Craziness Overload by: Evangeline Summers
Sometimes I think that a whole change of events might be an unexpected challenge for us. I believe that those unexpected challenges are made to test us and make us try to push through the obstacles in life which make us stronger. But sometimes, I want to believe that all this is just a bad dream and with every obstacle that comes my way, its their way of telling me to wake up and face reality.
Death is one of those obstacles, its unfortunate, unexpected and in some cases emotionally damaging. I know how much it hurts because I'm going through it right now sitting at the police station, bawling my eyes out on my fifteenth birthday in my fluffy unicorn pajamas hoping all this is just one bad nightmare. And at precisely seven a.m. I'd be woken up by my annoying alarm clock, greeted by the pastel walls of my bedroom and the heavenly aroma of freshly made of pancakes would waft to my nose. Then my mother would greet me with her signature smile, she'd laugh, smile and be happy. She would be...alive.
Everything was slipping away from my grasp like sand, despite being surrounded by millions of people for the first time in my life I felt alone and alienated. Every ounce of happiness has been sucked out of my life and I've lost everyone I love. They just disappeared one after another like beads falling off a broken necklace. First Max then Dawn and now my mom.
The never ending waterworks continue, I couldn't stop them for the first time I had no self-control. I'm sorry mom I can't be the strong woman you wanted me to be, but you promised you'd be here with me when I need you so why aren't you here now? I need to talk to you, I'm desperate to hear your voice again to feel the warmth of your embrace. I need you the most right now mom, I should've kept you back longer maybe then you'd still be here.
"Are you crying again? Yeesh teenage girls these days are such drama queens", the police officer hands me another tissue as I relentlessly sob. They'd been trying to get in contact with my father for nearly an hour but got no response.
I sniff out an inaudible 'thank you' as I gratefully accept another tissue. Who could blame him for being annoyed, after all he was made to babysit a highly capable teenager who couldn't stop crying but isn't that what people do. When a loved one's soul departs they mourn over their death. So the drama queen part in my opinion is an exaggeration.
"Miss Summers", I turn my head in the direction of the voice and mumble out a faint 'yes'.
"I sincerely apologize for your loss", the police officer continues as he hands me a hot cup of cocoa. Woah! free cocoa. "We've been trying to contact your father and your brother for the past hour, unfortunately there has been no positive response from them so far. Although we do have some good news. You'll be staying with the Miller's till your father comes back", he explains.
"You mean I'll be going back to Middletin?" I ask sipping the steamy drink.
He nods "it'll only be temporary maybe until we get into contact with your dad."
"By the Millers you mean Chance and Lisa. I'll be staying with them right?" My face face brightens up at the possibility of reuniting with my best friend but not with her brother. I don't want to see Chance again. He was my best friend but a part of my past that I couldn't face. "Can't I just stay at my dad's place till he gets back?" I suggest crossing my fingers.
"No you may not and you will be staying with Cassidy Miller. Your mother's best friend", the other -extremely annoying- officer rudely interjects. Ugh, for the love of purple elephants who the hell was Cassidy Miller? And does he have to put it so bluntly. Do you ever wish that killing someone was legal because that's what I'm wishing for right now? I've got a long list of people that I want to kill.
EVANGELINE CHARLOTTE SUMMERS KILL LIST.
1. Max Heesters = ex-boyfriend
2. Dawn Midas = ex-best friend
3. Officer Dax Paul = The extremely annoying officer.
"Dax", Logan warns "relax, firstly it's Cassandra not Cassidy, secondly Chance and Lisa are her kids."
"We found this in your mothers car", Dax mumbles handing me my mothers most treasured possession: a rose locket. Apparently mom's car skidded off a cliff and into a river however they're still looking for her corpse. I trace the floral engravings, the reason mom treasured it so much was simply because dad gifted it to her on they're 2 year anniversary in her sophomore year in high school. Talk about cheesy. I slowly open it revealing a family picture we'd taken at Carter's graduation. The other half of the of the locket was covered by a thin rose gold sheet. I expected some type of message or quote, I traced my index finger over the sheet and much to my amazement it gave away. I carefully remove the sheet my eyes fixed on the folded note compressed underneath it.
I've read enough mystery novels to know that this might be a secret message from someone to my mother. 'You shouldn't be reading that, you're invading your mothers privacy', my conscience warns.
Ignoring the voice in my head, I slowly unfold the note my mothers calligraphy coming into view.
Dear Evangeline, my bunnykins
Today's been craziness overload. My death, your breakup with Max. Basically everything was unpredictable. Evvie my darling, I'm sorry for being such a horrible person to you. I know apologizing doesn't make things right, a word can't make up for what you're going through.
I have a very selfish request, so please hear me out. I want you to be happy and to embrace those flaws that define you, those inner demons and nightmares that you're afraid of.
Please promise me that you'll never cry over anything. Not my death and definitely not over any guy. Princess don't cry, pumpkin. Don't let your heart implode because of some guy who isn't worth your time, love and even acknowledgement. Don't ever let a guy discredit you or make you feel inconsequential or an emotionally love-starved teenager. You have the discretion to pick who you want to spend the rest of your life with so please make me proud.
There are so many things that I want to tell you, teach you. You'll come across obstacles and hurdles in your life that are meant to test you emotionally and physically and they will make you stronger and wiser. I'm sorry that I won't be there to watch you overcome them or even help you. Promise me that you'll stand tall for a lifetime.
I know its hard to accept it, harder to comprehend it and tougher to apply it but a promise is a promise Butter wings so please fulfill these selfish promises of mine. And I have one more selfish request. Please protect Carter, he's in a lot of danger but please keep it confidential.
Lots of Love
Warm Regards
Esme Monica Summers.
Protect Carter? Why and from whom? Why is mom asking me to do that? And did mom commit suicide?