Chapter 16: Earth

Monday,

   May 13, 2008

            I felt really bad for my mom that night. I wish that I was with her right now, but instead I am stuck in this damn Soul Castle. I walked into school that day with no emotion whatsoever. That weekend was just too much for me. June came up to me, and she was really happy. I hated her so much in that moment and I still do.

            “Hey Leah,” she said in her peppy tone.

            I gave her a dirty look, and ignored her. “What’s your problem,” she asked.

            “Leave me the hell alone,” I said, and tried to walk away.

            However, June made the mistake of coming up to me, and pulling my arm. “Now tell me why you’re acting like this,” she shouted.

            Everyone stopped and started staring at June and I. “You had me fooled, June. I thought that you’d be a good friend. But you’re not. You are just a dumb bitch.”

            Everyone in the crowd started shouting. Someone yelled, “Are you really going to take that, June?”

            “Excuse me,” said June. “What the hell did I ever do to you?”

            “You slept with MY boyfriend you stupid bitch! Last time I checked, he is dating ME and not YOU,” I shouted.

            “Well, then why did he come back for more last night?”

            After she said that, I punched her across the face. “Because, you are a trashy whore who will give herself to anyone, and lies about it when they say no,” I said, and then walked away.

            People in the crowd were going crazy after that. Parker came running up to me after I walked away. “What the hell was that all about,” he asked.

            “What do you mean?”

            “Why did you just deck June? You don’t seriously think that Peter slept with her, do you?”

            “Oh! That. I don’t think that he slept with her, I know he did. He told me himself.”

            Parker didn’t notice, but he walked with me all the way to first period. He was trying to understand what happened. I stopped walking when we got to the door of my class. “So,” Parker said. “Peter slept with June, just because she said that you cheated on him?”

            “Yes,” I answered.

            “Dude, that’s so messed up.”

            “Yeah, I know. I have to go. Bye,” I said, and then walked into class.

            That whole first period, I just sat there, and wrote in my journal. It was a good thing that was a creative writing class, because I needed writing time. When the period ended I bolted out the door, but what I did not notice were Parker and Ethan walking towards me. I bumped into them. “Sorry,” I said.

            I tried to walk away without them following me. However, that did not turn out so well. Ethan was on my left, and Parker was on my right. “So, Leah, can you explain what happened? I am getting different stories from everyone,” said Ethan.

            “Why do you care? You don’t even like me.”

            “Whoa, I never said that.”

            “Well, you sure as hell have implied it,” I said.

            We were already at my next class. “Well, guys, I have to go. See you later.”

            Ethan grabbed my arm, and I turned around. “Sit with us at lunch, and explain, okay?”

            “If I do, will you leave me alone,” I asked.

            “Yes,” they both said.

            “Okay,” I said as I walked into class.

            Second period went by in a blur, and I was surprised about that, because science was usually slow. As soon as I sat down in the class, it was as if the class was already over. I practically ran to my next class. It was English, and Peter was in that class. I thought that the sooner I got there, the sooner the class would end.

            When I walked into the room, there he was. Sitting; waiting. I wanted absolutely nothing to do with him in that moment. When he saw me, he got up, and walked over to me. However, right as he reached me, the bell rang and he sat back in his seat.

            I sat about two rows behind Peter. Everyone was talking about me hitting June; someone even said that I jumped her. I did not care what those people thought though. All I wanted was my boyfriend, but I wouldn’t admit it at the time. I still want him.

            That entire day was like a blink of an eye. I honestly don’t remember a whole lot. I had no desire to go to math class, so I ditched. I went to my car, and just sat there until lunch. I had promised Parker and Ethan that I would talk to them.

            I remember I even tried to call Molly while I was in my car, but she did not answer. I thought it was weird, because she would always my calls. I was going to call her brother, but then the bell rang. I got out of my car, and walked to the cafeteria.

            Everyone kept staring at me. Did I miss something? I don’t remember. Everything is starting to go into a blur from when I was alive. I remember that day, but it seems like none of it ever happened, and it was all disappearing as I say what happened.

            I walked into the cafeteria, and looked around for Ethan and Parker. They saw me before I saw them, and came over to me. “Follow us,” said Parker, as Ethan grabbed my arm till I was standing between them.

            We walked over to a table, all the way in the back, so no one could hear what we say. I sat down across from them. “Okay,” said Ethan.

            “What,” I said.

            “Explain. Tell me what happened, starting from the beginning when Peter told you.”

            I sighed. “Well, on Saturday Peter and I went out to Boomers, and we were inside sitting down. I knew something was wrong. So, I asked him. He told me nothing was wrong, and I knew he was lying. So, I got up and started to walk out of the place. He stopped me before I could though. He told me that June said that I cheated on him, and for him to go to her house that night. He went to her house, and had sex with her. Then, I tried to walk away again, because I had had enough. He stopped me, and made this big speech about how much he loves me, and then he proposed to me. I said yes, but then I kinda said no. I haven’t talked to him since.”

            “Well, did you even cheat on him,” asked Ethan.

            “Absolutely not,” I lied.

            “So then what happened this morning?”

            “The bitch had the nerve to come up to me this morning, and act like nothing even happened. Oh, but something did happen. I snapped at her, and she acted like she had no idea what I was talking about. So I told her what I meant, and she made a comment that upset me. So, I punched her in the face. Then, I just walked away.”

