The Blessed Curse

Rose

When I woke up this morning, I was inside an abandoned house. It gave me the creeps but I was even more terrified when the mirror in front of me showed the reflection of Rose. I believed that I was dreaming at first but then a bellowing moan shook the whole house and I ran out as fast as I could and went to school from there. When I woke up, I thought I was in a nightmare. I was terrified to be in someone else's skin and when I saw her red, raw eyes in the bathroom, I thought she was my savior. In truth, she's a monster. I miss my mom, my dad, and my friends... 

The final class ends but before I can ask Rose where she lives, she storms off down the hallway. Rude. I'll have to find it on my own. I unlock my phone with my thumb and locate her parents in her contacts. Luckily, there aren't only three numbers: Mom, dad, and Mandy. My finger presses down on "Mom" and the phone dials. I patiently wait for Rose's mom to pick up; however, she never does. Next, I click on "Dad" but his phone is completely disconnected. I throw on my backpack and head downstairs to the main office.

Mrs. Kowalski chews on gum, never failing to open her mouth every time she chews. Her eyes are practically closed beneath her circle rimmed glasses and when she hears my footsteps they open back up.

"Hello. Can I edit my parents info? My mom changed her number."

"Sure. Here." She hands me the paper for emergency contacts and I scan it for my address. I discover that Rose's parents are Mrs. Myra and Mr. Maximus Jackson along with the address and I scribble on the paper. Mrs. Kowalski wasn't paying attention and didn't notice that I hadn't changed the information when I gave it back to her. "Have a good day."

"Yea, you too."

***

I finally arrive at the dreary, bleak house that is a water stained white with paint chipping off its tiles. The front door is locked and I circle the house until I come by the back door which is unlocked and leads to the kitchen. I step in and walk down the hallway and an archway leads into the living room where a woman is sound asleep on the couch, snoring. I walk up to her and shake her leg. "Why didn't you answer my call?"

She stirs in her sleep but fails to awaken. I give up and search for my room. To the right of the living room is the master bedroom where Myra should be sleeping. The only other possible place where my room could be is upstairs so I head up and right at the top is a sliding door. I glide it to the right and observe a room filled with dust and cobwebs filled with junk. In the narrow corner at the back is a mattress planted on the floor with no frame. A thin blanket drapes over it with lumpy pillows to match. I slide my backpack onto the floor and belly flop into the bed. The springs are shot so I'm practically sleeping on the floor but after this entire day, I need a nap. I relive my heavy eyes by closing them; however, my mind won't shut up.

I've been planning for this Saturday's fundraiser for a month and now all that work will go down the drain. It was an effort to revive the drama club since the principal wants to cut off their funds and give it to the football team; however, I don't believe that Rose will be successful. No, she most likely doesn't even care. If I talk to Eva, perhaps she'll allow me to help out. I may not be running for student council president anymore, but I don't forget the promises I've made.

My thoughts begin to fade and the next time that my eyes open, it's 4:30 in the morning. My back aches as I slide out of the bed and I begin walking around the room, attempting to numb the pain. After ten minutes, my back is sore but no longer feels like it's in knots. There's an outlet with a charger plugged into it next to the bed and I plug my phone; however, nothing happens. I unplug the charger and walk downstairs and notice that the T.V. that was on all night is off. Also, Myra is finally awake and smashing buttons on the remote. She mutters under her breath, "Fuckin' thing."