Mistwood - 2

Emily jolts up in her bed as she lets out a startled whimper. She glances over to the window to see her best friend Stacy kneeling on the roof outside of her window like she has dozens of times before.

“Ugh. What a nightmare...” Emily says as she rubs her eyes. Stacy smiles and waves at Emily while mouthing the words “Let me in” as she gestures to the base of the window. Emily squints her eyes as she looks over to the digital clock on her end stand.

“3:21?” She says in an exhausted voice. “What is she doing here?”

Emily unwraps herself from her blankets as she climbs out of bed and stumbles over to the window. She unlatches the lock at the top of the window and slowly slides it up. A cool, crisp autumn breeze rushes into her bedroom from the dark October night. Leaves rustle outside as Emily backs away from the window to let Stacie inside of her bedroom. Emily grabs Stacy by the hand to help her into her room. Stacy turns around and slams the window shut.

“Shhhh!” Emily says as she places her index finger in front of her plump lips while looking over to the door. “You’re going to wake up my mom.” She whispers. “What are you doing here? I’ve got class in the morning, and I’m already on my professor’s bad side.”

Emily had just started her freshman year at Mistwood Community College, while Stacy decided to take a year to ‘find herself’ before deciding what kind of subject to study.

“I had to talk to you. Remember the…?” Just as Stacy begins to respond, a light tapping is heard outside of Emily’s closed bedroom door. Emily’s hand shoots up and covers Stacy’s mouth so that she can’t speak another word.

“Emi? Everything okay Hon?” Emily’s mother can be heard outside the door in a tired, but concerned voice.

“Uh, yeah mom.” Emily begins to reply. “I was, uh, just getting a glass of water and stubbed my toe. I’m okay though.”

“Alright Em.” Her mother says. “You better get back to sleep.”

“Yeah mom, I will. Sorry to wake you.” Emily says apologetically.

“It’s okay. Good night.” Emily’s mom says as she begins to walk back to her room.

“Good night.” Emily replies as she looks over at Stacy, her hand still covering her mouth.

“What are you doing here?” Emily asks again in a demanding whisper.