A/N: Warning! Loads of references, see how many you can pinpoint!
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Life Between Two Worlds
Chapter Three: Ponderance
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I sat in within chair comfortably, sipping a cup of apple cider spice while I watched TV. Managed one page on the essay, but I still have a page and a half to complete. Pfft. Suppose it can wait until later, I also racked up and went through other sets of homework, ''c'mon Mikey! Why do you have to be so stupid?'' I may like Michelangelo, but I absolutely distasted his recent idiocy. This episode is a rerun, I'm just waiting for a legit new episode for Saturday, ''hm, I wonder what else is on.'' I muttered, grabbing the remote to change the channel. Flipping through the TV, I had little hope for anything interesting.
To my non-surprise, nothing is appetizing currently.
Welp, back to the internet. I changed clothing from earlier and now dressed in furry pj's with a regular red tanktop, oh, and some red socks too. I went upstairs to my room and closed the door.
Mental exhaustion hovered over me without realizing it when I laid on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling… School, homework, home and fanfiction. It's been the same thing since last week, and the other week, repeating over and over again… guess not really bothered by it once you become adjusted and immune to the whole boredom thing; and besides, with internet friends and interesting new videos from Pewdiepie to watch, it's not that all bad. ''But still…'' there's nothing exciting, nothing worth waking up for! Screw my LP driver's permit, that's not enough for my mother to road school me, and my brother barely takes me out anywhere, so I'm stuck in this house. I sighed, closing and my eyes slid shut. Where I work, my boss is a mute, so it's a little bit difficult to communicate with him… - only with his wife can she discode sign language, and I don't really talk much with her.
My friends are awesome as they keep me company when I'm lonely, but… I need a thrill, a rush of adrenaline. The MS fair passed weeks ago, so that's definitely out of question. I turned over, staring at the window with black curtains shadowing the outskirts of my hometown. I'm hoping that once I turn eighteen or nineteen I can find my own place, like an apartment, and then I can be free to do what I want…- besides being restricted by college.
Being miserable isn't the best thing, I understand, but all I have is my fangirl fandom, hobbies and internet that subsides my sadness.
I hate being stuck at home.
Complaining won't change anything. Not to mention I hate it when my subconscious scolds me.
Looking at Greg Cipes won't help my depression either… he's not interested to be in my dreams. Limply my fingers grasped the handle of a lamp that's positioned beside me, suddenly the whole room bloomed in darkness. Sleep greeted the mind and I welcomed it when eyes began to droop gradually, the bleak black soon nurtured to the unconscious world.
. . .
My horror overrides all shock and confusion. ''What the heck…?'' There is no way I'm that… that abomination standing in the mirror. I checked my hands, body and feet, palms caressing my cheeks for anything abnormal.
No, don't feel nor see anything disfigured.
The room is shady, intensifying the fear. Nothing more than shadows and darkness hugging me, only dim light hung over the mirror that stood before me. Before then I walked blindly for minutes until I found some form of light, and then to find simply a tall mirror.
Of myself.
My afro, gone, replaced with… nothing; I'm bald. Instantly I check my scalp, yet I felt curls of hair… what's going on here? I… I see myself skinny, very skinny- skinny that I see ribs. This isn't me, what the hell is this place?
I gulped, and I raised my hand- and then shock it to my chest in fright. That hand, oh god.
TIME.
I squeaked and twirled, trying to find the mysterious voice, ''w-who are you?'' I shout, trying to see through the black.
I glance back at the mirror, and I jumped feet away. That's not me…!
Head tilted, almost about to fall off its neck by the simplest movement, and the words TIME punctured into the scalp. It reminded me of the same posture of The Grudge Girl…- okay, I need to leave, like, right now. As I moved away, its black pupils motioned with my frightened brown ones… ''Time.'' It whispered.
What about time? What time?
