Chapter 1
Grumbling to myself in annoyance, my hand searches around my night table for the beeping thing that awoke me from my slumber. Feeling a hard cold metallic surface, I smack my hand down on it, making the high-pitched sound come to an end. Peace and quiet, I snuggle into my comforter, sleep overtaking me again.
To my dismay, that didn’t last long. Mother abruptly opened the door to my room, “Eleanor Cecilia Paige Jones, get your ass off bed this instant!” Hearing her voice made me shoot up in bed. Trust me, you do not want to face the wrath of my mother -- especially at this time in the morning.
Rubbing the sleep off my eyes, I yawn. “Okay, okay. I’m up now! I’ll start getting ready.” Mother shoots me ‘the look’ -- you know the one all mothers give their children that kinda means ‘you better or else’, before closing the door to my room.
As I was brushing my brown long hair, my phone starts blowing up with messages. Knowing that it was my best friend and only friend, Olivia I grab the electronic device and start reading the messages flooding through my phone.
Livvie: Ellie.
Livvie: Ellie.
Livvie: Elsters.
Livvie: Ellee.
Livvie: Elleaaaa
Livvie: Elleannnnorrrr. Text me back.
Livvie: Now! Stop seen zoning me this instant.
Ellie: what do u want from me?
Livvie: She’s alive! God, I’ve been waiting for forever.
Ellie: what’s up?
Livvie: We don’t have school today.
Oh my god, this is great news! Checking outside the window, the clouds were grey and raindrops were pattering down the street. Perhaps there was a storm about to take place.
Ellie: yay! why though? is it the rain?
Livvie: Nope. It’s because of that disease going around. What was it called again?
She would be talking about the ‘Golden Virus.’ Weird name huh, why would a virus be called Golden? Apparently, the disease was contagious. In order for it not to spread, we had to wear masks to school for the past week, and sharing food was prohibited. I knew it was going around, although I wasn’t aware that it was getting this serious -- that they had to cancel school because of it.
Ellie: the golden disease?
Livvie: Yeah, yeah, that one. Sad that our last day of school is suspended.
Right, I had forgotten that it was the last day of our Sophomore Year. Eh, the suspension is fine with me. We were able to start our summer off early.
Ellie: oh. well, thanks for telling me.
Livvie: Of course, what kind of best friend would I be if I just let you go to school today without knowing.
Ellie: you’re the absolute best.
Livvie: I know I am.
Livvie: Anyways, I gotta go. Momma’s calling me down for brekky.
Ellie: alrightyyy. love ya, bye. <33
Livvie: Love you too! Don’t miss me too much! Talk to you later!!
Shutting my phone off, I change back to my pajamas and headed back downstairs where my whole family was indulging in the blueberry pancakes Steve -- my step-dad had made. Mother’s beady eyes inspect my appearance. Before she can scold me, I explain to her quickly. “They canceled school today.”
Ethan, my twin brother, cheers out loud. “Hell yeah!”
“Why isn’t there school?” Steve questions, his eyebrows furrowed.
Taking my seat beside Ethan, I take a sip of the orange juice that was on the coaster in front of me. “Has something to do with the golden virus disease thing.”
Mother nods her head in understanding, “It’s probably for the best they’re suspending it today. Wouldn’t want it spreading around. I’m sure it would pass soon though, we just gotta wait it out.”
