Storymania - An Echo In The Dark by Emma L Cameron

An Echo In The Dark
Emma L Cameron

“Jack, I need you to take Cindy to the dog spa after school today, and you need to pick up Kingston from the vets.” My mother said this morning as she came into the kitchen while i was getting ready for school. Cindy and Kingston were my mom’s toy poodles, Her babies.
   “JACK! Are you listening to me?!?” she exclaimed.
               “Yes Mom, I’m listening. Take Cindy to the spa and pick up Kingston from the vet... Got it. Don’t you have things to do?” I snapped back, sometimes she irritates me so much.
                I grab my leather jacket and leave the kitchen mumbling good bye. Our house is quite possible the biggest one in Indian Hills, and there are some really big houses here. My dad works for Crest. Yeah...The toothpaste company. There located in Cincinnati and he's some big wig at their fair office. CEO I think? And Mom, Well mom, she's a big time defense lawyer. She does it for whoever is willing to pay enough, even if they’re in Alaska. Whatever works I guess. I just don't get how you can go on living life while you’re keeping rapists and murderers out of prison, but whatever pays the bills i suppose. Anyway, I make my way to our garage, I go past moms 2 BMWs: one for the winter one for the summer, And dads rolls Royce phantom, His land rover and his BMW. Unlike my parents, I only have one car, I make me way to almost the end of the garage to find my Cadillac Escalade, and in front of it is the Phantom. I honestly don’t know why we have that car, he never uses it. It’s much too expensive to take out to run errands. But that’s my parents, hung up on the material aspects of life. Their parents were like that before them, I’m the misfit. Sure, the Cadillac is fine, but a Toyota would be just as good. Heaven forbid the Shane’s have a Toyota. I put the car in reverse, pull out of the garage and start driving towards school.
Of course, being Jack Shane, I can’t go to public school, oh no way. Instead of going towards Indian Hills High i turn the opposite way and start driving towards Cincinnati. I get off of the freeway and onto Vince Street, I drive up the street a little and sure enough there it is, Roger Bacon High School, The best private high school in Ohio. Its okay, I have a lot of friends, but there all like my parents, stuck up, conservative, and stuck in their shallow ways. No one here seems to get that theirs other ways of thinking that their not always right. I don’t know, I just don’t think I belong here.
“Mr. Shane, are you with us?” asked Mr. Kinzer the Psychology teacher. Psychology, i hate this class, Why should I care what's going on in others mind. I’m perfectly happy in my own mind, but parents, it was their choice. No, I couldn’t take another two film classes, I had to take psychology as well as film, they don’t get that I want to be a director, not a psychologist. Whatever floats their boats, I’ve given up trying to fight them, they always get what they want, they always have, and life’s just like that for them. You would think being the only child of Ryan and Michelle Shane I would always get what I want, but no. Not at all, there too busy with work or travel, they just throw money at me, without considering the fact that I may actually need or even want role models and parental figures in my life. Now mom, she’s always gone for work. Going to this state, or another for a dead mistress or something else equally as depressing and sleazy. You can tell she feels guilty though, but I’m used to it, I don’t know if she even stopped working when I was a baby. My parents are the type of people who value money too much to stop working and raise their own son; so of course, I was raised by several different nannies. Psychology, my family knows EVERYTHING about psychology don’t we?
Finally, lunch, I made it through the first two periods now two more to go. Weightlifting, then Calculus, and finally, home. I look around the lunch room to find my friends.
“Jack! We’re over here.” My friend Luke yelled. I walked over towards the group of my friends.
“So, were should we go out to lunch?!” Kayla asked in her cheery voice. Kayla as your stereotypical teenage girl, blonde hair, blue eyes, cheerleader, all the boys after her, yeah, you get it. Luke, he’s Kayla’s newest boy toy. The stereotypes in this city disgust me; does no one get the concept of individuality? I mean sure, I act like everyone else; I have “friends” but still… I’m the only one here who thinks differently than others. Everyone is so conservative, so uptight, so… stuck in their ways and unwilling to listen to anyone else’s opinion or change their mind.
We decide to go to P.F. Changs since it’s not too far from campus. At lunch I have to deal with Luke being all over Kayla. It. Was. Disgusting. I tried to distract myself by talking to Arianna. That didn’t work as well as I had hoped; it’s hard to have an intellectual conversation with someone while two of your friends are making out right next to you. Once were done eating Luke gets the bill, it’s his time to pay and we pile into my Escalade. I drive back to campus and pull up near my parking spot, it’s taken... A little blue Volkswagen bug, I little cheap for our school, but you have to admire their willingness to be different, I have a feeling I will become friends with whoever owns the blue bug.
