Night Intrusion - The Short Story

Guys. I wrote a story. Not my usual kinda of story. The narrative is odd... inadvertently inspired by Actual Cannibal Shia LaBeouf. It's based on a true story, of something that happened to me the other night. Without further audio, I give you:

Night Intrusion

Gather round everyone, settle down. I have a story to tell. You all settled- Clarence that's not a chair. Okay, everyone ready? Good.

Now before we start, take a moment to imagine yourself in your bedroom. You sleep downstairs, while the rest of the family sleeps above. It's past midnight, and you're the only one who's still awake. Not an unusual occurrence. You finally settle down, setting aside your book. You dawn your pajamas, and climb into bed. It's outlandishly hot. Or rather, you're a born and raised Washingtonian, so seventy five degrees feels outlandishly hot. You turn on the fan beside your bed, and it blows into your face lulling your eyes shut. It takes time, but finally, sleep is yours.

Now the story may begin.

Your sleep is dreamless and peaceful. In your state of unconsciousness your body had deemed it comfortable to contort itself into various odd angles, tucking your limbs into positions only comfortable when in a deep, comatose like sleep.

But you're interrupted. You wake, groggy and your mind screaming bloody murder at whatever dare take you from such lovely rest. Perhaps goings to bed early was for naught. Sleeping in another half an hour sounds nice as you glace around to see what woke you.

Nothing is apparent. The tension rises. Something feels very wrong, but you can't quite place it.

It's still dark outside, and in these Summer months sunlight seems to peak at five in the morning. Or maybe it's six. Honestly you don't care. All you know is you've only managed to sleep a few measly hours.

The fan is still blowing, so the power didn't go out. No figures stand in the hallway either. Not within visible view, that is. The cat is ruled out immediately. His tried and true method of waking someone is pushing everything off their nightstand. Usually books. Which tend to be very loud when hitting hardwood floor. Makes for wonderful heart attacks.

No, whatever woke you is much more... menacing. Your thoughts shift to the sliding glass door. Silently you curse the bad decision not to buy curtains. Anyone or anything could be staring you down through that window. When you build the courage to shift your neck, you see nothing outside.

A bit odd. The floodlight isn't on. Quite frankly you would be relieved if it was. Opossums frequent the backyard at night, mistaking it for an animal highway. Sometimes there are even neighborhood cats that pay you visits in the dark. But no, nothing outside woke you either.

Your thoughts turn once more to the odd feeling from when you first woke up. Realization hits. You groan out of annoyance. Did you really just wake yourself up by sleeping in an uncomfortable position? Did you really just read a story about waking up due to weird sleeping habits?! Exasperation flowing through your body, you pull your arm limbs out from underneath you.

But something is wrong. Very wrong.

WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS HOLY- THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE BED.

It takes a moment for your brain to register. But you're pretty sure there's an arm in your bed. I repeat THERE IS AN ARM IN YOUR BED. It takes even long for you to realize that it's your arm. This heavy, warm, squishy thing is connected to your elbow. And finally it dawns on you.

You were sleeping on your forearm.

Looking back, the problem was quite obvious from the start. It would seem there was not enough blood movement in your arm. Easy fix. Just to be sure, though, you grab your wrist and lift your arm. The feeling of lifting your dead, uncomfortably warm and squishy arm is enough to drive rationality from your brain. In a last desperate attempt to keep your befuddled brain from exploding, you try to move your fingers. Suddenly you understand what the phantom pains from losing a limb is like. Your fingers don't move, but their ghost does.

Finally you lay on your side, repeating rational thinking as the feeling creeps into your arm. You sigh happily as your fingers move upon command once more. You eagerly await the painful needle like jabbing as blood rushes into your veins like an alien symbiote taking control of your body. It will be a restless night after all...


So tell me, am I the next best selling author or what? Did you enjoy my story? Was it horrible? Let me know in the comments.

Stay classy my friends.