''What the hell…'' I whispered. Abruptly, the mirror broke and shattered glass pieces onto the floor. Without a second to last, I made a break for it, running away from the mirror with full speed I can form. I knew that if the glass breaks, then the reflections would come after you; I'm sorry, but I'd watched too many horror movies. Moreover, you know that saying don't look back? Yeah, I stupidly did just that. I looked over my shoulder, and my heart stopped.
The body is coming towards me and it isn't even moving.
RUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUN-
TIME. YOU'RE OUT OF TIME.
Its mouth opened and a black fog slithered its way out, and suddenly, the body that I proclaimed wasn't mine dropped to the floor as a lifeless ragdoll. Broken. Just then, I realized that even I wasn't moving… ''please don't hurt me! W-what do you w-want?'' I whimpered, trying to move but no avail for I'm paralyzed.
Your body.
The fog, dust, spirit…thing came closer and closer and there was nothing I could do except to watch in terror.
GOODNIGHT.
''Wha-!'' My shaken eyelids flew open and with instinct, I scrambled behind the sheets of my bed, blinking at the sheer blue light that reflected from the moon and my jittery eyes scanned around the room for anything suspicious or disturbing. I calmed my breathing. Thankfully nothing disturbing, it's only a nightmare.
Damn those creepypastas… knew I shouldn't have read em'.
I shivered at the image of myself. I couldn't believe I can be so… creepy. Sleep still accompanied me, but I wasn't so sure if I was ready for it after the nightmare, truthfully, I was a little scared.
Glancing at the alarm clock it stated 3:40 AM. I have to get up around five fifty for school, so I really can't ditch this sleep.
What happens if I suffer through that nightmare again? I haven't had nightmare in a long time, so this have been the first that greeted me within a few months. I reached over to my table and snatched my ipod, unraveling the earphones and embedding them into my ears. Once I had the music I wanted, I tried again for restful sleep.
The alarm buzzed, and I end up punching the damn thing. It wasn't intentional, honest, I just wasn't paying attention to hit the snooze button, and end up knocking the alarm over completely. I actually went through a blank sleep, no nightmare but no dreams either. My mind discarded the whole nightmare itself, because simply, it's just a nightmare.
I hope.
I gotten out of bed and went to grab clothes for school. ''Let's see… t-shirts, skirts… nope.'' I've dug through few sets of clothes until I finalized on a yellow t-shirt with pink butterfly designs, regular country jeans and a black jacket.
Taken a swift shower and now fully clad in my attire, I shoved all my school items in the backpack and trudged down the steps for some cereal. When I went down the steps, I smell the aroma crispy, mapleness of bacon and salty meat sausage, I grinned. ''Morning Amber.'' My mother stood at the opening of the kitchen, an olive apron draped around her waist as she wield a spatula in her hand. Only when my mom is in a good mood she would cook breakfast for us on certain week days.
Oh, happy days.
''Morning mom.'' I greeted, setting my backpack at the door. ''What's for breakfast?'' I asked, ''eggs, sausage and bacon. Your brother and father are sitting at the dinner table.'' I nervously laughed and slid a hand behind my neck, ''well… I'm not really in the mood for sitting down and eating, I'm going to be late for school.'' It's somewhat the truth… though, mainly I wanted to leave early so I can finish up building a little tree house with my friends. Mother lips curled into a deep frown, ''Amber it's only 6:30… the least you can do is sit at the table and we can have a family conversation.''
''…'' I shifted, folding my arms with pout, and then after a minute or two, I sighed. ''Okay…'' my mother patted my head, ''good girl. I'll be at the table within a minute.'' I groaned and rolled my eyes, walking to the dining room. My mother tries to create this whole 'family meal-time' thing for we can get together and have a family chat about our boring lives, but personally, it's not really working since all we do is eat in silence and barely ask two questions. My brother sat at the right side of the glass table while my father sat on the left, ''good morning.'' My father said, and I grunted in response.
