70 Days; Chapter 1

Happy New Year to all of my readers!

I'm about to begin a brand new story which is totally different than the others. It was delayed because school has me working, working, working! I'm terribly, terribly sorry.

I hope you start to really feel for the character and imagine yourself in their shoes, because, honestly, that's the only way to connect with my words.

At first, you may think of it as typical and boring, give it a try, it's way different. Do not expect this story to be super long, but I hope I'm capable of expanding the events, and receive further more ideas in addition to my current thoughts.

Romance should be least expected from the start, however throughout the story, it will gradually be dropped in. I hope it's something you've never read before, because this story comes from my own inspirations and imaginations, 100%.

Though some people have told me some ideas, I changed them around, but I still thank them, for they are the basic builders to make this piece of writing such an accomplishment.

So, here I go.

-

"Hahaha, don't bother, she will never do it!" she rudely interrupted as Nasser asked me a question.

"Deena, I'm afraid I wasn't speaking to you," Nasser replied to my best friend, among a large group of girls and boys. I watched her facial, imperious expressions flip as she was badly embarrassed. Both, Nasser and I, stood beside the tent, as we watched the abashed, 18 year-old brunette light a cigarette, and walk away through the darkness of the flat, sandy desert, with yet, another boy, for the third time tonight.

"Now, let me repeat my question," he briefly added, "have you ever tried smoking?"

"No, and I don't plan on doing so, ever in my life." I bluntly replied.

"Oh come on," he teased as he waved the small white object to my hazel eyes, "just once."

I emotionally refused.

I walked away from Nasser and laid eyes on every absent-minded person. There was a guy, that was much taller than me, standing beside two other guys who were engaging in conversation. He looked like he wasn't included in their talk. Anyway, it hasn't been an importance to me.

Joined us were many guys, and three girls. Although, the guys paid no attention to the three of us, which came by surprise, actually.

From that moment, I couldn't wait less to head off to university. Only two months block my way of leaving this country and starting a brand new life.

I attended this 'event' for Deena, only.

I've been told she's a bad influence, most of the times.

I've been told she's stuck up.

I've been told she thinks of herself so highly, considering her father's the agent for almost five car companies.

But, I don't care.

We're different, completely different.

But I've watched her, ever since she was 15, begin the habits that carry atrocity.

She has always been a tough, mean girl, even I have realized.

Let me admit something, I sometimes act like someone I'm not.

I get jealous.

Despite Deena's smoking habit, I'm quite jealous of her. I just wish, someday, jealousy of me would take over her. I follow her around, as if I was a lost, desperate puppy. I follow her around to learn what she has. I follow her around to become more like her, day by day.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no creepy freak.

I couldn't walk behind her as she walked through the darkness with another boy, since what I would witness, wouldn't be very pleasant.

She has always been known for the one with black, silky hair, along with red, full lips, and a beautiful body. She has always been the one that caught the boys' attention.

I want that.

I've reached the stage where my main focus was on something we call love; the four-lettered word that can lead us to joy, happiness, and depression.

Although, I've been told that I've caught more attention with my beauty than she has.

But, I don't see it. I don't find my features a sign of allure.

Insecurity continuously flows through my blood.

I may seem beautiful, to others. But deep down, I'm dying from anxiety, an ocean of utter anxiety.

My body...

My face...

My everything...

I'm not Deena.

I'm just a regular 18 year-old girl with light brown hair, with natural brown highlights, taken from my divine mother, pink lips, fair, clear skin, and rose cheeks.

Nothing special.

I love.

I get hurt.

I cry.

I smile.

I err.

But, I'm only human.

-

"What's up with Nasser?" Deena spoke to me as we both settled in her black Escalade, on our way back to her house.

"What do you mean?" I responded.

"The way he spoke to me-"

"Oh, he was just teasing you, I think!" I interrupted with a giggle.

"He better have." she answered, spraying perfume all over herself, as usual, to get rid of the cigarette scent. Her parents haven't found out yet.

"Deena, may I ask you something?" I spoke softly, moments later. I was terrified of her, at times.

She turned her head to face me, and bluntly waited for my question.

"Have you ever thought of quitting smoking?"

She gave me the 'Are you serious?' look.

"Ever since my parents' divorce, I couldn't control myself, Jade," she said, "it's my way of releasing the stress, my way of forgetting about life, my way of escaping from reality."

-

My ringtone was audible. I dropped my pencil, and stood up, leaving my study papers and books behind, and approached the loud object.

'Deena' was plastered on the wide screen.

"Hello?" I spoke.

"Get ready, I'm on my way!" she responded.

"Where are we going?" I questioned, cluelessly.

"To a carnival!" she replied, "now get changed, I'm ten minutes away!"

"Deena, I can't, my mother ordered me to stay home this weekend, we have a huge exam on Sunday, remember!?"

"Oh please, you can't possibly believe that you're going to stay home this weekend and shove your head into some silly books!" she answered, her tone's loudness increased, "besides! Your mother doesn't even need to know!"

"Actually, I am... it's worth a lot, by the way." I bluntly declared, ignoring her last statement. I have an extremely crucial bond with my mother, and I don't plan on breaking the tightness.

"Stop it, with the attitude!" she ordered.

I was fearful.

Two seconds later, I spoke, "Okay, fine! I'll change."

Regret was overwhelmed in my scared little heart.

No voices were heard after mine, I looked back at the wide screen, the call was disconnected.

I put on a pair of maroon jeans, along with a sleeveless white tank top, wore a sleeveless denim jacket over it, and paired it with silver sandals that my mother got for me from one of her trips to London.
I added a nice touch by pulling my hair into a high messy bun, and simple silver rings, too.

-

"Where are we?" I spoke as I observed my surroundings.

This place was nowhere near the looks of a carnival.

The place she led me to was somewhat an abandoned area.

"I had to create something in order to get you here!" she laughed hysterically.

Basically, the area was deserted, dark, and vacant, except I spotted about five boys at the end of the narrow, bricked walkway, which was placed between two old unpainted homes.

This area was unfamiliar, I have never seen such a scary place.

The five boys began walking the walkway that led them to us.

I don't know if I was visualizing, but they approached us quite quickly.

Their faces were beyond different, some of them weren't clear, though.

"U-h-h-h, Deena, let's go." I said, grabbing her hand. She was looking the opposite way, admiring the tight place she brought us to.

Still unclear, the five of them were a meter away from the two of us.

Deena turned her head, and as two of the men took ahold of our arms, her eyes widened.

I decided to scream, since I was the only one capable of doing so.

"Help!!!!!!"