Learning To Live

Learning to Live (Prologue)

Callie sat in front of her mirror contemplating her reflection. No one had ever really thought her pretty, not even herself. Tonight I will be noticed, she said to herself as she put on her new black party dress that was way shorter than anything she had worn before. Tonight is the night I will get my first kiss she said giving herself a nod of approval in the mirror.

Callie had been invited to the sweet sixteen party of Jennifer Hughes, along with the rest of their junior class. The only party she had been invited to since elementary school. Callie had been on her own for most of her life. Her parents were rich, but almost never around. The only thing they were good for, was throwing money at her to keep her out of their way. Maybe that was why she so desperately wanted to feel loved.

Tonight she was hoping to catch the eye of a boy in her class named David Marsters. Granted, it was a long shot since he was captain of the football team. She had been crushing on him for several years now. David seemed down to Earth and they shared an interest in WWII history. The only thing standing in her way of course was Jennifer. The most popular girl at school. She was drop dead gorgeous and had everyone eating out of her palm, thinking she was so sweet.

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Chris downed another beer as he finished up a game of pool with his military buddies. It was their nightly routine to come play pool and drink the night away before returning to their barracks to sleep it off before work. He scanned the room in search of a waitress for another beer. His eyes fell on the hot brunette who was dressed in daisy duke shorts and a barely there backless halter top. She was currently bent over a table cleaning up an array of beer bottles from a previous customer. In his twenty one years he had been known to get around but he liked to think he still knew how to treat a girl with respect. He sighed and returned his gaze back to the game, not in the mood for another one night stand. Now he wanted more. He wanted a woman to call his own.

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Callie arrived at the party just after it started. "Not one to be late are you?" sneered Jennifer as she descended the staircase. "Here drink this." she said stopping at the foot of the staircase thrusting a cup into Callie's hand. "Since you chose to show your ugly face, you might as well make yourself useful and try this new drink I hope to be serving later. Mom and dad had it specially made for my party." She started giving a mock smile as other guests walked past. Not wanting to cause a scene thus giving Jennifer the satisfaction of making  her miserable. Callie lifted the drink to her lips. It was pungent to say the least. It had a blue iridescent color and tasted of pineapple and cherry. Not overly sweet as she would of expected from a party punch. As Callie watched Jennifer walk away giggling with one of her friends, Callie's stomach began to rumble. A wave of nausea was upon her. Running to the top of the stairs and into the first door she could find, hoping it to be a bathroom. The moment the door opened, everything suddenly went dark, as she passed out.