Me Myself and my other Side
It is last day of High Scholl after a very long winter. She sat there in the auditorium beside Miss Buchanan, pretending that she was listening to the grade seven speeches, but she was really staring at the minute hand of Bill Bowen's Westclox watch; eleven more minutes till summer!
She might have been enjoying the countdown with Ayame, or she might have been making fun of the teachers with Sango. Instead she was shifting recently on her folding chair, her legs corkscrewed, her hands neatly folded, trying not to look at Miss Buchanan. How this arrangement with the seats came about, she was at loss to say.
Only seven more minutes. The math teacher was now making an extremely long speech about how pleasant it was for him to teach this year, everyone knew he was lying. The crowd launched into limp applause. If this was a morning assembly, the student body would have rung the rafters begging for an encore in hopes of shaving a few minutes off the next class. Now everyone's eyes, like hers where glued on the clock.
At last, a proctor unfurls the Union Jack. The whole school sang their anthem. She didn't remember the whole song so halfway through she started to sing in a low whisper Old McDonald.
The bell rings on four o'clock on the button. Principal Burns announces, "School dismissed."
With a whoop, everyone races for the exits. Reaching underneath her seat, she pulled her skateboard out. Her green shoulder bag was already slung on her right shoulder. She quickly joined the rest of the screaming teenagers outside. Closing her eyes, she breathed in sweet smell of the summer. She could feel people shove her aside. She would have yelled at them but she was in a happy mood at the moment.
As she opened her eyes, she dropped her board on the cement. Putting her right foot on the board, she pushed off with the other. Slowly rolling down the black pavement, feeling the warm wind brush against her face. Going to a halt, she could hear the screeching sound of brakes.
Looking to her right she saw Ayame on her BMX, leaning towards her. She had a bright smile plastered on her face. Her jeans had patches with different kinds of fabric. Her green John Deer t-shirt complemented her eyes.
"Aren't you extremely happy that we are free from the hell hole for ever?" Ayame practically screamed to her. She just gave her a big nod.
Both girls heard someone scream, their names out. As they looked back they could see Sango running toward them. As she arrived at their side, she was panting. Looking up she spoke to both of them. "Let's leave this dump." Ayame smiled, "Lets." Sango climbed onto the back pegs of Ayames bike. Ayame slowly started to pedal, Kagome stayed to her side.
"So, what are we going to do this summer?" Kagome asked.
Ayame looked back at Sango, both girls smiled. Sango was the first to answer.
"Ayame had a great idea of having a road trip; we would go with some of her friends…" Ayame continued. "…but also we would enter "blue forest" it's like battle of the bands, but you don't just play at one place, you go to all kind of different concerts, and if we do they would pay for our hotels and food!"
"Wow, that sounds cool, but like when would we go?"
Ayame quickly answered her. "We would leave tonight."
"That's so soon! Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I just thought about it during lunch."
She looked down at her shoes. Would dad let me go?' As she looked up she noticed that she was just outside her house. "I'll have to ask, I'll call you later."
"O.k. then…see you later Kag! And if you come don't forget to bring your bass."
Both girls disappeared around the corner. She flipped the board into her hand, walking toward the porch; she lifted up the welcome mat. Taking the key from underneath it, she unlocks the front door. The house is dark-not even a night lamp, also extremely quite. She assumed that her mother was grocery shopping, her brother maybe at a friend's house and her father at work. She bounded up the stairs two at a time, fifteen of them, curving around. As her right foot touched the top one, she heard the clearing of a throat. The door to her father's bedroom is open. He calls. She freezes. Her other side took over at that point.
Her other self lies on her daddy's bed, her arms glued to her sides, her legs numb. For the first time, penetration is attempted, though it is by no means completed. It feels as if she was being repeatedly punched in the belly, forcing all air from her lungs. She feels used, not as one person exploited by another, but as a condom is used the discarding in the gutter. Tears ran backwards down her face into her hair. Her emotions she held so tightly in her chest that blocks about everything else is grief.
She just lays there numbed on her daddy's bed, but with ears pricking like a dozing cat. Listening has become an obsession for her. Listening for foot steps, for creaks in the floor, listening, listening for-
A loud metallic click. She stiffens-the downstairs latch. She hears the door open. Simultaneously her father leaps up, snatching for his trousers. "Get out!"
The downstairs door closes. Footsteps up the stairs, fast and light-one, two, three, four… They stop directly outside the bedroom. They pause-a long and awesome silent. A rattle. The doorknob begins to turn. Her father shouts, "Don't come in I'm dressing!"
