The List: Ten

The List: Ten

To catch up:

THE LIST: CHAPTER LINKS

Chapter 1               Chapter 6
Chapter 2               Chapter 7
Chapter 3               Chapter 8
Chapter 4               Chapter 9
Chapter 5               Chapter 10




Guesses next to topics and under picture...

No One Will Guess It Was Me (Lisa)
Include 3 cities of Missouri (Kim)
Incorporate the words "baklava cheesecake" in your blog (Lynn)

The Piano Man?  Guess: Jay?

Sometimes in life, things don't often go as you planned them out.  Sometimes better opportunities come along.  Today just so happens to be one of those situations.

I was supposed to go to the homecoming dance tonight, but Nora has to leave town.  She says she has to go to to Missouri to visit her older sister.  I decided to go with her.

St. Louis, MO

"Child, you don't have to go with me," Nora told me.

"I know," I remembered saying.  "But it's not often you get a chance to go to Branson."

"No," she interrupted.

"Kansas City."

She shook her head.  "Nope."

"Um, Saint Louis."

Kansas City, MO

Branson, MO

She smiled.  "Now you got it!  But that still doesn't mean I want to take you away from the dance tonight."

"There will be other dances, you know," I told her.

"Yes," she answered.  "But going to the homecoming dance was something on your list.  Why would  you want to waste that by going with me?"

"Traveling the country also happens to be on my list as well," I reminded her.

 I could tell she felt guilty, and so I softened up the deal.  "I'll tell you what," I began.  "I will go into my room and make a list of pros and cons.  If my pros of traveling weigh more than my cons--and I'm pretty sure they will--then I will go with you to Saint Louis.  If not, I'll stay here at some boring-old traditional dance."

I figured by adding that last part, she would consider letting me make a pros and cons list of why I should or shouldn't go.  She bit her lip and agreed, which is why I am packing to get ready for a road trip.  Well, not really a road trip.  It's more of a plane trip because I don't do well on long car rides.

I used to be able to go on long car rides, but my body has grown sensitive over the past few years.  I get nauseous easily if I'm in a car longer than five hours.  A plane ride should be no more than three hours or so.  Either way, I figure I could use the time to text Ame and Cristi to tell them I won't be going to the dance tonight.

I know what will happen if I were to tell them something right now.  They would try to stop me.  Nora is trying to stop me from going, which is why I left the room to pack after I mentioned what was on my list.  I set up everything, and the driver will be ready in about fifteen minutes to take us to the airport.

I don't know what the weather will be like, but I decide to pack some sweaters with my clothing anyway.  Living down here in southern Florida, I get cold easily.  Half the time I have to walk outside just to thaw out.  I only take a few days worth.  I figure I can wash my clothes in a laundromat if we stay longer.

I have a feeling Nora wants to stay longer, and that she wants to take a trip to New Orleans to see the rest of her family.  It's been a few years since she's seen her parents.  I wheel my suitcase out of my room, and place it by the door.  I enter into the kitchen because I smell something sweet.

I see as Nora is taking a cheesecake out of the fridge.  She places it in a pastry box.

"You're bringing cheesecake," I ask.

"Not just any cheesecake," she answers.  "Baklava cheesecake.  I want to bring this home to my parents."

Source: www.lifeloveandsugar.com

"But won't we be in Saint Louis for a while?"

"No," she answers quickly.  "I know my sister.  She's so dramatic sometimes, and we never get along for too long.  Trust me, in a few hours, we'll be in New Orleans.  I hope you are prepared to do some homework from there.  I want to stay at least a week."

The best part of being in a school in this day and age is you can catch up on school online.  Attendance isn't an issue as long as you participate in online discussions and turn in your assignments on time.  Besides, I don't think anyone will notice my absence.

I might be on the cheer team, but Ame keeps me in the back for safe keeping.  She's a bit too over-protective sometimes.  I guess she feels like I will drown, but I believe in hope.  I think I would float in deep waters.

"Are you ready to go?" I look up to see Nora asking me a question. I didn't realize I was so lost in thought.

I give a smile.  "Definitely!  I am so excited to go."

With that, we leave the house and head for the car.  We are off to the airport.


DJ

*********

<3

:)

******

Forgotten Hope Chapter Links

Forgotten Hope Chapter Links


Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5 (Coming Soon!)

















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The List: Nine

To catch up:

THE LIST: CHAPTER INDEX


Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8



Smile (Barb)
Use a Prince Lyric (Irene)
Mention your favorite board game (Jessica)

The Butterfly Effect (Pic Submitted by Linda?)

