Konnichiwa! So, I've started a totally crazy writing project. The idea was actually planted in my head by one of my friends, who had no idea what a twisted thing she was planting in my head. All she said was this:
"Wouldn't it be so hard if you had to write an ongoing story, when you had to write one segment a day?"
And I thought, I want to try that.
So, here we are with this story. All of the Words. The basic idea of this project is this:
1. I'm going to try and write a chapter a day for at least six months, a year if possible. The only times I'm excused from updating is when I don't have access to a computer, but even then, I have to write a chapter and update it later. Also, if I'm sick, I don't have to write one.
2. Each chapter is going to be set around a word, either one that I feel I had a strong connection with during my day, or just one I pick from my Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
3. All the chapters will be somehow interrelated. This is an AU story, and all the characters are attending or teaching at the same school. Chapters will be from different viewpoints, but I have to incorporate what happened in previous chapters.
4. If I fail to do this, there will be a consequence. I'm not sure what this will be yet. Maybe I'll let you reviewers pick. Just don't make it too cruel.
Without further explanation, here's chapter one. Word picked from my dictionary.
…
Façade
Rustle, swish, click, swoosh, plop, thud, shriek, bang, tinkle, sigh.
Serra stared at herself in the mirror. Short-sleeved white denim jacket that tied at the waist over a lacy pink camisole. Matching white miniskirt with black tights and her satin pink shoes. Hair tied up in pigtails with two black ribbons. And finally, her gold heart locket with her parents' pictures enclosed.
Fifth foster home in seven years. She'd lost track of how many schools. She was pretty used to the whole "new kid" routine by now.
Serra's Rules to a New School
1. Make an impression. At least then maybe someone will remember you being there, even if in a negative light.
2. If someone approaches you, let your bratty side come out and drive them off. It'll just hurt more (when) if you are sent back if you make friends.
3. Pay attention to the teachers. As soon as you are eighteen, you're off to live on your own.
4. (Don't cry) Stay strong.
5. Remember, it'll be over in about seven hours.
"Serra!" her new "mother" called up the stairs. She couldn't quite remember her name. Lisa or Lorrie… Mark was her new "father" however. She knew his name because he'd been the one to pick her up. It was her way of being grateful.
"Coming!" she called back, taking one last glance at herself before running out of her new room and slamming the door behind her.
…
She grabbed a piece of toast slathered in butter and shoved it in her mouth. LisaLorrieLillian sighed, "Can't you eat like a civilized human being?"
"I can," Serra replied through a mouthful of crispy bread. "But I don't want to be late for my first day of school."
LinaLeenLizzy frowned in concern. "Are you sure you're okay transferring in the middle of the year?"
Serra just grabbed her blue messenger bag and flew out the door without responding to Miss L's (as she'd chosen to call her) question. Because, the truth was, she didn't really know the honest answer, and she hated lying. She lied a lot, but she hated it. Avoiding the question was so much less guilt-racking.
She hopped on her bike (she couldn't stand buses) and pedaled toward Emblem High School. Her school for sophomore year. She couldn't bring herself to hope for more than that.
It was about a ten minute ride, and she locked up her bike with fifteen minutes to spare. Plenty of time to get her schedule.
The office was just inside the main doors. She walked in and leaned on the desk closest, palms placed flat. A rather hassled looking young man, green hair in his eyes and sticking up in tufts , raised his head to look at her. If he could see through that, anyway.
"How may I help you?" he asked, voice overly stiff and formal. Probably training, she figured. She glanced at the pin on his shirt.
Lowen Cavalier
Assistant to Marcus Paladin
Emblem High School
An assistant then. He cleared his throat, and she realized how long she had been silent. She gathered her thoughts, thinking to herself, That's already one slip-up today.
"I'm Serra Cleric," she said loudly, and she felt him wince, although it was hard to tell through all that hair. She continued at the same pitch. "Today's my first day, and I need my schedule."
She almost added please. (She wanted to add it.) However, it could be taken as friendly and she did not want that. She could not be thought of as friendly.
"Uh…Right," he mumbled, rustling the papers on his desk around. She rolled her eyes and tapped her toe loudly. She found this wait, this man, this school annoying already. (She would have thought it was amusing seven years ago. She still sort of did. But she didn't want anyone else knowing that.)
Finally, he located a single sheet of paper and held it up triumphantly. (She suppressed a smile.) She frowned at his overly dramatic display.
"Here you are!" He exclaimed, eagerly thrusting the paper toward her. She took it gingerly, like it might bite her. You never know. It could.
"Will you be needing any assistance?" he asked her. She schooled her expression and kept her body calm. No need to panic. Just say no, Serra.
"I'll be fine on my own," She assured him cockily. "I've done this thousands of times. Don't worry about me."
He seemed unconvinced by her assurances. His head swiveled around like an owl's. She watched, slightly horrified as it turns around backward and in a circle…
Not really.
"At least let someone show you to your locker," he attempted to persuade her. Serra's eyes narrowed. Time to bring out her inner brat.
