I'm still here
Chapter One
Present Time
Summer
I stuffed the little baggie under my pillow just as my dad was
knocking on my door.
"Come in!" I called, trying not to sound like I was up
to something.
"Hey, Hall. How does going out for dinner sound? It is your
birthday after all. You're only 16 once!"
I smiled, "Sure Dad, I'll be ready in a few." He
clapped his hands together.
"Great, meet me in the living room." He started to walk
out.
"You smell something weird?" He sniffed again and
wrinkled his nose.
"Uh, no.. Maybe I need a shower." I joked but could
hardly force a smile. He grinned and left.
I exhaled, and pulled the little baggie out again, I grimaced at
the weed my friend Angie had given me for my birthday. I really
didn't want to try it. There was something kind of nerdy-cool
about being all 'Straight edge' and what not. I jammed it
into a sock and tucked it away in my underwear drawer.
I put on a floral summer dress and some brown sandals, I fluffed
my beach blonde hair and walked to the living room where my dad
was waiting.
We went out to dinner at my favorite place, and they even brought
me out a complimentary cupcake.
I blew out the candle and made the same wish I did every
year.
And when we got home late, I simply said I wanted to just relax,
so dad let me be alone.
I grabbed the plastic bag and a small glass object and jammed
them into my purse. I snuck out my bedroom window and half ran
into the woods of my back yard. I swung up into a low hanging
willow and leaned back to catch my breath. Was I about to do
this?
I toyed with the lighter and decided no. I opened the bag and the
light wind caught the dried up leaves and blew them away. I flung
the lighter and glass into a nearby oak and I hopped down and
walked slowly back to my window. But when I got there, I realized
I forgot to prop it open so it had shut on me.
I slammed my palms against it and tried to shove it upwards,
"nononoo come on!" It inched up.
I pushed harder, and nearly fainted when I heard my dad walking
down the long hall to my room.
It budged 2 more inches and I kept struggling with it. He was
getting closer.
Suddenly it gave away and I slammed it up, I jumped up and into
my room as my dad jogged down the rest of the way to my room.
"Hall? You alright?" I slid the window shut and flopped
onto my bed. I rubbed the sweat from my forehead as he barged
in.
"Halley?" I grimaced, "I feel kinda sick." He
came over and felt my forehead. "You're all sweaty.
Here," he pushed the garbage can over to me. "Hope you
feel better. Night sweet pea."
He was kinda squeamish.
He shut the door tight behind him and I couldn't help but
enjoy the adrenaline rushing through me at the thought of almost
being caught. It was like lightning coursing through my
veins.
Is this what it was like to live?