Part 2

Here's part 2! 

Sorry if this is kind of long; I had a little too much fun writing it.

Also, character bios are in the works, possibly to be posted in the future.

Anyways, I think that's all. 

Enjoy!

An hour later, they pulled into the parking lot of a boarding school with David grumbling about guest parking fees. He parked and said, "Time to go get your sister, Jacob,"

"Why should I listen to you?" the kid crossed his arms and stared back at David.

"Because I said so. And because if you want your sister to be safe, you'll go get her."

"What if no one listens to me?" he spoke with the same tone of bravado as before, but a slight quiver flowed through his voice; like the first tremor before an earthquake.

"They will," David exuded confidence, "Act like you belong, like nothing is out of normal and no one will question you. Tell them that there's a family emergency, your parents are waiting outside and you need your sister. You'll be fine,"

                                                                                                                                               

Inside, Jacob took a deep breath and approached the lady at the front desk.

"What can I do for you?" she asked in a bored tone.

"I need to get my sister," Jacob tried to swallow, but his throat was dry. He continued, "We had a sort of family emergency and my parents are waiting for us,"

"And your sister's name would be...?"

"Nicole. Sorry. Nicole Freedmont,"

"Alright, I'll send someone to get her. Any idea how long she'll have to be away?"

"No my parents didn't say. They haven't told me much of anything yet, but have her pack for a couple of days. That's what my mom said,"

"Just sit over there and wait for her, then," the woman didn't even give him so much as another glance. After what felt like a thousand years, but was really only five minutes, Nicole came down. Dressed in a plaid skirt, white, button-up shirt and a pull-over sweater, she was the picture of over-eager freshman.

"Jacob?" She said, "What's going on? Is everyone okay?"

"Let's go. I'll tell you in a minute." She hesitated.

"Come on, Nicole!" At last she followed him out the door. Outside on the sidewalk, Jacob stopped and turned to his sister. He couldn't speak. To speak would turn this haze of confusion into reality. When at last he forced the words out, his voice was emotionless and monotone in a way that surprised him.

"Mom and Dad are dead," Nicole didn't say anything. She stared at her feet. An innocent and child-like pair of feet in saddle shoes and white knee socks. The left sock was slipping down her leg. Jacob stared at her, unsure what to do. He made a point of being sure of himself, and in the past it had never been that hard. Today, everything had been turned upside down.

"Come on," he tugged on her hand, hoping for, needing a response, "There's two people parked over there around the corner. They brought me here. They want to help. I'll tell you what they said."

                                                                                                                                               

"Okay. Thanks Uncle Joe. Yeah, I'll let you know. Bye," Kelsie hung up the phone just as Jacob and his sister rounded the corner.

"What'd he say?" David asked.

"He said we should take them to a relative and try and explain the situation,"

"Again with the explanations!" Kelsie didn't answer.

"You okay, Kelsie?"

"Hmm? Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." He gave a her a Look. It was the I'm-Your-Big-Brother-So-Don't-You-Dare-Lie-To-Me Look.

"I'm fine. Really, David."

"Good. I need you." Then he got out and opened the trunk for Jacob. Once they were back in the car, Jacob said, "This is my sister, Nicole."

"I'm David. This is Kelsie,"

"Nice to meet you," she murmured.

"Do you guys have any relatives we can take you to?" Kelsie asked.

"No," Jacob replied, "Our grandparents on both sides are dead, and both our parents were only children."

"Lovely," David muttered. Kelsie punched him in the thigh.

"Well, I guess you'll have to stay with us for a night until we figure something out," he said.

"Why??" two voices exclaimed. David opened his mouth, but Kelsie spoke first, scrambling for the right words.

"Well, the people who killed your parents will come after you too. Our original plan was to take you to some relatives and try and explain. But since that's obviously not going to happen, we have to think of something else. But we also have to keep you safe. And right now, the safest place is with us. You're just going to have to take it on faith, if you don't believe me," There was silence in the back seat and David took this as his cue to start driving. His face settled into a frown and he didn't look back until they were on the highway.

A quiet sound broke the silence in the car. Kelsie barely noticed it at first. She glanced back to see Nicole curled in a ball quietly sobbing. Jacob had an arm around her, and his eyes glistened with un-shed tears he refused to let fall. She knew no words that would help the pain. She didn't believe any existed. So she closed her eyes and rested her head on the cold window.