I Don't Like Waiting

Waiting is not fun. I think we can all probably agree on this. And I'm not just referring to waiting for an Amazon package. Though I'll admit it's agony waiting for them, am I right?!

No, I'm speaking of something that requires hard work, dedication, and money. Ohhhhh does it take money.

In my seventeen short years of life, I've had to do a bit of waiting. I was always known as the impatient one of the family. Heck, I may still be. But when I'm excited about something, I like to voice just how excited I am. Which can come across as impatient. Because I'm lying face down on the floor making sounds like a beached whale. It isn't pretty.

I had various stages of waiting when I was little. The times between riding schools, which lasted at least a year in between each. Then of course, I had to wait five years to ride, after my dad lost his job. If you know me, then you probably already know that story. You probably know, that even though I had to forget about my God given passion, that I wouldn't trade those five horseless years for the world.

Yeah, that might seem odd. If I wanted it so badly, then why do I appreciate five years where I didn't get it? Because it's made me just that much more grateful. If I'd never stopped riding, I wouldn't realise how precious it is. So ultimately, the waiting is just as important as getting.

Of course that's easy to say once the waiting is over. Because right now I'm in waiting. Wanna know what for? Karate lessons. That's right people, I've possibly found a way that no-consistent-income-me (my current job is like that) can afford weekly Karate lessons. Twice a week actually. And the waiting is agony because I may be able to start within the next month and it's all I can think about.

I was probably six when I started wanting to learn Karate. Maybe younger, I honestly don't remember. But I had these friends, Colin and Andrew. They took Karate together. So any time that we three were together, I would ask them to spar. I loved watching them fight, and always wanted to fight myself. Collin even showed me a fancy move. Which accidentally ended up with me falling face first onto concrete.

(Too soon?)

You might think an incident like that would deter me. But I am no ordinary human being.

Through the years my interest was forgotten, much like how I forgot of my interest in horses during those five long years. But it has come back full force since the start of 841 Films. Because of film fighting, I've gotten a small taste of fighting. Of course I'm fully aware that I will not walk away from sparring without injuries, while in film fighting you aren't supposed to get hurt. Yes I know what I said. Supposed to. It happens guys.

But I can't spar until I've gotten my third belt. So it's not like your general Jiu Jitsu classes. They're known to be... brutal, from what I've read. Even to beginners.

Since getting a small taste of the adrenaline, which was multiplied ten fold with my recent dive into swordsmanship, I had been unable to think clearly. My mind and days are filled with research. Karate. Jiu Jitsu. Aikido. Taekwondo. Learning the difference so I know which martial art to learn first. It's fascinating.

Let's just take a moment to acknowledge how hardcore any martial artist is because it takes years of training to be this awesome.

Due to resources and yada yada, I'm going to take Karate. I would like to learn Aikido someday, as the fighting style is very interesting to me. And don't even get me started on Hakama's. Because they are BEAST. For Karate you just wear a Gi. Which is cool. But it's not a Hakama.

So tell me, what have you wanted to pursue, but have been unable to because of reasons? Hang in there if you're waiting. It'll come one day, and it'll be amazing.

Stay classy my friends.

My Top Five Favorite YouTubers

Confession: I'm a YouTube salker.

That's right. I just really love stalking YouTube channels and watching their videos over, and over, and over, and over, and over... well, you get the idea.

So I present to you, my top five YouTube Channels in absolutely no particular order. Obviously there are more but I'm just doing five. Okay, here goes.

Silfimur

This guy is piano playing goals. Mostly he covers film soundtracks, and they always sound amazing. He's the only person I've discovered thus far to adequately cover any Two Steps from Hell songs, AND he provides Synthesia tutorials which are my preferred method of learning piano.

I mean you simply must hear his cover of London Calling and the Star Trek Main Theme because reasons:

DUHorsemanship

My riding instructor uses Clinton Anderson's methods, and recently a friend of mine started watching his videos. So obviously I had to look him up. I'd gotten one of his books from the library, but I generally prefer videos to books for learning. And may I say his channel is probably the best horse channel out there. At least that I've found.

