Chapter 1: Haunting Memories

Love once?

 

I turned the corner and there he was. Jake his jet black hair usually spiked up was flat and dripping with water. His hands grasped around something so tightly it was in impression that he would never let it go. Two shadows engulfed around each other leaning against the alley wall. I took a step closer, wondering if Jake could hear me at this very moment and take me in his arms. Then I realized that slot was already taken. I saw her straggly blonde hair plastered around his neck. I saw his arms, clutching her back and her fingertips enclosing around his neck. They pulled away after what seemed forever gasping and the girl let out a shriek of delight. Jake, my boyfriend leaned closer and she backed away giggling. I felt sick. Slowly, I backed away, shaking my head in utter disbelief. Clunk! I had backed into dented soda can.

 

Their heads turned. I gasped and Jake moved toward me calling out my name. I ran and ran till I could only hear faint mutters of Jake screaming my name and telling me to come back. I didn’t look back not once. I tried to get his face out of his mind but all I saw was his lips and arms around a girl that wasn't me. Tears stung my eyes and flew back from the wind. My hair was sprawled around my face twisted in regret and denial. I hoped every tear that poured out hit Jake an wounded him forever. In my room, a voice message beeped.

 

"Jade, I'm sorry; just give me another chance." Jake's voice cracked. I turned it off before I could hear any more of his voice.

 

"No I'm sorry, I don't believe in second chances Jake." I replied looking into my mirror to see faint traces of tears settling on the cheeks of a stony face I did not recognize anymore.

 

I woke up with a start, gasping. My shirt clung to my back which was coated in sweat. It’s just a dream I wanted to tell myself. I started to rock myself on my bed flinging the sheets everywhere, frustrated. I had left all of those memories back home, back in Fremont. But now I was in Philadelphia, far away. Just a dream I repeated assuring myself. But I couldn’t convince myself, because my dream wasn’t a dream. It was real; a real nightmare. Not fantasy, but reality. It was everything I tried to forget and run away from. I really did know someone named Jake. Jake. He was my boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend now; I had loved him so much. I had loved everyone; my friends and my family back home. However, when Jake did that to me, it struck me hard and cold, and suddenly I just stopped loving. He did something unforgivable and he enjoyed it; something that sent shivers up my spine every now and then. I was trying so hard to forget about my past and it was actually working until now. What happened in my dream, happened 4 years ago. It reminded me exactly why I can never trust or love again. I had loved so much; too much, I wasn’t sure there was any love in me left. That meant no more boys. No more happiness. No more love, and the thing that I cared about more then the world and me myself, Nick.

 

I closed my eyes and tried to picture his beautiful face in my mind. The first time we met which seemed like just yesterday. A flashback struck me.

 

I looked at him from the corner of my eye. He was moving toward Zoey cautiously, and lifted his hand only to slump it back down again.

 

"Cheer up Zoey." I whispered softly completely aware of the stranger's eyes glued to me.

 

But what i really wanted to say was, “Why can’t my life be normal and not so embarrassing?!!" Tears were streaming down Zoey's face. Her ghostly-pale face was turning red and her once- beautiful up- tilted eyes drooped down. Her raven- black bangs that were cut neatly straight were shaken and blown away. She kept taking gulps of air and sobbing continuously. Everyone had turned to stare at the club. Zoey was sober and kneeling on the floor sobbing obnoxiously in the middle of the dance floor. All of a sudden, I heard the most wretched sound and I turned swiftly just to see Zoey vomit all over someone’s shoes.

"That’s pleasant." I said out loud. I gagged in disgust while stuffing my face with chips to hide my embarrassment. The boy who had been staring at me took a step towards me and I took a step back.

 

"Zoey's upset because of Brian. They got into a fight." he replied tightly. I felt angry. Who was he? How did he know this and not me? I didn't say anything for a while. Instead of responding, I chewed my food that was still in my mouth.

 

Then he spoke," I should probably introduce myself; Nick, nice to meet you." I scrunched up my face and went into deep thinking. I knew him from somewhere.

"Ohhh, I remember you now!" I exclaimed. Nick was there the first day I met Brian at Suki's Pizza. He was Brian's best friend. But, it came out more like "Mmhmmmhm."I saw a hint of a smile on Nick's face. Suddenly I felt really stupid. I chewed and chewed and finally swallowed and finally I said something intelligent.

 

"Hi, im Jade." I smiled shyly. I knew I should of just ended the conversation right there and then, but I didn’t. What could go wrong?

 

 

Reviews

[Shep]

So your name on one my friends stories and read your profile. Normally I walk away when I see that your only 13, but something told me to check out your novel first. And I was glad I did. I was very impressed with your first opening chapter. Geat detail with passion that makes a great writer great.

I notice that you don't read poetry which is fine by me, even though I write both. You see I am a series writer, but I like to introduce a book with a poem I have writen for my novel and some times use it to help tell the story or need a spell for a character. Because some spells are writen in poetry form.

Come by and check out my series what's behind the looking glass. And I will read every chapter, every story and every novel that you write. Just by reading my series.

[Damita Taylor]

Good read, I'll definitely follow up on the next chapters later, I feel what she's going through, that's cool.

[barakanaga16]

Good idea ;) I liked this a lot.

[Brittany]

I'm a bit confused by all the characters. She was with Jake four years ago but still dreams about him. Then she switches to Nick. Who's Nick? How is he relevant to her story? I think the writing is okay, but too many characters and not enough background.

[AK]

Wow! Brilliant chapter! It flows really well and the plot is really interesting!
I am totally intrigued. Loved it! Your choice of words is amazing! Keep writing!

[Artiste de Mots]

I thought it was too fast when I first started reading, but then everything seemed to come together. Great job! BTW, looove your picture. It's so innocent and beautiful. :D

[Jessika Claire]

I like how you took an overused plot and gave us a new way to view it. Too many people write a story that's too similar to another.
I feel like the 'flashback' at the end was a bit out of place. Perhaps you could leave a little cliffhanger at the end of the first chapter and make extend the flashback in another chapter? It just seems more organized to me that way.
Very good though.

[Taylor H.]

my boyfriend leaned closer and she backed away giggling.I felt - giggling. I

I hoped every tear that poured out hit Jake an wounded him forever- and

But now I was inPhiladelphia- in Philadelphia

I cared about more then the world and me myself- than

But what i really wanted to say was- I

somoene's shoes- someone's

"Thats pleasant." I said outloud- That's and aloud

"Hi, im Jade." - I'm

I liked this chapter. It was very interesting and I cant wait to read the second part to it :)

[r. f. jordan]

this is an interesting read about the entanglements of past abandonment measured against the decision for current trust. i'm a bit confused as to the link between Jake, Nick, and Brian as characters, but perhaps the protagonist in the story is feeling the same confusion. These are things that easily could be developed later, and i'm sure will. the imagery is well written, and the emotions covered seem to permeate raw." I hoped every tear that poured out hit Jake an wounded him forever. In my room, a voice message beeped." i would look at the "an" in that line and wonder if "and" were a better fit. then again, after reading a recent review elsewhere, i realize some apparent mistakes are made for a reason. thank you for sharing your talents with me on this site.

[Layla J Omorose]

Yes indeed I wonder what could go wrong too. So in order to find out I need to read the next chapter. This was a good opening chapter. Hooked me from the beginning. I also have to agree with the other comments. I also what to know what Nick has to do with anything and how it jumps from her ex boyfriend to Nick.