Voices at Midnight: Short Stories by Norwalk High School Honors English Students

Contents

There is Time to Change

Tess’s Story

The Wanderer

Trees of Regret

A Touch of Grey

The Green Walls

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh mi!

I Was Who We Were

The Psychiatrist

Just an Ordinary Girl

Black Waters Reflecting Sunshine

At the End of a Marking

Crescendo

There is Time to Change

By Alexa Connors

Caylie had it all. From being captain of the track team to being ranked number one in her class. All of this came with a price though. You could probably say that Caylie never really had much of what you would call a social life. She was strictly focused on her school work and becoming the best at everything she could. Meaning, Caylie never went to parties, never hung out with friends, never went to the movies, and never wasted time on the computer. She had a very good relationship with her family, especially her mother, Jane. Caylie could go to her for anything whether it was for help on a paper or talking about all of her dreams and aspirations.

Although she was extremely focused on studying and working, wondered what it was like to be popular, have boys talk to her, and gossip about things going on throughout the day. Even though she did not spend too much time on this thought, when it came into her mind it irked her and bothered her a little more than the time she had thought about it before. She constantly tried to come up with different ways to make friends and different ways to get invited to parties but previous commitments always got in the way, forcing her back into her solemn life.

* * *

On Friday, Caylie was having a typical day at school when her friend Alex came up to her and started talking about a party that was taking place later that night.

It would be fun, Alex said.

But you don’t understand, I can’t just go out. I have a huge Chemistry test on Monday and I need the entire weekend to study.

Just go this once. Please. I really want you to be there. Plus, this would be the perfect opportunity for you to start talking to people. Make some new friends, even meet some new guys?

I don’t know…What time does the party start?

It starts at 8. Just promise me you’ll go tonight and if you don’t like it and aren’t having fun, you can leave. After tonight you’ll never have to go to another party if you don’t want to.

I guess I can go tonight for a little bit.

After Alex convinced Caylie to go to the party, it was the only thing on her mind. She wondered what she would where, what they would do, and who she would talk to. She had heard about all of the crazy things that happened at parties in the past, but Caylie would need to see it for herself before she was able to believe it. She realized that this was her chance to show all of the cool girls what she was really about and even though she was labeled a nerd, she wanted to prove to them that in reality, she was just like them.

Caylie went home right after school, skipping Student Government and track practice to start planning her outfit. Later, she put on makeup for the first time and made sure that her hair looked perfect. Alex picked her up around 8:15 and they were off to the party. At this point, Caylie was beyond excited, despite her previous feelings on going. She thought that after this party, she would be invited to go places, have people to talk to aside from her mom, and would become cool. Little did Caylie know though, that this party would be nothing like she thought and that she would have to do a little more than socializing to be accepted into the cool crowd.

As Caylie walked into the party, she felt a sense of nervousness overwhelm her. She had pictured what this party would be like, but this was reality she was faced with. The house was about two times the size of Caylie’s little colonial home. From outside, the bass from the music system was booming throughout the crisp air, and Caylie could hear everyone already inside. She thought that there was a strange odor lingering around but she was not too sure and did not give it too much thought. She walked inside. In an instant, Caylie felt as if she totally blended in. Thoughts of all the work she had to do at home quickly began to fade away.

Come on, Alex said, Let’s get something to drink.

As they began to walk through the living room and down to the basement, Caylie was beginning to realize that she was seeing a lot of people she never had before. She wondered to herself how the girl having the party knew all of these people. In fact, she was even question who the girl having the party was, since Alex never seemed to mention that. They approached a table in the middle of the room and Caylie realized that these were not the types of drinks she was thinking of. She was thinking that there would be regular soft drinks like Pepsi or Sprite, but to her surprise, there were different types of vodka, beer, and something called Captain Morgan, which she was completely unfamiliar of and inexperienced with.

You didn’t say that there would be alcohol here, Alex, Caylie said.

What did you expect? We are in high school and this is a party.

But you know that I’ve never been into this stuff? What am I supposed to drink now? If my parents found out they’d kill me.

Oh relax, you always worry so much and it isn’t even a big deal. Just have one drink. I promise you’ll feel a lot better and way more comfortable.

I just don’t know, I’ve never drank before and I really wasn’t planning on starting tonight.

It’ll be fine I promise.

Ugh, fine but I’ll only have one.

