The Unenchanted

I finally was ready. I looked in the mirror disgusted at what I saw. I was a short girl with average build. I have medium sized boobies, with vibrant blue eyes and bright red hair. I was often told there are only two types of red heads, ugly ones and the pretty kind; luckily I was considered a pretty one. It was a rainy cold November day. I stepped out of my house with remorse. Why did I have to go? I would have much rather stayed in bed all snug. The drive to school wasn't as bad as I thought. My favorite song was on the radio this morning. I tried to sing along, but didn't feel as in the mood as usual. I just couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. I parked as quickly as I could and walked up to the campus building. “Aliah!! I'm so glad you came today!!” it was Ryan my best friend. She was tall with bright golden blond hair, bright blue eyes, a voluptuous figure, and an amazing sense of fashion. She always had a way of making the day good.. You know one of those positive people who find something funny or good out of everything. At times it got annoying but mostly I appreciated her out look on life. “oh trust me I totally was going to stay in bed today.. then I remembered our term paper was due and thats half our grade right there; and I've skipped too much class to miss it.” Ryann paused a sec and looked me up and down with one of those looks.. “you know you could have dressed a little better.. I mean how do you ever expect to find a boyfriend when all you wear is hoodies and big t shirts?” truth was I haven't always dressed like this. Just lately I felt tired.. tired of doing the same thing every day. “oh my god! we gotta get going we are gonna be late...” Ryann grabbed my hand and pulled me up two flights of stairs.. The class room was cold, especially my desk. I set my books down hoping that the lecture would be fast or maybe interesting, and hopefully the instructor wouldn't call on me. “ Liah' Ry whispered, check him out” Ryan nudged my arm, my head popped up out of my daydream.. “he is hawt!” she pointed under the desk over to the left side of the room. A very tall boy had just walked in well actually he looked more like a man. “I don't remember him being in our class was he here before?” Ry shook her head “no I'm pretty sure hes new!” she giggled , just then boys head lifted and our eyes caught for a split second.. “Everyone take your seats please.” the class got quiet and our lecture started. I spent most of my time day dreaming. Not about anything dynamic or life altering just about what I'd be doing if I wasn't there. I really wanted to be a writer, and my head was always full of new songs, poems. Maybe one of these days I'd have the commitment to write a hit novel. I walked down the hall with Ryan chattering away in my ear. “Are you listening to me?” her eyes were irritated. “Yes I am” I lied but I'm pretty sure she knew I wasn't.. “Yeah? What was I saying?” she said with a huge smile on her face “well I'm pretty sure it was something about how good life is. how the world is really an awesome loving place and your happy to be here?” I smiled one of those stupid cheese grins she giggled and bumped our shoulders. “Close enough I was saying that I have a job interview at the attorney’s office in town later and I'm pretty sure I got the job.” Ryann had always wanted to get into law and I wasn't sure why. It seemed like it was full of scum bags that ripped people off to me. Knowing her she probably wanted to change that rep. I paused my step “RY! That’s great! Do you want me to take you?” truthfully I really just wanted another excuse to ditch my workout. “No it’s cool I don't think it would look very professional having my best friend drive me.” I laughed 'no probably not. Well I guess I will see you later at home.” “Yeah that sounds great maybe we can order Chinese food and watch a movie later to celebrate.” she gave me a big hug and walked out the door. The next couple of classes were irritating. I hated my psychology class. My instructor was very haughty; he acted as though he knew everything. My next class was my favorite, history. I noticed the boy from earlier was in this class as well. He sat to my right a little behind me. I turned my head to look and sure enough he was staring at me. OK now I felt really uncomfortable, I wonder if I'm blushing. Why do guys have to be such pigs, and so rude? Maybe if I just pretend that he’s not there I can get through the class without making a fool of myself. “Ms. Saunders, this question is for you. Although a Greek league headed by the Spartans remained intact, Athens- with the support of the Greeks in the east-created another alliance, called what?” my head snapped up fast. The whole class stopped and stared at me “um, uh, was it the Delian league?” OK so I know I sounded stupid and nervous and that guy was still staring at me, which believe it or not didn't make it any better. Our instructor stopped and gave the the “eye”. “yes very good, OK the next question is for James. Who was the father of history who dealt with the theme of the great clash between the