Chapter One – The News
Semerah, Pennsylvania 1962
"I can't believe summer's actually here." Leslie said in relief. "School's been such a pain in the ass. I'm glad it's over for a whole, good two months."
"Don't you know it?" I agreed. "Finally we get some relaxing time!"
The last day of Tulsa High School had ended moments after 2:50pm today. After a year of hard work, we the students were released on summer vacation.
"Defiantly." Leslie said. "We should go shopping tomorrow. You know, just for the sake of being out of school."
"Well tomorrow I start my new job at the movie theater and I'll also be working Sunday. So how about Monday we go?" I suggested
"I can't." Leslie shook her head. "Coach is making us practice all week starting tomorrow."
Leslie Charles is my best friend. She's sixteen like I am, and a cheerleader. Along with that, she's also a swimmer. I don't know how she does it, but she does! In my point-of-view, Leslie's a very dedicated athlete and passionate about what she does. Her hair's honey-colored along with having her chocolate brown orbs. Since she was Italian, Leslie also had a fair-looking tan. On the other hand, I, Jessika Marie Thompson was kind of the opposite of Leslie. I was more into art, photography, and literature. Along with that, I was interested in watching wrestling and playing baseball. My hair reached down about to my shoulders; it was ebony and curly like my mothers.
My eyes were a blue-green mix with sharp pupils. A lot of people told me they looked like cat eyes. Ever since I entered middle school, Leslie was always my closest friend. Even if we had our fights, both of us would make up after just a couple days or so. And now we've just passed our sophomore year; and we're still best friends.
"Damn, a whole week? God, they've got you pretty much tied up don't they?" I said amazed.
"Yeah I know." Leslie rolled her eyes. "I love cheerleading, but hate the hours they put on us."
"That's why I'm not into sports." I told her. "I'm not in shape and would never be able to keep up with all that."
"Being in cheerleading for seven-to-eight years, and swimming for two years, I'm used to it." Leslie said.
We were walking from our bus stop, but as we got closer to my house I said "Anyways, we'll have to plan something soon. But I'll see you later Les'."
I stopped walking when I reached my drive-way. She continued on and waved good-bye to me. "Alright talk to you later."
I waved back. "See-ya!"
She turned away and headed towards her house. I stepped on the black tar driveway of mine and wondered over inside.
"Hi mom, I'm home." I called to the house casually. After years of living in my house, you pretty much get used to the same routine.
"Hey sweetie!" I got back as responses. I knew my mom was in the living room watching her soaps. She works from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm as a librarian down at the local library in Semerah. After her shift is down, someone else takes over and she goes home. My dad worked at Front St Auto Sales as a mechanic. He worked from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, so he was still at his job most of the day. Then there was my lovable brother Jason; he also worked with my dad at the shop (as we called it) working on cars.
I went into the living room to see my mother where I suspected. "How was your day?" she asked.
"Alright, it was kind of boring. All we did was watch movies. What about yours?" I replied to her.
"Same here." Mom said. "But I have good news that will possibly make things seem less boring."
I turned my head in her direction. "How's that?"
"We might be visiting Tulsa soon."