The knob stopped, then rattles again, as if a hand were still holding on. Her other self stood perfectly still, like an animal caught in the head lights, her jeans in one hand, her t-shirt in the other. She could feel something tightened around her wrist, as she is flung across the room. Her father pushes her into the little bathroom. The door is tightly shut. She just stood there. She could hear mother enter the room. They were talk to each other.
Her other self just stood there, too scared to move. What if her mother saw her?
"I think I'll have a bath." Hearing her mother walk across the room. Her stomach tied into knots. Looking back, she sees an open window. With out any time to lose, she slid out onto the roof. She could hear the doorknob rattle. Crouching down she crawled out of view of. She could hear her mother close the door.
She closed her eyes shut, trying not think of just what happened. As she put on her clothes, she sat down on the tiles of the roof. Looking up at the stars…the stars had no worries. All they had to do is shine the brightest they could. They didn't have a father, a father that you were scared that didn't love you. A father that used you. Or a mother, a mother that you were scared to hurt. Stars had no troubles.
Pulling her legs to her chest, she wrapped her hands around them. Putting her head down, she cried, she cried for her mother, she cried for her brother, and she cried for her other side. Slowly, she picked herself up, walking toward the edge of the roof. Looking down, she noticed that she was pretty high up. If she fell, she could easily break her spin and die instantly. Right in front of her home, she shuddered. This place wasn't her home. It was more like a torture chamber when her father was around.
Putting a foot over the ledge, she spread her arms out. Balancing on one foot. She could just kill herself right now, she wanted to, but something inside her didn't. Slowly placing her foot back down she looked straight ahead. She had to get away from here.
Zipping up her bag she put it over her shoulder. Quietly, she walked down the stairs. It was late at night. She slowly walked toward the living room, she new that her mother was there. She stood at the door way, looking at her mom. She was knitting a sweater for Sota. Kagome was the first to speak.
"Uhm… mom, I just wanted to tell you that I'm going to be leaving for a while… with some friends."
"I know, your friend Ayame told me already… I hope you have a good time!" She said as she stood up.
"You already know!"
"Yup, she told me all about it… you should hurry up, I bet they are waiting for you, and don't forget about your guitar." She went up to her and gave her a gentle hug. "Thank you…" Kagome said in a low whisper. Her mother stepped back, looking at her daughter.
"Honey, I think you should maybe wear something else than your pajamas pants."
"Mom, I'm wearing these as pants…"
"Oh, well that's strange."
"Could you tell Sota that he can have all my video games, and my bike?"
"Honey, your bike is pink and it much too large for your brother…. And your going to be coming back, right?"
Her other self looks down at her shoes, she wasn't really sure if she was coming back. "Don't worry mom, I'm coming back."
She smiled at her. As she took her guitar from the closet, she walked out the front door. Looking back she waved to mom.
As Kagome walked down the street, she thought that all her troubles were gone. But she was soon going to be proven that she was wrong.
Jogging up the steps of Sango's porch she could feel herself tingle of joy. If she was with her two friends at the moment, she would of broke down and disco. Opening the screen door, she knocked at the wooden door.
She stood there for some time, until the door was swung open. Kohaku and Sota were looking straight at her; they had shaving cream in their hair. They were both smiling evilly.
"Uhm, could I speak to Sango?"
"She already left with Ayame."
"What! She already left."
"Yup, and she told me to give you this…" Kohaku said as she reached into his pocket, he gave her a crumpled piece of paper.
Looking down at the paper she noticed that Ayame had written her a note. Kagome pointed at a red splotch on the paper.
"What's that?"
"Uhmmm… I think that's ketchup from our supper."
Looking back down at the paper, she started to read it.
Hey Kag,
If you have this note it means that you are coming with us to the road trip. If your actually not coming and you some how got the letter by accident, then you are missing out on something big. I'm actually writing to you because I want to tell you that Sango and I have already left, you might have noticed this already. (We left early because Sota and Kohaku were annoying us.)
Now, to tell you were we are. I have drawn a map in the back of this paper; if you don't understand it call me. Don't forget to bring your guitar and some clothes. I will see you soon! (Watch out, Sota and Kohaku have shaving cream, and you know that equals to trouble.)
Luv ya!
Ayame
Kagome turned the paper over to look at the map, it looked very complex. Stuffing it in her pocket she looked back at Sota.
"By the way Sota, you can have my pink bike."
"Good bye Kagome." He said as she went up to her and gave her a hug, patting her on the back. Kagome just stood stiff; it was very rare for her brother to give her a hug. As he walked back beside Kohaku, she could see Sota grin evilly. She stared at them for some time, until Kohaku spoke.
"I believe you should be leaving now." As both boys waved to her, the door was shut quickly. She could hear them giggle.
