The clock on the wall and the occasional turning of paper are the only sounds in the emptying library. I flip the page in my notebook and begin to copy the map of the island from the book I borrowed, marking all property lines surrounding the forest. I promised Maddox I wouldn’t eat much so we could binge on candy at the movie. I bite on the end of my pen in a desperate attempt to lessen my hunger. My eyes finally focus on the obscenely small hands of the old clock and a scream erupts from my mouth. “I’m late!” I shove all of my notes and books into my bag.
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“Deila please be quiet!” The old librarian woman hisses at me, her voice just above a whisper. “This is a library,” She sighs. I roll my eyes and run out the front door where a frigid breeze meets my skin. Sadly my thin red flannel does nothing to protect me from the cold that’s thrown against my body. The wind pushes the sweet smell of cinnamon rolls from the bakery next door, sending my empty stomach into a whirlwind. My shaking pale fingers rush to unchain my bike and I push away to cross town, afraid of being any later than I’m becoming.
My legs slow as I pass through the dense forest, my labored breathing matching my pace. The setting sun casts orange and pink rays onto the narrow path our town decided to call a road last December. The infamous McCallum stone wall begins to rise from the earth steadily, stretching along the side of the road and eventually going well above my head. As the long driveway begins to form, causing a break in the wall, I pause and stare into the large first floor windows that reveal the ornate ballroom used only once a year for the extravagant masquerade ball they host for the town. I lean closer, as if a few inches would help me see hundreds of feet away, hoping to see anything suspicious. Sadly all I see are figures preparing for the dance, dragging large pieces of furniture around to make space for dancers.
A deep rumbling horn brings my attention back to the road. A large, rusted, pickup continuously honks his horn as he barrels down the open street, heading right for me. I scream and tumble into the ditch beside me, a mere second before I would’ve become a pancake. I flash a bright smile and both of my middle fingers at the careless driver, still swerving his lime green monstrosity. Not caring enough to stop and check on his almost victim. Even through the tinted windows I can see the wrinkled old face, the man looks like he's ninety years old. How he is still allowed to drive is beyond me. Dusting myself off, I groan and pull my bike out of the thorn bush it fell into and head off again. Knowing full well if I'm any later, Maddox might have an aneurysm.
I pull up to Maddox who’s leaning on the tapping his foot. “I was so close to being on time I swear!” I quickly loop my bike lock around the street light as Maddox walks towards me.
“Let me guess,” He starts, “You were in the middle of a book and lost track of time.” I groan and we make our way to the snack line. Rolling my eyes I attempt to explain.
“ No, I got distracted riding past the McCallum place when some jerk in a truck ran me into a ditch, I’m completely traumatized.” We drop our snacks on the counter and each put up $10 to cover our half.
“I thought you dropped the whole McCallum mystery! Seriously Dee it's been three years, it's time to move on." Maddox groans while collecting his snacks and a large cup for us to split, "Besides, this isn’t scooby doo you idiot.” I chuckle and snatch my food from the counter.
“It’s the main road Maddox, I have to pass their house if I want to get anywhere in this stupid town! Don't worry about me, I promise I'm not obsessing over this anymore.” I let out a deep breath and relax my shoulders. After a minute of walking, I finally speak again. “Anyways, I’m sorry I’m late, now you’re missing the movie.”
“Don’t worry about it," Maddox holds the theater door open for me and we make our way quietly to our seats. "I told you the wrong time yesterday because I knew you’d be late.”
“Maddox!” I shriek, slapping his arm.. A middle aged man sitting behind us aggressively shushes. “Oh be quiet, this is a car commercial you sleazeball, not even a trailer.” Maddox elbows me in the side and stifles a laugh. The man rolls his eyes and continues stuffing his face with popcorn, probably going to run out by the time the actual movie starts. Maddox and I open our snacks and get comfortable, quieting down as the opening credits begin.
Stepping out into the open air, I suck in a cold breath and laugh. “That movie was freaking amazing!” I shriek while unchaining my bike. “I loved the plot twist-“
“Oh, when you find out it's his sister the whole time?”
“Yeah! And what about the part when-“
“Oh! Oh! When they caught the wrong guy by accident?”
I sigh and push back my kickstand. “Okay you’ve got to stop interrupting me!”
“Alright, well I had fun Dee. You’re stopping by the store tomorrow right?” I nod and remind him that I always work Saturday mornings as I push off onto the street. “Cool, see yeah then!”
“Bye Maximilian,” We both laugh at the ridiculous nickname from our childhood and wave as I peddle down the now empty street, ready for some much needed sleep.
Peddling down my makeshift driveway, I coast up to the cute little shack I call home. I had to downsize after mom passed away. Almost everything we owned is packaged neatly in a storage box down the road.
I chain up my bike to a tree, releasing a stifled yawn. Unlocking the door, I duck into the small space and take my nightly medication. The bitter metallic taste lingering on my tongue as fall onto my bed, drifting into a cold, dreamless sleep.
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and then Add to home screen.