Very informative and fun to watch, really great if you work with horses. Or want to work with horses.

EventionTV

Evention is by far informative, as well as highly entertaining. They know how to have fun and teach at the same time.

Not to mention that they are hardcore.

I really love their videos, they cover good topics, and are very clear. Their videos are amazing quality, which is something you rarely see in other horse channels. I highly recommend them if you love horses, want to learn, but also want to laugh too.

Rogue ZoHu Productions

Okay maybe I'm biased since these are my friends, buuuut this is seriously one of my all time favorite channels. Their videos are perfection, and they just keeps getting better. Not to mention the Home Grown Filmmaker Vlogs, which are very informative.

My particular interest in filmmaking is choreographing fights. And actually fighting in said fights. So I'm particularly fond of any videos covering fight films. But the rest are all amazing, and it's really cool to see what's put into these films. Because a lot goes into them.

Studio C

And last, but most definitely not least, is Studio C! For the longest time I had a friend recommending them, but I always forgot by the time I got home. Then one day I heard laughter upstairs, and discovered that my sister had started watching their videos.

Their comedy is GOLD.

Literally me when I interact with strangers

I will never get over this dramatic reveal

"DEER!"

I could go on with the gifs. But quite frankly that would go on until I had gifs of every episode. Which would be very long.

All I can say is, Studio C will forever be my favorite comedy show. Like seriously every video is perfection I don't know how they do it.

That wraps up my top five YouTubers! What are your favorite YouTube channels? Tell me below in the comments. I'm always looking for good recommendations.

Stay classy my friends.

Bruce - Beautiful People For Writers

I have recently discovered an absolutely wonderful blog, and have decided to join in on this month's Beautiful People for Writers! This is all about Bruce, a character from my WIP She-Wolf. His character is very dear to me, but has also been giving me some trouble recently and made plotting a bit of a nightmare.

Do they want to get married and/or have children? Why or why not?

Though Bruce remains a realist, apart of him is waiting for the time he meets his soulmate, and he can leave everything behind and settle down and just be happy. He loves children, and above all else, he just wants to be with someone and make them happy for the rest of their life.

What is their weapon of choice? (It doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical weapon.)

Hand-to-hand. Through his many confrontation with various jerks and petty criminals, he's come to rely on purely his own body to fight. He only has a minor background with martial arts, from when he was in middle school, but it's served him well.

What's the nicest thing they've done for someone else, and why did they do it?

He once witness a woman being mugged, and scared the attackers away. She had a long walk home, and was obviously pretty poor. So being the rich aristocrat he is, he offered up his car. Not just as a ride, but he actually gave it to her. He was already at his destination, and he could easily call a car. Since then he's also donated to help the poor and needy, and keeps in close contact with that woman and her family.

Have they ever been physically violent with someone, and what instigated it?

When Bruce was younger, he would get upset easily. Particularly if the situation had to do with anyone that was sick, or had a disability. He almost got kicked out of college after getting into a fight. To some extent he's learned to control himself, but his natural reaction is to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and it's lead to him being violent with quite a few people.

Are they a rule-follower or a rebel?

Almost always a rule follower. On average he is a very respectable person, and practically over polite.

Are they organized or messy?

He's so organized, it's ridiculous. Having something out of place makes it hard for him to concentrate, so he keeps things very clean.

What makes them feel loved, and who was the last person to make them feel that way?

When a person depends on him. He really loves to make other people happy, and when he's able to help other people that makes him most happy. To know that they're okay.

It was a long time since he truly felt needed in such a way, but as Paige struggles with her life, she slowly realises she needs more than just herself to survive. Bruce gives her all the support she needs, but it's when she starts giving him support back that he feels loved in a way he hadn't in a long time AND CAN I JUST FANGIRL FOR A MOMENT HERE BECAUSE FEELS.