She slowly went down the steps, looking back at the house, she wondered why Sota was so nice to her. Reaching into her pocket, she took the note out. As she looked at the small map, she slowly figured out that that they were located at a parking lot. Stuffing the paper back into her pocket, she set of to her destination.
The air was cool, so she put her hands over her ears. Closing her eyes, she walked across the street. Suddenly, she felt something, something following her. Putting her hands back down, she stood perfectly still. Slowly looking back, she saw nothing. She drew out a large breath of relief. Looking back she saw a face dramatically close to hers. She screamed like a mad women.
Jumping backwards she put her hands into fist, standing in a boxing position. Looking at the man, she noticed that he had a purple Mohawk, and he had a large drench coach. In his right there was a leather suitcase. In his left there was a knife.
He smiled at her "Well hello Missy, I see you are all by your self." Kagome just gulped. Putting his bag beside him, he put the knife in both palms of his hand. "This is a sharp knife…" He said as he stepped closer to her. "It can even cut through bones…" Kagome could feel her heart pound in her chest, who the hell was this guy? "It's hot off the market…" A smile curved his lips. Kagome was about to scream. "…and it would be perfect in your mother kitchen!" Kagome was dumbstruck. "Did you just say… "it would be perfect in my mother's kitchen"?" The man shifted the knife between his two hands. "Yup, you can also cut a frozen meal with it… it cuts like butter, ill's show you." He directed her toward the ledge of the sidewalk, making her sit down.
Opening his bag he took out a cutting board and a tomato. Placing it on the ground, he held the tomato on the board. He slowly cut it in thin slices. "See." She gave him a wane smile. This was really strange.
"And its only $8.46!" Kagome got up and brushed the creases from her green sweater. "Well I have to go now… Mr. …" She walked away from the stranger, she then saw something jump in front of her.
It was him again. "Your not leaving are you Missy?" Kagome stepped back. "Yes, in fact I was… could you please move away now." He stepped forward. "But this would be a wonderful knife for your mother."
Kagome was steaming. This guy was so hard headed. "FINE… ill buy your crappy knife…" She dug around in her pocket. "…here's the money, now LEAVE ME ALONE!" She grabbed the knife from his hands. As she stomped away from him, she could feel water run down her cheeks. Looking up at the sky, she felt rain hit her face. It was raining pretty hard. She suddenly heard him speak again. "Would you like to buy an umbrella Miss?"
"NO!" She walked away in a quick pace, going through someone's yard. That was really a strange moment she just experimented. The rain was falling even harder now. Her clothing was drenched. Looking back, she was relieved that the stranger was gone. A sigh escaped her lips, she was glad it was over now.
Walking through some bushes she felt herself fall face first in the grass. Getting up on her knees, wiping her face with her hands she could feel a sting across her palm. As she brought it up to her face she saw blood spread across it. She must have been gripping the knife too hard.
Getting up, she took the knife in her other hand. She slowly walked through a hedge; she could see her two friends underneath an umbrella. They were both chatting about something random. Jogging toward them she waved her fee hand in the air to get their attention. As Ayame looked up she screamed. She took the umbrella that was covering her and Sango, and threw it at Kagome.
She was lucky that Ayame couldn't throw for her life, because the umbrella only hit her foot.
"What the hell was that for Ayame!" Kagome yelled as she picked up the umbrella.
"Oh… is that you Kagome?" She asked she squinted her eyes.
"YES!"
"Ohhh… I thought you were a weirdo that wanders the streets.
Kagome just closed her eyes and sighed.
"You look like a wreck Kagome, what happened." Sango asked as she took the umbrella and put it over them.
"Oh, nothing much, I just ran into this weirdo who was selling knifes, I ended up buying a knife, I then cut my palm, fall down face first and get drenched by the rain. Nothing much."
"Let's get you cleaned up or something like that." Sango directed her toward an open trunk of a car. Kagome sat on the ledge as she dried herself off with an old towel. As Kagome combed her hair with her fingers, she saw three boys come up to them. Ayame pointed toward them.
"These are my three friends, Koga, Miroku and Inuyasha." She said as she pointed to each boy. Kagome just waved to them. Two of them waved back to her, the other just stated to look around. One of the boys took her luggage and put it in the luggage compartment above. Everyone went into the car. The one named Miroku went in the driver's seat, the one named Koga sat in the passenger seat the other one sat with the three other girls. The car didn't have any seatbelts, so they had room to move around. As the car started to go down the street, Kagome yawned. Looking to her right she saw that Sango had already fallen asleep. Kagome was also tiered.
"Good night Ayame…" She said right before she closed her eyes. Nothing was going to keep her awake, not even a tornado.
"Good night Kagome, and by the way, you have a kick me sign on your back."
Well that kept her awake.
end of chapt.
Please review!