Chapter Nine:

**********

It is said that a butterfly can cause some kind of ripples in the time space continuum.  Some say if a butterfly relocates from a warm climate to a cold one, it can cause a change in the weather.  I guess the same rules go for crows.  It's said they can see between realms of the living and the dead.  I guess someday we'll know the truth.  All I know is I feel like there was a butterfly effect happening to me.

One minute it was the first day of my senior year, and the next it's the middle of September.  School starts around mid-August in Florida.  I can't believe I made it a month.  This is homecoming week.  I just finished up a pep rally, and Ame came home with me after the game.

I had told her she didn't have to go home with me, as it is her thing to go out and have fun celebrating, but she insisted.  So, we are here playing my favorite game of Boggle.

"Oh, time's up!" She exclaims.  "Let's add up our scores."

I added mine up and got thirteen; Ame got twelve.

She looks over at my sheet and asks, "How come you got more points than me when we have the same amount of words?"

"Because 'bases' is five letters and two points," I answer.

"Well, aren't you smart."

I give a half smile.  "Not really," I say.

"You don't give yourself enough credit. Hey," I look up at her to find her looking at me with concern.  "Are you alright?"

"Yes," I yawn.  "It's just been a long day.  Like I said earlier, you didn't have to come home with me."

"Nonsense," she replies.  "I want to be here.  You're my cousin, and I want us to be close again like we once were."

"I thought this past month has brought us together."

It has definitely been an interesting first month of school.  Cristi has been hanging out more with me.  She's even showed up at my cheer rehearsals, which in the beginning, she was not around for any of that.  She's also insisted we hang out over at my place as opposed to hers, and that was fine by me.

I wasn't avoiding Xander this past month; it was more like he had been avoiding me, but I have no idea why.  In any case, it works out in my favor because I just need to make it through the year, and accomplish everything on my list.  I have plans to backpack through a majority of Europe during winter break.  I even got the plane tickets and my passport ready.  I'll have to get my shots when I get closer to leaving.

This list I make may not be important to anyone else, but it is important to me.  I know Ame and Nora's hearts are in the right place, but I don't want to have a boyfriend.  I might wind up breaking their heart, and I would feel horrible if I did.  The only one that seems to understand me is Cristi

In the beginning, Cristi was interested in hooking me up with her brother, but she understands that I'm not looking for a relationship right now.  Perhaps that's why Xander is staying away.

"It has," she answers, breaking me from my reverie.  "I just want you to know that I will always be there for you.  I'm sorry how I behaved a few months back.  I just didn't know how to handle things."

"It's alright," I smile at her.  "You had a lot going on, and I'm sure hearing my news of going back to school after not being around for a few years."

"I wasn't upset that you were going back to school," she pauses.  "There have been rumors."

"Rumors?"

She eyes the door of my bedroom, gets up off the floor, and shuts the door.  I look at her with surprise.

"There are rumors," she begins in a very low voice.  "That there have been students missing.  They've even been finding dead animals around."

"How true do you think this is?"

"Very.  The staff wants to keep it low key.  They don't want the media getting a hold of this.  Some parents are pretty mad.  They are so mad they want to sue."

"How many students have gone missing?"

"The count is at fifteen.  They're hoping these kids were just playing pranks on their parents and they'll be home in no time."

I am in a state of shock.  I had no idea, and I probably will have a hard time getting to sleep tonight.  At least I'll have time to sleep as the dance isn't until tomorrow night.  The theme is a masquerade ball.  We'll all be dressed up, wearing masks.

"That was the only reason why I didn't want you to attend school."

"So what?" I give a nervous laugh.  "Did you think something would happen to me?  Did you think I would be one of those kids who suddenly disappear?"

She intakes a breath and lets it out.  "You're right," she finally says.  "I was worried for nothing."

"You're always worried about me.  Let's be cousins and friends, not mother and daughter."

She sighs.  "I guess I never realized I was hovering over you like a parent."

"It's alright," I find myself say  "I probably would have behaved in the same manner."

That was pretty much the extent of our conversation before I brushed my teeth, and headed off to bed.  Ame left after I suggested for her to go out and have fun.  The day is pretty much done for me as I close my eyes and go to sleep.

****

*******

I'm at the masquerade ball where I'm wearing a royal purple dress, and a light purple mask.  I am surrounded by all these guys in tuxedos and masks, and they all seem to be staring at me.  One of the guys walks over to me, grabs my hand, and we're dancing a waltz.

"Did you get my letters," he asks me.

"Yes," I reply.  "But why?  Who are you?"

He says nothing as we continue to dance.  After a few moments, he decides to speak.  "I'm not a human, I am a dove.  I'm your conscious, I am love."

The words he speaks sounds familiar, I just can't put my finger on them.

