Follow the Character- Beyond Vica Part I
- William Faulkner
I’m finally back. With the start of the school year, my days run at the speed of comet . My writing has been pushed to the back burner. Deep breath. I need to write. I miss where it takes me, or more like where the characters take me.
Over the summer I stepped out of my comfort zone to improve my craft. I’m stepping out again by publishing a young adult story on my blog titled “Beyond Vica”. I’m following Gabby, allowing her story to unfold publicly. Feel free to comment and/or give me feedback. (Be gentle)
Here it goes……
Beyond Vica
Part I
by TC Booth
Sam is going to die. The thought bounces around in my skull, penetrates my heart, and settles in the depth of my gut. It has been almost a year since my best friend was diagnosed with the blood disease and I agonize at the thought of losing him. In many ways I already have. The empty chair next me serves as a reminder that he isn’t here.”Well Gabby? Do you?” The words intrude on my thoughts startling me back to class. Mr. Baldy is looking right at me. His round pink face is wearing a look of annoyance.I clear my throat, sit up in my chair, and tuck a strand of my brown hair behind my ear. “What?” The word squeaks from my throat. I can sense twenty-three pairs of eyes on me and feel my cheeks burn.”Do you have the answer?” Mr. Baldy gestures toward the problem displayed on the smart board.
I don’t care about your stupid math problem. ” No.”
He sighs, shakes his bald head, and calls on Emily who is waving her hand in the air. She proudly gives the answer, smirks at me and flips her blonde hair. She should be happy. It isn’t very often that she figures out an answer before I do. Sam and I would make blonde jokes just to annoy her. A smile escapes my lips as I imagine him saying…… Did you hear about the blonde who sold her car for gas money?
The buzzer announces the end of the period and my escape to the restroom. I gather my things, dart into the hall, and swim through the sea of freshmen until I reach the girls’ restroom. I head into the privacy of a stall and send Sam a text telling him about Blondie and Mr. Baldy hoping to make him laugh. I wait for a reply while reading the latest news etched into the puke green paint of the stall door. Someone named LD loves HT… Monica is a bad name. ..Brian is hot. I roll my eyes. It has to be my friend Brian. The girls have been after him since we were in middle school. I look at my phone. I still don’t have a reply. Sam usually responds quickly if he is having a good day. I hold my breath and pray that he is doing well.
Pale green eyes rimmed in gold return my gaze in the mirror while washing my hands. My golden brown hair falls forward resting on my shoulders. I allow my eyes to drift in the mirror. An arm littered with bracelets using the sink next to me catches my eye. She is one of the emos. Sam and I used to think they were freaks. Now that I have so much hurt inside me bursting to get out, I understand. They cut to let the hurt out, even if it is just for that moment. I feel sorry for her.
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