David glanced over at his sister. It was unfair. This should never have happened to them. To the kids in the back. To Kelsie. He knew what she kept behind locked doors in her mind. All because of that one day a year ago. And he couldn't change a single thing. I can't change it, but I can drown it.

He turned on the radio and stepped on the gas.

Story Time: Part 1

This is an experiment. However, since I'm mostly doing it for my own entertainment, it'll most likely keep going no matter how many people actually are interested in it. 

So here's how this is gonna go. I cam up with a story idea and I'm going to write it in sections, developing the story and characters as I go. I'll post it each time with the label "Story Time" so they can be found all in the same place. 

That's about it. Here goes!

"Look at this masterpiece," David said as his sister Kelsie walked in. He held up a sandwich stacked high with meat and cheese and who knew what else. Kelsie rolled her eyes.

"Disgusting,"

"Come on, Kels! It's not that bad! Look, I made on for you, too," Kelsie eyed the slightly less enormous sandwich as though it might attack her.

 "The last time you made me a sandwich I felt like puking for the rest of the day,"

"This one's normal. Promise!" Kelsie accepted it and took a bite.

"Okay, this is actually good," she admitted.

"See? Anways, what did you find?"

"There's a used book shop that looks promising. Lots of old stuff. I found out where that family lives. Oh, and it looks like the Suits are here too,"

"The sooner we get going the better, then," He grabbed a set of car keys off the bedside table. Together, they walked out into the motel parking lot and got into David's car--a bright blue 1960's mustang.

"Where do they live?" David asked.

"On Walden street. I don't remember the number, but trust me, you'll sense it when we're there," A few minutes later, after they turned onto Walden Street, Kelsie pointed to a modest house painted a soft beige with a welcoming front porch.

"There," she said, 'The door's open."

"That's not good," David replied, "Let's go." He got out of the car and pulled a pistol out from underneath the car seat. Kelsie did the same. Inside the house, everything was quiet, but there was a smell. When they came to the staircase, they found the source of the odor. Two dead bodies, a man and a woman lay at the foot of the stairs. David sighed and shook his head.

"Come on. We have to check upstairs too," Kelsie nodded, but he'd said it as much for his own benefit as for hers. At the top of the stairs there was a spacious landing, and then a hallway. Every door was open except for one at the end. When they reached it, David turned the nob, and then shoved the door open. It hit the other wall with a loud thud.

"Who are you? Why did you kill my parents?" Inside stood a boy with a pale face and fists held in front of him, though he obviously didn't know what to do with them. David and Kelsie both tucked their guns inside the back waistbands of their jeans.

"Oh wait. You're not the same as those other guys," the boy lowered his fists as he realized his mistake.
"Who are you?" he added.

"Time for introductions later. They could be back. You have ten minutes to pack everything you need for a couple of days,"

"What?? Why??"

"Look, kid. Those people who killed your parents are dangerous. Unless you want to be killed, you have to get out of here. You'll get a full explanation in the car. Clear?" The kid nodded, and began packing.

"Do you have any siblings?" Kelsie asked.

"I have a sister."

"Where is she?"

"At school. She goes to a boarding school for really smart kids." He zipped up his backpack. "I'm ready."

"Good. Can you tell me how to get to your sister's school?" David asked.

"Yeah," In short order, they were across the street and in the car. As David started it up, their new companion crossed his arms.

"So. It's explanation time," he said. David glanced at Kelsie, who stared at him.

"Why do I always have to do the explaining?" he asked.

"Privilege of age. You're older." she replied.

"By one year!"

"I'm too young," she continued without listening, "Therefore to naive and immature to give an appropriate explanation. The task falls to you," She stopped talking and grinned.

"First things first," David said, ignoring his sister, "What's your name?"

"Jacob,"

"I'm David, and this is my sister Kelsie. I don't know how to put this, so I'm just going to say it: You're a magician."

"I'm--what? But magic isn't even real!"