In an instant, I open my eyes and find myself in my room.

It was all a dream, I think to myself.

I look at the clock to see it's two in the morning.

♪♫♪♫ I will die 4 U ♪♫♪♫

"What the?"  I say out loud.  I turn on my night lamp, and look around for my MP3 player.  The Prince song, I Would Die 4 U is playing.  I pull the earbuds out of my ears.  I don't even remember putting that song on my playlist.

5/22/16 ©Diana Jillian
*******
:)

******

The List: Eight

Stepping Stones
Quote Batman
"You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?"
Batman 1989
Mention the word "Exercise"

Picture...

To Catch Up:

THE LIST: CHAPTER INDEX

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7



Eight

 I always make sure to get up extra early because after an exercise, you tend to get sweaty.  And when you get sweaty, you need a shower.  Which is what I have decided to do after I threw the letter in the trash bin.  I decide to focus on my breathing, and I hop in the shower.

After getting out, I wipe down the mirror so I can see my face, but something catches my eye. I look at the back of my shoulder; the part where I thought someone tapped in the park, and see a bruise on there.  Though this bruise looks like someone threw a pebble at me.  Maybe a rock of some sort did fly up at me.  There are city trucks that usually fly by, and their tires frequently throw a rock up in the air at some point.  But it's over and done with, and I'm onto getting ready for my second day of school.

I decide to wear a long, tulle skirt in beige.  I put on some blue leggings, and a shirt to match those leggings.  I throw on some ballerina flats, and head over to the mirror to fix my hair and makeup.  I'm looking a bit pallid today.  The bags are really dark under my eyes today.  I don't really want to scare the people at school, so it's a good idea to try and look my best.

I walk out into the dining room to have some breakfast, and Ame is just staring at me.

"What?"  I ask her.

"Why are you dressed like a little old lady?"

I scoff.  "I'm not dressed like an old lady."

"Maybe not your clothes," she states while looking me up and down.  "But you do need to do something about your hair."

I touch the bun on my head.  "What's wrong with my hairstyle?"  There really isn't much I can do with my short hair.  I was actually surprised--and happy--I was able to fit my hair into a bun.  That means my hair is growing longer.

She says nothing but, "Let me fix it, please?"

I roll my eyes.  "After breakfast."

"Well, I finished mine," she practically brags.  "I'll get all the supplies ready.  I will see you in your room, yeah?"

For the Floridians we are, I don't know how we sometimes sound so northern when we speak. Perhaps it's because Florida gets a lot of snowbirds down here.  I don't say anything to her.  I nod my head yes as she heads for my room.  I go to sit down, where Nora serves me breakfast.  I told her not to serve me, but she always insists.  I stopped arguing with her after awhile.

"There is something not right with that child," Nora says lowly to me after Ame walks away.

"Oh, Nora," I say.  "She just doesn't know how to react with me.  I'm hoping eventually, she'll start treating me like a regular, ordinary person, and not someone who needs to be fixed."

"I suppose you're right," she tells me.  "I know she is family and all, but you need to still stay wary of her.  Well, mostly her family."

"It's alright," I say.  "I chose to go back to school.  I have to remain civil with others, even if they don't always agree with my decisions.  That's life.  Not everyone is going to agree with you."

She gives me a hug.  "When did you become so grown up?"

I hug her back.  "Since I have a great mother figure," I reply.

She lets go of me so I can eat.  After I finish eating, I sigh, and head into the bedroom for Ame to style my hair the way she sees fit.

****

Ame threw my hair halfway back with a hair clip.  She thought it looked better than the bun I had in my hair.  It doesn't matter anymore.  Cristi found me, and is practically dragging me to her group.  It just so happens to be the same group her brother, Xander, is in.  She starts introducing me to people I probably won't remember their names anyway.

"And this is Chase," Cristi finishes her introductions.

Chase looks at me as if to say, "Hello," or something, but he doesn't bother to say anything.  I wonder if I did something wrong.  Sometimes in life, there will be people who won't like you.  Not really for any reason in particular; they just don't like you.  I'll try to do my best to keep away from him.

"Hey I got to bounce," Chase says, and just like that, he's gone.  After hearing him speak, it makes sense why he said nothing.  That was the voice I heard making a reference to me being the new wine yesterday.

"Hey," Cristi says to me.  I stop staring at Chase--who has practically run away--and I look over at her.  "Sorry about yesterday after school."

"It's cool," I tell her.  "I kind of figured you weren't feeling so good yesterday at lunch."

"You noticed that, huh?"  She looks up at her brother.  I look at the two of them exchanging glances with each other.  It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's going on, but that's none of my business.  I have to focus on being as young at heart for as long as possible, and I also have to focus on my list.

