Lazily I blink my eyes open, half expecting to be back in my apartment looking up at my ceiling. After I blink a few times to clear the blurriness of sleep I barely hold back my groan of dismay to find nothing's changed.
I'm still trapped here, stuck in a bedroom that is an exact replica of Ali's. I lie still, hoping that this will all have been an illusion, that it will fade away and I'll be able to go home. The chimes begin and I squeeze my eyes shut, willing it all to go away.
I feel like I'm barely containing my urge to burst into tears as I haul myself out of the bed before grabbing clothes from the closet. It's the same outfit everyday, and it's driving me insane. I pause and stare at the bright yellow top for a moment before finally sliding it over my head.
"Good morning, bien-" the monotone female recording begins to play and the door unlocks. "Please follow the lighted pathways-" "Yeah, yeah I got it." I softly growl to myself, careful to not be too vocal as I leave the pristine replicated room and follow the lighted pathway in the dim metal hallway. I glance at the other doors as I walk, I've always wondered what lied beyond their cool metal exteriors. What could possibly be in them.
As I follow the path I think about what could be on the schedule for today, my question is quickly answered when I step into the small room that I've come to realize is a game room. My eyes land on a board game, and I look at the camera and do my best to keep up the 'Alison' act.
"Oh, a game! How exciting." I glide forward and open the box, revealing the board, pieces and thankfully a handwritten set of rules.
I find myself blinking rapidly in confusion at the words. A game designed to pick who I was going to the 'prom' with? "What?" I whisper, my voice louder than intended. My head snaps up when I hear the chimes, signaling a letter for me in the hand crafted mailbox behind me. Quickly I spin around in my chair and pull out a small envelope.
Ripping it open I yank the decorated paper out and stare at it with widened eyes. It's an invitation to prom, decorated like the ones from a few years ago when I won prom queen- A Night at the Opera.