Lindsay Carlton on the top.

Chapter II

"For the last time Amy, we can't have the concept of a gothic Cinderella," I sighed, exasperated by the continuous pestering by one of the drama club students.

It was the day of ideas. Since the showcase was two months away, all the departments of extra curricular activities had started their planning and persuasion for good funding.

In Riverview High, the last hour of the day was allotted for extra curricular activities. One of the plus point of our school was the enthusiasm showed through participation in these activities.

Showcase was one of the most awaited events, not only by our school students but by everyone outside school too. It happened twice a year and the money raised from it went to the development of the different departments.

There was quite many options to choose from. There was music (vocal and instrumental), dance, drama, debating, art, sculpture, cheerleading, sports, and so on.

For the academic oriented people, there were debate clubs, math clubs, science clubs and so many more.

There was a Reading club too for all the avid readers and a creative writing one for all the budding writers. In all, it was quite fun to choose.

"Are you kidding me?" I nearly shrieked as Kylie, the sub-head of Drama department told me what Lindsay aka the head of the Dance department and my rival, was planning.

Anger swarmed me and I asked Kylie to come along with me as I marched towards a Club fund meeting that excluded me.

I knew that bitch was going to play dirty when it can to funding because our department always got a bit more than the Dance department.

Once I reached the room where mostly all the issues were discussed, I slammed the door open. Wide eyes of all the Club/ Department heads turned to face my enraged expression.

I clenched my jaw when I spotted a smirking face.

"What the hell, Carlton? Why wasn't I informed of this meeting?" I asked, on the verge of yelling and some of the Heads flinched.

The witch in question rolled her eyes, smirking. "Because you're not that important as you make yourself to be."

It was my turn to roll my eyes now. "Really? That's not what Principal Stewart had to say last showcase," I smirked as she scowled.

Last year Drama department has raised the maximum funds, much to the annoyance of the dance team. Or mainly the head.

"Whatever. This year I'll show you whose the boss," she replied before starting the discussion.

I simply rolled my eyes and sat down at my assigned place.

"Hey, did you hear about the movie being shot in our town?" A whisper caught my attention since Lindsay was practically boring me as she droned on and on about the pros of funding the Dance club.

"Yeah, and I heard that Adrian Carter in starting in it. Gosh! He's so hot. I wish I could meet him," the one next to me whispered back.

Adrian Carter, the current teenage heartthrob of Hollywood. There was no denying that he was good looking. With his brown hair and captivating green eyes, he basically was the reason why so many girls melted in a puddle of awe when he starred in movies.

I wasn't going to go on and say that I didn't like him or I didn't give a damn about his reputation or anything. Because then I'd be lying.

Not the liking part, though because according to me, to like a person you needed to know him first. And I didn't know Adrian so I couldn't say that either liked him or disliked him.

I just appreciated and admired his acting which was admittedly good. I wasn't exactly his fan but I wasn't anti him either. Acting being my passion, required me to watch other actors and learn from them.

"I heard it's a horror," another whisper broke my line of thought.

Just after that, another one jumped into the discussion and I almost smirked victoriously as the whole room started whispering one by one, removing their attention from Lindsay.

Once she realised what was going on, it was already time for the board meeting to end. Seeing her mad brought me inner peace and I smirked at her before simply getting up and exiting.

I might've sashayed a bit but the look on her face was priceless and worth it. I grinned as I slowly eased out of the room, with Kylie.

The weekend was going to be awesome, I could feel it.

****

This weekend was going to be shit, I could already feel it. That was the first thought that I had when I saw the picture of the Spooky mansion on my laptop.

As I read more and more horror stories about it, the more creepy feeling crawled up my spine. What was I getting myself into?

I was about to shut my laptop when a message pinged on my phone. I opened it and it was the devil who gave me the dare.

I didn't bother to reply after that, knowing he'd just get under my skin. I wish I could take Sydney along so that I wouldn't die alone but she was even more of a scaredy cat than me.

With that thought in mind, I started scrounging for all possible things that could keep me alive for maximum time.

What could I take along? I'd seen a couple of horror movies to know what I could possibly need.

First on the list was a cross. I wasn't very religious, to be honest. I did pray at times but it wasn't a routine for me.

But God wouldn't abandon me because of that, right? Hope not because this year I'd been a really good girl. Well, if you ignore the occasional cat fights with Lindsay and a couple of quarrels with the lunch lady, I think I'd been pretty decent.

I wouldn't even ask for a gift this Christmas if that was what it would take to keep me breathing.

He's not Santa, you know.

At times like these, I really didn't need my brain to point out facts.

I ignored my inner voice and proceeded to the next item I might need. A torch? The ghosts are afraid of light, right?

Or not.

I ran a frustrated hand through my brown locks. This wasn't going anywhere. Might as well bathe in holy water and go but even that would evaporate.