"NO," She said firmly, ready to launch into a tirade, but Lowen didn't seem to hear her. His eyes were focused on a lanky figure slinking in the door. He smiled. Serra buried her fingers in the desk. Her hands are trembling.
4. Don't cry Stay strong.
"Matthew," Lowen called. The figure froze and turned to face him. Serra didn't move. She was praying. "Could you show Serra to her locker? It's #174
Please let him say no, please let him say no, please let him say no, please let him say no, .
"Sure," Matthew replied, shrugging. "Why not?"
Because I don't want you to! She screamed at him in her head. But on the outside, she just turned slowly and gave him a ten-thousand watt smile. She could tell he wanted to cover his eyes. Good. He won't like her even if she slips. He won't care if she slips. She was starting to feel like she was going to slip a little today. Nothing was going the way she wanted it to yet; why should it later?
"Aren't you sweet!" she shrieked. Now she knew he wanted to cover his ears. She sure did. She stalked up to him and gave him a pinch on the cheek. "And so cute too!"
Now he wanted to slap her hand away. Good, good. But he was too polite to actually do it. Instead, he just spun on his heels and marched out of the office. She followed close behind.
…
The walk was silent. Maybe she had had nothing to worry about after all, seeing as he didn't seem to want to be friendly. Good. She didn't have to do anything other than keep the smile fixed on her face.
However, her relief was shattered when he asked, "So, where are you from?"
Out of all the questions he could have asked, it had to be that one. She clenched her teeth behind her smile, trying to find the best way to avoid the question. A vague answer should do it.
"Around here, actually. I just moved into a different school district! Anything else you want to know?" she asked, batting her eyelashes. Wait. Had she just ask him to ask more questions? She really was slipping up today.
"Why'd you move?" he inquired, seemingly more relaxed after a relatively normal answer. Darn. She'd have to think up something good for this one to satisfy his interest. Or…responding with a question would work.
"Why do you want to know?" she shot back, leaning forward and smirking at him. He looked startled for a second, but then frowned at her.
"Just making conversation," he muttered, turning away. Serra grinned at her success. She'd gotten through both questions without actually lying. She'd just withheld some things. And really, it was none of his business.
"Here's your locker," Matthew said suddenly, coming to an abrupt halt. She backpedaled until she was even with him again and inspected her new locker. Relatively decent compared to some she'd had. "What's your first period class?"
"English with Mrs. Reglay," she answered, too lost in her thoughts to really process his question and to think of a good answer. Then she froze, realizing what she'd said.
"I've got her too," Matthew was saying. "I can show you there if you want."
Damn. She raised the voltage on her smile before turning to face him. "Awww, how sweet! But don't worry about me, Matt! I can find my way easy!"
Although he still seemed unconvinced, his annoyance won him over. "Don't call me Matt. And stop smiling so brightly too, it's annoying."
Her smile faltered. Out of everything she'd ever been called, she hated annoying the most. Because she wasn't. She wasn't. She-
"I can't keep her. She drives me crazy!" A black-haired woman complained to the phone, unaware of the small figure lurking behind the corner. "Honestly, she needs something every ten seconds and eats about six meals a day. I can't afford her habits!"
There was a pause as the phone responded, soft enough so that Serra could not hear. The woman shook her head vigorously as she replied, "She's too annoying. I'm going to have to give her back. It'll be better for her anyway."
"Serra? Hey!"
Serra started, vision swimming a bit until she focused on Matthew's slightly confused and concerned face. Realizing how long she had been out, she plastered back on her fallen smile. "What?"
"Are you okay?" he inquired, haltingly, like he wasn't sure how to react. She faced her locker, but kept her voice bright. "Of course!" she exclaimed. "Why wouldn't I be!?"
It sounded terribly fake and shaky to her ears. Matthew took a breath, obviously to pursue the matter, but she cut him off before he started.
"Class is probably going to start soon, and I don't want to make you late. I should be fine from here! You go on ahead, Matt!"
She heard him take a step back. "If you're sure." He answered, adding, "If you're not feeling well, the clinic is right by the office."
"Thanks, but I'm fine!" she responded, still not turning around. "See you!"
His only response was running footsteps. She exhaled the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She couldn't remember the last time she had slipped up so badly. Now she would have to be really careful around this Matthew guy.
She couldn't afford anyone seeing through her façade.
…
Well? Did you enjoy it? This idea came from the fact that Serra's parents left her at an orphanage when she was young in the game, so I guess the modern version of this would be the foster care system. However, she has not been adopted yet, just shuffled from house to house.
But I disclose too much. Read to find out more.
Please please review. I LOVE feedback, positive and negative. And for those of you who read my other collections, I will be updating those every once in a while as well, just not as often as this one obviously. I'm planning on getting back to Haikus and Cogito Ergo Sum soon. I'm really running out of colors for Painter's Pallet, so that one might be a little longer.
Have a nice rest of the day. Sayonara.