The first bell rings, and I tell the group I will see them later on.  I head to class, and everything seems pretty much normal for the rest of the day.

******

Cheerleading practice went well.  Ame and the rest of the cheerleaders seem really impressed with me.  They think I'm ready for the pep rally at the hockey game Friday night.  That's only three days away.  I can only hope I can be ready for it.  Then I can cross off being an official cheerleader from my list.

I give myself a mental shake as I head to my locker.  I have to grab a few books to study for as there will be a quiz on Thursday.  They do quizzes on Thursdays as opposed to Fridays because I guess Fridays are exciting days for seniors.  I guess I'll find out in a few days time.

I go to open my locker and something falls out onto the floor.  I bend down to pick it up.  There is a red rose with a note attached to it.  I look around to see the halls are empty.  Ame went home straight from the gym, and Cristi--as far as I know--left as soon as school let out.

I open the letter and it reads:

You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?

Great!  I think to myself.  He's quoting Batman.  I roll my eyes--much like I had done this morning--but now I am starting to recall something.  The handwriting looks exactly like the note I received this morning.  I guess I'll have to take the note out of the trash to see if it's from the same person.

I head to the car to find Smith waiting for me.  For once in my life, I am actually glad my parents got me a bodyguard.

****

http://thethinkywriter.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-list-eight.html

The List: Seven

To catch up:

The List Chapter Index

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6

The List: Seven


Some say silence is golden, but I prefer to have my headphones in my ears. Some days, I listen to a radio app while jogging, other days I'll just have my own playlist or album to listen to.  Today is a Disturbed kind of mood.  It's also a great escape from life for awhile.  I once heard a great quote that said something along the lines of escapism is survival.  That is a very true term for me.

I use jogging and listening to music as means to escape from every day life.  I also escape through books and writing.  I guess pretty much anything you do to keep yourself busy are means of escaping from every day realities.  Who doesn't want to escape anyway?

I know my time by my songs, mostly.  I know by the end of track 4--that's the end of the song called The Sickness--I will have to head back home and get ready for school.  I'll be ready for day two today, or at least I hope so.

I don't mind going to school with Ame, and I don't mind hanging out with Cristi; I just don't want to wind up seeing Xander, although the tap I just received on my shoulder tells me the opposite.  I stop abruptly and look over my shoulder, but don't I see anyone.

I slow down and come to a complete halt when I notice there's no one in the park but me--and Smith, my bodyguard, of course--I take my headphones out of my ears and look around.  Smith is giving me a strange look.

"Did you just tap me on my shoulder?"

"Um, no ma'am," he replies in his thick, southern accent.  Smith, too, is from the real south as well.  By real south--because I know you're thinking Florida is real south--I mean where the southern accents come from.  Smith just so happens to also be from Louisiana, like Nora.

I shrug.  It could have been my imagination just running wild like usual.  I decide to turn around and head home.  It's just about time to get ready for school anyway.  I put back on my headphones to find Good Morning Heartache by Billie Holiday playing.  While it is one of my favorite songs, I don't remember switching my playlist at all.

I give yet another shrug, and head home.  As I arrive at the house, Nora and Ame are waiting for me.  I start stretching as I look at my smart watch.  I start pressing buttons on it so I can check my pulse.  After my stretches, I head to my room where I jot down my vitals.

I write everything down the old-fashioned way.  I write them in notebooks.  I keep a health journal in my desk drawer.  I finish marking everything down and I head to the shower.  It's time to get ready for another day of school.


After my shower, I head back into my bedroom to get dressed.  Something catches the corner of my eye by my backpack as I am sitting on the bed.  There seems to be a folded piece of paper just laying on top of the stand.  I head over and pick it up.

As I unfold the letter, I am surprised by what I am seeing.  The letter reads:

Dear Kalura,

You like lists, and now here's mine:

1.  To win your heart

Signed,

I look inside my bag to see if there's another note around.  Whoever wrote me this letter, they never left a name.  I sigh at the lack of control I have over some things in my life.  That's one of the reasons why I have to see a psychiatrist to begin with.

One of the things we deal with is learning how to meditate and let go.  That is what I decide to do.  I set my timer for a minute, and I focus on how I'm breathing.  Inhale.  Exhale.  Slow, controlled breathing.  The timer dings, and I open my eyes.  I see the letter, and I give a little laugh. 

I roll my eyes, and toss the paper in the trash.  It's probably just someone trying to prank the new girl or something.  I head out the room where Nora, Ame, and Smith are waiting for me at the breakfast table.  Today should definitely be more interesting than yesterday.



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