What do they eat for breakfast?

Scrambled eggs with every kind of vegetable he can mixed in. His mother was a health nut, and it became so ingrained in him, that not having vegetables was like taboo. Not to say he doesn't eat his share of desserts and such...

Have they ever lost someone close to them? What happened?

Just after Bruce started going to college, his seventeen year old sister committed suicide. He came home to visit, and his sister seemed distant. It was hard enough with their father having Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and without Bruce around he figured she was having a hard time being on her own so much.

Their mother found her body the next morning, along with a suicide note. She said she always felt sad, no matter what she did. People were harassing her at school. Since that day, Bruce has kept that letter safely stored away. On the back was a heartfelt apology to him, and he always felt responsible for not being there after going to college.

What’s their treat of choice? (Or, if not food, how else do they reward themselves?)

Fleur de Sel Caramels. Or basically any kind of caramel, but those are his favorite and he must be torn away from them if anyone brings them to a party. It's an easy way to bribe him to do little tasks. He fully acknowledges this and is totally okay because it means he gets more caramel.


This was really fun! I may just join in next month as well...

Stay classy my friends.

The Get-To-Know-Me Tag

The unlawful ways of my outlaw friend are starting to rub off on me. I couldn't pass up this tag, and since I wasn't tagged for it, I decided to do it anyway. Looks like my life of crime starts today...

Vital Stats

Name: Alina Nadine Blanchard.

Nicknames: I don't have a nickname, but I do have a long name! Angelina. It's not literally an elongated version of my legal name. It's just... my long name.

Birthday: December 6th

Place of Birth: Washington State, in some random duplex that I have no memory of. Okay I suppose it's not a random duplex if we lived there...

Star Sign: Sagittarius. I may not actually believe in the whole horoscope thing, but I do find it amusing to read "about myself" through them.

Occupation: Administrative Assistant. Sounds fancy. But I actually work for my dad. So it's not as fancy as it may sound. I prefer Empress of PDF's, considering that's half of what I do at my job.

Appearance

Hair color: *awkwardly pulls pony tail around* Brown I suppose. Maybe a slightly dark brown? Eh, let's just go with brown.

Hair length: A few inches past my shoulder. Unless it's wet. Then it's a few inches longer than that.

Eye color: Brown. Though when I got my enhanced ID the man behind the counter decided to ignore my claim to brown eyes, and input Amber. Which I am totally okay with.

Best feature:  Erm, well... I've always liked my eyes but honestly I have no idea.

Braces: Never had 'em before, never plan to have them.

Piercings: That would be a solid zero. I suppose certain types of ear piercings would be cool. But do I want to spend money to be in pain? Not remotely.

Tattoo: Yet another no. I'm not a fan of something so permanent. Not to mention painful.

Righty or Lefty:  Right. Except when I do cartwheels. I don't understand it either.

Firsts

Best friend: The first friend I can remember is Kylie. We were quite the pair in the old days.

Award: I don't think I've ever won an award in my life... unless you count my participation trophy for baseketball. Yeah, we'll go with none...

Sport: Basketball. Though I was so little, I didn't really play it. Rather, I was the kid on the wrong side of the court, bouncing around in her own world, just pray the ball wouldn't be passed to me because STRESS.

Real holiday: I actually have literally no idea. So maybe Christmas? 

Favorites

Film: I'm just going to rattle off all the films that first come into my brain because THIS QUESTION SHOULD BE ILLEGAL. Star Trek Eleven, Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean (excluding the fourth mind you), Harry Potter, Men in Black, Captain America Civil War, Age of Ultron, Avengers, Ever After, etc.

TV Show: Again, off the top of my head: Arrow, Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Monk, Psych, etc.

Color: Blue. Though I've come to admire certain shades of green.

