Chapter II - Familiar Faces
'CRASH!'
I jokt awake immediately sitting upright, what the hell was that? I rub the tiredness out of my eyes, clearing my vision and look around my room, paintbrushes, tulle and fabric were scattered everywhere. "Are you alright honey?" My mum yells from upstairs, my head immediently snaps to the door "Yeah I'm fine!"
Confusion etches itself onto my face as i rise from my bed. I glance over at my mirror pausing when I see emerald glowing eyes reflecting back at me, I squeeze my eyes together not believing what I saw and when I gain the courage I open them again, they're back to their normal blue. "Ok, weird" I mumble staring at my reflection. I lift my hands up to my eye stretching the socket to make sure it was normal before I let them fall back to my side. I continue to stare my eyes flicker back to the emerald hue and I notice something incased in a green glow hovering behind me, I turn coming face to face with a floating box. When I stare at it I get captivated in its ethereal glow, drawing me in like a sailor to a siren. I subconsciously lift my hand to touch the box but as I do so it falls to the ground making a large thud sound, the glow surrounding it gone.
I step back, shocked, I lift my hand focusing on a paintbrush and slowly glide my hand up, the paintbrush is immediately encased in the green glow, my hand emitting a slight green light. My smile grows as I glide my hand back and forth, the paintbrush following its precise moves. I lift my other hand gliding it along and lifting other items.
"Cool," I hear a voice behind me, immediately snapping me out of the daze, causing the items to fall and sound a large thud. "Oh not so cool." I quickly turn to face the person situated in my doorway. I freeze staring at my brother, him staring back at me as his blank face becomes a smirk, his voice breaking the silence "Oh I'm so telling all of my friends, this is sick!" "Oh no you are not!" I whisper yell "you did not just see that do you hear me, not a word to anyone." I finish my stone-cold face baring into his. "Oh come on! Mum would be hyped about whatever that just was! That was like the whole reason she even became a scientist! To continue Dad's research." God my brother may be smart but he speaks like a 12-year-old, "I don't care! I have no idea what that just was," I yell gesturing to the paintbrushes scattered across the room, "This stays between me and you Louis, and before you ask no I'm not going to use it to help you fold laundry." my brother groans, slouching his shoulders before letting out a reluctant, "Fineeee. I won't say anything and also breakfast is ready. Actually it's probably cold by now, pancakes." with a quick nod, I follow him up the stairs leaving the mess to be cleaned later.
After I eat I run back downstairs to rummage through my closet, I quickly decide on some black wide-legged jeans, a burgundy long-sleeved top and a greyish jacket. Once I'm dressed I position my long silver necklace back to its rightful place before grabbing my converse and putting them on.
I sit in front of my mirror grabbing my makeup bag, I tuck my dark hair behind my ears, revealing my silver and black studs. I grab my mascara wand, applying the perfect amount to each eye before doing the same with eyeliner. I apply some concealer and highlighter before finishing with some more mascara on my bottom lashes and combing through my wavy hair, deciding not to straighten it.
I look at the time '8:00', I decide I have enough time to deal with the mess from earlier, using my new-found abilities I lift all of the fallen supplies and glide them back into the box, I'm getting the hang of this, when I'm done I put my hands on my hips a huge smile finding its way on my lips. My mother's voice booms into my room "Hurry up, you're going to be late!" "Coming!" I yell back, grabbing my book bag and skateboard before heading upstairs.
My brother had already left since he was starting at a seperate school so I say goodbye to my mum and run out of the front door, feeling the harsh breeze run along my exposed skin.
As I'm walking down the drive way I notice Peter doing the same and yell out to him "Peter!" He turns at the sound of my voice a small smile forming on his face.
"McKayla hey! You headed to school?" I walk over to his side of the street.
"Yeah where else would I be going?" I ask, Peter looks down his hand finding its way to the back of his neck as he lets out a nervous reply, "Oh-uh true, true". I let out a small giggle continuing the conversation until it dwindles to a comfortable silence, my mind escaping into my subconscious, thinking of anythingt fill the silence.
A couple minutes later Peter breaks the silence, I only hear the last couple words "-nyone here?"
"What?" I question back, escaping from my daze-like state and staring back up at him. "Sorry I was lost in the clouds, what'd you say?"
"Do you know anyone here? At school I mean" He says looking down to his hands before continuing his nervous rant,
"Because, well you said you used to live here when you were 8 so I just thought maybe-"
"Oh! Yeah actually do you know a Gwen Stacy?" He turns to me a look of shock on his face "Yeah actually I do, we're not exactly friends but I've talked to her before" I smile to myself, "How do you know her?" he questions further.
I place down my skateboard and change the subject "Race you to school?" I challenge, "Game on Ashforde, and don't think I didn't notice the change of subject" he replies dropping his skateboard to the concrete, my heart pings at his words, if only he knew, my breathing speeds up before I see Peter skating off, "Hey! We didn't say go!"
We race the whole way to school, Peter ends up winning. We ride into school kicking off of our skateboard and catching them in our hands. Peter shows me to the office before rushing to his first class as the bell rings. I talk to the office lady and get my schedule and locker number "Thank you" I say backing up and turning around. Locker 219. I find my locker and put my bag inside, glancing at my timetable I see 'chemistry room T14' I grab my chemistry book out and navigate my way through the halls eventually finding the right class. Everyone's eyes snap to me as I walk in, the teacher introduces me and I look around finding familiar blue eyes, Gwen, she stares back at me slightly in shock I smile as the teacher directs me to sit next to her.
Taking my seat I turn to her and smile "Long time no see, huh".
"Mckayla!" She whisper shouts "I never thought I'd see you again" a smile forms on her face, no nickname, ouch, then again it has been 8 years.
"Awestruck. Damn, didn't think I had that effect on people" i tease leaning one of my elbows onto the desk holding my cheek, my smile forming into a smirk. "Please don't give yourself that much credit" she laughs nudging me slightly. "Worth a shot."
"Hey are you doing anything after school?" Gwen questions glancing back at me.
"No I'm free, why?" I question back, looking away from the teacher and back to my old best friend.
"Do you wanna come over after school? I mean it's been so long and I'm sure my parents would love to see you again"
I smile "I would be honoured".
I was half expecting Gwen to be mad at me for leaving out of the blue when we were 8. Neither of us knew that would be the last time we'd see eachother, but hey I guess the saying, 'you always meet the same person twice', might actually be true. We found ourselves talking each other's ears off through the whole class, that's a pretty big sign saying she's not mad. I smile to myself at this thought. I'm glad she doesn't hate me, she's one of the only friends I've ever had I don't know what I'd do if she did.
The day flies past and soon the final bell rings. I grab my bag and hurry to find the exit, I feel the breeze that signifies my freedom. Not long after Gwen appears beside me "Ready to go?" Nerves prickle up my skin, I haven't seen these people for 8 years, Gwen might not hate me but do they? My father wasn't exactly the best person and Gwen's dad is a cop, what if he hated me? I swallow my fear and turn to Gwen.
"Ready as I'll ever be"