Haunted Hotel

Chapter 1

"Will you be alright on your own?" Mom asked anxiously.

"Yes Mom," I said rolling my eyes. "It's only for three days, I'll be fine."

"You'll get to school on time and keep up with homework and-"

"Mom," I said, "I'll be fine." I walked over to the cabinet and grabbed the cereal. My mom was going to a symposium for neurologists. A symposium is a fancy word for saying conference. My mom was a neurologist. She treats injuries that pertain to the nerves in the back of the neck and in the head. The conference was being held in Ogden, at the Ben Lomond Hotel. She was a little overprotective and the idea of being this far away from me only made it worse.

"Can I invite Bea over today?" I asked.

"I don't know, honey," she said. "You need to keep up with school."

"Mom, today's Friday. You're only going to be gone for two and a half days. I won't get behind. Besides I have Monday off."

"Alright," she said "dinner is in the fridge." She kissed my forehead. "Love you."

"Love you too Mom" I said.

I finished up breakfast, and Mom left. I put my dishes in the sink, grabbed my backpack and alto saxophone and headed out the door. I was 16 and had my drivers' license, but even when the car was available, I usually prefered to walk. In my opinion, cars give off too much pollution to make it worth it. My friend, Beatris Jones calls me a tree-hugger, but at least I don't have to pay for gas or for car repair if I wreck it.

Once I got to school, I met Bea at my locker and asked if she could come over after school. She said that she could, but she'd have to come over after dance class.

School went as well as school can. Today was actually better than usual. I only had two panic attacks due to deadlines that I swear did not exist before today. I have the suspicion that teachers have magic whiteboards that change the due dates every time you look away. Today I was surprised to find that we had a science project to do.

At any rate I got extra study hall after school to catch up. Basically it's detention for having late assignments. I got caught up for the most part. I was supposed to stay later than I did, but my teacher let me out earlier than usual. She reasoned that I was mostly caught up and I had no need to stay any longer, since I could do it at home. I have my suspicions that it was only because of my constant questions about the assignment. Nearing the end she had sounded a little more than frustrated with me. Even though I got out much earlier than usual, I was still very late getting home. By the time I got there Bea was there and waiting on my front porch swing.

"Sorry I'm late" I panted "I was-"

"You forgot both the English and the History assignments and as a result got detention. Well done Alex."

"Oh, shut up" I said as I unlocked the door. "Speaking of, don't we have a science project."

"You mean the one due Tuesday"

"...Due Tuesday? When did we get the assignment. "

"We got the assignment last week." We collapsed on to the couch "Have you even started it"

"Maybe..."

"Which means no" Bea sighed "Alexandra-"

"You know I don't like to be called that, Beatris." I rubbed my forehead "I really am not in the mood for a lecture Bea."

We stayed there for a while talking and laughing. Bea finally left at six saying that she had to babysit for the Smith's. I started to work on my science project and was making good progress. I finally turned in for the night at about ten thirty. I was expecting nothing else to happen until tomorrow. (Note to self: Never expect things to work out the way you think they will.)