I park in the spot next to the bug and get out; I grab my weightlifting stuff and go to the weight room next to the gym. Tons and tons of teenagers file in, this is the only period you can take weightlifting and our school has a huge athletic department, so you can imagine how big the class is. Only about 60 kids were allowed in this class, half the football team, track team, cross country and every other sport weren’t even accepted into the class. Shocking really, they only offer this class one period that more than half, ľ of our athletes can’t even get in.
You can imagine how bad the weight room smells after 60 kids work out for 90 minutes, it’s ghastly. I jog to the locker room to get in a quick shower before 4th period. I walk out to the parking lot to put my weight bag back. The blue bug is still there. I open my trunk when I hear someone scream: “Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Shoot, shoot, shoot!” I hear footsteps running in my direction. I shut the trunk and look to see what’s going on. I see this girl, about 5 foot 6 running towards the blue bug. She had short brown hair with wine-red and purple highlights and side swept bangs. She looked gorgeous, I had never seen a girl look that beautiful. She stopped once she got to the blue bug.
“Is everything alright?” I asked shyly.
“Wow, yea that’s embarrassing, sorry, everything’ fine. I just… This is my new car and I forgot to put the roof back up and well, I just checked the weather report and it’s supposed to rain, plus, look at the sky.” She says as she looks up at the sky and gets into the bug. You have to appreciate her ability to multi task.
“Oh yea, your right, I should probably shut my sun roof then huh?” I ask.
“Yeah, probably… So I guess this means the concerts probably going to be canceled tonight.” She asks looking at the sky.
“The killer’s concert? Yea, I just got the text. Now I don’t know what I'm going to do tonight, I don’t really want to hang out at home.” I say
“Me neither, we just moved here from New York so my house is kind of disorganized.
“Oh yea? You just moved? Cool well we should hang out, I can show you around and stuff.” I ask. Whoa, did I really just ask the new girl out, the most beautiful girl in the world. Uh oh.
“Ohmigosh! Thank you so much that would be great! Pick me up at 6?” She exclaims.
“Uhm, yea, sure, what’s your number so I can find out where you live? I didn't get your name either.” I say.
“Oops my b thats embarrassing. Im Echo . Its 234-555-7657. See you later!” She exclaims as she starts frolicking towards the school. Wow, what just happened? I just asked the blue bug girl out and she said yes! Wow…
I stand next to my car for awhile replaying what just happened until the late bell rings. Instead of going to calculus I decide to go home, I’ve got some shopping to do and a lot to think about. I pull out and leave the blue bug. She seems so… different than everyone else. I swing by the vets on my way home to pick up Kingston one of my mom’s two toy poodles. I get home, and park in the drive way and get out, I leave Kingston in the car as I run into the house to get Cindy. Cindy, the other toy poodle. I put her in back with Kingston and pull out of the driveway and onto the main road. I head towards the dog spa.
I drop Cindy off and drive towards Safe-way. We don’t have any food at our house and since my mom just left to Arkansas for a month on work and my Dad eats every meal at a meeting I decide to take it upon myself to buy groceries. I roll down the windows a little for Kingston and I lock the doors. I grab a cart after the first set of sliding doors leading into the Safe-way. I head towards the deli, bakery, and produce. If you think about it, all grocery stores are set up the same way, you go here then there and so on. I stop at the deli counter. Hmmm.... what do get.
“Hi, Uhm can i get a half a pound of peppered turkey and umm... A half a pound havarti cheese?” I ask nervously, I don't know why I'm so nervous here. My parents get there food delivered. They cant risk being seen in public. Me, i like going to the grocery store. I find it oddly relaxing.
“Coming right up” says the man behind the counter. “There you go” I take both the packages and put them in my cart, i mumble thanks as i walk away. I head over to the bakery. I grab a baguette and put it in the cart. Next, The produce. I get some grapes. Green, of course. Some pears, lettuce, and strawberries. I think about wether or not i want apples and bananas, i decide against it. On to the cereal. I grab a box of Raisin Bran, the only cereal worth eating. In the next isle i get apple juice and wheat thins. Now into the frozen food. I get Ben and Jerry's half baked ice cream, delicious. I grab a bag of Tortilla chips, a can of salsa and a four pack of monster and make my way to the check out.
