Collide
Chapter 1:
Two figures ran through the fresh, white snow in the backyard of a house. They laughed and screamed as they threw snowballs at one another, their smiles were wide and bright as they made snow angels. Through the frosty panes of my bedroom window I sat watching the figures, knees held to my chest and my long brown hair falling over my shoulders. I slide my finger over the chilly glass scrawling my name, Mary Hayes into the frost.
The two figures running around and having the time of their lives are my cousins. Eight year old cousin Ella and ten year old cousin William. I myself am 15 years old. You know, I used to be proud of my age and how much more mature I was then the rest of my family. But the more I watch my small cousins frolic outside, the more I envy them. The light winter wind that is letting the snow fall softly to the ground is gently pulling at the loose blonde curls of Ella's hair. It also smartens the colour in her cheeks because of how cold it is. They are a rosy pink. She looks as if she is a little cherub and it makes me smile. Again, I wish I could join them. But shaking my head, I know I cannot because of one simple thing: a history test. For tomorrow morning, a horrendous Monday morning.
I looked down at those evil pieces of paper that were scattered across my bedroom floor, the history notes that I was forced study. I picked up a few of them and upon reading their titles, I began to reorganize. After putting away all of my World War 2 notes, I decided that I might as well organize the rest. My mom would absolutely flip if she came in and saw the mess I had made while studying earlier this morning.
Now that the notes were all rearranged and in their proper binder, I put the binder into my schoolbag. As I knelt down to zip up the bag, I heard my bedroom door creak open. Startled, I looked up and saw a figure standing in the doorway all in silhouette until a flash of red hair came into view. I gave a small smile knowing exactly who it was. The silhouette stepped forward into the light coming from my bedroom window and my best friend Victoria, whom I call Vicki out of affection stood grinning in the doorway. Her fiery red hair cascading down her shoulders and her blue eyes alight with mischief as always.
"Hello!" she singsonged as I abandoned my school bag and my window seat and ran over to hug her.
"Hey!" I replied as I wrapped my arms around her. When we pulled apart and sat down on my bed, I added "I thought you were leaving to visit your aunt and uncle for the holidays today."
"I am," Vicki said. She sounded excited and I could see a happy glow in her baby blue eyes. "But you left your sweater at my house last night at the sleepover, so I thought I should return it before I left I figured you would want it when your at your grandparents house" She then produced my favourite red sweater from her trip bag and put it in my hands.
"Thanks," I said, relieved. I had been looking for it this morning as it had been a gift from my mom two years ago for my thirteenth birthday. I wore it all the time. Vicki and I talked for a little while about what she was going to do at her aunt and uncle's house and she asked me if I had finished packing for my grandparent's house, where I was going to be spending most of my Christmas holidays helping out in my Grandpa's bookstore. Vicki's phone gave a loud chirped, interrupting us.
"I have to go, Mary," said Vicki, looking crestfallen. But then she smiled sadly. "I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too" I said, hugging her tightly. "Call me when you get back though. And take LOTS of pictures!"
"I will! Oh and tell your grandparents that I say hi" she called, for she was already out of my room and down the stairs. I could hear her mother honking the van's horn outside ushering Vicki to hurry up. "Bye Mary! Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas!" I yelled back and then I heard the front door close. She was gone. My Vicki was gone and I was utterly alone in a sea of thoughts and stupid history notes. Great.