Hi everyone! It's Maddie! Wow, I can't believe I'm actually starting to write the sequel to An Escape to Reality! There were actually many requests from both readers and friends, so I was kind of forced into it ^^; The reason why I haven't written in a long time is because I got really busy with my high school's crosscountry team and being on Varsity takes a lot out of you. But, I still really want to finish this, so I'll try my best! :) Enjoy!
~Maddie
Prologue
Less than ten minutes to go…I thought happily. God, it's pretty around here…Ooo! That smells like licorice!
I sniffed in the delicious aromatic smell and felt the ocean breeze blow back my sweaty bangs out of my face. I was running with the high school's crosscountry team along a trail that started in the mountains and ended at the beach. It had been an hour now, and I was so close to the ocean now, only by half a mile, that the scent of sea salt was so strong that I could taste it.
My running partner and I rushed past the gate that was the end of the trail, and weaved in and out of the campgrounds. Finally, we turned a corner and found ourselves at the parking lot, finished. The ten mile run was over.
"Yay we did it again!" I hugged my friend. "That went by way faster than it did last time we ran this!"
"Well of course it did," she laughed. "One, you've run this a couple of times now, so you know where you're going. And two, even though it's only you're second time, you beat your last time by a long shot because you know how to pace yourself."
"I guess so," I shrugged. "You got the same time as me, right? Sixty-seven minutes?"
She nodded, "Seriously, Maddie, I think that with you being on Varsity ever since last year as a freshmen, we could definitely win state again this year. Even though, we don't have Skiba, Jessica, or any of the other seniors…"
"But Kaycee is definitely as good as Skiba this year! And you are like Skiba's support that Kaycee was last year! Then Brittney will take her place next year!"
"And then you'll take over Brittney's place!"
I smiled secretly at that and sauntered over to my fellow Varsity runners who had already finished and chowed down on some bananas and bagels with them. Later, after everyone had finished, we all walked down to a private beach and swam in the icy ocean to relax our muscles.
I'm baaaaacccck~~!! The beach run was amazing! So glad that I was able to go after all!
I wrote on my Facebook profile. It wasn't long before Lilian opened up a chat box and started up a conversation with me.
That's good that you had fun. I just got back from a Tennis Tourney.
Ooo!! Did you guys win?
Hell yeah! We whopped their asses man!
Awesome! Hey, is your team going to Mammoth in like a week?
Yeah…wait, are you too?
Yeah! So is Noah's soccer team! That's so cool! Maybe we'll see each other up there!
Yeah, are you guys going to be practicing in the morning? We are.
Uh…yes, I think so. We should hook up after practice then.
Alright, sure. I guess I'll see you in a week then.
Kk. See ya.
"Alright, climb out and listen up!" our coach yelled. "I'm only going to explain this once, so pay attention!"
I painfully climbed out of the car, staggered, and fell to the grass on my back. Driving in the car from southern California all the way to Mammoth, and then running seven miles all the way up to Mammoth Rock and back, there was no way in hell that I wasn't the only one who was exhausted.
"Tired, Maddie?" my coach laughed.
"J-just a little," I replied sarcastically.
He grinned and turned to the rest of the collapsing athletes, "Ok here's the deal! I was notified by one of the assistant coaches that two other teams from our school is also training up here, not to mention the three other crosscountry teams. Those two teams will also be rooming with this team in the same lodge, so its going to be very crowded in the mornings, considered that's when everyone will be practicing, when it's cool outside. I understand that most of you are friends with these other athletes, so I'm allowing you to talk and hang out with them only when we are in the lodge for free time. The coaches and I are going to arrange some day trips for the teams to get together, so there will be plenty of time to socialize. However, realize that we aren't here to get together with friends, we are here to learn and grow as a team. So get all of your belongings, and we'll head over to the lodge and assign rooms."
Everyone groaned and groggily got to their feet, for they had all followed my lead and collapsed to the soft and comfortable grass the second they stepped out of their cars. I took a hold of my one black rolling bag and started to head up towards the giant wooden building that loomed before us in the small parking lot. South from the lodge were the many wooden souvenir shops and then north of those was The Yoddler, where the team held a party of buffet tables, music, and dancing on the last night of the trip. South from this tiny restaurant was a giant patch of unoccupied grass in which the team performed its afternoon core work and exercises. West of this was the terrifying gondola that took tourists up the mountains and gave them a breathtaking view of the area from the height of 9,000 feet. Surrounding this whole area were incredibly tall mountains completely covered in white and pink granite, rich, dark soil, and millions of evergreen trees as far as the eye could see.
