heart and order our usual, me a hot chocolate anda her a white chocolate mocha. Me and Olivia are complete opposites, actually. I hate coffee, but she will drink it for every meal. I like Converse, she lives in her Vans.

We find a table and wait for our other friends,  Lexi, Nathan, Kali, Charlie and Dean to show up. Lexi and Nathan have been dating for over a year, while the rest of us stay single. Although we all know that Dean and Olivia totally like each other, even if they deny it.

 

“So, Sophie, before everyone else comes, wanna tell me something?” Olivia says to me, like she knows something I don’t.

“Uh, I failed my physics test?” I say, in confusion.

“No you dummy! You and Charlie! There is totally something going on there!” She exclaims.

“You’re crazy, Liv. Me and Charlie are friends, and thats all.” I lie through my teeth, Just last Saturday, Charlie had come over while I was home alone. It ended up with many hickeys and some Ramen at 3 AM.

“Sophie. I’ve known you for how long? Ten years? Eleven? Tell me, in detail.”

So I crack and tell her what had happened, just as the rest of the group walks in.

“Olivia, do not tell anyone okay. Its not official yet and we promised to keep it a secret.” I whisper to her as they approach our table.

We all sit and chat for almost two hours, when I excuse myself and head to the bathroom. While washing my hands, I hear a knock on the door.
“I’m in here!” I shout to whoever is outside the door.
The knocking persists, until I open the door, and see nobody. I walk out the back exit to see who the hell needed to pee so bad, and see nobody yet again. Just as I open the door, a hand covers my mouth, and I am dragged backwards. I kick and thrash around, but the person has a strong hold on.

“Okay, I will not hurt you. I am going to let go now. Please do not scream.” The mysterious, male voice says, letting go of me.
My first instinct is to sprint as fast as I can inside, but for some reason, I stay.

The man takes off his hood, and I am surprised by his age. He has black, scruffy hair, and his wearing all black. Black pants. leather jacket, and a t-shirt that says “My Chemical Romance.” He is young, maybe only two or three years older than me.
“Thanks for not screaming, man. I appreciate it.” The boy says in a more laid back tone.

“Excuse you? You just scared me half to death and you’re calling me ‘man?’ No way Jose.” I say back.

“Actually, my name is Chris, thank you very much. And I’m actually here to help you, believe it or not. So lose the attitude.”

Wow, this guy is an asshole, I think to myself. He continues on, despite my lack of response.

“Look, take this, alright?” He says handing me and necklace. It has a chain with a gold whistle on it.

“What is it for? Why should I even trust you?”

“You’ve had bad luck you’re whole life, right? Well this will stop that.”

“How do you know I have bad luck? Do you follow me around all day?” I ask

“No. Kinda. Nevermind, just wear it all the time, and you will be safe.”

He walks away. No explanation, nothing. I start to run towards him after he turns the corner, but he disappeared. I start to walk back inside, but Charlie is already outside, walking towards me.

“Where the hell have you been?” He asks with a worried tone in his voice.

“I just needed some fresh air, thats all.” I say hiding the necklace in my pocket.

Soon after. me and Olivia head home, and I get a chance to look at this necklace. I lay in bed and hold it in front of me. There isn’t anything special about it, really. I decide to keep it, and place it on my nightstand, and drift to sleep.