Song: You know what, this entire category is torture, so I'm going to go mostly by artist, but list a few of my favorites too: Imagine Dragons (Smoke+Mirrors Deluxe in particular), Sleeping at Last (Atlas: Year One BECAUSE PERFECTION FRIENDS. PERFECTION.), Taylor Swift (Wildest Dreams, Blank Space, Out of the Woods), Two Steps from Hell (Miracles, Flight of the Silverbird, Compass AND ALL OF THEM), Kiss Me I'm Irish by Gaelic Storm, Lorne Balfe (Assassin's Creed 3 soundtrack, AMIRIGHT), Jeremy Soule (Skyrim, the soundtrack of ages), etc. (this list could go on for hours)

Restaurant:  P.F. Changs. Usually I don't like going out, due to allergies and an intense dislike for salads (usually the only thing remaining that I can eat), but P.F. Changs makes THE BEST spicy chicken and it's gluten free, duh, and just seriously the best thing ever

Shop: Half-Price books. Because, you know, cheap books yissss

Books: Here we go with the lists again: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Heroes of Olympus, Harry Potter, Royal Diary series, Darkwood, The Wild Mustang, etc.

Shoes:  My boots. Technically they're hipster boots. But I have thrown them in the mud. Literally, like I wear the to the stable and they're covered in mud and manure and I love them.

Currently

Feeling: Happy, thoughtful, excited, content, exhausted, inspired, on top of the world (not to mention the multitude of other emotions underlying beneath me. Those are just the most prominent)

Single or taken:   I wanted to be witty and say something about how I'm taken and all. But I'm about as single as they come.

Eating:  I'm not eating anything right now...? Last thing I had was a Hubert's Strawberry Lemonade though...

Thinking about: That I should be editing/plotting my novel instead of procrastinating and writing here

Watching: DUHorsemanship

Wearing: My Wicked t-shirt, pajama pants, and magnificent blue socks that are technically normal but I love them

Future

Want children: I would say yes. Though I can be awkward around kids (or everyone I suppose), I actually do look forward to raising children. Though I like the thought of them once they're more like, 3-4+. I'm not really a baby person.

Want to be married:  Indeed! I look forward to the day I'm married, and often find myself wondering how I'll ever decide what I want my wedding to be like. Quite frankly I like such a range of styles, that picking one is practically impossible.

Careers in mind: Horseback riding instructor, horse trainer, horse vaulting (maybe), writer

Where you want to live: My heart belongs to Washington, and it will be the home for the rest of my days. I do want to travel, and while I want to start my business as soon as possible, I also think it would be cool to live in England and France for a bit, and even California. But ONLY because I think it would be cool to work in Disneyland for a little bit. Otherwise I could care less about California.

Do You Believe In

God: Only completely.

Miracles:  I've been witness to many small miracles, so absolutely.

Love at first sight: As romantic as it sounds, love at first sight is a ridiculous idea. You cannot know a person by looking at them.

Ghosts: Only in the metaphorical sense. So no.

Aliens: I don't know about humanoid intelligent whatnot creatures, but I think it's maybe possible that some form of life could exist on other planets. Though I could go into deep contemplation on both why it's possible, and why there's also probably nothing. But overall I think some form of life (be it plants, or plankton) could exist.

Heaven: Absolutely.

Hell: You can't have Heaven without Hell sooo... yeah.

Kissing on the first date: Not so much. Yeah, no. Why should we take something that should be specially shared between two people, and throw it around with a bunch of people? It makes it ordinary. I think it's best to wait until you're married.

Yourself: On my own, I'm a wreck, and I know from those times I've forgotten that God is with me through everything. So no, I don't believe in myself. God is the one who holds me together, and He is the one I believe in.

My Little Fear

I am terribly afraid of the phone. Answering it. Speaking... human contact... It's just the worst. I seem unable to understand the person on the other end of the line, regardless of their accent. So the rare times I do use the phone (even, to some extent with my own family) I get nervous. Really nervous.

It's something I choose to avoid at all costs.

And last year was my first year paying taxes. Bear with me, I promise these topics are related.