I groaned and slumped on my bed. Who on earth decided that horror movies were a good thing? I shook my head and simply lay in the bed, trying to hatch plans of survival.
****

I ran and ran but my path was merged into oblivion. Sweat kissed my skin as my hair clung to my forehead. I ran until my feet ached, not once looking behind as a deep chuckle echoed through the thin woody walls of the house.

Blinded by darkness, I kept running until my lungs ached, gasping for breath. The deep and evil laughter didn't leave me until the sound was embedded in my brain, ringing and banging in my eardrums, not letting me hear anything else but that.

I didn't know where I was going because all I could think of was running.

Darkness engulfed me so much so that I could feel it's gentle caress on my skin, giving rise to goosebumps.

Finally after what seemed like hours of running, my body seemed to give up. My knees buckled under the pressure of my body, making me fall but then that's all I was doing.

I was falling.

Falling into the pits of oblivion that was pulling me into its grasp without my will.

When I was about to give up thinking, I landed on a dusty wooden floor that seemed to creek with each movement that my body allowed.

My eyes were barely keeping themselves open as I glanced at the pair of shoes in front of my face.

With everything I could muster, I lifted my gaze up. Up and up until I could see the face of the person.

The moment my eyes landed on the face, my mouth parted in surprise. With a choked voice, I barely whispered. "B-Brandon?"

His mouth opened to give an answer. An answer of my death, given the scary surroundings.

"Hey Addie, want a RedBull?" He grinned.

That's when I jerked awake. What kind of a dream was that?

And of all the things Brandon could offer, it was Red Bull? He was going to get a beating for offering that. I was on the verge of dying and he offers a drink?

Some manners he has.

I shook my head in exasperation and turned to see the time. It was 12 noon, meaning I'd overslept.

Oh well, not like I had anything to do until night. Plus, this would help me stay awake for more hours in the house of doom.

I groggily got up and stomped my way down. How come no nobody woke me up?

I got my answer once I reached the bottom of the stairs. Of course. I almost rolled my eyes when I saw the empty living room and kitchen.

Shaking my head, I dragged myself to my parents room where they both were sleeping like a baby.

Dad was cuddled into the duvet and was almost pushing mom off the bed since she barely had any space left with dad hogging the bed.

I stepped towards dad before reminding myself who I was trying to wake up. Thinking better of it, I changed my direction towards mom.

On my way to the bed, I grabbed the waking tool from the cupboard and crept up beside mom.

The Waking Tool was nothing but a toy blow horn which was pretty efficient if mom was to be waken up.

I inserted the cotton buds in my ears before taking my position near the bed but far enough to give mom the space to fall on the floor since she was already halfway there.

Giving a count of three, I blew the horn.

Mom's reaction was immediate. She jolted up and ended up slipping along with the duvet, on the floor. I almost cringed as she fell face-first.

Her groan filled the silent room as she slowly got up rubbing her face.

"What time is it?" She asked in a heavy voice.

"A little past twelve," I answered and all the sleep left her body as she immediately jolted up.

"What?!"

I simply nodded before setting the horn aside and removing the earbuds which weren't that effective to be honest.

She was about to open her mouth to say something when her gaze shifted to the bed and her eyes widened.

"Was I sleeping in this much space?" She questioned and I nodded, grinning.

She scowled at her husband as he snuggled costly into the duvet. Soon a slow smirk crossed her face as she looked at me.

"Don't you think it time for the good old surprise wake up call?" She asked and I almost burst out laughing at what she meant.

I grinned at her and nodded before getting to work. It was going to be so much fun. Mom was best when it came to revenge plans.

I quickly ran to the kitchen and fished out a paper plate before loading a huge amount of whipped cream on it.

For an additional taste, I added some old bean sauce over it and grinned as I took it into the room. Mom grinned at the plate I brought in.

"Go take your position," she said, motioning for me to climb the bed.

I quickly did as asked. She connected her phone to the speakers and kept one near my dad's ear. She gave me a thumbs up and I returned the favour once I was right beside dad, holding the plate carefully.

Mom went to the recorded voices and played the one that scared dad the most i.e my grandmother's.

"WAKE UP BARNEY!" My grandmother's voice echoed through the speakers, referring to dad's childhood nick name.

Dad's reaction was immediate. He jolted up,"YES MOT-"

His voice muffled as his face smacked into the plate I was holding out for him, decorating his face with the ingredients.

One look at each other, and both mom and I burst into uncontrollable laughter. Dad slowly removed the plate, wiping his eyes so Yahya he could open them.

"What did I do to deserve this, now?" He asked, raising his eyebrow and giving a dramatic sigh in return.

Mom kept on chuckling as she handed dad her phone with the pic of him snogging the bed.

"This? THIS is why you have me a heart attack?" He asked incredulously but we continued laughing.

He just shook his head, getting out of bed. "What am I ever going to do with these two?

We just high fived each other and watched dad drag himself to the washroom, cursing himself for keeping the sauce in plain sight.

****
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