My Life As I Know It

Chapter 2: Am I going crazy?

The final bell rung out announcing the end of the day. Madison and Sam met up with Katie at her locker in the upstairs English area. "Hey girls, how'd you survive today?" asked Katie with a smile. "Two words: Mr. Evans," replied Sam. "Ugh that's rough Sammy", Katie grimaced. "What about you Maddy how'd you hold up?" Katie waited anxiously for her to reply. "I guess okay. No grumpy teachers and minimum classes with David," Madison admitted. 

"Maddy I feel like there's something you're not telling us", Katie looked at Madison with questions. Madison knew Katie could see right through her. Even when she pretended to be over David, Katie was the wiser to her. She knew deep down her friend was still hurting. Right now though, Madison didn't feel like being so readable. "There's something I need to try to figure out, but I feel like I need to do this alone", Madison replied. "Maddy we hate when you don't confide in us", Sam sighed. "I'll talk to you guys once I figure out what's going on", Madison promised as she grabbed her stuff out of her locker to head out for the day. As she walked away she heard the faint conversation of her friends. "I'm worried about her Sammy". "Me too Katie". 

Trying not to think about her friends concern, she reached for her earbuds, and tried to tune out everything and everyone. The song Ludens from Bring Me The Horizon sounded through her earbuds. Madison didn't want to hide what was happening from her friends, but this was different than just having heartbreak. Something was after her, and no way would she endanger her two best friends.  She could feel a presence of something or someone even though there was no one visibly there. The hairs on her neck pricked up just as her unease did. She needed to calm herself down, so with that in mind, she tried to imagine her Florida vacation with the girls. She thought about everything down to the last detail. She found a vacant spot near the exit of the school and closed her eyes for a minute. She envisioned the cool, white sand under her feet, palm trees everywhere, and an ocean so vibrantly blue that tranquility and inner peace could be found there. Everything she imagined was so real in her mind, she wished with everything in her being that she could be there. As if on cue, with her eyes still shut, Madison's surroundings started to change. Sensing that something was different, she opened her eyes and with wonder and disbelief she looked upon her surroundings which were no longer West Lake, MN. She trudged through the wet, white sand and noticed a sign posting: Welcome to Siesta Key Beach, FL. "How in the heck was this even possible?! I have to be dreaming. There's no way this is real," Madison said to herself. She quickly closed her eyes willing herself back, and like it was just a dream she was back in her home town. Feeling freaked out, Madison had to confirm that she wasn't going crazy so she checked the bottom soles of her converse sneakers. They were covered in white sand. 

Trying her best not to scream in the school parking lot, she hurried to her Chevy Malibu in the far side of the parking lot. When she finally reached her vehicle and made it to her drivers seat, she let herself fall apart. "Why is this happening? I cannot deal with this on top of everything else!" Madison yelled as she burst into tears. This was too much. She was already a mess and she definitely didn't know how to deal her quote on quote new ability. Was this why these things were after her? She couldn't help but feel there was some sort of connection here.  Doing her best to compose herself after her breakdown, she readied herself to drive home. She spotted David laughing with a group of his friends i.e. the popular crowd. A crowd she was privy to last year, but after her fallout with David, she discovered quickly who her real friends were. She was grateful that her two best friends Sam and Katie stuck by her side even when she was being a real airhead and bitch. Although it broke her, breaking it off with David, she didn't like the type of person she was around him. She lost so much of herself and even now she's still trying to find herself again. Slowly finding all of those pieces again and trying to find the things in life that she once enjoyed. Doing her best to slow her emotions and hurt, she put her car in drive and made her way home.

Thinking about how she needs to work on picking up the pieces in her life, she decided to stop at the little bookstore in her town. It was downtown next to the cutest little cafe that she remembered watching folk artists when she was younger. Even now she could picture them strumming on their guitars without a care in the world. Madison thought about the days when she took guitar lessons, and wished it was something she didn't give up on. Someday she needed to get back into playing again she thought.  

With a plan in sight, she made her way downtown. She parked her vehicle across the street from her destination. The area was bustling with people, and many cars fighting for a parking spot. Not wanting to be hit, Madison made sure that all vehicles came to a complete stop before crossing. Her opportunity soon arouse and she quickly ran across the street. Minus the traffic and chaos the downtown area was a really neat place. A place that Madison hoped would ease her troubled mind at least for the moment anyway.