"Oh yes it is. You're a magician, your sister is, and both your parents were. Kelsie and I are as well. The people who killed your parents are anti-magician for some reason, and they kill every single magician they can find. Which is troublesome, because magicians work hard to keep themselves secret. Pretty much all we know about these people is that they're trying to kill us, and that they always wear suits. They're dangerous, and that's why we made you leave. That's about all you need to know right now."

"If I'm a--a magician, but I didn't even know it, how did you find me?"

"Every magician, even an untrained one, has a sort of sense, or an aura you might say, around them," Kelsie answered, "It lets you know who is a magician, and it's one of the first things you'll learn." By this time, they were pulling onto the highway.

"I just can't believe it," Jacob muttered as he turned to look out the window.

To be continued...

Fire

I see fire

Fire burning, burning bright

Bright behind your eyes

I see fire 

Fire burning, burning embers

Embers of desire

I see fire

Fire burning, burning sparks

Sparks of passion flying from your eyes

I see fire

Fire burning, burning high

High flame in your eyes; cannot be quenched

I see fire

Fire burning, burning and consuming

Consuming and I am afraid. 

The Skinny Jeans Dance

We all know it.

We all do it.

That odd little jig you do when you pull on your skinny jeans.

The one that gets a little more...enthusiastic when they're fresh out of the dryer. It looks like some twisted combination of an Irish Jig and a tribal rain dance. And then you do a few squats at the end just for good measure.

We need to put our thoughts into spiritual Skinny Jeans.

The Bible tells us to take every thought captive. The whole point of the Skinny Jeans Dance is that the pants are tight, difficult to get into, difficult to get out of. But not so bad once they're on. We need to put our thoughts through a little bit of dancing and stick them in some nice, tight, spiritual Skinny Jeans.

Which is where God intended them to be. He intended our thoughts to be pure, focused on Him. Not running every which way with every little idea. It takes a bit of a dance to get them there.

A sort of mental Skinny Jeans Dance. You have to jiggle them around, force them where you want them to go. Kind of like forcing your heel through the leg hole of a pair of skinny jeans.

But once they're on, Skinny Jeans aren't to bad. They're pretty comfortable, really. If we could make our minds focus 100% on God, on what is pure and good and holy and right, imagine how comfortable we'd be.

I wish I had more personal experience to say, "Yes! I've tried it, and it's so comfortable keeping my mind focused on the right things all the time!" But unfortunately, this is an area in which I struggle. I don't keep my mind where it needs to be. I tend to wear spiritual sweatpants. But I feel pretty confident saying that keeping our minds focused on what God wants us to focus on would be better and more pleasant for us.

So go forth and clad yourselves in spiritual Skinny Jeans, my friends!

5 Things You Should Know About College Kids

1. They are always tired.
No, like really. It's a given , a constant state of being. To what extent varies, but it's always there in some form. In the background. So that when one of them sees a long bench at a booth or something the first thought is not, "that bench is strangely long," it's, "that bench is long enough to sleep on". Always. Tired.

2. They are utterly broke. (cliche, but who cares).
To the point that they usually know (or can figure out in a few seconds) the cheapest way to eat at any given restaurant. Because not only are they broke, they also have no time to eat actual meals where you sit down at an actual table and take the time to enjoy food and company. And if they have a gift card, they will eat at that place, regardless of how much they do or do not like it.

3. They could live out of their cars.
Seriously. If you get in the car of a college student, there will be a plethora of cups and bags from fast food places, a coat, a pair of shoes, a textbook, probably some old homework assignments, CD's all over the place, and any number of other things. They could probably pick out an entire outfit just from the clothes that get tossed in the car. Missing assignments? In the car. Phone? In the car. And while we're on the topic, they're good at multitasking in the car. They can eat, talk on the phone, put on make up all while driving.

4. They are firm supporters of the statement "Ignorance is bliss."
Most of them, at least. Those few days after a test and before grades are posted are some of the most blissful days in a college students life. The test is over, for better or for worse, and grades aren't there to be known yet, so why not spend a few days not stressed?

5.One word: Caffeine.
It doesn't matter what form it comes in. Coffee, Mountain Dew, tea, whatever it is. If it has caffeine in it, there's probably college students not far away. People like to think that college students hang out in coffee shops because they're quiet, or because that's where "cool people" go, or something like that. This is false. They are called COFFEE shops. What is contained in coffee? That's right. Caffeine.

