Chapter 2
Those Who Were Lost
Here’s an excerpt of a Chapter created for a Novel.
Stacey was born in an all too quiet neighborhood. A cul de sac child in a cookie cutter family. A father who was more of a manager than a dad, and a mother who was more of a judge than a mom. Produced from the very ingredients that so many have endured, Stacey was exactly what she was supposed to be: vibrant, pretty, active, and brash. True it is, that she would be the opposite of what her parents
wanted. In their conservative, middle American household there was a clear line drawn
in the sands of creativity and hard work.
Fitting into that box like an elephant, Stacey satisfied her need for change in the most
unusual but predictable ways. Boys, cars, friends, and all the rest of the unsatisfactory distractions that provided a semblance of “real life”. Unable to accept a life that provided the necessities while disregarding the importance of love and compassion, Stacey’s heart grew long for someone or something that could pull her away from normal. Divorce was yelled over, cheating was suggested, and money was always on the other side of tight. It’s no surprise that she spent more time pretending to be somewhere else, than being where she was.
​
With parents concerned about themselves more than her whereabouts, her teenage years were distantly filled with the right people in the wrong place, or maybe the other way around. Carrying those experiences into college was the prescription for something that isn’t cured by abundance. Self diagnosed with a need for connection, her yearning for friendship was only matched by her desire for love.
​
Then there was Allison.
How they met was probably as coincidental as you could imagine. Someone drops their books, and the thoughtful loner helps pick them up. Maybe they lose their wallet and can’t pay for their coffee, so the person in line behind them picks up the tab. It didn’t really matter too much, as their meeting was seemingly inconsequential. Yet, whatever it was that happened, was the very moment a friendship had kindled.
​
Allison was the quiet, caring listener, and Stacey was the animated voice of action. They complemented each other in every way that opposites could. Though there was some enigma surrounding Allison and her past, they always found a way to thrive regardless. Most importantly, they could make the other laugh, and that was a rare thing without each other.
​
_________
​
For the last few weeks Allison had seemed more distant than usual. More private. It was almost like she had started fading away, into a place she had been before. Stacey took note of this, but didn’t push the envelope too hard, fearing Allison might recluse further into herself.
​
“This bonfire is going to be exactly what you need.” Stacey suggested confidently, trying to lighten the mood.
​
“Yeah, you mentioned that.” Allison hummed, not looking up from her laptop.
​
“Ugh, don’t be such a bitch, be excited!” Stacey pushed back, suddenly, slapping Allison’s computer lid closed.
​
Allison, though briefly startled, was not taken aback by the act. She was used to Stacey’s impulsiveness by now. She sighed, crossing her arms numbly. “I am excited,” she corrected “I’m just really focusing on the notes. These tests are going to crush me if I don’t.” Weighed down by school, Allison looked everywhere for a good excuse.
​
“Oh please,” Stacey scoffed, crossing her arms to mirror her friend. “You could take the test without studying, blindfolded with no pen, and you’d still make an A.”
​
Allison laughed. It had been a week or two since that had happened. School was getting a bit hectic. Maybe she should take a little break...
​
Allison’s thought was cut off by Stacey’s hands coming into contact with the table sharply. “Look, Alli. We are going to get drunk, find some guys, and have a great time. There’s going to be a ton of people there, and who knows? Maybe you’ll meet a bunch of friends you’ll have for the rest of your life! That’s the way this kind of thing works, you know.” Stacey knew how to push the right buttons. She knew she did, if she could just dial in...
​
“Yeah, maybe, or maybe I’ll go and sit in a corner alone while you run out in the woods with some guy who just wants to rip your clothes off. It wouldn’t be the first time.” In fact, it would not be the first or last time.
​
“Whatever, you know it’s not going to happen like that. Just loosen up, relax, and talk to some people.” Stacey gave a final push, determined to see Allison cave.
​
“Yeah, okay, we’ll see.” Success. “I’m still not even sure if I can make it.” Allison muttered with defeat.
​
Stacey beamed pridefully. “You’re going to make it, it’s going to be fun, and you’re going to quit being such an uptight prude with a dead personality.” She smirked. “Maybe you’ll even run off into the woods and leave me!” Hook, line, and sinker.
​
“Oh right, I’m sure that’s exactly what will happen.” Allison rolled her eyes curtly.
​
“You never know, maybe Mr. Right will be at that party.”
​
The conversation drifted. Allison became lost in a sea of thoughts, sailing her way to a distant reality.
​
She had already found Mr. Right.
​
He just went by a different name.