Greeks and Persians?” the boy began to answer to my surprise it was the boy behind me. I am so not going to turn around and stare like everyone else. “I believe it was Herodotus.” he smiled a smug I know everything smile. “yes it was, very good” the professor moved on in the lecture and the whole class breathed a sigh of relief. I wondered how a new student come in the middle of term and be caught up. Just then I realized everyone was getting up and leaving. I quickly gathered my things and headed out. I called the Chinese place on my way home. I loved their beef with mushrooms and broccoli yum! Ryann's car was in the drive way. I barely walked through the door when “oh my god Lee Lee I got the job!” she only called me Lee Lee when she was really happy. “can you believe it! We will have a lot of extra cash now!” I walked forward and gave her a big hug just as the doorbell rang. “oh thats the food I bet” she was beaming ear from ear jumping up and down. she let go and rushed for the door. “Your buying since you’re a rich b***h now!!” I teased. After we got all settled down on the couch with our Chinese and booze we popped in our movie. “so how was the rest of class?” I sighed well it was class, I laughed “I think history was the most interesting.” “why is that?” her eyes were questioning digging deeper. “well that boy that was in our programming class he is in my history class too.” I looked up her mouth was hanging wide open “ah ha! I knew it! I knew you thought he was cute! - Oh my god! Aliah he totally likes you too you should introduce yourself!” I must have had a look of utter shock on my face “what?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You should! You know hes into you with how he was staring at you.” I took a big bite of my egg roll and mulled it over. “Maybe, his name is James but, I am really curious as to how he transferred in the middle of the semester and they let him in.” Ry's mouth was full but that didn't stop her “ maybe hes been here all along maybe we just didn't see him.” I paused “yeah maybe.” That night I dreamed. I was in a meadow it was beautiful with roses, tulips and Lilly's all over. The sun was shining bright. I was walking and picked a couple of fully bloomed red roses to take home. They were my favorite flower and color, it was perfect! A sudden whoosh and the sun was gone and it was dark. Darker then night a strange fog filled the air. I looked around me and noticed all the flowers had dried up and died. I looked down in my hand the flowers were gone replaced by an old antique necklace. It had a beautiful huge circular stone, that was crimson red with tiny little diamonds all around it. I could smell death in the air all around me. I froze, a shadow in the distance started to approach me. “Lia oh my god girl wake up.” Ryann was over me shaking me as hard as she could to get me to wake. “your gonna be late for work its 5:30!” I sprang out of bed threw on my work clothes and headed out. “thanks RY!” I said as I shut the door. The drive to work was, well tiring. I listened to my favorite song over and over in hopes that it would make me feel better. It helped a little. I stopped by our local coffee shop and picked up my favorite cappuccino. I took a sip “mmm, thanks so much Matt.” his parents were the owners. I sent out my warmest smile. “yeah no problem I figured you would be by today after all it is Friday.” he winked and I laughed “yes, you know me well sir. Hey what are you up to later?” he paused “hmm not much I don't think. why need help on your programming?” his eye brows wagged up and down. Matt always looked good in any uniform he had dark brown hair and his eyes were a beautiful dark hazel “no I was wanting to go see a movie.” he looked down and fidgeted with the extra straw in his hands “yeah I can do that, but I don't get off until eight is that OK ?” he waved the straw at me in circular motions. I couldn't help but smile at Matt, he was my second oldest friend to Ryann. we three decided to stick together through college to make it easier. “yeah eight is fine, call me!” as I started to pull away the person behind me laid on the horn “all right all right I'm going jeesh no patience these days from anyone!” work was slow. I worked at the local newspaper in town. I helped write their romantic fantasy section. Only sad part was I never actually experienced love myself. Don't get me wrong, I've had boyfriends, but it wasn't love. So half the time I had no stinking clue of what I was doing. I sat with writers block for half an hour before my mind started to wander. Its gonna be Christmas soon and I'd have to go back home for the holidays. I hated the holidays. Well except for the sleeping in and the food. My family was a very strict family. No boyfriends, no music, well good music that is and no fun, period. thats it. I grew up very lonely and trying to sneak stuff all the time. Of course I wasn't very good at sneaking I always got caught. “Did you get your article done miss. Saunders?” I looked up, my boss was staring gloomily down at me. She was a really heavy set older woman. She had lines in her face