The Demons Within Me

Author's Note: I will forever thank my reviewers for their input, so thank you CandyCaner it means a lot that you take the time out to tell me what you think of my story. To every one else reading, I thank you for taking time out to read it. I would appreciate it if you told me what you thought of the story and how to improve, but I don't want to impose on you so,
Read rate Review, enjoy.

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After we had our talk, Melinda left with things to think about and I finished the drawing before locking my door and going to bed.

My ritual the next morning was interrupted when I was walked downstairs and passed the kitchen. My mom called my name softly. So softly in fact I had to pause to wonder if I actually heard anything at all. When her voice came again I turned around and peered into the kitchen to see her leaning against the counter. She motioned for me to come inside, so I put down my bag near the door and looked at her curiously.

“Are you really going to go through with the exhibition?” She asked after what seemed like an age. I nodded “Why?” I noticed her voice seemed strained before I shrugged so I said

“Mel- I mean Ms Thornrush asked me to cause they didn’t have time to choose an artist from the school.” her eyes gained a calculating look that made me squirm slightly.

“So simply because you were asked?”

“Well yeah. I mean it’s for the school and it’d be good for us to get recognized and stuff.” I replied quickly shrugging. My answer must have satisfied her for the moment because she changed topic

“And what are you going to do for breakfast?” I sighed

“Going to get something on my way to school, I have to get my speed up in my art if I hope to have time to work on the finer details.” I replied. Speed drawing wasn’t my forte, I really much preferred to take my time with drawings and painting. My sketches tended to take little to no time to make as it is, but as soon as I started to flesh it out, everything just slowed down. I needed work on that…

“… Early okay?” great, as my mind wandered she was talking. I blinked dumbly at her for a few moments before I heard a noise behind me. I cringed when my father’s form loomed above me and moved out of the way to let him pass.

“We’re still going to the party at Micah’s place?” he demanded. My mother nodded and quickly moved to make the breakfast he asked for. Inwardly I cursed as I grabbed my bag and headed out the door as quickly as I could without being rude. Why did I have to go to every social party with my parents? I always ended up bored out of my mind due to the fact that we must all wear masks of perfection to try and outdo everyone else at the party. It was going to be even less enjoyable, because that was Robert’s house…

~~~~~~

I waited by the school entrance and as soon as Amanda got in I practically tackled her and dragged her to a less populated area and asked “Are your parents pulling you to Robert’s dad’s party?” she shook her head and I groaned banging my head against the wall.

“Why?” she pulled me into the middle of the hall to prevent me from cracking my skull

“Mine are.” her jaw dropped

“I am so sorry for you. If I had known I might have-” I shook my head

“Nah. It’s fine I’m used to it. Besides your dad might have taken it upon himself to try and get the two of you alone.” her face paled and I smiled.

“Don’t worry I just thought of that myself.” she glared at me “I’ll call you when I get back though… or you can call me while I’m there so I can excuse myself or something…” her expression softened and she was about to say something when the bell rang. ‘Oh well, off to class.’

~~~~~

I loved art class with Mr. Rodriguez. He was actually one of my favorite teacher in the entire school. If I could I would blame him for my utter and complete love of art (I can’t because I fell in love with art long before I met him), and his classes were always different… take this class for example; the objective of today was perspective and color, so in one corner of the classroom he piled up a collection of boxes of different colors, in another corner, he put stuffed animals on a pedestal and in the center a bowl of fruit. Then he told us to play musical chairs. (basically he’d play music while we drew, whenever he stopped, we had two minutes to find a new seat and begin a new sketch) By the end of one period we had to take the sketch we liked the most, find the seat we drew it from and finish it as a painting. Needless to say I had fun, and as usual drawing(and painting) helped me to forget my immediate problem… until class was finished of course…

I had just finished my painting when someone decided it would be amusing to knock my easel to the ground… while the paint was still wet. I closed my eyes and counted to ten and kept my breathing steady as best I could before opening them. It was ruined. “I’m so sorry Samantha.” a sarcastic voice said near me “It was an accident.” It would have been more believable if I couldn’t hear the snickers coming from her friend further from me.

“It’s no problem Cecelia.” I lied easily. “You weren’t hurt though?” I looked at her to see the concern plastered on her face in a transparent mask and she shook her head ‘You look like you want to be…’ I thought as she moved and I began putting my things away. Luckily, it wasn’t too badly ruined…

“You do know it’s not alright for them to do that to you, right?” Mr. Rodriguez asked with true concern. I smiled and nodded turning to face him

“Yeah, but why fight? It’ll just get me tired.” he shook his head as I finished gathering my things and moved to my next class…

“Will they never stop fighting?” I asked as we walked into the cafeteria to hear Lenora’s voice echoing off the walls. The surprising thing was Charlos actually fighting back. “Wants to be she accused him of cheating?”

