Chapter One
The music playing from the first floor stopped. The crowd parted as Dad walked towards our balcony followed by Emma, our house help. She looked like she’d seen a ghost. A soft murmur started from the crowd as I pushed my way through towards them, trying not to trip over my dress.
Cool fresh air hits my face as I walk up to my father who stands frozen, a few feet away from the parapet. Teo grips his leg while peeking around. My eyes widen when I realize who they’re staring at.
Mum stands on the parapet with her arms stretched out, as if she’s waiting for some supernatural being to descend from the dark skies of Manhattan. Her magenta dress billows around in the cool breeze. A broken glass with something that glows red in the dim light sits to one side. Something tells me it isn’t wine.
“Mum?”
She turns around and stares at me with wide unfocused eyes. Before I know it she’s standing in front of me, her eyes level with mine, gripping my shoulders. Her perfectly manicured nails dig into my skin.
“They told me to do it” she whispers.
“They?”
“Hailey, what are you doing?” Dad asks while pulling her away from me. I watch as Dad’s eyes widen when she repeats herself.
Teo runs to me with tears streaming down his face. “Is Mum going to be okay?”
“I don’t-” I begin when I hear the sound of glass breaking. I look up to see glass flying everywhere while Mum shakes Dad screaming, “It was there again Andy! They told me it would bring Diana back!”
“What’s wrong with you?” Dad pushes Mum off as gently as he can. Mum lands on the ground, among the glass. I watch in horror as she gets up and looks at Teo and me- eyes filled with mania. Blood streams down her arm and a cut on her eyebrow. A evil smile turns her beautiful face into someone I don’t know. Someone I never knew.
Her words slur and turn distorted as she says “Mindy knows them, doesn’t she?”
She charges towards me with a pi-
My alarm goes off loudly. I wake up sweating under my thick comforter with tears streaming down my face. I can hear my pulse in my ears as I push the comforter off and lie still with my eyes closed. It was just a dream.
A soft knock on the door makes me sit up and hastily wipe my tears.
Emma pops her head in with a small smile. “School starts today. I’ll have your breakfast ready after waking up Teo” she says with a comforting smile. I manage a small smile in return and let out a long sigh after she closes the door.
Fifteen minutes later I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I’m dressed in light blue ripped jeans, a white sleeveless tank top, an open full sleeved black shirt rolled up till my elbows and black Converses. My brown curly hair sits in a messy bun. I try to ignore the bags under my eyes as I apply black eyeliner as thinly as possible.
“Morning” Teo greets me with a mouth stuffed with cereal. I nod in reply and begin wolfing down Lucky Charms as fast as I can.
Teo’s starting as a freshman this year at Yorkville High- the school I transferred into. He’s grown. I smile at myself before helping myself to a strawberry. Teo looks up from his phone with a guilty expression. “I promised Mika that we’ll go together..” he begins.
“It’s fine” I smile, “I don’t mind going alone”
I run into my bathroom and quickly pull out two Xanny’s and a couple of opiates before wrapping them up in a paper which I quickly stuff into my pocket.
I hug Teo goodbye and grab my set of keys before walking out of the house. Sad People by Kid Cudi plays loudly on my earphones as I grab a coffee from Starbucks and make my way towards the subway station. I stare out of the windows as we pass through tunnels and whoosh past buildings towards Yorkville.
It’s 8:25 when I round the corner and stop in front of a tall brick building with potted plants on either side of a massive arched doorway. the words ‘Yorkville High’ form an arch over the doorway in stenciled letters with tiny lights below it. A steady stream of students climb up the stairs, making their way into the school. Laughs, light hearted conversation and “good mornings” fill the air. Everyone seems to be happy.
I chuck my paper cup into the nearest bin and take a deep breath before climbing up the stairs to Yorkville High.
Whatever happens, happens.