Paying taxes is not exactly something you look forward to. It's less money in my bank account, but I suppose it helps America out n'all. So I went through my first mess of taxes. Being employed by my dad apparently means I'm a contracted business. I'm a business!? Yes. This was news to me as I went about the trouble of which tax forum to use, online or off (offline for me) and all that trouble that comes with taxes.

There was much hard work put into sending that money out to the government. My first year of paying taxes, finally passed. Until the new year my friend.

But do I get peace?

NO.

A little letter came in the mail the other day. It traveled all the way from... well, wherever it came from. All the way to my little home to wreak havoc in my peaceful little life.

The IRS has informed me that, according to their record, I did not pay my taxes. But I can assure you, the story above is entirely true. I payed my taxes like an obedient citizen should do. Did they notice?

Apparently not.

So guess what I get to do? Oh it'll be a ball. See, I get to call a complete stranger, and sort out this problem because I do indeed have proof of my innocents. Won't that be so fun? Nervously sweating, heart pounding as though I'm running from a murderer, when in fact I'm just calling someone about a simple little mistake.

You know what I have to say to you, little phone that brings me torment?

Stay classy my friends.

Happy Independance Day!

You know what the Fourth of July meant to me as a child? I remember much of the neighborhood gathering together, barbecuing and having fun. Or going to a friends house, and playing in the lake outside their backdoor and watching the fireworks when the sky got dark. I think of our trips to Oregon to celebrate, and sitting atop a giant rock and watching Pilot's Bute catch on fire as they light fireworks, as it often does on July Fourth.

It was a time to see friends, hang out, and watch the pretty explosions in the sky.

But no. The Fourth of July should be called by it's rightful name. Independance Day. Because that is the day America gained FREEDOM!! IN YOUR FACE KING GEORGE.

It's on this day, that people set America free and all that history stuff.

I know. For being a history obsessed maniac I don't seem to know much. Fact is, I'm not as up to date on my American history as I am on my knowledge of everywhere else. The most I know about America is what I've learned from Hamilton.

Thank you Lin for educating me.

Happy Independence Day to you all! Be safe! Light a lot of fireworks!

Unless they're illegal where you live. If that's the case, watch your neighbors illegally fire them instead. Just as awesome, and you stay on the right side of the law.

An Awkward Moments Compilation

We've all had our bad days. Sometimes things get downright weird, but these moments make the best stories. So I present, for the first time in human history, my awkward moments. Be prepared to cringe. I know I will be.

Hold up, one more quick thing before we begin. I'm going to omit names/make up names because of reasons. There, we can start now.

#1 - First Day on the Job

The moment I'd been waiting five long years for had come. I was on trial, hoping to prove myself as a hard worker in order to trade work for lessons at All Starr Stables. Thus far I'd passed with flying colors. I said my name correctly, remembered how old I was, and didn't get flustered when I asked for help with the rope halter since I'd never used one before.

I was cleaning Bella's stall, and feeling pretty proud of myself. The wheelbarrow was placed so I could get in and out, but Bella could not. But then, as I was cleaning, two girls came in and started fawning over Bella. Let's call them Amy and Corrie. The exchange went something like this:

"Awwww, Bella, you're so pretty." -Amy
*Incomprehensible cooing noises* -Corrie
*Girls notice I'm cleaning the stall. Awkward smiles are exchanged*
"Hi, are you new here?" -Amy
"Yup." -Me
*In my head* Stop sounding terrified they're just people*
"I'm Amy, and this is Corrie. What's your name?" -Amy
*Girls stare expectantly*
*I realise I was being spoken to and try to remember what they said*

*Awkward silence as I scream in my head JUST ASK "WHAT?" ALREADY IT'S GETTING WEIRD AND LESS SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE AS THE SILENCE CONTINUES*
*Continued awkward silence*
"Sorry, what did you say?" -Me
*Amy repeats question and I answer awkwardly. We small talk until they leave, and I breathe a sigh of relief*


#1 - My Second Identity

Many years ago my sister was apart of some class, and they were going on a field trip to a farm. Knowing my love of farms, my mom suggested I join, even though I was younger and not apart of the class. So of course I went.

