Before I start writing, I'd like to apologize for not posting often. It's summer, I have endless amounts of free time, I'm not doing anything productive, and at this point the only thing stopping me from blogging is pure laziness. I'm feeling really uninspired lately, but while searching the Internet for writing prompts I came up with an idea for a scene. So here it is, unedited, written on the spot. Enjoy! (P.S. It's told from Celeste's point of view, sometime between Cornell 2 and A New Beginning)
I sat on the couch, staring at the old cardboard box. It was a completely ordinary, unremarkable box, but it scared me more than anything else. I knew what was in this box. I knew that if I opened this box, there would be no going back.
"Now I'm just being paranoid." I said out loud. "It's just a box. I should just shove it in the attic and forget about it."
As I said it I remembered what James had whispered to me when he dropped off the box.
You're going to have to face it eventually. As much as I hated to admit it, I knew that he was right. I had to open the box.
Slowly I kneeled down and lifted the cardboard lid. I could smell dust, old paper, and ink. The first thing I saw was a picture of James and I dressed for our Grade Eight graduation. My mother had forbidden me from wearing jeans, so I had picked out a short zebra-print dress and paired it with dark makeup, combat boots and skull jewelry. James had worn a black suit with a red tie that matched my hair. We had opted out of the after-grad party and instead walked along the moonlit beach.
Setting the picture aside I picked up the next one, a family photo taken at the beach. I was 10, and Kevin was only 3. We'd gotten another beach goer to take it, but just as he pressed the button we were attacked by seagulls trying to steal my french fries. Every time we looked at that picture my dad would burst out laughing and then we'd all start laughing until our sides hurt.
I set the picture on top of the first one. With tears blurring my vision, I continued to shift through the old photos. There were a few school photo, along with more of my family, and some of James and I. All of them were taken before I was changed, before my parents died, back when everything was normal. Although I loved my new life as a vampire, I would've traded it all to have my old life and my family back.
Finally I reached the bottom of the box. The only thing left was an envelope with my name on it. Opening the envelope, I pulled out a sheet of paper covered in James' familiar handwriting.
Dear Celeste,
I just wanted to let you know, you are the bravest girl I have ever met. Not because you saved your brother's life and defied death, or because you survived in the jungle against all odds. You are brave because you faced all the painful memories contained in this box. I know it wasn't easy for you, reliving it all and seeing what your life used to be like, but you did it. I'm so proud of you.
You've changed so much Scar. Not only your appearance, but everything else too. I could go on for ages about how much you've changed, but I won't. I will say this though; I know you're strong and fearless, but at the same time I know you're also terrified of slipping up or making the wrong choice. Just know that if you ever need anything I'll be there for you, even if it means flying halfway across the world. You can count on me.
Love always,
James
I slumped over, clutching the letter in my hands. My tears stained the paper and smeared the ink, but I didn't notice. Later I would think of how James knew me so well, and how he always knew what to say, but at the moment my mind was blank. I sat on the cold hardwood floor, alone with my memories, my face streaked with five years worth of tears.