There you have it. Five things you should know about college kids. If you are a college kid, read this and laugh. If not, read this and have sympathy for us.

Just a Regular Morning

Noise. Ringing. Bells. So loud. Be quiet.

MAKE IT STOP!!!

Light.

Turn on the light.

Ouch. That hurts.

Get up.

But it's warm.

Get up lazy butt.

Cold. So cold. 

Warm shower.

Cold and wet. Mornings are evil.

Clothes. Look like a person.

I don't want to be a person.

Too bad.

"Good morning, dear."

CAFFEINE 

"Need to make coffee."

Hurry up.

"You look cute."

"Thanks."

"What classes do you have today?"

Zip backpack. Computer cord? Check.

"Math...lit...and chemistry"

"Okay. What time will you be home again?"

"3:30ish. I have to go. Now."

"Oh. Okay, bye! Have a good day!"

Stop hugging. Have to leave.

"Bye. Love you too."

Score. I left on time.

No. Blow warm air, you stupid car.

Drive faster. Slow pokes. Move. I'm gonna be late.

Score again. Got here on time. 

So. Cold. 

Almost there. Almost inside. 

Aahh. Warm air.

Early. Time to read. 

Ew. Don't sit next to me again. You smell like pot. Or cigarettes. Or something. 

Good. Alden's here.

"So how was your weekend?"

"Uh..."

Think! What did you do?

"It was good. Did homework. Worked. Went to church. Ate lunch with some friends. How was yours?"

"Pretty good. Didn't do much."

"Okay guys, let's get started."

Numbers are dumb.

***

End part one of the totally random and uncalled for internal monologue of a college student. (Namely, myself. Mostly because I didn't have anything else to go off of.)
Part Two to follow some day. Hope you all enjoyed. :)

Love,
Robin

Fat Books

This is truth. 

You don't notice it until years after you first bought the book. You pick it up, and look at it. You take in the battered corners, the way the edges are peeling back on the paper of the spine. The spine is covered up and down in a thousand creases. How the paper back cover that used to lie so flat is now creased and doesn't rest flat on the page any more. The pages aren't sharp paper cut material any more, they're sort of....fluffy. And you realize just how long you've had that book and how many times you've read it. You open the front cover and a strange sort of nostalgia comes over you. It's like the excitement of opening it for the first time all over again, only you know what happens. You're walking on an old road you've traveled a hundred times, returning to meet old friends, but you still feel that sense of adventure and suspense like that first time you opened the cover. 

I read so many books over the course of my childhood, I couldn't even begin to list them. But whenever I think about the books I read when I was a kid, the dominating ones that come to mind are the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. 

I loved them. I read the Hobbit first. I've read it the most. 

I read it the for the first time in sixth grade. 

I read it because my friend said it was really good. And she was right. 

I read the bit on the first page telling about Hobbits. I adored the story. I've reread it several times over the years. 

That book say me through that awkward stage of life we call middle school, was used many times as a boring evening's entertainment, gave birth to a brief obsession of riddles, and was still listed among my favorites by my junior year of highschool when I used it in an essay. (still among my favorites. always will be.) That paper was my favorite assignment all year and I couldn't wait to write it. 

Now I open it up again and smile the way you do when you find your stuffed animal from when you were a kid. You know the one. It looks like its been soaked, run over, tread on, maybe used as a napkin. I see the familiar first page heading "And what is a Hobbit?" I flip through all the pages and find that some places lay open better than others. 

I remember that first reading and all the subsequent ones. I remember nearing the end and clutching the pages in fright in a chair in my living room. I remember reading it another time at the pool waiting for my sister. I remember reading it my room when I was bored waiting for my parent's small group to finish so my sister and I could come out. I remember all the times I reread certain parts, and searching for quotes for my paper. 

Bits of my life really are preserved for me within those pages. 

Each time I read it, I understand a bit more. I bring new experience and new knowledge to it every time I read. 

So every time I open it I'm greeted by some old friends, and younger versions of myself, getting a bit older each time. 

Sorry about this completely random, slightly not-flowing post, I'm feeling a little nostalgic over here, and kind of missing childhood. Also the Hobbit just came out, so it's on my mind. 

Love ya!

Robin