The Fire of Secrets
"So buy one today!" the announcer on the T.V. said jamming his finger at the camera, his smile way too big. Zoom. Chicora turned of the television with an annoyed sigh. Why was she always spending her Saturdays, or any day, like this? Wallowing in front of the T.V. What was her calling? She had no special talents.
Chicora glanced at the clock. Just an average girl with average friends and average grades. Ya know, 3 or so friends to hang out with on her birthday or whatever.
10:03.
"Not even lunchtime", she thought. Chicora would be turning 15 in a couple of months. 4 and ¾ months to be exact. She always did that. Ever since she could count she had counted down the days until her birthday. Chicora leaned her head back against the couch and stared at the unfinished paint job on the ceiling. "Mom hasn't worked on that in weeks" she thought. "Just last week she finished the bathroom décor!" Chicora laughed, "That was started 5 months ago!"
Looking down at his papers, her dad walked into the room. Chicora's Mom and Dad were total opposites. Mom almost never gets a job done, and Dad is always busy with something so he can get it done and move on to his next task. He never showed her his work either. Not once.
"Why aren't you practicing your clarinet?" He asked, not taking his eyes off his papers.
Chicora rolled off the couch and played dead in response. Sticking out her tongue she replied, "Eh dun wun ta".
"Well do something productive." With a wave of his hand, her ever-working dad left the room.
After raking leaves, washing the car, and giving in to practicing her woodwind, Chicora was wiped. Falling into bed, she almost forgot to pray. So she pulled herself out of the mass of comfort and softness and forced her tired body to the windowsill. Looking up at the stars….what? One was falling! Out of habit, she quickly made a wish. Then, Chicora opened her eyes and saw the streak of light hurl into her backyard with a splash of sparks.
Chicora winced and shielded hers eyes from the bright light. She bolted down the stairs, taking them two-three at a time. Her heart beat rapidly. After all, she didn't know what to expect when she got outside. Forgetting it was really late at night, she made a LOT of noise. It was pitch-black and the moon was waning through the blinds into the living room casting an eerie shadow on the floor. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. The door alarm sounded.
"CRAP! At they haven't turned on the full alarm……" she thought.
"Chicora Mai Hiwatari! Get in bed!"
"Coming!" Chicora yelled up the stairs. But her curiosity controlled her feet. She found, they led her outside. She approached the UGO (unidentified glowing object). It smoked and made her squint and cough.
"CHICORA!"
"Just getting some water!" she lied.
"Outside?" her mother's tone was not agreeing with her.
" uh-oh"
Chicora grabbed the…thing then dropped it again with a surprised expression. It was burning hot! Pulling her sleeve over her hand, she picked it up again. Succeeding she slipped up the stairs. She didn't realize how much energy that took! Hopefully her parents would forget about the noise by tomorrow.
She fell asleep instantly and when her clock's green numbers read 10:07, Chicora was in a deep sleep…..