Once i check out i make my way back to the car. I pick up Kingston and put the 3 bags of groceries where he was sitting. I take him up to the front and put him on my lap. I actually don't mind it when its just him. When its him and Cindy though, or ever just Cindy... Its HORRIBLE. She is the most spoiled dog in the world and my mom rarely takes care of her because she's always gone on work. I look down at Kingston.
“I think were going to get you a brother today... a BIG brother.” I say. I don't want to hurt Cindy or anything, i just think she needs to learn her lesson. I pull out of the Safe-way parking lot and get onto the freeway heading towards Cincinnati. I sent a quick text to Echo and look up pet stores and dog shelters on my iPhone.
I grab Kingston and get out of the car. I walk into the pet store and a bell rings. The store smells like puppy.
“Hey, can i help you?” asks a woman, probably in her 20s.
“Yea, I need a puppy, a big dog breed, a nice one but one that will scare the crap out of this ones sister.” I say pointing to Kingston.
“Well, You came to the right place. Do you have any budget?” Of course, i reply not at all. “Well then, We have some Great Danes, some Pit Bulls, some Rotties, and some Bull dogs.” She continues.
“Can i see the Rottwielers and Great Danes please.” I ask.
“Sure thing, Come on back.” She says, I grab Kingston and we go back. Kingston loves playing with puppies. We couldn’t decide on which one. Then we (Kingston and I) decide we will get a Rottie.
I put both dogs in the car and take them home, I look at the clock: I’ve got about an hour until Echo and I hang out. I let Kingston out of the car and i grab the puppy with one arm and the groceries with the other hand. We enter the house and I put the puppy down as I unload the groceries. Once I finish putting away the groceries I find the puppy luckily he was only in the dog room, the next room over. I shut the gate to that room so he can’t get out and I run upstairs to get a quick shower.
When I come back downstairs it looks as if a tornado had gone straight through the dog room. I laugh as I pick up the stuffing from the stuffed animals. I look at the clock and its 5:30.
“Crap!” I say to myself, picking up the puppy and Kingston and putting them into the car, the puppy in a dog crate. I pull out of the long drive way and start heading towards Indian Hill Village, I park at the dog spa and run in to get Cindy. She jumps right into my arms, I pay with my credit card and get back into the car with Cindy on my lap. I turn onto Red Fox Lane and into Echos drive way. Her house isn’t as big as mine, its actually on the small side for Indian Hills and mines one of the big ones. Actually its probably the biggest. I sit in my car contemplating on wether or not I should go up and ring on the doorbell and introduce myself or if I should just sit and wait in my car.
Just as I unbuckle my seatbelt Echo runs out the front door and jumps into the passenger seat. Kingston freaks out and jumps onto Cindy whose on my lap. The puppy, hearing all the commotion and feeling left out starts to bark, causing Cindy to freak out more with the bark of a new dog in my car she leaps onto the dashboard. Without even saying hello to Echo I get out of the car, go to the trunk and get the puppy out. I bring him up front and set him on my lap. I grab Cindy put her in the back seat and do the same with Kingston.
“Hello darling.” I say to Echo half laughing at what just went down with the dogs.
“Hey!” She says leaning over and kissing me on the cheek. “Thanks for picking me up.”
“Anytime” I say trying to hold back my excitement from the kiss I had just received. “So, this ones new” I say pointing to the puppy. “That was Cindy’s first time meeting him and the only dog she’s not afraid of is Kingston. Do you mind if we drop them back at my house real fast?” I ask.
“That was actually the funniest thing i’ve ever seen and no I don’t mind at all she says as I drive onto Drake Road. I pull onto Camargo Club Drive after about a mile on Drake. I turn into my drive way after a little bit on Camargo and then after about half a mile on my drive way we get to my house. I look over to Echo and her mouth is hanging open so wide. If it were night it would be lit up with thousands of fire flies. I unbuckle my seat belt, grab the puppy and get out of the car. I open the back door letting Kinston and Cindy out then I go around and open Echo’s door.
“You planing on coming in?” I ask laughing at her expression.
“Oh yeah, sorry” she says unbuckling her seatbelt and getting out of the car. “This is a really big house just so you know” She says still in awe. “It’s funny, you don’t act rich, your not all stuck up.”
“Nor do you, and thats because I honestly don’t care about it. Its all luxury. Its unnecessary. Society gives us these ideals that if you have money your a good person, but if you don't? Your not a good person. Its ridiculous. People with money aren't necessarily great.” I say immediately regretting it. I let her in too soon.
