NEUESTE

Day 23   My eyes are glued to my hands as I sit in an empty practice room, my fingers intermittently rising and falling against the long white keys of the grand organ piano, pressing down firmly as they move back and forth on the large, familiar instrument. I haven’t sung in three days, ever since Vito put me on blast and ruined what little remaining normalcy I had left in my life for the rest of my semester—and possibly school year. Still, it feels like it’s been an eternity… Weiterlesen

“Oh, my God, you scared the hell out of me!” I hiss, my words breathy and leaving my lips in a panicked rush. It’s as if she appeared out of nowhere. I brace my hand against my chest, willing my startled heart to slow down. She’s the last person I expected to see, especially considering her department is way over on the other end of campus. I’m not really sure how to feel about seeing her here so unexpectedly. Something has to be wrong. “Sorry,” she simply offers, “but I… Weiterlesen

Day 19   I pull open my locker door with way more force than it requires, and its slightly rusty metal hinges squeak loudly in response, protesting against my harsh actions. But I don’t give a damn. The stupid thing can fall right off and crumble to dust for all I care. I’m far too upset to be bothered about it. In fact, I’m upset, pissed off, disappointed, irritated, annoyed, and every other fucking word in the dictionary that’s synonymous with being angry. Vito has just replaced me permanently for… Weiterlesen

Several minutes later and the barista continues to hover over Jamie, happily chatting away with him like I’m not even there while she eagerly scribbles his order on her little note pad, leaning her hip into the table right next to his arm. She turns to me briefly, her expression immediately turning bored. “And you?” she says with one brow arched in clear annoyance, as if the mere sight of me is pestering her. I can only sigh internally. I can’t even be mad. I brought this on myself, after… Weiterlesen

Day 7 I glance down at my watch, my eyes gazing over the familiar black digits again. It’s 12:34 PM. As promised, I’m downtown, sitting at a table for two at Pearson’s waiting for my coffee “date” with Jamie. And he’s running late. Half an hour late. Of all the nerve. If anything, it should be the other way around. For crying out loud, this was his idea! I, for one, had definitely thought about just not showing up. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t cross my mind… Weiterlesen

I slide the balcony door open once again, but as soon as I do my footsteps are halted by the view in front of me. My eyes go wide as I’m immediately greeted by the sight and and sound of utter chaos. All hell has literally broken loose. The football and basketball team members are getting into it, viciously tackling and lunging at each other for some reason unknown to me. My eyes dart around as surprise and confusion rob me of my ability to speak, and for several seconds,… Weiterlesen

Music blares through the night, streaming loudly through the entire two-story duplex, the bass of the speakers booming through the floor. There are red plastic cups and fake cobwebs scattered everywhere. Halloween-themed decorations line the walls and furniture, and there’s an abundance of candy and candy-flavored alcohol all over the countertops. Loud, rowdy voices and even louder Pop music fill my ears, and in spite of the loudness around me, it’s hard to ignore the obnoxious laughter of some fellow dressed up as Gandalf sitting right across from me. We’re… Weiterlesen

I walk around the store, pacing as I continue to wait for Trixie to finish up and pay and hoping that my legs will relieve my mind of some of its own incessant pacing, but it doesn’t. In fact, it actually makes it worse. I can’t stop thinking about that contract. I’ve tried countless times to wrap my head around the situation. There’s no way he could have really been serious about it…but then again, he hasn’t done or said anything since I last saw him to make me think… Weiterlesen

Day 6   “Oh, my God, Trix, you’ve been at this for over an hour! Just pick one, already!” I admonish, my tone mirroring my exasperation. My hands and feet drum and tap at whatever surfaces they can find, more fidgety than I can remember them ever being. We’re surrounded by a myriad of costumes, practically swimming in piles and piles of various outfits, accessories, and cosplay attire. There are all types of costumes—from various Marvel and DC superheroes, to milkmaids and leprechauns, to Disney characters, all the way to… Weiterlesen

I arch my brow at his apparent lack of concern at the implications of what he’s proposing. “Because you asked her to?” I repeat incredulously. “You’re just going to comfortably sit there and tell me in that douchey ass tone of yours that you pretty much sent Mindy to tell me that you want to have sex with me?” He nods. “Correct. And you have thirty calendar days to agree to or decline my offer,” he explains. “Make no mistake, this is a business offer. I have every intention of… Weiterlesen