A Bite To Remember

Chapter 2

Stars Pov

Pulling up into the school's parking lot, I immediately spot Jesse and Sam, as they always are, engaged in their usual flirtatious banter. It's as if they believe no one can see them. We wait for them, eager to head to our first class together. Unfortunately, all three of us have math as our first period, and it's a particularly dreadful subject at 8 a.m. on a Monday morning. I can't help but roll my eyes at the thought. Cody and Jasmine bid us farewell, as they're fortunate enough to have a free period where they can catch up on homework or simply hang out until it's time for class. How lucky they are.

Finally, the first half of the school day comes to an end, and our gang regroups after third period. We make our way towards the bustling cafeteria, filled with hungry students ready to grab a bite to eat. However, before we even reach the entrance, an unexpected announcement over the intercom stops us in our tracks. "Star Sullivan, please make your way to the principal's office now, please." Oh no, what have I done this time? I quickly inform my friends that I'll catch up with them later and ask them to save me a spot at our lunch table.

Assuring them that I'll text them once I'm done, I reluctantly make my way towards the office, filled with a sense of unease and curiosity. As I enter the office, Mrs. Reese, the secretary, gestures for me to proceed through the principal's door. Mr. Anderson, the principal himself, awaits my arrival. Stepping into the room, an eerie silence blankets the area, sending a shiver down my spine. To my surprise, I find my godparents, Travis and Lola, sitting there. It's perplexing since they reside in Casper, Wyoming, and I haven't seen them in years.

Confusion fills the air as I take in their unexpected presence. Breaking the silence, Mr. Anderson's voice cuts through the air, measured and composed, sending a shiver down my spine. "Miss Sullivan, please take a seat. We have some important news to share with you, and it would be best if you were seated before we proceed." My heart pounds in my chest as a wave of unease washes over me. Something isn't right. I quickly settle into the chair, trying to steady my trembling hands. Before fully surrendering to the weight of the situation, I'm overwhelmed by a surge of excitement upon seeing my godparents, Travis and Lola, sitting there.

Their unexpected presence fills me with a mix of joy and curiosity. I can't help but rush towards them, embracing them tightly. Words tumble out of my mouth, expressing how much I've missed them and how eagerly Mom and Dad will be thrilled to see them. But as I gaze into Lola's tear-filled eyes, a chilling sense of foreboding takes hold of me, freezing me in place.

The room feels suffocatingly silent, as if time itself has come to a standstill. Mr. Anderson's gaze remains fixed on me, his expression unreadable. Every passing second amplifies the tension in the air, intensifying the feeling of impending doom. A thousand questions race through my mind, each one more haunting than the last.

What could this important news possibly be?

Why are my godparents here?

Why do Lola's eyes betray such sorrow?

As the silence stretches on, my palms grow clammy, and a knot tightens in the pit of my stomach. The weight of anticipation becomes unbearable, and I find myself yearning for answers, no matter how devastating they may be. There's a haunting stillness, as if the world outside this room has faded away, leaving only the three of us trapped in this suspended moment. Finally, Mr. Anderson's voice breaks through the silence, his words hanging in the air, heavy with untold tragedy. "We just received word that your parents were involved in a terrible accident."

The room seems to tilt, and my heart plummets into an abyss of despair. A gasp escapes my lips, but the full impact of his words takes a moment to register. Time slows down, as if the universe itself is struggling to comprehend the enormity of this revelation. Dread engulfs me, clouding my thoughts and obscuring my vision. The room blurs, and the world around me fades into a haze of sorrow and disbelief.

Tears well up in my eyes, blinding me to everything except the pain that consumes my being. It becomes increasingly difficult to draw breath, as if the air itself has turned heavy and suffocating. I reach out for support, searching for solace in the embrace of my godparents. Lola's trembling voice breaks through the fog of despair, her words a desperate plea, "Oh no, God! Someone catch her before she hits her head!"

Panic reverberates in her voice, fueling the mounting tension. Time seems to warp, seconds stretching into eternity, as Travis reacts instinctively, his arms wrapping around me, providing a lifeline amidst the chaos threatening to consume me. In that moment, as the world spins and darkness encroaches, I cling to Travis, my last anchor in a sea of uncertainty. The weight of grief bears down upon me, threatening to crush my spirit. With open arms, I surrender to the overwhelming darkness, not yet ready to face the devastating truth that has shattered my world.