1. Macy
I wake to the annoying sound of my alarm clock blaring. 6:00 am. Reaching over I silence the pestering monster that disturbed my peaceful sleep and roll out of bed. I do my daily routine: Stretch, eat, shower, dress, pack my lunch and backpack and I’m out of the door at 7:20 am.
As I walk to campus from my small apartment I catch the sweet scent of pastries. I already ate ``breakfast, but a little detour couldn’t hurt. The bakery, ‘Enchanting Sweets’ is a small and quaint, but still a nice bakery cafe-type establishment. Their choice of colors was natural tones with plants and flowers to bring life and a more natural feel to the place. On the inside it smelt heavily of coffee and cakes, mouth watering as soon as you’d walk in.
“Welcome to Enchanting Sweets, may I take your order?” The man, slightly a little taller than 5’8 with lean muscle, (couldn’t be over 30), asked politely as I approached the counter.
“I would like a chocolate muffin, please,” he nodded and directed me to a seat, “Give me 20 minutes and your muffin will be ready,” he said, and when I acknowledged his words he left.
Normally I wouldn’t do this, I would go straight to campus and come home, but something about this atmosphere this unfamiliarity gives me a sense of adventure. This random change might be a good omen. As promised in 20 minutes my muffin was served. I left a tip and ate my muffin on the way to campus.
The bell rang at 2:40 pm, lunchtime. The University itself was massive and the cafeteria had a separate building! But, I feel so small and cramped even in such a large place. Everyone had a group to flock to, while I floated completely unnoticed by my peers. My time was usually spent reading in a corner while others my age would party. I only had one true friend his name is Fisher Spellman, we’ve been close since diapers and he’s the only one who even attempts to get me into the world beyond the haven of my home. I walk to him with my lunchbox in one hand and ‘The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas’ in the other.
He greets me with a toothy grin, “So the Wellerman did come, eh?” I giggled at his joke, “Another sea shanty reference?” He nodded still beaming.
Fisher patted the seat next to him and I happily sat down. He hasn’t changed since pre-school. Perfect, pearl white teeth, adorable freckles, curly auburn hair, and ocean blue eyes. The only thing that changed is that he’s older and more sculpted, anyone with a brain could tell he works out, he’s just modest. He’s charming and everyone loves him.
To break the silence I hum ‘Wellerman by Nathan Evans’ as I open my lunch box, I hear him chuckle and sing the lyrics, “‘Soon may the Wellerman come; To bring us sugar and tea and rum.’”
I stop humming and pass him a thermos of tea, “As promised,” I smirked, “The Wellerman brought you tea.”
He burst into a fit of infectious laughter and I couldn’t help but join him. This is how we are, close and strange, but happy. When we calmed down, he gasped and pulled out two letters, “I forgot to text you earlier, but there’s a party..” He said carefully, “I got us invites.”
Just as I was about to bluntly refuse he shushed me, “Do you have plans?” I respond shaking my head no, “Then why not?” I sigh, “I told you that people who matter go to parties, I’m a living ghost--but you aren’t,” he huffs in annoyance, “And I told you, you do matter and anyone who thinks otherwise can get hit by a truck.”
I shook my head at him and he exclaims exasperated, “You’re a great person to be around, these other people just need to see that!” There he goes again, making my heart swell with joy with his genuine love and concern for me. I throw my arms around him, burying my face in his neck, “Thank you, Fishy.”
He just huffed and hugged me tight, “Stop talking shit about yourself, I’ll fight you,” I giggle but he retorts, “ I’m serious!” With a pout he continues, “That’s my best friend you’re talking shit about.” I nodded to his violent, but comforting words.
I stay there in his embrace a little longer before letting go. “I’ll go to the party with you ok?” His face lit up like a Christmas tree, ecstatic he rambled about when the party was and where it was happening then we had some tea and ate our lunch, continuing to laugh together.
At 3:40 pm the bell signaled for us to return to class. Fisher gave me the invite and texted the details, then we walked to our respective classrooms parting with a hug. The class was as slow as it normally is, I finished my assignments and had an hour to either read or play games on my phone. When the hour was up the students transferred to study period, gym then at 5:10 pm it was time to go home. On the trek back to my apartment, I notice just how thick the forest was, “Probably goes on for miles,” I concluded, remembering my chocolatey omen from earlier I march towards the woods with conviction.
I walk in a straight line to not get lost as I explored the beauty of nature, the canopy was so thick that the setting sun didn’t pierce through the leaves, pulling out my phone I turn on the flashlight. As though the world held its breath the forest and the surrounding area grew still and silent. I felt this presence that was powerful and demanding that seemed to creep from every direction.
My body trembled as I felt this energy, “Nope, that’s enough exploring for today…” I said breaking the tense silence with slight panic. I ran the way I came keeping pace like I was being chased by a killer. As though time slowed my escape was way more draining and perilous than just the easy-going stroll. Why does my escape feel so long compared to earlier? It seemed to have taken seconds to get this deep in the forest. The silent stalkerish presence never left my back, whatever is chasing me followed me with no issue at all. I keep running, but I turn my head a little to look behind me slightly, I catch a glimpse of golden eyes gleaming in the dark woods scrutinizing me under their intimidating gaze. With a quiet whimper, I pick up the pace tearing up as I see the edge of the forest. I stepped out into the last rays of sunlight and whipped around to see the golden-eyed creature only to be met with trees and dark woods. I jog home occasionally looking back to those creepy, yet beautiful and alluring woods.
When I get to my apartment I slam the door shut panting trying to calm my racing heart from my rising anxiety, “What was that?” I asked aloud. I paced around my home making sure everything was locked up tight. Yet still, I feel uneasy as though I was still in the woods and that thing was still following me. With a slow and steadying breath, I take a shower and change into some pajamas, watch a bunch of comedies and Disney movies to ease my paranoia, and go to bed. I’m safe…I think.