            “Wow,” said Ethan.

            “Why would she do that,” asked Parker.

            “I don’t know,” I said. “But can I go now?”

            “Hold on,” said Parker.

            “We’ll be right back,” said Ethan.

            “Where are you guys going,” I turned around to see where they went.

            When I turned back around, Peter was sitting in front of me. “They went to go help out a friend,” he said.

            I turned so I would not be looking at him. He did not say anything; he was waiting for me to talk. So, I faced him to get it over with. “What do you want,” I asked.

            “I want you back.”

            “Well you should have thought about that before you had sex with June.”

            “Leah, I was mad. I was upset. Believe me; I regret every minute of it. But I promise you, Leah, if you take me back it will sure as hell never happen again. I cannot live without you. I miss you. I love you. Leah, I am in love with you.”

            “Peter, I love and miss you too. But you really hurt me. I thought you would be the only guy to not do this to me. The only one who would treat me right. The only one I would ever really love.”

            “Please, Leah. Just take me back.”

            I did not notice at first, but Ethan and Parker were sitting on both sides of me. “Come on, Leah,” said Parker.

            “Take him back,” said Parker.

            “I love you more than you will ever know,” said Peter. “Leah Night, will you be my girlfriend?”

            I could not help but smile. “Peter Mendez, if you ever cheat on me again that will be that last of us forever. I love you, and would be more than happy to be your girlfriend.”

            Peter leaned across the table and kissed me. Ethan sighed. “I am glad to hear that you guys are back together. I will see you all later; I have to go break up with my girlfriend now.

            Ethan stood up. “Wait, who’s your girlfriend,” I asked.

            “June,” he said.

            I laughed. “Oh, you go and have fun with that.”

            I turned back around and faced Peter. “Parker, we need to get you a girl now,” said Peter.

            “I already have one, man.”

            “Seriously? Who?”

            “Roxy,” Parker answered.

            I don’t know why, but it really freaked me out when he said he was dating Roxy. “Damn! She’s ho-,” Peter said, and I shot him a look. “I mean she is a very nice girl.”

            Wait, you’re really dating Roxy,” I asked.

            “Yeah, why?”

            “She is most likely going to cheat on you, just to let you know. I have nothing against you, that’s just how she is,” I said.

            “Why do you say that,” asked Parker.

            “Because, she is a slut,” I answered.

            “Isn’t she your best friend,” asked Peter.

            “What’s your point,” I said.

            “Why do you think she’s a slut?”

            “Because she is.”

            My phone started to vibrate. I’m pretty sure it was a text message from my mom, because I remember going home during lunch. I don’t remember anything else about that day though. I probably do not remember as much, because I am getting closer to my birthday.

Tuesday,

   May 14, 2008

            That morning I walked into my mom’s room to check on her, and she was sitting in a chair, crying. When I saw her, I ran over to her. “Mommy, what’s wrong?”

            “Nothing, sweetie. I am just surprised that time has gone by this fast. You are going to be sixteen tomorrow. I wish your brother and father were here to see you,” said mom.

            Before I knew it, I was in tears too. “Mom, it’s okay. My father walked out on us. That was his loss. As for Blake, he will be back in two years. But for now, it’s just you and me. We can do this together, mom.”

            “What do you mean; Blake will be back in two years? He told me he was leaving for good.”

            “He promised me that he’ll be back on my eighteenth birthday.”

            “Really?”

            “Yes, really. Mom, Blake will be back,” I said with a smile.

            My mom’s face lit up. “You should go to school now, honey.”

            “Bye mom, I love you.”

            “Bye, Leah. I love you too.”

            The drive to school was fast. The talk with my mom that morning made me sad, yet happy. I walked into school that morning with a big smile on my face. “Well, someone looks happy,” Roxy said as she came up to me.

            “Absolutely,” I said.

            “Could it be because there is going to a sixteenth birthday tomorrow?”

            “Possibly,” I said, still smiling.

            I was actually happy to finally turn sixteen. “So what do you have planned,” asked Roxy.

            “Nothing.”

            “Good,” she smiled. “You’re coming over to my house and spending the night.”

            “Really? I’ve never been to your house.”

            “Well, maybe a night in the green house will do you some good.”

            The bell rang. “Maybe it will. I’ll see you later, bye,” I said, and walked to first period.

            Not much went on that first period. I mostly just sat there, and wrote about my birthday. I’m remembering less and less. Maybe I’m only forgetting the boring stuff. Who knows? I don’t remember half of that day. I remember lunch time, but only some of it.

            I walked into the cafeteria to find June sitting down, and she had a black eye. I went to go sit with Pete and Roxy for a few minutes. “Hey guys,” I said as I sat down.

            “Hey girl,” Roxy said.

            “Hi,” said Pete.

            “What’s up?”

            “Planning on what we’re going to do tomorrow. It’s going to be a surprise, so you have to go,” said Roxy.

            I laughed with my nervous laugh. “Okay, bye,” I said, and walked over to Peter.

            I was scared of what they were planning. Well, I’ll get to see what actually happens soon enough. Wait a minute, my birthday and death day are the same day, which is the same day I was supposed to go to Pete and Roxy’s house. Are Roxy and Pete Green the people that murdered me? Are they the soulless people that took me away from everyone I loved?