A Walk Home

By: huynh_hh, LiLOddAzn25, FriedRice025, or just me, Julie =D

Part One

Her footsteps were slow and forced as she walked behind her two friends, who were busy chattering away. Her breaths came quick with every other step that she took—huffing and puffing, even after she downed that last drop of her drink. She didn't bother catching up to her friends; they were more than a couple of feet away from her.

Before she could decide on what to do next, one of her friends turned around.

"Well um … I got to go. 'Bye Julie," she said, waving. She said goodbye to her other friend afterwards and ran to her mother's car, which was parked at the curb.

She continued walking on, though proceeded to turn back to her own thoughts.

She dreadfully wished home to be close, but when she looked up along the sidewalk, she knew that she was barely getting any closer. Her house seemed miles and hours away.

She wished nothing more than to be in her own room, sprawled across her bed, completely carefree and oblivious to the rest of the world.

She knew that she was facing quite the opposite of what she dreamt to be doing. She had already arrived at the main crosswalk, watching numerous trucks and SUVs of all different kinds speeding past her. She rolled her eyes.

Was anybody going to let her cross?

She decided to wait for the traffic light at the end of the block to turn red. That ought to get the cars to slow down.

Sure enough, a few cars noticed her and decided to slow down, allowing her to cross the street.

When she arrived on the other side, she heaved the bulky shoulder bag over her shoulder (hence, the name?) again. She sighed loudly, cursing the two remaining streets that set her apart from her home.

She wasn't sure of what to think about next, for she had nearly a zillion things circling inside her head like an intense rollercoaster. She then remembered the most recent event that had happened to her …

After she and her friend had exchanged good-byes and left separate ways, she had passed her basketball coach.

The memory was fresh in her mind and the thought of it made her bubble up inside with immense pride. Her coach had congratulated her on the improving performance shown during practice that afternoon.

Feeling quite proud of herself, she brought the memory back to a close. She crossed another sidewalk, though slightly semi-conscious of the road …

Do sidewalks here in California always seem this long?

She set her mind to dwell on random thoughts now. Thoughts like deciding what to do first when she got home.

Shower first, definitely.

She didn't like being beneath her own skin at the moment, for the icky-sticky sweat that trickled down her forehead was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

She looked up from the sidewalk and saw that she was getting nearer to home. She sighed in relief, anticipating for the feel of that cold, chilly water splashing down on her once she arrived home.

When she got there, she immediately rushed to the white fence that surrounded her lawn. She gripped the wooden bars with her tired, sore hands, eyes squeezed shut.

She was glad to have reached home.

Or, at least she thought she was.

She slowly opened her eyes … but when the expecting sight greeted her, she suddenly became confused.

Something was wrong.

She knew that, but couldn't exactly figure what. She looked around …

The plants were the same … and she could feel the warming heat of the California sunlight, washing over her sweaty skin. The sounds of children's laughter could be heard from way indoors.

Something wasn't right.

She was supposed to be relieved to be home, she knew that. But true, true … she did feel a little relieved. She tried to think of what could be confusing her, her nerves …

A sudden, vague realization hit her just then.

She had arrived at her house.

But she knew that she hadn't arrived home quite yet.