“Wow, I totally agree.” She says following me into the house through the garage. I set the puppy down in the dog room and put Kingston and Cindy in there too. “Does the puppy have a name yet?” She asks.
“Nope I just got him today. Want to help me pick one out?” I ask.
“Of course!” She says. We go into the kitchen and she sits on the counter with my laptop as I get us some drinks and food. “Oh Oh Oh!! I got it! She says! Ares!”
“Oh, so were doing greek gods, okay, uhm Hades? Zeus?” I say.
“I think we better do Zeus, everyone knows Zeus...” Says Echo.
“Your right. Zeus it is.” I say putting fettucini alfredo pasta and sparkling cider in front of her.
“Wow.” She says. “And you cook, is there anything you can’t do” she asks taking a bite. “Oh, My, Gosh, this is amazing!”
“Thanks. I try” I say sitting in the seat next to her with my food. I take a bite then a sip of my sparkling cider.
“That was amazing” She says once were done eating. “Like, I hon-” she pauses as the garage door opens, the dogs start to bark, sure enough my dad walks in. He hangs up his coat as well as keys and walks into the kitchen.
“Why hello” He says to Echo kissing her hand as she shakes his. “Im Ryan Shane, and you are?” He asks politely.
“I’m- I’m Echo Wills, Jacks friend” She says shyly
“Well nice to meet you Echo Wills, I hope to see you again. Jack?” He says turning to me.
“There’s a plate of pasta in the oven if your hungry and the rotwieler is mine.” I say.
“Sounds good.” He says. “You too have fun today, and jack? Your telling your mother about the dog.”
“Yes sir.” I mumble as he goes up the back stairs.
“He’s charming, your a lot like him” Echo says the second he leaves.
“Oh, please don’t say that” I say. “Hey, wanna go down to Newport at the levi and go to a movie?”
“Sure, but are you sure its okay to leave the dogs here with your dad?” She asks.
“Oh. Yeah. It’ll be fine we will just put them in the dog room.” I reply
“Okay, sounds good.” She says. I grab Kingston and Cindy while Echo gets the puppy. We put all three of them in the dog room and go out to the garage. I open the passenger side door for Echo and I get in on my side. I put the car into reverse and start driving towards Cincinnati. Instead of getting of at downtown Cinci, I go over the bridge into Kentucky and park at the New Port parking lot. We get out of the car and I start walking towards the elevators. Echo enlaces her hands with mine as we get into the the elevator and go up to the ground level.
“Movie or aquarium?” I ask as we get to the main level.
“AQUARIUM!!!” She exclaims.
“Sounds good” I say leading her to the aquarium.
“Hey Jack, great to see you again? We’re actually about to close to the public but I’ll let you and your date in.” Says Ken, the owner of the aquarium and a family friend.
“Thanks Ken.” I say as he lets Echo and I into the aquarium.
“You too have fun, and behave.” He says as we enter into the first room. Echo still holding my hand.
“Would you believe I’ve never been to one of these?” She asked gasping in awe at the fish.
“Really?!? Wow!” I exclaim grasping her hand tighter but not enough to hurt it. “Come with me then, you have to see this” I say looking at my clock as I lead her to another part in the aquarium. “We’re right in time too”
“What where are you taking me?” She asks as we round a corner and get closer to a doorway. I let go of her hand and I put my hands over her eyes so she cant see. “Whats going on?” She asks as I lead her through the doorway.
“Ready, on the count of three. Three... Two...One!” I say. On one she opens her eyes to see the glass box were in. Fish and sharks swim all around us.
“Oh. My. Gosh” she says staring.
“Wait, are you ready for this?” I ask pressing a button on the wall. The box starts to move up. We’re in a glass elevator. A glass elevator thats not open to the public. We get off into i large glass room with scuba diving stuff in it. I grab a scuba outfit and hand it to her. “Here, this should fit.”
“Wait, are you sure this is okay?” She asks.
“Oh yea, I asked Ken and its fine. Kens the owner and my parents best friend. I’m like a son to him.” I explain. “Don’t worry about taking off your clothes, these fit over them and will keep them dry, and keep you warm” I say as I start putting my suit on over my jeans.
“Uhm okay” She says timidly putting on the suit over her clothes. I walk up to her and kiss her lightly on the lips.
“Trust me. Everything will be fine.” I say as we slowly descend into the warm water. Echo takes ahold of my hand tightly as she fallows me into the water.
“This is it” She says, referring to swimming with sharks. She was right though, this was it, the beginning of the rest of our lives, and it all started with the girl in the blue bug.