The Entity
Chapter 1:
"Hey guys what's up?" I asked as I came upon my group of friends. I've only known them for about a year, but they were the only people I really knew. "Hey Serena. We were just going to a party at Chad's. Talk to you later." Before I could ask to tag along, Lita's long auburn ponytail was swaying behind her a few block away with my other friends, Mina, Amy, and Raye.
"Have fun." I said to them under my breath. I know I'm not as interesting as the other girls; I can be annoying sometimes, but I would love to be apart of the group again. Like it used to be. The days when I was needed, wanted, and… loved.
All I want is one. Just one to care for me and be a true friend. I just need one person able to listen and talk to me. Never in my life have I ever been around so many people and felt so alone. It's like I don't belong here and it was a mistake for me to have been brought here in the first place. It's almost as if God himself was trying to tell me not to get comfortable here, in this place I, so foolishly, call home.
My walk to the Crown Arcade was normal as usual. People minding their own business, pushing and shoving, hurrying to get to a place they think is important. It's amazing how selfish people can be. Only caring about them not even noticing the tears falling down the cheeks of the person next to them, or how their actions hurt others.
The bells signaled my arrival. "Hey Andrew." I saw him smile in acknowledgement. My eyes rested on a familiar mop of unruly ebony hair that only belonged to one person. "Darien." His eyes followed the sound of my voice. They quickly flashed of recognition. "Meatball head." I ignored him. Today wasn't the greatest day and I was sure if I didn't ignore his remarks I could snap; and not only would we be yelling at each other as usual, but I could very well hurt him today.
"The usual Sere?" Andrew asked. "I'll have a coffee with cream and lots of sugar." I felt both of their eyes on me. "Since when did you start drinking coffee? I guess I should let you know that coffee doesn't make you smarter." The mocking in his voice was obvious. "Darien now isn't the time to be an ass…"
"Where are the loud mouths?" Darien asked cutting me off. I was completely caught off guard. "Who?" He sighed. "You know those girls you always follow like a lost dog." Andrew came back with my coffee. "I don't want to talk about it." I left a few bills on the counter and left. The bell signally my departure.
"Mom! I'm home!" I shouted while I closed the door. This was also pretty routine. No answer. This was also normal. Mom and dad usually worked late together at the office. Since I am their only child I had to become use to the silence. I found a note, on the fridge, this again being normal.
'Sere, your father and I have decidedthat it would be best to sell this house
and buy another that would suit our
tastes. I know this is a bit sudden but
we feel it's best. We are house hunting
right now and we won't be home 'till late.
Money is on the stove for a pizza. Don't
worry about saving us any, we'll eat out
Love always,
Mom'That wasn't normal. I found the money on the stove, pocketed it, and left to find something cheap to eat. I can't believe they would do this to me; then have the audacity to tell me with a note. Un-fucking believable.
"Oh hey Sere. Surprised to see you this late in the day." Yeah big surprise there Andrew. I'm hungry, you're cheap, and you know I can eat Where's the surprise in that? "Just get me a bacon cheese burger and a sprite to go." He disappeared behind the swinging door, that I assumed lead to the kitchen.For 6o'clock on a Friday it was pretty empty in here. "Hey Drew!"
"Yeah!" His voice was muffled by the door. "Where is everyone?" I heard some shuffling behind the door before he emerged. "Well," he started hesitantly, "I'm going out to dinner with a few friends of mine; it's kind of our tradition. Every Friday I close the shop early and we go out. As if on cue 5 people walked in the door.
"Drew! What's happening babe?" If I didn't know any better I'd say that was Mina's voice, but… I turned around. "Mina?" She looked at me stunned for moment. "Serena, what are you doing here?" Her voice was hesitant, but she talked loud enough for the others to hear.
Lita, Amy, Raye, and Darien turned to look at me. Un-fucking believable. "Who little old me? Well I was just getting my dinner to go. I was gonna invite you ladies over, but I see you have other plans, so chao."
The cool air was very inviting as I pushed through the doors. "Un-fucking believable!" I shouted once I was out of ear- shot. Face it Serena, you are no one important; all you are is a pain. Just accept it and move on.The house was still dark. They probably won't be back 'till eleven or so.
I hate Fridays. They really do suck and sleep is now calling me; I slowly changed into my pajama pants and sports bra, climbed into the soft, plush bed, with warm sheets, and waited for sleep to take me. That phrase never did make sense to me.
'Waited for sleep to take me.' Makes it sound as though sleep could rape you or something.
'Would it take a bakers dozen to get my point to you?
Would it take a half a pound to roll a joint for you
Would it take some hailing mary's so full of grace to get my sound to you
Will you help me break it down and get on thru
Down to the other side
Its easy of you only try
We don't lie down on the job
Because once we hit the top there's no stopping us'
My alarm was going off and apparently today is Wednesday and the time is 4:oo a.m. because that's the only time I play Jason Mraz this early in the morning. I didn't move. I wasn't moving until I felt like it.
'Should I address all my letters to the well to be
Should I say return to sender is just a well be done
Should I better not take it so personally if all the good loving is never received
Baby if it was me well I wouldn't think twice'
What to wear? I found a plain, white, spaghetti strapped tank top and black baggy bell-bottoms. I brushed my shoulder blade length hair into a single pony-tail, cleaned my face, added some make-up and was out the door.
'No not I..
See its easy if you only try
We don't lie down on the job
Because once we hit the top there's no stopping us.'
There were only two places I knew that were open this early. Barnes and Noble and Barnes and Noble's Café. I got out of my sleek pink and black MR2 Spider, sweet sixteen gift, walked into the store, and directly into the romance section. I never really was a romance person; it's all Lita's fault. She got me addicted to reading them. I bought two that should, hopefully, last me until Friday morning.
"Sexy what are you doing here so early? You don't start work for another 10 hours!" Sean came in, his dyed red hair standing out in mind almost as much as his personality. "Just circulating the money back into my job Seanathan. I gotta go anyways. See you tonight, if nothing crazy come up!" I was already out the door waving before he could say 'bye'
School… What can I say about that? It's bad enough that I'm lonely when I'm alone, but damn it I don't need salt added to the injury. Just seeing all these people happy talking to their friends hurt too much.
I despise math and math analysis sucks ass. What kind of jackass puts any type of math in the morning any way? I separated myself from the girls. Somehow they managed to talk me into getting the same classes as them, and here I am sitting in a far corner of the room, alone, trying to keep hidden. The day pretty much went the same way. Alone and hiding.
"Mr. Tidwell, could you please send Serena Smith to the office to be checked out." The intercom blared the question. Mr. Tidwell was the Chemistry teacher. I felt eyes boring into me as I picked up my things and left.
The office wasn't a bright, cheery place. I think this was to keep the students from getting sent here and make the parents think their child's school is safe. Amazing, people in the world really are that naïve.
"Serena, sweet-heart, guess what? We bought a house! Your things are already set up the way you like in the new house so we're leaving so you can see it." My mother was dragging me out the office. Un-fucking believable.