Caylie mixed her first drink. It was a mix of Smirnoff vodka with a splash cranberry juice. She was less than pleased with the bitter taste, yet she continued to drink it. As the night progressed, she was surprised that she was not only on to her second drink, but to her fifth. At this point, Caylie could not even taste the alcohol anymore because she had consumed so much. With each drink, Caylie felt more and more comfortable coming out of her shell and talking to people she never knew existed. She felt warm inside and began to feel dizzy. After a short while Caylie felt like she had little to no control of her body or any of her actions. It felt good to go with the flow and follow the crowd for once. She did not have to worry about things she knew she had to do when she got home.

Alex found her in the crowd later that night. Caylie was mingling with a couple of boys who were on the football team. Although she was completely out of her element, it did not look as if she was having any problems socializing with them. Shortly after, Alex made her way into their conversation and told her that it was time for them to go. Caylie begged not to lave because she was having so much fun but Alex insisted because it was getting late and they both needed to be home by 12. Alex was finally able to get her away from the crowd and they left the party. Alex’s sister Megan picked them up and when they got back to her house, they were able to get into her room without being questioned from either of Alex’s parents. When they got into her room, Caylie was on the floor rolling around. Alex tried to pick her up but she was struggling because Caylie could not stand up. Once Alex got her onto her bed, Caylie passed out.

The next morning Caylie woke up with what felt like a migraine. The light hurt her eyes and she felt completely nauseous. She tried to get up but the effort was too much for her. She felt like death. She tried to remember what happened at the party the night before but she could barely remember a thing. All she knew what that she had the time of her life and never felt that alive for as long as she could remember.

She had promised herself she was going to go on a run because she had missed her workout on Friday. She figured if she went running on her own, she’d still be in pretty good shape for the meet that upcoming Tuesday. Instead of going running though, Caylie decided to lounge around the entire day in hopes that her pounding headache would go away. She spent the entire day sleeping on and off, eating, and watching television. Although this day was not what Caylie planned, she did feel better as the day progressed.

While Caylie was sprawled out on the couch, her parents began to inquire about her night out. They asked if she had fun, what everybody was doing, and what time she got back to Alex’s. Caylie was really vague though and felt uncomfortable about telling them what really went on. She did not feel like giving them a lot of answers so she kept them to a minimum. Her parents were both slightly skeptical because Caylie had never acted like this. They felt that if she went out and had a good time, she would be dying to tell them all about it since it was not something she did very often. They did not give too much thought to her behavior though because she was not one to act up and they figured she would never be the type to do anything suspicious or bad at a party so they figured they really had nothing to worry about and that Caylie was probably just tired and that it would be best if she just got some rest.

* * *

The next day at school, Caylie was at her locker when Alex came up to her and started talking about the party.

Did you have fun the other night? Alex questioned.

From what I can remember? Yeah it was an absolute blast.

How much did you drink, Caylie?

I can’t even remember, all I know is that it was a lot and after a while I couldn’t even feel my mouth anymore. I didn’t mind thought because everything tasted great.

Well I’m glad you had fun, you complained and hesitated so much I was afraid you wouldn’t and we’d having to end up leaving early.

I mean, granted I probably made a complete fool of myself, but I felt way too good to even care. We need to go to another party soon. It was honestly so much fun.

Caylie went through the rest of her day and ultimately the rest of her week longing for the upcoming weekend. Every class, every practice felt like countless hours. Time was crawling for Caylie and she was itching to get another rush like the previous weekend had given her. She often wondered why she had wasted so much time working so hard when she could be having a lot more fun going out. She made herself a slave and hated herself for it but she was determined to change that, maybe for good this time. She was completely unaware though, how much she would have to give up in order to maintain the party lifestyle.

Socializing was only concept on Caylie’s mind for the next couple of weeks. She did not seem to mind at all when she went from hours to studying to hours of shopping and hanging out with friends. It did not even seem to bother her when she got her first C on her Math test in 6 years. She decided not to tell her parents about this because she was scared of what they would say. Her parents were not oblivious. They knew something was going on though they just had trouble putting their finger on it. They attributed this to being just a phase. Sometimes, Caylie’s mother, whom she once had a close relationship with just a couple of weeks ago, felt what they had beginning to slip away. She was having trouble telling everyone else apart from her daughter. As the weeks progressed, Caylie’s behavior seemed to be getting worse. She seemed less focused and more distant. Caylie was getting more comfortable at parties and she felt more accepted as she went a little further with what she would try. Caylie’s mother knew Caylie would come home on the weekends drunk and even a little high. She was too nervous to tell her husband right away so she thought it would be best to talk to Caylie herself and she figured sooner rather than later would be her best option before she lost Caylie all together.