I dragged my fifty pound piece of luggage to the elevator and jabbed the dirty button as hard as I could. I waited there for a good six and a half minutes, and by then, mostly everyone was waiting behind me. However, as the door slid painfully open, I realized that in utter horror that it was already full and heading up to our floor.
"You've gotta be shittin' me!" I cried out in shear anger. "Fuck this, I'm taking the stairs!"
That was the most agonizing mistake I had ever made in my life. And of course, everyone else was smart enough to realize that carrying luggage half your weight up three flights of stairs was suicide. Not me, I was too stubborn to even think about that.
"Hallelujah!" I gasped in relief. "I…made…it!"
I slowly dragged myself and my bag down the hall and stopped in front of the apartment that was assigned to the sophomore girls…and then that's when I realized that I didn't have the room key. I knocked on the door patiently, but when no one answered, I started pounding on it. Giggling could be heard on the other side of the cream colored door.
"Aw c'mon you guys, let me in!" I pleaded.
The girls burst out into sheer laughter and because of this, I kicked the door. Only encouraging them, I was forced to whip out my ID card and pick at the lock along with a hairpin until I finally got the door open.
"I swear to God…" I growled, pushing the door open. "I'm gonna…kill…you?"
The entire apartment was completely empty and quiet. I made my way downstairs and found the second door wide open.
"Tch, they ran away," I rolled my eyes. "How typical."
"Having problems?" a familiar voice came from behind me.
I smirked and turned around to face the top of the stairs, "Hey, Lilian. You here already with your team?"
"Yep," she slid down the stairs railing. "I see it's the same for you."
"We've actually been here for a while," I scratched my temple. "We worked out before we got here. Anyway, are you allowed to be in here?"
"Of course we are!" Noah popped up behind me, holding Angel in his arms.
"Alright," I sighed. "You guys can help me unpack then."
They shrugged and entered my room that I was sharing my running partner. Noah brought out the Xbox 360 and hooked it up to the television while Lilian brought out my laptop, Angel sat on the ground, tail twitching, and I unpacked my clothes.
"Oh my God, I can't believe you, Madeline," Lilian sighed as my laptop started up.
I turned and immediately blushed. She was staring at my desktop background, which was a picture of the Naruto characters and us all together in front of the Teahouse. Angel hopped into my arms and whimpered.
"Well…I…um…" I couldn't think of a lie to come up with. "It's just that…we haven't been there in two and a half years…it's been so long…"
"Yeah…two and a half years…" Lilian murmured. "Things sure have changed since then…"
I nodded. Things sure have changed…
I looked Lilian and Noah up and down. Lilian and I both had grown a couple of inches taller and both kept our hair the same length. I still had contacts, but Lilian had finally gotten rid of her glasses and braces once and for all. We were both also physically more fit.
Noah, on the other hand, had changed dramatically. He had grown many, many inches taller so that he was almost as tall as me. He had cut off all off his long, blond hair and it now hung like a shaggy mop in his face. Noah was built more muscularly and his feet were enormous. I had a thought in my mind that if we were to ever go back to the Naruto world, no one would ever recognize us.
Besides…I thought. Things…
"MADDIE!!!" someone called from upstairs. "WE'RE GOING TO EAT DINNER NOW!!!"
"Alright!" I shouted back. "Be right there!!"
"Oh, and…" the freshmen came down the stairs. "Nick wants to sit next to you."
I blushed and told her again that I wouldn't be long.
Really have changed…
"Hey, check it out!" Noah pointed to the window. "A shooting star! Let's make a friggin' wish!"
"Uh…ok…" I murmured. "Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?"
They smiled and nodded and Angel barked happily. There was a moment's of silence and then suddenly, a bright white light started to emit from my laptop's screen. It kept getting brighter and brighter until my vision blacked out.
Ok! That's it for now! Tune it later! :)