as deep as canyons. Her eyes were a dark unfriendly sort of gray. And her teeth.. “Miss Saunders, well?” I got flustered “Um yes.. well no I. I'm working on it.” I sighed. She glared one of her mean I'm going to beat you with a stick glares. “Just get it done.NOW!” I watched as she lumbered away. I contemplated sticking my tongue out, and yes I know that is childish. “so Aliah what are you up to this weekend?” I was startled out of my hateful trance to see my cousin Jasmine peeking over her divide. She was giggling knowing what I had been thinking. “I am going to see a movie tonight with Ry and Matt. Did you wanna come?” I knew she had always had a little crush on Matt. I didn't blame her he was a good looking guy. I probably would have liked him too if he wasn't so much like my brother. “I would love to come! Can I ride with you?” her face was beaming. Jazz was a rather sweet girl the tall brunette sort with great legs. She was always very witty and smart, and over all very pretty and once in a while she would smile and she would look just amazing. She was always very kind and compassionate. I was glad I came here even if the only thing I got out of working in this dump was to be next to her. “Yeah that sounds great.” the rest of the work day flew by. I eventually got my story done. Mostly from fantasizing about Jazz and Matt they would make the perfect couple... After the movie we all went out for ice cream at taste E treats, and discussed who the main man should have chosen in the film. It was an action film with three leading ladies and in the end he didn't choose anyone. “I bet they are saving it for the sequel.” Matt always had a nack for movies. Even ones that he didn't really care for like this one. “ OK if Matt says that I agree, he usually knows what he’s talking about when it comes to movies” I smiled at him and gave him a little nudge with my foot under the table. Jasmine was sitting staring at him. At times she would slowly scoot toward him. I could tell he felt a little uncomfortable. He’s really shy and I don't blame him she looked a little stalkerish tonight. “I will be right back I've gotta run to the bathroom real quick.” I winked at jasmine. “uh. Oh! Me too I will go with you.” we headed into the restroom. I found a nice clean wall to rest up against. “Jazz you gotta lighten up Your totally freaking him out. He is really shy.. not used to bold girls like you..Just be yourself and, don't stare at him like your gonna lick him either that doesn't help your cause.” She was over at the mirror poofing powder on her nose; it left little white stinky clouds in the air which I promptly waved away. “I can’t help that..besides hes just so darn lickable!.” She turned around and started licking the air coming closer to me. I put my hands out. She stopped and looked at me “OK I will do my best to be myself and not stare and be pushy- TOO much.” I smiled “good lets go.” we headed back out. “Well I'm exhausted I think it’s time I get going guys.” Ryann stood up from the table and stretched. She looked tired. Honestly she had been working her butt off lately at the office. I guess the attorney she was working for had a bunch of new cases. “OK well, we’re out too then, shes our ride.” I walked over and hugged Matt. The three of us walked to the car. Ry drove while Jazz sat in front. I didn't hear much of what was said I was happy just listening to the music. After we dropped her off I switched seats for the ride home. That night I decided to write in my journal. I kept it in the night stand just in case I had a need to write. I wasn't sure why but I couldn't get this poem out of my head for the life of me. It wasn't someone else's work. I wast sure where I had heard it. It went something like this: A darkened world, inside out. A promise broken and shattered throughout days come and go, and memories fade through darkness and hell the damned must wade this is their fate they chose it and sealed it a flicker of hope from a candle and the one who weald's it. Darkness will no longer prevail only with her in love the truth will be revealed. I looked down at what I had written. It wasn't very good. Actually it sucked. I must be getting rusty. After all I haven't written in a year or so. Poetry that is. I decided to give up and go to sleep. That night the dream came again. I woke up in a bed of roses. They smelled wonderful. I lay there a little while longer enjoying the warmth the sun brought to my face and the sweet perfume of the roses. I was startled, to awake and see that the sun was gone and it was night. I stood heading on my way home when I realized I wasn't alone. I turned and looked. I was in a graveyard! The headstone just next to me read. Rest in Peace Aliah, a loyal friend who is greatly loved. The grave looked fresh. I smelled the cold with the sent of death. I turned to my right a shadow of a man stood. His cold hand reaching out beckoning me to follow him. He had an old ring on his hand. It was silver with a shield and a skull on it. It's eyes were a red stone and the shield was gold. When I didn't take his hand he came closer.. and closer.