When she was able to get Caylie alone for once after about a week of desperate attempt, she was not necessarily pleased to have to talk to her mother. She figured she could be off with her friend Natalie who invited her over after school.

But it’s important, her mom pleaded.

I don’t care mom, this is the biggest waste of my time. I don’t know what you could possibly have to talk about that’s so important.

You haven’t been acting yourself, Caylie. I’m becoming extremely worried. I didn’t want to have to tell your dad but you’re almost leaving me with no choice.

What are you even talking about?

I know the kind of people you’re hanging out with now Caylie. They’re not good for you. What are you even doing at this point? Do you even know who you are? I sure don’t. You need a reality check, Caylie. You need to focus on what you know is important. Look what you’re doing to yourself.

Mom, stay out of my life. I’m serious. You have no idea what you’re talking about. Maybe you shouldn’t talk to me at all to be honest anymore. I haven’t changed at all. I love my friends mom, why can’t you just accept the fact that for once in my life I’m actually happy.

Caylie stormed out. She was furious with her mother. She couldn’t believe her mom, who was supposed to be the only one there for her, was rooting against her. She wondered how she could have ever trusted her. She should have known all along that her mom wasn’t ever really there for her. What was she thinking? She went to Natalie’s house for the night and spent her time smoking. She felt as if that was the only thing that really cleared her mind from all her problems. She didn’t care about her mom, or school, or anything else. She had her friends, she had her weed, and that’s all she felt like she needed.

Caylie did not come around much for the next few weeks. In fact, she did not come around at all. Although Caylie felt like her mother betrayed her, she had truly just felt like she was running out of options. She spent almost all of her time now smoking weed with her friends, skipping school, drinking, and partying on the weekends. She was a completely different person compared to who she was three months ago. It was not until her mother found out some very devastating news that she knew it was time to bring Caylie home and have a major talk with her that would change things for the rest of her life.

After a long and difficult effort to try to get in any sort of contact with Caylie, Jane was able to have her to herself to talk to for this one important afternoon. She knew this would be one of the hardest things she would ever have to tell anyone.

I’ve known for about a month Caylie, I’m so sorry. I just thought this was something you had to know before it was too late. The doctors don’t know how much time I have left, cried her mother.

How could you do this to me mom? Why couldn’t you tell me earlier? What am I supposed to do now? Tell me what I can do to help.

I couldn’t get in touch with you Caylie, I tried so hard for so long and you wanted nothing to do with it. We haven’t seen you in weeks.

Caylie burst out into tears and cried into her mother’s arms. A brain tumor. She was in complete disbelief. She hated herself for being so stupid and so ignorant when her mother needed her the most. She wasted the last few months failing classes, smoking, and partying. And for what? Her mom was dying. She had no idea what she could do. She wanted to fall asleep and never wake up. She was mortified of her behavior and could no longer even recognize the girl in the mirror staring back at her. What was she doing to herself, to her family? She needed to talk to her dad. She figured she could get all of her answers from him and come up with a plan to make it all better.

First, she told her new friends that she was done partying. She felt as if it was not the right time in her life to be doing things like that and she really needed to focus on things that were still very important to her like Student Government and track. She did not like who she was becoming. Her friends seemed to understand her although Caylie was a little skeptical they would just go back to making fun of her, calling her a nerd, and ignoring her. She did not care though because when she thought about it, she was not very happy at all with her life and everything she had become.

She spent the next few days really focusing on her schoolwork. She figured it would be best to spend her time working on things she knew she could easily change. She started going to track again and came home right after that to study and start her homework. She was waiting until the perfect opportunity to speak with her father because she knew this conversation could not be rushed.

* * *

It was that Thursday night after school that she heard her garage door open and her dad walk into the house. This is it, she thought. Caylie walked down the stairs and asked her dad if he could come up when he got a minute. She felt the lump in her throat and knot in her stomach as she thought about the conversation she was about to engage in. She wanted to cry more than anything but she knew that it would not help the situation. She was not sure how she would be able to get a word out without bursting into tears, though.

She could hear her father’s loud steps as he walked up the stairs and down the hall. There was a knock at her door and her heart began to race. She told him to come in and he took a seat on her bed and that’s when she felt like her heart was pouring out. For about an hour, she cried to her father about all of the things she did. She told him how bad her situation