The Next Day

February 13, 2068

North Olympia, Kansas

1630 CST

Inside the Young Family's Establishment

Teresa & Julie's Room

Teresa Young's Point of View

Move, door!

“Julie, I got the stuff!” I say as I kick open the door.

God, this box is so heavy.

“That’s great, Teresa,” she pouts as she continues to lie on the bed and daydream at the ceiling.

I’m struggling, Julie! Sigh, you’re still the best cousin I could ever ask for. Strange, you’ve cut your hair. It used to be in a long ponytail but now it’s short, and your bangs cover your entire forehead. No! Don’t tell me! Eh, it’s probably nothing.

“We gotta read them! Now!” I say.

“Mmm,” Julie mumbles.

Yes! This one looks so cool.

“Julie, look! This one is about Sci-Fi in the tun-tun-tun-tundra! It’s about a female warrior who was forced to dishonor her homeland to save the entire world! However, all actions have consequences, and she must now battle her former allies to escape from her beautiful country! It’s called, Purple, Cool, right?”

“It sounds ok,” she shrugs with no reaction.

Huh? That’s not your usual reaction, Julie.

“Ok? What do you mean, ok? Scoff, never mind. Anyway, check out this one! A teenage girl is forced to turn to crime to keep up with the outrageous expenses of her sumptuous city. But with crime comes betrayal, and upon her capture, she must learn how to see things from a different viewpoint if she wishes to survive. It’s called Wonderful Pain.”

“It sounds-”

“Wait, this is my favorite! A samurai who failed to see the bigger picture and vows his remaining days on exacting revenge and regaining his honor! It’s called Hidden Courage!”

“I think-”

“And then there’s this one! A tyrannical pirate who unknowingly holds the power to change the world. But with power comes enemies, and this outlaw has countless! Power also corrupts, and this fugitive soon becomes tempted by outside forces who vow to be rid of his foes in exchange for resources and loyalty! It’s called…”

Wait. You’re not even listening! You’re staring at the ceiling!!!

“HEY! Earth to Julie!”

“Huh?!” She jumps in surprise. “W-What? It sounds good,” she answers in a short tone.

“Oh yeah? What did I say?”

“Teresa, are you accusing me of not listening? That’s mean!” She states in disgust.

“I didn’t say you weren’t listening.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

“Ok, good because I wasn’t. I’m sorry,” she shamelessly confesses.

Jerk.

“You like these stories way more than me, but you seem unfocused,” I say.

Oh no! Don’t tell me! No!

“Sigh. It’s a boy,” she reveals in a lovestruck tone.

“What?! A boy?! Boys are stupid!”

“Maybe, but I don’t know. I just can’t stop thinking about him,” she says with a big smile.

“I knew it! I knew you were no match for adolescence!”

“Pfft, whatever,” she nods her head with a smirk.

“Julie, who am I going to discuss these books with if you’re chasing boys? Who’s going to be my guinea pig for my gambling strategies?”

“I don’t know, but I want to live in the real world!” She shrieks in anger.

What?

“Are you talking about The New World? Are you crazy?! Why would you ever want that?” I ask.

“I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about us, Teresa. We’re getting older,” she says as she twiddles her thumbs.

“And?”

“I’m becoming interested in other things.”

“Like stupid boys?”

“Yes! Stupid boys!” She yells in frustration.

“You should avoid stupidity, not go towards it. Anyway, let’s read these new books.”

“No. I don’t want to anymore,” she declines as she crosses her arms and turns away from me.

“Huh? Are you sick?”

“No, I just, I want to do other stuff.”

“Oh, you gotta be kidding me. You are sick! Sick with love!”

“What?! No, I’m not! I just like a boy. He’s very strong and handsome!” She claims as she turns back around.

“This is ridiculous! I can’t even! Nothing good ever comes from teenage love!”

“How would you know?” She asks in doubt.

“Because I read about it in a book.”

“Books are just stupid fantasy! The stories aren’t even real!” She rudely insults.

“GASP! You jerk! Take that back!”

“No, because it’s the truth. Excuse me for wanting to live in reality instead of fiction.”

“Julie, undead monsters rule the Earth, and the remnants of humanity live in eight zombie-proof shelters spread across the world. Our government takes advantage of that and makes us follow unjust rules by threatening us with a giant freaking space laser… from space! That’s reality. That’s our life and it sucks, so excuse me for wanting to live in fiction instead of reality.”

“Whatever, Teresa. You’re just jealous because you know that nobody would ever want to date someone as mean and mischievous as you!”

“I cannot believe this! Love produces nothing but heartbreak and babies! It’s how our brain tricks us into reproducing! Everything has an end, Julie, especially relationships. Boyfriends, girlfriends, and… best friends.”

“Teresa, this isn’t about the boy, is it?” She asks in worry.

Oh God, I’m gonna cry. You saw through my poker face!

“Julie, you’re right. I’ll probably never get a date because of how I am. I hate social interactions, and you, you know that more than anyone. You, Kiko, Drew, Jaliyah, Duy, and Ruby are my only friends. You and Kiko are growing up much faster than me, figuratively and literally. Drew and Jaliyah don’t really go outside much and all Duy does is look at his muscles! Ruby is, uh, figuring stuff out. Losing myself in my hobbies makes me feel happy, and they help me in my endless battle against loneliness. One day I realized that I was born alone, and I’ll die alone too. Everyone will eventually, and that fact is so depressing. Having friends and hobbies helps me cope with life’s end. Julie, you and Kiko are my best friends in the entire world. I’m sorry for being such a meanie. I was just jealous and scared that you’d spend more time with this boy instead of me. I’m scared that you’ll leave me alone.”

“Teresa, you’re my cousin, so I’ll always be here for you no matter what,” she comforts in determination. “I’m sorry for being mean too, but you can’t always cling to me for comfort. I know that hanging out with close friends makes you happy, but what about me? I have the right to pursue happiness, and so do you. You’re family, which means I’ll always love you forever and ever, but… you have to be responsible for your own happiness.”

This can’t be happening! Why can’t I grow up, figuratively or literally? Why can’t I stop time? Why does life suck? I’m about to lose my best friend in the entire world, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

“Heh. I guess I’m no match for adolescence either or love,” I say.

Wipe away your tears, Teresa.

“You did say that love is the most powerful emotion,” she replies with a chuckle.

“The boy’s name. What’s his name?” I ask.

Why did I ask that? Stupid brain.

“Oh. That? His name. I-it’s Duy.,” she reveals with a look of guilt.

“Duy? How wonderful! I-I’m happy for you, Julie. You two will look oh, so cute together. You go get em! I’ll be ok! I’ll probably be too consumed in my stories to even notice you, so just yell in my ear or something to get my attention if you need anything!” I say as I hug her.

Don’t let me go!

“I understand, my bookworm cousin,” she says with a smile as she begins to cautiously walk away. “Well, I’ll see ya at dinner later, tonight. In the house. My parents own. The house we live in. Together,” she awkwardly announces as she finally leaves.

Duy? Duy!!! Damn it, Julie! Of all of the boys in Olympia, how could you pick Duy?! I have feelings for Duy, you doo-doo head! And…you know that…