June
The clang of the locker echoes through the hallway. Various stares came to me.
“I’m so done with this.” I groaned.
“ It’ll be over soon Alice. Unless, you know, you go to college with me.” Avery smiled.
“Yeah right.”
We walked down the hallway towards the cafeteria. I only have two weeks left of school. Then I’m on my own. I slammed my books on the table, pulled out my notebook, and started scribbling in it. Mr. Wilkins walked into the room. His little bald head bobbing. I set my notebook down. Clasping my hands together.
“Welcome everyone. It is time that you think about your future. The past doesn’t matter anymore, but it is the rules to mention those who we will miss for graduation of 2023.” He said monotonously. He pulled out a folded piece of paper and unfolded it.
He read aloud, “This year, 2023, is the year our biggest class will graduate. We have had some good times, and some bad. We have gained and we have lost. May 28, 2023 is Graduation day. We need to remember those who will not be with us on this very important day.”
Then all I heard was blah blah blah, June Addy, blah blah. A ripple of nausea came over me. I looked over at Avery who was sitting right next to me. I gave her the, “just don’t think about it” look. We put our attention back to the wrinkled old man.
“”So may you all have them in your hearts and remember them forever.”
Then he started talking about all the boring stuff of becoming an adult. After a while, Avery tapped my shoulder motioning me to get up. Now on our way to Calculus.
“It’s our fault you know.” Avery hugged her books against her chest.
“No it isn’t. We were eight. We couldn’t of saved her anyway.” I hissed.
I walked towards Calculus. Sat down, and just sat there waiting for this day to be over.
***
It was soggy and wet outside. Rain paddling on the wet mud beneath our feet. June, Avery, and I ran through the woods trying to get back home. Our little white dresses soaked with rain water. I glanced to my left. Avery with her perfect brown ponytail now drenched. To my right was June. She skipped through the mud with no worries. Her black hair swayed every step she took. I was scared and cold. Worrying we wouldn’t get home.
“Come on Alice! Let’s go across the bridge! It’ll be fun!” June’s tiny voice yelled with excitement.
“I don’t want to. It’s too wet.” I answered.
But she led the way. I wasn’t going home alone. Avery and I followed her. Dark clouds stormed above us. Thunder crashing down every second. The bridge was long and made of wood. It was very old. The cracks and drawings told its story. Hardly any railing surrounded it. June ran as fast as she could, Avery just behind her.
“Wait for me!” My desperate voice yelled.
Water splashed up my legs. June stopped dead in her tracks. She looked over and stared at the water. She slowly walked to the edge and sat down. The rushing water below us fascinated her. Her legs dangling.
“Look at how cool this is guys!” She yelled.
“June, we have to get home!” Avery yelled.
“I just, wanna get closer to it.” June said.
She leaned forward, acting like her hand was touching the water. The bridge creaked and the railing was breaking.
“June! Get away from there!” I screamed.
The railing busted.
Shards of wood being thrown left and right. June’s lanky body fell into the treacherous water. Her screams echoed. Avery and I ran towards the edge screaming. My body froze. June drifted down the river. We ran to the other side. We didn’t even react, we just stood there, helpless. There was no sight of June. Avery balled. I looked at her. Her face swollen, wet from tears and rain.
“Come on, Let’s go home.” I said with no emotion.
We ran home. Not thinking about it. That’s just what we said. Don’t think about it. It’ll all go away.
***
I shot up. Sweat dripping from my face. I threw the covers to the side. I walked to the bathroom and splashed cold water onto my face. My reflection stared back at me. Wet pieces of hair framing my face. Dark circles below my eyes. I snatched a towel and buried my face into it. I looked over, the clock read 3:23 a.m.
I walked back into my bedroom. Letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. I paced around my room. Why am I having dreams about June? This never happens. My eyes led me to the light beaming from under my door. I left the hall light on. I stepped forward, my breath caught in my throat. Shadows of footsteps walked across. I’m the only one that’s supposed to be home alone. My heart raced. I didn’t know what to do. I dialed Avery’s number. I have to be going crazy. She picked up on the 5th ring.
“Avery, there’s someone in my house.” I winced.
“Oh my gosh. Alice, I had a nightmare about June. I’ve been up since one.” Avery said shakily.
The footsteps became rapid. Running across the hallway down the stairs.
“I did too Avery. It was so real. And now there is someone in my house! What do I -
The door swung open. An outline of a girl with ratty hair and a ripped dress stood in front of me. My heart stopped. I couldn’t believe what my eyes were telling me. The unknow girl ran towards me screaming, raising a knife. I screamed and ran to the opposite side of the room. She ran into the window, glass littering the floor. I turned towards the door and ran down the stairs. She followed, she was relentless.
Forgetting Avery was on the phone. I yelled into it.
“Avery! She’s chasing me! She’s trying to kill me!” I cried.
I turned left to the kitchen, swiping my arm across the counter to block her path. The clang of crashing dishes made my ears ring.
“What is going on? Alice what was that? Speak to me!”
I came to a dead end. I slammed my hands on the wall. She ran into the kitchen, stopped and looked at me. A vicious smile came across her face.
“You should have saved me Alice.” A harsh voice whispered.
I couldn’t make a noise. She walked towards me with the knife clutched in her hand. The moonlight shined onto her face.
“June? You’re still alive?”
“And now you’re dead.”
By Abigale Thomson
