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I really thought that I’d have time to prepare myself. Time just flew by too quickly and before I knew it the day had come.
“Mom, I have to go.” I all but beg my mother for a ride, but she shakes her head, rummaging around for her pocketbook.
“I’m sorry, honey, but I can’t bring you.” I’m gonna be late, I need to go! You’d think being an 18-year-old girl I’d have my license, but no, not yet. Maybe this is incentive enough to get over my fear of driving.
“It’s my National music competition, I need to be there.” I groan and Mom just runs a hand through her brown hair and hands me $50.
“Go to the train station and buy a ticket, the rest is for emergency.” I nod and gingerly pocket the money. I’ll admit that I hate going places by myself, but I have to suck it up. Not only that, but I have to win this. With rapid speed, I pack up my violin and grab my sheet music. Now is not the time to get nervous, my stomach grumbles but I know any food I eat will just come back up.
“I love you, Sloane. You’ll do great!” Mom shouts as she hurries to leave, I gather all my stuff and race out to wave goodbye.
“Love you!” I holler after her and smile slightly as she drives away. It’s already 8:30 am, it takes about 30 mins to walk, so I have to get started. I hoist my case over my shoulder and tuck my sheet music case under my arm.
Time for a nice walk early in the morning, I’m being sarcastic. What I need to be doing right now is practicing, but no, I have to walk. I don’t mind walking actually, the solitude is quite nice. Fumbling with my headphones I stuff them in my ears, the playlist on shuffle. I think Lana Del Rey is what I’m going for.
I’m not sure how long I spend scrolling through my playlist, but I find myself at the train station doors. Well, I didn’t get kidnapped, so that’s a plus. My phone buzzes with a text, and I quickly look down to see my best friend, Randin.
“Hey! Wish you tons of luck on your comp!” I smile slightly as I read his message. Randin has zero interest in classical music and playing instruments, but he’s always there for me.
“Thanks, hopefully, that asshole Jenny isn’t there.” I text back, thinking about that strawberry-blonde bitch. We have been rivals since we both auditioned for school band in 5th grade. I’ll admit she’s good, but not that good. Or perhaps I'm just jealous of her and her very pretty face.
“Ha! I bet you she is. But, just hit her with a chair. That’ll solve everything.” A snort leaves my mouth as I pay for my ticket. It’s only around an hour away, so I’ll get there around 10 am.
“Lol thanks for the tip, I’ll keep it in mind,” I reply and send another text saying that I have to go.
“Ok, love you, have fun, and don’t be nervous.” Randin texts and I smile slightly.
“Ah yes you’ve healed me, my nerves are gone, thanks Randin. Love you too.” I shut my phone off and stuff the ticket in my pocket, plopping in my seat, and waiting for the bus to come. Please hurry. I rest my head on the back of the seat, listening to the clicking of the clock. I am not nervous, I’ve performed in front of people many times. I just, well, it's nationals. A lot more is at stake. Give my mother and father something to be proud of.
Ticktock, ticktock, ticktock.
Pain stabs at my foot and I wince “Whoops.” A boy says and goes to the seat across from me. My eyes widen momentarily, oh you’ve got to be kidding me. Esmond Maddox sits across from me, the golden boy of Ridge View High. Golden boy and low-key bad boy, people can’t seem to decide what stereotype he belongs in. Both, I guess. I’m tempted to just ignore him but I can’t seem to control my mouth.
“Whoops? You stepped on my foot.” My tone defensive but he doesn’t bat an eye, as if he’s used to this kinda thing.
“Simply an accident,” Esmond says, a smirk on those unfairly pink lips of his. Of course, he has to be drop-dead gorgeous on top of everything. God did a good job with him, it seems, he spared no amount of effort on me though. Thank god, I’m really feeling the love right now. I roll my eyes but let the subject drop, he won’t say sorry anyway. I wouldn’t expect him to anyway.
“It’s, uh, Sloane, right?” This time, he catches my attention.
“Um, yeah?” He must sense my confusion and dramatically places a hand over his heart as if he’s hurt.
“How could you not remember our good times together? You were in my biology class last year.” I cringe as memories of that class come back to me. That was a god-awful class, I hated every second of it. Esmond seems to understand my reaction and smiles slightly.
“I blocked that time out of my memory, and would preferably like to forget about it.” Esmond props his chin on his fist. I suppose he’s not all that bad, I mean we are having a civil conversation. I suppose I judge too harshly.
“And I thought I was bad at bio, you were totally another level of bad.” He says chuckling and I scowl, it’s just not my thing. Yeah, forget what I said, he’s not on my friend list.
“At least I came to all the classes.” Aha, gotcha now. Esmond seems too tense but shrugs anyway. His blue eyes became distant. He truly does have the most beautiful eyes, I try not to look into them.
“Touche.” I twist my fingers and close my eyes again, listening to the clock. Ticktock, ticktock, ticktock. Time could not even attempt to go slower. I am getting nowhere.
“Where are you going?” Esmond asks, and I let out a sigh, why is he now talking to me? He must be bored or something. The same goes for me.
“I could ask you the same thing.” Esmond rolls his eyes yet fingers the corners of his ticket to the same train as me. Oh great, another hour with Mr. Talkitive.
“I asked you first.” I scoff and let my leg bounce up and down slightly. Do I tell him, yes? No? Maybe? A breath leaves my mouth and Esmond smiles, knowing I’ve caved.
“National classical music competition,” I mutter and his eyes widen slightly as if he’s surprised I actually do something with my life. You and me both buddy.
“Oh, I never knew that.” Why would you? You never talk to me, and I never talk to you. That’s just how things work. Not saying that I have a problem with that, I definitely don’t. Besides, Randin is enough of a handful to keep me fully occupied.
“Why are you here, I thought you had a car?” I ask, changing the subject, and he rubs the back of his neck. Everybodyand their mother knows that bright yellow hummer of his, notorious for picking up all the girls it can carry. 221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEqGJAhDFo
“Car troubles.” I nod, not entirely believing him, but not expanding on the subject any further. I’d prefer not the know the escapes he’s gotten up to. Silence fills the air and people start to get confused by why no trains have arrived yet. They usually aren’t this late. As I listen again, the only thing I hear beyond the voices is the clock.
Ticktock, ticktock, tick-It stops.
9:25 am was when the clock stopped.
It froze mid-tick. It’s like everything halted, every breath, every train, yet people kept on moving as if nothing was wrong. Until the doors opened.
That’s when the screaming started.
~~~~~
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