Living in Darkness- HIATUS/editing ch 19-25
Living in Darkness
Chapter One
“Elena…Elena…ELENA!”
I wake up with a start to the sound of sniggering and my professor’s stern face. Looking around, I realize I’ve nodded off in my 19th century poetry class. Usually, the class was very interesting, but being sleep deprived had turned my desk into the perfect pillow.
“Now that Elena has joined us again,” my professor continues, “who cares to sum up yesterday’s reading?” One off my classmates raises his hand and proceeds to rattle off the whole life of James Joyce. Pinching myself so I won’t fall asleep again, I attempt to take notes until the bell rings.
The sweet spring breeze ruffles my hair as I slowly walk through campus to my car, relived Poetry was my last class of the day. I love to learn and the English program at Gotham University was one of the best. But between school, studying and work, I had little time left for sleep. Ever since I embarrassed myself in high school by not making top 10 percent like the rest of my friends, I had been studying my ass off in college trying to make up for it. Studying could wait a few hours though; I really need a nap.
As soon as I get home to my apartment, I close the blinds, put some music on and promptly pass out on the couch.
BANG BANG BANG! I jolt awake to someone pounding on my door.
“Uggg, I’m coming,” I yell and then whisper to myself, “Who the hell?” Opening the door, I’m greeted by the face of my good friend Kara.
“Hey!” Kara squeals, hugging me. “It’s Friday! You know what Friday is right?”
“Sleep day?” I suggest optimistically, hoping she gets the hint.
“Nope!” she giggles, pushing her way into my apartment and throwing her bag on the armchair. “It’s party day! We need to go out and dance. You promised to go out with me this weekend.”
Partying isn’t really my thing. I like hanging out with friends and sharing a case of beers but I can’t stand mosh pits of people jumping up and down. “Why don’t we just call up Steven and Sam and play Call of Duty or something?” I offer.
Kara pouts at the suggestion. “Elena, you need to get out of the house; it would be good for you. Besides, you did promise to go out with me this weekend.” I look at the clock; it’s 11:00 pm, meaning I did just sleep for the last seven hours.
“Ok, fine,” I say, “but I need to be back before five. I have a lot of studying to do tomorrow.”
“Blah blah blah something about school. I know it’s important to you, but you honestly need to have more fun Elena.” Kara says sympathetically. “Now let’s find you something to wear.” She drags me to my closet and sighs almost romantically at my clothes.
“You do have good taste.” She yanks a short sparkly blue dress from a hanger. “I like this one! It makes you actually have cleavage for once.”
“Ha ha very funny Ms. C cup,”
“Don’t hate me cuz you know its true!” she laughs.
I tug on the dress and slid my feet into some black heels. Now for my hair and makeup; I walk to the small bathroom and study my reflection. With natural tan-ish skin from being half Mexican/ half Caucasian, and long think brown hair with some natural wave, I’m not too bad looking. I use to be jealous of all my friends who actually look twenty, while I sometimes get mistaken for my youngest sister- who’s fourteen. But I’ve realized there are some benefits with being cute instead of sexy. I can get away with wearing more revealing things without looking slutty. I can also still order off the kid’s menu without getting weird looks. You could say it comes in handy once in awhile.
I quickly rub some mousse into my hair and apply some eyeliner and mascara. “Alright, I’m ready,” I yell to Kara. “Let’s go and get this night over with.”
We get into Kara’s car and drive to her favorite club, Rave (where there are raves, surprise surprise). Since we’re girls, we don’t have to wait in line very long before the bouncer let’s us in. The techo music shakes the room as silhouettes of people grind on the darkened dance floor. Kara grabs my hand and we carefully make our way to the center of the floor, dancing as we go. Some guys try to dance up on us, but we pull the ‘creepy stare’ move and they quickly leave us alone.
After an hour or so, Kara leans towards me, shouting over the music, “Hey, I have to go pee! Come with me!” I nod my head and follow her through the crowds to the restrooms. Standing outside the door, I fan myself, happy to get a breath of fresh air. I’m surprised that I’m actually having a good time. Sometimes, I guess, it’s nice to just forget everything and dance it off.
I start checking out the people around me when I notice the outline of someone not thirty feet away. He is standing in the shadows, slightly hunched over, staring right at me. I know this because although the person’s face is in gloom, his eyes gleam out from the darkness like little pits of black fire. I stare back pointedly, wondering how long it’s going to take before he knocks it off. The eyes continue to stare, never blinking.
“Elena! I’m done,” I hear Kara behind me. I turn around, laughing when I see her hair frizzy from the dancing.
“Want to go dance again?” I ask. She shakes her head no, and says there’s another party she wants to go to. She walks towards the door, beckoning me to follow. I take a swift glance behind me, and see the person still standing there, still staring. A shiver runs down my spine, and I quickly run after Kara, relived to be leaving.