I pulled out a chair and sat quietly, staring at plate before me. The scent of hazelnut lingered from its steam as my father taken another sip of his coffee, staring at sets of mail paper. His dark eyes glanced at me briefly, and then returned scanning stacks of mail, ''how was school yesterday?'' He asked and I shrugged, ''it was alright, school is school, nothing important.'' He nodded, ''anything special?''
I shook my head, ''no sir.'' I mumbled.
''Okay.''
''Yeah… so how was work yesterday?'' His black, neatly cut hair stood up from his scalp and his milk chocolate skin became more… darker from all that oil and smoke. ''Work, you know how my boss want the motor engine's fixed.''
''Oh…''
''Breakfast!'' Plates of eggs and sets of meat were present at the table with pictures of orange juice. My brother shoved his phone in his pocket, and began rolling up his sleeves to eat… ''wait Mitchell, we need to say blessing first.'' My mother scolded. Internally, I huffed.
Another pointless morning.
I closed the door and readjusted my backpack, ''I have about… five minutes left.'' Just gone through ten minutes having a 'family breakfast' which consisted nothing more than silence, clatters of food and more repetitive questions from the other day, and the other day… and the- you get the point. My brother already left, so I'm walking alone while my parents may possibly do things that I don't wanna know. Down the sidewalk, I brought out my ipod and twisted my earphones into my ear, ''let's see what to play…'' I always bring my ipod with me while I'm going to school, it's like, my drug! I'm such a techno-addict, hell, I can't even live without my own laptop.
Pretty sad, isn't it?
As I pass by shops and mini stores, my mind reverted to yesterday with the elderly lady, Gladys. I never told my family about meeting the woman and I probably won't since they think she's evil, hm… it makes me wonder sometimes why they distaste her beside being a witch- uh, psychic.
GLADYS EBONY SPIRIT SHOP
Even though I haven't intended to pause, my legs slowly ceased its movement as I gazed directly at the store, unmoving. I've taken in good measures of the store's italic title, its sleek, golden and black boarder outlines… reminds me of a Chinese restaurant. Somewhat curving on the first letter, and then majority all bold…
How come I never noticed this? Out of all people and their little knit-knack stores, I have not paid attention to this throughout all my life? The building looked a little run-down but still maintains its old-fashion; is this appearance supposes to represent all psychics? I shook my head, ''of course not.'' It's not like all psychics are evil, they're just people who contact spirits, simple.
''I'm a professional spirit caller and Shaman.''
Nevermind this bullcrap, I have to get to school.
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I moved briskly to the wooden table, trudging along my artwork and writing folders. Finding a table that is close to a tree I decided to sit there, ''ah, seems like a good spot.'' I commented and sat underneath the shade. I was on school break for ten minutes, so I wanted to burn some time sketching art and creating ideas for my novel.
Inhaling felt like absorbing fresh crystal, cool air. I hummed happily, opening my art folder and picked a few papers. It was noon; blue invaded the sky with tints of cadmium yellow and light golden aura around the bright sun. The autumn tree leaves had turned into colors of russet brown, golden yellow and orange; now starting to fall into endless piles, ''very nice outside.'' The trees decorated around the school nicely, and because of the leaves it made everything much more appealing.
I love the fall… A faint smile caresses my lips as I breathed once more. Instead of sucking up the fall atmosphere and letting my mind slip from my objective, I looked down at my sketch papers and frowned. Okay, I need to finish up two adoptable pieces and then make another Adventure Time picture. I pulled out my first adoptable character and gave a haste analyses.
Simple Sugar Rush adoptable, didn't sketch over her puffy skirt and have yet to sketch out her legs! I grabbed my 2B pencil and flicked the pencil repeatedly over the paper, scribbling over the empty spaces and filled them with light shades of 2B pencil color. Stopped for a brief moment and began tapping on the table, narrowed eyes scanned over rough sketches of her panel and then let out a soft sigh. I try really hard, but this character isn't coming out right…
Cotton Mellow isn't just a random name! (okay, maybe somewhat…) I given this character that name because it's suppose to represent softness and shyness, heh, so much for a Sugar Rush character. I glared at the skirt and I erased it, for the fortieth time. Sometimes, I really love drawing, however I have the tendencies to absolute HATE drawing! It just looks too ugly! But Jamie says it looks fine…
I finished sketching her legs and doodled a simple go-kart for the character. Ah, looks a lot better now. I smirked, feeling pride overwhelming me.
