My Recycled Soul (A Sample)

The sun stays hidden behind a thick layer of clouds. The clouds are hanging close to the ground, and the rain is so persistent I cannot see where the clouds end and the rain starts, just a plain grey sheet in front of my eyes.

Sean lights a fire in the fireplace, while Esther brings blankets from the upstairs linen cupboard, so we make a bed on the carpeting in front of the TV. My mom drives to the village to stock up on treats and to rent movies.

It is blissfully relaxing.

When it is a beautiful sunny day I always feel obliged to do something constructive, whereas, on a cold rainy day, I seem to have no worries about just taking it easy.

We watch one movie after another, as I shovel chocolates and crisps into my mouth. During the third movie, I start drifting off to sleep. I am still in between pretending to watch the movie and dreamland when my mobile's ring tone snaps me out of my drowsiness. Without looking at the caller id, I press the reply button.

" Hello?" I ask sleepily.

" Hey Elizabeth," Jane says, sounding excited.

" Hey."

" Are you sleeping?"

" Almost."

" Go and get dressed. I am picking you up in an hour."

" Why?"

" Connell decided to have a house party this evening." Hesitantly she carries on, "His parents have gone to Galway for the weekend."

" I'll have to ask my mom first."

" Ask if you can sleep over at my place. I'll hold on."

I do not know if I really feel like going to a party. I am feeling lazy, and besides what if Jared is there, ignoring me again?

" I don't know, Jane," I say uncertainly.

She pleads with me, "Come on. For me … maybe this is the night Aaron notices me."

I think about it for a few seconds, and then reluctantly I give in. "Fine. Hold on." I turn to my mom and Sean stretched out on the couch, wrapped in each other's arms. "Mom, Jane asks if I could go and sleep over at her house tonight."

Worry flashes across my mom's face, but I see Sean hugging her to him tightly, while saying, "I think it would do you good to get out and to stop moping around the house with that sulky face of yours."

My mom smiles in agreement. "It would be nice for you to visit with your friends out of school, wouldn't it?"

Ugh! I thought they would say no.

Jane heard the answer and now she screams into the phone, "See you in an hour." She ends the call and there is no chance of protesting any further.