“I say he accused her.” Christopher said slyly. I arched my eyebrow at him as Charlos’ voice affirmed the gossip’s tidbit.

“Why am I not surprised you know this?” Amanda asked shaking her head as we grabbed trays to get lunch.

We got our seats a short while later, and Angeli asked “So are either of you up for a movie night, or games night today?”

“I am but can’t come.” I stated rolling my eyes.

“Really? I was under the impression your mom wanted you socializing as much as possible.” Christopher looked appalled

“Yeah she is, but she already made plans for me tonight.”

“Oh god, tell me she didn’t get you a date!” Angeli said in a horrified whisper.

“No, social call.” Both of them looked intrigued and Amanda said nothing “Robert’s family.” I said finally and was pleased to see them cringe in disgust. I felt a foot nudge mine slightly and I turned to Amanda who was blatantly focused on her food. I smiled and a small game of footsie ensued while we continued the conversation,

“So what? Reschedule?” Angeli asked I shrugged

“If you want, you don’t have to do it on my account of course.”

“Oh comeon, it won’t be fun without you!” Christopher whined. And I have to admit, he is cute when he does, in a weird puppy kinda way…

“Don’t you guys have other friends to hang out with?” Amanda asked.

“Well there’s you, Jessica, Myriam, Joanna, Kai, Marcus, Cortney, John, Mia, Gabby, Mitch and Jose, but none as fun to be around… except you of course Amanda.” Angeli said counting them off

“Aww, well I’m touched.” I laughed as Christopher looked shocked.

“I can’t believe you put Jessica in that list.”

“Just because she’s your ex doesn’t mean I don’t talk to her.” her matter of fact tone made him sulk, and a crash was heard around the cafeteria. All heads turned to see a livid Lenore standing up with her hand out stretched and a tray on the floor.

“That’s all I want to hear from you Charlos Jones.” she seethed “As of today, I no longer wait on you.”

“You think you can break up with me?” Charlos was standing as well “No can do darling. From day one this has not even been a relationship. So there is nothing to destroy.” he ripped something off from around his neck and threw it at her feet “Have a nice life.” I think everyone who knew their fights as well as we did knew, that they never ended like this. My mouth was open, and taking a quick glace at some others from our year group I saw my expression mirrored on all their faces.

“Wow…”

“Just, wow…”

~~~~~

People were still talking about the non-breakup breakup after school. The fact that they seemed to have been together since kindergarten and now we were seeing them one without the other at different times felt odd. On more than one occasion I felt my eyes following them in class, wondering if it was all a hoax for them to get attention but on noticing Lenore’s puffy red eyes I figured it wasn’t planned and felt glad for every girl who had been crushing on Charlos now that he was officially free.

I was at the entrance of the school making up my mind not to run away from the burden of going home while the sun was still up. While I was still contemplating my options I felt arms wrap around my waist and a soft pair of lips press against my neck before a soft voice whispered in my ear “shouldn’t you be getting home?”

“Yeah but I was thinking of going to your place instead.” I replied cockily tilting my head behind me .

“Go ahead, I won’t stop you.” Amanda said sweetly. ‘Why do you torture me so?’ she moved her arms from around my waist and threaded her hands in mine. “Are you walking or taking the bus?”

“Do I ever take the bus?” she laughed and we started walking.

~~~~~~~~~~~

“So Samantha, I take it you’re going to be looking for a husband soon?” I smiled politely through the incessant inquiries into my love life and nodded replying

“I plan to try and get my life in order before I think about marrying though.” to be met with the response

“That’s too bad, by the time you want to get married all the good men will be taken.” after that I’d find a way to politely end the conversation and try to once again find solitude. The satin dress I was wearing clung to my body in such a way it accentuated my better points and hid what flaws I may have, which guaranteed that I was not left alone for any lengthy period of time. On more than one occasion, Micah approached me trying to get me to know his son. I swear my parents might arrange the marriage given enough incentive though.

“So, are you here alone?” a deep voice slurred behind me and I rolled my eyes

“No I’m here with my parents.” I said turning around with a fake smile plastered to my face.

“Oh?” His blue eyes were close to but not quite the shade of Amanda’s I noticed

“Yeah, they’re over there.” I pointed to where my parents were standing talking to another family. He smiled and I saw the wrinkles around his eyes.

“You know somehow, I thought you were older… you exude this aura that doesn’t say someone who lives with their parents.”

“Sorry to disappoint you then.” I tried to keep my tone light, but he was too old. I could see the grey in his hair in patches, and his hand on his whiskey glass was heavily wrinkled. Looking into his eyes again I tried to imagine that I could see Amanda right in front of me. Standing, laughing, joking… Damnit why was I here?