It's an awesome feeling to know that you came from terrible Sonic recolors to digitalizing adventure time characters. A quick scribble of my name, I took the picture and- ''what's up Nerdy Afrodo?'' I stiffened, frowning deeply when I heard that obnoxious voice.
…
I sneered, ''what the hell you want, Brodie?'' That stupid asshole constantly picking on people for the dumbest reasons.
Guess that what makes the world go around.
''Nothing but living my life, at least I don't waste it by doodling cartoons all day.''
''Go away, no one needs your comments.'' My bland morning is turning sour by the second with this idiot lingering here. ''Hey look Brodie, Nerdy Afrodo drawn herself with a cartoon character!'' My attention snapped from Brodie to his little goon, Zach, holding my artwork paper of TMNT… my stomach plummeted, ''give that back!'' I jumped up from my seat and tried to take the paper only for Zach to move it out of my reach.
''Aww…! She's hugging the purple turtle! She must love him… which, by the way is bestiality.'' That ugly grinned made me want to rip it off his ugly face!
''Give it back!'' I shouted, angry tears forming between my eyes. ''Lemme' see!'' Brodie took the paper and gave it a good look, ''wow, looks like she's humping him or somethin'…'' ''Give it!'' Complete humiliation coursed through me, and the tears dribbled down my redden cheeks, luckily because of my large glasses, they couldn't see them. Brodie's blond hair made him look like a queer, and with that dumb smirk it made him ten times more of a faggot. ''Aw, hurt your cartoony feelings? Here, take that garbage, no one wants to see that five year-old shit.'' He dropped the paper, and I snatched it before it fell to the ground.
''You dumb loser.'' I growled, but all Brodie did is laugh, ''says the one who talks about cartoons all day, whose art looks like a two year-old did it! My dog can do better than that!'' I clenched my fists and I pushed Brodie with all force, he staggered, ''leave me alone!'' I was focused so much on Brodie that I didn't realize Zach was behind me…
I felt pressure behind my back, and suddenly I'm pushed onto the ground. I'm grateful that I fell on grass and not on the concrete, but the impact still had me dazed, ''get off that fatass of yours! Hehe, loser!'' I sniffed, placing both of my hand on the ground and slowly I pushed myself on my knees. The fall hurts, but not as much as those words.
Before I knew it, the bell had rung. ''See you around, Nerdy Fatso Afrodo!'' I stood up, dusting the dirt off my knees, my mind reeling…
Am I really that fat?
I sniffed the wetness that began leaking from my nose and removed the glasses before I wiped the tears with my jacket sleeve. The tears wouldn't stop dripping, no matter how hard I tried, they couldn't stop leaking.
At least I don't waste it by drawing cartoons all day.
More tears slipped through my wet, glossy eyes as a choked sob escaped from my lips. I hate it that words sometimes hurt, no matter how hard we become of them, and what's worse is that some of those words are true.
I hate crying, so, so much, yet here I am sobbing over something stupid as this.
Pathetic.
I kept wiping my tears until the dripping had ceased, and I turned to see a mess. Papers scattered everywhere, and I think one's crumbled… I sighed sadly. The wind isn't making things any better, actually, I think it's making things worst with its wind blowing the papers everywhere across the property.
I sniffled once more and moved towards the mess, slowly picking up the scattered papers one by one.
A/N: I'm going to be genuinely honest with you… I have been bullied like this in previous years, but not as intense as described within the passage, so I may have exaggerated it a little bit… and my life isn't terrible, just incredibly boring. Anyway, hopefully the whole 'queer' and 'faggot' thing isn't offensive either…
I'm out!