It just so happened another classmate brought her little sister. We hit it off fabulously, or, well... As well as I could. She was a bit crazier than me, so I awkwardly avoided participating in her crazier ideas.

We're going to call her Emily. Our first meeting was the strangest thing because somehow she misheard my name, Alina, as Alice.

"What's your name?" -Emily
"Alina." -Me
"Oh Alice!!" -Emily

"No it-" -Me
"COOL I HAVE A FRIEND NAMED ALICE THAT'LL BE REALLY EASY TO REMEMBER." -Emily
"But-" -Me
"LET'S GO INSIDE THOSE LITTLE HOUSES ALICE, MOST OF THEM ARE LOCKED BUT WE CAN STILL GET IN. YOU COMING ALICE?"
"I... yeah." -Me

And that's how I spent the day as a girl named Alice.


#3 - Hiding Within My Own Home

My dad was flying to an airshow with a friend of his. We call him Canada Dave because my dad knows too many Dave's. Like seriously, it's a problem.

It was vary early in the morning. My dad was getting ready, and Canada Dave had yet to arrive. I sat on the couch in the living room, playing on the DS or some compact electronic. I forget the details. Because it was still so early, and I think the weekend, I was still in my pajamas. Granted, I literally always wear my PJ pants unless we have company (though some of my friends may tell you that I wore them in their presents because I felt like it).

There was a knock on the door. I panicked, because I am blocked to getting to the safety of my room. Whether this was while I still slept upstairs or not I forget. The point it, I was trapped and in no state to be seen.

So what did I do? Did I try to make a mad dash to my room in the few precious seconds I had left? Did I throw a blanket over myself and attempt to fix my hair (not that that's possible without showering)? No. I dove behind a chair that was crammed in the corner where the end of the couch, a small side table, and the wall provided shelter.

Somehow I crammed myself underneath the side table. By the time I heard Canada Dave's voice at the door my neck already ached. It was hot. Uncomfortable. But there was no going back. My dad still wasn't ready, so Canada Dave waited in the living room. If I came out now it would be so awkward.

I was trapped in that corner, playing as quietly as possible so as not to bring attention to myself. And after what felt like an eternity, he finally left. Though I can never be sure of he saw me or not. It wasn't the most genius of hiding places. And when you're alone in a stranger's house, you start to notice things. Like children hiding in the corners of the room.


#4 - "Do You Know..."

I used to be in a science class a few years ago. Not sure how I ended up there. Science isn't a topic I've been very interested in. But I took this class. I was the quiet kid. Never caused any trouble. Didn't really speak. It was awkward on the Old West dress up day. The teacher would always pray, and I wasn't sure if I should take my hat off, or leave it on. Like my teacher literally addressed that in some cultures women would cover themselves up, and men would not, to show respect or whatever. Way to confuse a socially anxious tween.

But I digress! Arg. Someone needs to keep me on track... I'm just like that entomologist in Hawaii...

This story takes place on an average day. It was sometime in the middle of the year. I'd managed to only talk to my friend Becca (who also took part in the hat conundrum, thank goodness I wasn't alone). I sat in the front row, next to this girl named Sarah.

One day she turned to me. These were her first words to me:

"Do you know Thomas?" -Brianna
*confused spluttering as my mind locks up*
"Um, Thomas West?" -Me
"Yeah, that's the one." -Brianna
*Awkward silence as I congratulate myself on surviving another conversation*
"He talks about you a lot." -Brianna

"Haha, that's cool." -Me
*Internal screaming*

She never said a word to me since.

Talk about a weird conversation. I've never really thought much of it, but the more you think about it, the more strange it gets. Random person identifies you, just to tell you another human being talks about you a lot. Like, yes, thank you, good to know people think of me when I'm not around. Such a new phenomenon.