Life After Disney

Part 1: The News

"Paxton," my mom called me from 2 stories down, "letter for you!" I raced down the, what seemed like endless, staircase. When I finally reached the bottom, my mom was beaming.

"Is it from the government?" About 2 months ago, I entered a contest for a free trip to an old amusement park called Disney World. I've been fascinated by it ever since I was 8 and picked up a book about it. A few years ago, I got to watch movies, so some Disney ones were introduced. The perks of turning 14 were wonderful.

"Yes. Congratulations." I stared at in awe; I could not believe what I was seeing. My childhood fantasy was going to become my teenage reality.

"Don't just stand there ya lunkie. Open it!" My younger sister decided to walk in right then.

"Okay, Okay. I will." I ripped open the white packaging holding my future. All I needed to read was the first couple sentences to know it had finally happened. "I won! Oh my god, I won!"

"Do I get to come?" Of course my sister would think of herself.

"That's the best part! You don't!"

"Lunkie! I hate you!"

"Hahaha!"

"Children, get along for god's sake!" My mother always wanted us to be perfect, just like her and her brother.

"Fine mother!" My sister stormed out of the room.

"Finally, that stupid lunkie is gone!"

"Paxton! We do not talk about people like that. Leave my presence."

"Bye!" I walked out of the house and headed to the green. My friend, Riley, always hung out there. I hoped that she was there so I could tell her the wonderful news! I walked down that dusty road with a smile on my face. It was a rare occurrence for me to have one of those. My eyes searched the green for her bright face. All they could see were trees, just turning colour. It was beautiful. I saw the small stream and next to it, a figure. It was wearing a red bunny hug, jeans, and black boots. Riley. I ran to her side.

"Wow, you sure are happy today" Her smile greeted me.

"Yep! The letter, it, it, it..."

"OH MY GOSH! I am so happy for you Paxton!" Her arms wrapped around my shaking body. I wanted to stay there forever.

"I wish you could come." Suddenly, my face went hot. I knew my face matched her bunny hug.

"Don't worry about me. You just go have fun!" She punched my shoulder. "Bring me back a bracelet if it'll make you feel better."

"Okay."

"So, how's your mom doing? Raising you 2 on her own still or does she have a helper again?"

"By herself still. Frankly, we raise ourselves." At my comment she giggled.

"Want to walk around?"

"Uhh, sure."

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"I'm home!" I slammed the door. With every step a new creak was added to the chatter of our house. I slammed the door and fell onto my bed. She was my best friend. Why was I feeling this way about her? Sure, she was beautiful, funny, sweet, but we have been friends and only friends for 13 years. To try to get my mind off things, I began to draw. Like all the pictures on my wall, I started drawing that mystical place. I started sketching an old ride, The Hollywood Hotel Tower of Terror. I drew it how I would imagine it looked like in its prime. Soon the basic outline came into shape, then the sign at the top. I drew every little detail I could think of: lights, cracks, trees, ropes, and most importantly, people. I drew until my hands couldn't anymore. I stepped back and admired my art. I glanced out the window. It was dark. I glanced down at the clock. 8:30? I thought. I missed supper! I ran downstairs to see my mother, putting away the dishes.

"There you are Paxy!" That's my mom's stupid name for me.

"Sorry, I got distracted."

"Supper's in the icebox!" She exited the room. I pulled open the handle and a wave of freezing wind hit me like a giant bullet. I glanced in to see pita bread and salad on a plate. How typical. I sat down at the table and stared into the blank nothingness of my backyard. All of a sudden I heard an ear splitting scream. I leave my meal and head towards the windows. At that exact moment, there was a knock at the door. No one ran to go get it so I did. 4 people in navy uniforms awaited me, staring down at me as if I was their meal after weeks without one.

"We need to go, now."

"Wait, what?"

"Change of plans on the trip to Disney World, we leave now." The men grabbed my arms.

"Mom! Mom!"

"Your mother already knows about the change in plans." He turned to his entourage who had some bags that must be mine. "Move out!"

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