Chapter One
Look in the mirror and see what you want to see. Look in the mirror and see your inner Super Man or where you will be in ten years. Look in the mirror and realize the type of person you really are and not what you're trying to be. See the tears, see the anger, see that hidden expression no one else has ever seen. Look deeper and make yourself believe that what is inside is for yours to see and no one else, whether it is good or bad. I don't see any of that when I look in the mirror…what I see is the fifteen year old girl I am. I see the slightly wavy dark redish-brown hair that slightly hangs over my shoulders and covers my left eye. I don't see hidden tears or anger in the gentle violet eyes that stare back at me, only the blankness. The tiny black fragile skulls hang lightly from my ears, despite it's creepiness doesn't add any darkness to my childish features. The small brown vest outlined in orange didn't obscure the view of my plain green shirt underneath, neatly tucked in to my black hot pants, a brown jacket tied at my waist out of habit. I knew I wouldn't need it in Savannah, Georgia, but I couldn't leave it behind for the long summer that awaits me. The mirror makes me feel small and pitiful, especially only 88 pounds while being five feet and four inches.
"Jeanette, are you ready yet?" I heard the voice of my mother ask from down the stairs. I took a deep breath; I've never really left home for as long as I was expected to leave it for. I grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, I never expected anything would tear me away from it. I was born in this house, and I expected to die in this house. Circumstance however is going to take its toll and I'll be back, I guarantee it. With that in mind, I looked away from the mirror and slipped on my black boots lined with fur on both the inside and outside. Only for a minute did I think about the intense heat that my feet would be submerged in, but it passed and I walked out of the clean bathroom, closing the door.
"Why are we going to Savannah anyway?" I couldn't help but ask it's been plaguing my mind for a while now. It came suddenly, without warning, her coming in my room to announce where we were going. My mother took a minute to answer, her long bright red hair hiding her face from me.
"An old friend needs some money, so I'm going to give him some." She finally replied. Nodding slowly, I turn back to the window. Unable to keep my mouth closed though, I turned back to her with more questions.
"Why don't you just send the money to him, then?"
"It's not that simple, Jean!" she snapped. I felt taken aback. I was just asking she didn't need to get so snippet with me. Supposing it was because of my intrusion on her business, I looked away, feeling slightly hurt. Hearing her sigh I turn to look at her. "I'm sorry, it's just…I'm a little nervous about seeing him. We haven't seen each other in…a very…very long time…" I nod with understanding, slowly facing the windshield. Without turning to face her again I ask her the question that's been bothering me the most.
"Aren't you a little worried about the sickness going around? I mean…isn't it a little too dangerous to be taking a road trip all the way to Georgia?" I felt the breaks used suddenly, nearly causing me to be propelled forward, stopped by my seatbelt. Preoccupied, my mom waved an apologetic hand to the cars behind her and eased the car back into drive before answering angrily.
"You've been watching those stupid news programs again haven't you?" taking my time to answer, I propped my elbow up on the door of the car and leaned against the palm of my hand.
"It's kind of hard to miss, mom…if you haven't noticed, it's become a major problem." She sighed.
"Yes, but it hasn't reached that far yet…we'll be fine and it's not like we're going to be staying for a very long time." She hesitated for a second before continuing. "Hunny…I need you to stay in the room we'll be staying in while I talk to my friend…okay?" disbelieving, I turned to her in shock, but she refused to meet my gaze; focusing on the road.
"What? Why?" I asked, trying to force her to answer.
"He doesn't know about you, and I'd like to keep it that way…just…don't ask me why, okay? I'll explain once you're older…" feeling defeated, I look back out the window.
"Fine…" I whispered, not even sure if she heard me. Deep inside I desperately hoped we wouldn't be staying long.
We were going to stay at a hotel called "Vannah Hotel". Unenthusiastically I began to unpack my backpack into the graciously offered dresser. My mother however, was walking around humming, placing little things around the room. "We should go site seeing while we're here! It's not like we're in a hurry to get anywhere, doesn't that sound fun?"
"Yeah…fun…" I said sarcastically, flopping down on the bed, looking at the clock as it read 7:23 P.M. Not noticing my sarcasm, my mom continued going around busily, getting ready to meet her "friend". I looked at her with narrowed eyes as I noticed how suggestive the dress she decided to wear was.
"I thought this guy was just an old friend?" I accused.
"He is." She answered, perhaps a little too quickly. I watched her pick up the key to the apartment, then look at me.
"Are you sure you will be okay by yourself?" I nodded, but unconvinced my mom walks to my bed and sits on the edge. Her hair was slightly wavy like mine, complimenting her simple black satin dress. She put a hand to her neck, where she wore an orange collar with a huge green pearl in the middle of the smooth fabric. I've never seen it before in my life, guessing it was a family heirloom that she saved for special occasions. Her skinny fingers moved along the collar before resting at the back of it, where she unclipped it and let it fall to her lap. Picking it up, she looked at it for a second before handing it to me, smiling. "A little present…"
Grinning, I take it from her as carefully as I would a baby duck. It was soft to the touch, and the pearl was oddly warm. Careful not to rip it, I clasped it around my neck. "What do you think?"
"It looks wonderful, darling…perfectly matches your outfit too! Which reminds me…don't forget to change into your pajamas before going to bed, okay?" she told me. It was only then when I remembered I was still in the clothes I wore very early this morning.
"I won't." I reassured, and with that she stood up and headed towards the door. Unable to stop myself, I called out. "Mom?"
She turned around. "Yes?"
"You will be home tonight, right?" I asked. She gave me a soothing smile.
"Of course hunny…" she said before opening the door and closing it, locking it behind her. Once she left, I looked up at the ceiling in thought. It wasn't long before the exhaustion of the day's travel reached me and my eyes closed unwillingly, drifting me to a far off dream land.