Page 13 of Shadows Within

“Dad?” I shout again, this time out the side door into the garage.

“Just in here, Kiddo.” He is over by his work bench putting some tools away.

“How was your day honey?” His back is toward me.

“Good, I went to the gym this morning. Then I had class and Soph and I studied in the library for a bit. We went for a drive around Black Lake after that, it’s such a nice day out.”

Dad looks back at me. “Nice,” he hesitates. “Everything good?”

I try not to brush him off too casually or else he’ll keep asking.

“Oh yeah, just still trying to decide about the placement or master’s.”

“Ah,” he turns around. “Well, you don’t have to decide tonight.”

I shrug. He’s right.

“Dinner?” I ask. He walks over to me and puts his arm around my shoulder.

“Sounds perfect.” He kisses the top of my head, reassuring me that everything will work out.

Looking Back at Me

Scarlett

I had had another full day of class.

“I’ll be home late Dad, I’m just going out with Sophia,” I yell into the garage as I lean on the door.

“Bye honey, I’ll leave the light on.”

I chuckle. “Thanks Dad. Love you!” He always leaves the porch light on when I’m out.

I shut the front door and head down the slanted driveway to Sophia’s red car.

“Get in loser, we’re going to a party.” I snort. Sophia likes to quote her favourite movies and picks a line that best fits the situation. It’s no surprise to me that she referencesMean Girlstonight, she does at least once a week. I get into the passenger seat, the air conditioning blasts in my face, sending goosebumps down my spine.

“This isn’t going to get crazy, right?” Sophia knows I don’t love big parties.

She laughs, “No Scar. It’ll be average. Not wild, but definitely not tame.”

Typical Sophia, avoiding the question with a mediocre answer.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m just not nineteen anymore, Soph. I’d rather be at home reading or doing absolutely anything else.”

“I know Scarlett, but is it really too much to ask my best friend to come with me to a couple of parties a year?” She’s not wrong, or at least that’s what I tell myself. It’s probably good for me to get out.

“No, it’s not. But when I ask you to readHeart of Darkness, I’d appreciate it if you actually read it, considering I’m coming out with you!”

The psychological thrill and emotion that is the world adapted by Joseph Conrad is what got me into psychology—that and apparently some mommy issues.

“I’m not reading that shit Scar, I tried. Three damn times! I’m not putting myself through that again. You like some depressing shit, and I’ll support that... from afar. But find a cowboy romance and I’m all ears.” She smirks.

We switch from conversing to belting the lyrics to ‘Any Man of Mine’ by Shania Twain as we pull up to Mill Street where the party is.

About thirty people stand on the front lawn, surrounded by beer cans all over the ground.

This is definitely not a tame party.